Animal Books

Wonderful message and beautiful pictures make this a must have for children! Perfect size for small hands too, not to big not to small!

These are my new favorite books! They get the message I've been trying to convey to my young children across, while not being preachy or too scary. The pictures help to retain a magical childhood innocence within the entire message, bringing back the simplicity of how I hope my children will view and treat our planet throughout their lifetime. At least one of these books will be in all future baby shower/young child's birthday presents that we give out.

I bought this for my 20 month old twins and they don't care for it at all. I don't either. It's just a little too touchy, feely, hippie, new agey for me. The illustrations are well done, but they honestly remind me of one of those 3D art prints that you have to stare at or squint your eyes to see the hidden unicorn or whatever. Many people also said that it helped teach their kids how to respect the earth...which I am all for, but this book really doesn't do that either. Maybe when my kids are older, I'll give it another shot. Still, the animal illustrations are very good, and I appreciate the sentiment, but overall...it doesn't cut it

Absolutely beautiful book with gorgeous pictures. The writing fits the book perfectly. Great Earth Day book!

This is an exceptional book that provokes thoughtful conversation between you and your child.

A WONDERFULLY TOLD CAT-TAIL! THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE LOVELY AND APPROPRIATE TO THE PLAYFUL THEME OF THE BOOK.

This is a fantastic story. It sparks children and adults (I'm 53!) the imagination and creativity that will help make the world a more beautiful place. I hence started to write my own children's stories. Amy Tan is my inspiration, and I hope she becomes yours.

I am the mother of 2 boys and have little knowledge of "girl" books. I bought this book for 2 little girls ages 4 and 5. The parents of each girl said their daughters were thrilled with the book and asked that it be read to them twice the day the book arrived. I bought the book because I love Amy Tan's novels and assumed that a child's book would be just as engaging. Amy Tan's story and the beautiful illustrations did not let me down.

The most exquisitely illustrated book I've ever owned! A fun, fictitious way to describe how white siamese kittens get their colors.
It's a bit long for a bed time story, but really fun! Kids ages 8 or 9 and up may be able to read it themselves, but the beginners may have a hard time.

I've read Amy Tan's "Joy Luck Club" and "Kitchen God's Wife" and had no idea that she's a wonderful children's author as well. I learned about this book from watching the same titled PBS series. The series is cute for kids, but the book is a wonderful story, rich in history and beautifully illustrated. Tan is a gifted writer that children and adults can appreciate.

I love to see our progress using this technique. We (me and my horse) are having so much fun! Highly recommend this book.

I have tried everything with my extremely smart straight egyptian mare. I believe in prayer. The L-rd wants us to involve HIM in everything, yes even the training of our animals as these animals are HIS, they are just on loan to us and we are accountable for their well being and if you are not humane & patient with training them (as they do want to please) you will be held accountable. CLICKER TRAINING IS A 'G-D SEND' and I can't begin to tell you how my mare loves to learn with this! If you want a truly POSITIVE, HUMANE WAY OF TRAINING, HERE IT IS!

I've trained horses for years using positive reinforcement (eg. clicker training). I am no expert, so I love to read & collect any new titles I can. I will say I've met Alexandra and brought my horse to one of her clinics.

This is an excellent book. It's almost too full of information. You could stay busy for years doing all the exercises in it. It might be a bit daunting for a beginner. I'd suggest starting with her first book before reading this one.

You may even need to watch her videos and/or do a clinic with her to really understand & appreciate all that's in here. To be honest when I first bought the books there were some sections I skipped thinking "who needs that stuff?" Then as my knowledge came along, I realized the applications for the extra exercises. Wow! She could've almost split it into 2-3 books and expanded on some of the sections.

The book is full-color and larger format which is nice for reading. The photos are a bit cheesy (lower quality). I learn better from video or watching someone, so to me the photos weren't my focal point.

Of all the clicker training for horses books out there, this is one of my all time favorites.

Whether you're just getting started clicker training, are an experienced clicker trainer who wishes to translate your skills over to horse training, or have clicker trained your own horse are are simply looking for new ideas and a clearer approach, Alexandra Kurland's book will be an asset to your collection. It gives very clear steps, from introducing the clicker to your horse, to more advanced skills on the ground and in the saddle. The examples given for the various skills are great, because they always offer more than one approach to achieving the goal, and the reader gets to choose the options that work best for them and their horse.

