Beginners Books

though i dont have this book my friends say its an excellent book and I've seen it for my self and it is definatly a must buy

It so good it has tempted me to buy alot of Magic cards

Richard Garfield is the creator of Magic The Gathering card game. This book gives the reader an in-depth look into the game and shows the beautiful illustration that each card contains. This is a must have for all players and collectors of the card game.

I collect the cards and I don't know how I would have known if they were rare or common cards if I hadn't found this book. It's the best!

If you are a mtg collector, you definitely need this book. Although it is much "thinner" than Volume 1 but it's still a must for any serious mtg collector

Wow! Cynthia Rylant makes you love old Mr. Putter with words that are so easy a beginning reader can read the book, and yet incredibly profound with such simplicity.

"All day long as Mr. Putter clipped his roses and fed his tulips and watered his trees, Mr. Putter wished for some company."

Mr. Putter finds a very old, lonely cat at an animal shelter and now they both have companionship and their lives are no longer lonely.

This is the first book in a wonderful series about an older man who finds companionship with a pet. My daughter is now 7 and we began reading these when she was 4 or 5. Even though she reads at a level well beyond this, she still asks me to read these books to her. They are sweet and charming and I think help children to see older people in a very sympathetic way. They are all terrific books and we own the entire series. I look forward to enjoying them all over again when my three year old is ready.

This is a story about a fundamental human need, that of companionship. Mr. Putter is an old man who lives alone, has muffins in the morning and tea in the afternoon. He works in his yard during the day, but there is no one to do it with. Therefore, Mr. Putter decides to get a cat.
He goes to a store, but all they have is kittens, which have too much energy for him. The clerk suggests that he go to a shelter, which he does. While there, he finds an old yellow cat whose bones creak; hair is thinning and appears to be a little deaf. All characteristics shared by Mr. Putter.
Once he gets the cat home, he names him Tabby. They hit it off immediately, becoming the best of friends and Mr. Putter is once again enjoying life. It is a charming book with a powerful and correct social message about how the elderly live their lives.

I am currently raising my third daughter through the beginning reader phase. It is very hard to find books that are engaging enough for a bright child during this stage of developement. I find this series has more in the way of a plot than Rylant's more popular "Henry and Mudge" series. My 2 older daughters who are now 12 and 14 begged me to by as many Mr. Putter and Tabby books as I can for their 6 year old "baby sister". We are a household of avid readers, and this is our favorite beginning reader series.

My mom and I absoutly love this book! It's so cute how he's lonely and he wished for some company. So he goes out to the pound and finds the perfect cat. With similar qualties as him. From then on they do every thing together. They drink tea, eat muffins, sing opera, tell stories, garden, took long walks, take naps, and grow old together. Tabby knew just what Mr.Putter was going to do next. Mr.Putter knew exactly where Tabby was going to sleep next. It's just such a sweet story about the love Mr.Putter has for this cat and the love the cat has for him.

Cynthia Rylant has excelled at making a very easy to read book very FUN to read and entertaining to the adult listening or reading to a child.

She has accomplished a hard thing easy for a child and delightful to an adult.

She catches the subtlety of Poppleton's disdain turned friendship for his neighbor, Cherry Sue, with great writing. The terrific illustrations by Mark Teague add a lot of depth to the story.

Rylant's books were a breath of fresh air to me while teaching my children to read.

After being utterly charmed by the Mr. Putter and Tabby series, we found the Poppleton books by the same author and now cannot get enough! Both my six year old and my three year old sons adore these books. The illustrations are beautiful and make the animal characters real and expressive. And the stories are wonderful and appealing to children. Very warmhearted. A delight to read aloud and fun for beginning readers too.

I love Poppleton! When he slathered chapstick on his snout during the dry parts (of his book), I laughed for hours. The illustrations really express the writer's thought and deliver the punchlines beautifully. Poppleton, unlike so many other cheesy kid's books, is one book I don't mind reading over and over and over. I laugh like an idiot every time!

With so many books that insult the intelligence of little kids, it was refreshing to see one that is funny and clever and well-illustrated all at the same time!

Poppleton is great fun for kids and their parents. We can't wait for more Poppleton books to read. These are funny stories in the tradition of George and Martha by James Marshall.

My daughter loves these books, and always asks me to find more. They combine a quirky personality with good solid values, giving food for discussion as well as a chance to laugh together. The language is also quite simple and so my daughter is attempting to read it herslef.

Warmly recommended.

My 2 year old LOVED this book the first time I read it to her, and it became the one she would pick for bedtime every night. Since it's a little longer than a typical bedtime story, and not exactly soothing for sleep, I brought it downstairs for daytime story times!! The sound words are great and the rhythm and repetition is perfect for toddlers. I highly recommend this book!

