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Bonjour, Babar!: The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar

Jean De Brunhoff

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

"Do you see in this life how one must never be discouraged?" 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This one volume contains all six Babar stories written and illustrated by Jean de Brunhoff between 1931 and 1937, when the author died prematurely of tuberculosis. After seven decades, Babar the elephant is still beloved by young and old alike. Included are: "The Story of Babar"; "The Travels of Babar"; "Babar the King"; "Babar and Zephir"; "Babar and His Children"; and "Babar and Father Christmas".

From his earliest days, when his mother is shot by a hunter and he is left to fend for himself in the world, Babar is a curious and independent spirit. He makes his way to the city, where a kindly old lady gives him her purse; he purchases "a shirt with a collar and tie, a suit of a becoming shade of green, then a handsome derby hat and also shoes with spats". All decked out in new clothes, Babar is ready for whatever awaits, as he mixes with society, entertaining all with tales of his life in the forest. Later, when two of Babar's cousins arrive in the city, Babar outfits them both in new clothes. Returning with his cousins to the forest in the old lady's elegant roadster, Babar is so impressive that he is crowned King, his new fiancé, Celeste, the new Queen.

On their honeymoon, Babar and Celeste enjoy many adventures and misadventures all over the globe, returning to discover that the herd has gone to war with the rhinoceroses, a situation requiring careful strategy for success. Finally victorious, Babar promises to rule the kingdom wisely, and so he does in the following stories. In "Babar the King", the herd builds a city where all the animals peacefully coexist. There are schools, parks, automobiles; everything is perfect, save those few strokes of bad luck to remind Babar that we must never be discouraged in the face of adversity.

Each story is filled with realism, encouragement and hope in the face of difficulties, magical adventures touched with the give and take of life and the need to overcome challenges with a good heart. With a gallery of friends, Babar's life is defined by enthusiasm, a willingness to care for others and joy in simple things, family and community. Born in 1899, the author created an alternative universe in a country soon to face the First World War, his artistic vision come to fruition in Babar, a character beloved by generation after generation. Luan Gaines/2006.

Editorial Review:

In 1931 Jean de Brunhoff created Babar, a little elephant who walked out of the jungle and into the hearts of civilized readers the world over. Widely recognized as the father of the picture book, Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated six Babar stories before his early death in 1937. Every word and every picture of these classics is included in this big, inviting gift edition.

James and the Giant Peach

Roald Dahl

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Peachy Read For ALL Ages 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Perhaps I should confess right up front that this review of what is popularly regarded solely as a children's book is being written by a 50+-year-old male "adult" who hadn't read a kids' book in many years. For me, Welsh author Roald Dahl had long been the guy who scripted one of my favorite James Bond movies, 1967's "You Only Live Twice," and who was married for 30 years to the great actress Patricia Neal. Recently, though, in need of some "mental palate cleansing" after a bunch of serious adult lit, I picked up Dahl's first kiddy novel, "James and the Giant Peach," and now know what several generations have been aware of since the book's release in 1961; that this is an absolutely charming story for young and old alike, with marvelous characters, a remarkably imaginative story line and some quirky humor scattered throughout.

As most baby boomers and their kids and grandkids probably know by now, this short novel introduces us to James Henry Trotter, a young boy who is forced to move in with his nasty Aunts Sponge and Spiker when his loving parents are eaten by a rhinoceros on the streets of London (!). His miserable existence takes a turn for the better when a mysterious old man gives him a bagful of magic green crystals, which James promptly and accidentally spills near the base of a barren peach tree. What follows is wondrous in the extreme, as James discovers a septet of insectoid friends inside the enormous, house-sized fruit that soon develops. Along with his new buddies--a centipede, an old grasshopper, an earthworm, a glowworm, a silkworm (which character was oddly dropped from the 1996 Disney filmization), a spider and a ladybug--James sets off in the detached peach on a trans-Atlantic journey, and this is just the beginning of his great adventures. Dahl makes sure that each of his insect characters has a distinct personality of his or her own; the centipede is a snarky showoff, the earthworm a constant worrier, the grasshopper wise and serene, the silkworm a quiet nonentity, Miss Spider sweet and caring, the ladybug warm and maternal, the glowworm mainly concerned with keeping her light going. Each brings its own set of abilities to the fore in times of crisis, James' own particular strength being his great boyish intelligence, natch. They are a terrific team of characters that effectively show the little ones the value of teamwork and overcoming differences.

Adult readers of "James and the Giant Peach" will likely be struck by errant thoughts as the story progresses. For example, the violent deaths of Spiker and Sponge, not to mention James' parents, are surprising, if glossed over lightly. Perhaps these instances of violence are the reason why this book ranks #56 on the American Library Association's list of "The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-1999." (Dahl's "The Witches" is #27.) Still, generations of impressionable youths have managed to take in the "objectionable" aspects of this book with no discernible damage to their delicate psyches, as far as I can tell! Adult readers may also be amused at the mention of a "famous factory where they made chocolate" in the book (a foreshadowing of 1964's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"?), and wonder at the number of sophisticated words (such as "wampus," "manticore" and "prock") that Dahl dishes out for the kiddies. They may also get a huge kick out of the hilarious poems and songs scattered throughout the story, as well as by the lighthearted humor in general. (I think it's hilarious that Miss Ladybug winds up marrying the head of the NYC Fire Department!) Grown-ups may also find cause to wonder why all those 502 seagulls fall into James' lasso trap. Couldn't all those birds detect this trap after 50 or so were snared? But this is a quibble. From magical beginning throughout its action-packed length (I haven't even mentioned the shark sequence yet, or the extended segment with the Cloud Men, which the Disney film unwisely drops if favor of an underwater ghost ship that is not in Dahl's novel), this book is a joy and a pleasure for young and--as I have just proved to myself--um, older alike. This classic work hardly needs MY seal of approval at this late date, but I just wanted all the adults out there to know that this might be a fun read for them, too. And now, I think I'm gonna go pick up "The Witches"....

Editorial Review:

When James drops magic crystals by the peach tree, the toy peach starts growing, and before long, it’s as big as a house, with a secret entranceway.

Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken

Kate Dicamillo

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

She longed for adventure. 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

When you're young, it still feels like anything can and might happen to you. Adventures peek out from under the horizon, big and fantastical ones that could make you feel more in control of your own destiny, more seasoned as a person, or like you're having more fun than you would be just sitting at home.

Louise is like that. She's a chicken who wants to experience "true adventure" and leaves home to discover what it really is. Her adventures are familiar in theory (pirates, the circus, faraway lands) and yet full of the unexpected when actually realized. There are dark moments and funny ones, often on the same page and in both the text and illustrations. The reader is privy to an understated version of the emotions and thoughts that run through Louise's mind as she seeks out "true adventure". Without a lot of exclamation points and hardly any exposition, Louise's story is quietly satisfying.

Editorial Review:

She longed for adventure.

So she left her home and ventured out into the wide world.

The pleasures and perils she met proved plentiful: marauding pirates on the majestic seas, a ferocious lion under the bright lights of the big top, a mysterious stranger in an exotic and bustling bazaar.

Yet in the face of such daunting danger, our heroine . . .

She was brave.

She was fearless.

She was feathered.

She was a chicken.

A not-so-chicken chicken.

Her name?

Don't Know Much About the Bible: Everything You Need to Know About the Good Book but Never Learned

Kenneth C. Davis

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Total reviews: 140 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

With wit, wisdom, and an extraordinary talent for turning dry, difficult reading into colorful and realistic accounts, the creator of the bestselling Don't Know Much About®, series now brings the world of the Old and New testaments to life as no one else can in the bestseller Don't Know Much About® The Bible. Relying on new research and improved translations, Davis uncovers some amazing questions and contradictions about what the Bible really says. Jericho's walls may have tumbled down because the city lies on a fault line. Moses never parted the Red Sea. There was a Jesus, but he wasn't born on Christmas and he probably wasn't an only child.

