Birthdays Books

Many years ago I received one of these as a gift. Since at least the age of eleven or twelve, I have used it to record birthdays (and the occasional death dates) of classmates, family and friends. It ranks as one of my dearest possessions partly due to it's Anne of Green Gables theme, which is done very well. Perfect for any girl and especially any girl who loves the Anne books! If you can find one of these, get it.

As a fan of the L.M. Montgomery books, there's not much that can be published dealing with Anne that wouldn't be wonderful. It's an excellent treasure to have that like the Anne books, brings you back to a timeless age where the hopes and dreams of childhood are not merely sentences that are read over and over but with every turn of the page, are relived. Enjoy! J. Hopkins, High school student

I had to give it five stars because my 2 and 3 yr old girls love this book. This is the book they ask for almost every night. As for me, not alot of substance, it plays on the whole "boo" factor without too much indepth story. The glow- in-the-dark thing I don't get, we don't read in the dark. But the main thing is that this book is not for me, it is written for a child and my children love it more than some of the great books seen as classics. If your children are young it is a fun book and ends happily.

Child centered read ~~~ recommended ~~~ 4 STARS

Annie was told not to go out to the creepy old Montgomery mansion. EVERYONE knows there is something about that old house. But, c'mon now, she WAS born on Halloween, wasn't she. Annie is not afraid of creepy old places, and she isn't scared of haunted places. Or creepy old houses full of bats and spiders. BESIDES ALL THAT, her friend did dare her to go.

So, on Halloween night, of course, Annie sneaks out and heads for the dark and foreboding manse. Ooops, what was that at the back of her neck? And, was that a bat flying by? Empty, dark streets and howling wind can cause even the bravest girl to have a little feeling of the jitters, even if she was born on Halloween. Oh no, she hears whispers as she climbs the stairs leading to the front door. Trembling a little she stops for a minute, and then she opens the door.

My resident critics, fifteen first graders, hurried to the rug for reading time. Thirty bright eyes found the cover of Annie Was Warned compelling. Six year olds tend to enjoy spooky and icky, creepy and scary.

Writer Krosoczka offers a good straight on narrative just right for reading aloud. Vocabulary is just spooky enough to appeal to my resident critics. Short and snappy text is suitably spine-chilling. With each turn of the page a new, thrilling moment is encountered.

Spooky illustrations set against a black background, portray this spirited little girl's daunting expedition along the dark, empty street in the howling wind. The full double-page paintings are shown using multi-directional strokes, are accomplished with murky shades forming great spooky shadows; together they produce a ghostly Halloween night atmosphere. They gave us something to talk about for consideration when we do our art work.

Writer/Illustrator Krosoczka uses his talent to create slighting intimidating houses and glaring street lights which seem to almost engulf the trepidatious Annie. From the monstrous, creepy manse with its entry stairway appearing to ascend forever upward to the cobwebby, negative print hand-lettering set on dark ground which grows larger whenever frightening questions are asked, Krosoczka builds the suspense.

The last page folds out, offering an unsuspected surprise. Writer Krosoczka's Annie Was Warned is a suitably scary tale meant to be enjoyed any time and especially at Halloween.

My resident critics and I enjoyed the reading. Annie Was Warned gave us discussion starters about listening to rumors, and 'everybody knows' type statements. It gave us the chance to talk about seeking answers and trying to find out what is really happening, perhaps there is a friend just beyond the moment we are in who is just waiting for us. We talked about why Annie felt so afraid, the children were able to verbalize that her fears had as much to do with her own preconceptions as with either the hour or the 'forbidding' night. We discussed how letting others do our thinking may prevent us making our own good choices, may cause us to think in error, and may cause us to miss the chance for meeting a new friend. We discussed how gossip and rumor may hurt, be in error and is just plain not the best as opposed to perhaps seeking answers, letting our own choices guide us and doing thinking for ourselves.

Annie Was Warned is a book we continue to enjoy despite Halloween been long behind us this school year. Happy to recommend. Annie Was Warned is a read to for the 4 - 8 set, for the older readers in part because the first reading may be frightening, it is a read with help for the 7-8s and a read alone for the 9-10s. The book is a good choice for the personal reading shelf of children and for the home, school, classroom and public library list.

Molly Martin
Reviewer

This collection of lectures presented to Professor David Balme is a superb inquiry on Aristotle's natural philosophy by several of the most important contributors to actual understanding of the philosopher of the Lyceum. The book is a masterwork of aristotelian studies that could not be forgotten by those who want to understand Aristotle's conception of nature in a very contemporary and analytical way, and after its publication no academic dissertations on this subject could be accepted without its slow, carefull reading. Dr. Francisco Chorão (Lisbon

In a million years I never would have picked out this book for my daughter (5 years old). It was a gift from an Aunt. Both of my kids LOVE this book!!! We've had it for a couple years and they return to it over and over. They love knowing their friend's birthdays and what their zodiac sign is and their birthstone, they especially love knowing what famous people were born in their birth month. I continue to be surprised at how often they return to this book. Great gift for girls 4-10.

