Readers Books

Have not had time to do any projects yet, but I like the book and would purchase it again.

The book was exactly what I hoped for. It came quickly and even though I had said I would take a used book I received a new one for the same price.

Este libro es una excelente guía para quienes desean iniciar su práctica y conocimiento sobre esta técnica artesanal.
Felicitaciones a la autora Syndee Holt.

syndee holt has written an instruction manual with the first time polymer clay user in mind, and she's done a superb job! This book is well-written, structured for ease-of-use, and contains photographs of the processes she discusses, as well as of finished products. Not only is jewelry making discussed, but other crafted items--light-switch covers, picture frames, covered pens, drawer pulls, napkin rings--get ample coverage as well.

"Polymer Clay for the first time" begins with explanations of the basics: types of polymer clay available, tools needed to begin working with clay, and some of the various ways in which this clay can be used. The next sections--which make up the bulk of the book--are instructional, beginning with the simple and becoming more complex as the reader acquires skills and knowledge. There is, finally, a Gallery section of finished works (some quite astonishing in their minute detail!), a Metric Equivalency Chart, and a very useful Index.

"Polymer Clay for the first time" is a wonderful book that will give the beginning polymer clay user the basic techniques in order to start crafting immediately, as well as a strong foundation for expansion and growth, should the artist desire to further explore this flexible, colorful medium.

I am just a beginner and with this book I was able to learn some important information about how to begin. It walked me thru the steps for making canes and how to use them. It also gave me some good ideas on future projects.

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.

I read this book to many of my music classes. They ALL loved the book--from pre-k up to the fourth grade. It's funny, silly and cool all at the same time. They LOVED listening to the Punk Farm version of Old MacDonald.

The book can be used to teach about the instruments used in a rock band.

I just ordered Punk Farm on Tour. Can't wait to get it!!

I recently attended Art All-State in Worcester and Jarret Kroscozka was one of the Artist Mentors for the program...At the end of the mentor slideshow he got up and did a life-changing reading of Punk Farm. E-I-E-I-OH!! The pictures are adorable and it's basically and amazing kid's book, buy it!

Must be willing to sing it and act it out, if so, this is the one for you!!! Storytime Fun.

We originally got this book at the library, but my daughter (2) loved it so much, we had to buy it for her. It's really a fun book and we enjoy reading & singing it to her. I can only recommend it!

initially, we borrowed this book from the library and we loved it so we had to buy it. my daughter loves the song "old mcdonald" and jarrett j krosoczka puts a rocking twist to the whole thing. when we read the book together, i sing punk farm's rendition and she wiggles/dances in my lap!:0D an added bonus--you can download the song from the website! good times!

My sister and I were so excited when we got this book, and we never forgot about it...We are 33 years old now, and it has kind of become our way of saying something is "fun"....whenever we do a craft or art project, we compare it to this book, "doesn't this remind you of when we played with Richard Scarry's rainy day book?" And its always a little bittersweet, because we no longer have our book. Imagine my delight, to find an old copy of the book, here on amazon! I can't wait for it to come in the mail, and I will surprise my sister!

I have such fond memories of this book, which I used to pore over a child, about 27 years ago now I guess.
I always remember the part about mixing colous and I'm absolutely sure it played a huge part in my early interest in art. I'm now an Art Gallery Director, so who knows where that next Christmas present might take your child?

I bought this book as a child about 25 years ago, and have never forgotten it. The activities and illustrations brought me hours of joy --it never got boring. As a parent, I am saddened to see that this book is now out of print, as I would love to be able to purchase it for my children and their friends. There isn't much out there which encourages wholesome fun and creativity these days -- bringing this book back into print would be a wonderful start.

I agree with the earlier reviewers. This book is the greatest. I have been looking for it for years, and would love to buy if for all my friends children (okay and for myself too.) Please re-release it!!!...

I also had this book as a child, (I got it 1975 for X-mas: I was 5)and never forgot it. It took me almost 10 years to find a copy of it, and now it is one of my most prized possessions. I remember that I was actually challenged by the activities in the book - it was not the typical 'color and connect the dots' activities. Mobiles, 3-D towns, greeting cards, as well as coloring and connect dots. It also teaches how to mix colors. It is divided into the months of the year, so activities coincide with specific holidays, etc. I am now an full-time artist, and I believe that this book had everything to do with what my career is now. THEY SHOULD REPRINT THIS! One of the best children's books ever! Definitely brings out an intelligent creativeness in a child.

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.

