3 comments about St. Patrick's Day in the Morning Book & Cassette (Read Along Book & Cassette).

1. Young Jamie wakes early on St. Patrick's Day, much earlier than his sleeping family. He remembers that there will be a parade to the top of Acorn Hill today, and then he remembers that his brothers say he's too little to march in the parade.

   Well, fine then! He'll just have a parade of his own!! Jamie sets off in his green sweater, hat and coat with Nell the dog and march up the center of town to Acorn Hill by themselves. Along the way, the meet some of the other villagers, one of whom gives Jamie an Irish flag that he proudly waves in his own parade. Does he make it to the top?? You'll have to read to find out!!

   "St. Patrick's Day in the Morning" is a beautiful story for any child who has ever been told that they're too small, too weak, too short, too this, too that, to do something. You can see Jamie's' happiness at proving everyone wrong. The pen and ink illustrations are lush and detailed: you could count the shingles in the roofs or the bricks in the walls. Green and a little yellow are the only colors in the book, emphasizing the spirit and colors of St. Pats in Jamie's sweater, the flag of Ireland and, of course, the lush green grasses of the Emerald Isle.

   Because it's not a book about the history or legend of St. Patrick, there is no reason to limit it's reading only to March 17th. Teachers would find it a useful book in teaching both about Ireland and, of course, proving that smaller doesn't mean incapable. A fine book by Bunting and Brett, and highly recommended.




2. I loved this story. My mom would read it to my brother and I every March, and we would get so excited as the 17th approached. I, like Jamie, loved marching in our parade. Now I have a son of my own, and hope he enjoys it as much as I did.



3. We get our daughter a book about all the holidays that make up her cultural heritage and community. This is a beautiful book about St. Pat's day, but also about overcoming low expectations and self-empowerment -- but it's never preachy. My 3 yo daughter loves this book well after St. Pat's day, and we love to read it to her. Jann Brett has another winner! Although these illustrations lack the colorful details she's known for, the complexity of the mostly black/white drawings keep it engaging.

1 comments about Piñata.

1. Ages 3-6 will not want to miss Rebecca Emberly's Pinata!, a highly recommended bilingual Spanish/English survey of the items which traditionally stuff piñatas, and how piñatas are enjoyed at a party. Very simple drawings accompany a fine survey of the pinata in all its glory and appeal.

3 comments about The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes (Albert Whitman Prairie Paperback).

1. Our children love this book, especially our 5 year old: its one of his favorite holiday books. It's a sweet story that will keep younger children interested; as much as its about Hanukkah, its mainly about giving. Highly recommended for non-Jewish families who want to expose their children to Hanukkah as well; its about coming together at a holiday and doesn't focus on the weightier aspects of religion.



2. This book will become one of my Hanukkah favorites. I thought it was really a moving story and believe that my students will love it. I am not Jewish and don't have any Jewish students but teaching and learning about Hanukkah as well as other winter holidays is a great way to build understanding and tolerance. The Hannukkah unit is definitely a favorite.



3. My four-year-old enjoyed this sweet story about a young girl including her neighbor into a family celebration.

5 comments about The Adventures of Nicholas.

1. This is a story that you will read every year at Christmas! If you can you will read it to someone:if not to someone for yourself. It will remind you why "you believe in Santa".
   You will find yourself thinking that it MUST be all true. I have read this every year since the early 70s to a classroom of children. (Usally 6th Graders) They don't believe anymore, until after I read them this story, and once again they do!
   The story tells everything about Nicholas in a VERY believable way.
   If you can find this book I would recommend that you pay whatever it takes to get a copy! You will NOT be sorry!



2. When I was in 6th grade and far past the years of still believing, my teacher read this book to the class during the month of December. It really gives you a whole new belief in Santa adn Christmas. Since this time, my teacher loaned this book to another, and it was never returned. Now that I am a mother, I have been DESPERATELY searching high and low for a copy. (...)



3. I have had this book since I was a child. My husband and I read it aloud each Christmas until we had a child and now it is part of our Christmas tradition with our 10 year old. It provided the perfect transition from the belief in Santa Claus to the true spirit of Christmas. Last year the book disappeared and we were so disappointed. Since I couldn't remember the author or the exact title I couldn't reorder it. I am delighted that it is still available and heartily recommend it to all parents.



4. An excellent explanation of the customs followed surrounding Santa Claus



5. I was read this book in gradeschool by our school principal. It is a story that stuck with me 30 years as a much loved telling of the life of Saint Nicholas. I was so glad to see this gem once again available and have purchased several copies for my nieces and nephews to enjoy.
   
   Make this a holiday tradition for your family!

5 comments about Groundhog Gets a Say.

1. In Pam Swallow's delightful picture book, charmingly illustrated by the amazingly talented Denise Brunkus, the lowly groundhog hog finally gets his say. With wit and humor, author and artist present a tale of this much maligned creature. Who would have known that ground hogs whistle, can move about seven hundred pounds of dirt in a day and have their own indoor plumbing? It's fascinating. Kids, parents, and teachers will love this book. After reading it, I agree with the groundhog - he/she deserves not just a day of recognition, but a month. A year!



2. 
   It's February 3rd and Groundhog is fed up: yesterday he was hot news; today he is nothing. He's tired of one-day fame, and he's determined to promote Groundhog Appreciation Month! Denise Brunkus provides the funny drawings as Groundhog displays his many talents other than weather prediction.



