Big Books

I love this book! Excellent artwork and great message. This is THE book for every princess-obsessed little girl out there.

Shirley Hughes' retelling of the Cinderella story set in the jazz era is really beautiful! Her illustrations alone could tell the story, but the text is wonderfully written and humorous as well. The book is enjoyable from cover to cover!

this book was awesome.the illastrations were great and the story was very livly and 30's!

Knowing that this Cinderella-themed book won the "Kate Greenaway Medal for Children's Illustration," I decided to look at the illustration before reading the text. I was looking for authenticity and creativity in the pictures, as well as a hint of the story to come. I'm also a fan of jazz, and although the music isn't synonymous with the "age," I was curious to see whether author/illustrator Shirley Hughes incorporated any musical elements.

It didn't take long to discover the sweep and style of the 1920's, for Hughes' 2-page opening title shows a glossy ballroom floor, inhabited by a small jazz band, self-assured men in tuxedoes and tails, fashionable women in full length gowns (plunging either in front or back), and a white-coated "manservant" offering martinis. (Zelda, we have arrived!) As the story begins, pictures show the middle and under classes, and the scornful looks of the social "betters." The latter are dressed in chiffon, feathers, fancy hats, and jewelry, and a man sports a pinstripe suit with a rose boutonnière and impeccable black and white spats. You can sense the texture of their clothes, just as you can feel the conflicting attitudes of the haves and have-nots. I cheated and looked at the endpaper: The rich colors come from gouache, accented and shaded with pen. In addition (and, as noted by another reviewer), Hughes' original dress designs were inspired by 1920's French couture; her ballroom scenes by the décor and set designs of the glorious RKO-produced Astaire/Rogers musicals. The book's remaining pictures convey emotion (especially in cinematic-like close-ups), dramatic lighting, subtle and grand action, and swirls of gorgeous, opulent color. Hughes captures the look of money and the face of disenfranchisement with equal magnificence.

OK, so I'm completely sold on the pictures. What about the story? As you may have gathered, the Cinderella here is "Ella Cinder," a comely woman who's an expert helper in her father's dress shop. When she can, she laughs with almost- boyfriend "Buttons." As for the scornful women mentioned above, they're her dad's new wife (Cinder's stepmother) and her daughters (the stepsisters!). The stepmother takes over running the shop, the stepsisters model, lounge about, and call Cinder names, and Cinder herself has to work harder than ever. Mr. Cinders is a broken man in this power play, and he can do nothing to help his daughter.

Buttons, however, scrappy American that he is, "stays on the job for [Cinder's] sake." "Privately he called the [stepsisters] a couple of puffed-up, made-up, stuck-up, brainless parakeets." He also plays his guitar" in Ella's ratty basement room, and sometimes, "they even danced together...moving softly in and out among the bales of cotton." This is pure literary magic, Hughes' words and pictures mesh like a slow dance; they're consistently evocative and note-perfect.

I'll now cut to the chase of this modernized (to a point) fairy tale: An elite ball is planned, and the stepsisters scoff at the neglected Cinder. Very soon, however, an efficient yellow-hatted woman with a purple umbrella (her wand, it turns out) does her magic, and Ella turns into the Queen of the Jazz Age, the Belle of the Ball, and the Delight of the Duke who dances with her. Hughes wisely keeps the stroke of twelve and missing slipper motifs, but like any good 1920's film, Ella turns down the rich duke for her true love, Buttons, who can promise only his winning and constant love, a dream of owning their own shop, and his famous bacon and eggs. This book from 2003 is a complete delight, excelling in every conceivable way, and it's hard to imagine any child (or adult) not enjoying and treasuring it immensely.