Davis brings readers up-to-date on findings gleaned from the Dead Sea Scrolls and Gnostic Gospels that prompt serious scholars to ask such serious questions as: Who wrote the Bible? Did Jesus say everything we were taught he did? Did he say more? By examining the Bible historically, Davis entertains and amazes, provides a much better understanding of the subject, and offers much more fun learning about it.

With wit, wisdom, and an extraordinary talent for turning dry, difficult reading into colorful and realistic accounts, the creator of the bestselling DON'T KNOW ABOUT series now brings the world of the Old and New testaments to life as no one else can in the bestseller Don't Know Much About The Bible.Relying on new research and improved translations, Davis uncovers some amazing questions and contradictions about what the Bible really says. Jericho's walls may have tumbled down because the city lies on a fault line. Moses never parted the Red Sea. There was a Jesus, but he wasn't born on Christmas and he probably wasn't an only child.

Davis brings readers up-to-date on findings gleaned from the Dead Sea Scrolls and Gnostic Gospels that prompt serious scholars to ask such serious questions as: Who wrote the Bible? Did Jesus say everything we were taught he did? Did he say more? By examining the Bible historically, Davis entertains and amazes, provides a much better understanding of the subject, and offers much more fun learning about it.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Roald Dahl

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 82 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

little too violent 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 9 people found this review helpful.

when the young foxes fearfully ask their daddy, the fantastic mr fox, how will we die? will there be dogs? I decided it was not for my 3 year olds. he's clever allright but this is probably a tale best told ( edited by you) and not read.

It is my favorite book! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I am 9 years old and enjoyed this book. I especially like how it is written and the story line. It is full of fantastic mystery all the way up until the last sentence. There ae three adults who are trying to kill a fox who is eating some of the food from their farms. The adventure is all about Mr. Fox trying to get away from the farmers and still trying to feed his family and friends. It was fun to live the life of each character from the adults to the foxes, moles, rabbits and all the other animals. If you like mystery and adventure you will love this book.

Childhood memories 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Love this book, found the same edition to read to my children, I hope they will read it to there children one day.

Editorial Review:

Mr. Fox is surrounded, and he’s going to have to come up with a truly fantastic plan to dig himself out of trouble this time.

Good Dog, Carl

Alexandra Day

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 62 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

We LOVE Carl! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I wasn't so sure about this book but my 4 year old ADORES it. She laughs out loud every single time we "read" it. I say "read" because there are only about 2 sentences in the whole book but we have a great time discussing all the pictures. We have the hard back board book which has held up extremely well and the pictures are very clear and beautiful. She goes to sleep with it every night and totally "gets" that it is a silly story (i.e. people do not leave their babies with the dog in charge!!) For the joy it has brought my children I give this book with its beautiful illustrations a 5 star review. I had no idea there were other Carl books but will likely pick some of those up too.

Excellent parenting choices 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I found this book to be an excellent guide for child rearing. It affirmed by choice as a parent to leave my toddler in the ward of a large canine for hours at a time. It offered a further benefit of teaching my child how to leave his crib so that he would not get too bored while I am at work for the day. Carl is indeed a good dog and this book will make you a good parent, too.

Editorial Review:

Available in paperback for the first time, the modern classic that introduced the beloved baby-sitting rottweiler to the world.

George's Marvelous Medicine

Roald Dahl

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Roald Dahl is a great choice! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

You cant go wrong with Roald Dahl, we've (my self and my kids,4 and 6) been pleased with every story purchased.

4th Grade Reviews - S. Kimble 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

J.S.- Class Pick
Are you sick? If you are, you gotta have some of George's Marvelous Medicine! George's Marvelous Medicine is a book where George's grandma is the meanest grandma on the block. So George decides to make a medicine that will fix his Grandma's attitude forever. George tries a couple of times to fix Grandma with surprising results. You must read it to find out what happens next. This fun filled book is funny, inspiring, and joyful. I hope you enjoy George's Marvelous Medicine.

