Beginners Books

We all love this book (parents and kids alike)! It's cute, thoughtful, and inspires good manners. My 4-year-old has on several occasions acted out the entire story (right down to being a "kooky inspektor" and making his own cookies out of paper), and my 5-year-old quotes the whole thing. This is definitely one of those books that I've recommended to all of my friends for their children.

8 Children Under 5 all give this book two hands up! We love the sweet illustrations and the antics of this cookie lover. Learning to say please isn't as easy for some animals as it is for us kids.

I love this book because the mom is smart. She knows that if she explains everything to her little alligator, he won't really learn. So she allows him to go through a tough time while he figures out for himself the right thing to do. In the end she helps him prove to himself that he is as smart as she knows he is.

My almost 4 year old son loves this book! We read it every day; sometimes 2, 3, or 4 times. At first he didn't understand the "lesson". But, after a few times reading it, he did grasp the concept of saying "please". He has told me, several times, that this is his favorite book.

A brief summary of the book: Alfie loves cookies and wants one of the cookies Mommy just baked. Using several "creative" methods, Alfie tries unsuccessfully to get a the cookies. Then, with Mommy's help, he learns the best (easiest?) way of all to get to the cookies is to say "Please").

Cute, colorful pictures, simple wording, easy concept to understand (even for a 3 and a half year old.

I found this to be a very fast read and entertaining for my daughter. I was surprised at how much she liked this story. I wasn't expecting her to learn manners from this book though. While the story is really basic, all I have to say is "How would Alfie ask for that?" if she's being a little too demanding. She immediately says "May I please have a ______?" She often had me read it to her 5-6 times per night. This is one of the first books she learned to read on her own.

This book became a bedtime ritual for my kids. We would kiss at the Kiss me. Kiss me good. Kiss me good night. Good for either gender. My kids learned to read with this book and now my grandkids are too!

I bought this book for my three year old daughter. She loves us to read books to her and I wanted to get a book that I thought it would keep her attention. We have read it so much that she can complete the sentence on the page. The author did a great job making illustrations that goes along with the story so that a younger child can figure out what is going on.

This is a very cute book for small children and those beginning to read. Makes a wonderful bedtime story when it is late and there is no time for a longer one. My daughter loves it.

This book is great. It's easy to read, and very cute. I think it's a great beginners book.

This was the book I learned to read with. It is still my favorite, even though I am now 18. I buy it for ALL baby gifts. No words can describe how fun this book is. MUST BUY!!! :)

I had this book for my three boys when they were little and recently purchased this for my grandchildren. My sons loved it when they were learning to read, remembered it and wanted it for their children. I only had the one book from their childhood so went on line to purchase two more. Since mailing them off to my grandchildren, they too enjoy it as much as their dad's did and it is a book requested over and over. It is a step for early readers between very simple reading to a little longer subject matter and holds their interest through the ongoing activity in the book. Great little book!

I'm so surprised this is out of print - it's a great book for rhyming and reading ! Bookstores say the get many requests for it - wonder how we can get another edition run.
It's delightful.

This book is the one I remember most from childhood -- the images,the fun! You're child will love this book for YEARS. Am ordering two - for my 25 month old niece, and for my baby-to-be.

Every year my first grade students tell me this is a great story. The book rhymes and the children love the rhyme. The children love the illustrations and the action that happens to the main characters ball.

Stop that ball is an hilarious story about a boy that is playing tether ball when all of the sudden, he knocks the ball off and follows it on an adventure all over town. The red ball gets into all kinds of silly trouble with the boy always one step behind. The ending with the little neighbor girl is classic. I have read this book to kids of all ages and we always have a great time. A fantastic story start to finish!!!

This book show individuals that we are all rich, even in the most ordinary ways.

This book brings tears to my eyes. It reminds me of the benefits of living surrounded by nature and does it in a fun way (through a child's eyes while she's learning the monetary "value" of her life from her parents). I gave this as a gift to several close friends because the message is truly beautiful.

The young girl in this story doesn't notice that her family is rich. I think her family is rich because they get to sit under the stars so shiney at night and there is always a shining start of the day in the morning and they get to watch nature grow and on having a family right there for her. And that's how I think she is rich.
Malia... age9

I love this book. It was an amazing story. I liked how they called the girl Mountain Girl. But the one thing that I didn't understand is how the parents thought they were rich. But then at the end of the story I understood. It was nature that made them rich. It was priceless...and that made them all special people sitting at their table.
Samantha Morgans..age 10...Parker colo.

