( Z ) Books - Page 5

The Night Before Christmas

Clement Clarke Moore

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

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A classic, illustrated by a talented artist 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

If you like Zwerger's art, and this story, you will enjoy this book.

just charming! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is the classic Christams story we are all familiar with, but has been given an update with charming new illustrations. The pictures are gentle and sweet - adults will love it as much as the children!

Editorial Review:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . .

Lisbeth Zwerger’s remarkable illustrations breathe fresh life into Clement Clarke Moore’s timeless Christmas poem as she lends her unique vision to Saint Nicholas’s fantastic midnight visit.

Here is a version of the classic verse unlike any other. Set in a Victorian style townhouse, it is filled with remarkable reindeer, children whose visions of sugar plums come alive with reverie, and a Saint Nicholas who’s as distinctive and magical as Zwerger’s art itself. Zwerger is a recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for children’s book illustrations, and this version of The Night Before Christmas is sure to delight her fans of all ages, and bring a whole new generation to her celebrated art.

The Pigman's Legacy

Paul Zindel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

(4-1/2 stars) Even better than the first 4 out of 5 stars.
14 of 16 people found this review helpful.

The Pigman is one of my favorite books, so of course I was ecstatic when I discovered that Paul Zindel wrote a followup. And it turns out that The Pigman's Legacy is even better. John and Lorraine have now turned sixteen and continue on zany adventures, as well as discussing the pros and cons of their own life.

The only problem with this book is the same problem that came with the first book, and that is a very important outcome that is given away in the introduction (they call it "The Promise"). My suggestion is to skip the promise and go on with the rest of the book. You'll enjoy it.

Editorial Review:

The Pigman's return ...

Four months after the Pigman died, John and Lorraine are passing by their old friend's empty house when they receive the shock of their lives: An elderly man has taken up residence in the abandoned home. Convinced this down-and-out recluse is a sign from beyond the grave, John and Lorraine decide they've been given a chance to make up for what happened to the Pigman -- a chance to make things right, once and for all.

Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present

Charlotte Zolotow

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A lovely bedime story 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 9 people found this review helpful.

As a student at West Virginia State College I was required to view a Calecott honor award winning book. I chose this book because of the beautiful illustrations. A little girl asks the assistance of Mr. Rabbit in deciding what to get her mother for her birthday. Mr. Rabbit suggests some rather foolish gift for each of the colors the little girl says her mother likes. He suggests such things as a red roof and a blue lake. Each time he also suggest a fruit of that color. The little girls says her mother likes that fruit but she needs something else. After they go though a few colors the little girl relizes she could make a fruit basket. Mr. Rabbit says he has a basket.

Editorial Review:

The author of such classics as My Granson Lew, Williams's Doll, and Over and Over needs no introduction. Neither does her collaborator Maurice Sendak, who has illustrated so many of today's best-loved, as well as most distinguised, books for children.The heroine of their book has a problem. And at first it does not look as though Mr. Rabbit is going to be much help in solving it . For everyone knows you cannot give your mother a red roof, a yellow taxi-cab, a green caterpillar, or a blue lake for her birthday. But then all the little girl had said was that her mother liked red, yellow, green and blue----and so Mr. Rabbit was trying. How he and the liitle girl come up with the absolutely perfect present makes a story the the youngest reader will love. And the wonderously bright full-color pictures will bring hours of pleasure to readers and lookers of all ages.

I Like to Be Little

Charlotte Zolotow

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Magic of Being Little Shines Through 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Another classic children's story, written by one of the most loved and respected children's authors of all time. This story is simple, sweet, and easily understood by the youngest of children. It tells about a young girl who just loves being little because of all the things she can do. The endearing text revolves around the girl's view of her world and how she is lucky because she is small enough to sit under the dining room table, jump in piles of autumn leaves, and skip when she feels joy. A timeless classic that will warm your heart again and again~~!

Old fashioned charm 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This book is extremely warm, cozy, and charming. The relationship that the little girl shares with her mother is precious, and of a nature that harkens back to the first half of the 20th Century. Frankly, I miss it. The story is basically a converation between mother and daughter, a very respectful and sincere communication, whereby the little girl talks about simple joys that children share with no one else. The mother listens intently and encourages her child in conversation. These types of stories are so real, so without pretense, and very basic, slice-of-life in nature; unfortunately, they're somewhat hard to find!! The illustrations are, again, slice-of-life, nothing fantastic or overly imaginative, adding to the straightforward, wholesomeness of the story. Charlotte Z. seems to specialize in books about mothers and daughters. I was raised on her stories and I'm glad they're still in print so that I can share with my daughter!

