Childrens Days Books

I thought that this was a good book. This book focuses on Valentine's Day, and all the crazy stuff that can happen on Valentine's. Maria and Ken's Valentine Day is kind of funny. I have to say that I'm so glad that this book finally mentions Elizabeth. Elizabeth has a secret valentine. I love how the author leaves a cliffhanger in this book, makes it a lot more interesting. I can't wait to read the next book to find out who was sending Elizabeth those notes. Andy and Dave are also mentioned in this book, I hope that Dave goes through with his promise. Will and Melissa's storyline is interesting. I really don't have any sympathy for Melissa, and I don't know why Will just doesn't remain single. I would also like to see Melissa's friends not follow her around like she's there leader.

This book was great.It included a little about everyone's love life plus there was alot of suspense in the end in terms of who is elizabeth's secret admirer.Like evryone else,Ithink it's Todd 2 cause she was talking about him in the start of the book and they have to get together to set the pace with svu.I really want to read the next book and see who it is.Francine is at her best in this 1!

This is one of the best SVHSY books, because it focuses on all the characters. Will invites Melissa to dinner, and she lies and says she has a family thing. Her secret plan was to actually meet Will and take him to dinner herself. Only when she came to pick him up at the zine office, he was kissing erika brooks! Meanwhile, Maria finds a bunch of flowers on her desk and figuires they are from Ken. So she buys him two tickets to see Friction. When he sees the tickets, he buys her earrings, so she buys him balloons! But Ken never sent her the flowers in the first place, because they agreed to keep valentines day low-key. They eventually find out and have a good laugh about it. Also, Liz is finally over Conner and totally ready for someone new. She starts getting secret admirer notes, but the author doesnt tell who it is. (well, actually I KNOW who it is. I think its Jeffrey French. Im pretty sure its him.) Jessica, on the other hand, shares a nice valentines day with jeremy. Tia has no boyfriend, but she got flowers thinking they were from trent, but they were really from jessica, because jessica wanted to get tia and trent back together. Andy thinks Dave does not want to be seen in public with him when he sees him in the park, but Dave apologizes and they make up.Basicly, it's a great love story!

This book was revloving around one thing- Valentine's day and how everyone takes it. I was so glad to see Liz FINALLY move on with the whole-Conner-thing. She deserves better treatment! I wasn't really sure who it was-Liz's secret admirer is a BIG surprise to me! I'm glad Jessica and Jeremy are doing so well. I think Jade and Evan are over-analyzing everything, and Ken and Maria's day was really funny-but kinda predictable. Andy's day is pretty good-he sees Dave again. Conner and Alanna--unnnmmmm...

This was one of the best Sweet Valley Senior Year books. It was mainly about Liz and gets a secret admirer. It sorta left you hanging in the end, but i think it is jeffrey because in one of the future SVSY books the description says jeffrey is elizabeth's boyfriend now. It was also about the will/erika saga and how melissa catches them kissing. Anyway it was full of suspense and stuff and was REALLY good.

This book was really inspiring it teaches you that you can do things if you really set your mind into it and if you gives you some poems that teaches you about anything. This book was about that the the library was closing down and Willa was very surprised she loved that library so much. So then she told everyone to raise enough money to save the library so she ended up making dances with the help of her best friend Tina of course. JFK the boy willa likes also supported her and lets see how things end up with those two. It was really romantic and it also mention some parts of the first book " The Wedding Planners Daughter" i really recommend this to everyone and really you'll love it and just to warn you that once you read this book you just cant stop reading!

Willa is back and just entering her freshman year of high school. Things are going great. Her mom and her new husband, Willa's old English teacher, are happily running a Bed and Breakfast of sorts, and things have relaxed a bit.

But Willa has two new problems now - figuring out whether JFK loves her or some other girl, and keeping the Bramble Library from closing due to lack of funds. Working as the school's Community Service leader and hosting semi-romantic dances may just help Willa save the library -- and find some romance for herself.

Following in the footsteps of the first book in the series, THE WEDDING PLANNER'S DAUGHTER, THE CUPID CHRONICLES includes the perfect amount of humor to make a laugh-out-loud funny book, without overdoing it. The writing style keeps the reader intrigued throughout the entire story, and the characters are so easy to relate to that you feel as if you're really inside their heads.

This is by far my favorite tween series and I'd recommend it to everyone, no matter what their age. I think this series may even be a good read for 7th- or 8th-graders to read in class. I can't wait to read the third book of the series, WILLA BY HEART, and hope you decide to, as well.