Note: The book is so cinematic in illustration, plot, and dialogue, that I'm already having fun casting a hypothetical "movie": Perhaps director Frank Capra (or George Cukor) would insist on a dulled-down Carole Lombard as "Cinder"; Stewart , Cagney, or a relatively new, "nice guy" actor as "Buttons," and S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall or Lionel Barrymore as the beleaguered father. Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell would reprise their cat-fighting roles from "The Women," with Katherine Hepburn (cast against type) or Bette Davis as the (wicked) stepmother, and Franchot Tone or Leslie Howard as romantically tragic Duke. Indulge yourself as I did, and buy this book for a child, and, especially, for yourself.

There are several authors and illustrators of children's picture books that should be essential reading experiences for every child, created by artists that meld whimsy, humour, poignancy, wisdom and humanity with such grace that you just know that the memory of that book will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Shirley Hughes is one of these authors/illustrators, best known for her `Alfie and Annie Rose' books, but also of several other stories that capture all the above traits. "Ella's Big Chance" is one such book, taking the traditional tale of Cinderella and changing it in several vivid, exciting ways. It is old and refreshingly new at the same time.

Mr Cinders and his daughter Ella run a dress shop, along with their delivery boy Buttons (who almost always appears as the narrator in any production of a pantomime Cinderella). They are a happy family, but all that changes when Mr Cinders marries Madame Renee, who has two daughters of her own: Ruby and Pearl. Ella's new stepfamily takes over her existence, reducing her to a servant in her own home. Her only ally is Buttons with whom she has a warm and kind friendship.

Then the news arrives that the handsome Duke of Arc is having a ball. You all know what happens next: Ella is denied an invitation, a fairy godmother transforms her rags, and Ella makes her magnificent debut. The clock strikes twelve, Ella flees and the Duke begins his search for her, using the glass slipper she left behind as his guide.

One might at this stage think that this is simply another rehash of the Cinderella tale; if you've read one, you've read them all. But Shirley Hughes' version differs in several key ways. First is the setting; Parisian France in the 1920's, where the streets are quaint and sunlit, a silver limousine takes the place of the pumpkin carriage, the dancing mirrors that of Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire, and the costumes are the quintessential gowns of Doucet, Poiret and Patou. It is a visual feast for the eyes, romantic and glamorous.

Second is Ella's physique. Whereas her stepsisters are slender and lovely (not *ugly* stepsisters at all), Ella herself is a little on the voluptuous side - and she looks fantastic. It's a great step up from the stick-figures that frequent children's fairytales, especially those targeted toward girls.

Lastly are several story elements; such as the fact that Ella's father does not pass away but remains a hen-pecked husband who is powerless to rescue his daughter. Then there is Hughes' delightful interpretation of the fairy godmother, as an umbrella-wielding granny with a secret plan for Ella. Most important of all is the twist regarding Buttons - I won't give it away (though you've probably already guessed what it is now that I've mentioned it). I'll say no more except that it's great.

So that's Shirley Hughes's Cinderella retelling, a fantastic reading experience that everyone (especially your daughters) will love, with several subtle but truthful messages on *real* beauty, *real* kindness and *real* happiness.

I am a secondary literacy coach and I am always very concerned about having my daughters read nonfiction as well as fiction. These high quality books from Candlewick Press are an impressive series. The Read and Wonder books encorporate both excellent text and engaging illustrations. They are great read-aloud titles and I have used them in guest readings with my older daughter's preschool class. Next week I am going to take The Emperor's Egg with me. I know that the class will love it as much as my daughter does.

What a fabulous book! I laughed out loud ... and actually learned a thing or two about Emperor penguins. A great choice for Father's Day - shows the importance of dads in bringing up little ones (penguins, in this case), which is refreshing. Makes a great read aloud for one-on-one, or in group settings, with just the right language to keep preschoolers interested while teaching them about penguins.

I collect books specifically about the emperor penguin breeding cycle. When I choose a book, I want the emperor penguin pictures to be fairly accurate (not cartoony or wacky) as well as beautiful, vivid, elegant, etc.. And I want the writing to reflect love for the story of these penguins.

I love this book.

