Boards Books

I started reading this to my sons when they were still in diapers. I would hold them in my arms and rock them gently as I read the book.

Now, my sons weigh about 35 pounds each and I'd be begging for a neck brace if I tried that again. So, instead, I've reintroduced the book as an early reader to my 5-year old and 4-year old during bedtime. They read the book to me and we talk about life on the farm and all the responsibilities a farmer has to his family.

The gentle story still works (you can't read page after page of rock-a-bye and yawning without it having a similar effect).

This is a special book to me because I've read it to all three of my children before bed...over and over again. It was requested by them more than any other bedtime book. It's a very sweet book.

My 14 year old son used to read this with me as a toddler. We both loved "Rocky Farm", as he called it, and I still melt when I see the beautiful pictures and comforting text. I'm trying to find copies for my nieces now. Too bad it is out of print. A lovely book to share with your little one.

This book is about a farmer who rocks all his animals to bed one by one. When one of the animals goes to bed and does not make a sounds he moves on to a different animal. This book is written for children 2-6 years old. It's a very good book to read if you like animals and are just starting to read books.

Rock a Bye Farm has been a favorite in my house and I would highly suggest this book to any one that enjoys reading with their children.

Here is the clarion call to a true life that
glorifies God. Put the lies of culture aside
and learn the real truth.. and live it!!

If you're looking for a challenge in your spiritual walk - this is the book for you. Law's classic book was the transforming resource in the lives of the Wesley brothers as well as abolitionist William Wilberforce - just as it changed their lives, this book will not leave you the same!

I've read an abridged and edited version for the modern reader by John Meister (158 pages) - but it wasn't enough - I had to order the small type 317 page version! This is not an easy read - on the difficulty scale of 1 - 10, this would be a solid 9. I wouldn't suggest this book to anyone in high school or even college - Law deals with real world issues and a little seasoning in life is necessary to get the full effect of his challenge. This is a perfect book for the Christian man who wants more than a Purpose Driven Life, the man looking for a profound, insightful, and challenging read that will deeply impact the core of his being!

You can find these books online. The longer version is a Vintage Spiritual Classics edition and retails for around $13.00. Rare will be the person that will want this book - but if you're the one, don't pass this one up! I give this my highest endorsement and recommendation.

Law deals directly with the concept of devotion to God - and asks some difficult questions about where man places his true devotion in life - in the things of this world, or in the Kingdom of Heaven? Law argues that a wise and reasonable man will wholly devote himself to the things of the Lord for they are far superior to the temporal and worthless things of this world. In fact, Law says that a lack of this devotion is a clear indicator of gross ignorance! The book gives several practical elements necessary for a devoted life including prayer, study, humility and confession. But it is not the elements about which Law writes, it is the manner in which he presents them to the reader that makes this book so exceptional - Law raises the bar and challenges the follower of Christ to live an exemplary life, a life worthy of their calling, a life comparable to the great saints who have walked before us or even to angels who minister above us!

This book should be read by every Christian that can get it. It was a tremendously insightful and humbling book that opened my eyes to the hypocrisy in my own life as well as the church in general. The Christian church in America and I am guessing much of the Industrialized and wealthy west[yes, I am a member of that group] have fallen so far from the devotion and holiness that God requires that it is a shock to see what was the actual New Testament norm just 270+ years ago, let alone at the time of the writing of the New Testament. This was a very easy to read book, compared to say Spurgeon or Calvin. Extremely convicting personally. Would recc. to anyone who see themselves as sinners and wants to know what they should do. Includes excellent examples and is written as a practical guide, though not a how-to book[remember, was written over 270+ yrs. ago, before self-help books where invented;)]Found out about this book from a Word Pictures Program on the subject at their video's are also highly recc. for those seeking to glorify God and enjoy him for eternity[mans chief end]
Sincerely,
Wayne Borngesser

wow - what an inspirational, hard-hitting, right on read this has been. I'm still in the process of reading it but I already love it. This should be required reading for all Christians. Then perhaps the church would live differently than the world and perhaps we'd have less scandal.

So far I can see that there needs to be a balance. One could easily tend towards legalism and a justification by self-works type of mentality. Perhaps he'll cover in later chapters how it's the Spirit of God that now creates the will to do differently and also empowers us to do so as we allow him to lead us in all areas of our lives.

But as long as one is aware of this work of the Spirit in a believer's life, then this book can do nothing but stimulate one to self-reflection and love and good works.

