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What Grandmas Do Best What Grandpas Do Best |
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| Author: |
Laura Numeroff |
 Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0689805527 |
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| Availability: |
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From Publishers Weekly
This companion to the immensely likable What Mommies Do Best/ What Daddies Do Best is another two-in-one book: after finishing "What Grandmas Do Best," readers can flip the book over to find "What Grandpas Do Best." Again, Numeroff's straightforward text is identical for both segments (both grandmas and grandpas can "play hide-and-seek, make you a hat, and take you for a walk"). The fun lies in Munsinger's magnificently anthropomorphized animals, and the way each grandparent puts his or her spin on the words: Grandma Cat knits her grandkitten a fetching snow hat, while Grandpa Guinea Pig fashions a chapeau out of newspapers, tape and glue. Perhaps because her lead characters are senior citizens, this book is more subdued in tone than its predecessor; Numeroff seems not to have mined her considerable imagination... |
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Tacky the Penguin |
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| Author: |
Helen Lester |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0395562333 |
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From Publishers Weekly
None of the penguins can tolerate Tacky's loud habits--until they scare off a pack of hunters. PW declared that "this book is must reading for any kid--or grown-up--who refuses to follow the pack." Ages 4-8. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2 Tacky the Penguin is a total nonconformist who lives with a group of formal, proper penguins. But it is Tacky who foils the plans of three critters with ``get-rich-quick plans'' that threaten the penguins' existence. With his un-penguin-like antics, Tacky puzzles the hunters to such an extent that they're firmly convinced they cannot be in the ``land of the pretty penguins.'' This is a rollicking tale that clearly shows that there are ad vantages to being an individual. Mun... |
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Me First |
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| Author: |
Helen Lester |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0395720222 |
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From Publishers Weekly
In another successful joint effort, the creators of Tacky the Penguin and Pookins Gets Her Way introduce a memorable character--a plump, delightfully expressive pig named Pinkerton, who always insists on being first, "even if it meant bouncing off bellies, stepping on snouts, or tying tails." When Pinkerton's Pig Scout troop goes to the beach, Munsinger's hilarious, whimsical art shows the pushy fellow (wearing pink-and-white dotted trunks, an inflatable tube and goggles) stepping on the heads of two pals to be "first out of the water, and first into the picnic basket." But when the piggy Pinkerton rushes across the beach to respond to an alluring question ("Who would care for a sandwich?") he gets a well-deserved comeuppance, for he is pressed into service by a tiny Sandwitch who needs someone to take care of... |
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What Mommies Do Best, What Daddies Do Best |
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| Author: |
Laura Numeroff |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0689805772 |
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| Availability: |
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From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1?An appealing flip book that presents mirrored texts. The first half shows a mother bear, pig, mouse, elephant, and porcupine engaging in everyday activities with her children. Readers learn that Mommies can build a snowman with you, bake a birthday cake, "sew the loose button on your teddy bear," watch the sunset, read a story, or "hold you when you're feeling sad." But best, "Mommies can give you lots and lots of love." Flip the book and read that Daddies can do the same thing. Munsinger's winsome watercolor depictions of the animals are warm and humorous. A perfect cuddly bedtime or storytime read-aloud choice, this title practically begs preschool or early elementary teachers to help children write and illustrate their own versions to present to their parents for holiday or any-day... |
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Tacky and the Winter Games |
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| Author: |
Helen Lester |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0618556591 |
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| Availability: |
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From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2–Fans of this endearing penguin won't be disappointed with his latest adventure. Tacky and his friends are training for the Winter Games and when the competition finally arrives, the other animals are worried that he will ruin their chance at a medal. The illustrations are very funny. For instance, on one page the text reads, They did one hundred sit-ups a day and the art shows all of the other penguins doing sit-ups while Tacky is sleeping on his mat in the back. On another page, the text reads, They ate special training meals; while the other penguins eat spinach, Tacky is shown stuffing his beak with chips, doughnuts, and pizza. Furthermore, the drawings are detailed and full of life. All in all, this is a fresh, lively, and totally engaging read-aloud from start to... |
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What Aunts Do Best/What Uncles Do Best |
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| Author: |
Laura Numeroff |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0689848250 |
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From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2–In this jolly follow-up to What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best (1998) and What Grandmas Do Best/What Grandpas Do Best (2000, both S & S), Numeroff and Munsinger show how these relatives enjoy time with nieces and nephews. The critters, including sheep, cats, and squirrels, take roller-coaster rides and stay up for late-night television. An aunt plays a piano with her nephew while another takes her niece for a ride in her yellow convertible. Readers can then turn the book over to see how uncles enjoy their young relatives, such as sitting on the floor for toy piano tunes or driving all-terrain in a messy jeep. The ink-and-watercolor cartoons are endearing. Stereotypes are dashed since both sexes cook, shoe shop at the mall, and build clubhouses. The characters' expressions... |
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Hooway for Wodney Wat |
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| Author: |
Helen Lester |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
061821612X |
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| Availability: |
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From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2--Poor Rodney Rat is teased mercilessly by all the other rodents because he can't pronounce his R's in this beginning to read title by Helen Lester (Houghton, 1999). When Camilla Capybara joins the class and announces that she is bigger, meaner, and smarter than any of the other rodents, everyone is afraid, especially Wodney. One day he unwittingly catches Camilla out in a game of Simon Says, and surprises himself and saves his classmates from big bully Camilla. This retelling nicely reflects Wodney's transformation from shy rodent with a speech impediment to hero of the class. Narration is accompanied by synthesized music and some sound effects. Side one includes page-turning signals (that sound like a small rodent being squeezed), while side two contains an uninterrupted reading. This book... |
