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