Childrens Days Books

Children's Everyday BibleI give this book to my Sunday school children at Kindergarten age. It is theologically correct and written for a calendar year so that a small story or part of the biblical story may be read everyday. The illustrations are bright and beautiful and show people of color. It is not a cartoonish illustration. It is one of the best that I have seen!

We found these books for quite a lot less than anywhere, and we were apprehensive that the books may not be of top quality. But the books were in excellent condition (new). The kids love them, the illustrations and text are top notch.

My kids love this Bible. The stories are short and accessible for kids of all ages. The pictures are good too, not at all scary. It is easy enough to find any Bible story that you are looking for.

This Bible is wonderful for those children just starting to read or for those whose parents read to them. Our church gives it to the second graders for their first communion gift.

I was looking for something that a seven year old would enjoy reading. A lot of bibles are either too young or too hard. This was perfect. She loves it.

It is easy to forget the personal voice of violence, private and collective. It is even easier to distance oneself in dates, place names, and events. - this number of human cargo shipped to that port, the price that could be gotten for a "prime" young man, the political and societal arguments swirling around the economics and morality of the slave trade.

Day of Tears strips away all defenses and makes the listener or reader come face to face with the terrible loss of losing a beloved and becoming lost to loved ones. Parents were torn from their children. Husbands were wrenched from their wives. No photographs to hang in a place of honor and remembrance. No letters to cherish and serve as the voice of memory. Once the loved one, family member or not, was bought and began the journey to the new plantation, he or she was as good as dead, but worse - those left behind or carried off to a different place by a different owner knew that the loved one still lived, still struggled to survive.

Available as an audiobook, it is well worth the effort to track it down in this form. Although marketed to school-age audiences, it does not read as geared for that audience. Excellent for classroom use as an opening to a discussion on the realities of slavery. Characters are powerfully developed, presenting the variety of survival responses to an inhuman existence. Rather than simple caricatures of the different positions on slavery common at that time, even the accusation of being an "Uncle Tom" is no longer relevant. Highly recommended.

I read this book to understand what my daughter had been assigned to report on. And since I've read it, I am so excited to have discovered a truly gifted author who has many more books I can explore.

Normally, I don't like dark stories about slavery because of how difficult it is to experience the senseless cruelty of it. This story truly illustrated that cruelty. However, the dialog format allows you to get more absorbed in a "conversation" than just experiencing a painful piece of history.

Lester explains that he wrote the book to give voice to those "who did not have an opportunity to tell it for themselves." Because history only tells of this incredibly large slave auction and the details of the white slave owners and sellers, Lester fills in the details of the experiences of the slaves during this incredible event and after.

I loved how he allowed us to peak into the minds, emotions and motives of parties from all sides: the slave owners, the southern people absorbed in the slave culture, the slaves, both old and young, as well as those who disagreed with slavery and how they walked out their beliefs. And just when you were reading an account of a "villain" or a some other character whose views you disagree with, Lester would hit you with a profound, provocative statement that would transcends all social, economic, or others barriers and speak to any human condition, compelling you to take stock of where you really are on your own "road to independence."

This book is no easy read though it is a fast read. It confronts you with the consequences of institutionalized hatred, ignorance and greed. It also forces the reader to search his or her own heart to discover what part they play in their own contemporary environment of backwardness and to open one's eyes to the residual effects of this often "forgotten" institution of slavery.

This is NOT what I expected--I expected an actual story of slaves and their experiances but instead it is a book of a Play told in story form, where it gets confusing and frustrating trying to piece together who goes with whom. The author also leaves you hanging in the end--the final chapter starts out as if there is more then suddenly it ends and is over--nothing more. Many threads were left untied and hanging and those that weren't were short and not too sweet--very confusing but great on historical facts aside those which were also short not much to this book and certainly not worth buying--borrow it from the library instead.

The main character in the book called Day of Tears by Julius Lester is Emma. Emma is a young black woman, and she lives a life as a slave. Emma is faced with very many challenges. She is the nicest person in the book. In this story Emma is a slave for this man that has no name in the book except "master." Emma thinks he would NEVER sell her, so at the slave auction she told all the other slaves that they had nothing to worry about because he wouldn't do that to them. The master's daughter who is nine falls in love with the slaves and treats Emma like her mother. Master doesn't like that because his x-wife was a "slave lover" and he didn't want that for is daughter. Emma tries to run away with others but it doesn't work and they get caught. Master is very upset with Emma, and threatens to sell her. She can't believe her ears. I really like this book. Its non-fiction book and it's great. It was one of my favorite books. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Day Of Tears by Julius Lester is about slavery in the mid 1800s and how slaves felt about getting sold off at a slave auction. The book is also in dialogue. The characters in the book reminisce about their experiences with the slave trade, and what happened on the day of the auction, and also how they are feeling.