I purchased this book for my three year old after I took him to see "March of the Penguins." He loves it! It's a really great companion for this movie as it follows the story line almost exactly. For a long time he had to carry it around the house with him everywhere - even to bed at night. This book has great illustrations. It is a little "text heavy" for his attention span - but it's easy to just skip over some of the more "science -y" parts.

I have a penguin-mad 4 yr old who can't understand why I can't go buy him the 'March of the Penguins' dvd yet. This book is a close substitute until that happens. It follows the movie pretty close without the munching and dying. He is pleased... for now. Very sweet and fun to read.

Jim Davis has once again used his expertise to charm and captivate our minds in his explosive 10th collection of comics. His wit and humor make America's favorite fat cat come to life, now more gluttonous and hilarious than ever before. My only complaint is that the Sunday strips are not printed in color, but overall this is a wonderful arrangement of comics.

Garfield is a puffed up caricature of all cats. They truly believe that the world revolves around them and their food better be there when they want it. Like Garfield, my cat, appropriately named Sassy, wants attention when she wants it and then will bite you when she is done. Yet, like Garfield, she is a lovable creature that would be missed if she was gone. Garfield is funny, a bit demented and always a good read.

My book title is Garfield makes it Big. It is about a fat cat that does not like to do anything. It's a good book because he sleeps all of the time. The mice are his friends. He likes lasagna so every time John cooks it Garfield eats it. The authors name is Jim Davis. I would recommend this book to the people who like comely. My name is Bryant Mathaw Stevens. Hop you like this book.

It is hard for me to pick out a favorite Garfield book because everything Garfield does makes me laugh. "Garfield Makes It Big" is a non-stop laugh riot. One of my personal favorite moments in Garfield history is when Jim Davis used the classic Xmas story "T'was the Night Before Christmas" and just visualized the story using his comic characters. It was both funny and appropriate at the time he did that back in '83. I love Garfield's neverending practical jokes on Jon, like loosening up the top of the salt shaker. And of course I just love it when Nermal comes to visit and manages to make Garfield look bad in front of Jon's eyes. The reader also sees Garfield attempt to mail Nermal to Abu Dhabi for the first time. And of course there are the times that Garfield terrorizes the mailman. I love it when Jon takes Garfield on vacation. The strip where Jon tries to board the plane in peace is hilarious because he doesn't want to be known for having to sit in third class. Whenever I am down, I can always count on Garfield making me laugh.

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

This childrens book of the classic Beatrix Potter stories is hardbound in a large attractive cover. The illustrations are all wonderfull, and average three pictures per page next to the text which goes along with the scene. My now three year old loves this book.

My mother bought this for my kids, and this is an excellent gift for bedtime, or anytime stories for children. Classics like these are wonderfull to read to children so they can be passed on from generation to generation.

I had several of the small Beatrix Potter books as a child. The drawings and stories enchanted me, and the books were just the right size for my hands. This book is much bigger. It also includes more stories than my original collection--nineteen. It is easy to find the Peter Rabbit stories and some of the others in the small books--but some of the stories in this book (such as the wonderful "The Story Of A Fierce Bad Rabbit") I've never seen for sale in individual form. So, if you loved these stories as a child or if you want to introduce them to a child in your life, this large and beautiful book is a good choice. However, when I have children of my own I'll probably also buy a set of the small books, because I enjoyed them so much in that form myself.

I got this book when i was seven from my grandmother i'm 19 now and still love to read it from time to time. I have loved this book most of my life and i'm buying it today for my sisters kids.

It is wonderful to find all of these stories in one volume, and the illustrations are as beautiful as ever. Beatrix Potter was truly a great artist and storyteller. The lessons young ones learn from these tales are priceless, like many of the greatest fables. Over the years, I have acquired many Beatrix Potter books and collectibles. This volume stands out as one of the most prized items in my collection.

As a father, I'm looking for what's best for my little girl. Other than The Bible, a book of tales filled with mischief and fun such as this is always something you can go back to. I remember my parents reading me "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", yet picking this up, I flipped through it with my daughter like a pirate who discovered a hidden treasure.