M.W.- Class Pick
Do you have a grumpy old relative or a bully that you want to get rid of? Well, in the book George's Marvelous Medicine, George has the same problem. George is an 8 year old boy who has to spend the day with his "horrid, grouchy, grizzly, old grunion of a grandma." Luckily George gets an amazing plan to give his grandma a taste of her own medicine (literally.) Read this book and see what George puts in his recipe and what happens to his grandma.

B.C. - Class Pick
"You're growing too fast, George!" Grandma said. George does not like the cranky, mean, old grandma. How could George find a way to get Grandma to be just a little bit nicer? Grumpy Grandma had never gotten off of her chair in a very long time. Finally, George thought of it! He would make a Marvelous Medicine. Just wait until Grandma drinks this! Read George's Marvelous Medicine to find out what happens.

Editorial Review:

George’s grouchy grandma needs a taste of her own medicine, and George knows just the right ingredients to put into it!

Matilda (Puffin Modern Classics)

Roald Dahl

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 371 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

cute 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I thought this was an entertaining little book, but as some of the negative reviews suggest, it may be a little too dark for younger children. But then again, most under-10 children (if my nieces are any guide) are going to want books with more pictures and less text anyhow.

A Teachable Moment! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

As a teacher in a multi-lingual school, a copy of a book in ANY language other than English is like gold! Matilda is a great book for any child.
Most children today are avid movie goers. A book that "goes with" a movie has gotten my students reading, reading, reading! After viewing the video AND reading the book makes for a great compare and contrast lesson...putting the book in Spanish allows for me to expand that experience and the growth of my Spanish speaking learners!
I highly recommend this book to teachers working with non-English speaking students.

Editorial Review:

Matilda is a sweet five-year-old with extraordinary mental powers—powers she uses to teach her school’s evil head mistress a lesson she’ll never forget!

The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor

Joanna Cole

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A little complex for a 6 year old 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

These books are very complex. A lot of little "notations" accros the pages. My daughter is a little overwhelmed by it. More suitable for an 8 or 9 year old

Another delightful adventure on the magic schoolbus 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The magical Ms. Frizzle takes her class to the ocean in "The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor." The bus transforms itself as needed, from a submarine to a surfboard and the class clothing changes with it from scuba gear to Ms. Frizzle's beachball sandels. The bus travels the continental shelf to the deep ocean floor and on to tropical coral reefs, with numerous excursions for children to examine the details.

The illustrations are filled with facts, labeled wildlife and wise-cracking children. The information is easy to swallow as well as interesting and the humor relies on lame sarcasm and a silly lifeguard -- kids should love it.

Sub-bus 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My 8 year old loves The Magic School Bus series of books (he does not like the show). He read this to me for reading but we also use them for science. In this book we look at the bottom of the ocean and each of its phases - shore, intertidal zone, continental shelf, continental slope, deep ocean, trench, mountain, island, reef. It has just enough ridiculous to make it fun. Recommended for ages 6-9 years and reading level 3rd grade.

Editorial Review:

Assuming they are simply going on an ordinary field trip to the beach, Ms. Frizzle's students enjoy a pleasant surprise when their teacher drives right into the ocean.

Strega Nona

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( D ) -> De Paola, Tomie
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The best memory I have of reading to my son, years ago... 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

All of Tomie dePaolo's books are treasures, and this one is no exception! While in first grade my son Joshua was assigned this book and to make a shoe box diarama. It is the best memory I have about his childhood many years ago, as he is 21 years old now. This was "our" first Tomie dePaolo/Strega Nona book, and after we completed reading it we went to our local library and found all others written by dePaolo.

dePaolo's books are so creative and colorful, matched only by mischievious but innocent, captivating story-telling and magical intrigue that kept my son reading for hours. I would highly recommend Strega Nona and all other Tomie dePaolo books to all parents of pre-school and grade school aged children and grandchildren.

A classic book 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a very basic morality story - Big Anthony (who never listens) was told Not To Touch The Pasta Pot, but when he had a chance he went right for it! Alas, he hadn't paid attention and so neglected to properly learn how to turn the pasta pot *off* - with predictable results.

The image of Big Anthony eating his debt to the village is priceless :)

Editorial Review:

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works.