Fiction Books - Page 6

Alphabet City

Stephen T. Johnson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Alphabet City minus the grunge 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

How successful an alphabet book is relies entirely on how well it conveys the alphabet to children. Sometimes books of this nature are so wrapped up in their own cleverness (like the wearily look-at-me-aren't-I-a-visual-delight, "Graphic Alphabet" by David Pelletier) that they forget who alphabet books are supposed to be FOR. Now "Alphabet City" is clever too. No question of that. But what Stephen T. Johnson has done here is whip up a book that inner city kids will immediately recognize and cling to. How many alphabet collections are there out there that form letters out of pastoral or countryside setting? Plenty. Johnson turns the idea on its head with near photo-realistic paintings of recognizable city objects and places.

In his forward to the book, Johnson explains that the roots of this project are based in his own love of the, "particular energy one senses in the people, sounds, and structures, old and new, that constitute a city". While out for a stroll on day, he found he could find letters in the most basic city structures, like fire-escapes and sawhorses. "Alphabet City" is the result. Each letter, always a capital, is presented as part of the environment around it. So the aforementioned sawhorse is the very first picture, with kids being able to readily recognize the "A" hidden in its crossbeams. No letter is going to be immediately easy to find. Johnson doesn't outline them in darker paints or even necessarily point them out in any way. The "R" hidden in leaf covered cobblestones is evident if sneaky. He also cheats a little here and there to get just the right shape. To find the "C" in the cathedral's beautiful window, a late afternoon shadow covers part of the circle. By and large, however, Johnson executes an extraordinarily clever conjunction of images. I would have thought it near impossible to find a "Q" in the city, but the wheel well of a stationary train proved me wrong. Johnson also flits back and forth between different kinds of light and shadow. You'll find yourself quite taken with his mysterious and towering "T", or the snow-covered bench that provides an "O". It makes for perhaps the most interactive alphabetic picture book out there.

This book does work on the premise that the children reading it already recognize the alphabet as it stands. How hard would it have been for Johnson to have place a large black letter in the corner of each page, allowing kids the chance to learn as well as explore? If you're a four-year-old and can't remember if "Q" comes before or after "R", this book will be no help to you. That said, for those kids already familiar with the shapes in this collection, "Alphabet City" can become a game in their off hours. They can walk down the street pointing out the letters they see in their own neighborhoods. Some pictures admittedly feel like Johnson is cheating. He obviously could have located an "L" anywhere, but did he have to make it so difficult for the readers by constructing such a convoluted image? Try flipping randomly to some of the pages and see whether or not you can figure out what letter you're on. Betcha bottom dollar you don't guess "F" or "G".

I complain, but only because I love. Truth be told, "Alphabet City" blew me away. There are all kinds of seasons here and a true love for city living that rings true. Johnson has a keen eye for the beauty inherent in urban living. Rust and peeling paint and moldering iron and missing tilework all combine into truly beautiful portraits. The alphabet has never been done so eclectically. Alphabet books with a designer bent always leave me a touch cold, but "Alphabet City" is different. Like its sequel, "City By Numbers" it's original and lovingly rendered. Consider pairing it with "Achoo Bang Crash" by Ross MacDonald and "New York, New York: The Big Apple From A to Z" by Laura Krauss Melmed for a truly urban and urbane alphabetic threesome.

Editorial Review:

A 1996 Caldecott Honor book

The urban landscape will never look the same again. As Stephen T. Johnson demonstrates in a series of strikingly realistic pastels and watercolors, a simple sawhorse can contain the letter "A"--while lampposts alongside a highway can form a row of elegant, soaring Ys. A 1996 Caldecott Honor book, this sophisticated, wordless alphabet book is sure to appeal to young and old alike.

"Imaginative, stimulating, and striking." --The Horn Book

"Sure to intrigue." --Booklist

* A Picture Puffin
* Full-color illustrations
* 32 pages
* All ages

The Wheels on the Bus (Raffi Songs to Read)

Raffi

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A great book with many things to talk about 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I bought this when my daughter was 13 months, and after 7 months she still loves this book. There are different people in the bus - adults, kids, elderly, pets, etc., and many things happening on and off the bus.

When my daughter refuses to drink her milk, I'll turn to the page where the baby is happily drinking from the bottle, then she will take her cup and start drinking.

Try Raffi's CD as well. He sang the song to a cheerful tones with kids in the background - my daughter loves it.

The Pages of This Book go Flip and Turn 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Timing is everything to read this book, which is really a song. Although the notes are at the end to hint how the words should be read, without hearing it sung first and reading it out loud in a dull monotonous fashion a toddler may look at the reader as if to ask "Why bother?" Then I heard it on one of the CDs and now the words flow beautifully and make me read and read, read and read, all through the night.

