Lifestyle Books

An excellent, albeit silliy, addition to the library or coffee table of Brooklynites of any age. Granted, it isn't "all-inclusive," but what pop-up book (or any book on Brooklyn, for that matter) is?

Each foldout page in this book was designed by a different person. Sometimes they're disappointing as pop-ups, but there are some bright moments. The cover by Maurice Sendak allows you to see behind it into how the movements are made. The brownstones page is silly, with stupid bug cartoons everywhere. The library is really disappointing, with no real focus and no real view of what the building looks like. The art museum is just lovely, and is probably the best -- but then, it's by Sabuda (my favorite pop-up artist)! The botanic garden could have been the most colorful and beautiful page -- instead, it's childish and dull. The carousel is fun, with horses popping out at you. The Brooklyn Bridge is nice, but the flavors of Brooklyn are worthless. Coney Island is fun, with a rotating Ferris wheel. The book comes in a handy-dandy re-sealable plastic cover. So if you're fond of Brooklyn this will be a really nice memento. But I do NOT recommend it for reading out loud to children.

A delightfully colorful whimsy. Beautifully designed by an array of talented artists, including Maurice Sendak, specialists in pop-up engineering and all the pieces lovingly put together in Ecuador. My favorite? Two pages topped with old postcard letters-- "CONEY ISLAND." The beach front is covered with mini-bathers frolicking in and out of the water while the rollercoaster rolls by and the ferris wheel spins. There's a great boardwalk and everything that you could want at Coney Island. The only thing missing from the scene is Nathan's. There's an amazing Brooklyn Bridge, and lots of information for all ages about the history of that special borough....

It is really nice to see a resurgence of such childhood favorites as the "pop-up" book. Truly the first multimedia toys, these books add a new dimension (pun most certainly intended) to the written word.

What a wonderful way to introduce children and adults alike to the cultural Mecca that is Brooklyn. I loved this book so much, not only did I buy it for my library's children's collection, but I also bought a copy for myself.

Highly, highly recommended!

This book is perfect for homeschooling unit studies or just pleasure reading. My four year old daughter was zoned in from start to finish. Absolutely beautiful artwork and very interesting subject matter. Highly recommended!

When my brother and I were little, 6 and 8, my father brought home one night a paper sack of coins and several dark blue coin collecting books. Right then began a love of coins. We spent hours and weeks combing through all those Lincoln pennies, buffalo nickels, dimes, quarters, looking for an R, S, D, and filling those books.

When I found "The Buffalo Nickel" in my school library, I knew I had a treasure in hand. It is the story of the creation of the buffalo nickel. Do you know that a new coin replaces the old every 25 years? That the artist is commissioned to create the coin? And, my goodness, have you ever thought about how coins are made? Taylor Morrison gives us a wonderful story in James Earle Fraser, creator of the buffalo nickel, sometimes referred to as the Indian head nickel.

James's story is so representative of the importance of time and place. He lived to see the end of one era into the next. The Fraser family lived in the Dakota Territory in the 1880's, where his father was an engineer for a railroad and gone much of the time. James had two kinds of companions: old trappers who stopped by and occasional Sioux Indians looking for animals to hunt. Even a whittler had impact on the young boy.

The family returned to Chicago when James was a teen and he began studying art and created a sculpture of a weary Indian on horseback, reminiscent of Remington and Russell. "The End of the Trail" earned him the opportunity to study in Paris. When he returned to the States, he began working for a coin maker and decided to apply to create the new nickel. He thought a plains Indian and buffalo should go together on a coin as distinctly American.

The complicated coin making process is shown over the next several pages. On February 17, 1913, the U.S. Mint began production. On Feb. 22, President Taft presented nickels to a number of chiefs in a special ceremony on Staten Island. The three chiefs who posed for a composite likeness were especially pleased.

Morrison's artwork is intensely colored and vibrant, much as you see on the cover. Rich is a good word to describe each page, even those featuring browns and grays.

Although written as an information book, this extraordinary book could be given as a special gift for the child who collects coins or Native American memorabilia or the like.

Highly recommended!

Other books to read:
End of the Trail: The Odyssey of a Statue
Coin Collecting 101 What You Need to Know
Coin Collecting For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))
The New York Times Guide to Coin Collecting: Do's, Don'ts, Facts, Myths, and a Wealth of History
The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents

Having been a teacher of gifted children, it is exciting to have a book such as "The Buffalo Nickel" to offer them. Morrison's telling of the non-fiction story develops their appreciation of American history; the beauty of the artwork teaches a sense of dignity; and the respect for the sculptor helps all children learn about the importance of excellent work. Gifted children need fiction and fantasy, but they also need the challenge of great minds working on great things. This book takes them behind the scenes and tells an interesting story of an important American.

