2 comments about Count On Clifford (cuenta Con Cliff Ord) (Clifford).

1. This book not only teaches to count, but to add as well. I love the Clifford series and my 3-yr old does too. We own these books in Spanish and it's a great series to have.



2. My daughter loves these books and I love having versions in both Spanish and English. We have about 30 Clifford books and I never tire of reading them over and over.

No comments about The Umbrella Party.

No comments about Fiestas Con Jose-Luis Orozco.

1 comments about Red Eggs and Dragon Boats: Celebrating Chinese Festivals.

1. This is a good book for younger readers as an introduction to Chinese festivals. As a parent of a child adopted from China, I feel it is important to give her as much knowledge about her birth country as possible, and this volume is colorful and easy to read.

No comments about Mardi Gras: A Cajun Country Celebration.

2 comments about Joe on the Go.

1. Peggy Perry Anderson's JOE ON THE GO tells of the Frog family reunion and relatives who all seem to have fun together - except for Joe, who always wants to move quicker than everyone else. Nobody wants to play with him: is there anyone who will not say "no" to all his ideas?



2. This vibrantly illustrated book tells the story of Joe the Frog, a spirited amphibian who just wants to go, go, go! -- whether by scooter, wagon, airplane, auto (shades of Mr. Toad!), tricycle, or skateboard. The crux of the rhyming narrative is that Joe on the Go picked the wrong day for going mobile" It's his frog family reunion! Frogs, frogs everywhere, but not a single one to speed with!
   
   The frogly green pages abound with picnic and party action, as well as assorted characters. Although unmistably froggy, their faces and poses parrot their human reunion counterparts: Two frogs just want to drink their favorite beverage and laugh, one is stuffing his face with a hamburger, there's the resident phofrographer (sorry, couldn't resist), and scolding types who complain that Joe is either too big, too small, too young, too old, or too unskilled to satisfy his need for speed.
   Joe is not exactly a role model: He "bawls" when everyone turns him down, and shows zero understanding of others' needs and desires during a big family reunion. (You might use Joe's self-centered attitude as a springboard for discussion).
   
   There's a swift and satisfying conclusion; however, as "Grandma," offers to go to the ice cream store; Grandma, whom he never even thought to ask. We see Joe on top of Grandma in her wheelchair, pushed by one other accomodating adult, off to the store and elsewhere: "And they went until they could go no more." The illustrations are bright, production values high (good, thick paper), the rhyming unforced, and, while there's some moral ambiguity here, it's a fun book that recognizes Grandmas and the craving to GO!

5 comments about Witches' Children.

1. During a long winter, one after another of ten young girls began having visions seeing the Devil and thrashing about in wild outbursts and conclusions. After a cursory investigation, the town elders quickly concluded that these poor possed children were under a dreaded evil influence..... Witches The narrator of this often frightening tale, based on historical facts. Mary Warren, a bound girl and one of the ten possed. In her vivid account, she tells of the semindly uncontrollable sequence of events, of which she was part, leading to the now-infamous Salem with-hunt and trials of 1692 andof how fear and imagination run wild brout an elding no one ever expected.



2. This is an excellent book. It tells the story so well, you feel like you are right there. This is a very interesting part of history for me, and this book makes it exciting to read about. You get drawn in by the excellent story telling. The horror the condemned witches felt. You also see the struggle in the main characters mind. To go along with the afflicted girls, or to tell the truth and possibly be condemned herself. This is a deffinate "don't miss".



3. This is an excellent book! Very gripping. An wonderfully written account of the Salem Witch Trials. This book never gets boring. I couldn't put it down. The mian character is wonderfully portrayed. Her struggle with what is happening in here town, and with being a part of it. She must decide to tell the truth, or to keep quiet and go along with the other girls. She knows if she tells the truth, she could be condemned as a witch herself. This is a book you will never forget, and will want to read over again. A definate "DON'T MISS".



4. This is a beautiful book. it's written in the narrative form of a young girl in Salem, who finds the courage to stop helping in the accusation of inocent women as witches. If you are looking to research the Witch trials of 1692, or just to enjoy a touching book, this is a book you have to read.



5. I read this in early 1996 in the 6th grade. I still remember how I read it so many times and was fascinated and chilled by what it told. I'm in the 11th grade now, more than 5 years later, (a lot in a child's growing mind), and one of the few things I remember is reading that book for a whole semester, over and over again. The intrest stayed with me, and I have searched and learned as much as I can about this. I visited Salem itself in 2000 and saw the museum and memorial park. This year my term paper focuses on Salem Witch Trials relations to modren situations, like McCarthyism. I also just finished assistant directing a full performance of The Crucible. I'ver read so many books on the subject, about it and other witchcraft cases. I've even learned to preform an exorcism! Still, this book is the starting point in my memory and I learned more from it than all the texts and biographies. I have a fond spot for this book, and wish I could find that old copy I flipped through so much. I hope more people read this and relize it's not just a children's book, but a fascinating story you can't think is history.

