Arthur's Halloween: Book & CD

Sure to be popular due to the success of the PBS television series, these new additions to the series demonstrate the vocal talent of author/illustrator Marc Brown. Arthur's creator reads the texts, giving each character a distinctive voice. He is able to portray the females, like mother and D.W., while avoiding stereotypical high, squeaky voices. The production values on the recordings are excellent, with background music and helpful sound effects. The slamming of car doors, the sound of rain or footsteps, and other sound effects give the CD the quality of old radio shows. In Arthur's Halloween, Arthur and D.W. learn you can't presume a house is haunted just because the outside looks run down. The artwork in each book features Brown's customary cartoon like ink and watercolor illustrations that add humor to the stories.

Arthur's Halloween: Book & CD

A Not Scary Story About Big Scary Things

A boy lives near a regular, ordinary, standard kind of forest, except that along with the usual perils of cliffs, bears, snakes, and wolves, there is also an actual, awful monster with a habit for scaring children. That is what people said, anyway. But the boy isn't believing it and his belief proves to be a powerful defense when he finds himself standing toe to toe with the monster, who seems to live up to its horrible tale. I'm sorry, the boy says politely, but I can't believe in something that's not real. Confused by this precocious rationality, the monster slowly shrinks, until it becomes nothing more than a fluffy little kitty, suitable for adopting. It is hard to think of two artists better suited to one another. Sharing a surreal sense of logic and elegance, Williams and Swiatkowska convey a mood that is both dreamy and reassuringly matter of fact. Swiatkowska is in particularly fine form, with wry drawings that range from florid to schematic and clever collages that underscore the silliness of conventional wisdom. Ages 3–7.

A Not Scary Story About Big Scary Things

'Twas the Night Before Summer

This book is a lot of fun. The illustrations are great and colorful. It is very imaginative and adventurous. I highly recommend! The rhythm, borrowed from another favorite children's story is very soothing to a child. It always helps to send them to sleep. Such a beautiful book. I love the colors and illustrations and my kids loved it too. The story is nice, it isn't too long to read as part of the bedtime routine and we all enjoy it. Would make a lovely gift too. This children's book is for kids ages 4-8. Visit ChildrenBooks2U to see our great selection of other children's books.

'Twas the Night Before Summer

'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day

The zoo keepers are busy getting ready for the big Zoo Day. They are scrubbing cages, washing and feeding the animals. Some of the creatures, like recalcitrant children are ill behaved. The llamas are spitting, the giraffes are slurping. While out in the dirt, the naughty elephants rolled around not listening at all to what they have been told by the zookeepers. They frolicked in mud to cool down from the hot sun. Their trunks became sprinklers and soaked all the children. Finally, the sun goes down and the workers get to go home. The next morning, the animals and their babies get themselves ready for the crowds of children arriving on big yellow buses. This silly, slight story ends suddenly with the zookeepers standing at the entrance, while the children enter the zoo. Large color cartoon illustrations support the text. Back matter has a fill in matching activity, some fun animal facts, and a writing exercise about the zookeepers. This is a wonderful kids book for children who like animals and going to the zoo. The age range for this kids book is ages 4-8. Leave your comments and feedback.

'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day

'Twas a Dark and Stormy Night...

Combines the themes of science and social studies. Shakes up the learning curriculum with amazing facts that are of interest to this age group and an exciting page layout that challenges readers to discuss and share their knowledge with another person. Helps to build background knowledge and vocabulary through features labeled "Get on the Wavelength" and "High Powered Words" that can be found in the front of the book. Includes a comprehension manager that appears regularly to model and reinforce key comprehension techniques. It also provides links to relevant web sites. Exposes its readers to a variety of different formats and text features.

'Twas a Dark and Stormy Night...

'Round the World: Takashi Sails Home

"Lucinda Hathaway has done it again. She has spun an intriguing tale combining a seafaring Maine family and the romance of the sea and ships, with accurate historic detail."
''Revel in the billowing sails, the salt spray and the surge of a moving deck! This seafaring tale is filled with challenge and discovery. 'Round the World rings with authenticity."
"Weeks after reading the story of Takashi's predicament and being introduced into the lives of the friends who help him get back to Kobe, the sensations evoked by his richly detailed adventure will linger."

'Round the World: Takashi Sails Home

'Magination

This is a wonderful book. The story and pictures are amazing. Everyone should be reminded how fun it is to use your imagination daily.The pictures alone tell the whole story. This children's book has an age range of 0-100. This is a book that every library should have and every child should read. The words flow  perfectly and the illustrations fit the story and help your own imagination run wild.

'Magination

Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?

This children's story reads like a radio script in book format. Frankie, who is eleven is the unforgettable protagonist who would be a soap opera groupie today, but in the 1940's he is one of the many who were so enamored with radio programs like "The Shadow", "The Lone Ranger", "The Green Hornet" etc. That they lived their lives as though it were another show. Omitting he said and she said this presents the real conversation of kids. In the process we are not only entertained but learn about the social actions of the day, reactions to W.W.II and get insight into Frankie's soldier brother's response to war and heroism. A read aloud must!

Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?

#1 Stone Soup: The First Collection of the Syndicated Cartoon Strip

I must admit I've only become acquainted with Stone Soup in the past two years. Having said that, I wanted to read the first collection to get some background material. Jan Eliot shows a delightful look at single mothers and how they cope with careers, children and family. The fact that there are six people in one house with just one bathroom is challenging enough. I highly recommend this book to all who like to read humorous comic strips.

#1 Stone Soup: The First Collection of the Syndicated Cartoon Strip

"What's Up With Sean?" Medikidz Explain Scoliosis

Grades 5-7. Even rabid non readers will not be embarrassed to be caught with these droll informational comics. In each, five costumed teen super heroes of diverse skin color and body shape introduce themselves as experts on some different body part or function “I'm Gastro. I have the low down on your tum, your bum, and all the tubes between”. The super heroes then conduct a young sufferer to the human shaped planet of Mediland for an inside tour and explanations of a chronic malady's causes, effects, and treatment. So uneven are the volumes in depth and clarity of information, attention to plot, cleverness of repartee and even composition of the color drenched cartoon panels. That it is hard to believe they are all from the same author and illustrator. Still, though Epilepsy and Food Allergies lead the pack over the earnest, repetitive, and visually jumbled others, the mix of medical facts, wisecrack-laced dialogue and outright corn has its appeal.

"What's Up With Sean?" Medikidz Explain Scoliosis

What's Up With Ella?

The books in the Superheroes on a Medical Mission series star a quintet of spandex wearing dynamos who specialize in a different part of the body. Pump knows all about the heart, Chi’s great with breathing and the lungs, Skinderella’s name says it all, Axon is the brains of the mission, and Gastro has “the lowdown on the tum, the bum, and all the parts in between.” Here they take young Ella on a tour of Mediland, a giant planet shaped like a person, to explain her type 1 diabetes. Information about the disease is told in a breezy, often jokingly manner and teaches the basics without getting too repetitive. The superhero angle makes for some exciting touches and visuals of glucose blobs and insulin tangles waltzing arm in arm into cells provide an easy to see picture of how the two work together. Most importantly, this book helps eliminate stress about how to deal with type 1 diabetes and it explains that while doctors will help you find a balance, it is up to you to control it.

What's Up With Ella?

"I'm Not Scared!"

Sure that no one will bother them, Baby Owl takes his toy Owly for a walk in the moonlight. He finds a series of concerned creatures, each warning him not to be afraid, even though it is late and very dark. To all Baby Owl indignantly replies, "I'm NOT scared," noting in ever increasing type that owls are just fine at night in the dark. When Papa finds them, Baby Owl insists that only Owly is scared, but Papa gives both Owly and Baby Owl the comfort they need before they are finally put into bed. Black felt pen lines pick up facial features and bits of background

I'm Not Scared!

, but the major impression is made by boldly applied paints in the expected animal colors. Brown for bear, gray for badger, tan and white for the owls. The multiple images of Baby Owl on the cover display how emotions can be expressed in the easyest of ways. The young will get the reassuring message even without being able to read the words.

"The Trouble With Dogs..." Said Dad

The Dog Whisperer may disapprove, but kids who tend to rate affection above discipline and enforced exercise will cheer for this sequel to "Let's Get a Pup!" Said Kate. Rosy and Dave bring home a pup from the rescue center. This does not make Dad happy. After seeing the dog go thru the training course, they finally get Dad to agree. This book is for kids reading level ages 4-8.




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Could Be Worse

In this childrens book written by James Stevenson, Grandpa has wildly exaggerated stories of his school days. This makes his grandchildren feel better about their own. This is a great story for kids. It is a great moral story for kids. The reading level of this book is ages 4-8. It is also a good read for children under 4 years of age.



Quality Childrens Books