Authors & Illustrators, A-Z Books

Brisingr (Inheritance, Book 3)

Christopher Paolini

Amazon Price: $15.13 List Price: $27.50 Not yet published By: Knopf Books for Young Readers

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths -> Dragons

Editorial Review:

OATHS SWORN . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide.

Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices— choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

The Time Paradox (Artemis Fowl, Book 6)

Eoin Colfer

Amazon Price: $10.79 List Price: $17.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Hyperion Books for Children Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $8.50

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Not Eoin Colfer's Best 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Having faithfully followed the Artemis Fowl series since its beginning, I have to say I was a bit dissapointed with The Time Paradox. In the previous books Colfer was very good at continuity, but in AF:TTP he decides to ignore the characters (i.e. Minerva Paradizo) he brought in during The Lost Colony. Although I was not a big fan of Minerva's (I found her pretty irritating), I read AF:TTP wondering where she had gotten to, or if she would show up later in the book. She does not. Despite this, I liked how Colfer put older Artemis in situations where he had no gadgets or backup other than Holly--something that Artemis is not used to. The constant battle between young Artemis and older Artemis, and how they resolved their conflict was awesome as well.

It is still humorous and smart, the trademark of the Artemis Fowl series, but I think Colfer seems to be tiring writing for Artemis. Nevertheless, a mediocre Artemis Fowl is a lot better than some other writer's magnum opus.

Editorial Review:

Artemis's mother has contracted a deadly disease--and the only cure lies in the brain fluid of African lemurs. Unfortunately, Artemis himself was responsible for making the lemurs extinct five years ago. Now he must enlist the aid of his fairy friends to travel back in time and save them. Not only that, but he must face his deadliest foe yet...his younger self.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

J. K. Rowling

Amazon Price: $20.99 List Price: $34.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Arthur A. Levine Books Amazon Marketplace: 461 new & used starting at $5.80

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3198 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Readers beware. The brilliant, breathtaking conclusion to J.K. Rowling's spellbinding series is not for the faint of heart--such revelations, battles, and betrayals await in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that no fan will make it to the end unscathed. Luckily, Rowling has prepped loyal readers for the end of her series by doling out increasingly dark and dangerous tales of magic and mystery, shot through with lessons about honor and contempt, love and loss, and right and wrong. Fear not, you will find no spoilers in our review--to tell the plot would ruin the journey, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an odyssey the likes of which Rowling's fans have not yet seen, and are not likely to forget. But we would be remiss if we did not offer one small suggestion before you embark on your final adventure with Harry--bring plenty of tissues.

The heart of Book 7 is a hero's mission--not just in Harry's quest for the Horcruxes, but in his journey from boy to man--and Harry faces more danger than that found in all six books combined, from the direct threat of the Death Eaters and you-know-who, to the subtle perils of losing faith in himself. Attentive readers would do well to remember Dumbledore's warning about making the choice between "what is right and what is easy," and know that Rowling applies the same difficult principle to the conclusion of her series. While fans will find the answers to hotly speculated questions about Dumbledore, Snape, and you-know-who, it is a testament to Rowling's skill as a storyteller that even the most astute and careful reader will be taken by surprise.

A spectacular finish to a phenomenal series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a bittersweet read for fans. The journey is hard, filled with events both tragic and triumphant, the battlefield littered with the bodies of the dearest and despised, but the final chapter is as brilliant and blinding as a phoenix's flame, and fans and skeptics alike will emerge from the confines of the story with full but heavy hearts, giddy and grateful for the experience. --Daphne Durham

Visit the Harry Potter Store
Our Harry Potter Store features all things Harry, including books, audio CDs and cassettes, DVDs, soundtracks, games, and more.

Begin at the Beginning

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Hardcover Paperback

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Hardcover Paperback

Why We Love Harry
Favorite Moments from the Series
There are plenty of reasons to love Rowling's wildly popular series--no doubt you have several dozen of your own. Our list features favorite moments, characters, and artifacts from the first five books. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive (what we love about Harry could fill ten books!) and does not include any of the spectacular revelatory moments that would spoil the books for those (few) who have not read them. Enjoy.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

* Harry's first trip to the zoo with the Dursleys, when a boa constrictor winks at him. * When the Dursleys' house is suddenly besieged by letters for Harry from Hogwarts. Readers learn how much the Dursleys have been keeping from Harry. Rowling does a wonderful job in displaying the lengths to which Uncle Vernon will go to deny that magic exists. * Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Full of curiosities and rich with magic and marvel, Harry's first trip includes a trip to Gringotts and Ollivanders, where Harry gets his wand (holly and phoenix feather) and discovers yet another connection to He-Who-Must-No-Be-Named. This moment is the reader's first full introduction to Rowling's world of witchcraft and wizards. * Harry's experience with the Sorting Hat.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