Reviewed by: Harmony

Willafred Havisham is not your everyday Bramble, Cape Cod kind-of girl. She's the girl that sits in the corner and reads, rather than joining the party. But in the The Cupid Chronicles, Willafred, also known as Willa, steps out of the box and speaks up.Willa and her best friend Tina are enjoying their wonderful life in Bramble. But when Willa hears the news that the Bramble Board is closing the local library, Willa looks for ways to stop them. But with things getting in her way, like her cutie crush Joey(also known to Willa as JFK) who kissed her, then moved away. Well he moves back and is excited to see Willa again. Can she fight to save the library and fight against cupid for the chance at love with JFK? You will just have to read the book to find out!

Willafred Havisham is not your everyday Bramble, Cape Cod kind-of girl. She's the girl that sits in the corner and reads, rather than joining the party. But in the The Cupid Chronicles, Willafred, also known as Willa, steps out of the box and speaks up.Willa and her best friend Tina are enjoying their wonderful life in Bramble. But when Willa hears the news that the Bramble Board is closing the local library, Willa looks for ways to stop them. But with things getting in her way, like her cutie crush Joey(also known to Willa as JFK) who kissed her, then moved away. Well he moves back and is excited to see Willa again. Can she fight to save the library and fight against cupid for the chance at love with JFK? You will just have to read the book to find out!

Willafred Havisham is not your everyday Bramble, Cape Cod kind-of girl. She's the girl that sits in the corner and reads, rather than joining the party. But in the The Cupid Chronicles, Willafred, also known as Willa, steps out of the box and speaks up.Willa and her best friend Tina are enjoying their wonderful life in Bramble. But when Willa hears the news that the Bramble Board is closing the local library, Willa looks for ways to stop them. But with things getting in her way, like her cutie crush Joey(also known to Willa as JFK) who kissed her, then moved away. Well he moves back and is excited to see Willa again. Can she fight to save the library and fight against cupid for the chance at love with JFK? You will just have to read the book to find out!

Lisa Johnson has managed to make this book a fun read while encouraging moms who are in "the trenches". Her stories are ones all moms can relate to, appreciate, and laugh over! No one else understands moms like other moms do - All moms will relish that feeling of being understood; Johnson shows us she possesss that great understanding through all her hilarious experiences. At the end of the book I felt disappointed there were no more stories! I look forward to a sequel.

I didn't get far in Espinoza's book before I laughed out loud. She has a knack for taking a mom's everyday challenges and turning them into fodder for hilarious, uplifting stories. I especially like her comment about the mountains of clothes that moms encounter daily: "It dawned on me at some point that the only way I'll ever get my laundry caught up is if my family spends two days in the nude." Her deft, light touch with both spiritual application and scriptures make this a good book to give to "seekers" and other moms who might not venture in a Christian bookstore.

I got my copy of The Days of Whine and Noses and gave up precious mommy sleep to finish it all into the wee hours of the morning. I laughed, snorted out loud in hysteria and nodded in such sympathetic understanding. Knee deep in my own days of whine and noses,this was a bridge over the Barbie shoes, dirty baby wipes and animal cracker crumbs. Keep it up, Lisa!

I relate to Lisa! I wish I had this book before my boys turned two ~~ then I would have grabbed it every chance I needed a good laugh! Now that my twin boys are almost three, I can have a good chuckle out of Lisa's stories ~~ I've been there!

This book is a slim volume of laughs, inspiration and encouragements. It's a realistic look at life of being a mom ~~ but it's not depressing. It's not a depressing look at motherhood or life with kids ~~ it's an uplifting book with the author's stories meant to let you know that you're not alone in the midst of all the messy messes that your children hands you. Lisa shares some frank stories about toddlerhood and a few stories about teenage years. She urges you to laugh at life ~~ it's all in how you look at it. =0)

If you know that someone is expecting a baby or someone is right smack in the middle of kiddie crisis ~~ I recommend you give this book for that mom. She'll sit there and laugh and cry and know that she's not alone. There are some passages on Johnson's faith ~~ but it's done in a loving way ~~ to encourage us moms to look outside of ourselves and count our miracles.

I am forever grateful for my friend who lent me her copy ~~ I actually had a chance to sit down and laugh at the absurdity of child-raising and it gave me more strength to go on another day with my lovable boys. This is one of the best gifts anyone can give to a mom!

5-15-05

If you are a mom to anyone in the under-ten bunch, YOU NEED THIS BOOK.

