Festivals Books

This is a great book for ESOL students so they can better understand Halloween and the use of pumpkins as jack o' lanterns. It is easy to read and the students can practice reading it on their own afterwards.

My 3 year old and my 20 month old both love this book! I checked it out from the library last year, and we had to get it again, because my 3 year old loved it so much last year. Now my 20 month old loves it to. They love to hear it again and again, The pictures are wonderful! I recommend this book!

This book has beautiful, amazing pumpkin illustrations. It makes you feel in a halloween mood just looking at them. My 2 year old loves this book. The text for each page isn't too long for his attention span, & he loves looking at the pumpkins. And this is a book I don't mind having to read him over & over.

This book is so simple that I thought it might be boring for my 3 and 5 year olds. But they really enjoyed it. Nothing annoying for the parent, much enjoyment for the kids. Simple pleasure.

Review: Pumpkin Heads is a really good book. It has the best illustrations I have ever seen. The book is all about pumpkins and what people do with pumpkins. I really recommend this book.

This is a simple story about the life cycle of a pumpkin. I read it every October to my kindergarten class. It is very good beginning to sequencing. The illustrations are very well done.

This book is very cute and sweet. When looking for a good Halloween/pumpkin/fall book, I didn't want something too scary for my young toddler. This fits the bill perfectly.

I discovered and checked this book out for the first time a few weeks after I had taken my son to the pumkin farm, and after Thanksgiving had passed. We were delighted with the beautiful artwork (colored pencil drawings). The texture and dimension in the artwork is exquisite. The simple story line is perfect for the young child of 2-5. Jamie is met with a variety of curious animals while he pursues a journey of growing and harvesting his very own pumpkin, carving it, decorating his face for Halloween (you hardly notice this in the soft hues of the artwork, but his pet dog certainly does)and saving the seeds for the next season (six, to be exact). It would make a fine early reader as well for a k-2 reader. Nice book!

I got this book many years ago, when I took care of a class of 4 year olds. They loved this book and read the book with me. Now that I have a child of my own (almost 2 years old) it is his favorite book. I read it sometimes 10 times a day and it has wonderful illustrations. I never tire of it and am looking to buy more of Jeanne Titherington's books.

I teach English to a fifth grade that had very little instruction in the past. I gave this book to three girls and they could understand the meaning of words using the picture clues.One of them had never heard the word pumpkin before, let alone sprout or seed. Now they all have a better vocabulary. Last year I read the same book to a first grade that did not have English classes. I used the story to teach plant growth and sequence concepts.The year before I had also used it to teach subtraction and backward counting - Jamie saved 6 seeds. He plants one. He still has 5, and so on.
I don't teach Italian, but I am sure I would find a way to use this wonderfully illustrated book, if I had to.

Hands-down, this is the absolute best Halloween book for young children. We bought this when it first came out in 1997, and it still has an honored spot on our shelves. Every year, we pull it out and revel in the fanciful pictures, catchy rhymes, and joy of the season.

We started reading this when my son was only a few months old, and now that he's almost 9, it's still a favorite -- and our younger two kids love it just as much. Don't miss this book!

This book is great for Halloween! Our children really enjoy repeating the rocking, rythmic sounds made in this graveyard!

This great book is meant to be read aloud. This is a humorous book, which makes friends of the goblins and ghouls, by making them party through the night with all the local neighbors. The rhythms are great, the words are funny and this is a book designed to make the tongue dance and the teeth tap. The pictures are wonderful and in full color. Read it at bedtime around Halloween and your kids will be filling in the rhythms and rapping along with you in a Halloween treat.

My daughter (age 3) likes this book so much that I have to read it to her at least twice a day. This has been going on for over a month and luckily, I'm not really tired of it yet!

Rattlebone Rock is so fun to read. Children love the rhythmic text and really get into the book by making the spooky sounds the author writes of. Read it through once to a class of K-3 students. Then read it again and again, and have them chime in during the graveyard ghostly parts! This has been a hit with the k-3 students I have read it to. They will love the text and the great illustrations. A Halloween Book I wouldn't be without!