The fact Pastor John Piper in some of his books, "Don't Waste Your Life" and "A Hunger for God" quoted Law in this book several times intrigued me to read it personally. As I went through the chapters, however, it is clear to me and will become clear to the readers as well that Law sounds eerily close to a Roman Catholic minus the devotions to the rituals. Despite many deep, excellent, stinging, uncomfortable, soul-searching reflections and illustrations on the Christian life contrasted against the futility of a self-centered life that I believe are profitable for Christians, particularly to defy the preaching of prosperity gospel that seems to "prosper" more than the true gospel, sadly Law embraces the fatally erroneous doctrine of justification by works. In his view, Christians need to practice the principles of piety, self-denial, generosity, meekness, simplicity of life and all the Bible, particularly the New Testament teaches, the best they can in order to be saved that sounds all too familiarly popish. What he mostly brings up from the Bible is the wonderful teachings of Christ. There is no mention of poverty of spirit, dependence on God's grace to live a sanctified life or to desire to live for him to begin with, let alone the cross, justification by faith, sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and perseverance of the saints.

Well, the immediate questions that arise are of course, aren't Christians saved already, and that they are saved by grace on the basis of the finished atoning death and resurrection of Christ on the cross, and not by works? How does one know that he has done his best? What is the standard? Whose standard is it to use to determine whether one has done his best, man's or God's? If it is man's standard, which one? The Pope's? How can we be so sure if it is his standard to be used, not someone else's? If it is God's, where is it in the Bible that says God commands us to do the best we can and not rely on him for everything without excluding our responsibilities? Where is it in the Bible that God's standard says we are saved as long as we do the best we can? This is unquestionably deadly because in the end, it points to the perfectionist demand of the law where no one can meet, which is warned against by the Apostle Paul in his epistles, particularly to the Romans and Galatians. The meat of what Law talks about is all about doing and there is no mention of child-like dependence and trusting on God's grace in Christ through the Holy Spirit to enable us to follow what Law, in some cases, biblically and exquisitely exhorts to embrace and practice. To properly describe what Law offers here is a mixture of rich food and poison. The rich food is his biblical heart-piercing warnings, rebukes, reflections, illustrations and encouragements, specifically about prayer, fasting, simplicity, modesty, generosity, humility and self-denial that I must admit are too good, too important, and too bitter-sweet, eye-opening of an exposure and remedy to my own weaknesses to be overlooked as well as too precious to be neglected in practice. The poison is his constant insistence of justification by works. For the fullest benefit to be reaped, enjoy the rich food. Let it purify our souls and reform our lives, but spit the poison out. Instead, embrace and enjoy the even richer food of justification in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, and to the glory of God alone for these are the fountain that enables all true piety.

It is a terrific book.... My four girls have all enjoyed it... It's been taped over and over... Other books I wouldn't have gone to the trouble, but this one is just too precious to get rid of!!

I really enjoyed this book considering that it's extremely short. The best part about it is the pop-up. It's a great beggining reading book. This book also teaches numbers and counting. It's all put woderfully together inside this book. Ideally I would get this book for a first grader who was just learning how to read, and count. The last thing about the book that is good is that they try to hide some things to try and make you find them.

I have a three month old daughter and her eyes light up when she sees the pictures of the animals and the bugs! The pictures are so bright and capture her attention! Hope to see more books, perhaps with sea creatures, birds, rain forest animals....! Great job!

As always, this Snappy book is adorable and loved by our 2 year old! This book is the greates number book I've ever seen (as a preschool teacher, I've seen many), because it really encourages kids to count, in a fun manner. Each page coordinates with the number, for example, the page with the number seven has a lion with seven whiskers, but all the other creatures on the page, are pictured in sevens. The book also shows the written out and the numerical form for each number. It was an instant hit in our household!

My daughter received this book when she was a couple months old and she is now 6. She still loves it! The pictures are wonderfully colorful and the pop-ups are amazing. The book is not thick, but big, which lets for big, colorful pictures. Also, the pop-ups do a cute action as you open the page up. This book is vivid and entertaining enough to even capture an adult's attention. A definite buy!

I have nothing to add to all the other five star reviews, just that this book is amazing, a real labor of love, huge amount of illustrations and history, and impossible to put down. it's worth every penny of the list price as a fascinating coffee table book, and you can get it for ten percent of the list value, used,as well. apparently there were two publishers with two titles, 'timeless toys', and 'playmakers' seems to be the same book.

