( Z ) Books

The Wheels on the Bus

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zelinsky, Paul O.

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 71 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

"The wheels on the bus go round and round.... All over town." This traditional song, a favorite of children everywhere, is adapted and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, winner of the Caldecott Medal for his lush version of Rapunzel, and Caldecott honors for Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, and Swamp Angel. Fantastic paper engineering with movable parts, flaps, and wheels that spin makes this an interactive book that young readers will love to pieces (maybe literally!). Pull one tab to make the "wipers on the bus go swish swish swish," and another to see the "babies on the bus cry Waah! Waah! Waah!" On closer inspection, children will be tickled to discover several subtle and humorous subplots, as well as a full-circle finale: the last stop on the bus is at the Overtown public library, where the day's program includes a folk singer. Guess what he's singing!

Zelinsky's warm, inviting illustrations are a perfect match for this classic play rhyme. Children who have learned the hand motions to the song will enjoy helping the characters in the book enact their own roles. The back cover includes the musical notation for "The Wheels on the Bus," so everyone can sing along. (Ages 3 to 7) --Emilie Coulter

Harry the Dirty Dog

Gene Zion

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Animals -> Dogs -> Fiction

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

"Harry was a white dog with black spots who liked everything, except getting a bath." Taking matters into his own paws, he buries his family's scrubbing brush in the backyard and runs away from home before they can wrangle him into the tub. Harry gets dirty playing in the street, dirtier at the railroad, and dirtier still playing tag with the other dogs. When sliding down the coal chute, he actually changes from a white dog with black spots to a black dog with white spots! Of course, by the time he gets home he is completely unrecognizable to his family--even when he does all his clever flip-flopping tricks. In a stroke of doggy genius, he unearths the bath brush, begs for a bath, and the rest is history. Youngsters will completely relate to the urge to rebel, the thrill of getting dirty, and, finally, the reassurance of family. Gene Zion and Margaret Bloy Graham's Harry the Dirty Dog, first published in 1956 and now rereleased with splashes of color added by the artist herself, is one of those picture books that children never forget. (Ages 3 to 8) --Karin Snelson

Harry by the Sea

Gene Zion

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

brilliant invitation to readers 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The "Harry" series by Zion and Graham remain monumental fixed images in the memories of my youth. I teach rhetoric in a Japanese university and stumbled upon these books in the children's reading section of our school's library. My seven-year-old daughter had fished "Harry by the Sea" out of one of the shelves and brought it to me. What a stroke of serendipity! In seeing the cover, I was immediately taken back to my youth. Wow! The story of Harry invited me so often to its pages that I can still remember all of the details. These books represent a brilliant blend of narrative and illustration. Graham's ability to capture the level of expression on the faces of the characters in pastels is amazing. Zion's introduction to simple, compound and complex sentences is a perfect primer for young readers. In their ability to arrest a young reader's attention, these works are easily on the level of Seuss's.

Editorial Review:

Harry, a friendly little dog on a visit to the seashore, is mistaken for a sea serpent when a big wave covers him with seaweed. `Very few children can resist [the stories about] Harry. The ridiculous but somehow plausible situations capture even the most reluctant reader.' —SLJ.

Chidlren's Books of 1965 (Library of Congress)

Rapunzel (Caldecott Medal Book)

Brothers Grimm

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 52 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

In older versions of the classic tale Rapunzel, it always seemed improbable that a grown man could scale a tower using only his beloved's hair. Not so in Paul O. Zelinsky's Caldecott Medal-winning version of Rapunzel. Here, Rapunzel's reddish-blonde mane is thick with waves and braids, and cascades like a waterfall down the walls of her isolation tower. In Zelinsky's able hands it's easy to believe that a prince would harbor no hesitations about scrambling up our fair heroine's hair.

Of course, this is not the work of an amateur--Zelinsky's lush versions of Hansel and Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, and Swamp Angel all earned him Caldecott Honors. His gorgeous, Italian Renaissance-styled illustrations are characterized by warm golden tones and the mesmerizing sensation of trompe l'oeuil. Not only does he have the touch of a world-class illustrator, Zelinsky has also proven himself a master storyteller. We are frightened when the sorceress demands to take the baby Rapunzel, we are alarmed when the flowing locks are cruelly shorn, and we rejoice when the prince and his now modest-haired love are reunited. The notes at the back of Rapunzel reveal his careful scholarship regarding the long history of the story (tracing its origins and transformations from Italy to France and finally to Germany and the Grimm brothers)--work that no doubt contributed to his clean, compelling version of the age-old tale. Children will be captivated by the magical story and evocative pictures and adults will delight in the fresh feel of a well-loved legend. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustration © 1997 by Paul O. Zelinsky, published by Dutton Children's Books, a division of Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 4 and older)

Dear Mr. Henshaw (rpkg) (HarperClassics)

Beverly Cleary

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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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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( C ) -> Cleary, Beverly

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 154 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Realistic Fiction! By JS from North Boulevard 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The book I am reviewing is written by Beverly Cleary. It is a great book named Dear Mr. Henshaw. It is a book about a boy named Leigh Botts, he writes letters to his favorite author Mr.Henshaw. He writes about many of his problems such as his parents' divorce and trouble at school. I think this book deserves four stars because I like reading about realistic problems and people. I recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction in grades 3-5. Beverly Cleary also writes many stories like Ramona the Pest and Mouse and the motorcycle.

Dear Mr.henshaw=#1 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The beginning made me wonder so I wanted to read on.
The middle answered all my questions.
The ending was sad and happy at the same time.
This is why I liked Dear Mr.Henshaw!!!!!

