Children's Series Books Books

I'm A Girl, written by Lila Jukes, effectively delivers an important powerful message to young girls to be "courageous, smart and valuable." This, in the eyes of the author, is the inner beauty of the reader. It's a good message to young girls that is not often exposed to younger children. The book is easy to read, with a large font and the location of the words is consistent from page to page. Even though the style of writing is repetitive, it reinforces the importance of the message. One thing that seems off kilter is that the illustrations don't really fit with what the text is implying. The illustrations aren't sharp vivid images and the colors are plain yet the words are intense and confident. The girls depicted in the illustrations are young and are of different race. This is a good tactic because it involves all girls, not just one kind. This itself helps children feel like they are included in society. The illustrations also depict girls active in different kinds of activities. These activities range from sports such as sottball to spending time with a family member. I'm A Girl is a book that should be read to all young girls.

The book "I'm a Girl" by Lila Jukes is a well written book designed for children of a young age. The book is very positive with flowing words easy to read for any youngster. It describes the attitude of what a growing young girl should have. The illustrations are very vivid and help attract the reader to what is on the page. I didn't enjoy the book because it's not designed for me but I would recommend it to anyone raising a young girl. This book gets right to the point by using powerful words in its text. This book is simple yet powerful and would be a great addition on any bookshelf of expecting parents.

Lila Jukes says it all, in a flowing, basic little book which is wholly positive and encouraging. It describes important attributes of healthy, emotionally functioning girls, provides beautiful, down-to-earth illustrations, which clearly illustrate the story being read,(perfect for 'picture-reading' age girls). I recommend it be read to girls from pregnancy onward! I'm a Girl! is enthusiastic, to the point, and uses specific words: 'independent', 'powerful', and 'valuable'--great for readers who wish to expose their girls to the capabilities of language, not protect them from them. It's the kind of simple, universally understandable book which makes perfect bed-time reading, and it will have an effect far beyond its size! Query as to how this book can possibly be out of print????

What a simple, yet powerful book. It takes the reader into a world where they can make anything happen. Any girl will feel good about themselves after hearing this story. Any woman will also feel good about being a girl! We are beautiful.

It is a thrill to see these wonderful comments. The "girls" portrayed in this book are all young friends of mine....beautiful, smart, great individuals quickly growing into young women. I'm glad to have been able to portray them in a book. I, too, think a reprint would be great. Frequently, I run into people who've looked--unsuccessfully--for copies to give to loved ones. Thanks for your support. And, if you liked this book, please take a look at The Piano!

My friend Ben, thank you so much for this wonderful tool to take on my journey. It has been a blessing to read with my six year old grandaughter, she is reading some and she noticed tonight that Melissa was not gray toward the end of the book, she understands what she was going thru. All three of the books have been a wonder addition to our
home.
I just purchased a set as a gift for someone who is going into private practice and I think this would be a wonder addition to his library.

This is the third book we've bought in the Express Yourself series and we continue to be blown away by how fantastic these books are in helping people work through all of the feelings that come upon us during times of loss and death. We have shared all of them with friends who have experienced the grieving process and I would agree with other reviews that they are helpful for children and adults alike. The artistry and imagery really bring the stories to life. What a well done series!!

School Administrators: As a retired school administrator I highly recommend this book as being an appropriate selection for your school's resource center. The manifestation of grief often comes unexpectedly. This would be a wonderful resource book to have on hand to share with a student who needs reassurance that the feelings they are experiencing are 'normal'. The book is also an appropriate selection for adults.

If you are wishing to express your appreciation to a teacher, administrator, or school, this would be an appropriate end-of-the-school-year gift.

My nine year old daughter has had to learn first hand how it feels to lose a sister. She has read "Incredibly Lonley, That's Me" and has shared the book with her friends, probably in hopes that they will understand how she feels about the loss of her loved one. We have had open and honest discussions about her feelings and how she understands some of the feelings that the girl in the story talks about. I would recommend this book to be read and shared with children who have experienced a significant loss.

A wonderful book that really helped me come to terms with a death in my family. Thank you Ben!

This book is so cool. Kinda nasty when Kazan kills a whole bunch of people but besides that it was cool. Fawna can make water from her hands...i wish i could do that...

Kazan, I first read it at my friends house, she had books 1-3 on her desk. They are seriously good, and keep you wondering about Kazan and what happened to his friend. Read it, you wont regret it.

