2 comments about Diamond (Stablemates).

1. I have purchased all of the Stablemates books, because my grandson loves horses. I read them to him everytime he comes over. We both very much enjoy them.



2. Both my daughters love horses and books from the Stablemates series realy helped the older one (now 8) to start reading on her own couple of years ago. Now I still buy the newly published books in hopes they will do the same thing for my younger daughter next year. she is 6 now and already trying to read them now, but they are probably more suitable for second graders since they are chapter books.

5 comments about If You Give a Pig a Party (If You Give...).

1. If your child, niece, nephew, or grandchild loved If You Give a Pig a Pancake, then how can you resist a party-going outing with the pig? After hearing so much during the recent political campaign about pigs and lipstick, it's nice to read about a pig that puts on her favorite dress without wearing any lipstick.
   
   I particularly loved some of the illustrations in this book (the star-studded golden table centerpiece, colorful peeks past partially open doors into other rooms, flying ribbons and crepe paper, the animals driving bumper cars, teeny hints of the hiding animals during hide and seek, blankets and pillows being put to various uses, and mounds of blown balloons). They'll put anyone into a party mood.
   
   As with the earlier books in the series, the story is built around the theme of doing thing . . . and that leading to another . . . until the circle is complete. "If you give a pig a party, she's going to ask for some balloons. When you give her the balloons, she'll want to decorate the house . . . And chances are, if you give her some balloons, she's going to ask you for a party."
   
   Lots of friends are involved, too, so there's a nice socialization ethic displayed here to encourage sharing and friendship.
   
   I believe this story is a little more female than male oriented because "you" is obviously a girl and the pig is also a female. I suspect little boys with older sisters will enjoy having this book read to them by their sisters just as much as little girls do.
   
   As with the other books in the series, I love the opportunity for a child to identify either with the girl or the female pig. As a child grows older, that dual character focus adds more dimensions to the story and prepares for better reading comprehension skills later in life. The girl is very patient and kind (like a good parent) and the pig is full of life and mischief (like a happy little child). It's a nice combination that will bring smiles to reader and listener alike. Because of the simple word structure, many tykes will be able to memorize the book and "read" it to mom and dad.
   
   Are you ready for a party?



2. The little pig from If you give a pig a pancake returns and now wants to throw a great big party with balloons and all her friends. Each page is full of the colorful illustrations that make these books so interesting to kids. They love the stories and how they play out in a circular fashion.



3. This is my favorite of the If You Give . . . book series. Not only is there the really cute section where all the animals play hide and seek, but there are little nuances throughout the book that I didn't notice the previous times I read the book (i.e. look at from where the pig gets her favorite dress). This is a great book for both kids and the adults who read to them.



4. This book is one in the series of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie books. They are light, fun reads for young children. The stories are a little silly and the illustrations bright and fun. In this book, you will have a party, balloons, decorations, a fair, bumper cars, hide and seek and so much more. These are fun stories to read aloud to your children.



5. There's no reason to get this book unless you are a *big* fan of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." This story follows the same basic format, with a pig that has to have balloons with her party, and this leads to more and more. But, it lacks the panache of the original; there's just not the same spark. The chain of events is a bit more strained, with the sequence making less natural sense than the original. And there's not even the same smooth flow to the words as you read them aloud.
   
   My children also prefer the original (with the exception of the girl who was given a stuffed pig along with this book!). I would only rate this book a 3; it's not bad, but it's not particularly good. By comparison, I'd rate the original a 4.5. My recommendation is just to skip this book and stick with "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie."

5 comments about The Best Tea Party Ever! (Jewel Sticker Stories).

1. Thanks to Amazon's linking products, I was able to send this sticker story to my grandniece along with a tea set. What a coup!



2. My five year old daughter loves this book. We thoroughly enjoyed the first time we read it together and placed the beautiful stickers in their rightful places. Now we just love the story and checking where the stickers are placed. It's definitely a book that will be enjoyed over and over, not just the first time when the activity is done. The story is terrific. Recommended!



3. After buying a Tea set, it made sense to purchase a book about tea parties to help her understand the "fun" she can have without electronics! Hopefully, my child will not miss out on such simple childhood play.



4. My 3 yr old loves to read this book while she sets up tea with her dollies and Mommy



5. Cute book - gave as a gift with a small tea set for 3 year old- Loved it!

3 comments about Hooray for St. Patrick's Day! (Lift-the-Flap, Puffin).

1. My children ages 6 and 3 really enjoyed this book. they really got a kick out of the flaps that you lift up and see whats under it.



2. Daughter enjoys finding the hidden leprechauns on each page and lifting flaps. Wished story was a little longer.



3. ISBN 0142300616 - Since I've found so few St. Patrick's Day books for kids this year, I was really hoping for a lot from this one. I'm somewhat disappointed. On the other hand, this was the first paperback lift-the-flap book I've ever found and that made up for it, a bit.
   
   A group of children prepare for, and celebrate, St. Patrick's Day. They perform a play, make crafts, dance and have a picnic, among other things. Lift-able flaps hide surprises for young readers. There is a leprechaun hidden on every page, which makes for a simple, easy game to play while you read.
   
