Editorial Review

"The wheels on the bus go round and round.... All over town." Thistraditional song, a favorite of children everywhere, is adapted and illustratedby Paul O. Zelinsky, winner of the Caldecott Medal for his lush version of Read more

Reviews (55)

The Wheels on the Bus
This is one of the best children's books my children have ever read.My 18 year old son had this book for ever, now his son is reading the book.We had to order another one as the first book has been used so many times some of the features don't work anymore.My 3 year grandson loves all the movement the book offers.This is his favorite storybook.

Let's sing along
One of our favorite songs is now a pop-up book!This is a colorful and very busy book.It's great fun, but difficult for quick little fingers to maneuver without damaging the tabs.I will put this book away till he's 4 years old and try again then.

One of the All-Time Greats
The art is beautiful, the song is beloved and there are stories within the story, beautifully depicted, that keep the fascination level high. Overall one of the very best kids books I have ever seen. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buses    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children's songs    5. Interactive Adventure    6. Lifestyles - City & Town Life    7. Songs and music    8. Specimens    9. Texts    10. Toy and movable books    11. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / General   

Editorial Review

In older versions of the classic tale Read more

Reviews (38)

Beautiful Illustrations-captures my daughters imagination
This book has beautiful illustrations that ask for long leisurely looks- perfect for a pre-reader looking for the story in the pictures.The story itself is well told and holds the attention of my 5 year old girl.

Rapunzel: always a favorite!
This book captures my little ladies' hearts and imagination. Wonderful illustrations and beautiful use of the English language. We began using it to learn vocabulary when my daughter was 3 and she still loves this one at age 6! A delight for the whole family.

Stunning images
I'm amazed by Zelinsky's gift at art! The tower (that tall, slender thing doesn't look very believable to me) doesn't really impress me, but that's just a minor complaint that I have (aside from that Rapunzel and her prince could have gotten to know each other before the marriage).
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    6. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    7. Fairy tales    8. Folklore    9. Germany    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title   

Editorial Review

When, in second grade, Leigh writes to an author to tell him how muchhe "licked" his book, he never suspects that he'll still be writing to him four years later. And he never imagines the kinds of things he'll be writing about: Read more

Reviews (138)

Dear Mr. Henshaw
Given the homework assignment of writing to a famous author, sixth grader Leigh Botts writes to Boyd Henshaw, the author of his favorite book, Ways to Amuse a Dog. Leigh's questions about a writer's life, but he also encloses a series of questions about Leigh that he must answer and send back to him. Slowly, Leigh's letters reveal the difficulties of his life, especially his parent's divorce and the fact that his self absorbed trucker father send to have forgotten all him. By writing to Mr. Henshaw, and later by following Mr. Henshaw's advice to keep a journal. Leigh is able to overcome some of the difficulties in his life and also come to terms with some things that he can't change. My recommendation is I don't understand how the book was written. But the rest of the book was great. The writer of Dear Mr. Henshaw's made this book for kids of 8-11. The vocabulary and the explanations is great because it little easy. The book is written in letters of Mr. Henshaw and Leigh journal. It tells how Leigh life was.
this bookwas sad and happy
I read this book for school and it was great.I wish I could meet Leigh. Kevin Walter Branciforte Age 10

An excellent, very real, story of a boy struggling with his parents divorce
Leigh Botts writes letters to his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw, and eventually starts a diary. Into both the letter and the diary he pours his sorrow and anger over his parents divorce, his lack of friendsand problems with the mysterious "lunchbox thief" at school, his dream to become a writer, andthe memory of his beloved dog, Bandit, who left with his irresponsible trucker dad. Although the book is a drama, Mrs. Clearly adds humor as well.With very real characters and story, this book won a gold Calacott medal.- Sarah ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Divorce    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Parent and child    7. Schools    8. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Editorial Review

Paul O. Zelinsky, 1998 Caldecott medalist for Read more

Reviews (22)

Great pictures
The pictures in this book are very nice. My 5-year old loves to hear it as a story before going to sleep. The ending of the story is also suitable for this age, since Rumpelstiltskin ends up flying out the window, instead of something more tragic happening to him.

fairy tale told true
This is a lovely version of the classic Rumpelstiltskin. I enjoyed reading it with my third graders. The illustrations are beautiful and spark the imagination. A good story demonstrates struggle and challenges the students to compare present day expectations with the past.

