Animals Books

Darlene Arden, who usually specializes in giving advice about small dogs, has described some general problems for the average dog owner whose dog hasn't tried to kill the mail carrier, but sometimes may be not so well behaved. She does this with wit and a deep empathy for our quadrupedal friends and their sometimes frazzled owners. This is a small, inexpensive book that should be on dog owners' shelves.

Dogs, like children, each have their own personalities. Consequently, much to their owner's chagrin, they can "act up" unexpectedly and usually when they have an "audience". Fortunately, I happen to have an unusually well behaved dog, I can't always say the same for my children! The title of this book caught my eye, however, and I wasn't disappointed. It is extremely well written, funny and at the same time, offers expert advice. (I'm thinking of trying some on my kids!)I now also have a new appreciation for my Kaos. She comes off as the canine Emily Post in comparison to the dogs in this book! Thank you Ms. Arden!

I think I've read all of Darlene Arden's books. And that includes the ones on toy breeds, even though I have Giants!! Her style is so easy to read that she can give the most important information in a way that you're having such fun, you don't even realize you're learning! Every one of us has had THOSE days when we wonder why we got that dog in the first place. Darlene explains those terribly embarrassing and frustrating behaviors and explains how we can correct them to make our dogs better pets and companions! I recommend ALL of her books, but especially this newest, to any dog owner, new or experienced.
Lynne Rutenberg

With an engaging writing style, hysterical anecdotes and illustrations, Darlene Arden educates owners on solutions for dog behavior problems. From basic training to serious behavior challenges, this comprehensive book presents complex information in an easily understood way. The book's layout also greatly facilitates use as a reference. As a professional trainer and behavior consultant, I'm always looking for ways to make training fun for my clients. While there are many dog training books on the market, it is a true rarity to find one that is entertaining as well as informative. What a great resource this will be for my clients!

Anyone can write a about the niceties of the human/animal bond(ad-nauseum).
Anyone can write a"how-to" book on animal behavior problems,a-la Popular Mechanix--dull and trite.
But it takes a Darlene Arden-- a special, genuine, confident connoisseur to pull off a bold, informed,and humororous book with THAT TITLE. Just like Smuc kers---"It's got to be good". And indeed it is-- better than we could have anticipated. What a joy to have such a valued authority like Darlene--- a certified animal behavior consultant come forth with such an authoritative book dealing with the dark side of human/animal relationships with such taste and gentility, and with such deep and welcome humor.
I have had the good fortune to know Darlene, not only as a friend and admirer, but also, uniquely, as a client. As such, I have had a rare opportunity to witness her profound feeling and compassion for animals, her deep well of knowledge of their traits, normal and aberrant, and her insightful and intelligent manner of dealing with such pathologies. I know her then from two vantage points--- as a devoted reader, and from a close doctor-client relationship. On both levels, she merits and has earned accolades. She is so good at what she does, so forgive me if I wax enthusiastically--- it is deserved. Who else would discourse about inappropriate behaviors so blithely and a productively.
My hat is off to my very dear friend--- I revel in her achievements and the wonderful receptions she has received. At last, I have a point of a reference I can turn to when an embarrassed client comes to me with noisome problems, and I can refer to Darlene's new book with pride and authority.
I look forward to her future efforts with great anticipation---they are not only good reads, but I have learned so much from them, in addition.

Sincerely,

Ray Russo, D.V.M.
Kingston,MA.

The book came very quick & in great shape. But I found the book at Walmart for less.

This is a very cute little story of an elephant becoming comfortable with who he is meant to be. The characters in this story help Sooki the elephant realize he is just fine the way he is. It's an easy read with a sweet ending. Nice illustrations as well.

After 60 years (this book was first published in 1947) this story still has a nice little message about being yourself, and expressing your talents.

This was (first published in 1947) and it is still delighting young readers and the young at heart to this day. Lots of words, so definitely a read to rather than read yourself for the very beginners

This is a fun and charming story of a happy little elephant that meets a tactless parrot. This parrot comments on the saggy skin of the elephant. He tries to improve himself, but without success. Sad and self-conscious, the little elephant decides to hide in a cave where no one can see how unattractive he is. Very soon something wonderful happens, however, and our sweet friend is happy once again. This children's classic will touch your heart and have you smiling.

He walked into my life like a... well, cat. And what a cat! Grey suit, grey shoes, mind like a mouse trap. Sam's the name, Sam the Cat. And Sam's on the case of the burglarized jade necklace. And a lot of other stolen stuff, too, the work of a cat burglar, which is a person who steals stuff and is almost as agile as a cat.

