Schools Books

Barnabas Sackett's life from his evasion of the Queen of England in Europe to fighting and befriending different tribes of Indians North of Jamestown and South of Plymouth. Makes a long drive seem much shorter! John Curless has a perfect voice for this story. One of Louis Lamour's best!

I discovered books on CD from a coworker. Having a one hour and ten minute commute each way makes listening to books on CD a great way to enjoy the travel time.
I found this book very well written and very well spoken. One person having to read the voice of many characters is probably not the easiest thing to do. This reading is well done. I found myself sitting in the company parking lot just to finish a chapter before facing my workday. This was my first L'Amour book on CD and it was very enjoyable.

Sackett's Land and To the Far Blue Mountains make a complete story of the life and times of the Sackett progenitor. The combination is entirely satisfactory. L'Amour had the ability to tell the story well, and he developed that ability with years of work and research. It is probably fortunate for Sackett enthusiasts that he wrote the first books in the series later in his writing career. We benefit from his seasoned skills.

As in his westerns, in this book L'Amour focuses on what he finds interesting and what he thinks the reader will like to know. For the most part, he doesn't go into the technical detail that some authors pursue, but he paints a clear picture. The reader has a feeling of being there, or the strong sense that they could be there, right along with our hero.

The Sackett family saga is the story of an American family. Like all of L'Amour's work, it is wholesome and educational. He consistently hits on themes that his readers recognize, the importance of education and critical thinking, respect for our fellow creatures and the world in which we live,loyalty to family and friends, and taking positive action to shape one's own life. All that and a fun story too, for the cost of five bucks.

Dramatically narrated by John Curless, To The Far Blue Mountains is an flawlessly recorded audiobook presentation of yet another of Louis L'Amour's classic western novels featuring the hardy endurance of the Sackett clan as they addressed the challenges of life in the Old West. To The Far Blue Mountains follows Barnabas Sackett, who is on the run with his steadfast wife Abigail and his only escape is to the west. This is a superbly written adventure story of earning a life for oneself on the frontier, surviving all manner of hazards both human and environmental, and eventually prospering despite the hostilities of nature and man alike. To The Far Blue Mountains is an enthusiastically recommended audiobook for personal and community library collections!

I picked up this book because the intro on the back cover sounded good and I've liked almost every L'amour book I've read. Its written in a first person narrative as though he was sitting across from you on the couch telling the story.

The first half of the book is terrific, following his escape from England. We learn of his thirst to be out in the wild open spaces of the newly discovered America, he is falsy accused and is running from the law collecting people to join him as he describes the new beginnings they can have in the New World. Its very tightly written (though I think his escape from prison was way too easy) and you really love the character.

Once the group got to America things changed. In an effort to show the WHOLE life of Barnabas the whole story changes, now we have 50 years of history in 100 pages. So the narrative changes from a day-by-day upbeat story where friends are joining the group to a list of significant events, usually where one of the group dies from an indian raid. It becomes a series of "we built a fort", "xxx died in an indian raid", "the fort burned down", "we went down to sea and traded our skins for supplies", "yyyy died in an indian raid", "we built another fort", etc.

I didn't like the ending either, I think the whole story basically got pretty depressing towards the end with all the group dying or leaving to go off and do other things. All the next generation were grown up and strong but we don't have the emotional connection with them that we did with the first group.

Great "Scandinavian" book for a Norwegian like me to share with my children.
My daughter loves all of Jan Brett's books.

I have enjoyed this book with my 6yr old great grandson. The pictures are so bright and interesting and all the small ones on the sides enable a lot of conversation and questions to be asked and answered. I like all of Jan Brett's books. She is a wonderful author. I hope to acquire many more.
Carol Leighton

A little girl named Treva tells her story wen she had trouble with trolls. She lives on the slopes of Mount Baldy and was hiking it to visit her cousin who lives on the other side. With her is her dog Tuffi. Trouble happens along the way as a troll will jump out and declare "I want dog"

She tricks them into taking pieces of her clothing but eventually she reaches the top and discovers they still want the dog. She declares she can fly with her skies but needs all her cloths back. She asks for a push but they can't since they are holding Tuffi. She offers to hold the dog and away she skis to the cries of "Dog, Dog, Dog!"