Lisa Espinoza Johnson has captured the essence of motherhood with her irreverently funny style and belly-laughter producing wit. With titles like "On Oozing Poop," you know at a glance that Mrs. Espinoza Johnson is not sugar-coating a thing. You will relate -- you will nod your head -- you will groan with empathy.

Masterfully woven into each true-to-life, chuckle-producing tale, is a golden nugget of encouragement to overcome the struggles and challenges of life in general. Who'd have thought that there was a correlation between potty training and finding yourself?

As a parenting humor author, I am delighted to endorse and to recommend this charming, perfectly-sized, read-a-story-when-you-have-a-minute book for moms who need a quick pep talk.

You will not be disappointed in this gem of a book. KUDOS to the author!

---
Jill Schafer Boehme
Author, MY LIMA BEANS ARE ALLERGIC TO MY SPOON

Editor, MOMMY! The Internet Lifeline for At-home Moms

As a mother of a child who has SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), I thought that this book was fantastic. My son is 11, and I never really sat down to explain to him what was going on inside his body, and how he processed and integrated his senses. This was such a help, and he loved it. It was the first time that he was so engaged that he would turn to me and say "Mom, that is just like me." I am sending him to school with it for his teachers and aide to read as well. We have known since he was 3 that he had a sensory integration issue, but most of the literature is geared for that age group, and not for the preadolescence age group. It was wonderful to actually read something that not only helped me to understand more, but most importantly, help my son understand how his body works. Carol Stock Kranowitz comes through again.

This is an extremely helpful book for anyone who has a person in their family with a sensory processing disorder. Easy to understand; examples and explanations of "symptoms" and ideas for exercises to help cope with the disorder. Recommended highly.

The Goodenoughs Get in Sync: A Story for Kids about the Tough Day When Filibuster Grabbed Darwin's Rabbit's Foot and the Whole Family Ended Up in the Doghouse--An ... Introduction to Sensory Processing Disorder
My 8 year old son has Sensory Processing Disorder and loves this book. It is written in first person of a boy who is 10. It is very humorous and enlightening at the same time. His entire family has sensory issues of different sort.
Highly reccommend it.

It was very interesting as the children in the story shared what activites help them get in sync. What was relaxing and what elements of the activities were useful to relaxation, organization etc. Although I did not notice the age group recomendation I will keep the book as it is useful to the parents and grandma and will become my grandson's book when it is more level appropriate. I say that because he is very advanced when it comes to stories and reading.

While my child is too young to read this book on his own, I know it will be helpful for him in the future. As a parent of a child with sensory issues, I found that it helped enhance my understanding of his issues immensely (e.g, what HE is experiencing on a daily basis and how it might make him feel). The more insight and understanding a parent has on these issues, the better you can help your child. I highly recommend purchasing it.

Little Bit & Big Byte: A Day at the Beach is a colorful children's picturebook with a clever purpose - to familiarize young people to the world of computers and the Internet. Chronicling the adventures of cheerful, anthropomorphic computer parts in Cyberville, Little Bit & Big Byte is a fun read ideal for helping young ones become accustomed to the marvels modern technology. "Assisting Webster is his friend, Kay Board. She has a slender body, a long neck, and a face that looks like a mouse. Big Byte thinks she quite a number and just his type."

On our way to the lake my wife noticed our little girl reading this book. She always reviews her books first so she asked her if she could look at it real quick to fulfill her duty as a parent. Mom had so much fun reading it and looking for the bone that her quick review turned into a complete read, search, and re-read while our child very impatiently begged to have it back. Once at the lake, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so I read it for myself. Now I see why they both wanted to read it. It is really a fun book to read and even a couple of over-educated adults enjoyed it thoroughly. We're looking forward to the next one but until then we'll keep this one close by. I think it's safe to say all three of us recommend this highly.

Having been an elementary school teacher for over 25 years I have read my share of children's books. This one is one of my favorites. It's just plain fun with great characters and an interactive activity. Getting my youngest students to read was the single most important part of my job before I became a University professor. This children's book is exactly the kind of material more authors should be providing to accomplish that goal. I still love to read children's books for myself and with a new grandchild this one will stand prominent in my library. I hope more of these will be forthcoming from this author.

REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker

This adorable children's picture book is the result of the fact that 80% of Kindergarten students use computers and 32% use the Internet. The author wondered why there were no children's picture books that kept up with the Computer Age, so he has issued this first in a planned series that is designed to entertain and endear young readers by using computer-related characters. The book opens by introducing Little Bit Romie, his dad CD, his mom Nettie, his brother Big Byte, his sister Joy (who is thin as a stick), his pointer Click, and his cat Browser, all of whom live in Cyberville.