The Table Where Rich People Sit touched my heart. It made me realize that I have more riches than I knew. Simple riches like the colors of Autumn. Mountain Girl didn't understand about her riches either. But by the end of the story she knew that nature and family were the best kind of riches. Read this book so you can realize what your riches are, too.
Brielle age 9 parker, colo.

Ms. Rich must be something of an angel herself to have given us this glorious tale with such heavenly water-colors. Charm and wisdom to spare abound here for anyone willing to travel along with Vanessa and her friends. I wish I were Max.

This is the most amazing childrens' book I have seen. Even adults can enjoy reading this book to their kids. The pictures are incredable, the story is enchanting. I would recommend this book to any one interested in capturing the beauty of life, and embarking on a journey through the wonderful mind of a child.

Engagingly written Beatrice Rich, Vanessa And The Angel is a charming, easy-reader picturebook about a young girl who meets her gentle guardian angel. The angel teaches Vanessa how to make a wondrous garden out of thoughts alone. Colorful, slightly abstract illustrations add vibrance to this joyful book which is ideal for beginning readers still learning how to sound out their first words.

I loved the book because you meet two animals in the book and they were so cute.
I really liked how you see the angels hiding in the book. I thought the flowers were beautiful. The pictures are so pretty.
I wish I was the dog because he has a fun life and a cute tail.

Buy the book. It's good. ...

As mother of a son and daughter, ten and six, I have to say that both were enthralled by this beautiful story, so rich in depth. The art work complements the dreamy tale of Vanessa as she embarks from her earthly bed on a magical journey to mysterious lands with her guardian angel.
Vanessa uses the powers of her own mind to explore in greater depths the enchanting places her angel has whisked her to and is encouraged to use her powers positively to enhance what she has been exposed to by her angel.
What could be more alluring for children and adults alike than the mystical gardens lush with flowers, music and carousels.
Vanessa is transported to these wonderlands in boats with toys floating by accompanied by her humanlike pets. The wonder of this book is that all ages feel at one with the world and that we are not alone yet have some control over our destiny.

What a great book. Helps the kids learn good behavior. They read it over and over. They lve all the funny bunny books.

I liked this book. P.J. Funnybunny's mother, father and his many sisters and brothers all call him a bad bunny. So P.J. thinks he knows what a bad bunny is. But P.J. and his family- have to spend a day with little cousin Binky before they understand how a bad bunny can be! Beginning readers will root for P.J. as they follow the bright, lively illustrations and funny story to its delightful ending. The simplicity of the text, the illistrations, and the concepts makes this a perfect book for all readers. Children will want to read it a again and again!

I really liked this book, but I think my son learned how to misbehave by reading this book. He drew on the walls of his bedroom when he was 2 1/2 years old and said "the Bad Bunny did it Mama." Oh well... I still love this book!

This was a favorite bedtime story for my son and me. It really helped us to keep a good attitude about what might have gone wrong that day. It helped me to keep my sanity and laugh about the little mistakes my own "very bad bunny" might have made. I have been searching high and low for additional copies to share with other mothers of young boys. Thanks, Marilyn and Roger, for sharing!

I liked this book. I think it was entertaing and cute. P.J. Funnnybunny's mother, father, and his many brothers and sister all call him a bad bunny. So P.J. thinks he knows what a bad bunny is. But P.J. and his family have to spend a day with little cousin Binky before they understand how a bad bunny can be! Kids will root for P.J. as they follow the bright and funny story to it's ending. I think this is a perfect book for all readers. Kids will want to read it again and again.

This is one of the first books my daughter "read" (okay, memorized and recited) by herself. She is now two years old and has been "reading" this one for several months now on her own to her dolls. She also likes feeling the shapes a lot.

This book is unique, has great colors and pictures, and is a fast, fun read for any little one. It's one of our favorites and is a must-have in your child's library.

What a wonderful book! So simple, yet so fun. My squirmy two year old instantly loved it and insisted we read it time and again. I can tell it will be one of those books he spends time "reading" alone in his bed. Hope for more from Amy Allen!

I have an 8 month old son who can't get enough of this book. He loves it! I think he also likes the way it tastes. :-) We are probably going to have to buy another one because he keeps eating the corners.

We have to read it at least 3 times in a row every time he sees it.

Could you write some more books like this one please??!!!