This is a fun little story and my little girl has taken to it. Probably because the artwork is very good!

There is also a small side story of a hedgehog who wanders into the home of the trolls.

This is a sweet well written and drawn story that will make for any child's bedtime reading. Be prepared to hand over the book so the pictures may be viewed.

Treva lives on the slopes of Mount Baldy. One day she goes to visit a relative on the other side. She will climb up with her dog and then ski down the other side. But on the way up she runs into the trolls. Each troll she meets is interested in her dog. Treva manages to trick each of them into taking some of her clothing instead (mittens, hat, sweater, boots). But just at the top the trolls decide they still want the dog. Treva has one more trick up her sleeve and winds up same with her dog and all of her clothing. The ultimate fate of the trolls is quite interesting.

This is a very nice story with an intelligent and quick-thinking protagonist. Troll legend has been change a little. There is no mention of the trolls wanting to eat the dog (a la Billy Goats Gruff) but instead to help warm them and act as a pack animal. Their fate is also one I am unfamiliar with. Many stories have trolls turn to stone in the sunlight but this transformation is quite interesting.

The illustrations are just what you expect from Jan Brett; beautiful and packed with detail. Earrings and hair ribbons should be paid attention to as well as the happy hedgehog who invades the trolls' home. A truly delightful story from an author who has written more stories about clothes than you can imagine (The Hat, The Mitten, Armadillo Rodeo, Etc).

As parents, bibliophiles, and teachers, we are always on the lookout for good children's books and books with positive girl characters are always needed. This one is fabulous. Treva is smart, creative, courageous, loving, strong, competent and clever. This is exactly the kind of child that we would want our 2 1/2 year old son to be exposed to. It's a fun adventure story that shows how a child can be creative and use their imagination and other intellectual abilities to problem solve and come up with a plan in a tough situation (without resorting to physical force) and then use their physical and creative skills in executing their plan. The last few sentences of the book also add a more abstract, creative idea that expands the depth of the book depending on the age and abilities of the child who's hearing the story. The illustrations are well done - they're good and easy to follow and help the child to understand the story, They also provide additional details and threads for the child to explore. And, something I'm always on the lookout for, it was a great alternative troll story. On the chance that most of his fellow schoolmates would be talking about pirates, superheroes, fairy tale characters and such, I didn't want my son to have no idea what others were referring to simply because we tended to avoid such stories because they tend to be completely objectionable in terms of their values and characters. So, I'm always on the lookout for good alternatives, and this was a very positive way to introduce him to a troll. (As a side note, a good alternative for superheroes is "Max" by Bob Grahm; for pirates try "Pirate Pete", "Edward and the Pirates" and "Pirate Pink"; and there are many fractured fairy tales which are clear winners over the traditional sexist, violent, etc fairy tales, e.g. "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig", "Wolf" by Becky Bloom, "The Big Bad Wolf is Good", "The Emperor [Penguin] has no clothes", and on video - CinderElmo - where Elmo goes to the Princesses ball). This was my first exposure to Jan Brett and I'm looking forward to more books.

Unforgettable story. I first read this when I was 21, when it first came out. I still have the copy... worn, stained, well read. It's "lessons" are more powerful now that I've aged 30 years! Regardless of your religion or lack thereof this book is a keeper!!

This book is just a fabulous read. I have always loved the premise of this book. I just like the idea of God actually answering questions. The book is both funny and thoughtful-I'd recommend this book to anyone.

This is a book that I have read at least 5 times, and I have purchased many times for friends and family. I feel like I want everyone I know to own a copy of this book. Its a fantastic, heart warming, and touching story, that has some wonderful messages about life. Everyone I have passed it onto feel the same way I do about it. I just love the letters from "God" - our beloved gas station attendant who really knows life and how to live it. I wish there were more books out there like this one.

It's about time that this novel has been reprinted. I bought this book about 25 years ago. In that time, I've read it about 15 times. I cry every time I get to the last chapter. Do yourself a favor. When you buy this book, and you will, buy all of the others in the series. You can't go wrong.

I read this book when it first came out, and I've re-read it several times since. It never fails to touch me with its innocence, humanity, and humor. If John Powers were my neighbor, I'd bring him a homemade pie!

VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY
MELISSA WALKER
Rating: 5 Enchantments

After being discovered by a high profile modeling agent at her after-school job at her local movie theatre, Violet Greenfield finds herself thrust into the New York modeling scene as the next hot `it' girl.

Violet's new model status elevates her popularity--especially at school where her height had earned her the nickname `green giant'--and the girls she always wanted to hang out with suddenly think she's cool. So who can blame her for testing out everything her new life has to offer? Its not like she's planning on ignoring her two lifelong best friends forever...she just wants to test the new waters she's suddenly found admission into.

Violet finds herself immersed in an entirely new world in NYC where her life in North Carolina seems so far away, especially her two best friends, Julie and Roger. When a new Violet starts to emerge, one who's confidant and more popular than she could have ever imagined, can Violet resist the temptation to let go of the `old' Violet?

Violet is a vibrant character who comes to life on the pages. I loved the scenes where Violet has her first go-sees and her newfound agent Angela tags along with her to one, and then basically throws her to wolves to fend for herself for the rest of the day.

VIOLET ON THE RUNWAY is an addicting debut novel by Ms. Walker. I was hooked from page one and look forward to reading more about Violet.

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
March 2008

I loved this book. I think almost every girl dreams of becoming famous or getting noticed. This book allows you to do just that. You feel yourself becoming Violet and you get to "become" her. Violet is someone you can relate to. You find yourself cheering her on and liking her. Her character felt real.You find yourself caring about what's going to happen next.The plot was great and the book was very well-written. I can't wait to read the sequel Violet by Design.
-Carol
______________________________________
[...]

Violet is your everyday teenager. She is insecure with her body and unsure of the person she is. But all that changes when she is "discovered" working at the local movie theater. Angela her modeling agent is sure Violet is the next big thing!

Modeling comes easily for Violet, she simply can't help being herself, and the designers love it. The other models however don't particularly like being shown up by a newbie. When Violet takes the big step and moves to New York, she finds out modeling is more that walking around with pretty clothes. Violet tries to resist being swallowed whole by this new world, but in response she has turned into someone else. Will the new Violet win out, or will the old shine through?

When I started reading Violet on the Runway, I was hesitant. I didn't want another one of those books where the girl goes from zero to IT and all her dreams come true. I was for certain I had the storyline pegged, and I wasn't thrilled. Luckily for me I kept reading, because I didn't have this story pegged after all! Sure Violet gets the modeling gig, but it isn't a walk in the park. I know how she felt in the beginning, when she had to have people like her, because I was the same way. I was so happy to see her grow! She did make me mad when she ditched her true friends, but she made it up to them in the end. I actually enjoyed reading this book and I am totally looking forward to reading Violet by Design. I just hope I see some more Violet and Roger action!

Violet Greenfield is a wallflower. She feels way too tall and skinny and the only two people she feels comfortable around are her two best friends. But her life changes forever when a lady with Chanel shades comes into the theater where Violet works and tells her she could be the next IT model. Soon, Violet is on a plane to New York, with other people deciding what she should wear and how she should act. She soon realizes that the life of a model isn't always fabulous.

Violet on the Runway is an amazing book about what really takes place behind the runway, in the life of a model. The characters were realistic and three dimensional and though I know nothing about modeling, I could relate to everything Violet was going through. I must say that Violet on the Runway is way better than what I expected and it's not your normal "Not It Girl Turned IT Girl" novel. I definitely recommend picking this book up on your next trip to the bookstore.

Meet Violet, a tall, awkward girl who teeters in uncomfortable shoes on the road to stardom. While working at the local movie theatre - complete with horrible uniform - Violet is discovered by a model scout. Suddenly, her life goes from predictable and average to unpredictable and hectic, and she becomes famous and fashionable - but still feels uncomfortable.

Melissa Walker's first novel lets readers escape into the world of fashion and see both the highs and the lows of the industry. The sudden rise to fame is shocking enough for small-town Violet, and the separation from her family is hard to boot. Violet tries to keep her head on straight as she transitions from being a high school student in Chapel Hill to an international supermodel, but old friends, new friends, and the expectations of others often leave her confused. Rather than making her career a cakewalk, Walker allows her to slip up, both on and off of the runway.