The traditional, and even the more modern "natural", types of horsemanship all rely to some extent on punishment ... whether it's direct punishment or the applying of uncomfortable pressure. Clicker training gives the horse lover another option, a gentle, positive approach that yields great results without intimidating the animal.

This book is a highly recommended purchase for anyone looking for a more positive approach to horse training.

I bought this book to start clicker training w/ my horse. I LOVE it. Its a great book to start out with. Describes how to start training, clicker for manners, trick training, using clicker to help stop unwanted behavior such as biting, and even how to use it under saddle. Photo's help a lot, easy to read and understand. Great book. I am having a lot of fun w/ clicker training, but my horse is having even more fun!! He loves it :)

As a licensed Veterinary Technician I have watched clients knowing and unknowingly communicate with their animals. Joan has put into layman's terms the art of communication. She has shown with great clarity the humor, grace and strength of the human animal bond. It was a pleasure to read this book from start to finish. It is the perfect gift for any animal lover.
Virginia Jones LVT
WA

As a eighth grader I found Joan Ranquets book "Communication With All Life" a book that is not only interesting to read but a book you can learn from. Joan is a great writer, she has improved many lives. Joan has made her great personality come to life in the pages of her book.
Sierra Parshall
Woodinville,WA

Ranquet's Communication With All Life is a modern day sequel to Alan Boone's Kinship With All Life, which was a flagship book on non-verbal communication. Ranquet is energetic, understands all life, and knows how to teach the process. It is an excellent choice for anyone who loves and/or works with animals, owns any kind of animal, bird or reptile and wants to understand them better.

Having taken a course from Joan Ranquet a few years ago, I bought this book as soon as it came out. I now have a 2nd copy so I can loan one out without letting go of my own, which I review frequently. The book is a refresher course for me and something new sinks in deeper each time I read it. The first chapter helped me with a problem I was having with my horse at the time I first read it. A later chapter explained a puzzling change in one of my livestock guardian dogs' behavior. Yet another helped me open up and see what my llamas were trying to "tell" me. Joan understands animal psychology and knows how to help the rest of us learn it. She does so with wit and compassion. Anyone who has any kind of animal friend needs to read this book.

This is a pleasant book outlining the author's development as an animal communicator. The first half of the book details the author's journey and is filled with summaries of some of her cases. The second half purports to be a training section and contains techniques designed to facilitate animal communication.

The author has an agreeable style and is definitely an animal lover. Her communication skills seem to be as attributable to her practical knowledge of animals, ie., experience training, feeding, etc, as to her intuition or psychic ability. The anecdotes were not terribly detailed and I was left wondering about some of the stories. Just what did happen to Pony Boy, her orphaned and angry colt?

I was more disappointed in the second half which was quite general.While a meditative state is generally conducive to intuitive experience more detail would have been appreciated. Her observations about animals mirroring the physical and mental state of their guardians was fascinating, but again, her story development and description were a bit spare.

All in all, this is fine as a first effort. If you enjoy reading books about people who love animals and work at understanding and appreciating them, this book will provide you with an enjoyable read. If you are serious about developing your animal communication skills try books by Marta Williams and Amelia Kinkade.

I have used this book with 10-11 yr olds. At first read it seems simplistic and the art is raw. But the book has depths and opportunities for discussion including understandings of consequence, loss, finding someone etc. Students from every reading level can 'read' this book and express themselves from the emotive drawings. It helps bring picture books to an older age group in a meaningful way. Very cool!

Wordless picture book- story of a dog who is abandoned at the beginning of the book. Many events and emotional illustrations. Great for teaching students to add voice and details to stories.

The strikingly elegant drawings grabbed me first. They show a dog reduced to his elemental dogginess, accurate, with not an extra line. If one cares about animals, the story line makes one cringe; the first drawing shows the dog being tossed out a car window. We travel with this dog through his abandonment, to the end, where the possibility of hope shows in the form of a small boy.

Because this book is so spare and powerful, it is not one to simply hand over to a beginning reader. For a parent or teacher willing to take the time for the conversation it deserves, it could be a valuable tool for discussing humane treatment of animals, and our responsibility to the pets we take into our lives.

A Day, a Dog packs an emotional wallop that will have you thinking about it long after you close it. The powerful drawings prove that you do not need a written word to make a statement. Maybe because I do love animals and especially dogs that the story of a stray cruelly tossed out of a car and fending for itself really moved me or the other thought-provoking feelings I got from it of loneliness, searching and finding a place in life that is safe. I absolutely adore this book and will cherish it for years to come.