My daughter and I have read this book for years and we just love it. I started reading it to her when she was 2, she is now 5 and it is still a favorite. I highly recommend this book as a gift for any occasion, it is great to receive a book that you would normally not see displayed at the local B&N.

There are some books that we save to read before bedtime, special, sleepy books. This is not one of those. Its just too much fun! We save it to read in the morning, especially on those mornings when we have to get the boys up a little earlier than usual. Sitting between their beds and reading this book is a pretty fun way to wake them up. As soon as they are awake enough to hear it they pop over to see. Its a much better experience than the usual lamentation.

Now if we can only find someplace that will sell us a "Three speed, wind up, paddle-wheel boat" we'll be set!

The sing-song words are the best when read aloud. My 1st and 2nd grader love this book just as much as my preschooler does. Very fun!

My two-year-old and I first fell in love with this book at our local library. We decided we just had to have one of our own. We love, love, love this book. It is so much fun to read over and over again. I now buy it for all of my Mom friends as a fun but off the beaten path gift.

This book helps children understand what the Minutemen did for the British. It gives explainations that young children can understand. It also keeps their attention in wondering what is going to happen next. Characters are great. My son was able to visualize himself as being Sam. Wonderful book.

My eight-year old son has been reading Sam The Minuteman for several years. He loves the book so much. Although the reading doesn't challenge him anymore, he continues to check it out at our Public Library time and time again. I am glad that he has chosen a good wholesome book as one of his favorites. I have gotten this copy for him as a Christmas Gift. Hopefully, he will continue to enjoy it and pass it on to his children. Good reading material is getting increasingly more difficult to find for 4-6 graders.

When young Sam grabs his gun to enter The Battle of Lexington alongside his father, young readers won't help but wonder: What's going to happen to him? This central, suspenseful question is just one of the mature thematic elements encountered in Sam the Minuteman, a lean, accurate, and surprisingly contemplative historical narrative of the American Revolution's opening days. Benchley slips in key events and characters (the anonymous first shot, British Redcoats, Captain Parker, guerilla warfare) that may encourage young history enthusiasts to uncover the other stories behind Sam. Most provocatively, Benchley takes Sam on a hell-bent ("I'll shoot [the British soldiers]--every one!") revenge quest against his protective mother's pleas. This sub-plot alone may spark deep dialogue usually encountered in higher-level books.

Lobel, of Frog and Toad lore, illustrates with a smoky yet highly detailed pencil, and inks in a sparse amount of red and shades of ocher. His limited media and autumn palette connote the era's harsh agrarian lifestyle, and the stark "do-or-die" mentality of the colonists. Benchley douses his prose with rich poetic metaphors, describing the warring British troops as "a bright river of red," and deadly bullets that "buzzed about like bees."

The ending is abrupt, but Benchley's intention is to extend the conversation beyond the book's pages; quite likely to George the Drummer Boy, the companion piece to this book written from a British boy's perspective during the revolution.

In plain language, and with just a bit of humor, prolific author Nathaniel Benchley (son of the great humorist Robert) and the equally experienced Arnold Lobel tell the story of the beginnings of the American Revolution, as seen through the eyes of a young boy. On the night of Paul Revere's famous ride, Sam accompanies his father to the village green. The pensive faces of the Minutemen and the monochrome and two-toned drawings of Lobel build tension as they await the possible arrival of the British. Finally, they hear the "TRAMP TRAMP TRAMP" of the British soldiers-the "lobsterbacks": "Over the hill and past the tavern came the soldiers! They came on and on and on." At close range, the British kill eight men (they're shown lying on the ground), and wound Sam's friend John in the leg. "'Sam!' John cried. `I'm hit.' John held his leg and fell down."

Soon after, the British attack again. Sam joins his father, despite his mother's loud protest. This time the Minutemen shoot back from behind trees and rocks. Benchley's dramatic narrative continues: "No one knew it then, but that day was the start of the American Revolution." Lobel shows the Minutemen's strain, the families' agony, and the fatigue of Sam and others.

Although a simply told story intended for young readers, Benchley and Lobel convey some of the key elements that went into the eventual American victory. Perhaps a little violent for the younger audiences, this is a realistic story with the look and feeling of an archetypal children's book.

My kids loved this book. This book can be read by any reading level, because of its historical perspective. It appears to most adequately suit 1st graders. With my older children I used it as a tool, along with George the Drummer Boy, to teach perspective in writing and history. These two books in combination do an excellent job. Sam the Minuteman is told from the perspective of an American boy. George the Drummer Boy is told from a British boy's perspective. This book has 61 pages, about 1/4 of the pages are full page illustrations. Both books portray the same event in history - the beginning of the American Revolution.