   This book is marked for ages 2 to 6; that age group is fairly accurate. I would think the pre-reading set will enjoy this book more than older children. Author Joan Holub's rhyming text would be better if it was consistent throughout. Most pages have two lines of rhyming text and a totally unrelated, non-rhyming line under the flap. This throws off any sense of rhythm the book might have and then, just to further confuse matters, there's one page where the rhyming line IS the line under the flap. Paul Meisel's illustrations are fun, colorful and cute and it's great that the children are of various ethnic backgrounds.
   
   The pages are thin cardboard, so they're slightly sturdier than paper; the flaps are glued-on pieces, which stand up to some handling, but will tear with some minor effort. For homeschooling parents, those who just like to teach their kids new things, or those who'd like to introduce some Irish facts with the St. Patrick's Day fun, there's a small (5 word) glossary inside the back cover.
   
   - AnnaLovesBooks

5 comments about Curious George Complete Adventures Deluxe Book and CD Gift Set.

1. My 2 1/2 year old son absolutely loves listening to these stories. He listens to a different story at every nap time and at bed time. He looks forward to it so much, he has stopped protesting bedtime! And, this is after he had pretty much given up napping for several weeks -- this set is a miracle! Thank you, Curious George!



2. My two and a half year old son loves this set. The large book makes before bedtime reading fun and enjoyable and keeps his attention with the many pictures. He may not be old enough to read himself, but when listening to the audio CD he has caught on to turning the pages when prompted and enjoys "reading" the book by himself with the help of the CD. The CD also includes a copy without page-turning prompts that is great for listening to in our car.



3. I bought this set on two different occasions and both kids loved it. I was a star when my nephew went to Universal Studios and got to see Curious George there as well!



4. I ordered this along with several other books with CDs. I ordered them so that my 4 yr old son could sit and listen to the CDs while he looks at the stories.
   
   The stories are GREAT and the pictures are fun, but the book has all of the stories in one, and it is HEAVY! My son has a really hard time just picking it up and reading it himself. I have to get him started, and then if it accidentally closes, he has no hope of finding where he was alone.
   
   It would be much better if the 5 books were separate, but they were all on 1 CD.



5. I have a 4 y.o. and we are trying to steer her away from so much TV time. This box set is great! Very reminescent of the books and record sets I used to have as a kid. She knows how to work the CD player herself and and can go and listen the stories whenever she likes. The CD even informs you what page to start on by describing the picture on that page. She knows where to start and it also comes with a "turn-the page" tone so child does not need help to follow along.
   
   The only thing I didn't like which was why I gave it only 4/5 stars was that all the stories come all in one book together instead of the individual books. Because it's a heavier book, if my daughter leaves the book for a minute it sometimes closes or pages flip and she gets lost from the page she was on.
   
   Otherwise a great investment for the conscientious parent.

5 comments about The Clique: Charmed and Dangerous: The Clique Prequel.

1. I read about half way through this book before I had a panic attack. I have been recovering from anorexia and found the parts where weight is mentioned sooo much very distressing. Weight is constantly mentioned throughout the book by many characters, and though I've liked the other Clique books, this one was absolute trash. I wouldn't want anyone I know to read it because i don't want them to have this sort of problem. Please don't read it.



2. I have read the whole Clique series and so far Charmed and Dangerous has been the best one! I love how all of the girls meet and become such good friends... and the Ahnnabees are such LBRs... I love Lisi Harrison's stories and I can't wait for the next book in the Clique series.



3. This book was really good except for the fact that some events gawt me really confused. Also, how is it humanly possible to replace awll of the Marvil family's mirrors? But awll in awll, this was a really good book - I couldn't put my Kindle down! Definitely a book for winter break.



4. I'm 19 years old and in college, and to this day still thouroughly enjoy 'The Clique' series. I don't know how Lisi Harrison does it, but she makes me want more.



5. I am a huge fan of the series, and have read all the books. I always wondered how they met, but in my opinion this book was a little short. It's worth the read, for sure, I'm just wishing it would have been longer.

5 comments about Jack and the Leprechaun (Pictureback(R)).

1. There is no excuse for not buying this book if you are looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your child. The paperback is very inexpensive and as such one might think it doesn't have much to offer but it does.
   
   Ivan Robertson managed to write a cute story of a leprechaun while packing a lot of Irish culture and history into this little book. For instance we learn about the date and type of celebration one has in Ireland, what a shillelagh (shaw lay lee) is, what "Cead mile failte" (cade meela fall-cha) expresses, that Gaelic is their oldest language, why shamrocks are important, that green is the national color of Ireland, soda bread is traditional, and "Danny Boy" is a song special to the Country.
   
   Katy Braun's illustrations are fun, festive, and green. This is the best St. Patrick's day book I have found so far for my wee lass.