So many reviewers have praised this book so eloquently, I don't know that I have much to add in that sense. But I would like to address some reviewers' concerns that this book is inappropriate for children because it is too sad or disturbing. In this story, a helpless animal is cruelly abandoned. Dogs are pack animals; there is no more miserable state for them than being alone. We SHOULD feel sad about this story, and children shouldn't be sheltered from some of the sad realities of life. If they read this story, and empathize with the dog, well then, they will think twice in the future about doing such an inhumane thing to their pets. Parents should not hesitate to give this book to their children; however, they should share the experience with the child, and be present to process any thoughts or feelings that the child has. With younger children, parents may discuss how animals are entitled to kindness and consideration, just like human beings. With older children, the subjects of responsibility, loneliness, and finding one's place in the world may come up. In any case, this book will cause children to think, and families to discuss important issues. And that is NEVER a bad thing.

This is a wonderful and moving story and what's even better is it's true.

This book tells the story of the creative genius Waterhouse Hawkins who paints and creates life size models of dinosaurs way back in the 1800s.

It's a beautiful picture book, I highly recommend it.

This beautifully written and illustrated book is the true story of Waterhouuse Hawkins, an English artist who brought dusty bones to life in sculptures of dinosaurs. The text is suited for reading aloud to young dinosaur lovers, as a self read by third graders and beyond, and as an addition to any dinosaur lovers bookshelf. It is a good book for those interested in art and history as well. A perfect gift.

Amazing story for the dinosaur lover. My 7 year old son kept barrowing this book from his school so much that I decided he needed his own copy and now he wants to go to England to see Mr. Hawkins' Dinosaurs for himself.

I am a student at West Virginia State College University. I am in Mr. Samples, Children's Literature class. I chose to read this book as an honor book for a caldecott winner. I am not a huge dinosaur fan, but I loved this book. It made it even more fabulous that it is all based on a true story. The pictures were just as great as the book.

Occasionally, from time to time, I like to trick little children. And as a children's librarian in a public library, I have plenty of time and opportunity to do so. So when I'm in the right mood and I feel particularly devilish, I mosey on over to the biography section of the library and ever-so-casually pull out "The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins". After determining that no one has seen me, I then amble over to the picture book area and prominently display the book. The bait now laid, I go back to my desk and wait in anticipation. It doesn't take long. Soon the attractive cover of the book (showing a man holding a dinosaur model with a gigantic dinosaur head looming behind him) catches the eye of some wayward traipsing tot. The child will look at it, squeal gleefully, and pluck the item from the shelf without so much as a howdy-doo. My job complete, I sit back and soak in just how clever I am. You see, the kid doesn't know it yet, but I've tricked `em. They thought they were finding just another of the thousands of millions of dinosaur books out there WHEN IN FACT this book is different. It is a highly educational biography of the man who helped bring dinosaurs to the forefront of the human imagination. The book may well be many a child's first biography for this very reason. So while they think they're getting another dino book, they are in fact getting an entirely different critter altogether. It's an incredibly satisfying feeling to get a child to read something quite as good and original as this particular book. I do not regret my actions in the least.

Author Barbara Kerley explains in her afterword where she got the gumption to write about Waterhouse Hawkins in the first place. She was flipping through a book of dinosaurs one day when she came across a most peculiar picture. In it sat a group of refined late 1800s gentlemen having a formal dinner. In the belly of a dinosaur. Further research yielded a name and a fascinating story. Waterhouse Hawkins was born in London in 1807. He grew up with an interest in animalia, but with the discovery of dinosaur bones he quickly shifted his interests. As an artist, Hawkins worked diligently to create true to life full-sized dinosaur models. Though we today look at them with a critical eye (they had some real innate flaws to them) at the time they were considered the cutting edge of scientific vision. Hawkins grew in prominence (in no small part due to the aforementioned let's-eat-dinner-in-a-dinosaur idea) and even created a group of them for the grand opening of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham Park. Unfortunately, once Hawkins moved to America he was bound to come into contact with that nefarious New York politican, the corruptous of the corrupt, "Boss" Tweed. Though Hawkins had been given funding to construct a museum of dinosaurs in Central Park, Tweed diverted funds and (adding injury to insult) probably hired a group of goons to destroy Hawkins' models. But did our intrepid expatriate give in even then? No, sir! He went on to create the development of life on Earth at Princeton and made dinosaurs for the Smithsonian. By the time he died he'd lived a rich and wonderful life.