5 comments about Lucky Tucker.

1. My grandchild and I love all of Ms. McGuirk's books. Each book is a charming and colorful adventure. Tucker can be counted on to always deliver an amusing and entertaining story. We wonder what he will get into next! We love Tucker!



2. Ms. McGuirk has hit another home run! This book is absolutely delightful and fun. I am sharing it with my grandbabies and they never tire of the story, the pictures and the adventure. This is a must have for all parents and grandparents!
   Mary Lou LoPreste



3. We are big fans of Leslie McGuirk and she's not let us down! One day Tucker the Terrier meets a Leprechaun and his day is immediately better. Sometimes St. Patrick's Day gets lost in the shuffle between Valentine's Day and Easter but luckily for us "Lucky Tucker" won't let St. Paddy's be forgotten ever again!



4. We love Tucker! I have a 4 year old daughter, and we love to read about Tucker and his adventures. This was a great book that spoke to us about creating our own luck, no matter how bad your day is going. I recommend this for all children.



5. I have just recently given this book to two of my friends who have small children. They absolutely loved it and wanted it read over and over again. "Lucky Tucker" is an adorable story!

3 comments about Mimi's First Mardi Gras.

1. Everyone knows about Mardi Gras in New Orleans, right?

   If you don't, or if you want to know more then Mimi's First Mardi Gras is the book to read. Written for a young age level it imparts information for everyone.

   In story form the book tells us about beignets ( doughnuts eaten for the holiday breakfast), the different groups that march in the parades, trinkets and doubloons thrown from the floats

   Illustrated in the vibrant colors of Mardi Gras ( purple, green and gold)the pictures make the story come alive.




2. I grew up in New Orleans and this book perfectly describes what Mardi Gras was like in my family. The only difference was that after the parades when we went to my cousins' house, we ate homemade fried chicken! We now live in Dallas but try to celebrate Mardi Gras here with music, beads, and king cake parties. We went to Mardi Gras in New Orleans last year so our children understand it but our friends don't have a clue! I read this book to my daughter's kindergarten class and they loved it. It explained to a bunch of "Texans" what Mardi Gras is all about. I would have given it 5 stars but it's a little too long and the song at the end is weird.



3. We live in Louisiana where we celebrate Mardi Gras at the beginning of Lent Season. Parents take their children to our local parades every year. "Mimi's First Mardi Gras" is certainly a nice beginner's book on the events of Mardi Gras, but nothing about religion is included. Since Mardi Gras is based on Lent, not to explain that, even in mention, is a serious omission. As for for reports in school, look further, although this book is certainly helpful. This is, however, Mimi's first Mardi Gras.
   
   As we walk through the story, I will convey the information for your edification. The double title page shows the colors of Mardi Gras--green, gold, purple, throwing of beads with hands upraised, but, ha ha, so orderly. Anyone who has been to a MG parade knows people are standing there almost riotously awaiting a throw for freebie beads and other trinkets!
   
   King Cakes are shown with Mimi discovering the baby figure and knowing the cake presages the parades. They eat the famous New Orleans beignets, a square of fried dough sprinkled with powered sugar and similar to a dough-nut taste. Quite yummy! The family puts on their costumes, as everyone, so it seems, wears costumes to the parades.
   
   When the MG Indians come by, Mimi's dad explains their history: black men form tribes and work on seriously elaborate costumes all year long. The the jazz funeral parade comes by (no explanation). Zulu is next--an African American parade in existence for 75 years. The big treat the Zulu members throw is coconuts.
   
   Mimi learns about cotton candy when her dad buys some. Next the Rex parade with its trappings of splendor arrives. "Throw me something, Mister" is the line that everyone shouts as they try to catch the multitude of trinkets. Mimi tries to catch a gold doubloon, her most wished for freebie and catches one.
   
   I give this book four stars and deducted one for three things that really bothered me (perhaps I am silly for them):
   1. In every illustration Mimi's face looks so adult
   2. She has anorexic legs that are just pitiful.
   3. At the parade Mimi's mother shows up in only one picture and I am not sure that is she. However, a black woman is beside the dad several times. We know that Mimi's mother is a honey-blonde because she is in the pages in the morning.
   4. The lack of explanation, even rudimentary, about the religious connection is just too glaring.
   
   None of these things are serious problems. The illustrations are really lovely. I do recommend this book, especially for parents with time to sit, read, and discuss the book.

5 comments about Night Flying.