I bought a copy of Santa's Reindeer a few years ago and I've been sharing it with my classes and with other teachers. Everyone loves it but has never heard of it before. I even sent an e-mail to Scholastic suggesting that they consider for their book clubs. I have wanted to get in touch with Judy Schrecker because the bookcover mentions a play script which I would like to obtain. And I want her to know how much I like her book. I enjoy the illustations as well but I think that Santa should be fatter! L. Fletcher

This was a great book!Mrs. Shrecker is my Math and Science teacher. She is awesome! She is very nice..but strict only when she needs to be! Which isn't often! She has a great imagination and is one of the best teachers i've ever had! This book is a great kids book and i think kids would love it! And since i'm in 6th grade and love it all adults should love it too!It's awesome how she combined the Bible Christmas Story and the whole Santa thing. I would have never thought of that! I'm very glad i own that book!

This book is a good book writen by my teacher Judie Shrecker. Mrs. Shrecker is a good teacher as well as a good wrighter.

When I was in kindergarten, Mrs. Schrecker was one of my teachers and I can proudly say that I was one of the first kids that ever heard this wonderful book. I even remember giving up my time outdoors to draw pictures of the story! It is wonderful and very creative. I will always think of it as one of my favorite Christmas stories.

Our daughter checked this book out of her public school's library. We thought it would be another cutsie Christmas book, appropriate for the season. To our complete surprise it turned out to be quite a gem. It is often difficult for parents to connect the celebration Christmas morning (gifts brought by Santa) with the birth of Jesus. We tell our daughter that Santa brings gifts to remind us of the gift that God gave us, his Son. It was wonderful to see a children's book make a similar connection in such a sweet and entertaining way. Our daughter loved the book, and we are ordering one to have for next year.

This was all I had hoped it would be. The art work is excellent and the text is such that as the child grows, more and more of the text will be enjoyed. Myth and fact are included, allowing for the enjoyment of the magic of Christmas Myth as well as interesting facts about reindeer. This will be enjoyed with grandchildren at Christmas time for years to come.

Such a sweet book. A delight to all children and adults. It's so much fun to learn about Santa's reindeer! As good as the Santa Claus one!

THESE BOOKS ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. I BOUGHT 2 FOR MY GRANDSONS. THEY ARE REALLY NICE COLLECTIBLES AND WILL MEAN A LOT TO SOMEONE AS THE YEARS GO ON. LAST YEAR I BOUGHT THEM BOOKS ABOUT SANTA AND THIS YEAR THE REINDEER. THESE ARE STURDY BOOKS MEANT TO LAST FOR YEARS WITH CARE.Santa's Reindeer

This book is just what I was looking for its very informative yet child like cute.

This is a wonderfully written book and I just LOVE the first one about Santa Claus! This one has great information and little stories about Santa's famous Reindeer. Did you know Blitzen flies at 70mph??!! I love reading this as much or more than my son! Santa Claus is my favorite book with more flaps and things to look at and do in that book. GREAT book and very well illustrated too! All my friends have went and bought both books after seeing mine!

Santa's Snow Cat is a great Christmas book to share with family and friends. It has become a new family tradition for me to read Santa's Snow Cat to my kids on Christmas Eve. It's a grand mix of fantasy, traditions and truth. The story is set on Christmas Eve and takes place in New York City. Many of the famous places in NY are pictured in the book like The Twin Towers, Empire State Building, St Patrick's Cathedral, and the giant snowflake that hovers above 5th Avenue during Christmas season.
I think everyone will enjoy this book. It's absolutely my favorite book all time.

DON'T NEED TO LOVE CATS TO ENJOY THIS NICE LITTLE STORY! WE JUST R IN LOVE WITH ALL ANIMALS... WE LIKE THE PICTURES as well. IT'S NICELY WRITTEN & I LOVE WHEN U CAN TELL THAT SANTAS SMILING WITHOUT EVEN BEING ABLE TO see his mouth! IT'S A KEEPER! (SON'S AGES 9 TO 4YRS.

