Movies Books

That's the eye catching sub-head for Mr. Cohen's very candid essay on the making of the movie "Bounce." It is not even a movie I saw and yet, I couldn't get myself to put down the book (and get back to work) until I finished this painfully insightful memoir by writer/director Don Roos.

In fact, the entire book is a little tough to put down because each story gets your foot inside the door of what writers had to endure to get their stories on the big screen. In some cases, you get the impression that the stories glided between the cracks. But in most cases, you wonder how anyone could ever have the tenacity to see a script to the end. And in many cases they don't. A recurring theme in these pages is how often the script changes hands, as old writers are fired, new one's hired, and the first one re-hired. Ugh. Makes me glad that I'm a Graphic Designer...something I thought I'd never say.

Surprisingly, the best story is found right smack dab at the beginning from Mr. Cohen himself. I'm talking about the Introduction, which most people skip. Don't do that. Read the introduction. All of it. It's honest. It's brave. And it's even more tell-all than the stories that come after it. Oh, and it's so funny at times that I embarrassed myself when laughing at the bookstore. I wrote the author an email, giving him a little wink about his story. He wrote back. That was enough for me to buy the book.

One more great thing about this book. I've always felt that writers are the last vestige of the world's wisemen. They have an insight about people, places and situations that when I read books like these I begin to wonder if I'm really reading a psychological self-help book. I've underlined quite a few snippets, as so much of what is shared resonated with my own experiences as a creative person. It's very difficult to stand by and watch someone "bend" your idea until it breaks (that's me paraphrasing Mr. Cohen in his Introduction).

So the point is, Get this book. If misery indeed loves company, you'll have plenty of it.

Have you ever loved a book and then been disappointed by how it was butchered in the movie? Or, thought a book was nothing more than a movie script, and then be enchanted at how it came alive on screen?

This fbook traces the stories of how 25 movies made that transition, and I enjoyed every step of the way. Cohen interviews the "writer and explores the sometimes torturous path from idea to finished film from its very root the transformations.

Writers are sometimes blamed for the failures. But Cohen credits the complaint that changes in the scripts by directors, actors, and studio executives sometimes ruined the movie. On the other hand, Alan Ball believes changes to American Beauty he had strongly resisted significantly improved the film.

I found several of the interviews especially instructive: Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind), Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), and John Logan (The Aviator).

Cohen's quotes from his interview with Michael Cunningham, who wrote "The Hours" and has written for the screen, taught me something fundamental about movies (and novels and short stories for that matter):

"A novel can include a sort of panorama of characters, a little like the Breughel painting with Icarus going down in the lower right-hand corner of the canvas. That's one of the reasons there are novels. That's one of the reasons we need novels and we need movies. A novel can account for randomness and can include a wide range of people whose fates just barely impinge on one another. I can't think of a way to tell a story like that in a movie that I would want to see.

"I think movies are more closely related to short stories than to novels. A short story actually involves the compression you need for a movie, whereas a novel is another category of thing entirely. Was it Henry James who called a novel a big, baggy monster? That's what it is. That's why we love them. I think a short story, very much like a movie, has no room in it for extra baggage. It needs to move, it doesn't need to move directly, but it needs to move swiftly. It needs to be lithe and light and nimble, and though that forty-page digression to the Crimean War and how it resembles what's happening at the family dinner may be interesting, there's no room in a short story for it. Nor is there room in a screenplay for it."

I'm sure that aspiring screenwriters would learn a great deal by reading about the successes and failures described in this book. It will certainly inform and enrich my own movie viewing in the future.

Robert C. Ross, 2008

I've been a working writer for 30 years, so David Cohen's book is deliciously like listening in on the personal conversations of compatriots in the craft--but the more I read, the more relieved I was that I'd never been attracted to screenwriting. Cohen's fresh, entertaining and whip-smart insights help to lace these in-depth interviews with meaning and pathos, even when the writers themselves border on the vapid--and those with the most to say shine through, thanks to the author's careful balance between commentary and reportage. We may cringe when we read of a writer's summary dismissal from the movie script he's slaved over for years, but there are enough delightful stories in this book to make the chilling ones a bit more bearable. One way or another, we've all been there.

