( S ) Books

Where the Wild Things Are

Maurice Sendak

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 365 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Look into the mind of a child 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I just read this the other day to my first grade class, and it turns out I had forgotten just how gorgeous this book is!

It's the story of a boy named Max who imagines himself to another world: an island dominated by monsters, aka "wild things". No, it's not freakishly complex, but it is a kids' story.

It tells of one of the most important things we have: the power of imagination.

Forgiveness without remorse 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Briefly, the story revolves around Max, a young boy who behaves naughtily and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, he is transported to another world "where the wild things are" where he is made king of the wild things. After having his fill of leading the wild things, he returns to his room to find his supper left on his dresser.

This story strikes an interesting balance between the real world of Max and his family and Max's dream world "where the wild things are". Whereas in the former world his actions are seen as naughty and are decried, the dream world provides Max not only with the ability to act in the way he wants but also to have those actions sanctioned and praised by those around him.

Beyond that, even, is the amount of control Max can exert in each world. The real world limits him and he is almost totally at the mercy of his parents who send him to his room. In the wild world, even before he becomes king of the wild things, he is able to control the other wild things and his power is unlimited. An interesting question to ask is whether Max would be as naughty as he is if he believed himself to have more power in the real world.

The conclusion of the story seems to come mostly as the author stumbles over himself to wrap up the story. It is unclear why the angry parents would reward Max's behavior or why they would negate the punishment meted out at the beginning of the story. I found the warm supper waiting for Max upon his return from the wild world to be somewhat out of place. I understand, perhaps, that even bad kids are loved and that may be the moral being taught here, but it is strange that Max just receives the food out of the blue with no remorse on his part.

The book is a fun story and holds the attention of my 3 year old. He loves when I improvise the roaring and gnashing. Throwing in a little Troggs "Wild Thing" during the rumpus makes story time a little bit more fun too. I don't think the strange lesson at the end ruins the story, and I'm not sure that the target audience of this book would be able to figure it out in the first place. 4 stars for a fun book that holds kids' attentions.

Editorial Review:

In the forty years since Max first cried "Let the wild rumpus start," Maurice Sendak's classic picture book has become one of the most highly acclaimed and best-loved children's books of all time. Now, in celebration of this special anniversary, introduce a new generation to Max's imaginative journey to where the wild things are.

The Giving Tree 40th Anniversary Edition Book with CD

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( S ) -> Silverstein, Shel

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 607 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

not so controversial actually...... 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

i'm a child psychology major. anyone who says this is bad for a child is obviously reading way too much into the book, and does not realize children are not capable of doing the same. this is actually a very good book for children. shame on you people and your awful thoughts.

Its a great book, with a great philosophy. Read between the lines. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The moral of the story is touching, its a great gift to give a parent.

Editorial Review:

"Once there was a tree . . . and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.

Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk . . . and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave.

This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition: Poems and Drawings

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 74 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Heart warming 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

A collection of poems unlike any others. Many times I can't understand the poems I read and it is frustrating, but not with this one. I actually enjoyed it and would recommend it to any parent. Great book.

Anna del C.
Author of "The Elf and the Princess"
and "Trouble in the Elf City"
The Elf and The Princess: The Silent Warrior Trilogy - Book One (The Silent Warrior Trilogy)

Editorial Review:

Including 12 New Poems!

If you are a dreamer, come in,
If you are a dreamer,
A wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er,
A magic bean buyer . . .

Come in . . . for where the sidewalk ends, Shel Silverstein's world begins. You'll meet a boy who turns into a TV set, and a girl who eats a whale. The Unicorn and the Bloath live there, and so does Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout who will not take the garbage out. It is a place where you wash your shadow and plant diamond gardens, a place where shoes fly, sisters are auctioned off, and crocodiles go to the dentist.