The book was very interesting. I think its good enough to read. It really shows how the slaves were feeling about having an owner, for example they didn't like getting sold off to mean owners.

I teach 4-K and used this book as part of a take home bag on being Thankful. So far all the responses from the families have been great!

Great book. Most of Hallinan's books are. How Do I Love You is his best.

This book is good. More for 5 year olds and up, I would think. I do have to explain a lot to my 4 and 2 1/2 year old what the words mean. But still, this is a nice book. Loving and fun! Pictures are bright and cheery!

This book is wonderful. My daughter and I read it every night at bedtime, and I never get tired of it. Now, I am on a mission to collect ALL of PK Hallinan's books. I think they all have a great message, they are well written, have beautiful pictures and are just all around the best kids' books I have encountered. Definitely a must have for all toddler moms-- and moms with young kids!

This is one of my favorite books to read to my son (almost 3 yrs. old). I love how the author reminds us to be thankful for the things that are easy to overlook, like the power of the mind or the look of an autumn day. It's helped everyone in our house to stop and be thankful for even the little things in our lives.

phenomenal book, it's a must to understand the ww2 conflict. in conjunction with the dvd it gives an inside out view of events that preceeded the end of the conflict.

This book does read like a novel. Although everyone knows the outcome, the writing style is wonderful. The men who supported
Emperor Hirohito's wishes actually could foresee a new Japan as it exists today. Quite amazing when viewed from the rubble and destruction of August 1945.

This is the second copy for me. This has to be one of the best thing written about what REALLY went on with Tojo, Hirohito and other cabinet members regarding the "proper" response to the Potsdam Declaration after the A-bombs had been dropped.
Turns out that most of the pap spouted today about Hirohito being stubborn, intent on winning at all costs, and so on is just that - pap. His primary interest was the welfare of his people and the preservation of the polity. It was Tojo and others who wanted to fight to the death. Astonishing to learn that the broadcast of the "Voice of the Crane" (expressing his unwarlike wish to surrender so minimize destruction and death) had to be done in secrecy and so on. Astonishing insights from Japanese Historians examining their own documents first published in Japanese in 1965, 20 years after the war ended, when they were able to interview most of the many surviving principals - only one refused to be interviewed.
Should be mandatory reading for anyone seriously interested in the last 24 hours before the Surrender of Japan. Information was actually being withheld from Hirohito about the progress of the war by generals but he still got the picture and understood. The best thing he could do to discharge his sacred obligation to secure the welfare and interest of His People was to surrender -with conditions about preservation of the position of Emperor - but not because he was warlke, rather because he understood that the role of Emperor embodied the spirit of the populace and Its preservation was in the best inerest of the country. To lose the Emperor would be to lose the heart and soul of Japan.
The book actually reads like a gripping historical novel even though it is wriitten with the dry unembellished style of academicians & scholars.

This is how all factual historical accounts should have been written. Written in narratives, exploring facts and minimizing analysis and interpretations. Its narratives is equal to the world's best novel, and its factual explorations indicated outstanding, continuous and honest hardworking. Analysis, which many times can barely be distinguished from the factual history itself and is therefore many times misleadingly seen as facts, has been successfully minimized without leaving the story tasteless.
The Pacific War Research Society has truly explored many never-read-before details, and amazingly, without assassinating "minor" characters. This is something very interesting in Japanese history. You will find many rebels in its history, but you will scarcely find traitors. This has for many decades avoided Japan from regime-written history, the tragedy that could not be avoided by most nations.

I truly enjoyed this book. The structure, sort of like an episode of '24', is innovative. I was surprised at how the book kept me in suspense even though I knew the ultimate ending of the story. For those interested in the Pacific War 1941-45, this is a must read.

I am not a victim of sexual abuse, but my mother-in-law saw the author speak and sent me this book. I have a son and am so incredibly glad that I read this book. I think it is one of the most important books written. Not only was it interesting - captivating, really - it was also incredibly educational. I learned so much about sexual abuse that I never knew before. I now know what to look for and what to ask to keep my son safe. The most unbelievable things DO happen and if we all know that then we have to act and it can't continue. This is one of the best messages I got from the book.