We get to know the inner Cohen as well, from his own foray into writing for Star Trek to his early naivete at the junket buffet table. Overall, this book is a great read.

Cohen's genius is giving us the real story of how things happen, by letting us drop in (sometimes mercifully briefly) on the minds and tormented, heartbroken lives of actual screenwriters and their actual screenplays. I work with book authors who often want to make the leap to screen, so I bought this to see what they might be up against. Normally I have to force myself to read writerly books like this (parceling out a chapter every few days, dutifully, 'cause it's so much a part of my day job), but I took this one to bed and read it like a novel. The stories are so wonderfully f$%!d up... you find yourself overwhelmed with pity, schadenfreude, horror, amusement you name it. It must have been hell to make some of these movies.

The most interesting surprises for me were the backstories on two directors whose films normally do little for me personally: Todd Solondz and John Waters. I've always considered them overrated in a hipster-annoying kind of way (ditto the Cohens and the Sedarises, zzzz), but both men came off as brilliant personally, and so much more in control of what happens with their films. They make you wonder why anyone would want to get involved with the studio system at all... both seem so sane by comparison to some of the studio writers in the other stories.

The best thing this book did for me is make screenwriting seem do-able, by actual humans, rather than something demigods accomplish for little reconition and erratic pay. It's a job, like plumbing, and people have this job and make it work for them. I'm going to buy several copies and give them out to would-be screenwriter clients. Great work: author, author!

David S. Cohen gives us the back story on 25 movies (from the sublime, like The Hours, to the incredibly bad, like Random Hearts): how they evolved from screenplay to screen.
Although it's not a how-to book, I suspect budding and aspiring screenwriters everywhere will receive Screen Plays like a man stranded in the desert welcomes water.

Following these films from the birth of the idea until the films came into the theaters and left as classics, embarrassing flops, or somewhere in between, Cohen is smart enough not to offer glib answers about why the result was what it was. Writing, for example, about the very talented people who were behind Random Hearts (which I suspect will always be in the list of worst movies I've seen in my life), he ends quoting Harrison Ford, who instead of trying to explain the process of making the film, simply said: "You sort of had to be there." Regular film lovers can't be there for the journey, but Cohen does a really good job showing you photos of the trip.

Cute book for Scooby lovers! Has little pictures to give clues to the words for beginner readers.

Smaller book than I expected. My son likes it, I just thought the flash cards would be something besides a page in the book.

My 4 year old loves all of these Scooby Doo Picture Clue books. I like them too since I grew up with Scooby Doo it makes me feel like we have something in common other than DNA.

My twins love Scooby doo. Anything with Scooby on it they will use over and over. They read it over and over even though they don't know all the words.

Book Review By MENDIOLA ROOM #B1 a
Scooby Do The Search for Scooby Snacks

If you like cartoon books you are in the right place. You'll like reading this book.
I like Scooby do because it is very, very funny book.
This story is about Scooby and Shaggy looking for their food that was lost. A bear was eating it. In my opinion this book is very good because you will laugh all through and enjoy the book from beginning to end. This book showed me not to leave my snacks on the floor because someone could come and eat them. This
Book is very funny. YOVANI

It is rare in children's literature that readers find male figures that attempt to mentor a boy.

After Walt's mother abandons him with his two eccentric uncles, they attempt to raise him and influence him through their outrageous stories. While they are unique rolemodels, they are honest ones. As I read this, I genuinely couldn't think of anything comparable. I highly recommend it for young male readers who are in search for adventure and a little influence ~ but beware of jealousy! Who wouldn't want the adventurous Hub and Garth as uncles? The ending is a as wonderful as the adventure to get there...

Secondhand Lions was a great book; it always kept me interested and wanting to find out what was going to happen next.
In the story there is a boy named Walter. One summer his mother leaves him with his two great-uncles Hub & Garth. Throughout the story his uncles did some strange things, one of my favorites was when Garth bought an assortment of seeds and they turned out to be all corn. The corn is a symbol of freedom for one of the characters, but you will have to read the book to find out who it is.