This is AMAZING! Fabman, as he is known to many, has outdone himself. Informative, well produced and worth every penny of the price. His book is a MUST have.

I could not put this book down! After 11 chapters i realized it was 12AM and i had to go to sleep. I was so insipired by the way in which the author explains how to take control not only your finances but of your life, health, family, and friendships. It is a very straight-forward approach to life as a whole and that to me is truly inspirational!

The Secrets of Wealth is an excellent resource on personal finance. But this is no boring textbook. It is actually written as a story (along the same lines as Rich Dad Poor Dad). Unlike Rich Dad, Poor Dad though, The Secrets of Wealth actually gives useful advice on how to achieve each step. Marciano breaks wealth building down to 10 secrets, and provides methods of implementing and using these secrets. The Secrets are revealed to the main character, David, by his mentor Mr. Mathers. Throughout the book are tips and techniques that anyone can use to improve their financial well being. The 10 steps aren't magical or difficult. Things like goal setting, investing, budgeting, and financial planning are nothing new, but Fabman gives you the knowledge and resources to actually achieve wealth. If this book cannot help you manage your finances, nothing can. Way to go Fabman!

This is a great book for beginners and intermediate-levels because it covers all of the basics in great detail. Unlike some get-rich books, this is more than just inspiration; it actually gives practical steps that are quite attainable for people who don't have much money. It gives information that is much needed by people who are in debt. Topics include planning, budgeting, building your investment portfolio (stocks, bonds, index funds, etc), getting out of debt, taxes, retirement plans (401k, etc), some real estate, and more.

This is the best book I have read on personal wealth and finance and I have read most of them out their. I highly recommend this book for getting your financial life in order.

The book is laid out in a story format that keeps you interested until the end wishing there was more(luckly there is as the author has just published his second book that I eagerly await). I could not put it down. The author does a great job of providing additional information along with recommended reading at the end of each chapter.

I just wish there was a book like this 5 years ago.... I highly recommend reading this title!

This is a wonderful book filled with poems by well known authors.
Wonderful for children who enjoy poetry. Highly recommend!

The Kennedys have done a superb job in selecting the poems for this read-aloud. The titles run the gamut of sweetly simple (Langston Hughes' "Piggy Back"), to the powerful (Georgia Roberts Durston's "The Wolf").

There is something for everyone here. Readers will find old favorites-"The Purple Cow"-as well as a few not-so-well-known but soon-to-be favorites such as William Jay Smith's lovely and lyrical "Polar Bear."

The book is divided into nine, themed sections: Plays, Families, Just for Fun, Birds, Bugs, and Beasts, Rhymes and Songs, Magic and Wonder, Wind and Weather, Calendars and Clocks, and, finally, Day and Night.

Making their appearance are, among others, Robert Louis Stevenson, Joan Aiken, Jane Yolen, Gwendolyn Books, A. A. Milne, and Wallace Stevens.

Jane Dyer, as always, does a magnificent job with the illustrations. There are full-page pictures and spot art throughout, extending and enriching the text. Readers will want to linger over the realistic, charming watercolors.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff

This large, gorgeous picture book contains 123 poems perfectly suited for youthful excursions into the land of poetry. You will find many favorites here as well as bountiful opportunity to make new friends. Emily Dickinson, Rachel Field, David McCord, Jane Yolen, Christina Rossetti, Langston Hughes, Elizabeth Coatsworth, and Robert Frost are just a few of the amazing talents that grace the pages of this book. From the very beginning where a qote from Isak Dinesen's "Out of Africa" explains the title of the book, we are swept up in a cavalcade of imagery, sound and experience that is a true delight and feast for the imagination. Not only is this a wonderful introduction to poetry for children it is a giant step forward toward learning about creative visualization and self-expression. It is a fortunate child who learns to evoke response from others through the mastery and selection of words. There is no better way to teach the art than to provide a child with the opportunity to experience the magic first-hand. The splendid illustrations in this book cheerily invite one to venture closer and then become the magic carpet that sweeps one from place to place within the book. The subject matter covers a broad range of topics, humorous and thoughtful, and can serve as a wonderful catalyst to further discussion about poetry and the use of the imagination. After a long and satisfying relationship with this book, may I suggest that you place a special magical pen and a blank tablet of paper in the hands of your child and discover the wonders it has helped to deliver. This book is truly an ambassador to creative expression.

Last night, my not-quite-three-year-old daughter spontaneously recited a couple dozen poems from this book to my wife and me. We were astounded. She's been requesting that we read TALKING LIKE THE RAIN to her day and night since I bought it last month, but we had no idea how deeply the poems had sunken in. What better endorsement can one give to such a book? We plan to buy several more copies as presents for my daughter's friends . . . and their parents.