Editorial Review:

With her finely tuned ear for the concerns and cadences of childhood, Zolotow records a little girl describing all the things she likes that grown-ups usually do not.This tale, adapted from Zolotow's I Want to Be Little and newly illustrated with appealing watercolors, will strike a pleasurable chord with adults and children.

The Selfish Giant (A Michael Neugebauer book)

Oscar Wilde

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Kindness Goes a Long Way 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

In this story, there is a very selfish giant. He hates kids and won't let them play in his garden. This causes spring not to come. This goes on for years; no children playing, no spring. Finally, one day, many many years later, the children just play in the garden without permission, and spring comes. All of the kids are climbing trees, except for one little boy. Something amazing happens, but you have to read the story to find out what it is.
I think this story is trying to teach us that kindness goes a long way. If you are mean and grumpy all the time, you will have no joys in your life now, or even after death. If you are nice, loving, and caring, that will go along way, and you will be rewarded for that later. Everyone should remember, what you do now, will eventually come back to you, in some way or form. Treat others how you wanted to be treated back.

Editorial Review:

A once selfish giant welcomes the children to his previously forbidden garden and is eventually rewarded by an unusual little child.

Harry, el perrito sucio (Harry the Dirty Dog, Spanish edition)

Gene Zion

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

a crowd pleaser or on it's own, it's great! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I purchased this book with the intention of reading it to a group of 150 impoverished Ecuadorian children in Quito, Ecuador. The children range in age from 5-11. THEY LOVED IT!! They were particularly responsive to the funny,mischeivous antics of Harry as they oohed and aahed after I had finished reading each page! It was a good lesson about how to be yourself too. The children immediately shouted "otra vez!" after the first reading. I obliged with 2 more readings!

Editorial Review:

More than anything else, Harry the dog hates baths.So he runs away from home and has the time of his life. But when he comes back at the end of the day, no one recognizes him because he's covered with dirt!

Swan Lake

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

Swan Lake 2 out of 5 stars.
13 of 16 people found this review helpful.

There were two reasons why I picked up this book: the first being that it was illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger, whose art I greatly admire, and the second because "Swan Lake" is one of my favorite ballets. Unfortunately, this book turned out to be a real disappointment for me. Those familiar with the ballet know of its unhappy conclusion. However, originally the ballet was written with a happy ending which was preserved in this edition. I am not against happy endings, but the way it was presented was too bare bones---no meat at all. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, girl quickly forgives boy and they live happily ever after, the end. Both the narration and characters were flat and left me indifferent. Even Zwerger's illustrations lacked a certain something. I would recommend treating a child to Tchaikovsky's music than this work. For those wishing to enjoy Zwerger's superb art, as well as a captivating story should check out "Dwarf Nose", "The Wizard of Oz", "Alice in Wonderland", and if you are able to obtain them in an out-of-print shop, "The Deliverers of Their Country" and "The Nutcracker".

Editorial Review:

Swan Lake is perhaps the best-loved ballet of all time. Hans Christian Andersen Medal-winner Lisbeth Zwerger brings her singular vision to a glorious picture-book adaptation of the haunting story of an enchanted swan princess. She has based her version on Tchaikovsky's original 1877 ballet, which had a happy ending, unlike the later, better-known, 1893 version. Her illustrations, luminous, lyrical, filled with grace and beauty, evoke the brilliance of the ballet and the universal appeal of this beloved fairy tale.

Hansel and Gretel

Grimm Brothers

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Editorial Review:

Lisbeth Zerger, winner of the 1990 Hans Christian Andersen Medal, brings her distinctive talent to the timeless story of two innocent children who lose their way in the dark forest. When the siblings happen upon the gingerbread house of a wicked witch, they unwittingly stumble into one of the most enduring fairy tales of all time.

As the witch tries to fatten poor Hansel, and Gretel cunningly outsmarts her, Ms. Zwerger’s illustrations winningly portray the haunting witch, the daring escape, and the welcome return to their loving father. This wonderful reissue of a childhood favorite will be cherished by children and adults everywhere who appreciate beautiful books.