This is such a fun book. Technically, I'm a little older than its target demographic, but I enjoyed every word. (I especially liked the words, "airless like the inside of a cow." That just gets me giggling whenever I think of it.) I've read a few adult hardboiled detective books, and this author gets the tone just right, only for a slightly younger crowd.

If you're an adult (notice I didn't say "grown up") reading this for yourself, you'll whip through this book in just a few hours, if that. I suspect this would be a good book to read aloud to children, but I can't prove it since I don't have any. I would have enjoyed this as a ten year old, though. The author doesn't talk down to her audience, though occasionally she has Sam explain certain terms, like "cat burglar" to other cats just in case the younger readers get confused. It's subtly done, though.

I really like this book and can't wait to read the other two

1. There is a cat named Sam. He is a great cat detective. He gets upset when things go wrong, for example, if someone gets robbed. He met his friends along his detective search. One of his friends name is Sugarly. Sugarly helped Sam do detective work and find things out a robbery. She helps Sam make sure that everything is O.K. Sam is a good friend to everyone. Sam is never testy to his friends. Sometimes his friends help him do detective work. His friends are good detectives too. At the end everything gets solved.
2.Sam is a good detective. He makes sure crimes get solved. When something goes wrong he does'nt like it.
3.Sam the cat detective is a book that I would recommend. It is funny. This is a ficton story because the cat talks. He is a great detective because he makes sure that everyone is safe. If you read this book, it will knock your socks off, that's why I would recommend it.

I was very lucky to get both Sam the Cat Mystery books. I wish there were more. I loved this easy to read larger print I wish all books would use. The storys are great fun. I mailed them both off to my nephew. Great fun reading for all ages.

this good book. Most Animal books arn't thAT great! But I can't stand Animal stories most of the time.But this Animal BOOK WAS THe BEST I ever read of Mystery. It was cute and funny. And I loved how it was written. and I love the fact of the Cat being the dective. And this is my one of my favorite books!!! The chacters or loveable. And For sure I'm going to buy the books that come after this cause this book was amzing and cleaver! I loved it!!!! I just want to say I love the writing style for this book it was very injoyble! And I say this book ages for this book 9 and older and even injoyble for adults! Just buy it is a wonderful book if you like Mystery or if you are an animal lover or and if you just want a good book to read!
This is a keeper

And in my opinion, neither of them suffer for it. While this book is targeted to a young adult audience--and I highly recommend it--I would also suggest it to cat-loving mystery novel fans as well. Sam, the cat, has a wonderfully funny and unique voice that keeps you turning the pages. It's hard to keep your friends' paws off this book til you're done.

As a teacher intern I am always looking for new books to integrate into my classwork and for my future classroom. This book is a wonderful resource for our students and will be a integral part of my cross-curriculum teaching. I look forward to sharing this book with all of my colleagues so they can incorporate this book into their classroom as well.
I have a 15 and 12 year old who think the book is adorable and a 6 month old along with 18 month twin niece and nephew who will soon too love it.

Here's a book for young turtle lovers, especially budding scientists. It begins when Maggie finds eggs in her old sandbox by the beach. At first she doesn't know what kind of eggs she has found but soon she figures out that they are turtle eggs. Maggie and her mom learn everything they can about turtles and becoming a "turtle-sitter." They enlist the help of the "turtle lady," use online sources and anything that will help them learn how to care for the turtle eggs and then the turtles.

Excellent, well-written information on every page. Includes a helpful five-page educational supplent in the back. The illustrations are just right for this subject and young readers.

I bought this book for my 3 year old son and he is now competely enthralled with turtles. He wants to be a "turtle sitter" and laughs hysterically when Maggie names the turtles. He has also asked me to buy this book for 3 of his friends. It's a great book whether you live near the water or not. My son and I highly recommend it as a very entertaining yet educational book.

Early one morning Maggie is surprised to find turtle eggs buried in her sandbox. Mama Turtle must have thought Maggie's sandbox was the beach. Maggie and her mother call the Turtle Lady. She explains what needs to be done to keep the eggs warm and safe until they hatch. All summer, for 55 days Maggie keeps a close watch on the eggs.

One hot September day, Maggie sits on the edge of her sandbox and witnesses the birth of the speckle faced babies as they peck their way out of their eggs. Maggie names each turtle as it is born. The babies remain in their secure nest for a few days, and then they are transported indoors to tanks with heat lamps. Maggie and her mother become part of the "head start" program. The turtles eat cut-up fish and turtle pellets. They live in slightly salted water until early summer.