I knew all about Benjamin Bunny, Squirrel Nutkin, even the Two Bad Mice! Getting the treasury of Beatrix Potter was like WOW! This is a lot of good stuff, and while a little advanced, kids normally get the meaning and lesson through every story. I loved reading stuff like "The Floppsy Bunnies" and going to Tom Kitten, while wondering about stuff I don't remember reading like Jemima Puddle-Duck. Also remembering the hilarity of "The tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan", to the somberness of "The Tailor of Gloucester.

Do your kids a favor and get them this Potter, the one we grew up with! This is what I've been looking for, and hopefully parents who actually give a care will do the same. Awesome stuff!

I first discovered this book over 10 years ago when I was studying to become a teacher. Whilst on practical teaching placement, the Preschool teacher I was studying with introduced this book as her book of the week. The children were enthralled by the story, the sense of impending danger as the fox begins to emerge, the repetitious remarks that the animals make and the beautiful water coloured illustrations, all add up to a classic story for young children.
This story is so simple that children memorize it within a couple of tellings. You will find that you no longer needed to read the story yourself, the children will do it for you.

This is a great book for Readers Theatre and fluency. Teachers your students will really enjoy reading this book in conjunction with the readers theatre.

Hattie is a favorite at our house. My two-year-old niece wants to hear it when she comes over as well. The repetition in this book works so well because of the natural rhythm it creates. That rhythm will please toddlers and preschoolers will love pointing out the approaching fox. You'll be reading this for years.

By the way, my son loves this book so much he named our Little People hen Hattie.

A really enjoyable book and great fun for inspiring a love of reading early on. This book is about Hattie, a hen in the farmyard, first she sees a pair of eyes, then two eyes and two ears, two eyes, two ears and a nose - and so on. She tells the other farmyard animals who always react in the same way.

My younger kids (3 and 4) really enjoy this, they can read along and anticipate the story as it is repetitious and builds up great suspense. We can see the fox slowly forming out of the bushes, but the other animals are oblivious to it just going about their novmal business - until the fox comes out of the bushes!

The last picture is priceless, all the animals have been illustrated with enormous eyes literalloy popping out of their heads. My kids just love this book and I am so glad to see it has been reprinted.

The illustrations are vaguely reminiscent of the kind of artwork in the very hungry caterpillar (ERic Carle) but darker colours and more realistic. A truly lovely book and highly recommended.

Being a children's librarian is all about trial and error. You think a book is going to make for a good readaloud during your storytime, but then you find that it's either too long or too boring or the wrong age level for your group or any other millions of reasons why you've failed to capture your audience's attention. This situation happens with even the best of authors. It does not happen, however, with Mem Fox. Now obviously you shouldn't go about reading aloud EVERY Mem Fox title you come across. I love, "Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge" but it really is more of a one-on-one book. However, when it comes to books like "Hattie and the Fox" you are in safe safe hands. I was shocked when I discovered that it was not considered one of Fox's best-known book (curse you, Koala Lou!). It should be though. A great use of repetition and a title that knows how to ratchet up the tension, "Hattie and the Fox" takes the old predator v. prey model and gives it a bovine twist.

One day Hattie, the resident big black hen, happens to look up and see a long reddish nose with a black tip sitting in a nearby bush. "Goodness gracious me! I can see a nose in the bushes!". You might think this kind of statement might provoke a bit of interest in the other farm animals, but it apparently does no such thing. The goose says "Good grief!", the pig says, "Well, well!", the sheep says, "Who cares?", the horse says, "So what?", and the particularly blasé cow says, "What next?". Well I'll tell you what next. Next Hattie happens to notice that the nose has been joined by two eyes in the bushes. Again the other animals say their customary responses. Even if Hattie notices a nose, two eyes and two ears in the bushes (she's always careful to say just how many body parts she sees), no one is paying much attention. About the time she gets to, "a nose, two eyes, two ears, a body, four legs, and a tail" she puts two and two together (no more, as needed) and screams out, "It's a fox! It's a fox!". The other animals apparently didn't see this coming and are provoked into a panic. All the other animals, that is, except the cow who lets loose a rousing "MOO!" that scares the fox away. The last two pages show utterly silent animals standing stock still as the text tells us, "And they were all so surprised that none of them said anything for a very long time".

