Polar Bear Review

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(More customer reviews)This book features great photos of polar bears in their habitat. There are quite a number of pictures of females and their cubs. The book's captions are well-written and affectionate.
"Polar Bear" is among my favorite books.

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Prowling the frozen reaches of the far northern corners of Russia, Canada, and Alaska, the Arctic polar bear is the world's largest land predator and one of the most difficult to track of all wild creatures. With spectacular photographs and an engaging, thoroughly researched text, Polar Bear follows its subject from rambunctious, protected cub to robust, formidable adult. Including close-ups of play and fighting rituals, swimming shots, luminous landscape images, and rarely seen photos of mothers at their dens, this elegant, informative book pays tribute to a fascinating and powerful survivor of one of the planet's harshest environments.

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The Christmas Bear Review

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(More customer reviews)The Christmas Bear
The Christmas Bear by Henrietta and was one of the best picture books I've ever read! It's cute, elegant, and adorable. This book is a fun filled book that will make you feel good at the end. You will get excited as you feel the joy of the bear on his journey out of his cozy den.
This story is about a curious bear as he wanders outside of his den when suddenly he falls into a bright and warm hole. The North Pole! (Santa's workshop.) Santa thinks the little bear is there to apply for a job. After along day of looking at jobs Santa realizes the bear isn't there to apply for a job. Responsibly Santa takes the little bear home but first gives him a gift he will never forget.
This book was a magnificent book to read. I liked it because it was not hard to read and I truly pictured the little bear as he discovered lots of things about the North Pole. The illustrations were marvelous! I would highly recommend this book for young kids. And probably read this book before any other Christmas tale.

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Little Polar Bear Review

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(More customer reviews)I love this book!! The illustrations are wonderful and they always captured my attention. The story is of a little polar bear, Lars who goes on an adventure away from his clean, white home in the North Pole. He makes a new friend, who helps him on his adventure.
I still love this book. I take it babysitting with me sometimes, and all the kids have liked it too.

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While hunting with his father, Little Polar Bear drifts out to sea and ends up in a jungle where a friendly hippopotamus helps him return home.

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The Mysterious Tadpole (A Pied Piper Book) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Mysterious tadpole is a book at our preschool and it is checked out so often it is diffult to get your hands on it. Boys just love this story of friendship and problem solving. As a mom, I like the values of Louie, who won't give up on his beloved pet / friend Alphonse. I would recommend it to all boys and gils of all ages.

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Christopher Robin Leads an Expedition (Dutton Easy Reader) Review

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(More customer reviews)When I went to introduce my preschooler to Winnie-the-Pooh, I bought the big book with the complete stories and poems. It didn't take long for me to figure out that it wasn't quite right for my 3-year-old. Reading a story out of the original works takes a good 15-20 minutes, which is more than one can really expect from a preschooler or toddler. Also, the original Pooh is a bit like Sesame Street, in that there are phrases and indeed entire sections of the stories that adults will find amusing but which will just go over a child's head.
And yet, I didn't want to break down and go the route of the Disney-fied Pooh books, with their cartoonish illustrations and watered-down plots and characters.
That's why I was so pleased to find the Easy-to-Read series. There are six easy-to-read titles from two publishers. They are:
Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees
Pooh Goes Visiting
Eeyore Has a Birthday
Tigger Comes to the Forest
Christopher Robin Leads an Expedition
Pooh Invents a New Game
Each book is based on one chapter from the complete works. These little books are divided into four chapters, although it should be no problem to read one from start to finish in one sitting.
The print is large and well spaced, and there are ample illustrations (the original drawings by E.H. Shepard) on every page spread to keep little eyes engaged in the story. Most important, the editor has removed most of the passages that aren't so kid friendly and has simplified the stories without giving them a Disney style candy coating. One could read the original story and then the easy-to-read version and get the same basic plot; when going from the Milne works to the Disney versions, the same is certainly not true.
I didn't give these books five stars because the editor retained some language and dialogue that may be a bit confusing for children in the intended age range. Nevertheless, these books are a wonderful introduction to a classic cast of characters for the preschool set.

