Product Description
A modern adaptation of this favorite Jewish folktale describes how the blanket grandfather had made for young Joseph is transformed over the years into a jacket, a button, and, ultimately, a story. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Best book ever
This is bar none the best book ever to teach your children the value of anything.During The Depression there was a motto per say that went as follows: Use it up, Wear it out, Make do, Do without. If everyone would read, comprehend and pass the wisdom in this book to this and the following generations, the addiction to materialism and the "accumulation of things" would be put into proper perspective.

Great - Even for Toddlers
My 18 month old loved this book.It was the first book he could 'help read" - saying "hmmmm..." when the Grandfather is thinking about what to make.Fantastic, detailed illustrations.

Something from Nothing
The children's book Something from Nothing is an wonderfully illustrated Jewish folk tale about a little boy and his tailor grandfather.Starting with a baby blanket the grandfather fashioned, this expert tailor truns it into a coat, then a tie, then a hankie and finally into a button.At the bottom of the pages which telltheir won story of the child's life, is the tale of a mouse family and what they do with the scraps from the tailor's work.It's a book that captures a child's interest with its simple tale and detailed illustrations.It also implicitly promotes ecology--reuse and recycle.

The life in a Jewish stetl is told through the pictures.

The book would work well as part of a unit in the primary grades.The history, culture, ecology and the mirrowing mouse story provide a rich context for a group sharing of the book.Vocabulary is repeated and lends itself to a 2nd grade level of reading skills.

My favorite book
Life brings change---and loss.This book has great wisdom and a gentle touch that spoke deeply to me.

Two Stories
While the grandfather-tailor of this story lives above, a secret family of mice lives below the floor and makes even more somethings of the nothings that fall through the cracks.Reading the story aloud to a child and having him or her follow along interpreting the silent story creates one of the best read-to experiences a grandmother can have.The main story re-works an old folk tale with a delicious twist at the end, but the mice are completely original. The details in both stories are charming and beautifully crafted. For any adult with Eastern-European nostalgia, the illustrations will be doubly satisfying: they are both charming and accurate.Although this is a morality tale, its non-cloying sweetness makes the medicine go right down. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Little Blue Ben
My kids ( age 5 and 8) love this book.It is a good rhyming book and fun to find little blue Ben. The kids also enjoy the funny twist of a little blue man and a calico cat having a hen for a mother.Loads of fun.I am always pleased when they pick this book to read.

A Fun Little Book!
We received this book as a gift when my son was about 3 years old and he is now almost 6. It is funny and silly and he has always enjoyed it. Part of the book also requires the child to find one of the characters who ishiding and that was great fun. It is fun the read and curl up with. Anenjoyable book for young and old! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

All time favorite =)
Growing up as a child this was my all time favorite book. Especially since my name is Jillian! The story is cute and the illustrations are even cuter! I just purchased it to read to my kids and my son loves it too(My daughter is only 4 weeks old, but I am sure she will love it when she is older)

Children books
It was an OK book.Did not like the subject of the book too much.

LOVE Jillian Jiggs!
As many others have said, this was a childhood favorite of mine.Of the many, many books I owned as a child, there are only a handful that I still remember and love, and this is definitely one of them.I just got my old books out of my father's attic when I became pregnant with my son, and this is one that I enjoy reading to him, and he enjoys looking at and listening to, on a daily basis.The illustrations are cute, the story is fun (the rhyming flows very nicely), and is overall just a great book!Also recommend The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs!Equally as wonderful!

Wonderful Book!
This was my absolute favorite book when i was growing up. I still have the entire thing memorized. I never get tired of looking and the illustrations and hope that my children will enjoy this book as much as i did and still do!

Best Children's Book Ever!!!
My Grandma bought me this book when I was a small child. We read it over and over again. I absolutely loved it!!! I will definitely be reading this book to my future children and the future children in my classroom. I hope they love it as much as I do. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

cute
this story is about a princess who loves balloons and uses them to rid the kingdom of evil, with the help of some friends. it's a cute story with a simple but effective message. i love phoebe gliman, she writes amazing children's books that, though they are nothing complex, are truly epic. one of those stories you'll remember when you're older. this one isn't my favourite by her, i prefer something from nothing, or jillian jiggs, but this one is great as well... exactly what i would expect from her. i recommend this author.

A Secret Treasure
My Gramma gave me this book when I was a child (over 20 years ago). I read it so much that the book is actually falling apart now. The story is magical, as are the illustrations. I intend on buying another copy of this book for myself and one for my students to enjoy. This book is truly a treasure for both children and adults.

The Balloon Tree
The Balloon Tree by phoebe Gilman is a great book for kids. It expresses a great sence of imagination with a wonderful happily ever after ending. The Balloon Tree is a classic tale of good triumphing over evil.

Magical Story for Children and Adults!
"The Balloon Tree" is one of my favourite stories.The pictures are breath taking.Not only are the pictures great but so is the story! I'm an adult and I still love this story.Every child should have this in their collection.Also adults who have not lost the fun in reading these books should have it in their collections too!