Shel Silverstein's masterful collection of poems and drawings is at once outrageously funny and profound.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Dr. Seuss

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 93 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A Holiday Classic 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The holiday season would be incomplete without the annual reading of this delightful tale that introduces the little ones and many of the big ones too, to the residents of Whoville. A timeless tale where one will meet Little Cindy Lou Who, Max the Dog, and the Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small. In the end, the Grinch is not the only one that discovers the true meaning of the holiday. Another Dr. Seuss classic.

Classic 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

A classic story that everyone who even slightly appreciates Christmas. Dr. Seuss tells a convincing story of the true meaning of Christmas and gives us a surprisingly complex character at the same time, someone who discovers he hates Christmas for all the right reasons. The illustrations are Sessian-wonderland, and the lyrical read is an artistic blast.

Editorial Review:

The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville's holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.

One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish (I Can Read It All by Myself)

Dr. Seuss, Theodor Seuss Geisel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 132 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Two boys' review: Suess with simpler rhymes than Fox in Socks 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is one of our first bedtime books for our sons along with "Hop on Pop" and "The Foot Book". This beginner's book provides simple rhymes that are easy to learn and repeat.

We don't read this book as much anymore. We later graduated to "Fox in Socks." My oldest has returned to this book as an early reader. (I have to mix up the pages because my boys have much of the book memorized).

An Under-rated Classic!! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

"Cat in the Hat" and "Green Eggs and Ham" get all the fame and glory, and I actually don't remember ever reading "One Fish Two Fish" as a child. But I've discovered this book now that I have a three year-old of my own, and it has become our favorites. Dr. Seuss is exceptionally skilled at playing with words and rhymes and coming up with hilarious, fun, well-crafted sentences. This book contains some of his best work. The books make learning language great fun. I was amazed last night when my daughter started rattling off the sentences in the book from memory as I read it to her, and she had great fun doing it. A children's book that both children and adults can appreciate and one that inspires in children a love of learning language: what more could a parent want?

And one other editorial comment...now that I've spent much time scouring the library shelves for good books for my child, I have come to have tremendous appreciation for Dr. Seuss's talent and wit. Almost all children's book authors fall far short of the standard Dr. Seuss set decades ago. Give me "One Fish Two Fish" or "The Lorax" over "The Polar Express" any day!

Editorial Review:

Illus. in full color. A "fabulous book of easy words, exciting pictures and inviting rhythm."--Elementary English.  

Green Eggs & Ham (Nifty Lift-and-Look)

Dr. Seuss

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 221 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

I do like Green Eggs and Ham 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Being the cruel and heartless person that I am, it was been years since I have bothered to so much think about this book. But, it being the week of the celebration of Dr. Seuss I have been reading various Suessian books to them. I forgot what a fun tongue-twister of a tale this was! My kids were able to repeat entire sections of the book with me and the illustrations are entirely animated without moving. Awesome book.

Fun for kids and adults! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I forgot how much I loved this book until I began reading it for my 3-year-old. She loves it, and I love reading it to her (unlike the ELMO books which our daughter loves and I dread). You really can't go wrong with Dr. Seuss. The illustrations are imaginative and the writing is really a work of genius in children's literature. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Editorial Review:

Do you like green eggs and ham? If so, you'll love them with flaps and stickers! Flip the flaps to see where those green eggs and ham will pop up next! All the fun and charm of the original book is here in this interactive version of Dr. Seuss's classic Green Eggs and Ham!

Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks from A to Z (A Chunky Book(R))

Richard Scarry

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 39 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great book for the car! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

After reading many reviews on here, I bought this book wondering what I'd get. It seems that most reviews here are either very strongly liking this book or very strongly not liking it (it's a kid's book for gosh sakes!)

Anyway, my son loves this book! It's the perfect size to hand him in the car or leaf through and talk about at a restaurant while waiting for food. The book is silly and fun- so please lighten up if you're not sure what a "corn car" is or whatever. Richard Scarry wasn't afraid to use his imagination, and was a lot of fun as a result.