Really, really, good. One of the best stories I have read, better then every movie i've seen, every book I've read. You'll love how questions develop in your head like "if kazan is 8, and that happened 10 years ago, what the?", you'll love it even more when your questions get answered. Buy this series now, who cares about the price, this series is priceless.

This series is incredable. The plot is amazing, when you think you have it figured out, it changes!!! You get into the story and can't put it down.
The art work is amazing as well. Very detailed.
The only bummer is it has been flopped,(since it is from Japan) so there are some translation errors in some spots. (I noticed this in volume 1)
If you like action and an awesome plot at the same time these books are for you.

Kazan is a truly beautiful manga. The art in this is some I've never seen, and I'm an avid manga reader. The plot and character devolpment are extreamly good. My friend bought this and me and my other bestfriend all fell in love with the series. It's something different the majority mangas (the shading is very dark is some places). The story is so good, and there isn't enough things I could say about it. I promise you, you'll like this manga if you take the time to read it! It leaves you asking questiongs specially as the story moves along and gets into the later volumes. I hope you really do enjoy "Kazan".

I checked this book out from the library, along with the Complete Idiot's Guide Puppies and The Everything Puppy Book. I found this book to be superior to the other two. Great pictures, lots of information. Makes training a puupy seem very easy. We are using it right now to train out 9 week old puppy, Molly.

I love this book. It is a very clear and concise overview of owning a new puppy. It covers a lot of information in a very easy format, even good for kids! Fun pictures and visually pleasing. Fun suggestions for activities with your dog too!

I bought this book after reading its other Amazon reviews. I really like the book, and have found it to be thorough, well-organized, and a simple 'how to', covering a wide variety of areas that are important to puppy growth and well-being. A great starter book! BUT I did not realize that this book would come directly from the UK, hence many of its internal references and language, etc., are British. It's not a big deal, but I would have preferred to buy the 'Americanized' version, and in fact I did see it later in our local stores (and cheaper too, by the way). If I want other books in this KISS series, I'll definitely check our local stores!

This is an EXCEPTIONAL resource that stacks up to a mountain of other books, videos, and friendly advice from just about everyone.

Before buying this book (on impulse during a pre-adoption "scouting mission" for equipment at a local pet store), I'd already acquired a half-dozen dog books, and as many videos (along with umpteen recordings of dog training shows on Animal Planet). I was not feeling the slightest need for another resource on how to raise our new dog. Until this very thorough work caught my eye.

This book is superbly clear, well organized, and visually entertaining. It trumps everything else in my substantial library of resources. (Okay, okay. Yes, I was afraid I'd screw up the little wonder's life -- and mine in the process.)

Ms. Palika addresses virtually every conceivable issue clearly and directly. Her well-crafted advice is presented in a very appealing, inviting format that has become the publisher's trademark.

The book's Table of Contents and index make quickly accessing vital information fast and easy in this well-structured handbook. Not only will you easily find what you're looking for, you'll get specific, understandable, definitive guidance when you land there.

Whether you are about to adopt a puppy, or already brought one into your life, you need competent guidance. If you could only buy one book on raising your puppy -- easily and happily -- into a successful lifetime companion, without question this is the ONE.

I can't say enough about this book, I have seen many dog books but this one is the best by far because it has everything you could need to know. I expecially lov eth what to do in an emergency section. It saved my dogs life! The training section is great because it has several ways to do things. This is the best book you can get, if you get no other book get this one, for your puppys sake.

Shakespeare this is not, but a book for girls between 9 to 12. My daughter Rena is 12 years old. My younger daughter Sarah is 10 years old. They both loved it. I heard the author talked about this book on the radio and wanted to get my girls something they can read with a positive message. The bible it is not (thank God), but it has strong themes on faith and prayer that are demonstrated in a way preteens can understand. The main character is Lucy, a girl who wants to fit into a new school. Like girls who are 12 years old, she's worried about her looks and making friends. My girls loved it because Lucy's real enough, but the situation she gets into are magical. That's why this is a good children's fiction book. I would give it a higher rating if there were more books in this series.

It's been almost an year since September 11. So many books have now been written about it. I bought this book since it was the first fiction book written and published about the September 11 tragedy. It captures everything in such detail, bringing me back to those horrible moments. Although I don't really like to dwell in the past, this is one event that I'd like to remember. From such a terrible tragedy came some of the most faith and pride-building works by ordinary people. Lucy and the Liberty Quilt, written and published just a month after September 11 by first-time fiction writer Victoria London, is one of those works.