Second Hand Lions is the best. It is very good. I cried. I do not useally cry during movies, but this movie is the best. I really recomend seeing it. it iz gr8

Probably the best sheer entertainment of a touching nature this year.

I loved this book and I'm 58. Touching, funny, adventurous,and without giving away the ending it was a very surprising satisfying end. I am now anxiously waiting to buy the video. It was nice to know the stars in the movie to picture them in the reading of the book. Thorougly enjoyed!

Holy .. this man is brilliant and twisted .. and, well .. brilliant and twisted! I can't wait to read the novelization but from what I know first hand from his work in the past, I will be sure to leave the lights on when I do.

If Dan Madigan were not a writer, he would be the next BTK!

Horribly intriguing.

Dan has a keen ability to bring you right into the action, as sick as it may be.

We're waiting for your next one Dan.

A lot of books find their way onto my desk. Many of them get "re-gifted", and when I saw a movie tie-in novel for a film starring pro-wrestler Kane, I was pretty sure I knew where this was going to wind up. Caught in a last minute grab for something to read on a flight from LA to NY, I wound up with this in my carry on, and to my pleasant surprise I was wrong in my initial assessment.
This book is good.
It is better than good.
I haven't been this excited to discover a new writer since I read Jack Ketchum's Girl Next Door. Dan Madigan may be a new name to horror fiction readers, but he's obviously been digesting this stuff for years, as he has turned out a compelling page turner that challenges the conventions of the typical slasher. If the set pieces in the novel are to be any indication of those in the film, I'll be seeing it on opening day. I see that the author is also credited with the screenplay, and that makes me very happy.
This novel has made the very short list of movie tie-in novels which transcend their purpose -that of merely fulfilling the media frenzy associated with selling tickets. But not only has it transcended, it has excelled.

SEE NO EVIL is superb horror and far more than a novelization. The writing is muscular and visual. The characters are intruiging, authentic and 3-dimensional. The story is fascinating, and the plot moves swiftly. There are many bone-chilling moments. Dan Madigan reminds me of a young Steven King. I look forward to his next tome of terror.

Dan Madigan's first horror novel reads like the work of a seasoned pro. "See No Evil" is a breath of fresh air in a genre of fiction that has become too tired (like Stephen King) or too feminized/glamorized (like the execrable Ann Rice). Madigan's writing takes horror into new territory: a landscape of brutal terror, fright, and a place where the word hope is completely unknown.

His writing style is lyrical, his sentences resounding with the ethereal quality of Edgar Allan Poe's dark poetry. If anything, Madigan's style is reminiscent of the films of Dario Argento: both are full of brutal gore, but the way the violence is executed is operatic. Nothing is held back when it comes to the violence. Compared to the flesh tearing, eye gouging, vulva ripping action you have in "See No Evil," King's works seem as tame and non-threatening as the fluff on Oprah's Book of the Month club.

Most brilliant is Madigan's perfect realization of the so-called monster of the text, Jacob Goodnight. Much of the novel is told through Goodnight's perspective, and through his eyes, the reader comes to understand and appreciate the violence in his nature. It is rare that a book can achieve the impossible, and make the apparent villain transformed into the only pure character in the text, while the alleged "good guys" are revealed to be morally bankrupt and heinous individuals who deserve to die.

Society, itself, is ultimately the monster in "See No Evil": set in modern-day California, we see the results of a society where political correctness and moral relativism have taken over. Every criminal in the text is treated with kid-gloves by the prison system, and pampered by social workers who feel their crimes are only the result of a "bad childhood," and, therefore, excused. Police officers, on the other hand, are treated like dirt in this modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. Jacob Goodnight is, paradoxically, the only character who has a clear set of values.

