Isadora, Rachel Books

The Little Match Girl

Hans Christian Andersen

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( A ) -> Andersen, Hans Christian

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Why would you inflict this book on a child at Christmas? 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The art in this book is truly beautiful and does an excellent job of conveying the sad, joyless life the Little Match Girl has versus the warm, colorful life of those around her.

But this book is really not appropriate for a young child. We received it for Christmas for our 4-year-old daughter. She won't read it until she is old enough to find it in the library catalog all by herself, if I can help it.

I read over some of the other comments about how this is the saddest Christmas book they have ever read, and how important it is to expose our children to the importance of empathy and action for people in need. I agree that these are very important morals to teach our children - but maybe you should try action (soup kitchens, food pantries, adopt-a-family) instead of making your child sob right before bed.

Hans Christian Anderson is an amazing writer and I look forward to introducting my child to his stories (unadulterated by Disney) - but when she is a tween and can handle learning about Anderson's milleau and how that influenced his writing.

This book is especially inappropriate for non-religious families. I am an atheist and found the "child finds comfort in arms of grandmother as she dies and is scooped into heaven" message to make this story even sadder.

Your mileage may vary. At the very least, I recommend upping the age range to 7-8 years old.

Editorial Review:

Andersen's poignant Christmastime classic is brought to life by the radiantlybeautiful paintings of Caldecott Honor Book artist Rachel Isadora. Full-colorillustrations.

Sophie Skates (Picture Puffins)

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( I ) -> Isadora, Rachel

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

My daughter wants to follow in Sophie's footsteps 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I love finding books where the main character shares my daughters name. This book was excellent and will last a long time I think, as it covers general skating information, more specifics about skates, "moves", and competitions, and all from the viewpoint of 8-year old Sophie (she started when she was 3, the age of my Sophie). As usual the pictures are exquisite and I would recommend buying this for any Sophie I knew, as well as any budding skater.

Editorial Review:

Sophie Skates Sophie wants to be a professional ice skater when she grows up. To reach her goal, she knows she must work hard. It takes a lot of time and effort to master the skills and jumps. But all of her hard work is worth it when the time comes for Sophie's favorite part of ice skating-competing. With enough practice and dedication, one day Sophie may be the best! Woven into Sophie's story are many detailed pictures and pieces of information about the world of ice skating, from the clothing and equipment to the moves and jumps.

"A winning score for Isadora once again." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Uh-oh!

Rachel Isadora

Amazon Price: $12.00 List Price: $16.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Harcourt Children's Books Amazon Marketplace: 36 new & used starting at $6.69

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

Uh-Oh this is a super book 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved this book and Ms. Isadora added just enough fun images for children. I also have her Peek A Boo Morning book which also is very clever. We love all of her books because she captures what young children want to read and see.

Editorial Review:

For any toddler who's caused a bit of trouble by mistake, this book has a surprise with each page turn. Revealing a day in the life of a rambunctious child in bold, bright pastels, Rachel Isadora uses just one word to set the scene. Whether it's breakfast that ends up all over everything--Uh-oh!--or ice cream that falls to the ground, or the wrong person falling asleep at bedtime, each spread is guaranteed to inspire giggles.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

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Editorial Review:

A magic cloak.

A hidden passage.

A secret underground world beyond imagining.

Night after night, the princesses mysteriously wear out their shoes. But how are they doing it? The baffled king promises a great reward to any man who can solve the mystery.

From the colorful flurry of the princesses’ dressing room to a captivating nighttime scene on an underground lake, Rachel Isadora has revitalized and reimagined this well-loved Brothers Grimm fairy tale by bringing the story of the twelve princesses to Africa. Her collage of blazing colors, rich textures and dramatic shapes evoke the patterns and palette of this beautiful continent. Returning to the lush setting of The Princess and the Pea, the unique presentation of this classic tale is sure to enchant readers with its vibrant imagery.

Peekaboo Morning

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

Unique Gift Idea 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Need a new baby (or 1st birthday) gift? Are you tired of buying blankets, booties, and bunny sleepers? Then here's a gift I love to give that is guaranteed to unwrap a smile!

"Peekaboo! I see..." wee readers instantly drawn into this heartwarming story based on the popular children's game. It features an adorable African-American toddler sporting an inquisitive nature and naturally textured hair. I couldn't tell if the child is male or female, which makes it appealing to everyone.

"Peekaboo! I see..." eager little readers searching soft pastel drawings for clues. What DOES the child see? The tip of a tail. The top of a hat. Turn the page to discover a playful puppy or laughing grandma. Award-winner Rachel Isadora uses only 53 words, printed in large, easy-to-read type, to keep you guessing.

"Peekaboo! I see..." pleased young readers requesting this book again and again. The first evening my youngest daughter spent with a baby sitter, she cried when she realized Mama and Daddy were gone. Thankfully a warm lap, soothing voice, and repeats of Peekaboo Morning comforted her until we returned.

For another heartwarming book by Isadora featuring simple text with large, easy-to-read print, and captivating illustrations, read In the Beginning.

Editorial Review:

A toddler plays a game of peekaboo, and you're invited to play too. First there's Mommy to find, with Daddy not far behind. Then Puppy comes peeking around the corner, and a favorite toy train brings the toddler to Grandma and Grandpa. Isadora's brilliant, joyful pastel illustrations capture the familiar and cozy people, toys and animals that will delight babies.

Join this sweet toddler in the morning fun, sharing words your baby can repeat and pictures your baby will recognize. Then find out what this toddler sees next. It could be you!