A good readaloud picture book isn't afraid of a little repetition. What's particularly nice about "Hattie and the Fox" is that the tension not only escalates but takes on a kind of familiar series of steps. Mem Fox is doing something rather similar to that old Little Red Riding Hood storytelling technique of, "But Grandma, what big EYES you have" and drawing it out. The contrast between Hattie (who lives in spite of the fact that she doesn't recognize a fox until she sees the tip of his bushy bushy tail), the nonplussed animals, and the fox with dinner on his mind is reflected beautifully in the text. I like to think that any illustrator could have pulled off a nice book with this excellent writing, but Patricia Mullins style using a collage technique of tissue paper and conte crayon works particularly well. Firstly, the colors are marvelous. From the goose's bright blue eye to the red crest atop Hattie's head, the pictures burst with life. I've always suspected that books of repetition like this one must be particularly difficult to make images for. If the words are the same on every other two-page spread, how do you go about distinguishing between them? For Mulins's part, she likes to change her perspective, where the animals actually are, and how they are set up. She even drops in little details like the flies that buzz around the animals' heads. The dark eyebrowed fox for his part is definitely malicious. The only question that remains is why does he wait so long to pounce?

I guess I definitely fell in love with the book when I got to the last two pages. There stand six shell-shocked animals. You can't put a price on the horse's expression. Mister "So what?", has finally been put in his place. The pig also looks particularly appalled but the cow seems almost content. She was, after all their savior. So really, "Hattie and the Fox" has it all. Great reading aloud potential, beautiful illustrations, and a plot kids of many ages can get behind. Rather good stuff.

I recently read this book that I issued from Chicago Public Library. I am a management graduate & have read lot of books. Though I read management/sales books, I hate them as I find them very generic. So, I picked up this book just for the heck of it. I generally finish books in 3-4 hours but this book is just so different. It made me think & rethink what I am doing as a sales person. It was quite an eye opener. I have been buying things online for the last 6 years but this is the first time when I really felt like buying a bought online. This book is a must READ. I would recommend it to all sales people irrespective of how many years of sales experience you have. Happy reading... Brajesh (brajesh2@yahoo.com)

Have you been wondering why your competition continues to outsell you or you can't seem to hit your numbers consistently? Perhaps you're not researching your prospect well enough or positioning your product properly. The first step to fixing that is to completely understand your existing and potential customer base and realize it's all about how you can either make them money, reduce their expenses, or minimize risks. If you are "in it" for anything else, your chances at success are greatly diminished. By shifting your focus to conjoin the customer's, you'll have the foundation of future success.

Be sure to take an honest and objective inventory of what you do well and what you don't. Figure out ways you can capitalize on your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.

Engage yourself in the customer's business to where you take pride in how they perform--your customer will notice and reward you with a solid stream of business.

Some of the methodologies outlined in this book may seem like common sense to many, but they bear repeating especially if you're not selling as well as you desire.

I'd highly recommend this book primarily for the "solution selling" type of rep.

I love Dave Stein's style. His 21 proven strategies are to the point and broken into manageable pieces. The only gripe I had was with the section on available research tools. The point is well taken that one must spend time researching a company for a sales call, but I felt too much space was given to something so basic. Maybe it's just me because I work in the technology sector, but I was surprised that the company research tools and techniques Dave mentioned are not common knowledge to almost everyone of working age.

One section of the book I find useful over and over again is the Review (Summary) section. Before going on a coaching sales call with a Rep, I sometimes review parts of this section (what parts depends on the Rep's strengths and weaknesses) and find that it can really improve performance.