On the first day of summer Maggie helps the wildlife expert place metal tags through the edges of the shell of each turtle. The tags don't hurt the turtles but could possibly help the experts learn more about them. The 9 month old turtles are released into the bay, Maggie waves good-bye as they disappear into the sea.

This story and website, [....]are based on a real program that allows students in Maryland to help wildlife experts protect and learn more about their state reptile - the diamondback terrapin. Terrapin Station was started by a woman affectionately know as Maryland's Turtle Lady, Margaret Whilden.

The "Creative Minds" section is filled with turtle facts. The last pages of the book have line drawings of three different types of turtles: a diamondback terrapin, a loggerhead sea turtle, and a desert turtle. Turtles In My Sandbox, is another winner from Sylvan Dell Publishing.

A few decades ago, it was a common thing to have terrapins as pets in homes and classrooms. One could win them at fairs and buy them with painted shells at seaside resorts. It was a shame then that there was not more education about terrapins and their natural habitat. Jennifer Keats Curtis' most informative book would have been welcome then as it surely is now.

Children can easily relate to Ms. Curtis' book and the tale of Maggie who finds terrapin eggs in her sandbox! With the help of the Turtle Lady, Maggie and her mother care for the eggs until the turtles hatch and are released back into the sea. It is a delight that Ms. Curtis uses the scientific terms for the body parts of the terrapins as it helps children stretch their vocabularies. Emanuel Schongut's watercolor illustrations are clear, detailed and offer excellent support to the text. The facts and color activities at the end of the book are a first-rate addition to the book. This book is highly recommended for ages 4 - 10, and will be a great addition to second to fifth grade science units in classrooms.

THis is a beautifullly designed book, with a very cute story. My Granddaughter loves books and unicorns, so it is just right for her. Actually I love it for myself!

This is Stephen J. Brooks's fifth published title and it's one your children will cherish and love. The illustrations are brilliantly done with what look like water color backgrounds that offset the vivid illustrations of the characters by Linda Crockett, who has received several awards and honors for her illustrations in children's books.

Unicorn Races takes children into the magical world of Abigail's imagination as she travels to a marvelous feast for a princess. Abigail watches the elves and fairies make preparations for the Unicorn Races as unicorns in every color of the rainbow come to compete before the royal princess Abigail. When the race begins, unicorns fly through the night sky, circle around the moon, dance on the stars, travel to the ocean, glide inches above the waves, and zip around a lighthouse before returning to the magical clearing where Princess Abigail waits to announce the winner. After the feast, Abigail rides home on one of the magical unicorns and falls fast asleep until the next Unicorn Races.

UNICORN RACES is the sweet story of young Abigail, princess to the elves, fairies, and unicorns.

After arriving amidst the dark woods, Princess Abigail presides over the Unicorn Races, in which six beautifully colored unicorns will participate. To the second bright star, around the moon, among the waves, to the lighthouse -- the unicorns race happily, and Blue is declared the winner.

All enjoy a feast of cookies, cakes, and sundaes, but it is soon time for Abigail to return home upon her unicorn steed, Lord William.

The story is one that will appeal to young girls, with it's magical creatures and a girl who yearns to be a princess. It's the wonderful illustrations by Linda Crockett, however, that make this a true winner, to be enjoyed by children and parents alike.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

This book is a wonderful story of a little girl whose imagination whisks her away to a fantasy land full of adventure and promise. The illistrations are terrific and full of detail. My grandaughters keep asking me to read it againg and again to them at night. The middle grandaughter,(5) "reads" it to her favorite stuffed animals. This book makes a wonderful present or just an anytime gift for your favorite princes.

Each page of this exceptional book is magic. Along with colorful unicorns, your child will love the elves, fairies, and the pixies. The story is enchanting; the illustrations are sprinkled with stardust.

Lois Ehlert takes you on a colorful, intriguing story about the life cycle of a butterfly. Excellent for art students at any level! Text is simple enough for preschoolers and can be enjoyed through the elementary grades. Enjoy this exciting trip through nature and its wonders!

As usual, Lois Ehlert stimulates and educates the young reader about the mysteries of caterpillars to butterflies. Not only are the colors absolutely stunning, she provides factual information about different species. This book was a fabulous preparation for my classroom of small children as they watched their own caterpillars prepare for their magical transformation!