The Princess and the Pea

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

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

This is a very clever book and I found the style captivating. It is interesting how Ms. Isadora combines the African theme and the fun of the story all packaged in a classic story. Mr. Andersen would approve!

African American Princess 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

With so much emphasis on princesses these days, this story is the perfect foil for the wan pink varities. In a riot of color, this queen-to-be hops upon a bed of many quilts in African prints only to find the bed unsuited to a good night's sleep and hence wins the hand of the prince. Old tale, new award-winning graphics.

Editorial Review:

When a prince sets out to find a princess to marry, he soon discovers this is not a simple task. There is no shortage of so-called princesses, but how can he tell whether or not they are what they claim to be? Then one night, a great storm rages, there’s a knock on the palace gate, and the prince’s life is never the same.

Caldecott Honor–winning artist Rachel Isadora exquisitely illustrates this retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and takes readers to a beautiful African setting—a first for the "true story" of a tiny pea that changed everything.

In the Small, Small Night

Jane Kurtz

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

Editorial Review:

In the middle of the night the world can seem huge and frightening, especially when you've just moved far from home. On Abena and Kofi's first night in America, it is late and it is dark and they are up worrying. What if a giant lizard or a slender-snouted crocodile crawled into their suitcases? What if the people in their new school laugh at them? What if they forget Grandmother and their cousins, now that they are an ocean away?

But Abena knows a secret to help them. It is a secret that can make the world and the night seem small again. She reaches for her new flashlight and turns it on. She says to her little brother, Kofi, "Pretend this is the moon. Close your eyes." And then she begins ...

Flossie and the Fox

Patricia McKissack

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

Beautiful Story 5 out of 5 stars.
17 of 18 people found this review helpful.

This has become my favorite children's book! I bought it for my "almost" three yr old son and he was captivated by the story and the beautiful pictures. Flossie is so innocently sly! She will not be out-witted by some ol' fox! The idea that this regal creature is being insulted by a mere child is absurd to him, yet he can't get past his own ego to see he is being out-foxed! I adored everything about this book.

Meet the smartest and bravest little girl in children's lit. 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Flossie Finley, the smart and feisty heroine of this book is one of my favorite characters in all of childrenÕs literature. The story is an African American variation on Little Red Riding Hood, but Flossie is no wide-eyed innocent who has to be saved in the end by the big, brave woodcutter. She can save herself, thank you very much. The way she tricks the fox who wants to devour her basket of eggs is delightful. Every little girl (and probably every boy as well) ought to be introduced to this brave and resourceful child.

And Flossie is not the only great thing about this book. Patricia McKissack based it on a story her grandfather told her and she tried to reproduce the way he told it, in "the rich and colorful dialect of the rural south." The language is lovely, musical and poetic Ð a joy to read aloud. And the illustrations are equally gorgeous. The pictures of sun-dappled wood remind me of Impressionist paintings.

Great story, great writing, great pictures, great character Ð this is one of the best childrenÕs books IÕve ever read.

Editorial Review:

A wily fox, notorious for stealing eggs, meets his match when he encounters a bold little girl in the woods who insists upon proof that he is a fox before she will be frightened.

Ben's Trumpet

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Arts & Music -> Performing Arts -> Fiction

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

Riviting and remarkable - a true classic 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

There are large and small crimes in the world. Small crimes includes little white lies and petty theft. Large crimes represent something much larger in the grand scheme of things. For example, it is a very large crime that it took the New York Public Library's 2003 100 Children's Books Everyone Should Know for me to discover "Ben's Trumpet". Have you seen this book? This is a gorgeous piece of work, particularly striking in its publication date (1979) but not dated. Not even a little. Following Ben, a young man living in a Harlem-esque neighborhood, the story depicts the boy's obsession with playing the trumpet. The plot is touching and has a happy ending that doesn't feel forced or tacked on. It flows just as smoothly as the book itself. Nice storylines aren't what push this book into greatness, however. Look at the illustrations a minute. Notice Isadora's use of line. Her clever placement of black and white. Look at the different drawing styles that emanate from the jazz musicians and their music. Now compare this to Ben's home, a simplistic realistic series of pictures. My favorite section comes after the trumpeter at the Zig Zag Jazz Club compliments Ben on his trumpet playing. The next two pages show the trumpeter walking away, his body curved, swaying to some internal music. On the opposite page there is a kaleidoscope of forms and images, possibly representing Ben's elation at the compliment. Possibly just serving as gorgeous filler. Please read this to your children. Teach this to your children. And give this book to everyone you know. Do I gush? I know I do. But trust me, this book is worth it.

Editorial Review:

The story of Ben is fiction, but it could be the story of more than one jazz musician who grew up in the twenties. Using the art-deco style of the period, Rachel Isadora not only captures the poignancy and yearning of a youthful talent, but in page after page of striking art seems to convey the very sound of music.

Peekaboo Bedtime

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

Another Great Isadora Book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Another great Isadora book to add to our private library. I am so impressed by her capturing of reality for young children. I share these books at the school where I teach in Chinatown in New York City. My son, 4, really gets in to all her books because he loves her illustrations. Keep them coming!

Editorial Review:

This companion to the beloved Peekaboo Morning takes children through the evening of the same adorable toddler, who plays peekaboo with everyone from his grandparents to his puppy, until it’s finally time to snuggle into bed with his blankie. Visual clues leading into each page turn, the repetition of the phrase “Peekaboo, I see . . .” and Rachel Isadora’s gorgeous illustrations combine to make a wonderful read aloud for young children.