I first picked this book up in a library, as a 'good read'.
It is all of that...well written, evocative and shocking, but best of all, it offers hope to victims and survivers of incest, child abuse and all the associated crimes of one human being against another, that we can rise above it.
Marilyn does not pull any punches, however she does offer insights and practical ways to heal, including a directory of places to go for help.
If you suspect that you need help, you almost certainly do.
Start here, with Miss America by Day

I have a friend that went through sexual abuse with your father and has been suffering from this all her life. It was good to read the book to be able to understand her better and also feel it would be a good book for those that have been sexually abused by their father or any other person. You realize that you are not alone and the book helps you to understand what you are going through and why you are feeling the way you do.

Shame threatened to kill author Marilyn Van Durber if she revealed the truth about her childhood to her daughter Jennifer.

"I believed with all my heart, that when I told Jennifer [that I'd been sexually violated by my father], she would say, `I don't want you to be my mom anymore.' I knew I would be as unacceptable to her as I was to myself.

"If you are not a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I'm sure it is difficult to understand that kind of shame but it is very real. We feel so unworthy and we believe, each time we disclose, that we will be shunned, no longer wanted. Sometimes our fears are confirmed."

Van Durber took the risk and lived. Her daughter did not reject her; in fact, she embraced her, and this led her to be able to help thousands of sexual abuse survivors face telling the truth--her reason for writing MISS AMERICA BY DAY.

Read this book, share it with everyone you know, and begin to "do the work," because all children--including the ones trembling inside adult survivors--need someone who will die for them.

Note: The author thoughtfully combines autobiographical and educational material, and does it well.

I read the article in People Magazine when Marilyn Van Derbur first told the world she had been a victim of incest. I shuddered and literally sobbed because it triggered a new memory for me. I'd just learned a couple years earlier I, too, had been a victimized, and I was in the process of healing. When I read her book I could relate over and over again to what she'd been through. This is a must-read for victims who want to become (or already have become) VICTORS! Soar Unafraid: Learning to Trust No Matter What

Barbara Cohen understands ESL students like no other author ever has! In "Molly's Pilgrim" she describes the pain of a Russian Jewish immigrant in her American school in Winter Hill. Molly is mocked and ridiculed by the most popular girl in Miss Stickley's class, and Molly's "limitations" are made even more evident because Molly and her mother don't understand Thanksgiving from the viewpoint of American culture. The assignment is to design a clothespin doll to look like a pilgrim woman, but Molly's mother designs the doll to look like a Russian immigrant girl. In the process, the class learns that pilgrims did not stop coming to America for religious freedom in the 1600s. Molly's family are pilgrims too!

Equally important to my ESL classes is Barbara Cohen's sequel: "Make a Wish, Molly", when Molly's Jewish culture conflicts with that of her classmates. Molly's parents are excited because in America they are finally free to celebrate Passover for the first time. Then Molly is invited to her first American birthday party during Passover week. That luscious pink birthday cake contains leaven! Should Molly keep the Passover, or should she enjoy her first American birthday party? The painful conflict between first and second cultures is one which every ESL student can understand. I recommend both books highly to ESL classes everywhere!

I really enjoyed reading Molly's Pilgrim. It was just the right reading level for me. It was not too hard and not too long, but it was interesting. It is about a girl who comes to a new school and is different from everyone else. It is hard for her to adjust. One of the parts that made an impression is when the teacher likes Molly's pilgrim doll best and appreciated it. I would recommend this book to girls who might get discouraged with books that are long, because even though it is not a hard book, it's really interesting. By HG.

The book "Molly's Pilgrim" by Barbara Cohen is about a girl named Molly. It is her first Thanksgiving and she founds out that she really doesn't have anything to be thankful for. Her classmates really make fun of her because of her unfamiliarity with American ways.
Then when it comes to doing a project Molly gets embarassed because her mom helps with the project. She helps by making a little doll that looked more like a Russian girl than a pilgrim. But she explains thatthe doll her mom did was because she tried to explain that her mom is a pilgrim because she came for freedom to worshiip god as her own way.

Molly is a young, Jewish immigrant from Russia, who moves to Winter Hill where she is a black sheep among the rest of her classmates. They tease her, and call her names, making fun of her voice, and her eyes, and anything else that they could possibly think of to make fun of her. When Miss Stickley, Molly's third-grade teacher, begins teaching the class about Thanksgiving, Molly is lost. That is, until she finds that Thanksgiving is an American holiday where everyone is grateful for what they have. The problem? Molly doesn't feel thankful. In fact, the only thing that would make her thankful is if her family could move back to New York City, and that won't be happening anytime soon. When Miss Stickley informs the class that they must make pilgrim dolls, Molly is excited to do the project. But when she finds that her mother has made the doll look more like a Russian immigrant, rather than a pilgrim, Molly knows that her troubles at school are about to get worse. But maybe...just maybe, the little Pilgrim is exactly what Molly needs...

