Spier, Peter Books

People

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

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Bad shipping of an oversize, good book 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I recommend Peter Spier's book, People, however customers should be aware that it is an oversize paperback which measures roughly 10 inches by 13 inches. This means that if Amazon ships it to you in their 9 inch by 12 inch by 6 inch box, the book will arrive slightly bent and damaged because they have to twist the book to squeeze it into the box (which is too small). This is how Amazon shipped People to me recently. The bent cover and pages aren't terrible, but the book is in no shape to give as a gift.

A perfect book for any child interested in the world! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book for my 4 year old son, but my 8 year old loves it even more. It talks about the different games, food customs, cultures, appearances, languages and alphabets, holidays, etc. around the world. All of the information is presented in a joyful, non-dogmatic way. What a joy to read, to open any child's mind.

People 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I really like this book! It does a good job of comparing/contrasting many differences and similarities of people around the world. It encourages tolerance without being "preachy."
I used it first as a jumping-off point for our around-the-world studies, and later as a simple reference guide as we targeted various countries. My children were intrigued with much of the information, and were led to ask more questions and dig deeper.
It is a slim paperback book, and not to be considered "in depth" coverage. It has simple yet clear, color illustrations, and easy-to-read text. Good for early to middle elementary aged children.

Editorial Review:

Noah's Ark (Picture Yearling Book)

Peter Spier

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Pictures worth a thousand words... 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book really does not need any words. It is so well illustrated that you can understand every part of the story. His detailing is stunning. Every time we read this book, we find new details. This is the best book of Noah's ark story!

Love It! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent picture book - my three year old really loves it. My only "complaint" is that it takes a long time to go through all the pictures and talk about each one making it less than ideal right before bed unless you want to spend 20 minutes on just one book! Seriously though - the book is just wonderful and allows parents to go into whatever level of detail regarding the Noah story as they feel is appropriate for the age of their child. It is a softcover and the pages and cover are not of the highest quality - it would be lovely to have in hardcover with larger pages.

Noah's Ark 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My first Peter Spier book. Not saccharine, wonderful details (including Noah mucking out the ark). Great to have a child read to YOU.

Editorial Review:

Peter Spier's characteristic panoramas are marvels of minute detail, activity, vitality, and humor; a few of the scenes are quiescent and serenely beautiful--The Horn Book.

Peter Spier's Circus (A Picture Yearling Book)

Peter Spier

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Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Performing Arts -> Theater -> Circus
Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Enchants and Entertains Just Like a Circus Should! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

My kids love this book.

It is beautifully illustrated, with very detailed drawings that draw children into the scenes. The story is enchanting for little ones and introduces them not only to the circus but also to how people work, different countries in the world and different people.

Lots of animals, clowns, acrobats and a human cannonball will keep your little ones's attention glued to the book. One of the best loved children's books in our house.

Peter Spier books 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Peter Spier is an excellent detailed artist who take familiar subjects and really brings them to life. The books are particularly good for the story but mainly fun to work with young children to locate things in the pictures.

Editorial Review:

The circus is in town! Come join in the fun as Caldecott Medalist Peter Spier creates a circus like no other, in this exuberant celebration of the wonders of the big top.

"A treat!" -- Kirkus Reviews

"This premier illustrator offers a glorious new treat....children will undoubtedly want to pore over it." -- School Library Journal

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night (Dell Picture Yearling)

Peter Spier

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 25 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

CLASSIC WORK - IN SO MANY WAYS. 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

This is one of my all time favorites. The text consists of one version of an old folk song, general known as "The Fox." There are probably several dozen versions of this particular song, likely even more. I know of at least nine myself. The one used in this work is from a Burl Ives recording done in 1945. I was and am a big fan of Ives, so this book has been a real treat for me. The song originated from a poem, written in the 14th for 15th century in Middle English. I can remember versions sung of this song at various gatherings back to the late 1940s. This particular work was originally published about 1961 i.e. the Spire's version...not to be confused with one written by Wendy Watson which is a good work itself.

Anyway, the text consists of the words to the old song and this is a wonderful sing-along book. The art work by Peter Spier is some of the best. It is extremely detailed, the colors are wonderfully blended and even though they are actual paintings, they give a true feeling of being there. The story consists of a fox who goes out on a chilly night and visits the hen/goose/duck house of a local farmer in or near a village. The fox does this in order to feed his family. The book is the picture and word story of his journey there and back with the meal for his family. I note that there is some disagreement here as to the location of this story. It certainly took place (the story) during the late 1800s or possibly the early 1900s. The setting is rural. If I were to give a guess, I would say it probably took place in New England, possibly Massachusetts, Connecticut or Penn. Of course you could make a pretty good argument for Virginia also, but the civil war monuments shown in the book look to me more Union than Southern. Yes indeed folks, they do grow tobacco in New England. There are several pictures of tobacco drying sheds in the book. There are also pictures of covered bridges and wonderful details of the country side, farm and village.

