Animal Books

my 19 month old still loves this book.. at around 13 months he would come to me with the book and tell me 'mom MOOO' ... then we'd read the book together, he loves the animals and the words are so easy to memorise so even though we read it a million times (cuz he loves it that much) i can do other things while still reading him the story by heart as he turns each page.
Also , because it is a nice light read I don't mind reading it over and over again as young children seem to constantly want! :)

This is one of those "what do farm animals say" books, except that some of the animals are a bit... weird (rhinoceroses? Singing pigs?), so Hilarity Ensues.

This is, like many of Boynton's works, a very short book, perfect for babies and for toddlers with a low attention span. Unfortunately, the short length means that your kid will more-or-less outgrow it by pre-k (except as an occasional filler), but that's the price of having a book your baby will sit through.

When my daughter was 18 months old she could recite this book by heart. I loved it and thought it was the cutest thing. Now my son is 14 months old and when he sees the picture of the dog he immediately says ruff, ruff. Boynton is a great author in my opinion and we own several books by her, but this is by far my kids, and my, favorite!!

I love this book - it's a fun, quick read and I love the author's sense of humor. My daughter is 2 1/2 and is a little luke-warm on the book, but I love it.

Our 9 month old loved it when he was just 6 months. I think that just about says how wonderful this book is. And the ending gives a perfect cue for the little ones to voice their opinion!

Sandra Boynton has elevated the genre of children's music to an all-time high. The ubiquitous recycled children's songs with little musical value are thankfully absent from her album. Boynton's lyrics are delightful with accompanying music that adults will recognize from the mainstream. Jazz, ballads, imaginary Broadway hits come together for great family entertainment. This purchase will give you two treats in one. Along with the CD, Boynton's book is a treasure of zany sketches and musical scores.

If you have one CD/book to buy for the child in your life, this is it. The only CD that our family likes as much is Boynton's Blue Moo album. Both are wise purchases.

I bought this for my autistic son when he was small as a way to help engage him. We sang and read together every night for months. It left such an impression on me, that when I discovered that my son had lost the CD, I became a little panicky. I really think Philadelphia Chickens is destined to be a children's classic. If you want to delight and entertain, this is the way to go. The Boyton/Ford collaborations have become my new favorite baby gift. If I know you and like you and you're pregnant, you better make room on your bookshelf 'cause you're getting these CDs. They are just too much fun.

"Cows, we're remarkable cows, and wherever we go it's a Fabulous show, Yes we are Cows - COWS !!!"

We have to here this song ever time we get buckled in the car and start down the driveway, and It never gets Old, great Cd Fun,fun,fun !!

We purchased this along with Blue Moo for our 4 yr old grandaughter and we love them both. Have loads of fun dancing with her to the music.

After recently purchasing another copy of this to give as a birthday gift I am reminded of how much our family has enjoyed these songs over the years. As a child, I remember listening to Free to be You and Me and I believe Philadelphia Chickens belongs in the same category-it is creative and fun-it is a classic!

Time for bed is a wonderful bedtime story for children of all ages.
My granddaughters just love it and want it read over & over!

This is absolutely a lovely book. The illustrations are soothing for bedtime, and the rhythmic story makes for a perfect bedtime story. I have been reading this to my son since he was born, and he still loves it at 3 years old. Great bonding experience with this wonderful story.

This is a great book that I would recommend to all for those quite moments just before sleep. This gentle story leads you through an array of animals as they settle down for the night. I find the pictures great and the gentle rhythm of the book a delight. I could not as more of a bedtime story.

I read this book to my daughter many nights from the night she was born until she was old enough for chapter books. She loved the cadence of the rhymes and would repeat them along with me as she got older. Now my oldest step-daughter is having her first baby so this is one of the books we got her - we hope it will be a favorite in her house as well!

I love this book -- it is to soothing for both adults and children. Beautiful pictures and sweet, simple rhymes.

I bought this book for my 2-year-old son and he loves it. He is into trucks and cars and wouldn't put this down. He now knows about all kinds of trucks. There isn't much of a story. He just likes looking at and saying all of the different trucks (such as a flatbed trailer).