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Norma Jean, Jumping Bean |
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| Author: |
Joanna Cole |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0394886682 |
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| Availability: |
Ships within 2-3 days. |
From Publishers Weekly
In this Step into Reading book, Norma Jean, kangaroo, jumps past her friends on the way to school. And her jumping gets in the way of playshe knocks down frog Neal'stower of blocks, spills pig Sara's milk, bounces Ted the bear off the seesaw and splashes a cross porcupine named Amy out of her pool. One mean remark from a friend, and Norma Jean has had it. She starts walking through puddles instead of jumping, and declining jump roping and jumping contests on Field Day. But when good-hearted Norma Jean cheers for her friends, she just has to jump; the kangaroo regains her congenital itch to hop. A winning story about the natural traits of individuals and the recognition of true identity; readers will see that there's no point in going against the grain. Munsinger's animalsannoyed, then overjoyedare some of the... |
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Beatrice Doesn't Want to |
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| Author: |
Laura Joffe Numeroff |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0763611603 |
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| Availability: |
Usually ships within 24 hours. |
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K–Beatrice doesn't like books. The last place she wants to be is in the library, but her older brother has to complete a report on dinosaurs and she is in his care. Done in watercolor, ink, and pencil and featuring floppy-eared canine characters, the expressive illustrations perfectly capture the humor of the text. Beatrice's facial expressions are priceless as she repeatedly attempts to distract her brother from his work: she clings to him with adoring and overly exaggerated interest; she taps him on the shoulder and proclaims, "I'm bored"; and she holds his tail as she trails his every move. Finally reaching his limit, Henry drops Beatrice off in the storytime room. To her grudging amazement, her interest is piqued and she even laughs out loud when the librarian reads a story about a... |
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Underwear! |
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| Author: |
Mary Elise Monsell |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
080758309X |
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From Publishers Weekly
An idea with built-in kid-appeal: tell a story about underwear and bring in an artist to add lots of funny touches to each pair of boxer shorts. But one section of the story is a rather contrived morsel about friends who make a grumpy buffalo laugh by making him say aloud the word "underwear." Much more fun is the part when grassland animals Orfo the Orangutan and Zachary the Zebra attend the "World's Greatest Grassland Underwear Fair" and stock up on their favorite styles. And best of all are Munsinger's pictures of them wearing all those bright and witty styles at once. Ages 3-7. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2 Nothing is as sure to elicit giggles in... |
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Hunter's Best Friend at School |
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| Author: |
Laura Malone Elliott |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0060753196 |
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| Availability: |
Ships within 3-4 days. |
From Publishers Weekly
In PW's words, "Best friends and school join up in for a kid-pleasing tale about resisting peer pressure, and the comical, sometimes poignant illustrations give this picture book a double draw." Ages 4-7. (July) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Young raccoons Hunter and Stripe sing together, play together, and copy one another's tricks. One day Stripe makes mischief in class, and Hunter follows along, cutting up a paper frog he's made. He grapples with this decision, imagining how much his mother would have liked to see his artwork, and cries after it is destroyed. Later, when she discovers the shredded pieces of paper in his backpack, he tells her what... |
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Zany Zoo |
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| Author: |
William Wise |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Hardcover |
| ISBN: |
0618188916 |
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From Booklist
K-Gr. 2. Exuberant wordplay fuels this animal-themed collection of light verse (classified as fiction rather than poetry), in which seabirds demonstrate that "one good tern deserves another," a watermelon-loving dog is a "melon collie," and a skunk smelling of cologne discovers that "it pays to have good scents." Many of the 25 poems are built around an old saying, offering an amusing introduction to figures of speech, especially when an adult is nearby to explain unfamiliar phrases. Children may also need help with Wise's frequently sophisticated references (there's a "playboy" who is also a "bon vivant," and one punch line mentions Faust). A few selections give more substantive pause: at one point, the term lazy sinner is used more flippantly than will be comfortable to many readers. However, as in the author and... |
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Howliday Inn: A Bunnicula Book |
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| Author: |
James Howe |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0689846193 |
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From AudioFile
Harold and Chester, that dog and cat duo from Howe's popular Bunnicula novels, are at it again. This time they are temporary residents of Chateau Bow-Wow while the Monroe family is on vacation. They must find Louise, a French poodle involved in a messy love triangle. Great characters, great fun. Victor Garber, an accomplished actor with a few Tony nominations to his credit, does a fine job with this tale, especially with the main characters. He captures the enthusiastic naiveté of Harold and the bored haughtiness of Chester. Garber rises to the challenge of creating distinctive voices for the animals at the kennel, including a couple of poodles and a bulldog. Oh, he does a nice job with the humans, too. P.B.J. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text... |
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One Monkey Too Many |
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| Author: |
Jackie French Koller |
Book Review
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| Format: |
Paperback |
| ISBN: |
0152047646 |
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| Availability: |
Usually ships within 24 hours. |
Book Review
A bike is for just one monkey to ride, right? Well, not if another monkey jumps on the handlebars. "Hooray, the two shouted. / We're having such fun. / This bike is far better for two / than for one!" That is, until they hit a bump in the road and monkeys go flying. One Monkey Too Many playfully explores the hazards of loading too many monkeys into a golf cart, canoe, or hotel bed, and finally, into the picture book itself: "Six, said the author. / "This book is for six. / The pages are full, / so no more of your tricks." Even that doesn't stop extra pesky monkeys from sneaking into the picture. Lynn Munsinger's thoroughly charming, expressive illustrations add energy and humor to Jackie French Koller's already vivacious rhymes. Children will love the fact that the monkeys gleefully ignore the warnings of the... |
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