While it is being marketed as the novelized version of the film of the same name, it should not be treated as such. Dan Madigan himself wrote the screenplay, and has said at conventions to promote the film that he had an earlier version of the novel written BEFORE submitting the screenplay. So this should not be dismissed as a crass adaptation of an already-existing film, the way trashy novels have been made out of "Star Wars" films or other films, just to swindle people out of their money. In fact, the book is reputed to have far more gore and violence than the film.

"See No Evil" is a triumph of true horror. If you are squeamish, then do not read this book. If you are looking for pretty boy vampires, Jacob Goodnight would have had them for dinner. This is not for wimps or the faint hearted. Madigan's writing is reminiscent of HP Lovecraft and Bret Easton Ellis's "American Psycho," while at the same time being completely original in its approach. Get this book while you can: it will be a limited edition, and its value will skyrocket once Madigan's next book comes out.

The are three great storie in the 7th Heaven book, Ruthie Goes To Hollywood, The Best Oktoberfest, and Sisters Through The Season. in Ruthie goes to hollywood, she has wone a trip to go to hollywood and see her favorite actor but when she gets there she finds out he is really mean so she has to get to the bottom of this mistery. in The best oktoberfest Simon, Robbie, Mary, Lucy, and Ruthie got to the anual Oktoberfest in the mountains of Callifornia and Ruthis pulls a lot of pranks on Simon and Robbie and on the las prank she gets them lost in a forest at night and no one can find them until.... In Sisters Through The Season Mary and Lucy goes to visit a friend of marys and she gets drunk in a bar, what will the sisters do next? This is a great book it is a great gift for any 7th Heaven Fan.

This Book Is great,Every 7th Heaven Fan Should Own A Copy!!

The Camden sisters go on adventures of their own in this 3-story book. Ruthie goes to Hollywood, The Best Oktoberfest, and Sisters Through the Seasons are all enjoyable and is a good extension of the Camden family saga, that has become a hit long-running television show. Other recommended books: Wedding Memories (7th Heaven) and the Gilmore Girls series.

WOW!!!! i am a true 7th Heaven fan, and i have all the books, never miss a episode on tv!!!! and i'm not lying. this is like one of the best books i have ever read. i mean i personally like 7th heaven, mary-kate and ashley, sabrina, lizzie mcguire, sweet valley books. and i loved harry potter, but i think these books are a bit better, i enjoy them more. but i reccommend this book (and all 7th heaven and sweetvalley (all listed above) for people 10-11 and up!!!!!

If you like 7th heaven you are in for a treat. Mary and Lucy are off to New York. Mary's friend gets drunk! What a dissater! Robbie and Simion are going to a big/little compition place. And there is a surprise going on in the Camden house. BUY IT NOW!...

As an American, it hurts to admit that Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the quintessential expression of American cheekiness and derring-do, has been best chronicled by a Britisher. Of course, I'm teasing a bit. But there is no question that Keith Topping seems to have a better grasp of what is important in the Buffyverse than many of his contemporaries on this side of the ocean.

What Topping does not do is write one agonizing reprise after another of all the episodes of Season Six of the show. As viewers will no doubt remember, Season Six was quite agonizing itself without that point being hammered home all over again. Instead, Topping provides very short synopses, followed by myriad details of things that are unique, funny, or perplexing about each episode.

You will be treated to paragraphs on 'A little learning is a dangerous thing' (the power of misinformation), 'Denial they name is...' (Self-delusion in Sunnydale), 'It's a designer label..' (clothes, of course), valley-speak, geek-speak, logic errors, and ever more items that bring to light the aspects of the production which the viewer, caught up in the story, is likely to miss. All of this is done in a style that is an enjoyable mix of tongue-in-cheek and respectfully serious.

Topping is an excellent researcher. His ability to find countless relationships, both intentional and accidental, to other atavars of popular culture is uncanny. Nor does he hesitate to introduce the reader to the more analytic writings on Buffy and the Scooby gang. Despite the spottiness of Season Six, Topping manages to ferret out all the good parts - to the point where I have to admit that the book is better than the season.

If you are a fan then you will want this book. And you will want to track down Topping's other efforts on the show that nearly ate South California.