Barbara Kerley backs up all her interesting Hawkins info with a remarkable Author's Note section at the end of the book encompassing the models, the artist, Tweed, the Crystal Palace, as well as illustrator Brian Selznick's works. And the text is remarkably interesting. In fact, it closes by pointing out that because Boss Tweed's goons buried many of Hawkins' models, they may still be located somewhere deep beneath Central Park to this day. Brian Selznick is just as laudable an artist in this venture though. First of all, the book is presented as a kind of 1800s document. The title page is part announcement to a theatrical presentation part scholarly text. At the end of the book we can see the original menu feasted upon by Hawkins and his scientific cronies in the belly of one of his models. The book is perhaps most remarkable because of its dark moments. And it is here that Selznick really shines. Our encounter with Boss Tweed shows a gray formal portrait of the man with watery malicious eyes. After the destruction of his creations there's a remarkable two-page spread of Hawkins holding his head in sorrow in the midst of complete and utter destruction. The next pages show a rainy windswept Central Park with a single black figure making his way across the expanse. Heck! There's even a section at the back of the book showing how Hawkins once drew his dinos and how we know they look today.

The most difficult task of any biographical picture book is make the subject both interesting and factual. Kerley and Selznick have done this with aplomb. And unlike some life stories transferred to a mere 48 pages or so, this book has a distinctive rise and fall to the action. All in all it's a remarkable story in an attractive package that any small child could instantly take to. One of the best picture book biographies I have ever had the delight to read. A must-have for any dino-addled child.

This book is adorable! It's so fun and the creativity is amazing. My 14 month old loves dogs and this book has become one of his favorites!

With kids toys being so much about brands and high tech capability - this whimsical and imaginative book is such a delight. I can't wait for my son to see it on Christmas day. Adults I have shown it to have enjoyed it too.

This book is wonderful! I bought several copies for my dog-loving friends because the price was very reasonable- they all thought it was delightful. The illustrations are fantastic, and the broccoli/cauliflower poodles are especially cute!

I cataloged this donated book into the academic library's collection where I work. I selected it from the books that had been donated for our annual book sale because I knew parents with little children would enjoy having something to occupy the attention of their kids while they were studying/researching. What a remarkable imagination this book testifies to! I photocopied the "Working like a Dog" page to testify to my meager efforts, it adorns my cubical. Everyone with children will want a copy of this book.

My daughter, age 20 months, just loves this cute little book. She asks to read it again and again.

This is the best book to read to young children, fantastic story and lovely pictures. My favourite children's book and still amazing. A moral tale

Every family with small children should have this book. The story and illustrations are out of this world.

This is a lovely, lovely story with very good illustrations. My little girl knew the book off by heart by the time she she was 18 months old. I would say it's a must have for all children.

I hadn't read this book since childhood, but recently my girlfriend and I started trading and reading books from our childhoods. I bought a copy of Dogger for her and she read it out loud to me. I started crying, and just couldn't stop. I can remember feeling just like Dave when I was younger and losing something, it was a horrible feeling. If only we could all have a sister like Bella. The wonderful story and pictures will touch you, and stay with you forever.

I have given over 15 copies of Dogger to friends and family when they have an arrival of a second child. Every one of them...every.one.of.them has loved it and weeks/months/years later, I still get glowing feedback on this book.

The way the older child (Bella) helps out her little brother (Dave) when he looses Dogger makes me and anyone I've ever given the story to sniffle at the beauty and kindness of text and illustrations.

Face it, when you were little and you miss placed your favorite toy/lovey, you basically went to DEFCON 5 alert status and nothing was right until your lovey was found. Now as a parent, you know if your child loses their lovey, nothing in your house will be settled until it is found and you would do anything ( beg, bribe and possibly liquidate your IRA to make your child happy (and sleep through the night) again. Bella is every mother's heroine.

She teaches the selfless act of helping and giving better than I ever could.

This book is getting harder to find, so buy it right now to help keep it in print. I need more copies for the next round of friends having children.