The illustrations alternate between full color and black and white sketch type drawings. I personally find this technique quite appealing. I know the kids to which I read this book to don't seem to be bothered a bit by it. In fact, I have caught several of them trying to copy some parts of the black and white drawings. I do love the author's use of color, shades and his minute attention to detail.

Now, parents do take note: The fox does indeed kill the old goose and makes off with a duck to boot. There are not graphic details of this other than the fox family finishing off the cooked bones after their wonderful meal. Some parents may feel that their child may have problems with this. To be honest, this is where parenting comes in. Each parent knows, or should know, what his kid can or cannot handle and at what age. I personally have no problems with it. The fox is acting according to his nature and yes, foxes do indeed raid hen houses.(Goodness knows I have lost enough chickens to the little guys). Again though, this should be the parent's call.

There is another note of interest and suggestion. This book is ideal to introduce the young reader to Middle English. A quick wed search can provide the text of the original poem, along with many versions of this song. It is interesting to see how our language has developed and evolved over the years.

All in all, there is little not to like about this book. The art work is wonderful, you cannot beat the text, you get a great sing-along book and I have found that kids love the thing. I have used this particular work from Kindergarten up through the seventh and eight grades. Adults also enjoy listening to it.

Editorial Review:

A favorite folk song about a clever fox who outsmarts a farmer provides the text for Peter Spier's splendid and humorous illustrations of a New England autumn night in a Caldecott Honor Book. Includes music for voice, guitar, piano, and all seven verses of the song.

The Star-Spangled Banner (Reading Rainbow Book)

Peter Spier

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

A book to inspire young patriots, 5 out of 5 stars.
34 of 35 people found this review helpful.

our four-year-old claims this is his FAVORITE book. Perhaps it is because his mother chokes up and tears drop to her cheeks as she reads this book. We have found that this is an excellent read-aloud and has stretched our four-year-old's language skills in many ways. As if The Star Spangled Banner weren't moving enough, the arrangement of pictures flows along with the words of the song to create an image of heroics and bravery. In addition, little incidentals like soldiers feeding their horses and wet clothes hanging to dry aboard ship cause us to remember that these were real people fighting. Peter Spier mixes history with the present as he causes us to remember what these men were fighting for. We see schools and businesses, Arlington Cemetery and the Statue of Liberty, cities and rural farms, synagogues and churches, Amish buggies and a Friends Meeting House all as evidence of our cultural diversity. We also see that the fight continues as we witness a renovation project and scientists working in a lab. The first, second and fourth verses are illustrated. The pictures help the capable parent define words such as "conceals" and "discloses." In addition, the artwork contains so much information and story that conversation just develops as the book is read. There is an oustanding collection of Flags of America and a thorough history of the War of 1812. The words to all four verses of the Star Spangled Banner and the music by J Stafford Smith follow. Peter Spier is becoming our hero as the author of our favorite children's books.

Editorial Review:

Peter Spier's meticulously researched pictorial history of the War of 1812 and our national anthem. The Caldecott Medal winner has set some of his finest illustrations to the words of the national anthem, capturing its dramatic story in glowing, colorful images. Includes a reproduction of Francis Scott Key's original manuscript. Full color throughout.

The Little Riders

Margaretha Shemin

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 9-12 -> General
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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Authors & Illustrators, A-Z -> ( S ) -> Spier, Peter

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

CHARMING TALE OF JUVENILE HEROISM 4 out of 5 stars.
16 of 16 people found this review helpful.

This short tale highlights the resilience and determination of the Dutch people to live free from oppression during Nazi occupation. Young Johanna (raised in America but with a Dutch father) has spent the last five years with her grandparents in a small village in Holland. She has come cherish the the simple but dignified lifestyle in northern Holland, the last part of the country to be liberated. While some were collaborating with the enemy, she made a private vow never to look a Nazi soldier in the face.

The village treasure consists of a set of 12 Little Riders of metal (modeled centuries ago to represent Crusaders); they ride out and salute each other when the church clock tolls the hours. Johanna's favorite viewing spot is her attic room--just where her father used to sit and admire them as a boy. But when the Nazis invade the village, her family is forced to house a young officer (who plays the flute on summer nights). She has to vacate her little room with its view of the Riders (and a secret hiding place at the back of her closet).

The villagers' worst fears are realized when the commanding officer orders his men to seize the Little Riders and melt them down for ammunition--to be used against the very people who love them. How can 11-year-old Johanna help her grandfather prevent this desecration? Even children can exhibit heroism for a noble cause, for these Little Riders represent more than just medieval art. They now symbolize the spirit of joy and yearning for liberty of the Dutch people. Who will suffer Nazi retaliation when the Riders are discovered missing? A thoughtful tale which will charm adult readers and inspire youthful ones.

Editorial Review:

"Take care of the little riders," says Johanna's father to the eleven-year-old when he leaves her with his parents for an extended vacation in their Dutch village. And Johanna does. She loves the twelve metal figures on horseback who ride forth each hour from the clock on the ancient church tower. She would do anything to protect them, anything. And on night she risks her life to prove it.

Set during the Second World War when the German army occupied Holland, The Little Riders is an exciting, moving adventure story, just right for reading aloud.