* The de-gnoming of the Weasleys' garden. Harry discovers that even wizards have chores--gnomes must be grabbed (ignoring angry protests "Gerroff me! Gerroff me!"), swung about (to make them too dizzy to come back), and tossed out of the garden--this delightful scene highlights Rowling's clever and witty genius. * Harry's first experience with a Howler, sent to Ron by his mother. * The Dueling Club battle between Harry and Malfoy. Gilderoy Lockhart starts the Dueling Club to help students practice spells on each other, but he is not prepared for the intensity of the animosity between Harry and Draco. Since they are still young, their minibattle is innocent enough, including tickling and dancing charms.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

* Ron's attempt to use a telephone to call Harry at the Dursleys'. * Harry's first encounter with a Dementor on the train (and just about any other encounter with Dementors). Harry's brush with the Dementors is terrifying and prepares Potter fans for a darker, scarier book. * Harry, Ron, and Hermione's behavior in Professor Trelawney's Divination class. Some of the best moments in Rowling's books occur when she reminds us that the wizards-in-training at Hogwarts are, after all, just children. Clearly, even at a school of witchcraft and wizardry, classes can be boring and seem pointless to children. * The Boggart lesson in Professor Lupin's classroom. * Harry, Ron, and Hermione's knock-down confrontation with Snape.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

* Hermione's disgust at the reception for the veela (Bulgarian National Team Mascots) at the Quidditch World Cup. Rowling's fourth book addresses issues about growing up--the dynamic between the boys and girls at Hogwarts starts to change. Nowhere is this more plain than the hilarious scene in which magical cheerleaders nearly convince Harry and Ron to jump from the stands to impress them. * Viktor Krum's crush on Hermione--and Ron's objection to it. * Malfoy's "Potter Stinks" badge. * Hermione's creation of S.P.E.W., the intolerant bigotry of the Death Eaters, and the danger of the Triwizard Tournament. Add in the changing dynamics between girls and boys at Hogwarts, and suddenly Rowling's fourth book has a weight and seriousness not as present in early books in the series. Candy and tickle spells are left behind as the students tackle darker, more serious issues and take on larger responsibilities, including the knowledge of illegal curses.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

* Harry's outburst to his friends at No. 12 Grimmauld Place. A combination of frustration over being kept in the dark and fear that he will be expelled fuels much of Harry's anger, and it all comes out at once, directly aimed at Ron and Hermione. Rowling perfectly portrays Harry's frustration at being too old to shirk responsibility, but too young to be accepted as part of the fight that he knows is coming. * Harry's detention with Professor Umbridge. Rowling shows her darker side, leading readers to believe that Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for young wizards. Dolores represents a bureaucratic tyrant capable of real evil, and Harry is forced to endure their private battle of wills alone. * Harry and Cho's painfully awkward interactions. Rowling clearly remembers what it was like to be a teenager. * Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape. * Dumbledore's confession to Harry.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

* The introduction of the Horcrux. * Molly Weasley asking Arthur Weasley about his "dearest ambition." Rowling has always been great at revealing little intriguing bits about her characters at a time, and Arthur's answer "to find out how airplanes stay up" reminds us about his obsession with Muggles. * Harry's private lessons with Dumbledore, and more time spent with the fascinating and dangerous pensieve, arguably one of Rowling's most ingenious inventions. * Fred and George Weasley's Joke Shop, and the slogan: "Why Are You Worrying About You-Know-Who? You Should Be Worrying About U-NO-POO--the Constipation Sensation That's Gripping the Nation!" * Luna's Quidditch commentary. Rowling created scores of Luna Lovegood fans with hilarious and bizarre commentary from the most unlikely Quidditch commentator. * The effects of Felix Felicis.

Magic, Mystery, and Mayhem: A Conversation with J.K. Rowling

"I am an extraordinarily lucky person, doing what I love best in the world. I'm sure that I will always be a writer. It was wonderful enough just to be published. The greatest reward is the enthusiasm of the readers." --J.K. Rowling

Find out more about Harry's creator in our exclusive interview with J.K. Rowling.

Did You Know?

The Little White Horse was J.K. Rowling's favorite book as a child.

Jane Austen is Rowling's favorite author.

Roddy Doyle is Rowling's favorite living writer.