Dragon's Merry Christmas will be loved by young readers in your family circle. The stories show the sensitivity of Dragon, and his feelings of the Christmas spirit. He finds the perfect Christmas tree, but can't bring himself to chop it down and bring it to his own house. He decorates it right where it grows! Overwhelmed by the sweetness of a candy wreath, Dragon eats and eats! But it is Dragon's discovering the joy of giving -- the meaning of Christmas -- that makes this book so perfect.

The imaginative illustrations add to the quality of the book.

Dragon's Merry Christmas is just one of the great Dragon books written by Dav Pilkey. My 7 year old daughter picked up one of the books at a book fair at her school and read the book over and over again. I came on Amazon in hopes of finding more of these books to keep her intrest alive and found 5 in all. I purchased all of them! They are great books that my daughter can't get enough of. She loves to follow the dragon through is day and while we are reading the books we stop and talk about what we might do if we had some of the same problems as the dragon encounters in the stories. My daughter now will point out problems that she encounters that have similar qualities to those the Dragon encounters. The Dragon's Merry Christmas is a perfect book to read over and over for the holiday.

THIS LITTLE DRAGON MAKES THE BOYS TOTALLY HAPPY TO READ ABOUT BECAUSE HE SO REMINDS THEM OF THERE HERO THEIR GRANDMA (GUMP) ALL KIDS SHOULD HAVE SUCH A FINE SIMPLY EXAMPLE LIKE THE STORIES ABOUT DRAGON & THEY SAY GRANDMA WOULD DO IT THE SAME WAY TOO!!! DRAGON'S BOOKS R ONLY SHARED WITH THEM BY GRANDMA UNLESS THEY REALLY MISS HER THEN INSTEAD WE READ THEM TOGEHER SO THEY WON'T BE SO UNHAPPY THAT SHE'S NOT HERE YET!

This colorful book is a collection of 4 very short Christmas-y stories - none of them actually "religious" in nature, but rather they touch on the spirit of the holiday season. Each story has a sincere message and can be enjoyed at face value, or can serve as a catalyst for a more meaningful discussion with your child. The illustrations and the story are pleasing for both adults and the young audience. It is perfect for reading to an audience of children under the age of 8 - and can also be read by 1st or 2nd graders. This type of book fills a void for young readers that seems to fall between the overly simply picture books and the more advanced chapter books that often lack engaging artwork. My children, ages 4 and 7 both enjoyed the book and we will be buying more Dav Pilkey books.

My daughter loves Dragon stories! They are clever and funny, but always have such a sweet message. I hope to buy them all for me,er, I mean her....They make for a great bed time read that you don't mind reading again, and again, and again, and again.

We've had this book for a long time and we still bring it out every now and then.
I think we enjoy the nostalgia of reading a favorite book together and we still
like seeing Marvin's adventures in the city and trying to remember where the
emu and the cat are. It took us years actually to find the emu on the subway.

This is an awesome book. I used it with fourth graders to teach the organization trait in the 6 traits writing. The kids loved the story and suggested we write a spin off of the book. They did an awesome job and made their stories into books and illustrated them. Highly recommend it to get students motivated to write.

I had never heard of this book before my son received it as a gift. He was about 9 months old and would insist that we read it again and again. He is now 4.5 and still likes it. And his little brother has enjoyed it just as much. The illustrations are fantastic and its fun to search for Marvin on every page. I highly recommend this book. I also love the language - it uses fantastic, descriptive words. My soon was 2 and used the words mesmorized and exhilarating because he learned them from this book.

My preschoolers love this book, not just because of the vivid illustrations that go with an easy-to-follow text - they love locating the hidden ostrich, police officers, and black cat tucked into nearly every single page. Check out the clouds...they look like fish, dinosaurs! Can you find Santa Claus hidden in Yankee Stadium's crowd of thousands?

I confess - my husband and I love finding the hidden pictures, too. Its also our favorite birthday gift for my kids friends. Get the book and scan the illustrations closely! Fun!

My three-year-old son enjoys this book so much because it lends itself to active participation. It is fun for him to spot Marvin, the escaped ape, in various settings ranging from a subway train to a ballgame to a ledge on a building. He also enjoys finding the two policemen who look for Marvin as he moves from locale to locale. I don't mind re-reading this book because of the clever illustrations and appealing New York City backdrops. And after reading the book for the first time, we have make a joke of finding Marvin--I say "Where's Marvin?" and he'll jokingly point to other animals or objects. His enjoyment of this book won't last forever, but it's been providing amusement for a few weeks now.