Big Byte, Joy, and Little Bit go to the beach to be with their friends Webster and Kay Board. They all see a couple of "nefarious bugs" named Vi and Russ who are going surfing. Big Byte and Kay Board want to go with them, but Joy and Little Bit warn that it is too dangerous. When Big Byte and Kay find themselves in danger, what will happen? Will Little Bit, Joy, and Webster be able to do anything to help them? The colorful (computer-generated?) illustrations on each page are a wonderful aid in helping children to visualize what is going on in the story.

Children growing up in the Computer Age should find Little Bit and Big Byte: A Day at the Beach something fun that will appeal to their high-tech interests. It is also educational. In addition to introducing youngsters to the world of cyberspace with computer-related language, there is also the subtle yet clear message about the dangers of "surfing the net" for those who are inexperienced and unprepared. Caution and parental guidance are certainly suggested! Also, readers are invited to interact with the story by finding a hidden bone on each page. I give this book an excellent rating!

Little Bit and Big Byte by Craig T. Feigh is an original book introducing children to many of the different terms they encounter through computers. Little Bit and his big brother Byte take children on a tour through their world. All of their friends have names relating to computers, and there are several puns throughout the book to please parents as well. My daughter's favorite joke was Little Bit's friend Joy, who was a joystick. The story is easy to read and inspired a lot of questions about computers from my 5 year old. When we finished reading it the first time, she insisted on a second reading immediately, and then paged through it herself looking for the hidden bones on each page. Definitely a great book for kids.

This sensitive, whimsical tale of coping with ones uniqueness is one of my favorite stories for my kindergarten students. The language is rich and descriptive. The illustrations are vivid and immaginative. My students laugh at the funny parts and they understand the heart of the story-regardless of ones differences, be they bespectacled or of uncommon name, each person is valuable just by being him or herself. "Way to go!" Ms. Day and Mr. Morris! Michael Stanley, Kindergarten Teacher, City Heights, San Diego

we love this book !!! My daughter has had it a few years and we recently went through her books she found it and still loves it.She now wears glasses.WE LOVE LUNA !!!! :)

Even as adults we have things that we wish we could change, or swear our lives would be better without. This book is a cute reminder that our strengths are what we should focus on, and the things we wish we could change aren't all that bad afterall. Great little book.

Luna is a great character, easy to identify with her ups and downs when one discovers the need for glasses in their life. Great addition to my son's Optometrist Office, making it an understandable situation for the younger group when receiving the news of having to wear glasses and when doing so, the world around you becomes so much easier. Now the children visiting his office for check-ups go immediately to this book, sharing the story with their parents, over and over again. Great book, great story. "One Happy Camper!!!"
TCB in WA

We like to have books in our Family Eye Care Clinic for kids to read while they're waiting for the Doctor, it just seems fitting to have books about glasses/seeing the eye doctor. I found this book to be an exceptional book to have in the waiting area. We also have books like Arthur's Eyes, Glasses for D.W. and Good Luck Glasses...all three of these are also excellent.

The author of this book Natasha Wing does a fantastic job describing what a traditional Thanksgiving time is like before and after!!! It's is reminiscent of what Thanksgiving is like at my in-laws house! Both me and my children thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with me numerous times before Thanksgiving!!!

This is patterned after the Night Before Christmas. I had previously given a copy to my 2 granddaughters and this one was for a grandson. It's a good book to read in preparation of Thanksgiving.

My 2 year old twins love this book.
The rhyming text captures their attention as well as the lively pictures. There are lots of items I can ask them to find and count on the pages. Additionally, there are places in the text that are perfect for asking them to predict what is going to happen. Also, at the end of the book the family says a prayer of thanks which is a great place for me to show my children that other people pray to God, too.

It's along the lines of A Night Before Christmas. It's family harmony at T-giving.

Our whole family enjoys this book, which makes us giggle and feel the warmth and love of sharing a holiday with family.