I have the edition of Slayer for seasons 1 through 5, and it is really a good guide of the series. This book continues with the same fun observations, facts, and quotes. I know some people hate season 6, but for those of us that love it--this book is worth it. If you don't like season 6, maybe this book can help you see the good things about the season.

For those who liked Keith Topping's British perspective in his earlier 'Slayer' volume, here is an update. This book covers only the 6th season - Buffy's resurrection, the Trioka, the musical, Willow-as-evil, etc. Each episode receives 5-to-8 pages of coverage, organized under various thematic headings: Plot summary, music, memorable quotes, comments on the women's clothing, continuity errors, logic flaws, pop culture references, etc. Topping seems to have caught everything, down to the tiniest continuity error.

There are also separate essays on (1) series creator Joss Whedon, (2) the network switch to UPN, (3) an update on BtVS novels (about a paragraph on each), (4) an update on BtVS and the internet, and (5) predictions for the 7th season, which was the last season of this underappreciated series that never gained the viewership it deserved.

Season six is in my opinon the best Buffy season ever.
If you don't like it read this book. It will change your mind.
If it doesn't, then go back to watching Bewitched or Buffy season one. I guess the true spirit of the Slayer is lost on you.

This book covers the sixth season of Buffy and is the next volume in Keith Topping's 'Slayer' episode guides (the previous 5 seasons are covered in a single volume, also available from Amazon). Keith does his usual thorough job covering each episode in detail. Even if you disagree with his views, you can't dispute that he has a deep love for the show and a healthy respect for all those involved in its production.

As I have stated in other reviews, Keith Topping's Buffy and Angel books are the best unauthorised episode guides on the market. If you are a serious fan of Buffy and Angel, you only need the official guides and these books.

Sorrell and Son is a beautiful story of the love and commitment of a father to his son. Returning to civilian life in England after fighting in World War I as an officer and being decorated for bravery, he comes home to find no place to fit in. His wife leaves him, he cannot find a job and raised as a gentleman has no marketable skills. The only thing that keeps him going is his twelve-year-old son who is utterly dependent on him.
The book spans the boy's youth and adulthood. It's a story of self-sacrifice and love and finding meaning in a harsh environment.
The only thing that bothered me in the first half was the author's negative portrayal of women in general but he made up for it in the end with his understanding of the young woman Sorrell's son falls in love with.
The author shows a sympathy for the limitations women faced at that time with only wife and motherhood their only real options. Sorrell's son has to nearly lose her, as well as his own life, to understand that she, too, deserves to find a fullfillment in her work.
Wonderfully told, really, really well-written.

This is a book to read over and again. The central theme has its Horatio Alger aspect in Sorrell's climb from adversity (failed marriage,underemployment), to affluence and success, through the combined forces of hard work and professionalism with a good dash of luck.

The secondary story is Sorrell's wonderful relationship with his son, and his strong but tender rearing and overseeing his of education in school and in life.

This book is a first rate read and a must addition to your library.

This intriguing story takes place in England in the early twentieth century. This book was about a man who devoted his life to making his son's life a success. So many deep intellectual questions are asked, but not necessarily answered about life, marriage,love, career and relationships between father and son, husband and wife, and life in general. Definetly food for thought. He wanted his son to be more than just a worker. He wanted him to be someone special. This story has a surprise and delightful ending.

Simply an outstanding story! An excellent book! Honor, duty, loyalty, beauty and truth - We could well use this book as a guideline for the values needed both now and into the 21st Century.

When I first began to read Sorrell and Son, I was prepared not to like the main characters because I felt that the excessive pride and snobbery was beyond that which I, a born American, was able to tolerate.

However, when Sorrell bows his neck to fate and takes the job of porter at a somewhat disreputable inn owned and run by a horrible sadistic woman in order to be able to make a living for his son, I was hooked.