3. This is a real winner - and a nice change from the typical Groundhog stories you find this time of year. Groundhog is smart, funny and gives a lot of neat information about groundhogs to curious young readers. I will be adding this book to my first grade read-aloud list for early February from now on. And did I mention that the illustrations are terrific too!



4. It's February 3rd, and Groundhog is feeling genuinely unappreciated. People pay attention to him for only one day a year, and he has so much more to offer! He tells his story to the readers and to an on-the-page audience of three: a crow, a squirrel, and a young groundhog who's a reporter and a fan. Groundhog covers the topics of alternate names (whistle pig, woodchuck), his rodent classification, digging prowess, eating habits, and hibernation. The young groundhog takes notes and photos as Groundhog pontificates. Initially skeptical, the crow and squirrel are gradually won over, convinced that Groundhog's not so bad after all. By the last page -- even the front and rear end papers are part of the story -- we see that the young groundhog has written this very book in our hands, as a way to promote his idol. "Groundhog Gets a Say" isn't quite about Groundhog Day, but it's still a great supplement to the holiday genre, with many asides and tidbits to point out on every page.



5. I am an elementary school librarian. I used this book in a lesson on Groundhog Day. The story does an excellent job of weaving lots of facts into a cute story. The kids (and I) learned many facts about groundhogs. However, I found this story to be a little too complicated for kindergarten and first grade. The book includes so much non-fiction alongside the 120-year-old folktale about a marmot predicting the weather that little kids have trouble sorting out what's real and what's not. I was afraid that they'd come to school in shorts when Phil didn't see his shadow.
   This is a fantastic story to use with 2nd grade and beyond, but I recommend something less complex (like Pat Miller's Substitute Groundhog) for younger kids.

1 comments about Light the Candle! Bang the Drum!: A Book of Holidays from Around the World.

1. This is a very brightly designed book that has fantastic illustrations. The text is easy to read for a first level reader. More importantly, each holiday has a detailed explaination in the back of the book. Great illustrations by Peter Linenthal. The only complaint I have is that the author chose the Jewish holiday of Hannakah instead of Passsover or Rosh Hashana. Hannakah is a minor holiday.

No comments about The Sugaring Off Party.

1 comments about Awakening the Dragon: The Dragon Boat Festival.

1. This is the story of the cultural and historical origins of the dragon boat festival celebrated in China and by the Chinese around the world. Dragon boats represent the effort of villagers to protect the spirit of one of the emperor's advisors who drowned himself in the river. Many other legends accompany this festival, including the story of a nightmare from an emperor in the 700's who dreamed of a ghost. This book provides a nice overview of the legends and customs from the past and the celebrations today of this exciting festival time.

5 comments about Froggy's First Kiss (Froggy).

1. It's the week before Valentine's Day, and Froggy's in love. There's a new girl in his class, Frogilina, and he just can't take his eyes off her. He's mooning and staring and when she smiles at him, "his insides got all soft and wiggly, like he'd had caterpillars for breakfast." All week long Frogilina sits with him at lunch giving him little treats from her lunch bag. It's a match made in heaven. That is until Valentine's Day. Frogilina has an extra special surprise for Froggy, something he never expected. It turned his face red, it made his tummy feel weird, he couldn't eat, not even his dessert, and it made all his friends laugh and tease him. Frogilina gave Froggy a big, juicy kiss, right on his cheek..... Nobody captures the essence of an irrepressible preschooler like Jonathan London and Frank Remkiewicz. Mr London's joyful, spirited text is full of energy and sound effects, and begs to be read out loud. Mr Remkiewicz's bold, bright, and expressive artwork enhances the story, and together they use humor to take some of the mystery and embarrassment out of a real life situation. Perfect for preschoolers, Froggy's First Kiss is an engaging and entertaining story with a happy ending that solves all of Froggy's love problems, and a wonderful Valentine's Day read kids will want to hear again and again.



2. When I was a little girl I would read all of the Froggy books over and over, and when I pulled this book out of the attic, I was amazed to find that I still found it sweet (yet it didn't grab my attention like it used to).
   
   My friends and I would read it together and scream, "Eeew!!!" because, of course, it is a KISS and we 5 year olds do not appreciate love very much yet.
   
   Even though I'm much older now, I still find time to read lots of old books that I used to love, and the Froggy series is an adorable collection that I will always keep around for posterity.
   
   ~A Book Worm~



3. My son is 4 years old and loves his Froggy books and Little Critter. He thinks (and so do I)Froggy is extremely funny. We both enjoy reading these books together. Especially when Froggy stands up, when at his desk,staring at Frogolina. These books are perfectly in sync with readers ages 3-6 year olds. Very humorous and silly enough to make an adult chuckle!!!!



4. How awkward and yucky it was to even think about kissing anyone, let alone kissing a member of the opposite sex!! Again, very funny dialogue and pictures!!! Excellent read for kids!!



5. Clouds are poofy in the air, froggy love is everywhere. Froggy love is in the trees, froggy love is with the bees. Froggy love is everywhere, froggy love is in my hair. I like making random rhymes, and to your surprise I'm outta time!

No comments about Holiday Cooking Around the World (Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks).