( J ) Books - Page 6

Tales from Moominvalley (Moomintrolls)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A real surprise 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

I picked up this book because I thought I hadn't read it before, wanting to see the Moominvalley books through adult eyes - not to have my childhood memories of favourite books tarnished. As it turns out, I had read "Tales from Moominvalley" before (the fungus-covered granny was the trigger for my recollection), but I was really relieved to find that Tove Jansson's books are just as good as I remember - and there is, I think, even more for the adult to appreciate and enjoy than there is for the child.
I generally dislike the short story genre, but not when it's done like this. Every short story is simply that, a short story; not a contrived literary exercise with the obligatory "twist in the tail". Jansson's stories are charming little gems, full of wonderful moments and images, thought-provoking and touching. Her characters are often the lonely, the lost, and the troubled, and she makes you feel for them and understand them, without ever becoming ridiculous or sentimental. The tales about Snufkin and his tune and the Fillyjonk who believed in disasters are shining examples of this. But Jansson can write humour and happiness just as well, as the tales of the invisible child and the fir tree show.
I really can't speak highly enough of this book. Jansson's wonderful insight into people, her spare, deft prose, and her brilliant imagination make a great combination. Buy it for your children or for yourself.

Editorial Review:

In these nine delightfully funny stories, readers will discover how the Moomin family spend their first Christmas out of hibernation, how they save young Ninny from permanent invisibility, and what happens when Moomintroll catches the last dragon in the world.

The Gingerbread Rabbit

Randall Jarrell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

CLEVER and WONDERFUL story for a read aloud! CLASSIC! 5 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

I can't believe that no one has reviewed this book! What a cute story that is thoroughly engaging for little ones and fun to read out loud as well. The witty storytelling is suburb with just the right amount of suspense and great twists. The narrator even addresses the audience, which definitely adds to the appeal and lends an oral storytelling feel to the experience. It is also noteworthy that there is a happily-ever-after ending for everyone -- no violence in store for the gingerbread bunny! :) The black and white illustrations are adorable as well. My girls 4 and 6 really loved the book and I'm sure we'll be reading it again soon. Extend the fun by baking gingerbread rabbits and recreating the surprise that the mother made for her daughter! It is too bad that a classic like this is apparently overlooked! I will definitely be adding more of Randall Jarrell's books to our collection!

Editorial Review:

Once upon a time there was a mothe . . . who loved her daughter so much, she wanted to make her a wonderful surprise. So she mixed up some dough and cut out a beautiful gingerbread rabbit. But she got the surprise when the rabbit jumped up, ran out the door, and escaped into the forest!

Follow the gingerbread rabbit and the mother as they run through the woods finding adventure, new friends, and the best surprises of all.

Harold's ABC (Purple Crayon Book)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Fantasic Alphabet Book for Children 5 out of 5 stars.
21 of 21 people found this review helpful.

This book quite cleverly introduces the alphabet A to Z. Each letter is introduced in order and appears as part of the picture associated with it. Descriptive words use the letter, usually starting with it. Text leading to the next page (and next letter) suggests the next letter by using it at the beginning of some words, too. Very cleverly written. I grew up with "Harold and the Purple Crayon", which I like very much. I've enjoyed, as an adult other Harold books by Crockett Johnson. "Harold's ABCs" is an equal with the original.

Editorial Review:

Taking along his purple crayon, Harold journeys from A to Z, each letter generating a picture from which the word becomes part of an uninterrupted story.

My Chincoteague Pony

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

My Chincoteaque Pony 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The story is charming and the illustrations are glorious.A great book for horse lovers.

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Julie has dreamed of owning a pony for years. When she was old enough, Julie started to do extra chores on the family's dairy farm in order to save money for buying a pony at the annual auction in Chincoteague Island. At the auction, she spotted a black and white filly that seemed to call out to Julie. But alas, the filly and all the other ponies were auctioned off to other bidders with more money than her. Julie would have returned home without her dream horse were it not for a stroke of fate that re-opened the bidding and the generosity of the strangers sitting around her.

Mixed into the main story are some important lessons in economics about saving money and the use of auctions. Adding to the appeal is an interesting account of Chincoteague Island's annual round-up of wild ponies on neighboring Assateague Island in order to manage the size of the herd and to prevent over-grazing. The eye-catching watercolor paintings and the substantive content will surely draw a readership that goes far beyond horse lovers.

Editorial Review:

On the farm where Julie lives there are cows and chickens, but no ponies.  With her whole heart, Julie longs for a pony of her own.  And she has a plan. 

Moominvalley in November (Moomintrolls)

Tove Jansson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Tove Jansson's Moomin characters and books are admired the world over. In the United States the series beginning with Finn Family Moomintroll (first published in English in 1945) has accumulated generations of fans. Since Farrar, Straus and Giroux began reissuing the books in 1989, grateful readers old and new have been thrilled to have the stories available again. At last the final installment is being published – oddly, the only book that features none of the Moomin family themselves, though it does take place at their house. There familiar characters converge – Snufkin, the Hemulen, Fillyjonk, and others – seeking out the Moomins' welcoming company, only to find them absent. All remain at the house, all have very different personalities that clash often, but something about their homey cohabitation during the icy winter changes each visitor in a gratifying way. As The Times Literary Supplement put it, Moominvalley in November is "possibly the cleverest of the Moomin books."

Kiss Good Night (Sam Books)

Amy Hest

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Grandson loves Sam!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Kiss Good Night (Sam Books)

As my grandson started wanting to be read to before bedtime. I found this book. He fell in love with Sam and has picked up the phrase" I'm waiting" when he wants a good night kiss. Also, Now all teddy bears are named Sam. I've told him he has to have his mommy take him to Sam's House now that he's started asking to go visit Sam & grandma is old and forgotten the way. He loves the book. He wants to play with sam.

Editorial Review:

"The finale is so satisfying that it calls for an encore. 'Again!' Sam says, as will readers of this cozy story." - CHILD magazine

It was a dark and stormy night on Plum Street. In the little white house, Mrs. Bear was putting Sam to bed.

Outside, the wind blows and the rain comes down. Inside, it is Sam's
bedtime. Mrs. Bear reads him a story, tucks him in, and brings him warm milk. "Are you ready now, Sam?" she asks. "I'm waiting," he says. What else does Sam need before he'll go to sleep? Could Mrs. Bear have forgotten a kiss? Now this NEW YORK TIMES best-selling story by two of the most beloved picture book creators is available in a board book edition suitable for the youngest listeners.

Don't You Feel Well, Sam?

Amy Hest

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A joyful, feel-good book! 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Little Sam Bear just can't fall asleep; the cough in his throat is keeping him awake. When the love and cuddling Mrs. Bear shares don't work, she knows Sam needs medicine. Not wanting to take the cough medicine, Sam tries everything to convince his mom that he does not need it. "I don't have a cough!" Sam cries. "Taste bad," he explains. It's only when Mrs. Bear explains to Sam that after taking the medicine, they can go downstairs and wait for snow. Excited and brave, Sam swallows the syrup. All warm from the hot tea and cuddling, Sam is fast asleep when if finally snows.
The short tale of a sick cub and his loving mama is a wonderful book for all young readers. The way in which the author describes the setting is very inviting. Sam's red blanket is cozy, and his mama's belly is soft and wiggly as they snuggle in the big, purple chair while it snows. The pleasant setting will make any reader feel warm inside. The illustrations support this warm feeling. The soft colors bring out the best in both Sam and Mama Bear. This is a joyful, feel-good book!

Editorial Review:

"This follow-up to the best-selling KISS GOOD NIGHT will comfort little ones like a cozy blanket that’s tucked in just right." -- BOOKLIST (starred review)

In the little white house, Mrs. Bear is putting Sam to bed, when suddenly -- HCK HCK! coughs Sam. Mrs. Bear gets some syrup. But the syrup tastes bad, and there’s too much of it on a too-big spoon, and it’s too hard to swallow. What will make Sam feel better? Acclaimed picture-book creators Amy Hest and Anita Jeram revisit Sam and Mrs. Bear as they share a quiet moment of comfort that is enough to conquer the coldest night.

When I'm Big: A Guess How Much I Love You Storybook

Sam Mcbratney

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

Anna Loves to read this book! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This is a great little board book for tiny fingers. The art just mystifies little eyes and the story flows so well. My daughter will pick this book out off the shelf of 70 or more books because she loves it so much. this book is a must have for little ones.

Great extension of Guess How Much I Love You! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram have done it again! This book is a great addition to any library!

What a sweet lovely book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is just such a cute book. My son loves it. We were just talking about how calves grow up to be big cows (we went for ice cream at a local farm and they had lots of cows and calves there). When we came home, the package with several copies of this book was on the doorstep. We read it and he was captivated. He's 2.5. Loved reading this book. Then, we walked a copy over to the neighbors and read it with them. They also loved it. What a cute book!

Editorial Review:

For the first time in twelve years, the Nutbrown Hares hop back for a brand-new GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU story. Happy spring!

Out in the fresh spring air, the two Nutbrown Hares see a tiny acorn growing. "Someday it will be a tree," says Big Nutbrown Hare. Then they spy a tadpole that will grow up to be a frog, a caterpillar that will turn into a butterfly, and a nest of eggs that will one day be birds. Suddenly Little Nutbrown Hare turns to Big Nutbrown Hare and laughs. "What does a little brown hare like me turn into?"

McDuff's Christmas

Rosemary Wells

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Same Story - Different Title 1 out of 5 stars.
28 of 28 people found this review helpful.

What a disappointment! Nowhere did I see that this was a reprint of "McDuff's New Friend" when I ordered it...and to make matters worse it was done in the same cheap looking format as the most recent new release, "McDuff's Wild Romp". Gone are the wonderful glossy pages with the beautifully detailed artwork; gone are the dustjackets. How sad. Take a pass on this one and buy new copies of the original "McDuff" stories instead.

True to Westie form 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

My sister and her family had a lovable Westie that graced our lives for over 16 years. The pictures in this McDuff book reminded me of the many Christmases that "Bubba" was part of our lives.

One of my 2 3/4 year old's favorites this Christmas 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is the only McDuff book we own, so it wasn't a duplicate for us. My son, who loves books (we must have over a hundred, easily), but who usually prefers books about vehicles, really enjoyed this one. He loves to say "McDuff says WOOF!" and probably prefers this and Hondo and Fabian as his two most-loved dog stories.

McDuff books 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book not knowing that it was the same as one I already had, with only the title changed. Big disappointment, but the book itself, in its previous incarnation, was lovely.

Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (Firebird)

Brian Jacques

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 77 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

This is like 'Redwall'. That's the bad part. 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

*Remember that I am not the target audience for this book, so younger adults will probably enjoy this novel.

Picking this book up, I really did have high expectations for it. It had a good plot and all of the characters were human, so to me it seemed as though Jacques would be hard-pressed to follow under his black and white plotline he has done in his Redwall series.

The star of the story is a blond-haired mute boy who doesn't have a name. He was cruelly treated by his uncle Bjornsen and his sons and had run away from them, only to be knocked unconscious into the sea and was picked up by the crew of 'The Flying Dutchman'. There, he is enslaved to a fat Greek cook named Petros and is given the name Nebuchadnezzer. Of course, this shortens down to just Neb and Neb is introduced to a different kind of cruelty by Petros and the rest of the crew. The only man he feels safe with is Philip Vanderdecken, a mean captain who isn't really that evil towards Neb. And of course, during his cooking duties, Neb finds a black lab and names his Denmark, named after the place where the ship casted anchor and where the dog was found. Of course, Neb and Denmark save the captain from a failed mutiny, among many things. And then the plot goes onward.

To be honest, that's the only good part out of the entire book. Trust me, you'd throw down the book in frustration the minute Neb and Denmark are given voices. Yes, Neb and Denmark are given voices. After an angel casts down and curses Vanderdecken and his crew to sail for eternity, she spares Neb and Den's lives and grants them voices and immortality. The angel also tells them that they must spread joy and hope wherever they go. In a way, that was kinda corny, but it really did show promise. But Brian Jacques was the wrong man for the job, just like certain producers are bad at making certain movies.

You get a taste of how annoying both dog and boy are when they stay with an old shepherd named Luis for three years until the man dies a peaceful death and the angel sets them both on another quest. The dog's 'jokes' that he cracks along the way are very painful to listen to and both characters sound exactly like any character from any Redwall book (save the first Redwall book). The boy and dog are painfully good, too perfect, too nice, too much in your head. Is it me, or are they Mary Sues?

Their main goal in this book is helping an English village from total destruction by finding a will that will save the place, but of course Jacques adds his trademark taste by adding his riddles. In such a serious situation, riddles and puzzles that are extremely ridiculous, (and the solutions even more so) are close to not being appropriate. Who in their right mind would hide such an important document this way? It would work in a different story perhaps, maybe in Jacques' Redwall stories, but not this one.

And yeah, everyone solves those riddles as though they weren't riddles at all. How...predictable.

Also, in answer to a past reviewers concern on why the character's names have been changed from Neb and Den to Ben and Ned. Basically, it's to hide suspicion that these two were ever on the 'Flying Dutchman'.

Seriously, it makes no sense whatsoever to change the names because I'd seriously doubt anyone will remember that the 'Flying Dutchman' harbored a mute cabin boy and dog. And if they did, would be really assume Ben and Ned were in it? They are immortal, so it makes sense that they have to move from place to place after they completed their saintly tasks, but to change their names? Hmmm, perhaps it has to do with personal reasons as well, to hide emotional scars from the event. Well, I suggest they name themselves a name that wasn't the backwards of their own because then it'd be painfully obvious.

And last but not least, the bad guys. You got a stuck-up rich guy who has an equally stuck-up rich son, who wants to make profit from the company he wants to put in in replace of the town. The son has formed a band of very annoying stupid kids who are always beaten by Ned the wonder dog and Ben the wonder boy. And to make the Redwall theme more apparent, Jacques adds in four more villains in the story with ridiculous names like Gripper and Flash, and one of them even looks like a weasel.

Bottom line: Jacques tries to add in his 'Redwall' world onto this story, which does not work because, in human context, it only sounds corny. Get this book if only to read the first part. Assume Ben and Ned have died at the end. You'll not be dissappointed.

Editorial Review:

A boy and dog trapped aboard the legendary ship, the Flying Dutchman, are sent off on an eternal journey by an avenging angel, roaming the earth throughout the centuries in search of those in need. Their travels lead them to Chapelvale, a sleepy nineteenth century village whose very existence is at stake. Only by discovering the buried secrets and solving the dust-laden riddles of the ancient village can it be saved. This will take the will and wile of all the people-and a very special boy and dog! Brian Jacques turns from Redwall to a very different sort of story, and succeeds admirably.