I happened upon this book browsing through a used book store. I sat down and started flipping through the pictures and descriptions of familiar, famous toys, and COULD NOT put the book down! I bought it that night, of course, and was even more spell-bound the more I read. I was astounded by Tim Walsh's research; the large, bright photographs; and the intimate history of the development of so many toys that are part of any American children's heritage. Learning that Mr. Potato Head originally came without the potato (children used a real one!), seeing all the variations of Candyland (found my own version: 1970's), and reading about what made the Cabbage Patch Doll craze (4th grade - I remember so clearly!) was fascinating. It was my treat to read every day coming home from work until sadly, I finished it! But, as a 5th grade teacher, I promptly took the book to school and watched with delight my students' reactions as they discovered interesting and arcane facts about toys they all knew about as well (how long some toys have been around got the biggest reactions). It was passed around the classroom for several weeks. I cannot recommend this book too highly!

The author has created an excellent book covering the most popular toys of the 20th Century. As you go through this book, you are going to come across many toys you remember from your own lifetime. While some have faded with time, many are still popular and have entertained ever since they first appeared.
The book takes a rather wide view of what a toy is; and includes many games,puzzles,and other things that have entertained young as well as those who are young at heart,if not in years.
The first toy discussed was the Flexible Flyer sled.It brought back a memory to me ,since I had one as a kid.Mine had the straight-runner,and I ran into a gutter grate and punctured my thigh. It seems it happened enough that the runners were rounded.Then, there is the Big Wheel. The kid next door had one and he loved it so much ,he wore completely through the plastic wheels.
Here, you will not only see great pictures of the toy or game ;but also the story behind its being invented and marketed. You will also learn about the person who invented it,details about patents,how many were sold;and lots of other interesting details. It's highly likely that you will find your favorite toy or game covered.
At the back of the book you will find an extensive Bibliography. The book covers many games and puzzles.I have been a long time fan of puzzles and if you are interested in them ,I suggest a search under Jerry Slocum,[...]or The Slocum Puzzle Foundation,Beverly Hills,California.
Overall,a wonderful book that would be interesting to just about anyone who enjoys toys,games or puzzles.

As someone interested in toys and collecting, I've read lots on the subject. But Tim Walsh still told me things I didn't know. The best part is that someone with no interest in the subject will still find this lavish, inviting coffee table book an enthralling read. The reason is the author, Tim Walsh. Most toy collecting books start with no criteria as to what goes in and what stays out of the book. Tim did. One criterion was that the toy had to be created or invented by an outsider. Thus, a lot of well- known toys already didn't make the cut.

The ones that did have stories a lot better than the title, Timeless Toys, makes them sound. By that I mean that this isn't one of those nostalgic "see how much better these simple toys were than all your overdone gadgetry?" books that abound in collecting circles. You might come to that conclusion, but Tim started somewhere else. When he made his own games, he started asking questions about others. Why is the box like that? Why is this that color? Where did they get that name?

Those are the same questions one asks playing with toys. The cynical answers are that marketing research showed that more people would pick up the package if it were blue, and a computer poll of all co-eds showed they liked the letter "Z". But Tim shows, thank heaven, that those cynical answers are wrong. Lots of great toys came from accidents, and many inventors began with a sense of wonder.

Tim doesn't stop there. Those outsiders need insiders to make a toy. Tim covers all that, including the most famous toy designer, Marvin Glass. As with Andy Warhol, the Glass name covered a design team, and Tim introduces some of the faces behind the scenes. Many toys were inspired by other toys, and Tim traces the roots back. His findings usually don't jibe with the urban legends surrounding their creations, and when there are multiple tales, Tim tells them all.

The most interesting parts to me are some that might be overlooked. They are small sidebars showing the origins of a toy and some of the companies that have made it. Often the company names change because the companies are bought by other firms. A decade ago Tyco was bringing back all the classic toys that ever existed, having bought those companies or their toy molds. Where's Tyco now? I wondered, until Tim revealed it was bought by Mattell.

Tim also tells the origin of many toy companies, including one started by two guys named Matson and Elliot. I've read about Wham-O before, and even interviewed an animator who made Superball commercials, but Tim reveals the secret of how Wham-O made so many great toys. Tim also breaks it all down with by decade timelines. He often shows the box art of toys that were revived in various decades. Toy art in the '50s and '60s, much of it done by comic book artists, is a wonder to behold, while the overdone, throwaway art of today really does look like the result of committees on market research.