X.J. Kennedy is a terrific poet as well as a top-notch editor. I highly recommend his own children's poetry books, particularly his irreverent BRATS, as well as his poetry books for adults, which include the excellent DARK HORSES and CROSS TIES.

This is a beautiful book both visually and in content. The watercolor illustrations are in the realistic style painted in fine detail. My daughter loves to look at the pictures closely as we read the poems aloud.

The poems selected cover a wide range of topics, themes, and moods. There are funny poems like limericks, serious poems about the seasons, poems about how children sometimes feel (such as the one about the boy who didn't do anything right yesterday, so he's not getting out of bed today) bedtime poems, and poems about child play.

This book was a gift and I love it so much I've since given it to other parents and children to enjoy. Everyone has been enthusiastic about it. When my daughter selects this book (which is often) it's fun for us to browse through the pages and pick poems based on the illustrations or on our mood. We'll say, let's read about sleepytime poems, or let's read funny poems. She never tires of this book. There are hundreds of poems to choose from, but the scope is not overwhelming either.

I give this book my highest recommendation. Every home should have some poetry on the shelf!

This is by far the best book we have read yet. My son cracks up laughing every time we read it. He will even flip through the book by himself and laugh hysterically. I love Mo Willems' books, he is great!

As parents of 4 years old girls, we are reading books constantly. Since we often read the same books over and over and over again, I try and find books that my husband and I enjoy reading as well as ones that our girls will enjoy. This series by Mo Willems is GREAT! Good starter books for our girls to start reading but hilarious as well. We all laugh. Mo Willem's other books are just as fantastic. You should check them all out. Clever, smart and the illustrations are perfect. All children books should be as good.

This book has a great cadence and fun story. It's one I laugh at again and again, which is good because I find myself reading it over and over... my sister-in-law lives in Paris and is buying it for all of her French friends with children to help them have fun learning to read English.

I am 27 years old, have 0 children, 1 Master's degree in Speech Communication, and love to read books by Mo Willems. I find his books to be inspiring, philosophical, witty, interesting and visually enthralling. This is my current favorite book, although it's hard to claim a favorite when you know that with Willems- the best is yet to come!

Today I Will Fly! (Elephant and Piggie)

The Elephant and Piggie books FLY out of my classroom for home reading and are in great demand at the reading table~~better than Seuss for high interest. Contains just the right amount of text for beginning readers and lots of high frequency word practice. I've been teaching K-2 for 32 years and haven't seen this kind of excitement over a book series from very young readers. Mo Willems is a teacher's dream come true!

I am just beginning my hobby with a metal detector. I purchased several books on treasure hunting and this is by far the best. It has a broad range of extremely useful information. By all means start with this book if you too are a beginner. Most of the other books I bought had a lot of fluff. This book has a ton of useful information and guidance.

No matter what your treasure, be it coins, bottles, or somethisg else, this book has great tips on where and how to find it. I originally bought a copy for my son and was so impressed that I bought another copy for myself.

This book has a lot of information about treasures all over the country. Tells you where to look, how to go about hunting and what equipment you need and what to do when you find your treasures.

I was looking for a book on using a metal detector. This was not it.

This book is an invaluable resource for the beginner and even the intermediate detectorist. It has filled me with new ideas of where and how to search for lost valuables and coins. The tidbits on history and archeology were most interesting.

This is a cutely written rhyming book of short stories that my 1st grader and I love to read together.

As a teacher who regularly works with struggling readers, I find this interactive format of benefit to beginning readers, and a great way to snuggle with a favorite child. I highly recommend all of the books in the "You Read to Me, I'll Read to You" series by Hoberman and Emberley.

I am a language therapist working with communication-impaired children and their parents. While most parents read to their children, they fail to do it in a truly interactive way - asking questions, making comments, asking for predictions, encouraging the child to reflect on the action and characters in the story. This is a wonderful series for children who are able to read. It's like performing a little play and the parent serves as an expressive model for the child. I use it with my students and it is highly motivating, fun, and recommended!

This book is a FUN read-aloud for parents,grandparents,aunts & uncles who want to model "just for fun" stories for their young aspiring readers. We taped ourselves orally reading (w/great expression & character voices) our favorite tales from this book & presented each of our great nieces & nephew w/ a copy of the book and both a personalized tape & CD of our readings. They were a tremendous hit & among the "favorite Christmas gifts!!"

I love this book. When I leave it out on the shelf in the classroom, the kids actually ask to read it. They love reading to each other. Perfect for bilinguals or kids just starting out.

My own kids and I can still recite parts of it from memory ("I found a dime! You found a dime? I found a dime at dinnertime!") The illustrations are adorable and are entertaining all on their own. Buy it and share!