Beginners Books

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Beginners Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Fly Away Ladybug: Baby Soft Book

Published in Paperback by Metro Books (2002-11)

Author: Suzy McPartland

List price: $9.99

Used price: $8.95

Average review score:

Best Gift Ever

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-22

I got this book from a friend and my little girl loves it. She was able to play with it as young as 2 months and now that she's 5 months old, she still loves it. The crinkling noise of the pages is what delights her the most. Does anyone out there know of any other books that make the crinkling sound? I would love to buy more.

Great first toy/book

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-13

we had loads of toys and this was the first toy my baby started holding and reaching for..Recommend. about where to purchase, try babycenter.com for ten dollars.

GREEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-03

Great toy, very cool book. Our 2.5 months old just loves to look at the Ladybug on the cover. She like to feal the book and to listen to the pages that make different sounds. Later we will be able to read it. There is no picture of the book on the site, but it's a very cool-looking book!!!

Great as a book and as a toy

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-05-04

My nine-month-old daughter adores this book. When she was a few months old, she liked to be read the story. Now that she's older and more active, it is an excellent toy. She likes to hug the book so it makes a crinkle sound. She enjoys playing with the dangling "feet" of the ladybug-shaped book. When she's older, I know she'll tote it around by the handle.

This is a fab book to buy for a baby of any age and would be an excellent gift. Whether baby reads the book or just chews on it, it's a great way to cultivate interest in books.

A Must-Have

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-22

My son loves this book. We started reading it to him when he was first born and it was the only book that he would watch while we read. Now, at nine months, it is still a favorite. He loves to crunch the crinkle pages, he loves to hold it up an watch the feet dangle, and he loves to chew on the ladybug's antenna.

Fun with Dick and Jane

Published in Paperback by Grosset & Dunlap (2004-01-19)

Author:

List price: $3.99

New price: $0.95
Used price: $0.36
Collectible price: $10.00

Average review score:

fun with Dick and Jane

Helpful Votes: 10 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2005-09-22

This is a fine story, but if you're ordering such a book, I would recommend a bigger, thicker book of Dick and Jane, and you will see that this story will be in there too, along with many other stories. This book is only 32 pages long and a child can read that in fifteen minutes (some pages only have a couple of words on them), so to me it's not worth the money. If you want nightly reading, buy a book of Dick and Jane that is at least 100, or more pages long. You will get the same results, but more stories. Not to mention, it's only about six bucks more, and hardcover. Most of Dick and Jane's hardcover books are at least 144 pages long. My kids love this story, but you will find the same stories in the hardcover version, with a lot more stories to excite your child. These are great beginner readers, and you'll find that your child won't want to stop reading once they read the first couple of pages because reading makes them feel independent, and grown-up. How disappointing it will be to put the book down and not have more stories to read.

Learning by Repetition

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-19

Repetition is a basic learning strategy for younger children. "Oh look. Look. Look." Phrases like this are often used in this book. Older children and adults find this style funny but this repetition is very helpful for beginning readers and struggling readers.

It is a joy to see children gain confidence practicing their words with stories that offer clean, innocent fun. We need more of these kinds of stories for children.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-27

These books, first published in the 1930's, are nostolgic, charming and sweetly illustrated. They're a great little piece of history both parents and children can enjoy.

However, it should be noted that the current publisher, Grosset & Dunlap, has publicly stated that these titles are offered for their entertainment value only and shouldn't be used as teaching tools.

The language used in the D & J series, with its oft-repeated, simple words, was part of the "whole-word" approach to teaching reading, which was pilloried in "Why Johnny Can't Read." And indeed, decades of research have shown that phonics is the approach that works. It is with good reason that California abandoned "whole-word" teaching methods early on and current federal standards specifically require a phonic-based curriculum.

So buy, read and enjoy, but when your child needs a leg-up with his/her reading, turn to phonics instead.

Great for building confidence in beginning reader!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2006-05-01

I bought this book for my daughter who was getting comfortable with reading beginner phonics books and was ready for that next step.
WOW! She really loves reading this book, over and over again.
Some beginner books really aren't beginner books because they don't
offer the kind of repetition of words that help a child build confidence in their ability to read by themselves. Not so with this book....I'm going to order more Dick and Jane books!