2. Ivan Robertson writes a delightful yarn about Irish customs and folklore. The story mentions Gaelic, the oldest language in Ireland, the oak club called a shillelagh, and the importance of the three-leaf clover. The 24-page book is recommended for children 3 to 7 years, which I think is appropriate for the age group. The text is easy to read, and doesn't bite off more than it can chew like many works attempt to do.
   
   Jack and the Leprechaun is illustrated in watercolor, which is bright and cheerful and bursting with details. One could literally spend an hour looking at all the fine points painted into the scenes. The only inharmonious feature of the book is Katy Bratun's version of the Irish flag. The Irish flag is green, white, and orange not orange, white, and orange. Most readers won't notice such minutia, but it is curious with all the research required for this work, the illustrator got it wrong. I only spotted it because I have a bit of Irish in me.
   
   My son, William, is currently into leprechauns, and it's no wonder with his beautiful red hair, and traditional name. He's taking a liking to Jack and the Leprechaun I think mostly because Liam is short for William, and everybody knows leprechauns have red hair. Somehow at five, I think it's okay to identify with the fairies even though their fabled creatures. Had I known when I purchased this book that there were so many well-written leprechaun stories, I surely would have settled on another. Although, considering the economical price, it's hard to be critical.



3. My son's name is Liam so he LOVED reading about Liam the Leprechaun. It kept his interest and the illustrations were great. We read this book several times a night for days!



4. Bought this book to read to my 4 year old granson. He LOVED it! Nice illustrations and good story. Perect for the holiday.
   J.



5. This book looked very cute, but it's not a very fun read for me or for my 3 yo. The author tries to pack way too many Irish words and phrases into the story, which gets in the way of the narrative. After reading it once, she never asked for it again. St. Patrick's Day in the Morning, illustrated by Jann Brett, is a much more engaging read.

4 comments about St. Patrick's Day Countdown.

1. This board book makes for a good introduction to St Patrick's Day for younger kids because of it's simple concepts, colorful pictures and sturdy construction. (It can also be used year 'round for it's counting.) "St. Patrick's Day Countdown" is a book that counts backwards from 5 down to 1 using St Patrick's Day theme items and then some; bunnies, shamrocks, a pot of gold... you get the idea. It's also fun because the book is not exactly book shaped but has grabbable shamrock "tabs" so little ones can help turn the pages. I bought this for my one year old niece and her mom said it was "perfect". I like that it does not have hit-you-over-the-head St. Patrick Day overtones (ie. nothing religious) to it but still captures the spirit of the day.



2. This book is perfect for babies & small children. My son is 9 months old & this is one of his favorite books. It has short phrases on each page while teaching numbers & doesn't have a lot of pages. The colors are bright & pictures are cute. The edges of the pages have a shamrock & my son finds it easy to turn the pages. He's also attracted to the cover because the shamrocks are shiny.



3. I purchased this book for our daughter's first St. Patrick's Day and she loves it! It is perfect for little hands; each leaf on the shamrock is an extended cut-out that helps her turn the pages easily. The shamrock is also sparkly and this lends to holding the attention of little ones. The text rhymes and the pictures are brightly colored. This is a perfect introduction for children ages 0-3.



4. I'm always looking for St. Patrick's Day books for my toddler and three year old. My three year old has outgrown it, but still likes to look over my shoulder when I read it to my 18 month old. Great pictures.

5 comments about Where Is Baby's Birthday Cake?: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Lift-The-Flap Book (Little Simon)).

1. A great board book for little ones who are reading to look at pages. The lift-the-flap part isn't great because children tend to tear out the flaps trying to flip them like they see the adults do as the adults read them the book. But really good for increasing a child's listening vocabulary and then their speaking vocabulary as they grow.



2. I bought this book for my daughter just before her first birthday and she really enjoyed it. The colors are pretty (nothing garish) and the story is simple. My daughter still wants to read this book now, more than a year later.



3. We purchased this to prepare our grand-daughter for her first b-day. She loves the sparkly cover, the lift-the-flaps, and especially the ending. I wish the last picture had matched the cover and been more attractive...



4. My daughter has loved all of the Lift-the-flap books by Karen Katz. She really enjoys seeing what is under the flap, and reading along. She is 2 years old and even asks for these books over many of the others in her bookcase.
   I look forward to every one. Thanks



5. My son (almost 18 months) makes me read this book to him OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. It's a sickness, really! Thank goodness I've memorized the book because my son has ripped out nearly all the flaps. He's fun like that. Anyway, I've had to hide the book but it mysteriously reappears (thanks to my husband who gets a kick out of hearing me repeat the same book over and over and over again). Sometimes, I yell to my son, "hey, look over there" and then throw the book under the couch...but again, a few days later...there it is...oh well- I've embraced it and have decided to purchase the entire "lift a flap" collection.

1 comments about The Luckiest St. Patrick's Day Ever.

1. Great little book. Bought this book for my grandaughters first st patricks day. It is so cute she will be able to handle the little pages. Nice printing so that when she is able to read the lettering isn't so small and easy for older peaople to read. I've purchased many books from amazon,great prices and they stand by there merchandise. I hope who ever buys this book enjoys it with there chicldren or granchildren.