Having been through a year of loss myself, I wanted to retreat back into the days when I was a young girl. So I read a lot of classic books reminding me of those days such as A Secret Garden, Little Women, and Nancy Drew. I picked up Lucy and the Liberty Quilt, as well, and read this book from cover to cover in one sitting.

The intertwining of fantasy, fiction, and faith in this book combined with elements of growing up in today's times is very good. I especially liked how September 11 became a natural part of this book. Published a month after September 11, the fictional retelling of the event made it so real, I was brought back to that day. I congratulate this new author for being the first children's fiction book author to realize how significant and historical it is to incorporate September 11 into a book for children. The inspirational message in this book helped me see how important it is to take positive action and move forward.

I know this book has slowly made its way to classrooms across the U.S. and some readers who have read the book have actually started making their own September 11 memorabilias. I share the sentiment with one of the reviewers here that this book will become a classroom and childhood classic.

It has been some time since 9/11. Now I hear the media is going to make movies and television shows base on 9/11. I've lost a friend at the World Trade Center, and it still hurts. Prayer has hurt me through, and reading some good books. Lucy and the Liberty Quilt is one book I read with my niece at the time. She seemed to be drawn into the story as much as I did. The discussion sheet found on the site was helpful, too, despite what opinion you have on 9/11. I highly recommend this book, not just for its sensitive portrayal of 9/11, but for its inspiring story. I'm not surprised The School Mental Health Alliance recommended this twice for school curriculum.

It's been a while since September 11, and many would like to put it behind. But we're constantly reminded of it when we go through security checks at the airport and watch the news. Lucy and the Liberty Quilt takes place at the time of September 11, detailing the event from a 12 year old's point of view. At a time of crisis and chaos when grown ups are reduced to a state of shock and helplessness, Lucy and her family find hope and safety through prayer. Although she is just a 12 year old, Lucy is empowered by the discovery she has a role to play as one of the Gifted Girls. Through imagination and through symbolism, Lucy's self-esteem and confidence is strengthen so that she can be propel into action and not let fear control her. Though some may not get the subtlety of this smart series, Lucy and the other Gifted Girls books are deeper than other books for girls, but has adventure and enough issues like friendship and growing up that would keep the interest of any girl up to age 13 or 14. Other recommended books is the Emily Cobbs Collection.

I liked this book because soccer is my favorite sport after basketball. Also the character in this story is Whisper and theres a girl in my grade with that name. Whisper plays socbowl in the story. I think thats a funny name. This was a very good book!

Wandering through the library, searching to find an interesting book, one caught my eye. It was the, The Million Dollar Kick. The book starts out in Oklahoma City. Whisper is an ordinary kid who is haunted by a mental picture of a soccer game. One afternoon Whisper took her little sister, who is an athlete, to the mall. Where her sister enters her in a contest. Where if you win you get the chance to win a million dollars by kicking a soccer ball past a famous soccer goalie. She wins, but now she has to learn how to kick a soccer ball. She thought she was toast until Ellie decided to coach her. I thought it was a great book full of action, surprise, and pure interest.

wisper nelson who lives in oklahoma she goes to the donut shop with her little siter and they see a thing that says Come Up With A Good Slogen and if they win then that person gets 1 shot to kick a soccer ball in to the goal if they mis they get a year supply of donuts if they get it in they win a million dollars but it ant that easy you need to kick it past carmen applegate the pro goal keeper. wisper wins and she doesnt want to do it but she still does it, she gets help bye this nice 11th grade soccer player when she got enough help she was going to do the kick in a day then for some rreason carmen applegate got hert so she couldnt play so wisper teacher was the goalie but wisper kicked it in she was really really really happy

The Million Dollar Kick is a great book. It is so suspenseful. You never know what she is going to do. The main character hates being the star but her sister loves it. My mom, my six year old sister and I all liked it. It is such a good book.

Genre: Fiction
Three sentence summary: In this book Whisper Nelson is chosen to kick a ball past a professional soccer player and if she makes it, she is awarded $1,000,000. There's just a little problem: she is not athletic. She has not played a sport since she was eight.