Imagination Required

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-09

These books are so plain and simple, many parents will write them off, thinking there will not be enough pizazz to entertain their children. But what so many parents forget, is although it may not entertain adults, children do not need much.

The simple phrases and illustrations leave so much to the imagination. Children without imaginations will not appreciate these. What child does not have an imagination? Exactly my point. They all do, and a simple book like this allows them to utilize it. DOn't deprive your child of the simple pleasures that we grew up with. Simple pleasures are more difficult to obtain these days, with so many affordable toys and games, and easy access to them all. This book is actually a gift that your child will treasure.

Grasshopper Pie

Published in Hardcover by Windriver Pub Inc (2003-11-01)

Authors: Rebecca Talley and Angela Talley

List price: $5.49

New price: $5.49
Used price: $4.95

Average review score:

Fantastic

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-15

This is a wonderful, fun loving story. The author is down to earth and knows well how to keep it simple so that little minds can understand what's happening and get a real kick out of the story. My five-year-old daughter asks for it again and again. She especially enjoys the part about the mother screaming as a real grasshopper is placed in her mouth. She can't stop laughing. I'd recommend this book to anyone with young children!

Delightful Children's Story

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-20

This is a terrific book for young readers. The story is straight out of real life-- something most of them could identify with. The illustrations do an excellent job of portraying the action visually. Plus, there's nothing scary or moralizing-- it's just good clean fun. I highly recommend the book.

With simple yet charming color drawings

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-14

Grasshopper Pie is a humorous picture book by Rebecca and Angela Talley about imagination and the dangers of taking ideas too literally. A mother dreams up and talks about unique dishes such as "grasshopper pie" to her children, yet her young boy and girl decide to surprise her with a "pie" that has not-so-imaginary ingredients! A funny story, nicely illustrated with simple yet charming color drawings, Grasshopper Pie is a welcome addition to school and community library and especially recommended for young readers ages 4 to 6.

Delightful!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-12-10

This story sets my 6 year old into fits of giggles every time we read it together. Fun story, cute illustrations!

A wonderful story!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2003-11-26

Our whole family just loves this cute story! Our children really enjoy this book very much! They want to read it again and again. The illustrations are extremely well done! We are very impressed with Angela's talent. Having young children we can truly appreciate this true to life story. It is well written and fun to read!

A Guide to Dog Sports: From Beginners to Winners

Published in Paperback by Doral Publishing (2002-05)

Author: Claire Koshar

List price: $16.95

New price: $2.48
Used price: $2.38

Average review score:

Insightful Reading

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-10-06

Perceptively opens the mind to understanding the interaction and reaction generated between you and your dog in and during the training process. Koshar aptly and with some humor prepares you for the inherent vagaries that exist within you, your dog and the profession. There is also a close parallel message of humanism and the potential for personal growth. A must read for anyone who loves dogs.

Should be required reading

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2003-03-03

For anyone who is interested in dog events, Claire Koshar's A Guide To Dog Sports: From Beginners to Winners provides the common sense insider information that can make or break participation in an organized dog activity.

A Guide to Dog Sports is not a training manual. It is a delightfully well-written and humorous collection of suggestions that range from tips for beginning training to choosing a traveling partner you won't want to dump along the roadside. Koshar provides the reader with information that isn't written down anywhere else. How to fill out a premium list and knowing what to pack in the SUV that is headed for a dog event may seem simple, but getting it wrong could result in a bad experience and a dog owner who swears off organized dog events.

Koshar is an experienced trainer and competitor in many areas, As a well-respected obedience instructor, she is more than familiar with the kinds of questions most frequently asked by both dog owners and newcomers to dog sports. Knowing about armbands, how to dress and manners at an event can prevent embarrassment for the novice competitor. Koshar's many years of first hand experience are evident as she describes how to raise, condition and care for performance dogs.

A Guide to Dog Sports is a lot of information in a small package. Readers can learn about Junior Showmanship, Canine Good Citizen training, obedience, tracking, flyball, agility, and field work as they learn practical skills such as how to avoid looking like rookie of the year.

Important life lessons are presented throughout the book. How to win and lose graciously are lessons that we all can use a refresher on from time to time. Chapter 10 addresses the psychology of the owner by helping owners recognize when they are blaming their dogs or making excuses for training problems.