The new second edition of "How Winners Sell: 21 Proven Strategies to Outsell Your Competition & Win the Big Sale" is exceptional in both its clarity and ease of use. I am a former Fortune 50 marketing/sales executive who now teaches professional selling at the University of Central Florida. Our university enjoys an international reputation for its strength in sales training. Dave Stein's book is REQUIRED READING for the students in our Advanced Professional Selling course. Moreover, Dave now assists in coaching our nationally-famous collegiate sales competition teams. Our teaching philosophy is that 'sales is not a performance; it is a response.' Further, we see sales as much as an 'art as it is a science.' Dave Stein's book is fully compatible with our philosophy. It moves the reader to an even better understanding of the entire sales process. They [good sales guides] don't get any better than this.

Selling is a combination of the tried and true with what's happening in our society today. The world has changed since 911 and the collapse of companies like Enron, Global Crossing, et al. Selling hasn't gotten any easier, and you need to remember the basics once in a while.

This book gives you a good overview of the basics, but also brings out some new points that I hadn't considered in my own selling. It's also a rather easy read. There are 21 'strategies' or things you need to keep in mind during the sales cycle. And the points he brings up are good. When I've lost a sale and do a post mortem later, I find that I've usually skipped one or more of these points.

Not a big book at a little over 200 pages, it is well worth the time if it helps you on one big sale.

This book offered some great strategies for our family. We have trouble getting errands accomplished with our 2 year old son in tow. We don't have anyone to help us & things have to get done. Anyway, we used some of the books suggestions & they REALLY helped. It was pretty easy because we didn't have to read a WHOLE book to find some answers. The book is set up in a way that makes it simple to look up your issue & find a strategy.

This is a wonderful informative resource. I have personel experience with the authors and they know what they are talking about. They helped me get my son evaluated appropriately and helped us find the right program for him. They give practical advice you can actually use. They understand children and help parents to understand their children as well. Their approach is very positive and makes you feel that you and your family can handle the challenges. I highly recommend this book.

This is a valuable, useable guide for identifying, assessing, and treating problems "big or little". As a parent and a teacher I appreciate this team for sharing their knowledge and experience and then offering hands-on strategies for many different and sometimes challenging situations.

Is it a Big Problem or a Little Problem? is a phenomenal resource for families and professionals. It is well organized and easy to understand. The real life examples help to clearly demonstrate behavioral concerns and the suggestions are easy to implement. This book helps to quiet the fears of worried parents and empowers them to make their daily challenges into successful interactions. It also leads families in an appropriate direction when outside help is warranted. The authors have done a superb job!

This is a very thoughtful book. So many "parenting" books are written to deal with a specific issue, and make it sound as if that specific issue is always a terrible problem. Parents will find this book both thought provoking and quite valuable.

"It's Not Easy Being Big," a Bright and Early book from Random House and the Children's Television Workshop, takes the basic concepts of big and small and puts them both in a fun, brightly illustrated tale for youngsters. Big Bird, obviously, reveals the perils of being too big. Elmo tackles problems on the other end of the spectrum. While big and small are the focal point of the book, similar concepts like high and low and up and down are also briefly touched on.

This is an excellent story to read to youngsters in the early stages of reading. Stephanie St. Pierre has kept it simple enough for some pre-K and Kindergarten kids to read this story with little to no adult assistance. John Lund's vivid active illustrations of Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, Elmo, Harry Monster, and other Sesame Street favorites will also help your child's reading development.

Overall, this is a fun book that children will love and parents will enjoy reading to them. Highly recommended.

This is such a cute book. My toddler asks me to read it to her all the time and I don't mind reading it over and over. It has a good message about the challenges we all face but is done in a light-hearted, very cute way. It also is a good teaching tool to compare things of different sizes.

The book Its not easy being big is a very good book for anyone no matter how old they are i think because to me it seems like it shows that no matter how tall you are or how big or small you are you can accomplish anything in this world. somethings that small people can do tall people cant..but there is nothing wrong with trying. and that is what they do in this book. try even if they dont accomplish they still try. They dont GIVE UP!!!