It is rare that a book as short as Barbara Cohen's MOLLY'S PILGRIM could bring out such strong emotions in the reader, but that is exactly what it did. The character of Molly is sweet, and kind, and the way she is treated at school could bring tears to anyone's eyes, even if you aren't a crier by nature. The awful songs that Molly's classmates sing about her will choke everyone up, but, at the same time, let the reader feel exactly how people who are "different" are treated. This is a wonderful story that will warm everyone's heart, and teach the whole family about the first Thanksgiving.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Molly's Pilgrim is the best book! Molly is a little Jewish girl from Russia. She doesn't like to go to school because the girls are teasing her. There are no other Jewish girls at Winter Hill and they think she looks and talks different. She wishes she could go back to Russia or even New York City. Molly had an assignment to make a clothespin Pilgrim doll. Her mom made it to look like herself-because mama sees herself as a Pilgrim from Russia. Molly thinks the doll is beautiful but is also ashamed of the doll because she doesn't think it is a real Pilgrim. She brings it to school and hides it in her desk. When Elizabeth and her friends see it, they make fun of it. Molly explains to Miss Stickly that her mother made the doll to look like her because she came from Russia for freedom just like the Pilgrims. Miss Stickly praises it and puts it in a special place on her desk. This makes Molly proud. We loved this book!!
By Mrs. Lee's 1st and 2nd Grade Red Group at Nike Elementary!

I was expecting the same one I had as a child and purchased in the '80's. This one was half the size. A lot of the pages are printed only on one side because they are cut-outs so I feel a lot is missing. I am a little disappointed that it isn't the big book. I have one of the older ones but a lot of the pages are colored and I teach now. I wanted to be able to make copies for the kids but not of things I have colored. At least all the calendars are in there and there is something for every holiday (I think). Still, I am very happy to have this one to make copies from. As always, Richard Scarry is lots of fun.

My kids love the activities in this book. From dot-to-dots, colouring pages and making cards to a whole little village of paper houses, they have spent hours colouring and taping and creating the things in this book. I used it as part of my homeschool kindergarten curriculum for my oldest son and I will definitely be buying it again for the others.

Our children loved Richard Scarry when they were little, and they still do! This wonderful activity book is great for homeschooling families. The calendar and holiday pages are great for notebooking projects. Don't miss this one!

I had this book as a child and loved it. So, this Christmas I bought three copies for each of the 7 year olds in my family. I hope they enjoy it as much as I did. I used it for many years when I was little.

I have taught Kindergarten and never liked the use of activity books/sheets, etc... . My 4 yr old daughter loves busytown and asked for this when she saw it on Amazon. I bought it against my will only to find that it actually had some really nice things for her to do. It wasnt just filled with "practice" sheets; although there were some of those with tracing letters and numbers. It had a section for her to make a mobile, make a paper town and even had an assortment of national flags that she could decorate with. The ideas and projects are very traditional and most children dont get to do these kinds of projects or have ever heard of them. When she made the flags, other children that came to our home didnt even know that other countries had flags. She learned quite a bit from this book such as: flags to other countries, holiday pracitces, writing her letters and numbers, sequencing and patterning. There were pages that were just for coloring which she didnt have an interest in but I thought they were nice illustrations that most children would enjoy. Dot to dot was also in the book, as was making mothers day cards, fathers day cards, valentines day cards, and thank you cards which was nice to teach children to do after receiving something. There was also a place to make bookmarks, bookplates, and easter decorations (other holiday decorations too). Most of the projects, for my daughters age required me working with her as opposed to her working on her own, but it was enjoyable for me as well as Richard Scarry does a nice job with his writing and illustraions.

By: Cindy Phommasy


Samantha, Rebecca's best friend, just suggested they play a game called "Seven Minutes in Heaven", a truth or dare game were the girls ask the boy a question where they can either tell the truth or go in the closet and be in heaven. The problem is, Rebecca's not really sure she wants to play because its going to be her first kiss. The real problem is yet to come when the school principal tells them that they are going to learn how to dance the tango and all that stuff. Everybody in class doesn't want Rebecca as their partner because of the last dance, where Rebecca accidentally broke Scott's toe and was called "Killer Dancer". So is Rebecca brave enough to dance and be have romance at the same time?
I would rate this story 4 stars because it's just a story I enjoy to read with romance, and friendship. I can also relate this to my life and I'm sure it will relate to your life also.

