Childrens Days Books

Groundhog Day, February 2, is fast approaching. According to tradition, if a groundhog leaves his burrow and sees his shadow on that day, there'll be "six more weeks of winter." Groundhog Day may seem a silly tradition, but this is a fun way to introduce young children to the whimsical nature of nature itself.

It's almost Groundhog Day but poor Groundhog has the flu. He will not be able to perform his important work on February 2. After visiting a doctor, Groundhog decides to advertise for a substitute. He ends up with a long list of applicants from a mole to a bear to a squirrel. Although somewhat repetitive, Groundhog ends up selecting Armadillo. Armadillo predicts "six more weeks of winter."

I am an elementary special education teacher. I bought this book to read to my class of 1st - 5th grade students. It was a great book for all of my students. The book brought about a discussion of what groundhog's day was. We also discussed the other animals in the book and why they were/were not able to do the groundhog's job.

This is a fun story that compares characteristics of several animals who are applying to be the temporary groundhog while Phil is out sick. Miller's story is great for teaching comparing and contrasting and has some great opportunities for children to make predictions. Children in Texas will really enjoy the outcome, wherein Armadillo saves the day.

Kathi Ember's warm drawings enhance the story from Pat Miller, Substitute Groundhog, telling of a young groundhog who gets sick the day before Groundhog Day and is told by Dr. Owl to stay in bed. His search for a substitute groundhog leads to a new assessment of his many unique qualities to fit the job description in this fun story.

This effervescent story, with its vivid, carefree illustrations and its protaganist's refreshing win-win attitude, is a rousing celebration of individuality and joie de vivre. We love Suki!!

This is a great book for showing the importance of treasured possessions and how they can be shared effectively with others. Suki loves her kimono and wears it to school with pride. The author, Uegaki, does a fine job of showing Suki's spirit and respect for her grandmother. The text is easily understood and the addition of humor lends to the usefulness of the book. It can be used as a catalyst for sharing time and discussions of favorite relatives. The illustrations are done with ink and watercolor and are especially delicate, yet expressive. They portray Suki as a spunky young Japanese girl with a mind of her own but a love of tradition and family.

This charming story is one that every child should read (or have read to them!). Not only does it have an encouraging message and introduce aspects of Japanese culture; it's also VERY beautifully illustrated, and Chieri Uegaki's writing is a pleasure to read. I love the way she phrases things, like when Suki sits close to the taiko drummers and feels "like she'd swallowed a ball of thunder and her whole insides quaked and quivered." Buy this book -- you won't be disappointed.

Suki's Kimono is the heartwarming picture book story by Chieri Uegaki of Suki, a young girl determined to wear her favorite blue cotton kimono to school because it is a cherished gift from her beloved grandmother. Suki's friend warns her that it seems weird, but young Suki is determined to follow her own heart. A delightful tale Suki's Kimono is an exuberant story which is wonderfully enhanced for young readers with the brightly colored illustrations of Stephane Jorisch.

This has been a great family devotion to use with my boys 5 & 7. It guides us in applying scripture to our lives and fighting the temptations we all battle. My boys do struggle with "what do you think about..." type questions, largely due to their young age. It opens up opportunities to talk about all kinds of temptations to sin like being stubborn, or rude, or prideful to mention just a few.

This is a fun and easy way for kids to not only learn and memorize the scriptures, but understand what they really mean and put them to use. My 7 year old, whom I have to fight with to do simple math or other lesson, LOVES doing it every night. I have seen a lot of growth in him. His abilities to deal with the, uh, challenges of an older brother have greatly improved. There is less bickering and nitpicking in the house since we started this. Even for families that don't read the scriptures on a regular basis, this is really a good thing for the youth of today to fall back on when given the pressures that they can come across. The lessons refer to passages in the bible and really put them into an understandable context. There are hands on types of things to help to reinforce the lessons. I would recommend this book to any family that is concerned about the moral strength of their children.