Violet on the Runway is the first in a series. Read them in order - Violet on the Runway, Violet by Design, and Violet in Private - to watch Violet grow up, dress up, and 'fess up.

This was a really good book. I really enjoyed it. This was my first 100 pager.

Bill Wallace's book, Watchdog and the Coyotes, was an outstanding and very hilarous. He thinks about how dogs would act in certian situations. I like it because of all the humor.

This book is about a dog, Sweetie, becoming a watchdog, through training by his friends Poky and Red. While they're training they get attacked by coyotes. What are they going to do?

Bill Wallace tries to get out the message that even animals can have feeings too. You should treat animals as you would want to be treated.

This book will bring you all the way down the field. A dog named Sweetie is a watch dog. One day when Sweetie`s cool, nice owner is not around somebody breaks in the house. Sweetie just sits there when the terrible, bad rober steals all the furture. Sweetie gets yelled at because he didn`t do anything what so ever to stop the rober. Do you want to know what happens to Sweetie........ well I can`t tell you! Read on to find out what will happen to the scared dog Sweetie.

Critic:Sara

The book I just finished was Watch Dog And The Coyotes. It is an exciting book because something happens when you least expect it. Once Sweetie's master comes out of no where and saves Sweetie's life from the coyotes.
This book is about a dog named Sweetie. He is a watch dog who just watches. He has two dog neighbors. One is a small beagle named Poky. On the other side is an old Irish setter. His name is Red because his fur is red. One night, coyotes come to steal their food! They need to find a way to get rid of them, fast!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes dogs or just wants to read a good book.

This book was really cute, in a funny way. I highly recommend it!

Wenny Has Wings
By: Janet lee Carey


(1.) This book is about a young boy named, Will and his sister named, Wenny. Will and Wenny where walking down the street and got ran over by a truck. Wenny died and went to heaven. Will's heart stopped for 10 minuets. Will said he sped through a dark tunnel when he died. Then we flew around in the sky. After that he said he woke up in the hospital. Will blames he's self for Wenny's death. He thinks there must have been something he could have done so prevent the accident. His parents said to him
"Why did it have to be Wenny?"
Will got very upset because we thought they meant they would rather have him die then Wenny. They meant why Wenny had to die. Will's pastor tells him that when he's angry, he should write letters to god, but Will decides he'd rather write to Wenny, so will writes to Wenny every day, maybe even 2 or 3 times a day. In his writing we talks about many things. Most of the time when Will writes to Wenny he is talking about stuff he did that day and some times he talks about how much he misses Wenny. 50% of the time he writes he is in the hospital trying to get well, so he can go home and go back to school to see all of his friends. When he gets home he is very excited, but that is just until his parents seem very depress. Will thinks that talking about his near-death experience may comfort his and help heal his family, but no one seems willing to listen to him and talk to him about it.

(2.) This book was very exciting to read because you did not know what was going to happen next. For example one of the notes Will wrote to Wenny said, "How much Will wanted to see Wenny. The next thing you know he is saying his mom is pregnant and she is getting ready to have a baby, so they are taking every thing out of Wenny's room and painting the room and putting in stuff for the new baby. The only thing that I really was disappointing was the end of the story. I thought it was disappointing because it just had the last letter and said love Will on it. It did not say anything like I will miss you or I will write to you soon again. It just stopped. I did not really like that.

(3.) I really liked Janet Lee Carey's writing because it's not like a long story where nothing really exciting happens. It is written more like an AIM or like a journal. I really enjoy these kinds of writings because I can relate to them a lot and I really enjoy writing AIM to friends. I have not read any other books by this author but I am soon planning on it.

(4.) If I could rate this book 1-10 I would defiantly rate it a 9. I would rate it a 9 because I really think it is a fantastic book. I would recommend you reading it.