The emphasis of A Guide to Dog Sports is the behavior of the person at the other end of the dog's leash. This is one book that should be required reading for every beginning dog training student.

Wonderful stories

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-16

I have been a columnist for "Front and Finish: The Dog Trainer's News" for many years, and I occasionally review books related to tracking, a major area of interest in the dog sports. While this book is not focused on the tracking community, all of the advice and wonderful stories certainly apply. I especially hope my readers will pay particular attention to Chapter 6 Getting Your Act Together, Chapter 7 Taking It on the Road, and Chapter 10 Looking Calm or Something Close to It.

People who know Claire Koshar will hear her voice telling these stories as they read. Those who haven't met her will wish they could know her. She is a first class Dogbuddy.

A must-have

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-16

DOG SPORTS, FROM BEGINNERS TO WINNERS, is a one of a kind, must have book. In it, the author offers countless tips and techniques that can be used to overcome "comepetition nerves." Funny, entertaining, educational and unique, this book is sure to be a WINNER!

It might move you to tears

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-16

Tough old Army Colonels shouldn't cry, but I did when I read the story of "Hulk" (Pgs 81-82). For the love of the dog and for the dog's love is what this book is all about. Clearly, this life long affection for dogs permeates Claire's delightful, witty book about her dog sports adventures and those of her Dogbuddies. Practical lessons learned from years of experience are woven into an instructive book that is fun to read and puts it all in perspective. I don't know of another book like it. I highly recommend it for beginner and "pro" alike.

Carl Nock, Past President Central Florida Hunting Retriever Club, UKC and AKC Hunt Test Judge

The Gum on the Drum (Start to Read! Library Edition Series)

Published in Paperback by School Zone Publishing Company (1984-02-01)

Author: Barbara Gregorich

List price:

New price: $1.47
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

Fun to read. Hilarious

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-24

This book is funny! Few words per page. Kids will reread it again and again (they can retell this after you've read it to them once). They may read it to everyone they know. Suitable for English Language Learners of all ages. See if you can get this little gem in a hard cover. The pages fell out of my soft cover copy. The pages themselves are durable, it was just the binding.

Fantastic early reader book

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-03

I bought this for my son when he was 18 months along with a lot of other popular first readers. This book and most of the books in the same line are very entertaining compared to the other first readers. The illustrations are detailed enough to discuss and the stories are really funny. It is so much fun to read these books to my son because he can join in with the words and discuss the pictures. He also reads them to his teddy bears. 9 months later I find myself buying second copies of books in the series because they are so worn from me reading them several times a day. :-)

A Very, Very Easy Reader

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-11

This is one of the first books my daughter could read by herself (not counting theBob Books Set 1-Beginning Readers, of course). She is reading harder books now but still goes back to it for a confidence boost (and for a good laugh). The book has very few words, so most 4 or 5 year olds will partially memorize it after the first few readings.

This book will probably not interest kids over age 5 because it is more of a picture book. Also, if you have a very tiny child, you might want to "save" this book so that it is new when they are first learning to read!

The pictures are fascinating and funny. The details continue to start discussions (even after the 30th or so reading). Also, the book is short so early readers can finish the book without getting restless.

Have fun! P. Gould, co-author of Feeding the Kids: The Flexible, No-Battles, Healthy Eating System for the Whole Family

The Gum on the Drum is un-bear-ably funny!

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2001-12-10

It's about a Bear's sticky situation as a result of trying to chew gum and bang a drum at the same time.

Not only is it a funny story, but the artwork is great, too. The all-animal band & their friends have a down-homey, folksie kind of feel to them-I was sort of reminded of an informal music jam among friends. For example, the Bear and his buddies are wearing rolled-up-sleeve flannel shirts, over-alls, and work boots, like Jerry & the band sittin' around and pickin' at home...

The other animals are a hoot, too, especially the little scurrying critters in the background. Your child will have a fun time picking out the little guys as they react to the main events up on stage. This is one of my faves!

18 Years Ago, this was my Daughter's favorite!

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-20

It's been 18 years since I read this book to my daughter. Of all the books I used to read her, this one is the one I remember best. The story is funny, and the pictures are interesting for a small child at bedtime. I've often wondered if it were still in publication, and I'm glad to see it is. Try it out on your child, and perhaps it'll create a similar memory for you!

Hare and Rabbit Friends Forever (Hello Reader Level 3)

Published in Library Binding by Fitzgerald Books (2007-01)

Author: Julia Noonan

List price: $15.00

New price: $15.00

Average review score:

Hare and Rabbit, Friends Forever

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-06-10

Beginning with suggestions for ways you and your little reader can get the most out of the book, Friends Forever is a collection of three very short stories about two friends. In Cleaning House, Hare and Rabbit clean their house, only to discover that they now miss the things they threw away. A toy from a cereal box, in Mind-Reader Ring, causes a little friction as Hare becomes uncomfortable with the idea of Rabbit being able to read his mind. And in Boo-Boo Bunny, Hare gets jealous when Boo-Boo, an old friend of Rabbit's comes to town and invites them to see her perform in the circus.

The stories are just the right length for first and second graders. The illustrations are cute. Definitely not for kids much older, though, as the stories are a little boring for them.

A must read for all friends!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-03-06

Hare and Rabbit:Friends Forever is my second grade daughter's favorite new book. She reads it over and over and can't wait to read more of Hare and Rabbit's adventures. Thank you Julia Noonan for creating such wonderful characters who bring our children into an imaginary world and teach them values in a fun and endearing way.

Long Live Hare and Rabbit!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-03-24

Julia Noonan's expressive book perfectly captures the essence of being best friends--with all its ups and downs. The warm, exuberant artwork has a classic feel, and the stories are sensitive and upbeat. Children I have read this with can't wait for more adventures with Hare and Rabbit.

Great Book!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-29

These characters are SO marvelous! Ms. Noonan has got friendship (and the acompanying tribulations) down pat. Her illustrations are totally charming. A must read for all kids.

Cheers for Hare and Rabbit!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-02-09

Hare and Rabbit, friends forever, are totally involved with each other as best friends are. They make their way through three humorous but tender stories, accompanied by delicious watercolor illustrations filled with details kids will love. Cheers for Hare and Rabbit, and for Julia Noonan!

HarperCollins Beginner's Italian Dictionary

Published in Paperback by Collins (2002-10-01)

Author: Harpercollins Publishers

List price: $9.95

New price: $1.93
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

The Best Italian Dictionary!!!!!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-07-13

This dictionary is GREAT!!!! It has all kinds of examples as to how you use the words, which helps a lot if you are learning the language. I highly recommend this! I wish the new one had come out sooner... I would have bought that! But this is still a good dictionary! It even has crossword puzzles in it!

Good Beginner's Dictionary

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-26

I do like this dictionary, as a Beginner's dictionary. I really like the easy to read print and blue-colored heading of each word. Some words have contextual to help you use them in the correct sense. (The larger English-Italian "Concise Oxford-Paravia Italian Dictionary" has even more words and contextual sentences.)

Something I really like about the Harper-Collins dictionary is the blue coded section of pages in the middle. This section has lots of quick information including numbers, phrases, telling time, a huge verb section with verb tables, and a great little section called False Friends. False Friends shows you many words that sound like English words but mean something completely different in context. It gives sentences to help you understand the correct meaning of the "False Friend" word, and then gives a sentence with the correct Italian word that you might think the False Friend word meant. For example (from the book):

"Un bambino fastidioso." --> actually means "An annoying child."
"Very fastidious." would actually be --> "Molto pignola."

"Questo rumore" --> actually means "That noise"
"There's a rumour that..." would actually be --> "Corre voce che..."

False Friends reminds you that you can't always "fake" your way through a conversation. The language barrier could lead to confusion or embarrassment!

I would definitely get this dictionary for most of your quick English-Italian needs, especially your portable ones. But I recommend also getting a more comprehensive dictionary like the English-Italian "Concise Oxford-Paravia Italian Dictionary" to go along with it.

Awesome

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-08-26

It is the best dictionary for beginners out there. I bought one from L series (yellow cover) and returned it, because I found this in B&N. Really clear to understand, and in the middle you have th list of all the verbs, and some general info.
Recommended. If I could I'd give it 10 stars.

Neat little dictionary!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-19

One of the BETTER dictionaries, at a good price....Like the little extras included !

Great examples

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2005-02-12

Sometimes it's hard to know how to use the new words and phrases. This dictionary has lots of examples to show you how to use them in everyday language, and that's what important for beginners, right? Comparing to those dictionaries that only give you the meaning of words but not how to use them, this dictionary is a lot more useful.

Hot Dog (Step Into Reading - Level 1 - Paperback)

Published in School & Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (1998-07-30)

Author: Molly Coxe

List price: $12.35

New price: $10.50

Average review score:

Favorite book of Step into series

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-27

I love this book, and I love reading it to my 2 year old niece. For a step-into books it's cute, and humourous! My niece loves the book so much she is into her second copy. Hot Dog is about a dog that is so hot, and can't seem to find a cool place. He meets different people and animals and wants them to share their fan, or their ice cream, or their shady log- but all he hears is NO WAY DOG! Better than other step-into books - it's cute, rhymes, and has a good sharing moral at the end. It's creative, and is just plain fun to read out loud!!

Kids will like this one

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2007-12-01

I am a first grade teacher, looking for books for my small reading groups. I decided not to order this one* but will keep the one copy in my library. Most my students should be able to read it independently & I think they'll find it funny. (I wasn't wild about a phrase written as a sentence in the book: In the pool.)

* I liked these better for groups:

Big Egg/ Step into Rdg.
Jack and Jill and Big Dog Bill/ Step into Rdg.
Big Brown Bear/ Green Light Readers

Love This Book

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-20

The illustrations in this book are hilarious, The text is perfect for children that are just starting to read.Simple one syllable words with two to three words per page. But the best part of this book is the illustrations, I just love them. The dog spends the entire book hot and trying to cool off. Every attempt he makes fails until the very end. You find your yourself rooting for the dog. This is one of my son't favorite books, he wants to read it every night.

Fun Story

Helpful Votes: 7 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-22

I am a Pre-Kindergarten teacher and I introduced this story to my class on the first day of school after we get in from the playground. They love it and relate to the hot little dog in the story.

This book is ideal for a child and an adult to sit and read together. It has predictable and easy words and the kids have fun watching the dog do anything to cool off on a hot day.

When I read it to the class, they enjoy it so much they take it from storytime and read it themselves. This is the kind of book that inspires young people to have a love for reading. They realize that reading is fun and can be easy too. This book was favorite from the first day.

"Hot Dog" Rates #1 in my Classroom!

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2001-09-02

I have begun to use these Road to Reading books in my resource classroom and the students love them. They especially loved Hot Dog. Many of the words are on the state mandated word lists for K-2. The pictures are terrific and the story is interesting and funny to the kids. I thought it was great too-in fact we all fell in love with the little "Hot Dog".

How & Why Stories (World Storytelling from August House)

Published in Hardcover by August House (1999-12-25)

Author: Martha Hamilton

List price: $24.95

New price: $14.88
Used price: $2.79

Average review score:

Fantastic

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2000-10-21

I have great respect for the work of Hamilton and Weiss in helping children tell stories. Their first book, `Children Tell Stories: A Teaching Guide' is a classic that should be in every school and public library. I have also found `Stories in My Pocket: Tales Kids Can Tell' to be very helpful. I was very excited to see that they had a new book, and used it in my third grade classroom last year. The children loved the stories. All are simply retold in a lively manner and are shortenough to make them accessible to young tellers. The size of type, amount of white space, and use of illustrations by Carol Lyon all add up to a very appealing volume. How & Why Stories is an excellent book for youngsters to use on their own and for teachers and group leaders to use with children."

Master Stories from Master Storytellers

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2000-10-01

This is yet another excellent book authored by two world-class storytellers. I speak from experience as Beauty and the Beast taught my daughter's class how to tell stories a number of years ago. The same care, expertise and insight into children which they employed as teachers can be seen in compiling the stories in this book.

These are wonderful stories which seem as if they would be great fun to tell. The range of stories is fantastic as is the very diverse, multi-cultural background of the chosen tales. I enjoyed reading the stories for their own sake but can see how readers would love to use them as stories to tell to others. What a wonderful collection!

This book is a great read for young storytellers and their parents-even if you never tell a single story it is a great read for the stories themselves.

How and Why to Buy

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-24

This Hamilton and Weiss book was given to us as a gift. It was our first experience with their books. We are very grateful to have this book in our collection and what a great place to start!