This is the best devotional for boys I have seen! (I have no doubt girls would enjoy it too, I just have no personal experience to share). Lots of fun ways to memorize scripture and apply it to daily life. Not a lot of prep. time on parent's part to use this book.
However, instead of cutting out paper swords for each lesson, I made one cardboard sturdy one for each child. We laminated it with clear contact paper, & the boys had fun decorating the handle with old jewelry etc. Then each week they wrote the verse on a strip of paper & taped it to the "blade". One side always had the verse from last week, with the current verse on the other side. Laminating the "blade" made it last longer & made it easy to remove old verses to add new ones. Highly recommend this book!

A great book that helps kids learn the importance of memorizing scripture (after all, Jesus did!)and how and when they can apply it to their life.

My husband, who is a teacher and home with the kids all summer, has a hiking morning with them once a week, using this book as his guide. Everyone loves it. The kids were 4 and 6 last year when they started and I think this is something they will enjoy for years. I can't believe how many trails are so close by and so interesting in different ways, and I can't imagine how we'd know about them otherwise. No one with kids wants to just set off on a walk and have no idea how far it will go before looping back!

Never hiked with young kids? Doesn't seem fun? Try it. They love looking for the trail blazes, and feeling like they are exploring. Let them lead and explore, and rather than dragging their feet grumping about the walk, they are peaceful and happy. (However, our kids do not consider it a hike unless it is in the woods. Fortunately, this book describes the scenery and terrain.)

I appreciate this book even more since the kids have wanted to hike while we were visiting my parents south of Buffalo. That area offers a lot of interesting parks as well as Zoar Valley and Allegany State Park, but getting information about trails is tough. My biggest complaint about this book is that we got spoiled and we want the same sort of information about every park and trail in the state!

5 minutes after receiving this book I learned something that I have shared with friends as far as New Jersey! Great book, I look forward to hitting some of the trails listed. The only thing I wish this book had that it doesn't is child friendly. I travel with a 3 year old and 10 month old and would love to know just how "child friendly" the terrain is. BUT since that is ever changing I can see how that type of information would be difficult to track and the book does allow sections for notes :)

Bought the book yesterday and did the 8.2 mile hike on the Hojack Trail in Webster where I live. It was easy to find, the history about the trail in the book was interesting and we are looking forward to finding other hikes around our home we didn't know were there! Very user friendly book. After each hike there is a place where you can jot down notes, great for keeping track of hikes you want to repeat.

There is a new edition of this book. It is fully updated & expanded to cover 60 trails. The new edition is ISBN # 0965697479. Type this number in the search field to read about the new edition.

There are only a few books specifically on the Wampanoag Indians suited for pre-K through elementary. While the text it a bit too much for a large group of children in the pre-K range (one on one would be excellent), the photos are great. Please check out Kate Waters other books which are excellent companions to the era: Sarah Morton's Day, Samuel Eaton's Day and the Mayflower.

I am continually amazed at how children's books offer detail and insight into daily life that no stout history book can provide.

Writing the same review for the other two in this trilogy. Excellent all!

Another great book by Kate Waters. This book shows the daily life of a Native American child during the time of the Pilgrims. This book goes great with Sarah Morton's Day and Samuel Eaton's Day. Also, check out On the Mayflower also by Kate Waters.

We are big fans of Kate Waters' books about the Pilgrims (Samuel Eaton's Day, Sarah Morton's Day and On the Mayflower). When we discovered "Tapenum's Day", we were thrilled ! I found the 'point of view' from a young Native American boy to be both fascinating and educational, as did my children. We enjoyed seeing this historically accuate slice of life, written from a balanced perspective. I think this wonderful book rounds out the collection, including the other four, that no study of the Pilgrims should be without.

This is such a simple way to talk with a young child about all the things they like and are thankful for. The illustrations are wonderful and full of life and the story is all told in rhyme so it is a joy to read aloud. My two year old and I really enjoyed reading this together.

Wonderful book for teaching a young child the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Beautifully written and illustrated.

I bought this book for my (almost) three year old daughter. The illustrations are very nice and the story is sweet and simple, perfect for introducing a toddler to the meaning of Thanksgiving. I love that it gives thanks for everyday special things (family, friends, nature). A sure hit for young ones (and parents, too!).