Excellent novel 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Lee is a lonely little boy dealing with his parents' divorce. He begins a correspondence with his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw. This letter writing helps Lee understand himself better.

I read this to my classes every year when we are learning about letter writing. It is a powerful novel that kids can relate to.

Editorial Review:

Although her books have been enjoyed by generations of kids, Beverly Cleary herself didn't enjoy reading as a child at least not at first. In first grade she was grouped with the slowest readers in her class.

The Gift of the Magi

O. Henry

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( Z ) -> Zwerger, Lisbeth

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

A Gift from the Heart 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I picked up this book out of nice-cover curiosity and for some light reading to my 2nd grade CCD class, and instead of finding simple children's Christmas book I found a literary masterpiece. Lizabeth Zewerger has transformed O. Henry's very mature adult short story about social poverty and vicarious giving into a children's tale about the true meaning of Christmas. I was awed by the delicateness of Zewerger's watercolors and amazed by the way she perfectly expressed each emotion of O. Henry's tale.
In a world where every holiday (especially Christmas) has been commercialized this book is a symbol of the true meaning of giving. Before you get lost in the hustle and bustle (or if you unfortunately already have) do yourself and your loved ones a favor and pick up this book. It's a great gift for children of all ages and adults too. This is a gift from the heart to give at Christmas.
Reconnect and STAY connected!

Editorial Review:

One dollar and eight-seven cents is all the money Della has in the world to buy her beloved husband a Christmas present. She has nothing to sell except her only treasure -- her long, beautiful brown hair. Set in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, this classic piece of American literature tells the story of a young couple and the sacrifices each must make to buy the other a gift. Beautiful, delicate watercolors by award-winning illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger add new poignancy and charm to this simple tale about the rewards of unselfish love.

The Pigman

Paul Zindel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 344 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Interesting but disturbing 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This was my 8th grader's summer reading book. I read it too. Very funny and interesting style of writing with every other chapter from one of the two main characters. However I was disturbed by the things the kids did like bombs in the boys bathroom, drinking, smoking, etc. since the characters were tenth grade but it was assigned to 7th grade.

Editorial Review:

For sophomores John and Lorraine, the world feels meaningless; nothing is important. They certainly can never please their parents, and school is a chore. To pass the time, they play pranks on unsuspecting people. It's during one of these pranks that they meet the "Pigman"--a fat, balding old man with a zany smile plastered on his face. In spite of themselves, John and Lorraine soon find that they're caught up in Mr. Pignati's zest for life. In fact, they become so involved that they begin to destroy the only corner of the world that's ever mattered to them. Originally published in 1968, this novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Paul Zindel still sings with sharp emotion as John and Lorraine come to realize that "Our life would be what we made of it--nothing more, nothing less."

No Roses for Harry!

Gene Zion

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

A Classic! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

One thing I have found myself doing is going back and buying all these classic books that I read as a youngster. My little one LOVES Harry! He's just as popular with the kids today as he was 50 years ago when he first was published. He gets read over, and over, and over..... in our house and I keep getting requests for more Harry books! Highly recommend!

Harry Just Does Not Like Roses 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

When Grandma sends the family a sweater for Harry, he knows right away he doesn't like it. It was a green sweater with roses on it. Harry is white dog with black spots and that's the look he likes. He tries to lose the sweater time and time again, but people keep bringing it back, then a bird grabs a lose strand and flies away, unravelling the sweater as she goes. Soon the sweater is gone, vanishing before Harry's eyes and he is happy. But then he learns Grandma is coming to visit and he is worried.

The family looks all over for the sweater, but can't find it. Then when Grandma arrives, she takes Harry for a walk in the park and up in a tree they see a bird with a new nest which looks exactly like Harry's sweater. This is a nice story. My little guy just loves it and frankly I prefer these children's books from the middle of the last century. They really knew how to illustrate them back then.

Editorial Review:

The popular hero of Harry the Dirty Dog does his best to be rid of Grandmother's birthday present—a silly green sweater with yellow roses. `Will bring laughter and sympathy. Recommended for all picture book collections.' —SLJ.

Harry the Dirty Dog Board Book

Gene Zion

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

love it! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This was one of my favorite books as a kid so I knew that I HAD to get it for my son, especially since he loves dogs too. This edition is so cute, and the board book makes it perfect for little hands that like to rip paper. I plan to get this for future kid gifts.

Yeay for Harry 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

My three children grew up with Harry - now my grandchildren are enjoying all of the books in the series. Simple stories are the best ...

harry the dirty dog 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a classic every child should have. I ordered two for my most recent born grandchildren.

Editorial Review:

Harry is a white dog with black spots who hates to take a bath.

One day he gets so dirty he has black fur with white spots!

Where's Harry?

Harry and the Lady Next Door (I Can Read Book 1)

Gene Zion

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

As Much Fun Now As When I was a Kid 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I grew up with this book and never knew of the others in the series. Seeing as my daughter loves dogs I had to buy this when I saw it in this new edition.

An opera singer has moved into the house next to Harry's. The singer practices all day long, singing loud and high. Harry does not like this sound. Harry tries a number of ways to get her to stop. These do not please his family. But finally, a good way is found and everyone is happy.

As a parent, one of the things I like about this book is that it is clear that Harry is not being good when he howls, leads cows or a marching band, or other tricks. Although we want Harry to succeed, we also want it to be in the right and good way. This book knows the difference.

I loved this book as a kid and I still do. My daughter loves it (hopefully my son will too).

Editorial Review:

Harry's had it!

The lady next door sings too loudly and too often, but every time Harry tries to stop her he gets in trouble. Can Harry solve the neighborhood's problem before he's sent to the doghouse?