What I liked most about the book: The thing I like about this book is that Whisper has a chance to win $1,000,000.

What I didn't like and why: The only thing that I didnt like about the book was that it was about soccer and I do not like soccer very much.

My favorite character and why: Whisper Nelson because she wasn't very athletic but she still tried. (why wouldn't you if you made the goal you can win $1,000,000.)

The scene, line, or passage that meant something to me and why (page#): Well it was probably when she was getting ready to kick the goal. It's exciting to kick a ball and if you score you win $1,000,000 dollars.

What I would say about this book to someone else: That it's nice that the characters are realistic and the author Dan Gutman discribed the setting very well.

One question i have after reading this book: I wonder if the soccer player became good friends with Whisper Nelson.

My strongest reason for recommending this book: Well if you like sports you would be very interested.

"Miranda and Starlight" is the first in a series of six books featuring Miranda and Starlight. In this exciting adventure, for young readers, Janet Murihead Hill has captured something of the young reader's insecurity, fear, and pride. Miranda and Chris find it difficult to communicate openly with their parents.

Miranda desperately wants a horse. Chris needs to learn to ride his. Intricate plot twists bring them together in a complicated web of lies, and deceit. Through the events that unfold Miranda and Chris learn lessons in the importance of honesty, responsibility, courage, and trust.

Hill's writing is powerful and inspiring. Illustrations by Pat Lehmkuhl bring another important dimension to the story. Her pen and ink drawings are strong as they create and identify the settings and the characters in the story. She also has the amazing ability to depict the emotions the characters are feeling through facial expressions and body language.

This is a story for the young reader as well as an excellent read aloud story for delightful, cherished family nights at home.

MIRANDA AND STARLIGHT SERIES OF SIX BOOKS BY JANET MUIRHEAD HILL, ILLUSTRATED BY PAT LEHMKUHL is an absolutely delightful new horse book series. Written for upper elementary and young teens, the books will fascinate adults as well. I couldn't put them down! Ten year old Miranda, the orphaned product of a broken home, vanished father and wild mother, lives with her grandparents on their farm. She loves horses and dreams of owning one, but believes it could never be possible. The first book introduces the beautiful horse of her dreams and how she becomes attached to it through lying and mischief, for which she gets into trouble. Being the new girl in her classroom, she is shunned by the "in crowd" and develops a troubled friendship with the lonely Laurie, a mulatto who feels like a misfit, and Chris, the "fat boy" in the class. Their escapades and trials capture your mind and heart. Every young person will adore this series!

Reviewed by April Sullivan for Reader Views (5/06)
"Miranda and Starlight" is the first book in a series of six called the Starlight Series that features a 10 year old girl and her horse. Miranda Stevens is a sweet, but feisty young girl who is living with her grandparents in Montana while her single mother in Los Angeles is trying to make it as an actress. Embarrassed by her untraditional upbringing, Miranda finds it hard to make friends. She is shunned by the "Magnificent Four" as she calls the close-knit pack of girls in her class. And she is constantly tormented by bully Chris Bergman.

If Miranda could have three wishes, they would be for a friend, a real family, and a horse of her very own. On the first day of fifth grade, at least one of those wishes comes true when she meets the new girl, Laurie Langley. She also meets the horse of her dreams that day when bully Chris dares her to ride a horse they see in the pasture next to the school. Miranda, gets in trouble, but falls in love with the black horse she names Starlight for the white star on his forelock.

This fast-paced adventure is great for young readers being introduced to chapter books. A few interspersed illustrations help young minds form an impression of the events being described. And the fact that this is a series leaves the reader wanting to know more and encourages them to pick up the next book.

This story brought back memories of myself as a young girl with a horse. The author accurately describes the responsibility and love needed to care for a horse. She not only portrays the fun of riding, but the hard work of cleaning stalls and grooming the horses.

I look forward to the rest of the series to find out how Miranda's relationship evolves not only with the horse, but all of the other people in her life. Since she has started to help Chris with riding lessons, they seem to be becoming friends. She learns the price she pays when lying to adults, especially her grandparents. And the most difficult relationship of all is with her mother, who wants her to come live with her in California, at the same time that Miranda is finally getting some of her wishes to come true in Montana.

This is more than a mere horse story. It is a journey of courage and consequences for younger juvenile readers. My own children will read this story.

From a reviewer's viewpoint, and as a person who enjoys reading, this is a wonderful story for young readers.

