Childrens Days Books

I remember Bill Cosby, before the hit television sitcom and even before Fat Albert was a Saturday morning staple. I remember the comedy albums and the stories about being a kid. Even though he was funny, very funny, there was such a sense of pathos when he talked about having his tonsils out, or having to share a bed with his brother. When you look at everything Bill Cosby has done, from getting his doctorate in Education to his television shows, he has never ever forgotten what it was like to be a kid. The truth of that statement is very much in evidence in "Super-Fine Valentine," one of Cosby's "Little Bill Books for Beginning Readers."

In "Super-Fine Valentine," Little Bill has developed a crush on Mia, a girl in his class. If that was not bad enough, his friends have noticed, his brother has found out, and even Mia appears to know what is going on. What will Little Bill do now that he is in love? Well, if you ever had the misfortune of being a young boy with a crush on a young girl (third grade, her name was Julia Garrow and she was the smartest girl in class), then you will recognize how much everything Little Bill goes through rings true. The going out of your way to walk by her house, trying to write the perfect card for Valentine's Day, and all the exquisite pain of being in love at an early age, are all here. In case Bill Cosby's story, which is illustrated by Varnete P. Honeywood, does not make it perfectly clear that a crush is something to be respected rather than a topic for teasing someone, there is a letter to parents by child psychiatry specialist Dr. Alvin Poussaint at the front of the book. What I liked best is that "Super-Fine Valentine" focuses on what Little Bill does and how he learns "it's good to tell people you like them." How does Mia feel about Little Bill? Well, we might have our suspicions, but that is not really important to the point of this book, which is another reason that I could not possible recommend it enough. What a wonderful book.

I've read all the Little Bill books to my four year old. He likes The Best Way To Play, but this one is my favorite. It really reminds me of my own young feelings.

This book taught a lesson about twins switching places. It told you about how if you switch places it could turn into a big problem. But these twin girls figured out a way to solve their problem. And the parade went on! It was a really good book and I think other seven year olds would like it too.

This was a good book, and very fun. I liked that Jessica didn't want to give up playing the drum. And twin switch is always fun to read.

I liked this story because it was happy and sad at times. The story was really detailed and I could make pictures in my head of what it would be like in the late 1800's. I learned a lot about Laura Ingalls Wilder. For instance, Mary was courageous even though she was disabled. I also learned that they moved from Minnisota to South Dakota. I hope you will read this interesting book too!

I liked this story because it was happy and sad at times. The story was really detailed and I could make pictures in my head of what it would be like in the late 1800's. I learned a lot about Laura Ingalls Wilder. For instance, Mary was courageous even though she was disabled. I also learned that they moved from Minnisota to South Dakota. I hope you will read this interesting book too!

All the little witch stories are cute and funny and much fun for children. I found this book on Barnes & Noble and experienced many fond memories of past readings in my childhood! Thank you!

I bought this book and two other Little Witch books to read to my daughter when she was only around the age of four. The story held her attention from front to back. Once she started to read on her own around the age of five she would ask to read the book with me. At the age of seven she still likes to read this book. Little Witch books make a nice gift also. If parents want to read books to their kids then I would have no problem giving this book to a four or five year old up to an eight year old.

There are many things to love this book: one being it is a flap book that is very reasonably priced. My first grader LOVES books with any "extras" like flaps, pop ups, etc, and usually this means "there goes the price!" Not so on this sweetheart of a book.

Lola is an artistic little one who loves her family and loves giving them Valentine's surprises. In the end, she receives even more grandly than she gives!!!

It is a great book to use to talk about the power of giving without expectation to your children and I especially enjoyed the realism in the characters, especially the interplay between Gilbert and Lola.

The illustrations are priceless, too.

This one is definitely a winner!

My two young children love this simple and also message filled Flap Book: they always love books with special features like flaps or pop ups.

I appreciated it had flaps and was still quite inexpensive! (Hooray!)

Lola makes and gives Valentines straight from her heart to all her family members, even when they don't notice. What she will learn is that while she is giving, they are also giving to her!

What a wonderful surprise and lesson for children in giving for the joy of it and receiving from others also with love.

My daughter brought this book home from the library and we all just love it! I had to buy it, as it is now a favorite and her 2 younger sisters can enjoy it also. It is extremely cute and entertaining to read. The illistration of the book is absolutely darling. Kudos to the entire book!
Amy
mom to 5 children :)

The pink hearts and little girl on the cover attracted my 5 year old daughter to this book at the library. I was expecting an over the top, overly gushy book. However, the ending very pleasantly surprised me. It taught a valuable lesson about overcoming disappointment (as the girl sleeps thru Valentine's Day), about courage (celebrating the day late when she thinks others won't like it) and saying "I love you" all year round instead of reserving it only for Valentine's Day. With appealing artwork and reasonable rhyming, this was a pleasure to read and re-read to my kids. It's probably about a 4.5 but since I haven't found any other Valentine's Day books out there with this much class (usually just about giving Valentine's cards at school), I bumped it to 5 stars.

This is a beautiful book both for the content it contains and the awesome illustrations throughout. I have many saint's books for children so was hesitant to add more to my collection but am so glad I bought it because it is unlike any other I own. Loyola Press never disappoints!