My son loves Richard Scarry books and construction equipment so this book is a good match. He pores over the pictures looking for Goldbug and pointing out funny things like Hilda Hippo driving a loader.

We discovered Richard Scurry and this wonderful book by accident. A friend of ours went to a library sale and picked up this book for our daughter, because she knew that our daughter is very much interested in cars. We got it shortly before Anna turned 18 months, and we took this book with us on cross-country trip to Florida, since we hoped to keep her occupied. Well, this didn't quite work out, since Anna was already overwhelmed with novelty of everything around her, but she fell in love with this book on our return. For months Cars and Trucks and Things That Go was her must-read-before-bed book. Her vocabulary literally exploded with its help. And she blows me away with her ability to find Goldbug in each page pretty much instantaneously. First there is gleeful, "Hello Goldbug!" and then her chubby finger points to where he is hiding. It's a wonderful-wonderful book, and I am sure we will enjoy it for years to come.

Both our sons loved this book . I bought this for our grandson, who, I am sure, will have as much fun looking for Goldbug as his dad did some 30 years ago.

I purchased this for a grandson's 2nd birthday and he just loves it. He has it virtually memorized by now but it is still his first choice at bedtime.

At one time, this was my favorite redwall book. It was also the first redwall book I read all of. In this book, the fearless badger lord Urthstripe the Strong leads his army of long patrol hares in a battle against the cruel Ferahgo the Assasin. Read this book, it's great!

While the book itself is very good (according to my 12 yr. old son), the size is different than the rest and he likes things orderly (especially since there are so many in this series) so we ended up going out and purchasing the same book, but by "Ace" publishers so they would all fit on his bed shelf.

The Book of Salamandstron



Salamandstron, written by Brian Jacques in 1992 and published in 1993, is the fifth book in the Redwall Series. Like all Redwall books, Salamandstron is an animal adventure saga, which picturesquely describes a stunning tale set in medieval times. Intently, because of the strength of the story line, the reader will continue on through the book, like a bookworm, to find out what happens in the end When finished the person who examines this book, will have perused 391 obsessive pages, which, as interpreted, would have taken the reader through the world of Redwall.



Since the book, at times, tells five different stories, there are several different main characters and several antagonists. The first main character to be introduced is Lord Uthstripe the Strong, the Badger lord of Salamandstron, a mountain fortress. The Badgers lords of this massive mountain are mysterious characters. They are fierce fighters and reckless worries, who at times can be possessed by the terrible blood wrath and kill all in sight. Uthstrip's adopted daughter Mara, at the beginning of the book, was not content with her life at Salamandstron. The military fortress was strict and forcible, and Mara did not like her restrictions. Samkin, a young squirrel, contentedly lived at Redwall Abbey. In the beginning he was very mischievous and many times because of his carelessness, almost caused serous injuries. Ferahgo was an evil, cruel, pain-causing tyrant, who was the assassin weasel and chieftain of the horde of corps makers. Cruelly he Murdered Urthstripes parents and caused Urthstripe and his albino brother to be separated. Ferahgo's son Klitch was just as evil and crafty as his father. Fighting against each other, both wanted control of Salamandstron. Another enemy (although not a living creature) gets introduced about half way through the book. A terrible sickness called Dryditch Fever takes hold of the Abbey. It almost wipes out all. Although the characters all have different story lines within the book, each one is tied together in the end.



Opening at Salamandstron, the story begins with gloom. From the first, as Urthstripe reveals his anxiety for Mara with the words "Any sign of Mara yet?" it tells of Mara's discontentedness with the strictly ruled life she is living. It opens with her gone on one of her frequent run-a-ways. When she returns after two days absence from the mountain she brings two vermin, one of them Klitch, who falsely befriended her. Urthstripe throws the weasel and his companion out of the mountain, and Mara becomes so angry that she runs away for good. Accidentally (at Redwall) Samkin finds the skillfully crafted sword of the Legendary Hero, Martin the Warrior, but two stoats evilly steal the magnificent sword. The vermin were part of Ferahgo's horde but deserted. Samkin and Arula (Samkin's mole friend) chase after the stoats because the sword, which they took, represents the spirit of Redwall and could not be lost. They met some peculiar friends. Back at the Abbey Dry Ditch Fever broke out. Everywhere, from Salamandstron to Redwall Abbey trouble seemed to be taking hold of the good guys.