A treasureand a perfect gift!
A friend sent this book to me for my granddaughters and it has become their favorite book of all time. It reads like a classical fairy tale and the illustrations are true works of art in anyones eyes. Totally mesmerizing, it will be a book they will want to keep forever.

I am buying a second copy tonight so each grand will have her own! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

awesome book!
This is a book that I enjoyed as a child. Jillian is messy and creative, and after cleaning her room she finds a good use for some buttons and socks, and makes lots of stuffed pigs out of them. She plans to sell them, but then finds out that she loves them too much to give them away. The other children are sad because they want pigs too, so Jillian starts giving lessons so that every child can make their own pigs. There is even instructions at the end on how to make your own pigs. Very cute story told in rhyme. It is a favorite of my children!

Not every book is created equal.
Greatly disappointed that I paid over $6.00 for a book that turned out to be a pamphlet size booklet.

Favorite from childhood
This is one of my absolute favorites from my childhood, and I'm now reading it to my son, who is six months old. The story is cute and fun to read, and it even has instructions on how to make the little pigs that the girl makes in the story, which my parents did with my brother and I when we were young and I still remember how much fun it was!I think it's a good length for infants, because my son likes to be read to, but some of our books are a bit too long for his attention span for now.I hope he continues to enjoy it for as long as I have... which I guess is about 23 years!

Wonderful book!
The entire series of Jillian Jiggs is a wonderful addition to any children's book collection.It is important to note that this book is written in rhyme, which is highly beneficial in developing phoneme awareness in young children.

jillian jillian jillian jiggs, maker of wonderful marvelous pigs!
like it's predecessor, this book is a great children's book. jillian is finished tidying her room and has now decided that she will make pigs! she makes a lot of pigs and then decides to sell them with her friends, but when people start buying her pigs she discovers that she's too emotionally attached to her pigs to sell them. so instead she gives lessons on how to make pigs. at the end of the book there is a little pattern that teaches you how to make a stuffed pig.

like the first book it rhymes nicely and like the first book, the illustrations are very expressive and energetic. great series. ... Read more

Product Description
When Grandma makes a noodle pudding and sets it on the window to cool, its delicious aroma wafts out to sea. In no time at all, hungry pirates come ashore and snatch the pudding--along with Grandma. Full-color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great fun...
As a pre-k teacher I would have to read this over and over and over.... it's a blast.So much fun, perfect for the 3-7 age group.Love it.ARRRRR!

Cool, exciting story
When Melissa's grandmother and parrot are kidnapped by pirates (along with her grandma's delicious noodle strudel), she doesn't hesitate before running to save them.

She ends up captured as well, but, as you can expect, ultimately thinks up a way to secure her escape.

It's very well-drawn and well-written, not too scary for sensitive readers, funny in parts, and pretty exciting... but not so much that your kid will unsettle for sleep!

All-time favorite
This book was the favorite for myself and my two sisters growing up.It has a brave heroine, wonderful pictures and a witty story.

Why Are the Good Ones Always the First to Go?
Great story of brave females outwitting brutish pirates.My four-year-old loves it and shares it often with his pirate-loving friends.Let's get it back on the presses!

Out of print?Oh no!Revive this book!
One of my all-time favorite children's books, either alone or with the audiotape.Entertaining illustrations, heroic girl, humorous pirates, energetic grandma, clever plot, and nautical jargon woven in.Beautifullyread by this popular Canadian author (audiotape version) and much fun toread aloud.Hard to believe this is out of print.Revive this greatpirate adventure for little girls and boys alike! ... Read more

Product Description
In this retelling of a traditional Jewish folktale, Joseph's baby blanket is transformed into ever smaller items as he grows until there is nothing left--but then Joseph has an idea. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A wonderful read-aloud
This book was an absolute hit with an audience of Spanish-speaking children! It is a retelling of the Jewish folktale that has become familiar through the Caldecott award winner, "Joseph Had A Little Overcoat."The illustrations provide an intimate dollhouse view inside Joseph's home, including a parallel story that goes on under the house among a family of mice who become the resourceful recipients of the scraps of fabric that fall through the cracks in the floor.The text is repetitive and invite choral participation on the part of the listeners.Joseph's undying confidence in his grandfather's ability to salvage his beloved blanket-turned-jacked-turned-vest, etc. holds out until at last he loses the last prized button.Nevertheless, Joseph seems to have inherited some of Grandfather's abilities to create something from almost nothing. ... Read more

Product Description
Captain Plunk and his pirates find a treasure chest floating on the ocean waves, but instead of a cache of pearls inside, they find a baby girl! Precious Pearl becomes the pirate crew's lucky charm, even though she has a bad habit of giving away their treasure. When Pirate Pearl leaps onto the deck of Prince Basil's ship, he recognizes her as the long-lost Princess Pearl. In no time flat, the princess has rushed back to the castle and dumped the evil Count Crumple in the dungeon. But wait - she's not ready to marry Prince Basil and settle down to rule the kingdom yet. Pearl invites the prince to join her pirate crew, and he helps her give away her newest treasure! ... Read more

Product Description
Reading fairy tales on a family picnic--what could be nicer?p renditions have two small children in stitches. "Lively . . . an especially pleasant book."--School Library Journal. Full color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Love this book!
I just love love love this book. It's so much fun to read to children.Such a simple and great idea -- why didn't I think of it?!? -- and it just works so well.Every child I've ever read this with loves it.