I gave this book as a Communion gift. It is a big impressive looking book full of gorgeous colorful illustrations. The stories of the saints are beautifully written and would be interesting to both kids and adults. At the party I gave it at, several people asked the recipient to look at it and all commented on what a great book it was.

Lucky Dog Days was a fantastic book.This book is about some kids who try to assist homeless dogs and cats.So they go to a selter to nurture cats and dogs.Later they conclud to have a rummage sale. they sold dogs and other people garbage.they earned 1 thousand dallors. At the end of the bookthey get a puppy for a mascot.They named the puppy lucky because he's lucky to to be there mascot instead of going to the pound.my favorite section of the book is when Molly keeps saying rats knees.

Lucky Dog Days was a fantastic book.This book is about some kids who try to assist homeless dogs and cats.So they go to a selter to nurture cats and dogs.Later they conclud to have a rummage sale. they sold dogs and other people garbage.they earned 1 thousand dallors. At the end of the bookthey get a puppy for a mascot.They named the puppy lucky because he's lucky to to be there mascot instead of going to the pound.my favorite section of the book is when Molly keeps saying rats knees.

The Magical First Day is a good book. I like when J'lynn
and Jeff get a puppy.

The Magical First Day is a cute book in which all school children can relate. Written from a student's point of view, this book allows the young (and old) reader to reflect on their early school days and smile. This book brings to the reader a cute story as well as an appreciation for those teachers who have made a difference in our lives. If you have any young school children, I recommend you buy this book. I am a teacher and would enjoy seeing this book in the classroom!

The Magical, Marvelous Megan G. Beamer: A Day In The Life Of A Dreamer by Karen Gedig Burnett is a very highly recommended and entertaining picture book with an underlying positive message for young folks. Following the adventures of Megan, an impulsive and imaginative young girl, whose exuberance brings her intense criticism, the story hinges upon a key conversation in which the girl's mother reassures her that it is OK to dream, to play, and to be a kid. Wonderfully enhanced with the colorful artwork of Laurie Barrows, The Magical, Marvelous Megan G. Beamer will prove a welcome addition to school and community library collections for children ages 5 to 8.

Megan is a dreamer who is living in a world where everyone keeps telling her, "Don't," "No," "Stop," and "Grow Up." She has a vivid imagination and loves to act out her dreams. As she runs into the kitchen, she imagines she is the fastest kid alive. Well, until she knocks over the bucket of soapy water and her mother says: "Megan, go outside to run."

We find Megan in playful situations where she is dancing "between" raindrops, traveling to Mars or exploring wild jungles. I love the page where Megan says: "I dance between raindrops and never get wet." I remember thinking this was possible when I was a child. There is a cute picture of Megan playing on the lawn with the sprinkler, a dog and a mouse with an umbrella. On the left side of the two open pages, you see a dream-style cloud picture with Megan dressed as a ballerina and the dog is even dressed as an angel. The mouse, blue bird, squirrel, cat, dog and little yellow chicken appear in most of the scenes and this is amusing and cute. Children will enjoy looking for the animals.

Laurie Barrows has created the reality and the dream on all the pages where Megan is pretending to be what she imagines herself to be in her dreams. When she is playing by a stream in the mud, she is really thinking that she is a pretty mermaid diving deep into the ocean to find treasure. Laurie Barrows just has an amazing imagination and she has filled the pages to the brim with art, art and more art. This is truly one of those books you can read and read and never see everything on every page. Each time your child reads this book, they will be delighted to discover new aspects of the pictures.

Of course, no one else realizes that Megan is living in her own little world and so they don't appreciate her free-spirited and joyful attitude to life. Finally, she starts to get very discouraged and the scenes change to Megan wandering through her day discouraged and alone. Laurie Barrows captures the loneliness and dejection Megan feels and finally her mother asks her if she is having a bad day. The next scenes are so endearing as Megan and her mother have a conversation about why everyone wants Megan to be different than she is.

"Well, sometimes people forget what it's like to be a kid. Even other kids can forget what it's like to be a kid," Megan's mother answers.

As Megan and her mother sit on a garden bench, Megan's mother explains the entire situation and reassures Megan that she loves her just the way she is.

"But Megan, I love your dreams.
I love your energy.
And even though I get tired
sometimes and can get crabby,
I wouldn't change you.
I love you just the way you are."

Once Megan realizes that at least one person loves her just for being herself, she is back to being her imaginative, impulsive, creative, free-spirited self.

Karen Gedig Burnett has lovingly penned the words and her story is beautiful and teaches children to love themselves for who they are and to accept other people for who they are. This story also teaches us to love people unconditionally and to encourage them in their dreams.

This is Karen Gedig Burnett's fourth book. She has spent twenty years as a school counselor and her stories are now helping children throughout the world. Karen's books are for children of all ages. She is known for developing plays, stories and programs to help children learn how to handle life's challenges.

I truly hope Karen Gedig Burnett (a.k.a. Grandma Rose) keeps writing children's books. These are truly books children will love and they help parents and teachers to teach kindness and understanding. "The Magical, Marvelous Megan G. Beamer" is a story that remains in your heart and the message is eternal. We all want to be accepted and loved. When we are loved for who we truly are, we can reach beyond our dreams and become more than we thought we could ever be.

~The Rebecca Review