As the book continues the troubles grow worse. Mara, after being chased by Ferahgo's horde, escapes, but was betrayed into the hands of King Glagweb, the head of a cannibal toad tribe. Unfortunately she and several shrews, which were also caught, were going to be served up at a special occasion. Back at Redwall Thrugg, a brave otter set out on a journey to the mountains of the north to try to find the Icetor Flowers, which will cure any sickness. Sadly, however he gets trapped. Attacking him, a horde of crows in a pine forest almost overwhelmed Thrugg and his little friend baby Dumble. Samkin and his mole friend Arula were still persistently chasing after the vermin who stole the sword, when, one died of Dryditch fever and the other was killed by Ferahgo's tracker rats. The head of the trackers took the sword and headed back to Ferahgo's horde, but Samking and Arula still followed. They followed to get back the sword, they followed for their friends at the abbey, and they followed to slay the takers of Martins legendary blade. At Redwall Abbey, as dry ditch fever took victim after victim, all but two or three animals were stricken. At Salamandstron there was great famine because Ferahgo who besieged the mountain somehow destroyed or poisoned all the mountains food. Will Redwall Abbey be wiped out, or will Thrugg get back in time with the Icetor flowers? Will Mara and her friends be eaten or will they find a way to escape? Will Samkin retrieve the great sword? Will Salamandstron hold out? To discover what happens, READ THE BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



If The book Salamandstron is amazing it is because it seizes and holds the readers attention. Having a good story line, this book is extremely well written. Undoutedly, another reason this book is so good is because Brian Jacques uses very descriptive adjectives and excellent verbs as illustrations for every scene. The story builds up suspense. Throughout, it never contradicts itself. The story is very vivid. Salamandstron is not just a book, which might be ok to glance over; it is a must-read saga.

What would you do if you were being attacked by an army of vermin, or your abbeys most prized possession, or if your abbey was being threatened by a deadly disease? Would you defend yourselves, find an antidote, or would you go after the possession? Well that is exactly what the charaters in this story did. This little world is filled with badgers, hares, vermin, mice, moles, shrews and squirrels. Also thisworld is also filled with a volcanoe, woods, seas, dunes, lakes, rivvers and enormous mountians.

In this fantasy a bagder named Mara left her home because her strict father was always punishing her. When she left, her friend ccame along with her. His name was Pikkle. On their journey they met two vermin who became frineds with them so they woild lead them to Salamandastron )(Mara's fathers fortress). There had been many rumors that there is a great fortune somewhere inside the volcanoe. So now the vermin were going to attack the fortress. Another two vermin acted as if they were lonely travelers (but they really weren't) and went to Redwall and the Red wallers accepted them. They tricked the Redwallers and stole the sword of Martin the Warrior also killing one of the Redwallers. When the vermin escaped one of them died of a deadly disease. He got the disease while at Redwall and now the Redwallers are at great risk.

What will happen to everyone? Will Salamandastron survive? Will the Redwallers perish? Will they get the sword back? This book was relly good and every time it would sound good, it would change to someone else. I would really recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, action, and adventure. This is the fifth book of the 17 book series.

-Peyton

I like salamandastron for many reasons.0ne is the book has lots of action .the bookis writen by Brian Jacques.This book is fantasy because animals have human abiltys.brian writes many more books.

My daughter really liked this book. I didn't read it so I can't say too much more than that.