Rumpelstilskin
I wanted a classic children's fairy tale story with handsome illustrations.I got just what I wanted with this book.I have a 3 1/2 year old and it is the perfect length for bedtime. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    6. Fairy tales    7. Folklore    8. Germany    9. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Anthologies   

Reviews (12)

Fairy tale Favorite
I love this book.I am huge fan of Paul Zelinsky's pictures and Rika Lessers version of Hansel and Gretel is a great match.I have used this book with my first grade classroom and they flipped over the story even though it was one they heard before and the pictutes paired with it.It was a raving sucess with them and I'm sure it would be with your kids.

great
this book was great. it was sad in some parts like when hansel and gretel were capture by that old woman. then i liked how they found the beautiful jewels. that was cool. my favorite part is how they found the woodcutter and when home. this is a good story tale for kids.
Moral values
Hansel and Gretel is my fav fairy tales. Almost all stories of Grimm have moral values and this one is no exception. Fairy tales were told as form of entertainment too. They show the kids the right way to behave. However, If pondered over, Hansel and Gretel is one fairy tale with Biblical resemblance. The kids view their parents house as a place of security.The two children are wandering through the woods and are hungry, tired and alone.This closely resembles the passage where Jesus wandered through the desert for forty days.He too was tired and hungry and completely alone.During this time, Satan tried to tempt Jesus with food.Satan told Him that if He were the Son of God, then He should turn a stone into bread for food (Luke 4:3).Jesus did not get tempted but here in the story, the children saw the gingerbread house and ate parts of it until they were full. The children continued to eat pieces of it even after they were full, which is gluttony. And Gluttony is one topic in Bible is seen as one of the seven deadly sins, if I am not mistaken. Than the final part, Gretel traps the witch inside her own oven, right before she was getting ready to cook Hansel.The witch is burnt up.This resembles the story of Satan.At the end of Satan's reign over earth, the Christians will be saved from the fire and Satan will be thrown into the fiery pit of Hell, where he will be tortured forever. In end, there is rejoicing; very similiar when the satan (witch) dies,the children reap the rewards and rejoice to 'live happily ever after' Moreover, the tale show abandonment, hunger, fear,friendly sibling example, family unity - issues that startles kids minds to pause and think. It makes the kids dive into imagination and with the very good illustrations and very well re-told classic, this book is a wonderful Pick for all Children - Best of the Best Fairy tale to read and instil moral values in kids. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Classics    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    5. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    6. Fairy tales    7. Folklore    8. General    9. Germany    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title   

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Family - General    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Magnets    10. Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories    11. Preschool Picture Story Books    12. Refrigerators    13. Toys, Dolls, & Puppets    14. Juvenile Fiction / Family / General   

Editorial Review

On the day of her birth, nothing about Angelica Longrider suggested that she would one day become the greatest woodswoman of Tennessee. In fact, the newborn was "scarcely taller than her mother and couldn't climb a tree without help." It's not long, though, before Angelica is vanquishing varmints such as Thundering Tarnation, a huge bear with a taste for settlers' winter rations, and swallowing entire lakes in a gulp.Read more

Reviews (15)

Swamp Angel
Swamp angel is about a friendly, strong, giant girl; from the South. The conflict of the story is, Tarnation, a giant gorilla is eating up all the food. So, the mayor decides to have a contest to see which man can kill him. Whoever succeeds, will get to keep the pelt of the giant animal. Everyone who dared to try to kill the beast, failed, until one day the Swamp angel stepped in. This book is extremely funny with wonderful illustrations. I believe this book would be suitable for children under the age of eight. I give this book two thumbs up.