I thought that book was the best book that I have ever read. It was sad when Wenny died because of a truck. And it was just the way the book was made and I could proubly read this book any day. It was just the way the author had wrote the book alot of wondeful details in it and the book was just out standing. It was the the family was falling apart because of when Wenny died it changed everthing and then later through out the book it was like there family was like done the parents have been aruing alot and then at the end of the book well close to it they bacame a better family and Will felt like they were a family agian and the new baby was comming and there parents hated going into wennny room but they had to do it that was going to be the new babys room.Will made sure though to leave some of Wennys things in there for the baby and Will had been trying every thing to tell his parentsd about how he felt when he died and they would just nevr listen to him and will felt like he was just a nobody and he wanted all of that to change well it did and they alll became a great family agian and they were sill pretty happy except for when Wenny died

There is a brother and and a sister named Wenny and Will. Will is older than Wenny! One day they both go walking to the auto part-store to get parts for their derby car,when all of a sudden a truck came out from no-where and hits the two kids, because the brakes went out on his truck.It killed the little girl and broke his leg and ruptured his spleen.While they were operating on him his heart stopped for a whole ten minutes, he claimed he saw the white light. The boy has to stay in the hospital for a while. His mother and father hardley ever stay in the room with Will.His mother is expecting another baby soon the end

This is a great book it tell readers to watch out and be careful when their crossing the road, but also they need to know the whole conversation before they start blaming people for doing stuff.
Will and Wenny were on their way into town to get a part for will cart thing when they got hit by a truck that tried to stop but it just wouldnt. They both died, but when they were dead Will saw Wenny flying ahead of him going to a light person in a big hole in the sky, then will felt a blast of energy and saw his parents in the waiting room while the dockter was reviving him. He woke up a while later with a broken legg and asked his mom if they used the paddle things on Wenny too. It was too much so mom started crying and left the room.Will starts writing letters to Wenny in a blank book that the youth minister gave him, and he gets into a lot of trouble trying to make his parents happy again. Icant tell you any more becouse that would ruin it so your just going to have to get the book.
This book makes readers lauph and cry its a great book you would enjoy it, I DID.

In the beging of the story Wenny and her brother was off to the craft store to get patches for the the scout troops so they can get badges made for the leader and the troop. Wenny's brother didn't like her following him, she never played barbie dolls or baby dolls she just wanted to play with his toys and do the things he wanted to do. One day they were on there way back from the craft store from getting the badges when the truck pop over the hill and the truck hit the 2 kids and there cat's tail. When the guy got out of the truck he notice that the little girl was nearly alive and the boy was atill alive so the boy was sent to the hospital and the cat got token to the vet but the sister died on the way there. The guy who was driving the truck sent him a card that was girly saying I'm sorry that i hit your kids and that i will do anything for to help you and your kid

the ultimate guide, including all cetacean species known to mna, even the elusive beaked whales. Even inlcudes a species or two that had only been discovered by skulls. The illustrations for those species are the artist's impressions. The artist is the amazing marc carwardine. Excellent guide for cetacean lovers

Once again, reading the list of photo-credits at the back of this book is like reading the index in a "Who's Who in the world of Underwater Photography." This is an exciting book with colour photographs (though occasionally a map or diagram) on every single page and the standard of reproduction is as good as it gets.

As with "Sharks & Rays" (a book in the same series), the content is also as good as it gets and, if you only had room to pack a single book on the subject before setting out to discover some of these excellent creatures, then this book will satisfy all your requirements.

Commencing with their customary "Understanding" Whales Dolphins and Porpoises, the reader is then taken on a journey which provides a complete and wide understanding of these incredible creatures - many species of which remain on the brink of extinction. With sections on hunting, captivity, migration and much more plus a page dedicated to each specific species, this book is as complete as it should be and fully lives up to the promise in the title of being an "Ultimate" guide.

Altogether and excellent book and an essential addition to any scuba diver's library.

NM

This book is extremely useful to both the general reader and to those with a serious interest in cetaceans. The book is well organized for quick reference and beautifully illustrated to aid in species identification in the field. Cetaceans are grouped by family and unique characteristics are clearly defined and illustrated. In addition the book is lightweight and easily carried on a boat trip. Highly recommended.