It's an inexpensive book that takes a few minutes to flip through. Golden, in my eyes!

tiny truck book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

the perfect size for dropping in your purse for keeping a little boy entertained...my son loves the big richard scarry 'cars and trucks and things that go' which is too big to take along, so this is great for portability.

Editorial Review:

Illustrated in full color. This car-and- truck-filled alphabet extravaganza that starts with an ambulance and ends with a zippercar, is shaped like Lowly Worm's applemobile.  

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (Giant Little Golden Book)

Richard Scarry

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 140 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A hit with my 2-year-old 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book for my 2-year-old son and he loves it. He is into trucks and cars and wouldn't put this down. He now knows about all kinds of trucks. There isn't much of a story. He just likes looking at and saying all of the different trucks (such as a flatbed trailer).

things that go 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Wonderful book. Lots to look at and discuss. My son cannot get enough of this book. It has been his favorite for at least three months so far! We wore out a yard sale copy and bought a new one! It is a great distraction in the car and at restaurants. Excellent at bedtime. Richard Scarry is great.

Cars and Trucks and Things That Go 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My grandson loves the book. He's into trucks, etc., and the abundance and variety of moving vehicles is fascinating to him.

Editorial Review:

The Pig family takes a road trip to the beach for a picnic. The road is packed with hundreds of cars and trucks, vans and motorcycles, tractors and buses. The Pigs find chaos and adventure on the way to the beach and the opportunity to see vehicles they have never seen before. It's an exciting day!

The Cat in the Hat

Dr. Seuss

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 177 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Two boys' review: Simply, a classic 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I couldn't imagine our children's bookshelf without

The Cat in the Hat
Green Eggs and Ham
The Lorax
How the Grinch Stole Christmas

This silly story centers around self-responsibility. The children panic because they know their mother won't be happy if she comes home and find the house a mess. The fish fluctuates between being an annoyance and a voice of reason.

The story stars a well-meaning cat who tries to release the children from an afternoon of boredom. He brings excitement, which quickly devolves into chaos...or so it seems.

This is a fun bedtime story, nothing more, nothing less. My sons weren't looking for a debate about latch-key children and abandonment. We'll leave those reviews to the sociology graduates.

If your children enjoy this book, I also recommend, "The Cat in the Hat Comes Back."

Editorial Review:

To accompany the release of the live action movie of The Cat in the Hat, starring Mike Myers, HarperCollins are proud to present Dr. Seuss's original, classic tale of the coolest, hippest cat in history!When the Cat in the Hat steps in on the mat, Sally and her brother are in for a roller-coaster ride of havoc and mayhem! The Cat can rescue them from a dull rainy day, but it means lots of thrills and spills along the way. The wonderfully anarchic Cat in the Hat is one of the most popular characters in children's fiction, and this book is ideal for budding readers to tackle on their own.

Oh, the Places You'll Go! Deluxe Edition (Classic Seuss)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 273 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great recognition gift 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We use this book as a completion/graduation gift for a summer program for high school students that gives them experience in working at a university-level research project. The program is called SHARP. The book edition is hardback with a color-embossed jacket, so it will hold up as a keepsake, and the kids use it as they would a yearbook--collecting autographs and keep-in-touch messages from their friends and teachers.

Editorial Review:

Illus. in full color. "Don't be fooled by the title of this seriocomic ode to success; it's not 'Climb Every Mountain,' kid version. All journeys face perils, whether from indecision, from loneliness, or worst of all, from too much waiting. Seuss' familiar pajama-clad hero is up to the challenge, and his odyssey is captured vividly in busy two-page spreads evoking both the good times (grinning purple elephants, floating golden castles) and the bad (deep blue wells of confusion). Seuss' message is simple but never sappy: life may be a 'Great Balancing Act,' but through it all 'There's fun to be done.'"--(starred) Booklist.