This book I just read was so exciting! It's about a girl who is growing up and getting older and she decides to have a party. Well, at the party she wants to play some games. One of the girls at her party says, " Let's play spin the bottle". Another girl suggests that they play seven minutes in heaven. Well, the main character, Andrea, said she hadn't heard of any of those games. This was really a great read for me.

I thought the book was really fun to read. I found some things that I didn't already know. For example, I never knew what seven minutes in heaven was until I read this book. I thought some of the things in the book were too descriptive. When I was reading the book, I kept on thinking, "Why are these girls going to have a party?" "Do their parents know they are having a party?" Of course, my questions never really got answered. What I liked least about the main character is that she acted like she knew nothing. I really loved this book, and I think you will too!

Aw. I love love stories, especially when they're innocent. Some of the sentences feel a little too simple. At the same time, the author cleverly does not underestimate her readers' intelligent by not putting the obvious in sentences, if you know what I mean.

The only issue I have here is the use of word "jackass." But I've learned that it apparently is an acceptable word for middle school kids--having found it in three juvenile books in a week.

An awsome book about 7th graders. The whole breaking his toe thing is really funny!! it took me less than a day to read becuase I coundn't stop. I even was reading it in history class :) I have already given the book to my friend and she lovesd it too. I think that this would be a great book for book lovers (like me) to read.

Maybe its not as well known as Harry Potter, or War and Peace, or Romeo and Juliet. But its definitly as good! Seventh Grade Tango is about a girl, she has a best friend who is a boy and their class is forced to do ballroom dancing. She gets paired with...oops. I shouldnt say...just trust me though. READ IT!

I'm, er, 40 something, and my sister is 50 something. I bought it for her and we both enjoyed it (as well as her husband). The primary draw was the wonderful drawings: colorful, bright, and nice style. The ducks and allegators are drawn with very expressive looks (much like the claymation Wallace and Gromit movie series by Ardman Productions). I think a child would be engaged by the pictures and the adult would have an equally enjoyable time looking at the illustrations. Nice job Michael Bedard, wherever you are...

Sorta touching story about a crocodile who accidentally befriends a duck.

He didn't mean to befriend the duck, understand. He just wanted to fatten him up. But things happen. You know how it is.

When the duck finds out the truth, he sets off to free all the other ducks from being eaten, and they all escape and live happily ever after. Great illustrations, funny story.

My kids love this book. It was suggested to me by a friend, so I finally got it. And it was totally worth it!

This is a wonderfully off-kilter kids' book that's not just for the diaper set. I gave it to my best friend as a gift, but it gets an airing whenever he substitute teaches at an elementary school. He's read it to his "kids" so often that they call him the "Sitting Ducks Man" now. Definitely a cute comment on friendship at any age.

I agree that this book was written for adults as well as children. After seeing this in a local bookstore, I bought it, with the intention of putting it on my desk where I work.

The story, in unambiguous terms, is about how an alligator befriends a helpless duck in a large New York-like metroplis populated by alligators. It is wonderfully illustrated, and the takeoff on Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" is almost worth the price of the book alone.

It's too bad that the book did not include a few paragraphs from the author which could have shared some of his ideas and experiences in producing "Sitting Ducks". The craftsmanship that went into the making of this book must have been very time-consuming.

As a children's book, "Sitting Ducks" is truly a gem. Scholastic Press is to be commended for the publication of this creative effort.

How glad I was that I stumbled upon thus truly God-glorifying book! After studying the Indians for a while, this book was the perfect transition into the lives and struggles of the Pilgrims. The fist time I read it it made me cry. It reminds me that God truly does work out all things for the good for those who love Him. Sometimes when all looks hopeless He uses a person's "misfortune" in a wonderful, magnificent way that only He can. This is definately a children's must-read.

I got this book for a present for my 7 yr old grandson on a Thanksgiving visit. It was perfect. The illustrations are beautiful as was the story. After reading it we talked about being thankful even things are not so good (his Dad is in Iraq).

If you want your kids to really know the full story of the first Thanksgiving, then you cannot forego this book. Squanto is one of those stories that has not remained at the fore front of Thanksgiving tales. And, that fact is a crying shame. This story will not only speak facts, it will teach several moral lessons that the child in all of us needs to learn. It is a reminder of how we can be thankful no matter what life hands us in the way of trials. Read this book to your kids and inspire them to live their best lives!

We got this book when my son was 3 years old and he loved it. It tells the story in a way that brings glory to God in the midst of difficult circumstances. Highly recommend!

This is an excellent book for teaching the history of Thanksgiving. The story is well told, and the writing is well crafted. The pictures are remarkable; you can spend a lot of time looking into the faces of the characters, which are rich with emotion and humanity and realism. This book is a great investment.