I had to add my two cents here. I see all of these reviews from kids or people who bought the book for a kid. I am 25 and am collecting the entire series. These books are beautifully done, informational and just plain fun to read and look through. Anyone with interest in mythology, literature and history would adore this series. It is attention getting for the young, but it is also academic enough for the adults. They are not patronizing or low leveled that would steer adult readers away. The tongue-in-cheek approach of the advertising inside can relegate the book to the younger crowd, but adults-you too can LOVE this book!

My four grandsons are crazy about dragons and can tell you anything and everything about them.So, I knew that this book had to be the one I wanted for them.

My friend bought me this book for my birthday and it was the best gift I recieved. I have always loved dragons and this book provides information on the different types, their habitats, and lots more. I loved the little extras like the dragon scales and the packets of dragon dust and even my four year old loved to look at the beautiful illustrations. This book is perfect for anyone who is fascinated by these mythical creatures.

This book was well worth the buy.
I purchased this book as a gift. The recipient was 7.
Most of the book is still a little much for her yet, but she was beyond excited just the same. There was some that she thinks is interesting now, but as she gets older, there will be so much more for explore in the book. After going through the entire book, you have to remind yourself that dragons truly aren't real!

My two-and-half-year-old daughter loves these "How-To" dinosaur books. I bought How Do Dinosaurs Go To School? first, which she was hooked on and triggered me to buy this one, which she equally loves. She can memorize and articulate the 10 dinosaurs names provided in the book, just as she could with the other dinosaur book, which also introduces 10 types of dinosaurs. However, while the illustrations are highly entertaining to a toddler, the language, like that in the other book, is quite lackluster. It would be ideal if the book also shed literary value and were enjoyable to read aloud to a child as well.

This is absolutely adorable! Part of me is rather suspicious that these dinosaurs are actually projections of small boys, but I have no real proof. This once again proves that Yolen still has the talent for churning out tales for children.

My daughter, who is not quite three, loves this book. In fact this book has started an infatuation with dinosaurs. She wants me to read it to her all the time and the illustrations are awesome.

We got a couple of books in the Dinosaurs series as board books from my coworker, and overall my daughter (22 months at the time of this review) liked them, but the hardcovers are simply gorgeous with large, detailed and brilliant pictures. I got this book in the library, and Anna wanted to read it several times in a row (not to mention every night since then). I plan to assemble the whole series of hardcovers for her over time, since I see these books having a long life in her development from a bright toddler to a curious child.

This book quickly runs through various methods children - I mean, dinosaurs - use to try to prolong bedtime, before finally showing the method that children should - and dinosaurs DO - use to go to sleep on time.

The charm is all in the illustrations - don't worry too much about the text.

For years I thought I was the only person on the planet familiar with the fairy tale of the Goose Girl. How thrilled I was to read a novel based upon the story!

Shannon Hale, as most writers of fairy tale retalings, goes an extra step to make a threat of warfare behind the simple story of a betrayed princess.

Ani is a princess with a load of responsibilities and loyalties, including an arranged marriage with the purpose of creating a union between two kingdoms. She also happens to have a special gift--speaking to nature (which fits very well into the original fairytale).

This is a story full of the usual romance and adventure, but it also packs an extra dose of magic and a surprisingly delightful addition of political strategy.

A great read

If this is a Grimm brothers retelling, Shannon certainly made it more famous than the Grimm brothers did. I can't stop reading this book! I got it when I was in 5th grade and every time I had to do a book report, I did on this book, EVERY TIME! If you are looking at this book and interested in it, NO MORE HESITATING! BUY IT! It is worth every penny you pay for it and every second you spend reading it. I got A 's on all the book reports I did on this book! Every scene and character is so well described, every action so well put and written and everything that happens fits perfectly! This is my favorite book and I am SO happy i bought it! Ani is and enchanting character and it was so fun to imagine what would happen to her after i finished reading the book.
Adventure, romance, sadness and a happy ending, THIS BOOK HAS IT ALL!

I loved this book. It was the fist Shannon Hale that I read and I have since read many more. I also read part two Enna Burning and I am working on part three, River secrects. This is a must read. She is a wonderful author.

I love this book. Read it twice, finally own it. It is a YA book that actually teaches values. You can't go wrong with it or any other Shannon Hale book!