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One fine day, Winnie-the-Pooh discovers his friend Christopher Robin putting on Big Boots. Pooh knows that this means an Adventure is at hand. An Adventure will mean provisions. And provisions mean food! A. A. Milne's classic story is sure to please both new and experienced readers, and Ernest H. Shepard's unforgettable illustrations still retain their wondrous charm.Adapted by Stephen Krensky.Illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard.--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Tadpole's Promise (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards)) Review

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(More customer reviews)Being that the Editorial Review explains the story in full detail I won't reiterate the ending, which is the crux of this story. I checked this book out from the library because my daughter is very interested in tadpoles and frogs. I must say that I was aghast when I read the ending of this story. Luckily (so I thought) I read it on my own while my daughter was in bed. Being that days earlier we released a monarch butterfly that we had from the caterpillar stage, I figured this was NOT a book for my daughter. I made the mistake of leaving the book out though and she saw it and begged me to read it to her, which I did reluctantly. She LOVED it!! She laughed hysterically at the ending. I was worried that she would be upset, but there sat my 4 year old laughing and laughing, "Read it again, read it again!!" That gave me permission to love the story and the uniqueness of it. I and every other adult that I gave it to thought there would be the happy couple at the happy ending because the caterpillar would see the error of her ways once she changed into a butterfly (ho hum, yawn). Each was just as shocked as I was at the outcome. Every kid we shared it with thought it was soooo funny. Because of the surprise ending, my daughter is very eager to share the book and she delights in the reader's reaction. She gets to experience the surprise over and over through each reader. I find the vertical format to be a clever arrangement for this sky and underwater story. I also like the illustrator's style and feel that he adds to the story with little extras, like a fish chasing some other tadpoles (a bit of foreshadowing) and vice versa. I also like the frog offering the caterpillar a water plant much like a person offering a bouquet of flowers when asking for forgiveness. And the ironic image of the frog with the caterpillar's new wings (her change which we thought was going to make all well) sticking out of his mouth: priceless. Although be it a bit (ok, a lot) unorthodox, this is a story about accepting each others differences...and if you're mean you pay for it! :o) Needless to say, this book is on our wish list ready for our next purchase and will also be given as gifts...but only to those we know can handle it.

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Far North in the Arctic: Counting Alaska's Animals (Paws IV Children's Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am currently studying to become an elementary school teacher, and this book is FABULOUS for the classroom. Not only will the younger children love it because of the rhyme, counting, and sing-song, but the older children will like the encyclopedia content in the back exploring each of the animals mentioned within! I challenge anyone to find a better book depicting the Arctic and it's wildlife!

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This engaging book celebrates the wonders of Alaska in rhyme and meter. Adapted from the classic counting poem "Over the Meadow" by Olive Wadsworth, it inspires children to count the wildlife of the great northern wilderness: baby whales, bear cubs, fox kits, ptarmigan chicks, and more. In addition to the rhyme, the text includes a short description of each animal and a glossary that explains in simple terms things like what igloos are and why Alaska is called "The Land of the Midnight Sun."

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Mr. Christmas (Mr. Men and Little Miss) Review

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(More customer reviews)Roger Hargreaves, the original author of the Mr Men books, died in 1988, and now his son continues to write Mr Men books under his father's name. "Mr Christmas" does not live up to the standard set by the "real" Mr Men books originally written by Roger Hargreaves.
In this story, Mr Christmas, Father Christmas's nephew who lives at the South Pole, has to deliver Christmas presents to many of the Mr Men because Father Christmas is too busy. Unfortunately, the story is too complicated, convoluted, and wordy for young kids to follow or enjoy as easily as the earlier Mr Men books.
It's still an enjoyable book for kids who love the other Mr Men books, and it's nice to see some of the other Mr Men in this story, but this book is nothing special.


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One day Mr. Christmas receives a call from his uncle, Santa Claus, asking for help. Can Mr. Christmas help Santa deliver presents to all of the Mr. Men?