Waiting for Wings is a picture book showing the life cycle of a butterfly. The story uses tantalizing pictures and simple words to explain how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. The book takes the reader through the stages of the caterpillar's life. Once the caterpillar has become a butterfly the story changes to how a butterfly lives its life. The illustrations pull the reader into this book. The print is large and easy to read for young reader. The text also rhymes for two pages at a time. As the caterpillar grows the pages become larger, until the butterfly hatches. As the butterfly begins its flight the pages are full size. The illustrations and page sizes are wonderful for young readers. This book also contains identification pages on butterflies and the flowers they eat.

I have a three year old daughter who must be read to before sleeping. I also have a three month old baby girl who is often in the bed with us while we read. Often, the baby is restless and cries before we finish our books. Waiting for Wings is a fabulous solution. I find this interesting AND educational for my toddler. In addition, the colors are bright and contrasting, allowing my baby to be entertained while the book is read.

This is a beautiful and very clever book. Pages are cocooned within larger pages, with individual illustrations blending seamlessly into the background illustrations. Like the natural world itself, this book rewards the patient observer, with rich details on the surface and others folded in more subtly. Your kids will be focused in on a little book within the big book, as the caterpillar goes on its journey. It makes the launch to the story within the bigger background pages all the more dynamic, striking as the shift from Kansas to Oz.

It starts with the eggs "hidden from view,/ clinging to leaves with butterfly glue." As we turn the pages of a little book enshrouded in the bigger book, we see the caterpillars hatch, "each one knows what it must do," and we follow the path to metamorphosis. Ultimately, the reader will be rewarded with multiple beautiful butterflies launching up towards the sky, a nice Lepidopterian metaphor for the developmental adventures in store for our little ones. It's a good job of story-telling when we know exactly where the story is going but still find ourselves awestruck.

Finally, as if Ms. Ehlert hadn't done enough, we get several pages at the end on butterfly identification, with information on colors, wingspans shown in actual size, the corresponding caterpillars that precede the butterflies, and the like. We get flower information, and then tips on growing your own butterfly garden. Nice stuff.

Get this book, drill it for a few night-night times, and then take your toddlers to a butterfly pavilion to see the real deal. Good times.

This book is an excellent resource to the westie fan. You will get something out of it whether you have had westies for years, or are just deciding on getting one. A lot of detail is covered that is easy to understand. Would recommend to anyone.

Westies:From Head to Tail 2nd Edition is a most readible, comprehensive treatment of all topics of concern to both Westie breeders and neophytes to the breed. No serious Westie enthusiast should be without this attractive volume.

Every dog enthusiast, westie lover or not, should read this book, because even though it talks about westies, one can learn a lot about dogs in general. I have more than 15 years of experience in showing dogs and more than 12 years of professional grooming experience and I still learned a lot from this well written, very detailed and comprehensive book.

MUST HAVE PUBLICATION FOR ALL WESTIE OWNERS,VERY INFORMATIVE AND WELL WRITTEN BY RUTH FAHERTY ENJOYED THE HISTORY OF THE BREED SECTION,IT HAS BEEN A REAL ASSET FOR US IN GETTING OUR TWO ADDITIONS TO OUR FAMILY,NICKY-TAM AND RORY,HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE GUIDANCE THIS BOOK GAVE US.

If you are serious about Westies, you absolutely MUST have this book. Faherty has a writing style that's humorous and informative, and she gives the nitty-gritty on the mysterious art of handstripping. No other resource out there gives this much detail. I've taken the plunge and am stripping my own Westie, and Faherty's comprehensive chapter on grooming has been a tremendous help. This book is really geared for Westie connoisseurs, who have an interest in showing their dogs. In addition to the grooming chapter, several sections are devoted to the art of showing your dog as well as breeding. This may be too dense a book for a general pet owner and the more general Westie books may be more appropriate. However, if you are looking for THE resource on Westies, buy this book!

I am buying yet *another* copy of this book, as we no longer even pretend to lend it- nobody will give it back! This has been a favorite book since our youngest was 4. She's just turned 11, but when she's under the weather it comes out for another read. Every family- and certainly every 5 year old boy!- should have this as a bedtime storybook. Even the chapters are just the right length. Although the price has gone up n recent times, it is worth every penny- this is one you want to own.

We have books in the family library, and then some very special books go into each child's library. This is one of those books. There is no better book to read to a five-to-six-year-old. It has a loving father-son relationship, complete with exasperation on both parts. It has a roll-off-the-chair laugh-out-loud bedtime story that gets extemporaneously spun by the father, and it has day-by-day life. Get this book, read it to a child. If you don't have a child the right age, read it to a friend's child or grandchild. Read it.