This book would make a fine gift for someone wishing to introduce a child to a little history of the old west, while at the same time acquainting them with an outline of the coin minting process. Accompanied by many illustrations (nicely printed book), the text is suitable for younger children (I'd say up to 10 years old or so) and will offer a pleasant insight into the life of the man who designed one of our nation's most distinctive coins. Definitely recommended.
-- Greg Burns
-- Editor, The NASC Quarterly, ...
-- Editor, The GlenCoin News, ... (pending)

My kids like this book's story and pictures and often asks me to read it over and over again. I don't see how you can go wrong with this story or any of the others. We started reading the Buster books a while back and were impressed enough with the first one to get the next two. Then we saw there were others and we decided to get them too.

My kids just adore the bugville critters books. I've read Go To School and Have A Sleepover so many times to them and they keep asking for it! You must get these books for your kids. They are the best picture books, in my opinion. In this story, Buster and his friend Sarah go to Garden Box Farms. At the farms, they meet a new friend Tim and learn about fruits and vegetables. The story has a wonderful positive message with good pictures that illustrate the story too. I highly recommend.

The Bugville books are perfect! Buster's antics are hillarious and the story is heart-warming and refreshing with its positive messages about friendship and family. Any parent will relate and love these. The illustrations are intriguing!

The story is based on the day Buster and his friend Sarah visit a nearby farm. I would highly recommend this and my kids love it. Every time I read the story to them they are delighted and listen happily. My youngest loved the bright colorful pictures, and the story length was perfect. My oldest loved reading about Buster's day at the farm. It was one book they could read and enjoy TOGETHER, without anyone getting frustrated or bored.

I just bought two more copies for friends of mine. We'll be adding more Bugville books to our collection soon.

The Bugville stories get better and better with each new release. My youngest loves Buster and his pals! In this story, Buster and his friend Sarah visit the nearly farms and learn about farming. It is a hoot to read aloud!

My 5 year old loves this book and the lego blocks that came with it. It's easy for her to follow the picture instructions to make her own vehicles without any help. Awesome for anytime she needs to stay quiet and self-occupied (car trips, waiting rooms, etc.). It comes in a cool box to keep it all together too. We highly recommend it!

This set keeps our son entertained for hours! Even on long road trips. He enjoys building each one and then plays along as well. It's great for a slow afternoon!

... Easy to follow, age appropriate directions. It comes with 50 interchangable pieces and a book with 44 different things to make. Each and every friend that shares the fun with him, asks us for one for their birthdays. I am impressed. This is a great toy, you will not be dissapointed.

Terrific for learning to follow instructions. Our son felt great pride when he had completed building vehicles. An unusually successful toy for a little guy who does not usually like fine motor skill, detail-oriented projects.

I loved it because her grandma made her a quilt just for her.The quilt helped Ariel feel better about the coming baby.This reminds me of my life because when my sister was born I didn't get that much attention.

A library search of quilting information produced this book. I was actually looking for a quilt instruction book. and didn't realize that it was an actual story until after I requested the title from the library. I was initially disappointed because it was not what I was expecting. but since I was intrigued by the title, I read the little book.

THE CANADA GEESE QUILT takes place after World War II in Vermont. The main character is Ariel, a 10-year-old girl who loves being outside and has a natural talent for drawing. She lives on a farm along with her parents and her grandmother. Grandma is a lively lady and a gifted quilter. People around the country and even the world have purchased her wonderful quilts. Ariel shares a lot with her Grandma except for one thing. Ariel hates to sew.

The story begins with Ariel watching the sky as the geese return from colder areas up north. It's one of her delights to see the large flocks of geese in flight. This is also a time of change for the family because they will have a new baby in the fall. Ariel has mixed feelings about the baby and her Grandma decides that the two of them should make a quilt to welcome the little one. Ariel draws the design and her Grandma does all of the sewing.

All is going well until the old lady has a stroke and after weeks in the hospital, she returns home. Grandma can barely speak and when she does, it's hard to understand her. She must now use a cane to support herself when she walks. Ariel doesn't know what to say and even how to act with this lady who is like a shell of her real Grandma. Over time, Grandma and Ariel reach an understanding and decide that they must get back to the quilt, but since her grandmother can't even hold a needle, Ariel must now finish sewing the quilt.

Growing up can be frightening for children when they are faced with all of the changes that come with life. This gentle story handles two situations in a warm and loving way.

Ten-year old Ariel's best friend is her grandmother. After her grandmother suffers a stroke, Ariel is afraid of this woman who has lost the will to live. With her help, her grandmother begins to walk and talk again, and Ariel gains a new understanding of the 'knowledge' that is passed on through the generations.

I am teaching my 10 year old daughter to quilt. She found this book in the "Accelerated Reader's Program" at school and read it because it had quilt in the title. We read two chapters every evening and we loved every page! It was hard to wait for the next evening to arrive so we could read the next chapters. This is a story about a young girl with many changes in her life. Her mother is expecting another child and her Grandmother comes to live with them. The girl loves to draw ane her Grandmother asks her to draw a picture so she can make the new baby a quilt.Many changes occur within the family because of the pregnancy and then serious health problems for the Grandmother after the quilt is started. The story revolves around the young girls struggles with the changes and who will finish the new baby's quilt. A great book to read with a warm and believable ending.

