No comments about El Senor Conejo Y El Hermoso Regalo/ Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present.

No comments about With a Little Help from Daddy.

No comments about Flag Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays).

2 comments about Happy Birthday, America.

1. An extended American family celebrates a traditional 4th of July, in this lovely picture book. Starting the day with a children's parade, enjoying pizza and popcorn, buying tickets for a raffle, then enjoying carnival activities, face painting, balloons, and finally ending the day with a barbecue, and concert under the stars with fireworks finale, the family has a wonderful time celebrating Independence Day. The illustrations are a little hazy, very nostalgic and timeless, with colors that depict the warmth and fun of the day. Any child who has ever attended a city park 4th of July celebration will recognize the activities depicted here. The text is short and simple enough to be included in a patriotic themed storytime for preschoolers. This will be a great addition to a holiday collection for which not that many books for children have been written.



2. My daughter brought this home from the school library and I'm ordering our own copy today.
   
   I completely agree with the first reviewer. This is a very nice, simple story about lots of traditional activities on the 4th of July. Makes me want summer to hurry up and arrive!
   
   We love the Magic Tree House series, and Mary Pope Osborne has created another wonderful book.

No comments about Celebrating Cinco De Mayo: Fiesta Time! (Learn to Read Read to Learn Holiday Series).

2 comments about Big Brown Bear's Birthday Surprise (Big Brown Bear).

1. David McPhail's BIG BROWN BEAR'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE tells of Rat, who has prepared a fine picnic surprise to celebrate his friend Big Brown Bear's birthday - but a boat on the river provides a very different avenue for exploration. BIG BROWN BEAR'S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE is a fun tale of friendship and discovery.



2. There is a surprise in store for Big Brown Bear. It's his birthday! And his friend Rat has a full day planned for Bear. But after a delicious picnic, when Rat is about to bring out a present, the adventure begins.
   
   In this beautifully illustrated picture book, David McPhail brings together unlikely friends who share a comfortable bond. It is a story of friendship, adventure and the simple things. And, though boats can sink, they are fun while they last. Just like friendship.
   
   As this story is divided into chapters, this is an encouraging book for young readers. Though read-aloud parents will just think of this as an average story length (it is shorter than many of Seuss'), the newer, self readers will see this as a "chapter book," and really think they are accomplishing something when they read it.
   
   This book also encourages contentment and finding joy in the small things. As so many children rush through their childhood, moving from one new thing to another and never stopping to enjoy the moment, reading this book is like a breath of fresh air. Good friends, a little adventure and enjoying the simple life.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: Share in this "breath of fresh air" message.

No comments about Palapalooza (Social Studies Connects).

5 comments about Witch, Witch (Child's Play Library).

1. This book is a beautifully illustrated treat for children 4 and up, with a Halloween theme. It uses a repetitive word pattern so children can participate in the reading. The illustrations are a little scary for very sensitive children or those under 4. It was a big hit in our kindergarten last year!



2. Don't be scared off by the "Horn" review. This is a great Halloween book for children 4+ unless they are extremely sensitive. Most kids I know are fascinated by monsters and creepy things, and the illustrations in this book, while scary, are rich and beautiful. Any kid who can handle Roald Dahl will like this book.



3. My daughter 4-year old with English as second language, firstly being attracted by the mysterious but beautiful illustration of this book.Once we started the reading we found the story very attractive and non-stopable(fortunately only 30+ pages).After read together with her for triple, she is able to read aloud by herself. She enjoyed this book very much and likes to share with her friends to scare them.



4. I have the Spanish version of this book. I bought it before my child was born since i loved the pictures. Thought if I ever have a child this would be a really wild book to share. I just loved the illustrations. The pictures are scarry, but beautifully drawn. Now my child is 4, I showed it to him & he was fascinated...can't wait till my other friends kids are old enough to send a copy. If your child likes scary things, or if you are looking for a book to read on Halloween, this book is excellent. Hand drawn color illustrations, with a repetitive rhyme...



5. So well, yes, this book was my daughter's and she is in college. It takes a village to raise a child and a few years for me to get a review written. This book was one she found fascinating in the way she found Roald Dahl fascinating. You just can't believe some of what is there in front of your eyes....it's so very off limits feeling.
   
   I'm a 1st grade teacher. I think this is a great variation on the kind of pattern books we should use to teach 1st graders...like Brown Bear, Brown Bear. They set you up for apprehension. Good readers apprehend and we need to explicate this with children. Pattern books allow you to address this. ( Sometimes it almost feels like mind reading when a book is just rolling along well, but I'm writing these thoughts on Halloween night and the kids are playing with a Ouiji Board someone gave them, of all things, so it isn't really "mind reading", or is it?)
   
   Plot-wise this is the story of a little girl making her party invitations...the guest list.... for her party ("invites" no less). Somehow they come to "life" telling her who their coming is contingent upon her also inviting to the party. The illustrations are outstanding and extremely detailed watercolors and I think pen and ink overworking them. There are so many cool living things invited.... "if" she invites the next named thing, Witch asks for cat, cat owl, owl tree, on and on...Maybe cat asks for scarecrow. ( baboon, snake, dragon, unicorn,goblin, ghost, tree) I just read it and already forget the order. At the end of the list of invited beings we find out "something" that turns the creatures into something much more benign and "of the holiday".
   
   It is always funny to see children make predictions about what will be invited next. I personally do find this a very VIVID set of drawings.Fair warning. I would not read it with a child under 6. But that's me.
   
   As we read today it was so humorous to watch the book hold their attention on an all too exciting day. Also very good to read with ...Where the Wild Things Are and Piggie Pie. So pretty much it feels an obligation to let you know. It's a keeper.

No comments about There's Only One of Me!.

No comments about Happy Mother's Day! (Sesame Street/Step Into Reading, Step 1 Book : Preschool-Grade 1).