On That Day by author and illustrator Andrea Patel is a treasure of a book for families, libraries, and especially schools. Through the images of the media almost every citizen of the world became an unwilling participant in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. On That Day is a tribute to the power of goodness in the world that compensates for even the most destructive events. As an elementary school, our students benefit from annual reading of this story to help each young citizen construct meaning and create the history of 9-11. Ms. Patel's selected text engages all listeners and is inspirational to read. Her colorful, collaged illustrations suggest the text's images while offering a spring board for further discussion. As you read the author's notes, you will recognize your own feelings from "that day." This story is not only well crafted, but also timeless, in that it can transcend to related topics of peace, hope, and love. In addition to being a Reading Rainbow selection, On That Day is destine to become an award winner. We wait for future efforts from this writer with great anticipation. Andrea Patel truly is a very gifted author and illustrator who shares her stories brilliantly

This is a wonderful and beloved work. My family lost one of our own in the South Tower on the 104th floor. When I read this book by Andrea Patel, I was deeply moved. She takes an event that is a tragic wound for the world, and transfigures it into a beautiful message of hope. Wonderful not only for children, but for adults. She does this through creative and unique art blended with heartfelt words that evoke soul and healing. Thank you Andrea for such a special gift.

I came across this book a month ago. The words haunt me -- but in a good way... "on that day, the day when the world felt like it broke." That's exactly what it felt like. The author opens a window to the young to help explain the "reactions" of adults and gives perspective. It's a big does of HOPE for children and adults. A beautiful book that stands up beyond the anniversary of September 11th. Timely -- but also destined to be a classic.

When this book was shown to me in its originial copy, i was blown away! I couldnt believe that the author could have envisioned something so amazing! I was astonished by how she captured the tragedy of Sept 11th in pictures and gave words that matched so perfectly in how to teach your child about something so unthinkable. I think that every public school that deals with children from age 3-7 should have this book as a teaching aide in their school. If only people interested in buying this book could have seen the reactions it got from college level students, they would see how much this children's book really helps to understand tragedy. This is a MUST BUY!

As a teacher of young children I was searching for a book about September 11th that was appropriate for their emotional, perceptual and intellectual levels of development. This book was pretty good. In fact, it was the best I found. Then why did I give it only 3 stars ? In her text she wrote "The world...got badly hurt." In fact, the world did not get hurt badly. AMERICA
DID. I currently teach children from Pakistan, Jamaica,
China and Guyana, as well as The United States. Working with international families for two decades, I have learned that Americans often misperceive our tragedies as world tragedies. What happens in America IS important, but other nations experience tragedies that we barely acknowledge. So I "substituted" America where Ms Patel has written "the world" and the parents were satisfied. The children still understood that something very sad and scary happened to Americans that day, they still understood that they have the power to make the world a better place. And they understood that no matter where we live in the world all children (and grown ups) need to have books of hope. Most of the message is excellent, very empowering to children; and the art work is superb. I encourage people to buy the book, with the advance awareness of its American egocentricism.

Rainy Day Games: Fun with the Animals of Noah's Ark is a unique children's picturebook loosely based on chapters 5-9 of Genesis. When a flood covered the world, the animals on Noah's ark had to entertain themselves through rainy days - how did they do it? Rhyming words and soft, captivating color illustrations in a realistic style enhance this wonderful read-aloud story ideal for parents and children to share during rainy days. "Pretend that Noah's ark floats by, / And watch the games that they would try. // Hide and seek can be a treat. / Chameleons can be tough to beat. // To tease your brain on stormy days, / You have to try a zebra maze."

McGuire explains the games that the animals must have played to pass the time in the ark. For instance, he mentions raccoons using their tails to play double dutch, giraffes playing twister, and tic-tac-turtle.
The tic-tac-turtle was Parish's favorite. They failed to see the humor in "Name That Stink" game. I thought that was hilarious. Isaac liked the snake that rolled up into a hoop to play ring toss.
Each page is a lot of fun. Of course, this is a great way to introduce Noah's Ark to toddlers and pre-schoolers. This is great for children's at-home library, Christian school library, and nursery library. It also would make a great gift.
Early readers will be able to sound out most of the words. Both boys and girls will equally enjoy the humor. We recommend this.

Rainy Day Games by Andy McGuire is a fantastic "read it again" story. The short couplets telling what the animals did to entertain themselves while shut up in Noah's Ark during the long rain are ideal both for reading to a young child and for early readers to enjoy themselves. The illustrations, cleverly drawn by the author, are enchanting and creative--imagine giraffes playing Twister and beavers using their tails as Ping Pong paddles! Highly recommended.

Andy McGuire's read-out-loud children's book, Rainy Day Games: Fun with the Animals of Noah's Ark, is based on the book of Genesis, chapters 5-9. The verses have a fanciful rhythm and each stanza is written in rhyme. The story suggests that the animals on Noah's Ark had many rainy days that they had to pass by entertaining themselves in the Ark.