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M.C. Higgins the Great Review

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(More customer reviews)I have read MCHiggins the Great so many times my copy is falling apart. I've read a lot of Newbery books too, and this is one of the best. In some ways it is the best. Each time I read it, I see more. First the scene is one that will stay with you long after you close the book--the hills of Eastern Kentucky that MC walks, his house, his mountain, the pole he sits on, looking out over all these hills. Then the people are unforgettable. MC's best friend, Ben, has the most unique family you will ever meet in fiction, very strange but very loving with magical connections to nature. They are vegetarians, who live on an Appalachian family commune. The mother is a healer. MC's own family includes a mother who could be a famous folksinger if she wanted to leave home, a father who is tied to the hills because his own mother, a ghostly presence in the book, owned the mountain where they lived. She was an ex-slave, and her courage has seeped into MC. He must save his f! amily from a heap of soil that is threatening to bury his home and family, because of stripmining interests in the area, and he does at last find the way to do this. But not before he has a lot of fun chasing a girl who isn't going to be caught, hunting rabbits, swimming, listening to a city "dude" who wants to make his mother a star and imagining what this would be like, visiting his best friend's family, taking care of his spunky and sassy little sister, and sitting on his pole watching the world and trying to find his place in it. This book was written 25 years ago, but it is timeless. It's about teen feelings and finding your identity. It's about father and son conflicts and teen romance. It's about nature and the environment. Most of all, it's about family heritage, and taking a stand for what you believe in. Newbery books are for everyone--people of all ages, colors, regions, genders, cultures. And this is a classic Newbery --it's a rainbow of ideas an! d experiences, with a pot of gold waiting on the last page.

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Curious George Goes Fishing (Curious George Board Books) Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this little book as a companion gift to the Paz - Ready Set Learn fishing kit. I was surprised that it has a cardboard cover and pages. It's a very durable little book w/great illustrations. Our 3 yr old neighbor is thrilled w/it!

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Inspired by a vignette in the classic Curious George Flies a Kite, this amusing episode shows George at his curious best trying to catch a fish.

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Native American Games and Stories Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a teacher on a reservation and purchased this book for two reasons; 1) to use in our Native American Month unit, and 2) to introduce the kids to traditions and activities of other tribes in our state as well as in our country. The book worked well for these purposes, but will be a much better resource to me next year as I will have a lot more time to really prepare and use them to their greatest advantage!

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Native American GAMES and Stories Now you can learn to play authentic Native American games! An important credo of Native American life states that you can learn while you play and play while you learn. Readers will be able to pore over intriguing stories, immerse themselves in Native American understandings, and get to play these funfilled games as they learn how global thought and beliefs can transcend into their own lives. Sample themes, stories, and games: Ball Games & Team Sports; the Ball Players in the Sky (Passamaquoddy); Stickball Bowl Games & Other Games of Chance; Gluskabe Brings the Summer (Abenaki)--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Webster's New World Children's Dictionary Review

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(More customer reviews)I reviewed all the Children's Dictionaries I could find before selecting this one. It is a beautiful book. Word definitions are clear and easy to understand. Illustrations are colorful and plentiful. Supplementary information is useful and presented in an interesting format. This is one dictionary that is fun just to sit down and read! The CD ROM is also marvelous. My child loves playing the educational word games on it and so do it. There are several varieties of games and different levels of difficulty. The only drawback here is that the CD ROM cannot be used on Mac computers.

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PREFERRED BY LEADING EDUCATORS AND INFORMED PARENTSWith more than 33,000 entries selected in consultation with top educators and definitions written specifically for children eight and up, this is the most up-to-date and kid-friendly dictionary ever. Designed to make kids enthusiastic instead of intimidated, it features:* More than 800 notes and tips on synonyms, homonyms, prefixes, spelling, and word histories* Over 750 photographs and illustrations* Current computer, scientific, and cutural terms* Interesting word histories* Important figures from literature and history* Sample sentences to show meanings and usage* Every country plus major cities* Spelling tips for tricky words* Clear definitions in language children understand* Parts of speech, plural forms, and verb forms* Color photos, drawings and maps* Easy to understand pronunciation guide on every spreadThe all-in-one reference with:* Children's Thesaurus* Album of U.S. Presidents* Tables of Weights and Measures* Atlas of the World* Album of U.S. States

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Tools of Navigation: A Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Finding Your Way (Tools of Discovery series) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is titled "Tools of Navigation, a Kid's Guide to the History & Science of Finding Your Way," but this 45-year-old reviewer found it fascinating. I've always loved reading books about people who venture to the North Pole, through the Amazon Rainforest, or across the Sahara Desert, but always wondered how they did it without getting hopelessly lost. Author Rachel Dickinson sheds light on this mystery.
The book explains navigation from the Ice Age to the present, and also includes info on ancient navigators such as Marco Polo, Lewis & Clark, Robert Peary, and Ferdinand Magellan. It's very easy to understand and includes great photos and lots of fun activities, such as: how to make your own compass, go on a treasure hunt, work with topographic maps, and make a sky chart that maps out constellations.
Rachel Dickinson does a wonderful job of explaining navigation and history. It's a great book for parents to share with their children or teachers to share with their classroom. But it's also a fascinating read for anyone interested in navigation, history, and early explorers.