What a great book for little girls (ages 4 - 10)! Filled with everything a young girl wants to know about the month she was born! Also filled with great gift giving ideas for all her friends: just look up the month they were born and read the suggestions! My daughter takes her book everywhere and knows all her friends' birthdays!

This is a rhyming book about the bears in the family and what they do, like sing, lick bowls, and pick plums. It provides a nice review of the names of family relationships. It's not at all scary. It has about 80 words.

This has been my daughter's favoite book since she received it as a gift when she was 7 months old. She has stacks and stacks of other baby board book, including all the classics like "Goodnight Moon," and this is always the one she pulls out and wants to hear me read. She seems to love the illustrations, which are whimsical, very colorful and glossy, as well as listening to the sweet story. The fact that the book is a little larger than what seems to be the standard board book size also seems to appeal to her. I highly reccommend this book!

I love this book! When I was a little girl I checked it out of the library every year around my own birthday. The illustrations pull you right into the book, and it was just a magical book that makes you feel good. I agree that this book needs to be republished, I now have a daughter of my own and would love to share this book with her. Just a beautiful book~

This book is wonderful. The illustrations and the story pull you into the life of a beautiful family. My children were enchanted with the whole scene of the candles floating down the river! It would be a great "Five in a Row" book if somebody would republish it!

Little Benny is excited that it'shis birthday. He helps his mother bake his birthday cake, and everything seems great until the family dog gets at the just-decorated cake. Benny cries and cries but his mom and dad have a plan!

Little ones will thoroughly enjoy this simple but compelling story and the happy resolution.

"Benny Bakes a Cake" has achieved legendary status in our home. We received it as a gift in 1993, for our first son's first birthday. It was the first "story" book that he truly understood -- thanks to the simple but appealing illustrations, the straightforward text, and the story elements that toddlers find so riveting: a dog, a cake, a birthday.

Ten years and three more boys later, the book remains a family classic. "Benny" was a hands-down favorite for each one of our kids in their toddler years; and even now the older kids enjoy hearing the story again.

I was only disappointed to see that most other Eve Rice books are out of print. Otherwise I would snap them up in an instant!

I thought that this book was great. We checked it out from the library and my six year old son has chosen the teddy bear party. He was not too thrilled with the bowls of porage cakes, but all the other ideas are great and really get the kids involved.

MElissa

This is a great book. I only got it yesterday, but it has lots of wonderful ideas. Although this is really a kids do it yourself book, it can also be used by parents, or party planners like myself. It has a pile of themes, and each one includes invitations party hats, crafts decoration, favor and games. Most of the party hats, favors and games are those you can make from paper and other things around the house. Most of the crafts can be used as games, and many can also be used as favors. I always like Kathy Ross's books, but this one was GREAT!

Both of my children enjoyed this bedtime book for uncountable readings. Great for learning different animals by their picture.

Betty Bear's Birthday was one of my favorite picture books as a pre-schooler, and I am saddened to see that it is out of print. It's a very sweet story about a little bear named Betty who believes that everyone has forgotten her birthday until her friends surprise her with a special picnic. The illustrations are beautiful and remind me a bit of Japanese anime. If you are able to find this book, it's certainly a nice addition to any child's library.

Written in rhythm and rhyme by Don Hoffman against a background of charming watercolor illustrated by Todd Dakins, two terrifically fun self-esteem oriented picturebooks for preschool readers ages 2 to 5 celebrate a toddler's life through the characters of Billy and Abigail. Abigail Is A Big Girl ... shows that she has learned to say "Please" and "Thank You" and can do a lot of big kid stuff like sleeping in a regular bed instead of a crib, and eating at the family dining table instead of in a highchair. Billy Is A Big Boy ... shows that he has learned to say his ABCs, can use the family bathtub instead of the baby bath tub, and can now eat with a fork as well as a spoon.

This is a lushly illustrated pre-school and juvenile level book that engages and celebrates with each young child the milestones that they have already achieved or look forward to achieving. The story captivates each child by relating to these milestones Each child will feel proud that they can see themselves in little Billy whether boy or girl. The art work is some of the best work I have seen in a children's book, it is not fearful but brings the children into the story with the notion that each child will find comfort. The words simply but deliberately speak to each child. The care in the creation of each page in this book is obvious and I am particularly impressed that a portion of the proceeds are given to a charity that furthers literacy.