Editorial Review:

Illus. in full color. "With a jovial bus driver as host, readers have quite

a ride ahead of them as the bus bounces through what appears to be a French

town. In her first book the artist humorously injects the familiar song with

cheerful new life."--Horn Book.

The Gardener

Sarah Stewart

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

DELIGHTFUL - THIS IS ONE TO READ WITH YOUR CHILD. 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

The time of this story takes place in the mid 1930s and the family of the little girl of the story has had some hard times as so many families did during those horrible years. Briefly, the little girl is sent to live with her uncle Jim in the city until her father can find work and get the family back on thier feet. The author has chosen to tell this story via letter written back home to the little girl's family, by the girl herself. The story is through her eyes. The story is excellent, as it points out just what one person, even a little one, can do to change people lives. The running theme throughout of course is the little girls love for gardening. I certainly will not go into a blow by blow account of the plot, etc. as that has been done here several times, and done quite well. The text though, is quite readable and the illustrations are great. One other theme, other than the gardening, that runs through the story, is the fact that the little girl seems to be quite concerned over the fact that uncle Jim never smiles. In the end....well, you will have to read the story yourself, does he or does he not smile...you figure it out! Love this book and recommend it highly.

Editorial Review:

By the author-and-illustrator team of the bestselling The Library

Lydia Grace Finch brings a suitcase full of seeds to the big gray city, where she goes to stay with her Uncle Jim, a cantankerous baker. There she initiates a gradual transformation, bit by bit brightening the shop and bringing smiles to customers' faces with the flowers she grows. But it is in a secret place that Lydia Grace works on her masterpiece -- an ambitious rooftop garden -- which she hopes will make even Uncle Jim smile. Sarah Stewart introduces readers to an engaging and determined young heroine, whose story is told through letters written home, while David Small's illustrations beautifully evoke the Depression-era setting.

The City of Gold and Lead (Lythway Large Print Children's Series)

John Christopher

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Greatest Juvenile Science Fiction novels I ever read 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I do not think there are three juvenile novels that I enjoy nearly as much as these three. The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead and The Pool of Fire are absolutely perfect examples of Juvenile fiction. The books teach moral lessons as well as tell a rip roaring good tale.

Without giving to much plot away this tale is covers a not too distant future when Aliens who roam the Earth in giant Tripods rule the land. Every person who reaches puberty is capped and there mind is controlled or at least molded by the Tripods.

These three books follow a group of runaways and rebels who have never been capped and who desperately want to free Earth and its inhabitants. This band of rebels must find a way to defeat the Aliens without knowing who they are, what there weaknesses are or any worthwhile knowledge. On top of this the `rebels' have to defeat these space age aliens with technology at roughly 19th century levels.

The first book was a mystery unfolding and the last was tension and triumph. The book is really the most emotional of the bunch and you feel a real sense of helplessness.

These books are even more remarkable as they were written in the late 60's. I first read these books as a cartoon serial in `Boys Life' in the early 80's. I enjoyed the tale back then and still enjoy the stories now. I highly recommend all these books for kids and or there parents. Read and enjoy.

Editorial Review:

Will, Beanpole, and Henry have managed to escape the Tripods. But instead of living in safety, in the small community of free people, they have chosen to embark upon a mission that may cost them their lives.

Ragweed (The Poppy Stories)

Avi

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

A Book Review From a Spiritridge Third Grader 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Do you want an adventurous, dangerous, thrilling story that will make you jump out of your skin? Well, you should read Ragweed, by Avi. Ragweed is about a mouse that lives by a brook and wants to travel from country to country to see the world! He comes along a fork in the road and needs to decide which way to go. Suddenly, a vole bumps into him! Finding himself starting a conversation on which way to go, he discovers that one path leads to a railroad! So he follows it to the railroad and gets on one of the parked trains. After the train ride Ragweed runs top speed to escape a cat! The rest is SECRET until you read the book!

I enjoyed that Ragweed met lots of friends, including extremely unpleasant ones! For example, he meets Silversides and Graybar two unpleasant cats.

Readers who are interested in adventure and who can read thick chapter books should read this book! It is very satisfying!

Editorial Review:

A mouse has to do what a mouse has to do.

Ragweed is determined to see the world. He leaves his family and cozy country home and sets off by train for the big city. What wonders await him: music, excitement, new friends...and cunning, carnivorous cats! Silversides is the purring president of F.E.A.R. (Felines Enraged About Rodents), a group dedicated to keeping cats on top, people in the middle, and mice on the bottom. Can Ragweed and his motley yet musical crew of city nice--Clutch, Dipstick, Lugnut, and Blinker--band together to fight their feline foe?

