Siblings Books

First off, I really like the story of "Hansel and Gretel." It's one of the few fairy tales I remember reading when I was little. Recently, I wrote a paper on "Hansel and Gretel" and found that there is a lot of negativity surrounding it. Researchers object to the portrayal of women as cold-blooded killers and the father as weak and useless. In the story, the evil stepmother easily dominates her weak husband and forces him to go along with her scheme to abandon the children. It is believed that the Grimms included this in their story as a warning to men to watch out for domineering women. Another point scholars make is the fact that both the evil stepmother and wicked witch are both fatally punished for their treatment of Hansel and Gretel, but the father gets off scott free. In fact, the father is allowed to reap the benefits when his children return home with their arms filled with riches. Now, I don't fully agree with everything scholars have said about "Hansel and Gretel" because I found the story to be based somewhat on actual facts.
When the Grimms wrote this book, there had been many famines that wiped out entire villages. Also, women often died during childbirth, leaving the father to raise the kids on his own or remarry. The harsh conditions drove people to desperate measures and it was not uncommon for families to sacrifice a child or other loved one to ensure their own survival; especially stepmothers who were taking care of children that were not their own. I do agree that the story does not portray a normal, happy family but most fairy tales don't. On the other hand, I don't believe the Grimms' intention was to demean their characters, but to reveal the harsh realities of their time. In any case, "Hansel and Gretel" is still a good book, a classic fairy tale, and definitely worth a read.

Children will enjoy the funny and imaginative story of a town of Troekan that is so used to rain that when it stops they are just helpless and don't know what to do. The wonderful and yet very simple illustrations complement this humorous story very well, but I just wish there were more of them for the amount of text in the book. The story, although quite lengthy for a picture book, is very well written and engaging and will keep children laughing at the comical slutions that the wise men come up with in order to get the rain back, like everybody having to stand on their head for three days, or shoot cannons at the clouds. In the end it is two children who come up with the solution that works - let the rain know how much they love it!! We will conclude that our preferrences are not necessarily based on reason but on our familiarity with the subject no matter how strange.

This is a great book for youngsters who have older siblings. Delores is always getting into her older sister's stuff.

I'm buying a gift for new parents of twins and I remember so much this book. My twins are now 12 years old and a friend gave us this book. My twins would always love to read this book when they were young. It is so nice to remember back to those years. Twins are special and stories that speak to them are special. Enjoy.

I'm not a book critic and I don't know this author. I just know that this book is a surprise and is fabulous....for parents AND kids. Be sure to read and enjoy this book. My children, their friends, and I loved it!!

This book is very touching and exciting. It is very cool. I really enjoyed it. If you are looking for a great book buy and read this one. You will love it.

This is a beautiful story about two brothers and their imaginary friends. The oldest brother is playing with his Dragon (imaginary friends) while the younger sibiling feels left out...until he creates his own imaginary friend: A Camel!!!! Both imaginary friends start playing with each other :-) ... and so do the brothers... It's a beautiful story, humorous and sweet about being friends and sibilings.

I read this book as part of my research on a parenting presentation on Sibling Rivalry and Jealousy. It had some good components to it with practical advice on dealing with fighting dilemmas. As an educational consultant and parent of three fighting boys this book gave insight on why kids rival and fight as well as strategies to help deal with it and minimize it. A great resource to use. -Straightforward Parenting and Consultation.

Lexie believed that her life was over when her mother bought her a tennis racket and a bikini, two of the things that she hated the most. And when she finds out that her mother had signed her up for a tennis day camp, her life seemed to be going down the drain, especially when finding out that her twin brother, Colin, wouldn't be there. Then Colin brings up some major news that changes Lexie's perspective on this upcoming summer. Jake, Colin's best friend and the guy that Lexie has had a crush on since the very first time they met, will be at camp, too. Maybe now Jake will finally see Lexie as more than just a friend - and maybe even ask her to be his girlfriend.

Before she knows it her dream comes true; well, kind of. Jake finds out that Bree, the most popular girl in school, has her sights on him, and Bree always gets what she wants. But Jake is far from interested in being her boyfriend. So Colin comes up with a master plan: have Lexie become Jake's "girlfriend" so Bree will back off. Unfortunately, Bree doesn't get the hint and still tries to get Jake to notice her. Yet something much bigger happens, the feelings between Jake and Lexie change, and now Lexie doesn't understand what is fact and what is fiction. Are they still pretending?

HE'S WITH ME starts out the very new pseudo-series I HEART BIKINIS, and what a great job it does. Sure, it may seem like any other fluffy teen novel, but the story that Tamara Summers has created leaves a smile on the reader's face all the way until the last page. This is the perfect beach read for this upcoming summer.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

I read an ARC of this book and I fell in love with it! I almost reread the whole book right after I finished it! This book had me laughing and crying at all the right times. It was definately one of the best books I have ever read and I've read ALOT of them. I definately think you should read this, whether you like horses or not!