The length of each story and child friendly layout of the book really encouraged my kids to, not only read, but to tell these stories. The "How and Why World Tales..." are right in line with questions kids are always asking. They love to ask and they love to search for answers. These multi-cultural tales stimulate the thinking power of children and encourage their imaginations.

The illustrations and stories are in perfect harmony. After a wonderful collection of tales, Hamilton and Weiss offer a master's class at the end of the book. They suggest many ways to read, practice, and tell these stories. Their energetic support to tell leaps off of the page as if they are right there to coach. They offer more story prompt ideas which expand the book even further. They are masters.

this book is for everyone

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-04

I'm not a kid and I'm not a storyteller, but once I picked up this book in my local library, I couldn't put it down. Maybe it's nostalgia; I can still recall how fascinated I was as a child reading about how the bear got its short tail, and that story is in Hamilton and Weiss's book! Lots of other stories are included as well--why spiders weave beautiful and intricate webs, how the owl got his feathers, and why ants are found everywhwere. These stories are great for storytellers, but they are great, too, for just reading, whether aloud to your child or to yourself, no matter what age you are. I must say even non-storytellers will be tempted to open their mouths in front of an audience with the supportive and helpful encouragement offered by these seasoned storytellers. They make it sound so easy! Each story is followed by background information and tips for telling, and at the back of the book, Hamilton and Weiss offer the most concise, well-presented code for choosing, learning, and telling stories. Buy this book for your children, grandchildren, your local library, or...for yourself!

A wonderful book

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-07-25

This is a wonderful book for storytellers of all ages, but especially the young and curious. The tales themselves are well chosen: culturally diverse, intelligent, and thought provoking. There are plentiful notes on sources and suggestions for improving technique. In fact, the appendeces are worth the cost of the book! There are activities, and an excellent bibliography of further sources for more stories, and questioning activities. a perfect aid both inside and outside of the classroom.

I Like Mess (Real Kids Readers, Level 1)

Published in Paperback by Millbrook Press (1998-04-01)

Author: Marcia Leonard

List price: $4.99

New price: $1.94
Used price: $0.01

Average review score:

Mom's review

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-11

My 3 year old daughter loves this book and all the other level one books in the Real Kids Readers. I believe we have all the level one readers, and many of the level two and three readers. My 4 year old daughter loves them two. They are enjoyable to read. I usually do not like the real photo formate but I love it in these books. Works great! Short, fun, rhyming sentences.

THE KIDS LIKE THIS ONE.

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-14

Very nice bit of photography here. I usually don't care for this particular format, but in this case it works. It does seem to hold the interest of the kids, even the boys and is simply cute. Very nice first reader.

An Okay Beginning Reader - a review of "I Like Mess"

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-02-19

My 5.5 year old daughter and I have read a flock of these "Real Kids Readers" lately (with little brother looking on) and I have to say that this was not one of our favorites. Nothing intrinsically wrong with it, but the story of a girl and her mess was just not for us.

Level-wise it is a book with very simple sentences and vocabulary, suitable for some of the very earliest beginning readers. See below for a sample from the book so you can judge for yourself.

I am Tess.
I like mess.
I like mess a lot.
Oh, Yes!
This is Jill.
She is a pill.
She says my mess
Makes her feel ill.

Four Stars. [B-]. Pictures are typical of the "Real Kids Readers" series. There is rhyme but very little plot in this book. With simple words and simple sentence construction it would be a good choice for an early reader with little experience. (If the subject matter would be of interest, of course.)

Pre-readers love it too!

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Review Date: 2002-02-06

My three year old twins love this book. They pour over the photographs. They puzzle over the vocabulary (the older sister, Jill is a 'pill' It was a challenge to figure out how to explain that to three year olds! I settled on 'an annoying person')

Anyway - the girls mostly know their letters and some of the sounds. I noticed one of my daughter's noticing that 'mad' and 'Dad' differed only by one letter. A very interesting moment, to be sure.

What fun!

A little gem

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Review Date: 2001-08-16

We bought this book along with several other first readers recommended by a library. This is my favourite. My son likes reading it, and I still enjoy reading it with him. It makes us both laugh - sometimes a few simple words can really capture a great little story.