The Adventures of Taxi Dog (Picture Puffins)

Debra Barracca, Sal Barracca

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Buy it now! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This story is adorable and the illustrations are great. You will smile from the first page to the last. Definitely a great addition to your picture book library.

A wonderful book for children about New York City 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

If you know of an older toddler or preschooler who plans to visit New York or lives in New York, this book makes a wonderful gift.

Most children who visit/live in NYC will ride a taxi. So, the book's topic is very relevant to their own experience. Things about the city are subtly tied into the the wonderful rhymes of this book (e.g. dogs, Central Park, the Circus, Broadway) without being too "touristy."

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

Its simple...we LOVE this book. We got this when my daughter was about 1 and at 6 she still loves it. Now my 2 year old son enjoys reading it with us.
Its a great story about companionship. The rhymes roll off the tongue and the pitcures are rich with color and detail.
We have since shared this book with many of our friends and we have heard great things about it from them as well.
Howie NYC

Editorial Review:

A stray dog in New York City is adopted by a taxi driver, with whom he thereafter rides and shares adventures each day.

Eloise and the Very Secret Room (Ready-to-Read. Level 1)

Kay Thompson, Hilary Knight, Ellen Weiss

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

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

This is a fun, easy to read tale of a fun little girl. My four year old granddaughters love this book. I wish there were more books in this series.

Editorial Review:

Eloise can go wherever she wants in The Plaza Hotel, but her favorite place is a secret room. Here she can do whatever she wants!

La Familia De Clifford

Norman Bridwell

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Clifford's Family 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book is about Clifford the Big Red Dog and how him and his owner Emily Elizabeth go to see Clifford's Family. Clifford had 2 older sibilings and 1 younger sister. There names are Claudia, Nero, and Bonnie. He goes to visit them and see all his family. This book is for children 2-5 years old. Clifford's Family is a good book for beginning readers to start out with.

Fun for Kids 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Clifford's Family is a fun book for kids to read when they are just starting to read. It is interesting and exciting. The illustrations are very detailled. The author is Norman Bridwell. I would recamend this book to read to your little brother or sister before thet go to bed!

A great Clifford adventure book 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Norman Bridwell's book "Cliford's Family" is a great book about clifords family it tell about his parents and friends. In this book Clifford go all through town an a little advanture. This a great book for kids to read that have a good imagination.

-Trevan Herek

Editorial Review:

Clifford is America's biggest, reddest, and most loved dog of all.

Eloise: The Ultimate Edition

Kay Thompson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

It starts with Eloise. 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

To the father who wonders what he's missing, I can only say "It's a girl thing." So many of us long to be outspoken, daring and fashionable--a "Woman in Crescendo," as Sophia Loren put it. And yet we haven't achieved it yet; we're still in training, just like Eloise. That's why little girls (and big ones!) are so perpetually enchanted with her, and why this collection is absolutely essential for someone raising daughters. Bombshell training can never start too soon!

Editorial Review:

If you

love love love

Eloise

(who doesn't?)

and you

cawn't cawn't cawn't

get enough of her

(who can?)

then you simply

MUST

have this

absolutely enormous

book

It has

everything Eloise

not just

The Absolutely

Essential

and jolie Paris

and fa la la la la

Christmastime

and dear gray Moscow

but a lovely

new dustjacket

by Mr. Knight

Even if you have

all the Eloise books

you need this one too

So charge it please and

THANK

YOU

VERY

MUCH

Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown (Betsy and Tacy Books)

Maud Hart Lovelace

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Best Girls Book Series 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I first read Betsy Tacy Go Downtown over 40 years ago. This book and all the Betsy/Tacy books have had a huge impact on my live. Imagine, finding out I was not the only one. Through the wonders of cyberspace I have found a whole communinty of Betsy/Tacy fans. There have been trips to "Deep Valley" and discussions of the books and characters. It is wonderful to find others who love the books as much as I do.

Betsy Tacy Go Downtown is a sweet book and colorfully paints a picture of a simpler, gentler time. These books have stood the test of time and are a wonderful read for all ages. I read them out loud to my daughter when she was 4, over 17 years ago. She enjoyed them and I am sure most people will.

Editorial Review:

Betsy, Tacy, and Tib are twelve--old enough to do lots of things...even go downtown on their own. There they see their first horseless carriage, discover the joys of the public library, and see a real play at the Opera House. They even find themselves acting in one! Best of all, they help a lonely new friend feel at home in Deep Valley--the most wonderful place in the world to grow up. Ever since their first publication in the 1940s, the Betsy-Tacy stories have been loved by each generation of young readers.