1. Night Flying by Rita Murphy is an unusual story of a young girl, Georgia, growing up with a house full of women, her overbearing grandmother, her meek and loving mother, and two of her aunts, all of which are �night flyers�. Grandmother rules the house with such strict guidelines such as no men in the house, no flying in the day, no meat, and the list of rules goes on and on. Everyone in the house obeys grandmother for fear that they will be cast out of the family like Carmen, one of Georgia�s aunts. Georgia often wonders, �Who is this mysterious aunt that everyone talks about in such hushed tones and why was she outcast?� Georgia finds the answer to that question and many more when she decides to go out on her own and break a few of grandmother�s rules. Georgia stands up to her grandmother and sets a new standard for her mother and her aunts to follow.



2. Georgia Hansens has waiting almost all her life for this moment, will she let it slip through her fingers?

   Goergia Hansen is a average 15 year old, and she has been waiting for her 16th birthday not because she wants to drive, oh no she can't wait to fly on her own. Yes you heard me right, fly. All the women in Georgia's family can fly. But, there are quite a bit of rules involved, you have to be a verateran, you have to fly at night, and you CAN not fly alone until your 16th birthday. But now that her mom's misterous sister is back with a secret that will change her forever, Georgia breaks one of the rules. This means no solo flight saramony, the thing that Georgia has waited for 16 years. Georgia is now stressed with whether or not she should admit what she did, but she is worried her other secrets may slip out as she confesses. Georgia is also wonders if the resone her strange aunt is here is because of her.

   This book is wonderful, I could'nt put it down. I rate it five stars foer the authors amazing ability to mix fantasy with every day life.

   Would you tell the truth, or live with your own guilt?




3. Georgia Hansen has a secret that she cannot share with even her closest friend. She and the other women in her family can fly. This secret, and the strict rules and code in which she lives by cause Georgia to struggle with her family as well as her own emotions. When Georgia learns the truth about her family from her rebellious Aunt Carmen, she performs an act that, in the past, has caused to be disowned. This book would be interesting to those who enjoy fantasy because of the thought of flying and the descriptions the author gives allow you to picture the events vividly in your mind. Since this is a coming of age story, teenage girls could learn a lot from the strength and courage Georgia exhibits and in her ability to make decisions. This would be an excellent book for teenagers who are questioning rules, family relationships, and even the devastation caused by secrets. The choices Georgia and her family make are positive and provide a good role model for teens to follow.



4. Rita Murphy, Night Flying (Delacorte, 2000)

   Night Flying is one of those young adult books I happened to pick up by accident because it was in the wrong section at the Case book sale. Glad I did, because this is a fun little book. Murphy never talks down to her audience, refreshing in a YA novel, and better yet, adult readers won't gag on the sentiment. Murphy has a message, but she is as good as any novelist writing for adults (and better than most) at making it palatable.

   Georgia Hansen is on the eve of her sixteenth birthday. To say her life has been something less than conventional would be an understatement. She lives in a house with only women, none of whom work (all are living off the inheritance of her great-grandfather, an inventor who died with enough to ensure that Georgia's granddaughters will never have to work, either) and all of whom can fly. They do so only under the auspices of very strict rules; each female member of the family adds a rule as time goes on. You can imagine what it's like after a few generations. All, with the exception of wayward Aunt Carmen (who lives across the country), are under the thumb of Georgia's grandmother, a stern and humorless individual whose main goal seems to be making life miserable for her offspring and their offspring.

   Things start to get messy when Carmen comes back for Georgia's birthday celebration. Georgia immediately forms a love/hate relationship with her, yearning after Carmen's freedom while wondering how someone could so easily slip the bonds of family obligation. (It's not so simple as all that, of course, which Georgia finds out eventually, but so the relationship begins).

   At its core, this is a pretty simple coming-of-age tale, albeit with magical-realistic elements. Murphy, as with the best of the magical realist authors, never allows the trappings to get in the way of her story, especially her character development. Everyone, major characters and minor, is well developed and has a place in the little sonata that is this novel; not a note falls out of place. The allegory is somewhat obvious (the ability to fly is gained, but suppressed until the sixteenth birthday), and the action in the climax somewhat predictable, but Murphy addresses the subject form a perspective that is not often seen; she's a young adults' author writing from the perspective of a young adult who has a brain of her own, rather than showing a young adult whose beliefs and opinions are just those of a "more mature" (read: adult) mindset. This, more than anything, lends the book its magical realism; the idea that
   sometimes the kids really are correct.

   A fine read. ****




5. I am an adult who enjoys "Young Adult" books like Harry Potter, Pendragon, Remnants, Everworld, etc. The other reviews described the book well so I only have one other comment to add... I picked this book up at the library and read it in a day. It was a very easy read, a simple but compelling story. I think it is a little too young to be classified as "Young Adult" but do not take that as a criticism. I just think it is a great book for girls, ages 10 to 13. I enjoyed the book so much though that I will be buying it to keep on the bookshelf for my daughter - who is almost 4 - to read when she is older.