A Book For All
Swamp Angel is a great adventurous folktale, with unbelievable illistrations. And a funny southern accent that all will love. A heart warming tale bout a freindly, super-strong, giant girl; who saves her dear little home from dangers like a tornado. Anne Isaacs did an exceptional job to make this book humorous, exciting, adventurous, and fun-filled for all especialy children. Swamp angel is a considerate, generous, and all around nice person. Yet she's strong, brave, and determined. This story is taken place in Tennesse, down south. The problem is that Thunderin' Tarnation is eating all the food, so the mayor decides to have a contest. The first person to kill Thunerin' Tarnation gets to keep the pelt of the giant beast, saves their intire state's food from being eaten, and dthey will have an abundance of food. Many tried and almost all failed but one Swamp angel. But she still hasn't saw Thunderin' Tarnation yet. Until one day by the lake she spotted Old Tarnation. And that was were the showdown between Old Tarnation and Swamp Angel began. If you're a Paul Bunyun fan, well then this book is for you. I thought this was a fun and exciting book. If you read this book, I can almost garuntee that you will feal the same way. I give Swamp Angel two thumbs up!

I really liked Tarnation!
WARNING!!This review may contain Spoilers!
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Frontier and pioneer life    6. Humorous Stories    7. Tall tales    8. Tennessee    9. Juvenile Fiction / Legends, Myths, Fables / General    10. Picture books   

Reviews (1)

Dear Mr. Henshaw
This book is about a young boy named Leigh Botts who writes letters to an author, Mr. Henshaw.Leigh Botts parents are divorced and he does not get to see his dad too much.Leigh writes in his journal when he does not write to Mr. Henshaw.Leigh's has a dog named Bandit that lives with hisDad.This is a great book that teaches journal writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Divorce    4. Family - Marriage & Divorce    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Parent and child    8. Schools    9. Social Issues - General    10. Social Situations - General    11. Spanish: Grades 4-7    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (11)

preschool learning fun
My preschool special ed students LOVE this book, they would read it 10 times each day if I allowed them to.It's fun, had wonderful pop-ups and pull tabs and reinforces beginning reading skills such as rhyming.A must for children who need encouragement to listen to stories.

A Work Of Art
I bought this book based on reviews on this site of the author, Paul O. Zelinsky.I wasn't sure if it was age appropriate for my son (17 months), but he loves books and I just decided to give it a go.My husband and I opened it while our son was sleeping and we just LOVED it.The drawings are amazing and the engineering of the tab movement is unbelivevable.It had us in awe for 10 or 20 minutes.The book might not be kid friendly, but if you can hold your child for a few minutes and show them the movement of the pictures and read the story it will be great.

Well worth it!!
I agree with other reviewers that the pulls are a little stiff on this book, but i just slip a finger in the page while a pull and they all go easily. Not a big deal to me at all. I cannot let my 10 month old play with this book like she does many of her others, but I knew that from the start. She finds it mesmerizing though and I have a feeling that we will get years of use out of this one!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Preschool    3. Folk songs    4. Folk songs, English    5. General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Poetry - General    8. Specimens    9. Texts    10. Toy and movable books    11. Zelinsky, Paul O.    12. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / General   

Reviews (21)