Nice Xmas Story for the cat lover, and anyone who love NYC

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

This book is a must for Christmas, and anyone who loves New York. Snow Cat falls out of Santa's sleigh one Christmas and is dropped into New York. Unhurt she visits different landmarks such as the Twin Towers, Rockefeller Center, and more. Snow Cat meets up with many "look-alike" Santa's, but never hers. Eventually Santa finds Snow Cat and brings her back to the North Pole.

This book is beautifully illustrated, and a must for any cat lovers or anyone looking for a new Christmas story.

I purchased this book for my daughter after falling in love with Anne Mortimer's illustrations in Pussycat's Christmas. As expected the illustrations are beautiful and crisp and will be especially appreciated by cat lovers. This is a lovely and quiet holiday bedtime story.

Santa's Stuck was used at a recent school board sponsored workshop for teachers. It is an excellent resource for the classroom or library.

We bought this at a book fair at my sons school in October and have been reading it ever since (it's February!) It's adorable & funny and my son loves to yell out the "Puuuull, puuush ... whooooosh! Santa's out!" every time. Very sweet illustrations as well. A winner.

THIS IS A FAST FUN FINE LITTLE BOOK THAT THE KIDS COULD READ TO ME! WE WOULD JUST LOVE TO HAVE A FIREPLACE FOR SANTA TO GET STUCK IN & HAVE ALL KINDS OF CRITTERS TRYING TO HELP OUT!!! I ALWAYS MAKE THE STORY READING TIME AN ALL OUT ONE TWO THREE EVERYONE GETS INVOVLED KINDA TRIP!

This is an excellent book. Fun, cute story. Really nice pictures. Our daughter loves this book and we enjoy reading it to her.

I read my neices and nephews many many childrens' books during the Christmas season and this is by far their favorite one. MY 5-year-old neice laughs and laughs when the mice are pushing Santa up through the chimney. the first time I read this book to her, she had me read it back-to-back three times! The illustrations are great, with lots of detail. I highly recommend adding this book to your Christmas collection. (I also like Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree, The Little Tree and A Wish to be a Christmas Tree.) Enjoy.

Mary Anne has a skeleton in her closet. It means that she keeps a secret life that nobody wants to know. One day, she worked in a mall. Then, this girl Angela appears. The spiers Are so kind because they let Angela spend Christmas in their house. I am so happy about this book =)

I Loved This Book!. Mary Anne spends so much on her father's credit. Mary Anne takes a job at the mall and meet this girl Angela. Mary Anne's parents invited Angela to stay for Christmas!.

In the secret life of Mary Anne Spier sh spends so much on her father's credit card. Mr.Spier told Mary Anne that she would even have to pay interest just like he does.Mary Anne takes a job at the mall and meets this girl Angela and their family helped Angela by inviting them to stay for Christmas.

I liked it! Mary Anne's kind, tender heart gets her into trouble, but I admire how she takes responsibility for her mistake and willingly takes the elf job to pay for it! Also touching is how Mary Anne feels so sorry for Angela, the homeless girl, that she cries quietly under her elf head. Her tender heart is endearing; and her strong sense of responsibility is to be commended. It's hilarious how she goes to extremes to hide her secret job from her friends and boyfriend because she's so easily embarrassed!

Mary Anne keeps on using his father's credit card. Until Mary anne has to pay all the things she bought.

NICE COLORFUL & IMAGINATION-FULL ENJOYABLE EASY TO READ BOOK!(HATS-OFF!)
THE PICTURES REALLY R VERY PRETTY & WE LIKE TO LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT SHAPES OF HATS ON THE ANIMALS! (MAKES THE BOYS LAUGH)

Reviewed by Patty Inglish

A severe winter blizzard is coming for Christmas and it alarms the rabbit family to hear it on the TV nightly news. Mother Rabbit asks Little Rabbit if he would appreciate a hand-knit hat, and he agrees that it would be a wonderful gift for him. After receiving his warm and delightful gift, Little Rabbit suggests that all of their friends need hats as well.

Mother Rabbit and Little Rabbit use their creativity to make practical warm gifts for all of their friends to protect them from the storm. They take the Little Rabbit designer hats to town on a sled and distribute them to the other citizens. The townsfolk look doubtfully in the mirror as they don the hats and caps, but thank the Rabbits anyway.