Once Upon A Golden Apple
This is a delightful imagination book for preschoolers and early grades.Great for read-aloud to groups as well as one on one.Kids can help tell the story along with the reader.I have used it with approximately 85 classes a year for the last 7 years.We have lots of fun with it. ... Read more

Product Description
Our monster machine will shrink you so small. You'll be squished. You'll be squashed. You'll be nothing at all! Have no fear, Jillian Jiggs is here! Her little sister, Rebecca, is scared of a monster. but with Jillian on the case, that old monster had better watch out! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Jillian Jiggs to the Rescue
The smaller books about Jillian Jiggs are better, but this one is pretty good too.

Jillian Jiggs to the Rescue
"Jillian Jiggs to the Rescue," is an excallent example of creative children's literature.An excellent story for children on helping and having fun with friends while doing it.A wonderfull book tht should be read by all! ... Read more

Product Description
Living with her aunt in a gypsy caravan, Cinnamon tells fortunes while longing for the life of a princess, and when she meets the Princess Cyprina, she is invited to live with her in the palace. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Story That is Never Forgotten
I'm currently a Junior in High School and I've been singing the song in the book for the past week. I haven't read it since 2nd grade! I loved this story then and I love it now. It's a terrific story with wonderful illustrations. I'll never forget Cinnamon and how much she reminded me of, well, me.

The Gypsy Princess
I really liked this book.The Illustrations are very intracate and beautiful, and it has a good, strong story line.It's also a very advanced chapter book, more so for grade 3ers than grade 1ers.

Enchanting Book
All of Ms. Gilman's book as excellent and this is no exception.If your little girl is princess crazy like mine, this book shows that being who you are is sometimes better than being a princess.The illustrations and language are beautiful, and the story is both thoughtful and fun.A great book to read to younger children. ... Read more

Product Description
Set includes:Jillian JiggsJillian Jiggs to the RescueJillian Jiggs and the Great Big SnowThe Wonderful Pigs of Jillian JiggsJillian Jiggs and the Secret Surprise ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document, covering the life and work of Phoebe Gilman, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 2406 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information:

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased)
• Family members
• Education
• Professional associations and honors
• Employment
• Writings, including books and periodicals
• A description of the author's work
• References to further readings about the author

Product Description
"Jillian, Jillian, Jillian Jiggs, it looks like your room has been lived in by pigs!" Every Canadian kid knows Jillian Jiggs, as well as its sequels: The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs, Jillian Jiggs to the Rescue, Jillian Jiggs and the Secret Surprise, and Jillian Jiggs and the Great Big Snow. Now all five best-selling volumes are collected into this oversized treasury, including instructions for making your own wonderful pig and the complete stageplay, "The Chicken Princess." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Treasury of Jillian Jiggs
Jillian Jiggs has been a long time favourite in our house. I can still hear the kids "Jillian, Jillian, Jillian Jiggs! It looks like your room has been lived in by pigs." This was my girls' favourite line. They'd repeat it like a chant over and over again. Then, they'd laugh hysterically when I ask them to clean up their own rooms.

Needless to say, I was thrilled when I saw A Treasury of Jillian Jiggs. This anthology includes Jillian Jiggs, The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs, Jillian Jiggs to the Rescue, Jillian Jiggs and the Secret Surprise, and Jillian Jiggs and the Great Big Snow. Now the next generation can enjoy all the antics of Jillian Jiggs.

Error in spelling unfortunate -- but great book!
On the first page of the book, Jillian is spelled incorrectly (Jilian) and then appears correctly throughout the rest of the book.Otherwise, a wonderful book!

Complete Satisfaction
Received the book in a timely manner and was very pleased with it.My granddaughter will enjoy it so much.

great deal!
Thank goodness you can find all the stories in one! I got this is a gift to my mother who used to read Jillian Jiggs to me when i was a little girl, and now they are so hard to find!

Wonderful, fabulous Jillian Jiggs
What fun these stories are.My daughter and son love them.Kids I work with love them.It was nice to find all of these stories in one book, rather than having to purchase them individually.The use of rhyming and repetition are great for learning readers.The process of buying this book was extremely easy, and it was sent within a timely manner. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Superb translation!
My daughter and I both love this book!The story is a beautiful rendition of the Jewish foktale:Joseph's Coat of Many Colors.What makes this book a gem is the authentic translation!The book reads beautifully!Nothing is lost in translation.I highly recommend it! ... Read more