I'm a thirty something mom and I thoroughly enjoyed this book! What a great read. If you're looking for a happy distraction- this is it!

I really liked this book. Even though I'm an older reader (52) who collects horse fiction, and its out of my age bracket, I found it to be very readable and it held my interest. Its a wonderful book for the young teen. The main character, Amy, learns some significant lessons in life after her mother dies in a tragic accident, and she is left to run the horse rescue by herself. She learns that life does go on, and responsibilites must still be realized, even in the face of tragedy. The characters in this book are likeable, the horses and horse terminology are realistic, and the book is not overly mushy or boring. It moves pretty quickly, and has a taste of suspense at times. All in all, I believe this book would be an excellent gift for a young, horse crazy girl! I would have greatly appreciated having it when I was at that age where horses were just about my whole world, and boys came second!

This is a beautiful, touching story of love , strength , hope , and regeneration after an agonizing loss.
Even though it is a young adult novel, I recommend it to anyone of any age.

Heartland-Coming Home

Heartland is a place of dreams and horses and that's where Amy's heart belongs. Heartland is a place like no other, breaks painful memories and teaches horses to trust again. To what I know Amy's calls Heartland home like no other place in the entire world. Amy loves her family very much and especially her mom. She loves her mom because she has don many things for her. I think Amy likes having her mom's gift, having to be able to understand what they need. And saving the animals by teaching them to stay healthy and stay trusting.

This book is mostly about a girl named Amy. And Amy is trying to help these horses that can't trust anyone anymore. And later in the book something bad happens. Someone get into a terrible accident. But you have to read the book to find out.

Bought this for my 15 year old daughter. She loved it and actually read it. Which is always nice to have a teenager read!

This is about a girl who loved horses, and her mother owned a ranch called "Heartland". They take care of and help any type of horse. One day they went to rescue a horse and her mom died from getting hit by a falling tree. Amy is left to save Heartland.
I think this story is really good. It reminds me of my life because I take care of horses. I also think that Amy will safe Heartland and be just like her mother. Also I think Amy and Ty will get together. I would recommend this book to people because this story is sad and truthful about life.

This story was a wonderful fantasy story for your pre-teen. I think it will touch the young fantazsies of all of us.

Cara's instructions from her grandmother, Ivy, were very clear. Cara was to protect the amulet and to give the unicorn queen a message-one that ultimately means Cara must return to Earth to save her grandmother, known as the Wanderer. And she must return to Luster with Ivy as it is time to heal old wounds.

But returning to Earth is not as easy as it was traveling to Luster. Cara enlists the help of M'Gama (the Geomancer) who will plot Cara's journey. That journey will be arduous and dangerous and it will be accomplished with the help of Cara's many friends from Luster.

Cara successfully returns to Earth but finds Ivy trapped in a mysterious and strange dimension by Beloved, the evil ancestor of Cara. Beloved's only goal is to kill all the unicorns.

The man who is a Hunter and who stalked Cara and her friends in Book I make a return appearance in Song of the Wanderer and the relationship between the Hunter and Cara is settled. There are further secrets revealed about Ivy's past and there are threads left open that will undoubtably be answered in Book III.

Song of the Wanderer is an exciting sequel to Book I and I suggest that the books be read in order. It just makes the experience richer. The plot is more intricate and has more depth in Book II and in effect draws in the reader deeper into the story and helps make a stronger connection to the characters. When the final page was read, I couldn't wait to begin Book III.

Armchair Interviews says: Song of the Wanderer is a compelling story for any Middle Reader.

My daughter hasn't made it to this book yet but she is looking forward to it!