It's a tough business to tell a child a favorite story again, and again, and again, both for the storyteller who's tired of telling it and for the child who has, like a true die-hard fan, grown into a very devoted yet demanding critic. The story must be told "just-so", exactly the same way it's been told before and at the same time fresh, new, and even better than ever. Wolf Story is a story about telling a story, and both a parent and their child will recognize themselves in 5-year-old Michael and his father as they share the ritual bedtime story, a story about a very nasty wolf named Waldo. Little Michael seems to "know" the story even before he's heard it, but he isn't altogether conscious of this. He knows it much better than the tale's storyteller/author, his father, and isn't shy at all offering suggestions when his father doesn't tell it right.

Guaranteed this clever book will have you both laughing out loud at times, but I was also very pleased to find an amusing children's book that manages to operate at different levels without the wisecracking or cynical tone so common in children's literature now. Children can easily see the story from the point of view of the father, of little Michael, the scary wolf and the little farmer boy, Jimmy, who stands up to him. This makes the story all the more delightful for them. What a treat!

Five-year old Michael is a demanding taskmaster, and his father must be creative to tell a wolf story within the constraints laid down by his son. For instance, the wolf must be named Waldo. A terribly fierce wolf named Waldo. Good natured teasing and realistic conversation make this the humorous and sweet story of a father and son who enjoy each other's company.

Every year I read Wolf Story to my second graders and at the end of the year when I ask them their favorite chapter book read to them, Wolf Story is chosen every year to be the favorite. They love to follow the adventures of Rainbow and Michael. When you complete Chapter 1, the kids are hooked. They can not wait for the next day. I have even had kids who have been sick ask if I can re-read a chapter that they missed or if they can stay in at recess to read the missed chapter on their own.

Wolf Story is wonderfully written and captivating to young children. Every year I can not wait to read the book. I find myself anxious to share the next chapter.
When my own children have children, Wolf Story will be the book that I can share with them. I strongly recommend this book to every child and to every adult who enjoys reading to their children at bedtime.

I originally became acquainted with this magical tale when my son checked it out from the public library about 20 years ago. Both of us fell in love with this wonderfully-told imaginative story, and each of us has gifted it to many young friends and family members over the years. It goes without saying that the illustrations, too, are a delight.

My 4-year-old and I both love this book. Sweet story, but most importantly, the pictures are goregous!

Every time people see Alexander they scream or chase him, but all he wants are a few crumbs. Willy, on the other hand, another mouse, is loved and cuddled and cared for. That's because Willy is a toy, a wind-up mouse.

Well, Willy (the toy) and Alexander (the real mouse) happen to meet and each tell about their lives: a happy one for Willy, a frightening and lonely one for Alexander.

Luckily, he thinks, Alexander finds that with the help of some magic from a lizard he, too, can become a happy and loved wind-up mouse. But just in time something shocking happens to make him change his mind about turning into another Willy: Something happens to Willy. (Suitable for preschool through the primary grades.)

A Non-Workbook, Non-Textbook Approach to Teaching Language Arts: Grades 4 Through 8 and Up

My son's grandma recently brought this book home from the library and we fell in love with it. It is a sweet and magical story about friendship. It was written in 1969 so I am glad to hear they have reissued it. My son is 3 and just loves it. The illustrations and text are lovely and simple.

It is a timeless story of learning self value through selflessness and the joy that can be created from an act of selflessness. It is a sweet story that can teach children about these positive traits and remind adults not to forget about them in a very stress-driven world. My children love hearing this book read over and over again. And it is a delight to me to keep rereading it.

The third book in the series and you know exactly what to expect. Yes, folks, it is every bit as entertaining as the first two, and that's probably all you need to know. But I'll go ahead and mention that he spends some time in the RAF during World War II, which we knew he would as the second book ended. I'll also mention that he and Helen have a baby, which you probably expected. One of the great joys of his writing is discovery, so I'd hate to screw that up with a spoiler, but these two tidbits are on the back cover anyway. Oh, and halfway through it, I predicted an ending in advance, and I only had to read 1000 pages by this guy before that happened. It's still great, great stuff, and you know you'll love it.

I read his books as a teen and loved them. Bought the whole set for my grandsons, [teens]. They laughed until they cried. [so did I].

If you like animals you will enjoy all James Herriot's books. This is one of a series of delightful books. Reading one will make you want to read the next one. I can read them over and over.

I have the complete series of All Creatures Great and Small books now. This was the last one and I loved it as much as I loved the others. He was a fantastic writer and having been born and raised on a farm I can appreciate a lot of what he talks about. I also have his cat and dog stories books and loved them just as much.

The books arrived so quickly that I got to take my time
wrapping the books.