The bad news is that this 300 page book is only about 75 toys. But that may be a good thing. Those interested might track down Bill Bruegman's Toys of the Sixties or related volumes to read on. Don't buy The Playmakers, though, because Timeless Toys is the new title of the same book. Tim Walsh convinced me that creative souls, even today, even if by accident, may still have a chance. If toys be the fruit of wonder, play on!

As a toy inventor I was surprised when I first saw the book by how beautifully designed it was as well as the extraordinary quality of the photography. On further examination, it greatly surpassed my first impression with its fascinating stories and (truly astonishing), that it got its facts right!

In addition to the fun of seeing all those cool looking toys and taking a nostalgic look back over the last century, it's an historical tribute to American and American immigrant's genius and hard work that has given us all so much pleasure.

treat yourself and your friends to this fine book.

I first stumbled onto McGuirk's Quirks on the internet (www.tuckerdog.com) and have since fallen in love with each Tucker offering. The joy comes each time I share Tucker with my Grandaughter.

I bought this book for my great nephew. After reading it I have decided to buy the entire set for both of us. What a wonderful book!!!

Another wonderful book in the series. I own them all. The children I purchase for read them over and over. They are captivated by Tucker's adventures and the colourful illustrations. A must have for any child or adult. Check out the entire series.

Another wonderful adventure in the Tucker series! My daughter was enraptured! Congrats on another book well done!

We love littl Tucker and his unique and wimsical personality.
Leslie McGuirk's books are written in a voice that young
children can truly connect with. Tucker's Spooky Halloween
is another delighful addition to our collection.

My son loves this book, so much so that we read it EVERY night at bedtime and several other times during the day. The flip-up pages are sturdy and fun! All-around this is the best book we've purchased in a long time! I highly recommend it.

My two year old grandson is totally in love with trains, especially Thomas and friends. He loves anything with trains. This was a perfect fit for him.

The illustrations are interesting and lend themselve to questions and answers. The flaps are large and sturdy, and opening one actually changes the action in the picture.

My little girl's birthday gift arrived on time and in great shape. It also cost a lot less that it would have if I had gone to the mall AND I didn't have to drive. :-)

Thomas is our 2-yr old son's favorite thing right now so we got him a new Thomas book. "Wave Hello to Thomas" is a very simple book with nice pictures and fun flaps. After just a few weeks he has memorized the book and will sit happily "reading" and lifting the flaps. He even takes the book to bed with him.

John Butler books are my 3 year old son's absolute favorite. He is captivated by the beautiful soothing illustrations, and loves to chant along with the story being told. I have been reading this story to him since he was 6 months old, and have since bought all of the John Butler board books. They are lovely, and a wonderful bonding experience with your child!

Me and my grandchildren love John Butler's books, especially "While You Were Sleeping". The illustrations are so vivid and life-like. The book teaches color and counting concepts in such fun and interesting ways. Children want to hear this story over and over again. Please Mr. Butler, keep writing books for children.

I've read this book to my son (now age 3) from the time he was born. It is one of his favorites. We make the animal sounds on each page and now he counts each animal. It can be an upbeat energized story for playtime or you can read it slowly and softly for a great bedtime story.

This is such a beautifully illustrated book- my 16 month old son just loves it. He loves the moon and the stars and the illustrations of the moon, stars, and animals are just beautiful to look at. And along with the beautiful picures, the author also counts from 1-10 with the animals - 1 Tiger goes hunting (don't love hunting but I change that word), 2 mice cozy up together, 3 bears play chase etc. so it is fun to sometimes practice counting with him- even though it is a bit early for that! But, this is a wonderful nighttime story for children. A must have!

I first got the board book version of this book for my daugther & really fell in love with both the story and the artwork! A few months later I happened to read a review where the person said there was a difference between the Hard cover and Board book version. So... I decided to also purchase the book in Hardcover as well.

Now that I have both side by side, in my eyes here is the difference between the 2 books. The Hardcover starts with a little girl being awoken by her mother in the morning, and while the girl is waking up her mother begins to talk about how all the animals that where awake last night while she was sleeping are now all sleeping, whiles she is now awake. From those 3 pages the books are both the same.... and then the hard back has 5 more pages at the end that the Board book does not.

I know that board books are small for small listeners with short attention spans, so I think the publishers choose to shorten a few pages that really do not matter if they are deleted from the book. The board book still stands alone as just as awesome without those 8 pages some of which are illustrations.