I went to the bookstore to look for a book for my toddler on thanksgiving. While I wasn't quite sure what I wanted when I first arrived, after looking at several books, I quickly figured out what I didn't want. First, I didn't want a book with any TV characters. Second, I didn't want a book that mentioned pilgrims and American Indians; that bit of history just doesn't ring true to me and a meaningful discussion about that topic is simply not age-appropriate for a two-year-old. Finally, I didn't want a book that was shallow.

I was fortunate to find something that satisfied what I wanted: a meaningful discussion about being thankful that a young child can grasp. This book celebrates thanksgiving by showing appreciation for the big and small things that occur in a young child's life, from "playdates, swings, and slides" to "dancing, music, and art." It also celebrates this time of year, thanking for autmumn and sled rides. And, it states clearly, that we should be most thankful for family.

The illustrations are realistic, yet magical and captivating.

If I were to search for a complaint it would be that the children in this book are all white. I suppose they are all from the same family and the family happens to be white, but wouldn't it have been nice if the author and/or illustrator showed several different families of color? Perhaps this is a missed opportunity.

Still, I give the book five stars because the overall sentiment of this book is just right for toddlers and preschoolers. On the last page, there is a place to record your children's own thankful thoughts year to year. By first showing all the things one can be thankful for and then asking a child what he/she is thankful for captures the spirit of this holiday. The book, therefore, can be used as an opportunity to model, discuss, and share thanksgiving.

We bought this to teach our son about Thanksgiving (he loves books) and he really liked it. It's a cute little book to read around the holidays especially since there aren't a lot of Thanksgiving books out there. I would recommend it to anyone.

Loved the book, kids did too! Great to read all year long, but especially at Thanksgiving.

This is one of those special books that involve your children and actually makes them think about what are they thankful. For me Thanksgiving is a holiday where family and friends gather around a table full of wonderful food and this is where this book starts. I like that book includes different families and that it doesn't focus on the 1st Thanksgiving, but about things that each child is thankful for. Parents who love them no matter their actions, for books, cats, dogs, bright sunny days, friends and lollipops!

What a wonderful book that should also get everyone talking about what they are thankful for!

I buy my kids a new book every week .They both love this book my daughter is five and my son is seven.My son has autism so it's sometimes hard to find books that he can try to read on his own.Unlike other books this one has a few sentences on each page nice bright colors.He takes this book to therapy and the kids there like the book as well.

In fast-paced rhyming text, at the young girls' request, the mother rattles off memories of her six uncles while they wait for their arrival for Thanksgiving dinner. The uncles are described by their looks, actions, and personalities.

A cute story that seems to end too soon. It is nice to see both the girl and her mother happily anticipate the arrival of the six lively relatives. It is refreshing to see family relationships described in a positive manner. The illustrations are colorful and detailed-lots to look at and enjoy.

I've enjoyed reading all of Margaret Willey's young adult novels. Illustrator, Lloyd Bloom,captures the essence of a "rollicking" Thanksgiving. Enough worrying about the size of the turkey and what to wear--let's get back to the basics!

I absolutely ADORE this book! As a K-8 elementary school librarian, I love to share this book with all my classes during the Thanksgiving season. I must admit, I always get a "catch" in my throat at the last page! It reminds me of my "red-headed little brother"! Margaret Willey captures true family attachments - the attachments that last through years and miles. Even though I see recommended ages to Grade 2, my 4th and 5th graders ask me to read this book every year. I highly recommend this book!

A nice change from the usual "What size turkey should I buy?" and "What should I wear?". Don't get me wrong--I'm not against pilgrims, but this is a fresh book to cherish. Whimsical art. Rythmic storyline. A welcome addition to our library and my library at home. Margaret Willey, it's been a long wait for this children's book!

What a beautifully illustrated book about the Pilgrim & Indian Children who celebrated that first Thanksgiving Day and dinner! We too like the other 2 reviewers love to find the hidden turkey and bunnies! Each page alternates between the pilgrim children and the Indian children showing them playing, gathering, working and eatting! The children are drawn so well, and you almost feel them moving about on the page! It is also nice that this book is a counting book as well! Three cheers for the illustrator and author!