Neither adversity nor hard-work is able to defeat Sorrell. His and his son's "job" is the preparation of Kit for a successful life. Nothing is too demeaning for Sorrell if it will help further the "job." Slowly but surely, Sorrell begins to be smiled upon by the gods and his situation in life improves until he is quite well-off and is able to send Kit to excellent schools and the obtain a Tutor who prepares him for University after Kit has decided that he wants to become a surgeon.

The son, Christopher, could well have become a spoiled self-serving little prig, but he did not. Instead, he grows up to be a strongly principled, intelligent, caring man. My, what a lucky boy he is to have a father like Sorrell, and, Sorrell, my, what lucky man he is to have a son like Kit! Even the fleshy, self-indulgent mother's reappearance with her Circe's charms to offer Kit after an absence of ten years is not enough to tempt him away from his "pater."

As a result of Sorrell's later success in life, Kit is not required to scrabble about hungrily trying to make a living while studying medicine and yet his physical ease neither softens him nor makes him any less intent on succeeding at the "job."

The ending, albeit a tear-jerker, is not in the slightest bit maudlin. Sorrell maintains his unflappable dignity until the very end.

This is one of my favoret books. It has lots of adventure, I love it!

At firse I thougt, meh. What is there to be said about Esperanza finding a mate and then finding somewhere to live? But every second is packed with great immage discription, throughtful wrighting, and perfect words to describe what the horses are doing!

Instead of saying "the horse rubbed his leg" She would say somthing like "As the horse relaxed, he lowered his head to rub an itch on his foreleg."

WONDERFUL! Love it!!


Her wrighting is so good that she inspired me to wright a book,(for fun only!) Here is a little piece of it!----
......the wolf in the front stood on a large bolder, she tilted her head back and let out a call. Shadow and Tally stood to afraid to move, finally Tally snorted and turned to run off bumping into Shadow as she did. Shadow realized her friend was running, and her bolted after her. The wolf on the bolder barked fiercely and jumped after the frightened foals.
Elsewhere in the Hills, Bonita and Ella where looking for the missing foals. The foal's screams pierced through the air, reaching all the horses in the herd. Everyone lifted their head from grazing and pranced around startled. Star's head shot up at the sound of his young's desperate cries for help, his nostrils flared, and he shot off in the direction of the commotion.
Tally and Shadow where running from the wolfs, but the distance between them and their predators was getting smaller. One of the wolf's snapped at Shadows foot, luckily the wolf got kicked in the face instead. Star broke from some thin bushes, and struck out at the wolfs with his hoofs. The wolf who had gotten kicked in the face ran off, but the remaining three where deliberate to not leave empty pawed.
Star's neck rippled as he reared up to lash out with his front hoofs. He whirled around to strike. He snapped the air and stomped on the ground, but the wolfs dodged out of the way. As sudden as Star appeared, Ella came from the bushes. Her short legs couldn't carry her as fast as Star's legs carried him. Together her and Star lashed and kicked, until only one wolf was brave enough to keep fighting. It was the wolf who had been atop the bolder. Star reared, trying to warn the wolf, but Ella cantered out and attempted to stomp on the wolf. The wolf dodged and jumped on Ella's back. The dark wolf bit into her powder white neck and wouldn't let go. Star tried to strike the wolf, but he couldn't get close enough without kicking Ella. As Ella bucked and kicked in panic, trying to free herself, she slipped and plummeted to the ground......

(don't think I am copting, because although my story includes a wolf attack too, it isn't the same. I also know that most of my horses names are from the book. But I am so bad at coming up with them! I tryed to think of my own, but couldn't. Besides, I'm not trying to publish it or anything. :)

The Best Book I ever will Propably read, I read it in one evening! For anyone, who wants a great book, Esperanza should be at the top of their list!

This book is amazing! I have read all the other books in the Spirit collection, but this one is the best. I like these books because they are about wild horses. Esperanza is a palomino(and Spirit's dam), so she is my favorite. ESPERANZA RULES!!!!!

I loved this series. I loved how the author took it from the horses point of view and not the humans view like so many other books have done in the past.

I hope Kathleen Duey ( the author) will keep writing!
I recomend this is a good book for any horse crazy people ( and the other books too!).