My opinion on this story is much different than the critic in Massachusetts gave. I felt drawn into the story and was impressed with the perspective shown. This is a story that shows what can happen when children lie and also how to tell the truth. I believe there are a lot more parents out there who are like the boy's parents than most would like to believe. Hopefully there are more out there who are like Miranda's Grandparents who show love and understanding when dealing with Miranda's situations. I enjoyed this book even though I'm an adult. I would reccommend this book to any child who can read. It may show them reading is fun when the story is fascinating like this one.

No Talking by Andrew Clements is a great book set in fifth grade where the students have challenged each other to a contest...boys versus girls. The rules of the contest are simple but can be very hard to follow. Students may talk at school only when an adult asks them a question, but then they can only answer using three words at a time. Students can not speak at home, on the playground, or in the lunchroom. The students keep track of their words and use the honor system to report them. When the principal demands that the contest must end, the students join together to silently face a new opponent in the competition. Clements does an excellent job of showing the voice of these students through their dialogues with one another. Their personalities shine through the pages.

Teachers will love the ideas and discussions that stem from this book. The book sparks conversations about peaceful ways to settle arguments like Mahatma Gandhi did in India. The teachers in the book complete many activities that allow students to follow the contest rules and still learn. One my favorites includes creating a story as a whole class where all students add to the story using only three words at a time. Students will love completing lessons that follow these from the book. It may even inspire a contest.

"No Talking" is a realistic and entertaining book that describes a competition between the boys and girls at Laketon Elementary. Each team tries to go untill the end of the week without talking. Commotion occurs as a result of the silence. The teachers and the principle are getting annoyed by the constant silence to they decide to take action on the nonsense. Does the teachers stop the competition or do the children pull them into the fun? Read to find out!

Working in a public school, I am around children every day. Here are two facts that I feel I can state from experience:

1. Kids like to talk

2. There is nothing that gets the youngsters going like boys vs. girls competition

In No Talking, Andrew Clements manages to merge both of these eternal truisms.

At Laketon Elementary, the 5th grade class has a reputation for embracing the spoken word - so much so that they earned the nickname "The Unshushables" from teachers. On top of all this noisiness, the boys can't stand the girls and the girls aren't all that keen on the boys.

One day Dave Packer attempts something that surely has never been done by anyone in his fifth grade class - to make it through the school day without saying a word. He fails, but his experiment leads to a challenge between the boys and the girls: Two days of school. Whichever group talks the least wins.

This book has all kinds of classroom implications, and the rivalry between boys and girls will immediately draw kids in. No Talking is an entertaining story and a quality fiction selection

No Talking is a good book about girls versus boys war with no talking. The war started when a boy did his report on India and he heard about this man who tried not talking to clear his head. This book has a good moral and teaches kids a good lesson. I would say third - 5th grade should read this.

This book, "No Talking", was pretty good, though when you read the breif explanation of the plot on the back of the book, it sounds better than it really is. It is also a short book, and I finished it in about 30 minutes despite its catagory: "chapter book". I thought it had a fairly nice plot, and it did teach a lot, but it also wasn't as funny or as great as it sounded. As I said, it was short with an alright plot.

I loved the humor it did have, though, and I thought the ending was interesting and heart-warming. You also had to love some parts with the only three-word answers the kids gave the teachers' answers. However, I thought the beginning was written in a confusing way. Also, there were so many characters, I woke up the morning after I finished the book and couldn't even remember half the names.

FOR PARENTS: (Scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest/worse)
bad language - 0 there was no bad language
sexual content - 1
1. one example of sexual content was that a girl kissed a guy on the cheek
violence - 0 there was no violence
adult content - 2
1. one example of adult content was that the main character, Dave is yelled at by the principal and he yells back, which shows rebellion.
2. another example of adult content was that the book is based on what Dave read in a book on India about the well-known Muslim, Gandhi, and Dave seems to think Gandhi is very wise in not talking, which may come off offensive or confusing.

Overall this was an okay book.