After being cast into the mysterious land of Luster not too long ago, twelve-year-old Cara Diana Hunter is finally just moments away from meeting the Unicorn Queen - Arabella Skydancer. During her time in Luster, while Cara has missed Grandmother Morris dearly, she has made friends with mythical creatures of all shapes and sizes - from Thomas the Tinker to Lightfoot the Unicorn, and a squirrel-like creature called Squijum to the half bear/half human Dimblethum, and many, many more. But the time has come to buckle down and complete the mission at hand to save Luster forever as we know it. The Unicorn Queen has reached old age. She is fading slowly but surely; however, she refuses to say farewell to her friends and family until she has had the opportunity to see Grandmother Morris - aka The Wanderer - one last time. This is where Cara enters the story. It is the Unicorn Queen's request that Cara, along with a glory of unicorns - Moonheart, Finder, and Belle. Together, Cara and the glory of unicorns - along with Thomas the Tinker and Squijum - will make their way back to Earth, in order to save Grandmother Morris from Beloved and the rest of the Hunter's, and return her to her rightful home right here in Luster. Cara is convinced that, with the assistance of her strong, and powerful friends, the task will be simple. However, she soon realizes that heading back to Earth and locating Grandmother Morris is a much more difficult task than she ever could have imagined. For one, their days are numbered before the dynamics of Luster shift for Autumn, and make it impossible to re-enter Luster in the same location where they departed. Two, the companions will have to find a way to make it to the back of the dragon, Ebillan's cave, in an attempt to reach the secret door that bridges the gap between Earth and Luster. And three, with various moments of contact with the wicked Beloved, Cara has no idea what to expect when she takes her first steps back onto Earth's soil. She's also reluctant to find out. As much as she wants to see Grandmother Morris again, she can't help but feel nervous about leaving the quiet, shimmery world of Luster. But, alas, Cara accepts the task, and begins her journey. This time, however, the journey is much more tiring than her first travels through Luster. With a request to pay a visit to the Geomancer, M'Gama, Cara visits the magician of sorts, where she is given provisions and protection to help her during her quest. But her time with M'Gama is not nearly as important as her time with Grimwold, the individual who records all of the Unicorn Chronicles, and has a very special story waiting for Cara and her companions when they arrive at his front door during their journey. With Grimwold and M'Gama's instructions and information close at hand, Cara sets her mind on accomplishing her task, and finding Grandmother Morris. But through battles with vicious delvers, and encounters with enough mythical creatures to make your head spin; Cara becomes to wonder whether she'll be able to accomplish her task in the set amount of days, or if she'll be the ruination of Luster altogether.

I absolutely adored Bruce Coville's INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS, which I read a little over a year ago. However, upon beginning SONG OF THE WANDERER, I quickly realized that, as fabulous as its predecessor was, it couldn't hold a candle to the magic and adventure found within the pages of SONG OF THE WANDERER. Coville has returned with the rest of Cara's story, painting Cara, once more, as an understanding, brave, kind individual; whose loyalty to her Grandmother, her friends, and the secret world of Luster is admirable; while her determination to complete any task that may find its way to her is thrilling. The fact that, like with INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS, Coville has kept many secondary characters around, and introduced many more only adds to the excitement of the tale, and makes it impossible to stop reading. The Squijum is still one of my favorite characters. His constant ramblings are humorous; while his ability to brighten the mood in any situation makes him a much-needed character. Thomas the Tinker is also a fun individual. The fact that he owns a caravan that can be folded into the size of a piece of paper adds a little magic to the story; while his protectiveness over Cara makes him appear quite similar to a father-like character, whom you can't help but love. I was absolutely ecstatic to see that the faces of Lightfoot the Unicorn and the Dimblethum made appearances throughout SONG OF THE WANDERER, as they are two very important characters whom I certainly wouldn't want to see cut from the story. Coville's descriptions of the vicious delvers, and their surprise attacks send shivers up your spine; while the stories that Grimwold recants regarding Unicorn history are absorbing, and hard to resist. Coville's lyrical writing takes you on a whimsical adventure that won't soon be forgotten!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I thought this book was really great. Bruce Coville did a great job with this book as he did with the last one. Cara is one of my favorite book characters and I just loved all the twists this book had. Thses books are not your average unicorn books! Some good news for anyone who has already read these books and want to know if there's more there is. Book 3 is supposed to come out around April 2008 and called Dark Whispers. There will also be a book 4.