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Escaping the Giant Wave Review

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(More customer reviews)If you want to read an exciting book about two kids running for their lives this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. Escaping the Giant Wave is an adventure fiction book by Peg Kehret. This book takes place on Kyle Davidson's summer break at the Totem Pole Inn is Northwest Oregon.
In the beginning of this book Kyle's parents won a trip to the coast of Oregon. Next Kyle and his sister, Bee-Bee, witnessed a tsunami while their parents were out on a dinner cruise. Would they be safe alone? Would their parents ever find them? You HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK ro find out what happens to Kyle and Bee-Bee.
The theme of this story is be alert to signs. They are put there for a reason. This book reminded me of the big tsunami that hit Thailand 1 1/2 years ago. Boys and girls who are 4th-5th grade would love this book!
M.H. in Annapolis

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Maps and Globes (Reading Rainbow Book) Review

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(More customer reviews)Colorful, fun way to introduce Map and Globe reading and understanding. It covers the history of maps, and uses. Advanced concepts like debth and elevatons are discussed. It looks at different uses maps have, and leaves the student wanting to discover more on their own. A very usful tool in teaching basic geography.

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Maps and globes can take you anywhere -- to the top of the tallest mountain on earth or the bottom of the deepest ocean. Maps tell you about the world: where various countries are located, where the jungles and deserts are, even how to find your way around your own hometown. If you take a fancy to any place on earth, you can go there today and still be home in time for dinner. So open a map, spin a globe. The wide world awaits you.

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Lost and Found Review

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(More customer reviews)Lost and Found tells the story of a boy who finds a penguin at his door and sets about returning the penguin, whom the boy assumes is lost, to his home. Along the way, the two become friends and the boy realizes that his goal of returning the penguin to the South Pole may not be the best thing to do after all. My 3 year old daughter quite enjoys this book. There is an anxious moment when the boy can't find the penguin, but by the end, all is well. My daughter likes to talk about how that part of the book is sad, but the end is happy. This is also one of those stories where kids occupy the whole world and no grown-ups are to be found. I think that is part of the appeal for young readers.

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I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer Review

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(More customer reviews)I love a book where you come away with knowledge of someone or something you had absolutely no idea existed. In I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer, I learned about Matthew Henson, who together with Robert Peary became the first men to reach the North Pole.
I, Matthew Henson is written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Through poetry, it tells the life story of Matthew Henson, an African American man with big dreams of exploring the world. Born in 1866, Henson lived in a time when African Americans had very limited opportunities in the world. Through hard work and a little luck, he accomplished goals most people only dreamt about. Written in lyrical first person verse, the hardships he encountered along the way (such as serving as a manservant, frigid weather, racism) are beautifully and realistically depicted:
"We had not survived the frigid cold
that broke some and killed others
to let our dream belt when hope
and cash ran low. While others gave up,
we returned to the polar region
and, guided by Eskimos, fetched
a prize from the ice cap-a meteor,
which Peary sold to raise funds."
Henson, Peary and four Eskimos reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909. While the book ends on a positive note, there's an extensive author's note at the end of the book which talks about the controversy that Henson and Peary experienced after their journey. Someone else claimed to have gotten there first, and then some authorities dismissed their accomplishment because of the color of Henson's skin. While eventually all was resolved, the book presents a realistic portrayal of the trials experienced by one African American at the turn of the century.

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Matthew Henson was not meant to lead an ordinary life. His dreams had sails. They took him from the port of Baltimore, around the world, and north to the pole.No amount of fear, cold, hunger, or injustice could keep him from tasting adventure and exploring the world. He learned to survive in the Arctic wilderness, and he stood by Admiral Peary for years on end, all for the sake of his goal. And finally, after decades of facing danger and defying the odds, he reached the North Pole and made history. At last, Henson had proved himself as an explorer—and as a man.

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