The Shivers in the Fridge

Fran Manushkin

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

Starred Reviews from ALA BOOKLIST and KIRKUS REVIEWS 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

*STARRED REVIEW--KIRKUS REVIEWS, October 1, 2006
What if a family of five kitchen magnets were marooned in the fridge with only their cardboard box for warmth? Manushkin's sparkling mix of folkloric repetition, funny dialogue and--"PHOOMPH!!!"--perfectly chosen sound effects, cleverly withholds its punch line till the end. All day, the Shivers face predictable but rattling events: quaking rumbles, blazes of light, "monsters" that "reached out, reached out" to snatch away bits of the foodscape. One by one, each Shiver--by design or accident--is whisked off to an uncertain fate. (In a hilarious union of art and text, Mama cavorts in warm Emerald Lake--only to stick fast as the gelatin sets: "Emerald Lake, Jolly Whip--and MAMA!--were gone.") The antic mixed media spreads hum: Compositions agreeably evoke Paul Galdone with fresh, original garnishes. Zelinsky runs with the authorial metaphor, depicting the fridge contents as a skewed, teeming village--where a milk carton's top is a pitched roof, and broccoli's a tree. From endpapers on, hidden visual clues hint at the Shivers' magnetic personalities. Cool ingredients for read-aloud laughs.

*STARRED REVIEW--Publication: Booklist, Issue Date: October 15, 2006 - Ilene Cooper
Mother, father, grandmother, grandfather and one small boy are freezing cold. Although they vaguely remember another time when they were standing tall, now they must contend with darkness, earthquakes and monsters plucking things from their frigid home. It will be fun to see how long it takes preschoolers to figure out that the family is living in the refrigerator--and that they are magnets. Manushkin tells their story in colorful language and with a high humor. The family must travel through Egg Valley and beware of Buttery Cliff. Emerald Lake is swimmable until it hardens into a gelatin. There's a wonderful repeat in the story as one by one, each of the family members decide they must find a warmer place to live, attaching themselves to places like "the scary jungle" (a bunch of celery). The story's humor is matched by Zelinsky's inventive artwork that picks up on the wit and slyness of the text. As the family moves through the world that is the fridge, hands come out of nowhere, dreams of happy families mingle with stalks of broccoli, and the boy can stand on a mountain of grapes. Drawn with a frisson that might make readers shiver, these are pictures meant to be looked at again and again. Those who do may figure out how the family found themselves out in the cold.

Editorial Review:

Little, flat Sonny Shivers and his family only know it’s cold and dark where they live, and whenever the earth quakes, a monstrous hand, reaching forth in a great flash of light, snatches away part of their landscape —Buttery Cliffs, towering Mt. Ketchup . . . and with the landscape goes his family, one by one, until only Sonny is left to face the monsters. Who are they? What and where is the Shivers family? Children will delight in puzzling it all out before the Shivers do.

Fran Manushkin’s dry but juicy humor, spiced with food puns, carries this droll saga through shivery perils to a warm reunion on the refrigerator door. As ever, Caldecott-winner Paul O. Zelinsky’s wit makes theater of the most improbable situations.

My Darling, My Hamburger

Paul Zindel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Raw and Real 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I read this book when I was 12 and I read it at least once a year since then... Each time I read it I remember what it was like to be an akward teen going through the angst of my senior year. I've had friends like Liz and Sean and I was a Maggie once myself...

Not every teen rebels 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I'm inclined to agree with Ramseelbird's review, and unlike indiegirl29, I don't recall Liz going out with another guy who nearly rapes her. What I do remember is teens in the 70s claiming to love this book, while I (maybe I wasn't savvy enough) just didn't get it. I sort of maybe guessed that her "friends" were accompanying Liz to have an abortion (didn't occur to me whether it was legal or not; I may not have even been aware of the issue of legality).
What struck me more was the unlikelihood of a pretty, cool girl being best friends with an uncool, homely girl. Never saw this in real life. Actually the most vivid memory I have of the story is when Liz calls home to say she'll be late, her stepfather calls her a tramp, and that's when she succumbs to Sean's pressure to have sex. This scenario is what is actually timeless in the story, as opposed to the rest of it.
The plot and atmosphere are indeed grim, which is indeed what bothered me. It's darker than any other teen / Young Adult novel I can think of. I certainly couldn't relate to any of the characters. I wasn't cool, didn't have a best friend who was cool, didn't have a boyfriend (pressuring or otherwise), and didn't have a stepparent. I suppose that's not Zindel's fault, but I do expect a fiction author to be able to cause the reader to feel what the characters are feeling, or sympathize with their situations. I suppose that's why I wouldn't recommend this book.

Editorial Review:

Four friends,
Two couples,
One year that will change their lives.

Liz and Sean, both beautiful and popular, are madly in love and completely misunderstood by their parents. Their best friends, Maggie and Dennis, are shy and awkward, but willing to take the first tentative steps toward a romance of their own. Yet before either couple can enjoy true happiness, life conspires against them, threatening to destroy their friendships completely.