I never read this book as a child. I only read it when I was buying the Trixie Belden books for my daughter, thinking she would enjoy them. Wrong! But I enjoyed this one. I loved the character of Mary Smith, the farmer's wife. I could read the parts about her over and over. Definitely worth the price of the book! Of course, this is from an adult perspective. Still, I think kids will love her, too. Everyone has a female friend and/or relative just like her--fat and cuddly and verrry talkative!

People don't get half a million dollars everyday, and respond by running away from it. Trixie's friend Jim did just that. His step father had been very cruel to him, so Jim ran away. Just after his house that he was to inherit burnt to the ground leaving him with $500,000. Everyone thought he burnt down with the house, but only Trixie and her friend Honey knew he was alive. So she and Honey set out in their trailer to the place Jim allways talked of going to find a summer job. On the way there they heard word about a missing trailer. Their suspicions arose when a family camping next to them had the exact trailer! As they travel to the area to find Jim they pick up clues on where he'd been. When they finally wind down the case they find Jim working for a farmer along with the Father who stole the trailer. Who was actually only borrowing it from his nieghbor without him knowing. When the nieghbor heard this, he told them that he would be happy to give them the trialer (He was rich). This book was interesting and cliff hanging, that anyone could read.

Even though this book was good, I found it to be a little predictable. There were other trailer thefts going on at the time which Trixie and Honey just happened to be involved with. When they found the thefts hide out (an old barn) they took too much time in their and BINGO the men show up. Trixie and Honey climb into the loft to wait the two men out. The men, like most other thiefs are stupid and don't notice anything. And like most other partners in crime, get into fights all the time. After ten minutes of fighting Honey just happens to sneeze. But just before the men carry the girls off the police pop in (surprise, surprise). And quincidentally that all happened in the same chapter.

This book was also a little unrealistic. The farmer who Jim worked for had a wife that was very, very fat (Named Mary). Mary owned a locket that had all of her children's pictures were in. The farmer had adopted a crow long ago that he found sick and dying. So they took him in, nursed him, and soon he was well. The crow stuck around and even built a nest near to the house. As you might have already guessed the crow stole the locket. Imagine a crow flying out of a house that out of all things, even food, carrying a locket. In the story there was the family who borrowed the trailer who had a little girl about 4 years old. That family had just had a little black dog that passed away, so the little girl calls any little black dog that roams the earth, hers. Honey has a little black dog, and of course the little girl calls it hers. Near the end of the story Honey gives the girl the dog! It's generous but a little unreal.

Even though this book had it's downs it was still a very interesting book. It was fun to read about all the characters and how much they differ. Like the Farmer's wife and Trixie. Trixe hates keeping the trailer clean and cooking. However that's all the farmer's wife does. Or Honey and the little girl that kept Honey's dog. Honey is kind and generous who would allways help someone. But the little girl on the other hand, is greedy and would rather do anything but help someone else.

This book was a joy to read and all in all adventurous. I had a great time reading it, and I know many others will too. The book had it's ups and downs, but it was still really good. Now it's your turn to pick it up and read it!
A. Lindemann

I recommend this book series of Trixie Belden: The Red Trailer Mystery. It's a story of Trixie Belden and her new best friend Honey Wheeler who just moved up the street from Trixie house.This story is about their friend Jim who ran away, but through the process of this mystery these two run into many different problems.
This story takes place on a farm, but then they have to go to save Jim who ran away.While they are on their rescue trip to save Jim they meet a girl their age, who also runs away because of her parents. So now they have to find two people to find. But one of the problems on this trip is that when they try to solve one problem, they just run into another.
I highly recommend this book to everyone because it has great mysteries to be solved. So if you like great mystery books then I would recommend you buy this book series of Trixie Belden.

I recommend this book series of Trixie Belden: The Red Trailer Mystery. It's a story of Trixie Belden and her new best friend Honey Wheeler who just moved up the street from Trixie house.This story is about their friend Jim who ran away, but through the process of this mystery these two run into many different problems.
This story takes place on a farm, but then they have to go to save Jim who ran away.While they are on their rescue trip to save Jim they meet a girl their age, who also runs away because of her parents. So now they have to find two people to find. But one of the problems on this trip is that when they try to solve one problem, they just run into another.
I highly recommend this book to everyone because it has great mysteries to be solved. So if you like great mystery books then I would recommend you buy this book series of Trixie Belden.

