Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths Books - Page 4

Ranger's Apprentice: The Battle for Skandia (Ranger's Apprentice, Book 4)

John Flanagan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 28 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The primacy of personal relationships over loyalties to one's country or duty 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Spring arrives at the cabin high in the Skandian mountains where Evanlyn and Will have wintered. Will has shaken his addiction to the insidious warmweed, and Evanlyn has become comfortable with her new survival skills. One day she goes out to check their traps and does not return. Will, still weakened from the brutal life of a Skandian yard slave, goes looking for her, and their adventures begin --- again.

John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series began four books ago with THE RUINS OF GORLAN, about a young boy who is chosen to train to become a Ranger. Rangers function as their kingdom's intelligence-gathering agency, border patrol and guerrilla fighters. They are skilled in stealth, woodcraft and marksmanship. Their acutely trained reflexes, along with their tracking skills and the ability to go unnoticed in almost any environment, give them a reputation that borders on the uncanny.

Initially, Will is disappointed not to be chosen for his kingdom's Battle School, where the knights of the realm are trained. But his respect and affection for Halt, the ranger to whom he is apprenticed, in addition to the role he plays in fighting the evil warlord Morgorath, soon have him committed to his role as apprentice ranger.

The first book in the series has all the hallmarks of typical sword and sorcery fantasy, with a classic good vs. evil conflict. But after Morgorath is defeated at the end of the second installment, THE BURNING BRIDGE, the adventure becomes more complex. Will and his companion Evanlyn are captured by Skandian raiders and become slaves in Skandia. It is only with the help of their captor Erak, who comes to admire the spirit of his young captives, that they are able to escape.

The changing loyalties that were a central piece of book three, THE ICEBOUND LAND, continue in THE BATTLE FOR SKANDIA. Will is reunited with his friends Halt and Horace, who left Araluen against their king's wishes to search for him and Evanlyn. They also discover the large army of Temujai --- fierce riders from the Asian steppes who seem to be based on the Mongols --- and must convince the Skandians to work with them to prevent the Temujai from overrunning Skandia and mounting an attack on Araluen.

Flanagan's strengths as an author are his action sequences and battle strategies. His battle plans and descriptions of fights are so detailed they could easily be reenacted or plotted on a map. He also writes marvelous relationships between the characters. Horace and Will began as enemies, but their rivalry has evolved into a powerful friendship. Halt's gruff affection for Will is clear, and his clever manipulations of the other characters provide much of the book's plot. Erak, a Skandian raider, has emerged as one of the series' most entertaining characters --- alternately fierce and comedic. Evanlyn, who occupies the unenviable role of princess in disguise, holds her own with the other characters, who have often depended upon her for their survival.

A common theme throughout the book is the primacy of personal relationships over loyalties to one's country or duty. This bears fruit when Erak's friendship with Will and his companions enables them to unite the Skandians and the Araluen slaves to fight against their common enemy --- the Temujai (portrayed as people who put their lives and loyalty to the common cause as secondary behind any personal relationships). With Erak's help and Halt's strategy, along with the skills of each of the companions, they mount a stirring defense against the mounted warriors.

THE BATTLE FOR SKANDIA will be enjoyed most by readers already familiar with the first three books in the series. But catching up should not constitute serious hardship for fans of fast-paced action/adventure.

--- Reviewed by Sarah A. Wood

Editorial Review:

Still far from their homeland after escaping slavery in the icebound land of Skandia, Will and Evanlyn's plans to return to Araluen are spoiled when Evanlyn is taken captive by a Temujai warrior. Though still weakened by the warmweed's toxic effects, Will employs his Ranger training to locate his friend, but an enemy scouting party has him fatally outnumbered. Will is certain death is close at hand, until Halt and Horace make a daring, last-minute rescue. The reunion is cut short, however, when Halt makes a horrifying discovery: Skandia's borders have been breached by the entire Temujai army. And Araluen is next in their sights. If two kingdoms are to be saved, an unlikely union must be made. Will it hold long enough to vanquish a ruthless new enemy? Or will past tensions spell doom for all?

The battles and drama are nonstop in Book Four of this hugely popular epic.