My daughter is nearly 19 months old, and we purchased this book for her around her first birthday. She loved it from the first time we read it, no doubt due to all of the balls inside. She loved identifying each and every ball. She still carries it everywhere she goes, and now she's old enough to point out and name a variety of objects in the book. I'd recommend this book to any mother.

In this story Big Bird tells his friends that it is not always easy being big. He tells how he is too big to swing, too big to ride on a bike,and too big to hide.
Elmo comes on the scene to share with his friend that it is not always easy being small. He tells him that he is too small to see above other people, and too small to reach somethings.
They realize that sometimes being big is easy and sometimes being small is easy, sometimes it's hard, but working together is the best of all. No matter what size you are, you are just who you are suppose to be.
Good lesson to learn.
Shirley Johnson

Jessi is accepted to Dance New York for a three week time span. She feels sad about leaving her friends but when she gets there she feels she's in another world. After three weeks is up of dancing at the acadamy she given a chance to dance there permanently now she has two choices stay with her friends or follow her dream.

Jessi is going to New York. There she will dance in ballet. But does this mean it's the end of the BSC.

This is the first book about Jessi since book #103 Happy Holidays, Jessi. It was really good though. Jessi gets accepted into Dance New York, a excellant ballet school. She gets to work with one of her heroes, is reunited with Quint, and makes great new friends! Jessi love living in the city and has a hard time coming back. Meanwhile at home Mallory misses Jessi like crazy! Becca is furious at Jessi for leaving her. This book really tells you that home is where the heart is. I loved this book and I hope you do to! :)

In here, Jessi Ramsey, an eleven year old fantastic ballerina, is offered the chance for a two-week class in New York--a dancing class! Go Jessi! And it's away from school! So Jessi is psyched and all her friends in the Babysitters' Club will miss her but they are excited for her as well. When she gets to the city, she is reunited with an old friend and makes new ones, plus she's staying with her cousin and his wife. They're very nice to her. She also likes it that they're artists and her cousin's wife plays the piano! New York City is very exciting but everyone's waiting for Jessi at home--right? Plus Jessi wants to go back--right?

Wrong. Jessi is accepted to be in the full-time program for the experts and has a very tough choice to make: her #1 goal or her friends and family back in Stoneybrook, Connecticut? What will she decide to do?

Jessi is going to New York to do ballet. In the book, Jessi meets Quint and likes him. Unfortunately, Quint has a crush on Jessi and she has to go home.

I have one of these for each of my three children. I recorded the birth story for all three. For my first child, I filled in every single thing for the first two years complete with photos. Then I got into scrapbooking and stopped filling in everything and adding photos. I still use it for keeping record of all doctor's visits. I have not found any other book that is set up for that which is why I bought one for my next two children. I take the books along to every doctor's visit. The photos that I did at the beginning keep the children entertained while waiting, and I really like having every doctor visit right there in the same spot. I can record any MD comments and keep track of their height and weight changes. There is also a spot to keep a running list of babysitters.

All 3 of my children have one of these. I have engraved their names in gold on the covers of each. I LOVE this book for the detailed info it 'requests' and all the space to write "Special Memories". I have many of Tabori's books and am now looking for a memory book that goes past 5 years of age.

This is such a wonderful baby book. The best one out there.

This is a great book to keep all the information you recieve during and after pregnancy. This book keeps track of all appointments, prenatal care, delivery, and all of the newborns information. I bought one for my first child, and ordered another as soon as I found out I was pregnant with my second. This is a very helpful organizer.....even has pockets in the back for any ultrasound pictures or information that you want to save.

I received this book from a friend when I was pregnant with my first child, and I absolutely love it! There are many spaces for pictures & lots of room to record written information that I will always want to remember; like special moments from my pregnancy and the first five years of my son's life. I like it so much that I plan on buying another copy for my second child.