I use the board book at night before bed to show her that the world is big and while she is sleeping others are awake and so forth. The board book begins with the outline of a home against a stary, stary night. While I plan to use the hard cover book when I introduce her to it one morning or afternoon. Both books are illustrated so beautifully and it still to me is such a neat process that while we sleep, someone in the world is playing!

I have also seen this done in the "Family of the Earth" Books as well.

She brings it to me several times a day and says, "Ree baby born." She loves the pictures, loves the rhythm of the text. A great book for everyone. Beautiful art, heartwarming and thoughtful.

When I ordered it, I thought the board book would have lift-the-flap features just like the hardcover version; the description and reviews here make it really hard to tell. For the record, the board book version does NOT have lift-the-flaps. It's still a great book though, and in balance of things I guess I'd rather have the sturdiness of the board book. (Also, hardcover was on backorder and would have been really delayed in arriving.)

this is a fantastic book, great pictures, covers all the seasons, and a baby first year of life.

This charming lift the flap book is very different from the ordinary. Sweet rhymes and adorable pictures will delight both parent and child. When you lift the flaps you will find the unexpected.

I bought this book for all my friends having winter babies. I love the board book version, so I can share it with my baby now. I am hoping to hold onto it as a keepsake for her. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful. This book is short and sweet. My 4 month old enjoys having it read to her.

Cute book about a father dancing with his baby girl. The text rhymes, which makes it easy to read --- almost like a song.

I love the artwork and I love that the dad is the main character along with his daughter. Wonderful read for your newbor and infant!

This book is so lovely and my 5 month old daughter beamed the first time she saw it. The poem is simple and the pictures are so sweet. The daddy swings the baby girl all around as her tears turn into laughter. It reminds me of how my daughter and my husband play together....maybe it reminds my daughter of her daddy too! Love it!

My daughter loved this book as a baby. We had it out of the library so many times, I bought it when she was 10 months old. Her 3 year old brother and I both learnt it by heart from singing it to her every night. She still really likes it at 21 months old, though now we don't read it every night. I love the illustrations that show the real movement of the baby up and down, round and round, and of course that one can sing the whole book.

My daughter, nearly three, picked Baby Dance out of the library on her own. She has insisted on having it sung to her every night for the past three weeks. She's at the "why" stage of life -- so rather than just enjoy the pictures, she's also questioning the plot: why is the baby sad (at the beginning)? and observing "look, the mama's awake! (at the end). The book is a really sweet take on something all too familiar -- a baby's distress that mama's not always available -- but with a lovely message that dada can make baby smile, too!

Lots of ideas for putting kids names on the board. Kids seem to enjoy seeing their name "up in lights" and this book has great ideas for that.

Now and then, you have to invest in a book that pays big dividends in time and creative energy for you, as a teacher.
Karen Robbins has given us just such a book -- generously sharing nearly a hundred pages of bulletin board ideas for all the months of the year, including summer! We know that learning takes place best when we get children involved with all their senses -- what I especially like about this book is the "cooperative" in the title, because from now on bulletin boards will not be a teacher chore, but a child's delight! Thank You for this guide for those of us who are less artistically inclined!

A book obviously written by a teacher. Ideas are clear for students to understand and assemble. One page directions with materials easy to find and prepare. Workable plans for huge displays that engage all students. Projects celebrate creativity at all abilities and provide students with art lessons that enhance seasonal themes. Extremely useful for the classroom teacher with artistic limits, that wants to introduce students to a variety of art media.

I LOVE this book! I used it all last year and my colleagues were always exclaiming over our finished projects. The ideas matched a lot of my theme units. And each page comes with a great illustration for those of us who are visual learners. The best part is that the teacher has a very small role in the making of classroom displays (other than pinning student's creations to the wall). The students have complete artistic control!

As an elementary teacher, I believed that bulletin boards should be made by my students and not me! I wrote Big Bulletin Boards with this concept in mind. Most of the boards within my book have been successfully constructed by students. Children will be introduced to 23 different forms of art mediums; while developing creativity and building self esteem. The boards are quick, easy, fun and creative for both boys and girls. What a wonderful way to teach cooperative learning! Big Bulletin Boards: A Cooperative Approach was previously published by Prentice-Hall, Inc. selling over 16,000 copies. I revised the book and released the Second Edition in 2001 under Hide and Seek Press. I hope you have fun making BIG bulletin boards with your students! I sure did and they became the "talk of the school."! *Note: This is a great book especially for beginning teachers, preschool/elementary teachers or librarians.