A Few Words from Mary GrandPré

"When I illustrate a cover or a book, I draw upon what the author tells me; that's how I see my responsibility as an illustrator. J.K. Rowling is very descriptive in her writing--she gives an illustrator a lot to work with. Each story is packed full of rich visual descriptions of the atmosphere, the mood, the setting, and all the different creatures and people. She makes it easy for me. The images just develop as I sketch and retrace until it feels right and matches her vision." Check out more Harry Potter art from illustrator Mary GrandPré.

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHERS - Model: 8771-2 Amazon Marketplace: 79 new & used starting at $8.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 357 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

"And it was still Hot!" 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The last line in this great book is "...and it was still hot", and it is!
I first read this book in a Children's Literature class in college (which was taught by our county's wonderful head Children's Librarian); I used it for my picture book presentation. I later over the next few years told it at different events as an "oral tradition" style presentation, which goes to show you how well it is written. The other thing is the wonderful illustrations.

For those of you that aren't familiar with children's lit, the gold medal on the front of the book is the Caldecott Award for Excellence in Picture books. You can hardly go wrong picking up any book so designated and give to a child.

I read this to all my kids and now grandkids and they have all loved it,
And my sweetheart has taught Kindergarten this whole decade and read this to every class, and they all continue to love it every time!

Editorial Review:

The 1964 Caldecott Medal Winner for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year by Maurice Sendak. Brian O'Doherty of The New York Times said the Mr. Sendak's work "disguised in fantasy, springs from his earliest self, from the vagrant child that lurks in the heart of all of us."

Inkdeath

Cornelia Funke

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Not yet published By: The Chicken House

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Editorial Review:

The Adderhead--his immortality bound in a book by Meggie's father, Mo--has ordered his henchmen to plunder the villages. The peasants' only defense is a band of outlaws led by the Bluejay--Mo's fictitious double, whose identity he has reluctantly adopted. But the Book of Immortality is unraveling, and the Adderhead again fears the White Women of Death. To bring the renegade Bluejay back to repair the book, the Adderhead kidnaps all the children in the kingdom, dooming them to slavery in his silver mines unless Mo surrends. First Dustfinger, now Mo: Can anyone save this cursed story?

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Judith Viorst

Amazon Price: $7.99 List Price: $7.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR - Model: ING0689711735 Amazon Marketplace: 80 new & used starting at $3.45

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Features:

• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 172 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

What a negative book 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Already from the title you can tell this is a very negative book. I agree that everyone has bad days sometimes, but do you really have to look at such a negative book to make them better? I find it depressing and on a bad day it actually would make me feel worse.

No redeeming qualities to this book 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I thought, after reading the description and some of the reviews, that at least there would be something positive to counteract Alexander's bad experiences throughout the day. The only trace of anything positive is at the very end of the book when it mentions that even in Australia some days are bad too.

This child has everything going wrong for him, from the time he got up in the morning...gum in hair, tripped on his skateboard, didn't get a toy in his breakfast cereal when his brothers did. He thinks he'll move to Australia.

On the way to school he doesn't get a window seat. At school the teacher liked someone else's picture of a sailboat over Alexander's invisible castle (he didn't draw anything). He left out the number 16 at counting time. He "could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

And on it goes. So far, his complaints are fairly innoculous. This kind of stuff can happen to any kid, but his behavior begins escalating into bad behavior. "I hope you sit on a tack, I said to Paul. I hope the next time you get a double-decker strawberry ice-cream cone the ice cream part falls off the cone part and lands in Australia."

More everyday "bad" stuff happens to him--he didn't get dessert in his lunch, a trip to the dentist reveals a cavity. Then at the car his brother made him fall and his other brother calls him a crybaby--so he punches him.

He makes a mess at his father's office. He hates lima beans (served at dinner). He hates kissing (saw it on TV). Bath was too hot. Soap in his eyes. Hates his pajamas. Goes to bed thinking of his terrible day, and his mom assures him some days are like that, even in Australia.

The whole thing is so negative. He's a grouch. Why should I read this to my child? (too late, I already did, but never again)

Editorial Review:

The story is about Alexander and his very bad day. Read about his best friend that deserted him, and no dessert in his lunch bag and lima beans for dinner and kissing on TV. Paperback.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Bill Martin Jr.

Amazon Price: $7.95 List Price: $7.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR - Model: ING0805047905 Amazon Marketplace: 92 new & used starting at $0.81

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 314 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We bought this book for our twenty-one month old grandson and he just loves it. You have to read it to him four and five times and more every day. It's the book he gives to you to read to him before he goes to bed. It's a great book because he can learn his colors and see different kinds of animals. I would definitely recommend this book.