Thirteen-year-old Trixie Belden, and her best friend, Honey Wheeler, couldn't have been more upset when their new acquaintance, Jim Frayne, ran away from Sleepyside, in the hopes that he would not be caught by his abusive stepfather. Unfortunately, Jim took off right before Trixie had the chance to tell him that he was the heir to a huge fortune. Now Trixie and Honey, along with Honey's Governess, are on a trailer trip through upstate New York to locate Jim. However, during their trip they meet up with a family in a red trailer, who couldn't look more upset, and when their eleven-year-old daughter runs off through the woods, Trixie and Honey decide to try and find her as well. But when the two girls meet up with a couple of trailer thieves, they have to try and save themselves, protect all trailer owners, get the trailer thieves arrested, and find Jim and the lost little girl before it's too late. If only the two girls had known that their little trailer trip would turn out to be so full of surprises.

I am a longtime reader of the NANCY DREW series, so when I stumbled across the TRIXIE BELDEN series, I knew that I had to give it a try. I read the first book in the series a few months ago, and loved it, so I decided to get the second book in the series. To my surprise, I loved it even more than the first. Julie Campbell is a marvelous storyteller, whose characters couldn't be more fun and exciting to read about. Trixie is an upbeat girl, who is always getting into trouble; while Honey is more shy, but at the same time loves a good mystery. Fans of mysteries will adore Trixie Belden, and find themselves grappling to read the next book in the series.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

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.

I love the Sammy Keys books, Sammy manages to deal with the problems of being a modern adolecent, and solve mysteries too! And while she does it she she manages to stay true to her friends, her family and basic good ideals.

In this exotic story a girl named Sammy Keyes and her friends must solve the mystery of who tried to kill Chauncy LeBard and who stole his 500,000 dollar books!!!!!! Along the way Sammy pulls a prank on her worst enemy Heather Acosta. With the help of Officer Borsch and "Muscles", Sammy finds out who the almost - murderer is!!!!!!!! But if I told you who, it wouldn't be much of a mystery, now would it ???????

Sammy soon discovers that revenge isn't always so sweet, for once she pulls her prank on Heather she ends up with 20 hours of detention!!!!!!! In this particular book it's rather hard to spot the themes and messages, but sometimes that's what makes a mystery so well, mysterious!!! You may think that this book is scary because there is an attempted murder but it's not, it's an awesome book with a couple of funny bits here and there.

This book is an exciting mystery that will take you into it's pages so your standing right there next to Sammy as she unravels the mystery just like a mini Nancy Drew. So since this is such a good book I recommend it to you immensely. Put it on your "Books to read" list or something. I'm serious, read it.
PLEASE??????

I read a pretty cool book called Sammy Keys and the Skeleton Man. The book is about a girl who finds out that a guy dressed up like a skeleton stole stuff from a person named Mr. Frankenstein. The reason why they call him Mr. Frankenstin is because he where's a mask that helps him breath. The skeleton man who stole from his house then sold it to the market. She tries to stop the skeleton man from doing it again, so when she finds out where the skeleton man stole, she goes to his house and talks to Mr. Frankenstein and sees if he remembers anything that happened. When she talks to him he barley remembers anything so she tries to trace the clues to see who did it. It brings her to a store when she finds who did it. She gets him trapped then calls the police. Then the skeleton man goes to jail, and then Mr. Frankenstein gets his stuff back and everything is over.

I think the book's message is when you're trying to look for something and you cant find it you should always try to find clues. I also think that when you're about to give up, don't, because there will be always another way to solve it. Sometimes it will be good to ask someone for advice to help you in some ways. The last thing is you should never steal from anyone or a friend you know might tell on you.

I recommend this book to you because it's a pretty cool book. You will always want to see what happens next. I liked it because it was always brings a questions to the book. I also liked how they always add clues to the book and how they put more characters in the book that's why I like this book.

Sammy doesn't look for trouble, but it usually finds her. In this case, it's on Halloween, when she gets run over by a skeleton with a bag of stolen goodies, who sets a fire in a spooky house. And that's just the beginning. Sammy is right-on, as are her friends, Marissa and Dot. But she doesn't sound nearly as convincing with her adult voices, especially Grams, who sounds like she's 30, rather than 55-plus. Overall, a good mystery, in a great series. This book is Awsome!

7th grader Sammy Keys has got a lot of troubles on her hands. It all started on Halloween at the bush house with her friends. At the bush house no one answered and Sammy saw a fire. After Sammy put it out with a sweater they found Chancey Lebard (the owner of the house, who they call the bush man)tied to a chair. It turns out he was robbed, and sammy was interested an started investigating. The sweater she put the fire out withturned out to be [expensive]. If it got all burn't up, she'd be in trouble.

those are not the only problems Sammy beholds. Her worst enemy Heather wasmaking a fool of her but every one thinks it is really Sammy. as far as Sammy is concerend it is payback time for Heather.