My main objections to this field guide were the illustrations. Artistic renderings are often beautiful, but fail to portray the animal in question with accuracy. Cuvier's beaked whale (Ziphius)is a case in point. Although I have not observed this animal at sea myself, I spoke with a number of fellow fishery biologists who have spent time at sea as marine mammal observers and no one has ever observed a bright yellow Ziphius in the field. All observed a base color of grey with this genus, at least in the northeastern Pacific. The Tasmacetus rendering is most likely based on the J. Mammalogy (1976) paper by Watkins wherein an unidentified ziphiid whale (probable Tasmacetus) was observed from a bluff overlooking the sea in New Zealand. Useful plates were those showing all similar cetaceans together; eg. all oceanic dolphins without prominent beaks, all oceanic dolphins WITH prominent beaks etc. The ziphidae plates show male Mesoplodon characteristics, but that is to be expected since solitary female ziphiid whales, especially Mesoplodon sp., could be virtually impossible to identify. My own field guide preferences use photographs rather than artistic renderings. Other problems: The distribution maps to not reflect the full distribution (extralimital observations/strandings) of many species. An example: Psuedorca is shown as a species with a distribution much further south than observations/stranding records indicate. The text does suggest that 'numerous records' exist outside of the more tropical distribution shown in the map. Note also that many of the dolphin renderings are positioned so that the dorsal fin is right where the pages meet. We did get a chuckle over the photograph showing what you should wear when watching whales, but that can be explained by our 'silly scientist' bias. One note for potential whale-watchers: do not allow your binocular strap to lie right on the skin of your neck while at sea as you can wear painful wounds into your neck through a day of whale-watching. Make sure your shirt collar or other clothing lies under that silly strap! Voice of experience!

This book clearly deserves more than five stars for the great joy it will make available to you in the future by encouraging you to do more cetacean watching.

One of my pleasures is planning and taking trips to the various whale, dolphin, and porpoise rich areas in the world. When there, I spend as much time as possible on the water enjoying the views. I was particularly delighted to see that this book opens the doors to locales that I did not know about. As a result, I now have three times as many places to visit as I thought I did. Having seen the unusual species that I have missed, I now see the world much differently. That's a great gift to receive from a field guide.

Most people are unaware of the fascinating and beautiful mammal life in the oceans and rivers (yes, some dolphins live in rivers) around them. Although I live near one of the world's best cetacean watching areas, I would estimate that fewer than five percent of the people I meet have ever gone to observe the wonderful sights that are just a few minutes offshore. This guide can help change all that.

With a heightened sense of our aquatic co-species, I think that all people will have more respect for them and interest in preserving their habitats and populations.

Many people have a chance to go boating on the ocean, and see something that interests them. What is it? How should they approach it? I hope that all ocean-going boaters will buy a copy of this book to address those questions.

This is a beautiful book to hold and behold. The drawings are luscious in their subtlety of color and shape.

As a way to identify cetaceans, I cannot imagine a handbook that could be any better. The book is filled with dozens of clues for each type from length, shape, coloration, presence of typical parasites, behavior, breathing patterns, and other physical characteristics (like the shape of the teeth or baleen, blowholes, tails, heads, etc.). With so many observational points to consider, it would be very unusual to make a mistake. So the casual cetacean watcher can quickly be able to perform like an expert.

After you have finished enjoying this wonderful book, I suggest that you plan your next trip to watch cetaceans. If possible, I suggest going to some location that you have never been to before. Even if formal party boats are not available there, you can go out in the least expensive way and rely on your handbook to guide you into a better understanding of what you are seeing.

Appreciate the natural grandeur and beauty of the cetaceans . . . always!

I loved this book and so did my son. it's really nice when your trying to teach your toddler colors. the pages are very bright

This is such a cute story. SHORT with simple text and great images. The rabbit hops into various tubs of colors and even mixes a few. Cute story that keeps my kids interested. My 2 year old is learning about colors and my 4 year old finds the mixing of those colors to create new ones to be very interesting. Really has triggered their imaginations and creativity. Fun little book. It gets requested here often.

I used this book to teach primary, secondary and color mixing to my K-2 art students. They love it and it's a great alternative to the color wheel!

Excellent book for children learning colour combinations. I also painted small pails and made felts to retell the story. The children at Preschool think this is magic.

Wonderful book to help children learn their colors and explore art. I would highly recommend this book.