S Review
Strider is about Leigh and a dog named Strider, as well as Leigh's friend, Barry. Leigh is depressed about his parents divorcing, and uses Strider to fill the gaps of his life voided by his problems. This book is about friendship and struggles of the hardships of everyday life.
A Great Book!!! A Must Read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The book Strider was about a boy, Leigh Botts, and a dog, Strider. Leigh's parents were divorced. He and his mom just moved to Pacific Grove, where he was a new kid. One day, Leigh and his best friend, Barry, couldn't go to any arcades so the beach was the only place to go. On the beach they found an abandoned dog just sitting there. They tried to coax the dog to follow them but it wouldn't even budge, so they started running along the beach. All of sudden the dog started to run along with them so they decided to keep the dog. They named the dog Strider because Strider seemed like a good name for a running dog. They thought of a good idea that they could have joint custody and split the cost of dog support. Leigh keeping Strider at night and both of them playing with Strider during the day was their decision. When school started, they could keep Strider at Barry's front yard because it had a fence around it.But Barry had to go see his real Mom so Leigh could keep Strider for a month. Everyday Leigh ran with Strider and he starts to like running. He really wanted to keep Strider all to himself and when Barry came back, he wouldn't put Strider in Barry's yard on the way to school, and he tried to avoid Barry. He felt really guilty so one day he brought Strider, leash, and everything that Strider needed to Barry's house and left him there. After a few days, while walking back home, Leigh found Strider at his house! There was no leash or anything so he thought that Strider had come on his own. Barry went to Leigh's house to make sure that Strider was at his house and he found out he was. So he decided that Leigh should keep the dog and he could be Strider's friend. Things got better later on. Leigh's Dad came to his house very often by his truck and Leigh's parents were getting along better now. Leigh's Dad even helped him build a fence around the house so Strider wouldn't run out of the house. Leigh also made friends with a girl named Geneva, and a boy named Kevin. Leigh joined the track at his school and he entered a track meet with many other schools...
CHARIOTS OF FUR?
Man's best friend does it again! Well, it's been two years since Leigh Botts closed the diary which boys' writer, Mr. Henshaw, had inspired him to keep.Now he's taller, still living in a "shack" with his divorced mom, but totally cool about his trucker dad's permanent absence from the family portrait.One day at the beach he finds an abandoned dog--of a breed which runs and herds other animals.Starving but obedient to his last command, the forlorn canine guiltily follows Leigh home.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Dogs    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 4-6    5. Divorce    6. Dogs    7. Family - Marriage & Divorce    8. Fiction    9. High schools    10. Social Issues - Friendship    11. Social Situations - Friendship    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Dogs   

Reviews (1)

The Story of Mrs. Lovewright and Purrless Her Cat
Lore Segal and Paul Zelinsky have created a timeless, fine, humorous work that is delightful for both adults and children.Mrs. Lovewright is among the funniest and most beautifully rendered characters I've found inchildren's literature.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Cats    2. Cats    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Children: Kindergarten    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    10. Social Issues - New Experience    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Cats   

Editorial Review

A plot summary makes this story sound ordinary by children's literature standards: the summer adventures of four children who discover an enchanted castle and a magic ring. But Edith Nesbit's adored classic (written in 1907) is so much more than the description suggests. Right from the start, the author plays with the idea of magic, teasing us with a sleeping princess who turns out to be a fake. Elsewhere, the magic is "real" as can be--in fact, though written nearly 100 years ago, Read more

Reviews (21)

The Enchanting Characters
In The Enchanted Castle, the author E(dith) Nesbit plays with the boundaries between magic and reality. Three children come upon a castle in one of their exploratory adventures and decide to pretend that it's enchanted. They meet Mabel, the housekeeper's daughter, who pretends she's part of the enchantment - a sleeping princess. However, magic soon subtly takes over and the castle and its grounds really do become enchanted. The children, who at the beginning wished for something out-of-the-ordinary to happen, face situations that include a ring with unpredictable powers, the resurrection of the Ugly Wuglies, and a garden full of mythological statues.
"The Ring is the Heart of the Magic..."
Like most children's fantasy adventures, this one begins with several displaced children, removed from their usual situation due to unfortunate events, and finding their independence in new surroundings. In this case, Gerald, Jimmy and Kathleen find themselves staying at Kathleen's school over the summer holidays in the care of her French teacher. But adventure is on the way, as soon they find a secret path into a beautiful garden where a young princess lies asleep in the centre of a hedge maze.
The book that launched a thousand fantasies
This book launched a whole subgenre--fantasy books in which a group of three to five children (usually mixed gender) cross the boundry between the everyday world into the world of fantasy. It is the inspiration behind CS Lewis's Narnia books, Edward Eager's books, and generations of more recent novels. And it happens to be a wonderful read! My eight-year-old adored it--she's a huge Harry Potter fan (another series in Nesbit's debt) and thought this one was fabulous, though the Victorian language did slow her down a little. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Classics    6. England    7. Fantasy    8. Fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Juvenile Science Fiction / Fantasy    11. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    12. Zelinsky, Paul O.    13. Juvenile Fiction / General    14. Science fiction   