I like every thing about this book. I really like howit has a lot of problems at one time, it makes it more interesting. It also usesgood detail and description. Sammy Keys and the Skeleton Man is full of suspenceand i couldn't put it down. I can't think of anything ididn't like about this book except it had to end.

Shark Life is a good book for anyone that likes sharks.
Peter Benchley is a diver who studys sharks and other sea creatures.
He talks about the different types of sharks and how they live in the
sea. He also talks about Moray eels,Blue fish,Barracuda,and other creatures. He says it is important to keep a healthy habbitat for sharks.
I think this book is the best!

Take a plunge into the sea with Peter Benchly! This eye opening book shows the encounters this author has had with all kinds of different sharks all around the world you will encounter. Killer Sharks, like the Tiger sharkof compleatly harmless sharks like a Whale shark. Peter Benchly has been through it all. This book makes you feel like you are in the clear waters swimming right next to a shark. Find out what happens to him as he spends his life in the water with sharks and other kinds of sea creatures, in this amazing book of different kinds of sharks!

I LOVE this book, The stories are AMAZING! I love manta rays and great white sharks.

It is one of my favorite books, the stories are AMAZING! I love Manta Rays.

SHARK LIfe is exceptionally entertaining and enlightening nonfiction for young adults. Benchley (the author of JAWS) moves back and forth between recounting his own heart-stopping adventures in the sea (sometimes purposely swimming with sharks and other deadly creatures, sometimes accidentally encountering them), and his simple and clear explanations of how man's interference with the balance of the world's oceans has already resulted in some dying regions. He cautions how further degradation of the seas will eventually threaten man's existence on the planet.

When Megan's mom finds a boyfriend, Megan gets really upset because she wants her mom and her dad to be together again. When Megan meets her soon to be stepsister, Megan hates her automaticaly. At the end of the story Ariel and Megan become stepsisters and are friends-for-life!!!!!!!!

Ashley C.

I could not put the book down becuase the movie was so exciting. They were very active and funny, especially when Zopeut blew up the other aliens!

A single mom is looking for a man to date so that her kids can have a stepdad. Then there's this one guy that is also looking for a woman to date so that he can marry her and so that his daughter can have a stepmother also. This one day they were at a store and all of a sudden they had bumped in to each other and from there they had fallen in love at the first time that they had seen each other. The lady and her kids had invited them to lunch. The family of three was staring at them, and then this one girl that has the brother and the mother was showing them around the house. Her mother had told them to eat and the girl who has the father was floating above the grass and the family was really looking at her then the guy and the little brother were all ready to eat and they were all drooling all over the place.

The lady that has the two kids and one of the kids thinks that the guy and his daughter are weird and that time that the family is weird but his daughter has been floating and there was a trail behind her. Then the girl that asked if they were from a different planet.

The other thing that the kids didn't like about the weird family was that they act differently then the people that they know.

I would recommend this book to other people because it is a cool story -- kind of weird, tho!

At first I saw the movie, and it was... well... O.K. But then I went To the School librarry, and I saw the book! I read the summery on the back and it sounded great! Boy was I ever right, It was great! No not great EXCELLENT!!!! I read the whole thing in about 4-5 days! And let me tell you, it was way better than the movie!Imean, and they ended differently to! In the book there is this boy who realy likes Arial and she hates him! but in the movie...well...the boy that likes Arial ends up being her boy friend! And then they do a big slopy kiss... and ... well you know!

I saw the movie on the Disney Channel and taped it because i LOVED it so much. The movie is about a 14 year old girl named Megan LArson who loves windsurfing and a boy named Cutter. Then Ariel Cola comes into the picture. She is blonde and pretty, but does not understand " this strange place called Earth". While her father, Cosmo Cola is enjoying earth life, Ariel longs to be a bubble once again, and be Sueza of Circalon, with her beloved Phinool by her side. But things go haywire and Kathy LArson and Cosmo Cola fall in love, putting Megan's and Ariel's lives into one chaotic ride. The girls soon decide that the only thing to do is to break up their parents, and when plan after plan don't work to split up the parental units, Megan and Ariel began to like each other. To complicate things even further, when the horrible Emperor from Circalon comes to freeze Cosmo, his son Phinool finds himself falling for Megan, and Cutter finds himself falling for Ariel. This is a must see movie for kids and grownups alike. Please see this if you get a chance!