Quick and Cute 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this when my son was only a year. I had it on the shelf for a few years without much use. He picked it up one day, and we read it together when he was 3. He wanted me to read it again. That was all he needed, he started to read it back to me.. and to his brother.. and to anyone who would listen. He even recites it when the book is far away. What an impact it has had. A good buy, but wait until they are a bit older than 1. ;)

My son loves it 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We bought this book for my 3y.o. son a couple of days ago and he loves it. Though it is very simple compared to what we usually read (he's a big Seuss fan), the pictures are colorful and very creative, and it's a great introduction to animals and colors. Plus, because of it's simple lines and rhymes, it's easy for him to remember and he likes to "read it" himself... as he is interested in "reading" stories to us this is a great experience (with his favorite Seuss books such as The cat in the Hat this is not so easy). I was a bit doubtful about buying this book because he is used to more complex stories, but I'm happy to say that it was a great buy! :-)

Editorial Review:

This hardcover edition childrens book is cleverly written/boldly illustrated by Eric Carle and Bill Martin Jr. Children see a variety of animals, in a variety of colors.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar board book

Eric Carle

Amazon Price: $8.61 List Price: $10.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR - Model: ING0399226907 Amazon Marketplace: 106 new & used starting at $0.75

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• Made with the Best Quality Material with your child in mind.
• Top Quality Children's Item.

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 312 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Book is great, but the format may not be 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

On the one hand, it's The Very Hungry Caterpillar - I love it (despite the upside-down butterfly on the last spread), I grew up with it, it's a great book.

On the other hand, I'm not sure it's a book very well-suited for board book format. The best feature of the book, the holes, are too small to be much fun, and the normal audience for board books is perhaps a little young to fully enjoy this one - it's too wordy without any narrative tricks (rhyme, meter, alliteration) to pull them in.

In retrospect, it would have been better to wait a few years and then just get the regular hardcover edition.

My favorite book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My parents read tons of books to me when I was little, but I remember this one was my favorite. Of course I bought it for my daughter who, hopefully, will enjoy it when she gets a little older! I always give this one as a baby present- it's a classic.

Editorial Review:

As a tiny green caterpillar eats his way through the book, he is transformed into a beautiful butterfly, in a board book edition of the classic picture book.

The Going-To-Bed Book

Sandra Boynton

Amazon Price: $5.99 List Price: $5.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Little Simon - Model: 449025 Amazon Marketplace: 93 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 165 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

BOYNTONS' BOOKS BOUNCE! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Sandra Boynton's books are the PERFECT GIFT for baby showers....they are wonderfully rhythmic to read and babies love these! I always purchase these little board books for new parents who generally get all kinds of baby clothes etc. for showers but rarely get books to start a baby libary. You just can't go wrong with any of the books by Sandra Boynton, they beg to be read aloud!

Great Book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a great book for going to bed. It is oversized so it is easier to hold onto when kids get tired and it has a great story. Highly recommended.

We enjoyed this book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My two little girls really enjoyed this book. It's a nice big board book that fits in your lap easily with up to two little ones!

Boynton never lets us down! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Another great Boynton classic with funny pictures and not a lot of words on every page. Whole family likes this one!

Editorial Review:

This whimsical and hilarious book, featuring nontraditional texts and some of the author's famous animal characters, has been printed on thick board pages, and is sure to educate and entertain children of all ages. Author: Sandra Boynton Illustrator: Sandra BoyntonPublisher: Simon & Schuster

Harold and the Purple Crayon 50th Anniversary Edition (Purple Crayon Books)

Amazon Price: $6.99 List Price: $6.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: HarperTrophy Amazon Marketplace: 87 new & used starting at $1.04

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 147 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

"One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight." So begins this gentle story that shows just how far your imagination can take you. Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of beauty and excitement. But this is no hare-brained, impulsive flight of fantasy. Cherubic, round-headed Harold conducts his adventure with the utmost prudence, letting his imagination run free, but keeping his wits about him all the while. He takes the necessary purple-crayon precautions: drawing landmarks to ensure he won't get lost; sketching a boat when he finds himself in deep water; and creating a purple pie picnic when he feels the first pangs of hunger.

Crockett Johnson's understated tribute to the imagination was first published in 1955, and has been inspiring readers of all ages ever since. Harold's quiet but magical journey reminds us of the marvels the mind can create, and also gives us the wondrous sense that anything is possible. (Ages 4 to 8)