This is a neat book about animals and how they move. The book is amusing and imaginative, and informative on a level that the 2-4 year old crowd can handle. The book is not at all scary, and quite popular with animal lovers. It has about 60 words.

I originally bought this for a friend's child. When I had my son this year I had to buy it for him. My husband and I love this book and will walk around the house saying, "Who Hops?..... no they don't!!" This is such a cute book with fun illustrations and a nice rhythm to the story.

I got this book for my 2 year old daughter and she LOVES it! She really enjoys "reading" it herself. The illustrations are simple and very bright and colorful. The repetitive nature of it, makes it easier for her to "read" and remember. GREAT JOB - Katie Davis !

This is a MUST HAVE book for any toddler.

The colors are bright and the illustrations are funny. This alone keeps my son's attention. The repitions make it easy for my son to remember and help me "read" the book.

Sometimes we play this as a game at the park. My son will start 'hopping' like a bunny and I'll tell him to hop like a kangaroo, horse and fish. He'll stop and say "nooooo, fish hop". I think it's fun and so does he.

I loved using "Who Hops" in my first grade classroom where the children delighted at the silly pictures and the simple text was perfect for their emerging reading skills. Now that I am a mother of a one year old I have fallen in love with this book all over again. My little guy thrills at the bold bright illustrations and the text is fast paced enough to hold his attention through several readings. This book is an all time favorite of mine and a must for any little person's library!

Windchaser is a fabulous book for kids who would love to fly. The story involves a boy who lost his father and a flyer who has lost something special to him. A young criminal bound for Australia has a parallel storyline as we watch how Dinotopia opens up new opportunities for them both.

Dinotopia is the place I would go to live in a "New York minute"...no crime to speak of, no bad language, friendly people who actually think of others before themselves are the norm, and playing with dinosaurs makes all characters understand what's really important in life. Boys will especially love this one from start to finish.

Wind Chaser


This book was great because it was about two kids that meet each other in a ship. And one kid which name is Hugh saved the other kid which name is Raymond from being thrown into the deep sea. Because the ship was taking some dangerous man to another place. But the criminals took over the ship when a big storm was taking place. But Hugh steeled things that are why he was in that ship. So he had to be taken to another place to put him in prison. And Raymond was in that ship because he was the surgeons' ships son. But one of the criminals killed his dad and he was about to be killed to but Hugh saved him. He told Raymond to jump into the sea. And than a dolphin came along and saved both boys by taking them to a land. In that land the two boys saw what they had never seen. There were people working with dinosaurs'. Every body got along with the dinosaurs. The people there did not use money to buy things instead they exchanged things. The boys learned many things in that land and had lot of adventures.

It was one of my favorite books. It had action with a twist. I liked how the dinosaurs and people made friends.

Raymond's father died trying trying to stop the prisoners from taking over the ship and fell overboard into a watery grave. Raymond was devastated for a long time. When he found Windchaser and talked to him, he discovered Windchaser lost someone too. They became great friends.

Hugh saw a rock in front of the boat and made Raymond jump overboard and saved his life. Hugh was older and was the best pick-pocket in London because he was very poor. When they got on the island they began to get hungry. Then they saw a fruit that looked like an apple. Hugh became a good friend to Raymond and everyone in Dinotopia.

It was one of my favorite books. It had action with a twist. I liked how the dinosaurs and people made friends.

Raymond's father died trying trying to stop the prisoners from taking over the ship and fell overboard into a watery grave. Raymond was devastated for a long time. When he found Windchaser and talked to him, he discovered Windchaser lost someone too. They became great friends.

Hugh saw a rock in front of the boat and made Raymond jump overboard and saved his life. Hugh was older and was the best pick-pocket in London because he was very poor. When they got on the island they began to get hungry. Then they saw a fruit that looked like an apple. Hugh became a good friend to Raymond and everyone in Dinotopia.

I loved this book. it was well written and it was a very fun to read. Dintopia Windchaser is a fun fast paced action adventure book. for any kid who has ever wished for a book with Dinosaurs, action and adventure this is their book. the book has a great life lesson. The power of friendship. the book is about two friends who get stranded on a island and learn how to fit in. when they are there they become very close friends and meet some new friends who help them on their journey. on their journey they faced very serious problems. but their friendship pull them through.