Ten Little Fingers (Board Books for Babies)

Annie Kubler

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

ten little fingers 2 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is ok, but if you are looking for great board books, try the touchy feely books like That's Not My Puppy, That's Not My Teddy. They excite a baby much more.

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

I bought this book for my 8 month old and she loves to pat the pages as I read. It's easy for moms to memorize, too, but not so monotonous that you'd get sick of it the 10th time!

My daughter loves the hand motions. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book contains the illustrated lyrics to the song, however having never heard the song, I merely speak the words to my daughter and help her with the hand motions. (There is a musical score on the back for those so-inclined.)

A wonderful rhyming bedtime story for toddlers 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My friend gave me this book as present for my daughter. I read it to her almost every night since she was 12 months old. She loves the images.

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

This is a very EARLY book to start out with for your little ones. It is good tho'and ANY books you start out with are Good ones.. just make sure you DO IT... it is never TOO early to start reading to your little ones .

Editorial Review:

Created for parents and toddlers to enjoy together, these board books feature well-known rhymes and also include musical notation.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 511 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Originally intended as a sequel to his immensely popular Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn stands on its own as one of America's most important and beloved literary classics.

For generations, young and old alike have delighted in the unforgettable adventures of runaways Huck Finn and Jim, a slave. In vivid, often gripping prose, Twain brings to fife both the beauty and the folly of preCivil War life along the Mississippifrom the radiant dawn on the river to Huck's terrifying encounters with his father, as well as the outrageous antics of the King and the Duke and Tom Sawyer's outlandish plans to free Jim. Told from Huck's point of view, Huckleberry Finn is also the powerful story of a boy's journey toward adulthood.

In the finest work of his distinguished career, Steven Kellogg has created eighteen stunning pictures that capture Twain's timeless blend of humor and suspense. This is truly an edition that readers of all ages will want to return to again and again.

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths

Ingri D'Aulaire, Edgar Parin D'Aulaire

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 145 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A great look into ancient Greece. 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

If and easy-to-read introduction into Greek Mythology is what you are seeking, then there is no need to look any longer. All the stories from Gaia and her children the Titans to the legendary gods atop Mt. Olympus and their children are explained in rich detail with fully colored illustrations, that alone are worthy of 5-stars. But the adventure doesn't stop there, all the minor and major events that are attributed to Greek Lore are presented in the same painstaking detail. This definitely a must for all lovers of Greek legend and even for those with minor interests.

Editor of the highly recommended Greek novel: Fates by Georgiou Tino.

Editorial Review:

"For any child fortunate enough to have this  generous book...the kings and heroes of ancient  legend will remain forever matter-of-fact; the  pictures interpret the text literally and are full of  detail and witty observation."--Horn  Book.

"The drawings...are excellent  and excitingly evocative."--The New  York Times.


From the Hardcover edition.

The Sneetches and Other Stories (Classic Seuss)

Dr. Seuss

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 59 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Wonderful collection of stories 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I ordered this after seeing it on Amazon. It was one of my favorite books growing up and I wanted to share it with my three daughters (8,6,& 2). After reading "The Sneetches" to my 6 year-old, she looked at me and said that it wasn't very nice to treat people badly because they aren't the same as us. I was thrilled that she got the meaning of that story right away. Dr. Seuss is a genius for getting these moral points across in a way that children understand and making it so fun at the same time. She thought that "The Zax" was funny. She didn't understand why they just didn't compromise. Every story in this book has an important lesson and it's such a great way to spend time with your children too!

LESSONS LEARNED FOR LIFE 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Seuss teaches so much to my daughter that I would have a hard time starting a conversation about. My daughter doesn't quite get the stories so she asks me and we have great conversations about right and wrong.

Editorial Review:

Illus. in full color. "Four funny easy-to-read stories all with subtly

planted moral lessons."--Publishers Weekly.

Zen Shorts (Collector's Edition) (Zen) (Zen)

Jon J Muth

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 80 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Zen Shorts 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Great book for your preschooler and for you. The beautiful pictures capture the imagination, and the concepts introduced in the stories are springboards for conversation with your child (and can be just the right message for you after a long day).