Editorial Review

How awful is this green-haired, one-eyed ogre? So awful his name isAwful Ogre. Fortunately, he takes some time out of his awfully busy ogreschedule to describe his routine, poem by poem, from the moment his petrattlesnake awakens him to a touching bedtime scene--as rhythmic and tender asRead more

Reviews (7)

Fun, Fun, Fun!
What a terrific, fun, lively book!As much fun for me and my husband to read as it is for our son to have it read to him.Even though he is still small, he loves the rhyming cadence of it and the pictures.A nice change from Dr. Seuss - I just love Awful Ogre!Especially when he dances...or courts a grrrrl...or goes out to dinner... Truly a Dream Team!
Fans of Prelutsky and fans of Zelinsky, rejoice! This devoutly-to-be-wished combination comes off just as well as you might imagine. It really does present a day in the life of a one-eyed ogre in poems and pictures. And by all means, read it out loud! It's so much more fun that way. My favorite -- "When elves and gnomes encounter me, / They often shriek, `Grotesque!' / I bow with magnanimity / And murmur, `Statuesque!' " And the pictures! There are a lot of things going on in the four-color pictures. And kids will have fun finding them all! Some of the language is hilariously gross and disgusting -- and not for the squeamish! Prelutsky obviously has always loved the sound of words -- and big ones, at that. And as always, he doesn't write DOWN to kids. There is a glorious perfection in his rhythms. Kids will love to grimace and wince along with the gory subject matter. This book is so much fun!

An Awfully Exciting Adventure...
Jack Prelutsky, author of more than 30 artistic creations, takes the reader on a journey through the daily rituals of an ogre's pleasantly gross life.Prelutsky describes all of the ogre's activities from sunrise, when his pet rattlesnake wakes him, until late into the night, when he has a nightmare about a beautifully tranquil place.Using fabulous double-page spreads, Zelinsky illustrates how the ogre enjoys a violent storm, tends to his garden of carnivorous roses and overblown mold and takes supper at a local restaurant where his titanic appetite is satisfied with triple helpings of everything (including the silverware, plates and tablecloth).The 18 rhythmic and witty verses are brought to life with remarkable detail using watercolor and pen and ink.This combination of gruesome humor, along with the realistic snapshots of the ogre's life, will provide many hours of entertainment and enjoyment to all those who are ready to experience the adventure.Everyone will fall in love with this oversized and grotesque, but playful, ogre as they scour each marvelous and explosive work of art!(Ages 6 and older) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    2. Children's poetry, American    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Ghouls and ogres    5. Humor - General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile Poetry    8. Poetry    9. Poetry - Humorous    10. Prelutsky, Jack    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / Humorous   

Subjects:  1. Children: Preschool    2. Dwellings    3. Fiction    4. Mice    5. Stories in rhyme    6. Early learning / early learning concepts    7. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Subjects:  1. Art (paintingsculptureartistsarchitectureetc.)    2. Children's 4-8 - Language Arts    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Kindergarten    5. Concepts - Words    6. Drawing    7. Fiction    8. Humorous Stories    9. Humorous fiction    10. Interactive Adventure    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. School & Education    13. Zelinsky, Paul O.    14. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Words   