I read this to my second grade music classes and had them play a drum pattern after every page. The rhyme scheme is catchy, and the pictures are ADORABLE and highly detailed. The children all loved this book and wanted to try to find all of the hidden details besides the turkey. On the 1 page, for example, there is one canadian goose and 1 racoon hiding in the background; the 2 page hides 2 mallards and 2 rabbits in the background, page 10 hides 10 rabbits... All of the pages contain a hidden turkey (sometimes live and sometimes roasted!). The pictures look just like Plymouth Plantation if you've been there, and they show people of both cultures working and helping and getting along. This book has become one of my favorites to share with children.

In reading this, I am captivated by the illustrations more than the writing. Mark Buehner, the illustrator, drenches the two-page spreads in warm autumnal hues: rusts, browns, and honey colors. We see falling leaves, and dozens of frisky woodland creatures jumping about the pages. The kids are happy, well fed, and playful as children should be. The colors are bright, bold and appeal to the eye.

Melmed's writing's a little forced in places, and I get caught up on a few of the verses when reading aloud. I'm not sure if it's the writing, or my delivery, but it's annoying. The First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story is a short book. It takes a little over a minute to read, but the artwork enthralls little ones, especially when they realize there's all sorts of hidden surprises. There's a well-hidden turkey on nearly every page, and it's fun to seek for him. Children will enjoy counting all the animals, or if they look further, they might detect some prehistoric creatures blended into the scenes as well.

This book is recommended to children 3 to 8 years, but I say 2 to 6 is more accurate. I did have to explain a few things to him like why the Wampanoag are hunting rabbits, and why they are weaving cattail reeds. He thought they were making baskets out of cat tails, and this upset him. The illustrations are beautiful, and the hide-and-seek qualities are a blast. Overall, The First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story is an enjoyable holiday read.

I bought this book last year for my daughter who was two at the time. She loved this book so much that we have been reading it all year. This is a counting book with a Thanksgiving theme. The illustrations are so beautiful. It makes me miss New England in the fall. There are pictures of Native Americans and Pilgrims working and playing with their family and friends. This book was a great way for me to explain what Thanksgiving is all about to my young daughter. This is the pefect book to read on Thanksgiving but it it so beautiful that you will want to enjoy it all year long.

This is book which deserves to be seen AND heard. Everyone remembers the classic game of "telephone," when a simple message whispered from one child to another gets garbled. Such is the inspiration for Laura Ljungkvist. Give a second look to her illustrations. Each twisted telephone cord curves about, making a variety of shapes. And the never-ending line connects every illustration from one page to another. This is a fascinating, fun book for ages 4-8.

Our daughter (5 years) cannot get enough of this book. She loves for us to read it out loud, and to trace the illustrations with her finger.

The book is about Toni's potluck dinner party. She calls and asks her friends to bring things to her party, but every request is misunderstood and the story grows from there.

The wonderful illustrations consist of a single line. The colors are spectacular.

Laura Ljungkvist's book is a winner with both my daughter and my cat. It is a very clever and engaging story (did she think this up on her own??) but also beautifully illustrated. I like the color development from start to finish. It is a very inventive and beautiful book. Its also very funny.

Toni has decided to have a potluck party and calls six of her good friends on the phone, to tell them what to bring. Unfortunately, they all live or work in noisy environments and can't quite hear her instructions clearly. Ruth lives near the airport and instead of punch and lemonade brings a pooch and a maid. Vera, the dogwalker can't make out steak for kabob and brings a snake and a snob instead. Fiona was supposed to supply the salad and juice, but she lives by the fire station and brought a sailor and a moose. And so on... Now Toni has even more guests than she knows what to do with, and no food for her party. Her quick thinking and noisy friends solve the problem by calling and ordering pizza, but even the pizza man can't quite hear the order correctly..... Laura Ljungkvist has written a delightful and inventive story that anyone who has ever played the game of telephone will easily identify with. Her humorous text is only outdone by her amazingly creative and innovative illustrations, full of bold colors, geometric shapes and a telephone line that literally connects the entire assemblage from the beginning of the story to the end. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Toni's Topsy Turvy Telephone Day is a winner the entire family will enjoy and is sure to have everyone giggling and laughing every time it's read.