Wonderful Book! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This book is amazing...not only are the pictures great, the story is one that you will want to read to your kids over and over. Zen Shorts has touching stories within an already creative and heartfelt book.

Editorial Review:

"Michael," said Karl. "There's a really big bear in the backyard." This is how three children meet Stillwater, a giant panda who moves into the neighborhood and tells amazing tales. To Addy he tells a story about the value of material goods. To Michael he pushes the boundaries of good and bad. And to Karl he demonstrates what it means to hold on to frustration. With graceful art and simple stories that are filled with love and enlightenment, Jon Muth -- and Stillwater the bear -- present three ancient Zen tales that are sure to strike a chord in everyone they touch.

Magic Tree House #39: Dark Day in the Deep Sea (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Mary Pope Osborne

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

An even more exciting expedition 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Mary Pope Osborne's 39th addition to her 'Magic Tree House' series, DARK DAY IN THE DEEP SEA tells of Jack and Annie, who have to find one of the four secrets of happiness to help save Merlin the magician. But when they find themselves on a misty island, they wonder how they can find anything - and when a pirate ship turns out to be the world's first floating science lab, an even more exciting expedition results.

One of better stories from Merlin Series 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We have the complete series of MTH books, both the simpler paperback ones and the Merlin Series hardcovers. Currently my (almost) 8 year old son is ensconced in the books, but my 11 year old read this book as well just because she wanted to say she's read them all (granted, it took her less than an hour to finish the whole thing, but she is reading at the 7th grade level so no surprise). Both really enjoyed the story, said it is one of the better story lines in the Merlin Series, interesting, creative, etc. Highly recommend.

Editorial Review:

Jack and Annie continue their quest for the secrets of happiness–secrets they need if they’re going to save Merlin. But when the magic tree house leads them to a tiny deserted island in the middle of the ocean, they’re not sure who needs help more–Merlin or themselves! The brother and sister team are soon rescued by a ship of explorers and scientists. But the crew isn’t looking for the secrets of happiness. The crew is looking for . . . a sea monster!

How to Find Flower Fairies

Cicely Mary Barker

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

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

This is a gorgeous book. The pop-ups are intricate and there are lots of beautiful details. It encourages the reader to look closely to find things. It uses different fonts which is great for children learning to read and write cursive. Would definitely reccommend and buy again.

Editorial Review:

"Children, the knowledge that I am passing to you is precious and must be carefully guarded…"

After centuries of being hidden from human sight, the Flower Fairies allowed Cicely Mary Barker a glimpse into their enchanted fairy world in Fairyopolis. Now you can continue the adventure with this spectacular new novelty book where every page unlocks the secrets behind the magical places the fairies call home. Five eye-popping spreads include intricate three-dimensional pop-up images of flowers and trees that magically open up to reveal the secret homes of the fairies. Lift-the- flaps, booklets, maps and other ephemera provide interactive fun on every page leading up to a stunning surprise on the final spread.

Raven Rise (Pendragon)

D. J. MacHale

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

It's NOT Over Yet 2 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I like the Pendragon books. The different worlds are all very interesting and trying to figure out what the turning points along with the characters keeps you engaged with the story. Having said that, I felt that this whole book was the lets watch the hero be stupid so that when he gets his act together later it will be more impressive part of the story. Now I can stand that for a chapter or two, but not a whole book. It got very old for me very quickly. All that you need form this book to get to the last one is a page or two on the few actions important to the plot. I do hope that the next book, the "hero has his act together" book is awesome, and answers all our burning questions. But if you can just barrow this one from a freind or libary, do it. This is not a must own.

Editorial Review:

This is where it begins. The showdown for Halla. At stake is nothing less than all that ever was and all that will be.

There's only one thing missing--Bobby Pendragon.

While Bobby remains trapped on Ibara, the battle moves to his home territory: Second Earth. Mark Dimond and Courtney Chetwynde are left on their own to defend Second Earth agsinst the forces of Saint Dane. They must face off against a charismatic cult leader who has risen to power by revealing a shattering truth to the people of Earth: They are not alone.

The Convergence has broken down the walls. The territories are on a collision course. The final phase of Saint Dane's quest to rule Halla is under way.

And Bobby Pendragon is nowhere to be found.