When the snow begins to fly, Horse appreciates his blanket hat and Goose comes to love her neck-wrapping hat, while Deer sees the utility of his lovely antler-covering hat. Sophisticated cat falls in love with hers as well - it makes her look like a lion - and the townsfolk rush after the Rabbits to express profuse thanks.

Back at their home hutch in the storm, the Rabbits have forgotten gifts for each other, but they are happy to have given freely of Little Rabbit's ideas and Mother rabbit's wool, and they celebrate Christmas with a nice warm carrot cake in front of the fire.

If everyone gave something lovely and warm to someone else, no one would want for anything in the storm.

Shall I Knit You a Hat? is a warm and colorful story for children, families, and adults during the holiday season. The story is enchanting and the illustrations are colorful whimsy that is very engaging. With a complete Rabbit hat pattern for infant through age 3 years included, needle artists will particularly love it.

Armchair Interviews says: Special book for the holiday.

I was pleased by this book on two counts. As a knitter I loved the creative and fanciful designs of mother rabbit's hats. I could totally relate to her knitting frenzy during the Christmas holiday.

Secondly, as a mother of three children, I was surprised at how enthralled my children were by the simple story. Well, my 10 year old son (Harry Potter fan that he is) was a little bored by the charming story, but both my 8 yo daughter and 6 yr old son loved the book and fought over who got to look at the pictures after I was finished reading the book out loud. They especially liked trying to figure out which hat was going to which animal when mother rabbit was knitting them. The illustrations are especially captivating and full of detail. Altogether I loved this book and it is sure to be a year-round favorite, not just at Christmas!

I received this book today and I was not disappointed. It's a lovely sweet story with an 'it's better to give than to receive moral'. The illustrations are beautiful and unusual. I know this will be a favourite in our Christmas collection. A must have.

[This review was first published in the "Ephrata (Pa.) Review."]
A blizzard is blowing in but Little Rabbit is ready. His mother has knit him a cozy hat. Little Rabbit worries about his friends, however. He suggests they should receive hats for Christmas too, an idea Mother Rabbit seconds. Little Rabbit designs headgear appropriate to horse, goose, cat, dog, squirrel and deer. The friends aren't sure what to make of the quirky hats--until they see just how toasty the custom designs keep them. This snug story of friendship and mother-child love encapsulates the Christmas message that giving begets joy.

Good limited basic vocabulary text with charming illustrations. Bought for my granddaughter who is currently enamoured with sheep to hear now and read later.

A fun book that has many words that rhyme. If is fairly challenging and exciting for a beginning reader.

Sheep trick or treat was my second sheep book! Great for Halloween reading or just any time! The rhymes are catchy and the story is so cute. A must have for anyone who likes the sheep books, or anyone who has never read them!

This writing team of Shaw and Apple have given us another winner in every way. Let me start by stating that I very much do not agree with the assessment and opinion here from the School Library Journal. This journal, while usually so much more accurate than Publisher's Weekly, sort of missed the mark with this one. Perhaps it is just a matter of preception, we all see things a bit differently. For myself, and the kids I read this one to, there is not much to not like about this book. Yes, the illustrations are a bit darker that is normal for this series, but the for goodness sakes, it Halloween, it's suppose to be dark! The rhyming text is as delightful here as in the other books of this series and the kids do all seem to love it and it certainly holds thier attention. There is so much junk out there in the way of Halloween books, it is a delight to find one so readable as this offering. This is a great one to add to your library. I dare say, you and your kids will love it.

Oh, I so disagree with the Editoral on this book! The writing has a wonderful rhythm, and I love reading it aloud! The situation is absurd, which makes for a hilarious book, plus the illustrations are first-rate. The facial expressions are so human-like, they make us laugh. There is nothing frightening about this book. In fact, the scariest scene is the front cover with the lamb posing as a vampire. Sheep Trick or Treat is a short book and can be read in less than 2-minutes, but it usually takes us longer because we love the illustrations so. I think it's a WINNER, and one I highly recommend over other not-so-good holiday works!