This book was great! You're always hearing about what happened during the high school years, but never what happened after the graduation. You never hear about the intense plots, the funnies, the occasional tears. Not until this book anyway. It was great, and I loved it. The movie was pretty good too.

This book is really great and it really explains the movie and the characters in the movie. If you haven't seen the movie, it was great! And even if you have seen the movie you should read this book.

This book is really good as a novelization, and also contains things not found in the movie. I really recommend it to anyone that's seen Can't Hardly Wait

It was overall a okay book. It was somewhat funny. But if you have seen the movie can't hardly wait don't buy the book it is word for word the same

This is an excellent book for children! It's fun to read & has brilliant illustrations. Definately a 5 star book!

A young farm boy interrupts his day to seek a missing carrot. In rhyme, he talks to almost two dozen different animals, wondering where his carrot has gone. From the barn to fields of straw, he'd kept the carrot in his pocket. Through work and play, he remembers having it. But when the work is done, the carrot's gone. Then he gets a surprise confession.

Denise Oratales' paper-sculpture techniques will astonish readers with its texture and realism, giving CARROT IN MY POCKET a remarkably unique appeal. These brilliantly colored and subtly painted collages are then photographed, thereby providing a beautiful background for the lively poetic meter by author Kitson Flynn. The result is a children's book that is at once entertaining and educational. Various animals will delight young readers learning what they look like. Add the counting game of mice (a new baby is added on each page) as well as the hidden donkey, and the result is an outstanding read! Very highly recommended.

A glowing whimsical journey of a boy in search of his carrot you and your child will be sure to enjoy over and over. The playful poem is anchored by beautiful artwork that shares a sense of playfulness......take note of the growing family of mice with each turn of the page! A must have for your child's collection of stories!

This bright and colorful barnyard trip has my two year old mesmerized. She will sit and flip the pages playing hide and seek with the donkey. She has yet to notice the mice family that seems to grow every page, but we've only had the book for three days! It's a very simple story with very rich images--lots of animals to point out and bits and pieces of farm life detailed in a clean paper-cut style. I highly recommend it, especially for parents with children that love animals. I didn't think any book was going to replace "The Very Busy Spider," in my daughter's regard, but this one just might!

I love all the Hank books, and this is a great one for the Christmas season. These books are hilarious and more important to the young reader, fun to read. I'd also check the rest of the series.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart"

I ordered the book for my sons ages 13,12, and 10. They really enjoy reading "Hank the Cow Dog" books. We highly recommend them all!!

This Hank story is standard Hank fare, with a slight retread of previous scrapes, but still enjoyable. The antics of the humans are as funny as ever, with Loper and Slim sparring and blowing up ranch equipment and so forth. The story line doesn't move as far or as fast as several other Hank books, but it is still a pleasant outing with the Hank crew.

According to the grandchildren 10 & 13 the characters are delightful and draws you into picturing the situation in your mind. Thank goodness the author who is also the narrator is terrific and is in full stride for enjoyable listening. The tones and inflections easily identify the characters. I purchased a sequence of books that was read by somebody other than the author and then this particular author decided to be her own narrator and believe you me it sure destroyed the stories. Stay with what works.

I love all the Hank books, and this is a great one for the Christmas season. These books are hilarious and more important to the young reader, fun to read. I'd also check the rest of the series.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart"

This amazing book is about two cowdogs, a family of four, and a cowboy named Slim. Hank seems to get in a lot of troublem, but it looks like nothing will get hem out of it this time. Slim's sick in bed , Alfred's destroying the house, Drover is liying in the utility room, and Hank can't do anythang about it.
To methis book has thrills,cills,and more action than you can stick on a tooth pick. This book is great for the family.

This book would be good for 3rd and 4th graders who like funny stores with dogs. I thought it was a great book it was really funny book. It's a really exiting book because you never know what will happen next. There is a funny little boy who is trying to take care of uncle when his uncle gets sick. It's a great book for the whole family.

This book is great for kids of all ages and hillaious humor by John R. Erickson so If I where you I would buy it today !

I love all the Hank books, and this is a great one for the Christmas season. These books are hilarious and more important to the young reader, fun to read. I'd also check the rest of the series.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" editor "Of A Predatory Heart"

This book I read was about a stalking bone monster, that this stalking bone moster has been taking all the dogs bones. One of my favorite characters is Hank the cow dog, Hank is the one that
tries to find out this mystery.First Hank , starts asking dog questions but Hank doesn't believe of the stalking bone monster. so then, Hank start's accuseing his best friend but his friend is the truth(he just doesn't know it yet).Then the two best friend found this monster but I don't want to blow the ending.

I liked this book. It was one of the best books I have ever read because the eyes of the bone monster at the end was firefly. Hank give a dog tips on taking to girls and Hank gat scratched on the nose by a cat.

This book is beyond funny. It almost makes you want to wet yourself. In this eposode of Hank The Cowdog, Hank must be brave and try to find out who took his T-bones that he has buried ever so carefully. Pick up this book to read now!