McGuire explores hide-and-seek, mazes using a `certain' animal, untangling a flamingo, ring tossing with the help of a rhino, ping pong for the beavers, and many more delightful games.

Rainy Day Games is whimsical and will delight the children who read it. It's the type of book children never tire of-and the adults that read it do tired, because they're called upon to read it over and over and over again.

The illustrations add to the flavor of the book and tell the story of the games in a way that will attract children. I love the poison dart frogs. They are so cute. And they made me smile and that smile grew into a grin.

Armchair Interviews says: Rainy Day Games will be a child's favorite bedtime story.

From our armchair to yours...

Not only is this an adorable, hilarious read-a-loud that practically guarantees quality time (after time, after time) with a child, this book could also stimulate creative ideas for other fun things a child could do (or imagine they could do) when stuck in-doors.

The book could also lead to deeper, more meaningful discussions with a child.

I found myself surprisingly and delightfully emotional at the end of the book (no worries, no spoiler here) because at its conclusion, it spoke much more than the story line of a little boy's house-bound imagination on a rainy day. My emotional response came out of the fact that there is a promise contained in a visual element at the end. A promise that, despite the storms and less than sunny times of life... well, you'll have to see the book for yourself.

A real hit with our six year old. The illustrations are wonderful and the educational aspect is not totally obvious. A very entertaining book that's he took to share with his class at school.

Once upon a time many years ago I watched my daughter Emma play with her cousin Brian, whom Emma lovingly referred to as Meatball, and I wondered how long it would take before he began to cry. At eight years old Meatball looked like a smaller version of Rhett Butler, he talked with a squeaky voice that was struggling to mature, and his blondish hair oddly matched the color of his skin. Every game between the two kids eventually turned sour--a bump of the head, a twisted arm or even harsh words would send the boy reeling into the kitchen looking for comfort. While I admired his theatrics, I did not acknowledge them. Emma, on the other hand, like to pretend he was her plaything, a doll she collected. Take, for example, the afternoon she dressed him up like a pirate and sent him out into the yard with a steak knife searching for the neighborhood tabby cat. Florence, the woman that lived across the street and spent most of her days with her nose between the blinds of her front window, knocked on my door and demanded that I do something. I invited her in for coffee but she ranted and raved, cluck-clucking about manners and responsibilities and child-rearing, none of which I particularly cared to hear about. Meatball ran inside and tugged at Florence's blue polyester pants. "Don't worry," he said. "I buried the knife in the backyard." Florence grabbed his wrist and told him that he needed to dig it back up. He sighed heavily, stared at the ground and then began to cry. I pulled the cigarettes from the pocket of my robe, lit it, and waved him inside.

Charlotte, Meatball's mother, picked him up every day at 5 o'clock. She sat on the couch with Meatball on her lap and listened as he recounted his day. She disregarded any of Emma's attempts to defend herself when Meatball claimed she had harmed him. But who would believe an eight-year-old boy that said his cousin had instructed him to hunt for prey and bring back souvenirs?

I am a student at the University of Arizona South, majoring in elementary education. I recently read this book to a class of 3rd grade students. The children anjoyed watching as the guests arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Comfort and re-arranged the tables and chairs each time someone else showed up. They also enjoyed the fact that only Mr. and Mrs. Comfort's names were given and everyone else was referred to by their relation to the hosts, "Mrs. Comfort's brother's daughter's twin sons". The children loved the chaos as more and more people arrived and fewer and fewer place settings were left available, while "extra" chairs piled up in the periphery. Every student was engaged in the book because each and every one of them knew what Mrs. Comfort knew, that without a seating arrangement of eight seperate tables each seating four people, there would not be enough room for everyone to sit down. And by the end of the book, they found out they were right! The extensions available at the end of the story increase the possible learning to be attained, illustrating how to actively engage the children in hands-on activities to learn about area, perimeter, multiplication and division. Children can find out how many seats are available for each table formation in the book. They can also determine how many meatballs everyone can eat. This is a lively and interesting tale that evolves into spirited and animated discussions involving mathematical concepts. The children had a wonderful time listening to the story, then engaging and actively participating with their eight squares and 32 paper clips (tables and chairs) as we went through the story page by page with them arranging and re-arranging the seating. It was fantastic to see them so happily involved with LEARNING MATH!

Cute way of having students know how they use math in their everyday lives. Great explanation of the mathmatical idea behind the book.

I read this book to my sister's kids (ages 4-8) and they all really enjoyed it. They had a lot of fun with the story (and didn't even know they were learning). This book is great for kids.