I love SpongeBob! It's on my top three favorite show list! It is funny and wholesome and is great for chilren. My classmates watch stuff like the simpsons but I choose SpongBob. I look and imagine what it would be like if everyone was as how they are now. ROCK ON SPONGEBOB!

i had this shipped to my dad for his birthday and he loved it and said that it was packaged nicely and shippment was fast.

This is a fantastic, wholesome cartoon. Finally, something that is fun for young and old alike. I find myself calling the kids in so I don't feel guilty about watching it alone. This cartoon has everything: a good messsage, and a lot of fun. This book is a perfect companion. We've had a lot of fun with trivia questions when were out.

Very cute book for fans of Spongebob. Has lots of pictures and info on Spongebob and where he lives. It is definitley worth it for the price.

I am a big fan of Spongebob, despite my age. Yes, the cartoon is for young kids, around 5 - 10, but the producers made it sure that there are jokes that is aimed for mature audiences, to entertain watching parents or to those who are simply looking to feed their inner child.

Now the book, I can say is very informative and funny. You can learn a lot that surrounds the life of our yellow, squared friend; from what he thinks about his friends to the menu and price of the foods in the Krusty Krabs - all said in Spongebob fashion - stupidly funny. There are only a few quizzes though(so why call it trivia book?), like a driving quiz(it starts like a real driving test, but ends up very funny and silly, number 9 and 10 cracked me up!), and match up who said certain quotes(which I admit is quite challenging). Infos about the cartoons (and out) are in this book too.

I gave it 4 stars because for a Spongebob fanatic, there are only a few things that you dont know. Most of it, you do; and some parts here are taken from episodes, like how to blow a bubble("do this"?, to those who seen it in TV we know its from an episode, but to those who hasnt wont get it - they should have added pictures to those!). I think it is more aimed for newer fans, and to the very fanatic of fanatics... in the end, I still recommend this book, cuz even though we know most of it, the way they explained it still makes you laugh, its like watching reruns of Spongebob, we know what will happen but will still bring tons of laugh.

This was the first book i learned to read. If you buy it i believe you won't be sorry.

Spot the Dog books are a favourite with my girls. They love the simple stories that they can relate to (hiding, baking a cake, playing with others etc) and the lift-the-flaps always bring screams of delight even though we've read them many many times. As they grow I'm sure they'll be one of the books they learn to read with. The words are simple and the font easy to read. Lovely books to cuddle up with your children on your lap. They are also big enough to hold up and read to them as they sit in back seat on car trips.

I feel in love with "Spot Goes to School" and will be reading it to my grandson when he gets old enough to read.He is only six months old but I am stocking up now. The illustrations are really cute and on every page there is something that easily "opens" to reveal something underneath. What an adorable book to prepare a child for going to nursery school etc.!

Spot does it again! That dog named Spot shows little ones how he goes to school and talks about his day. From singing with Helen and Tom, to painting a picture, to reading stories, Spot let my son know it would be fun to go to preschool. We purchased the book right before my son started attending preschool and as we read it, he told me about his day, which includes storytime, painting and singing, as well as playing on the playground. The lift-the-flap books engage little ones to keep on reading. It is a nice way to end the day and naturally talk about what happened at preschool that day. Way to go Spot!

Spot discovers that school is fun and interesting in this flap book by Eric Hill. After a warm greeting by his teacher and classmates, Spot hides (under one of the flaps found on every page) when it's time to sing a song. "I can't sing," he says. There is no resolution to this (maybe some pages were torn out of my copy?), but Spot soon finds plenty to do as the disjointed plot reveals Spot's fun activities at school. These include finding dress-up clothes in a small playhouse, spelling the word "DOG" with blocks, story time by the teacher, playing teeter-totter (Spot is cleverly hidden under a flap that is part of a tree), and painting paw prints. When his mom picks him up and asks, "How was school, Spot?" he answers with a resounding "Great!" Twenty-two brightly colored pages showing Spot enjoying school after some initial uncertainty.