Reviews (24)

Classic Tale Comes to Life for Modern-Day Readers
Books of Wonder once again brings a classic E. Nesbit tale back to life for readers young and all to enjoy. Brimming with fun and fantasy, as well as realistic, believeable story-telling, this is an adventure that will keep you guessing what will happen next.
Another wonderful read by Nesbit!
I started out 2005 not knowing who E. Nesbit was and by year's end, I've read three of her most famous works, including this one. The story follows five children in their adventures with a Psammead, or a rather ugly sand fairy that grants them one wish per day. The children's wishes vary each day and lead to some very interesting consequences for each of them, including the difficulties the children encounter when they wish on whim that their little baby brother would grow up, or the perils they experience when wishing that their summer home would suddenly become a castle under siege. Although the children try day by day to think of more sensible wishes, they soon learn that such a thing is not as easy as one would believe.
ONE OF A KIND! THIS AUTHOR HAS IMAGINATION with a capital "I" ...
One of the first things I look for when purchasing a child's book is the IMAGINATION of the author. This one passed with flying colors. I'm an adult and I adored this book, but not everyone is like me.
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Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. England    5. Fairies    6. Fairy Tales & Folklore - General    7. Fiction    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Wishes    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

Awesome story/great illustrations
This is a superbly calm story to read to children. The illustrations are gorgeous. My 5 yr old daughter has loved this book since the day I brought it home. She often requests it for a bed time story and it seems to really calm her spirit. It basically tells the story of what happens as the sun goes down and the moon fills the sky in a poignant and beautiful way.
A wonderful goodnight book
My children received this book as a gift when they were small, and I have tried to buy it as a gift for others - I am delighted to see it is available! The illustrations are lovely, and the text has the same rythmic,soothing quality as the best bedtime books.As far as I am concerned,"Sun's Asleep" ranks right up there with "Goodnight,Moon." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bedtime    2. Bedtime & Dreams    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Preschool    5. Fiction    6. General    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Night    9. Stories in rhyme    10. Juvenile Fiction / Bedtime & Dreams   

Reviews (2)

Obsession and tiny men
Illustrated beautifully by Paul Zelinsky, the book has its strengths and its weaknesses.Looking at the beautiful pen and ink drawings, comparisons to Chris Van Allsberg come immediately to mind.Zelinsky has drawn characters that are beautifully lifelike and real.The story itself leaves a bit to be desired.A strong moral tale about how obsession can make a person crazy, the little boy searching frantically for the miniscule men he imagines inside a small boat eventually goes completely bonkers and rips his grandmother's beloved model ship to pieces.He then, upon realizing that the little men will not be forthcoming, throws himself into his bed in tears.The kindly grandmother goes to comfort him and, in an odd cliffhanger ending, she has not yet seen the damage her grandson has wrought.Bear in mind that up until this point the self-absorbed little boy has been copping out of chores and walks by pretending to be sick so that he might catch the mini men in motion.His grandmother has been worrying about him and tending to him all the while.Kids will not, I suspect, enjoy the ending.The age group for whom this book is intended will undoubtedly demand to know how the grandmother took the news that her grandson was a destructive Tasmanian-like devil in her home.Altogether, I would not recommend this book too highly.

MARITIME MANIA
Eight-year-old Boris is sent to visit his grandmother for some months in turn-of-the-century Russia. Lonely and desperate for playmates, he has to make do with the kindly old lady and his own imagination.He is intrigued by a realistic replica of a sailing ship which is stored high on a shelf in her kitchen.This is the only ojbect in her humble cottage which she will refuses to let him play with, so naturally it acquires additional charm--the attraction of the Forbidden. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Babies & Toddlers    2. Fiction    3. Russia    4. Soviet Union   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Mystery and detective stories    6. Resourcefulness    7. Robbers and outlaws