When I first read "What is it" my children instantly took to it. They are 5, 3 and 2 and it is a favorite of all of them. So much so that I had to purchase one for each as they would fight over it! We have read it so many times that they now "read " it to me, which isn't a difficult task as it is very age appropriate. It gives them a huge self-esteem boost to think they are really reading it "like mommy and daddy". We love the simplicity and surprise of each page. I am going to add it to my gift giving list for all my friends with little ones!

this was a favorite of mine as a kid; fun and easy to read for kids.

My first grader loves reading this book! Easy words and repetitive phrases make learning to read more fun and quickly builds self esteem!
--Vicki Landes, author of "Europe For The Senses - A Photographic Journal"

This children's book is wickedly funny, and a pleasure to read aloud. The intracacies of "I never said you said I was..." make the book as interesting for adults as it is for children. I read this one aloud to all my friends, because it is simply too good a book to keep on a shelf collecting dust!

I actually still have my 1962 Hardcover edition and wouldn't part with it for the world! My children even love it. It is 64 pages, but is very easy to read. (My 5 year old can read it too!)

I loved this book as a kid and was thrilled that my six-year-old niece enjoyed it enough for repetitive reading (I still don't mind reading it over and over). The main character is endearing and the text is funny and fast-paced. I keep it on my bookshelf with my childhood classics and keepsakes.

Mem Fox has done it again! Fox uses the special animals of Australia to illustrate that eachof us has a special place in life that we're each suited for. Love the illustration and the possitive way the animals handled finding that special place for Wombat. It was a favorite of ours this last Christmas, but we also keep it out year round and visitors to our home love reading it.

This Australian story about a young wombat wanting the lead in the school Christmas play, tugs at the heart strings of those who don't always get what they want. In the end the young wombat learns that all the parts in the Christmas play are important and together the actors create a wonderful experience for all in their animal rendition of the Christmas Story. Beautiful illustrations.

Although not the best of Mem Fox's work Wombat Divine is a very good story about an enthusiastic main character who doesn't quite have the ability to be initially succeed where he wants but has his dream come through in the end. A wombat has always dreamed of being in a nativity play but each character he tries out for, he finds out he is unsuited for.

The great story though is let down by very average illustrations by Kerry Argent, which is a shame as those who have read the wombat tale Sebastian Lives in a Hat know she can do a very good job when she puts in the effort and can draw very realistic looking wombats. None of the Australian animals in Wombat Devine actually resemble the Australian wildlife they are supposed to be. Wombat looks like a bear, the emu for some reason has wings that can come out of the front of its body like arms which emus in real life no doubt wish for but don't have, the echidna is just the platypus with a lot of yellow triangles coming out of its body, the bilby looks like a rabbit (no wonder Mem Fox dumped this illustrator and went with Pamela Lofts for the sensational Hunwick's Egg where the bilby actually looks like a bilby.

See my review for Time for Bed. This is another book from Mem Fox and an animal from Australia.

Wombat Divine is an Australian Classic and in my opinion one of Mem Fox's best. My family now own hundreds of childrens' picture books, but this was the first one I ever bought my son. It still remains a firm favourite with us. The illustrations are delightful, as is the story. It's a must have for the Christmas book collection - something a little different and makes a great gift. You can't help but fall in love with Wombat.

A must-have for a baby's library, this book is one of the best on our bookshelf! Like another reviewer, I too have it memorized! I bought this book for my daughter when she was 2 months old (it was one that she'd actually sit through when she became mobile!). We have read it on a regular basis since and love it! She is now 2 yrs old and still loves it as much now as she did then. The text is a fun rhyme, allowing interaction w/ counting and hand motions without being "teachy". It's just plain fun~ I wonder who likes this book better, my daughter or I!

My 12-month-old daughter is obsessed with this book. We have to hide it between reading times because otherwise she constantly brings it to us to read it to her. The words have a catchy rhythm that gets both my younger and my 3-year-old daughters dancing when I read it to them. They just can't sit still! The illustrations are bright and appealing, and even though I've read it a million times so far (I think I know it by heart at this point), it's always fun to read it again.

and so do my toddlers. It has a snappy text, bright colors, and best of all, I don't have to "MOO"! Even if you don't think you're a good story reader, this one reads itself: "Crinkle it, wrinkle it, wear it for a crown. Listen to the paper snap, flap it up and down!" (Sorry, I have it memorized...)

Every adult who I have shown this book to, has laughed out loud. Every parent or grandparent who has watched a toddler "fling" the gift on the floor to obtain the light, colorful, deliciously crinkly tissue paper, will enjoy this romp.

My 2-year-old loves the illustrations and rhymes. Great toddler book! Highly recommended.