After the fall of Valzaan on the beach of Col Marena, the army flees Wethanin by ship, hoping to find aid in Suthanin. But Aljeron must follow a different path. Bound by a promise to Valzaan, he sets off on a quest across the wilds of Nolthanin in hope of awaking the legendary Sulmandir, Father of Dragons. But the cold and beasts aren't his only enemies. Synoki, the secretive castaway from the first book, shows up with a friend who claims to have traveled in Nolthanin before. Can they be trusted?
While traveling, Benjaih is invited to the Tarlindraal, where he receives a vision from Allfather calling for the union of four great peoples. Who are they, and can the army hold out until then?
Readers of the first two books may be expecting a dramatic ending, but Graham raises the bar by having TWO shocking cliffhangers. Who is the man in the golden cloak? And what will happen as the army crosses the Kalamin?

I've been following the Binding of the Blade series and loving it. Beyond the Summerland started a little slow, but if you stay with it, you become engrossed to the point of no return. I read Shadow of the Deep on a long plane trip, and it made that trip much more bearable. Excellent bood, decent Christian symbolism. I can't wait until the the next one.

I read the first book in the series. It drew me in completely.
Then I read the second book. I tore through it.
I have now finished the third book, and I am just amazed. L.B. Graham never ceases to amaze me with his writing. Every time I read one of his books, I get drawn into the story. I feel like I'm right there, standing beside the characters, seeing what they are seeing. I thought the first two books were fantastic. This third book does not dissapoint. The character development continues to be fantastic. The plot couldn't be better. Graham takes the reader farther and farther into the world he has created. Just when you think you've explored as much as you are going to, the author takes you further in. I highly recommend this series for anyone who likes adventure, battles, friendship, love, devotion, and, simply put, GREAT STORIES!

We read on in the tale of Benjiah as he seeks to discover the truth of the eternal rain, and Aljeron seeks out the lost dragons in the frozen wastes of the North. It has some great flashback bits about the enemie's pasts, and powerful battle scenes, with a twist (predictable) at the end.
Graham's third book in the Binding of the Blade trilogy is satisfying, but it seems to be lacking a bit in the intrigue department. I am not saying I dislike this book at all, it was a great continuation of his earlier story, but it seems to waffle on in certain parts. The "secret" of the rain, which I won't disclose here, was painfully obvious even in the second book. Not a bad fantasy read, go ahead and try it, but it lacks the zest of his previous two books.

This third book in the Binding of the Blade trilogy is roughly on par with the 1st two in the series. The characters are well developed and each chapter has plenty of conflict, adventure, and romance to keep the reader hooked. The style is reminiscent of the earlier works of Stephen Lawhead (that's a good thing). Some of the plot lines are interesting, but they are pretty typical for this genre. Others show flashes of brilliance that leave you with hopes that Graham will grow into a world class author. As a trilogy, the three books are not quite as cohesive as they could be - more like a set of episodes in a series than a unified saga. I expect this is simply a mark of inexperience and not a serious weakness. If you are a fan of sci-fi/fantasy with a positive moral compass, I highly recommend this series. I do recommend reading them in order.

This book contains the quote, "Don't be saddish, have a radish" that many people seem to quote without being able to cite where it came from!

I used to own this book as a child and I loved it, but having moved several times, its disappeared. I would love a copy of it so that I can share it with my son. I remember it being called A Special Swap though over here (UK) Please reprint this book. its a real treasure.

I'm not sure how I got my copy of this book, but it has always been one of my favorites. I have had it since I was a little girl, and I was trying to get hold of a copy to give as a present to my niece, and also one to keep for when I have my own children. I suppose the fact that I am going to have to make do with the tatty old copy I have makes it all the more precious, and I'll be sure to keep it safe! I think its a lovely story and one all children should have the opportunity to read.

I, too, first heard this book read on Capt. Kangaroo. I often checked it out of the library to read to my two young children. My father would push them in their strollers. He walked along when they learned to ride bikes and roller skate. Now at 76 years old, he is suffering from Parkinson's and has to be pushed in a wheelchair. My grandson, his great-grandson, loves to help push him. I want to get a copy of this book to read to my father and give to my grandson as a special memory.

This was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl. My mom and I used to go to the library just to get it and I always knew exactly where it was in the library. I don't know why we never just bought it. I guess being a library book made it more special. Recently (about 20 years later) I thought I'd surprise my mom with a used copy. First I couldn't find a copy and now I see this book is going for [$$$] I think we should be ashamed of ourselves for exploiting a beautiful children's story, ironically written about love and generosity, and turning it into what everything else seems to have become, an empty, profit-driven shame. I'd reccomend this book very highly anytime-- at a reasonable price.