Product Description

Product Description
A youngster s guide to the Rosary, with each mystery keyed to scripture to show how the Rosary is not centered around Mary,but leads us, through Mary, to Jesus includes illustrations and fullprayers for how to pray the Rosary. Publisher: Paulist Press 2009 Author: Elizabeth Ficocelli and Anne Catharine Blake Ages: 5-9 Format: 32 pages, paperback ISBN: 9780809167364 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good book
I bought this book for my young nieces for a baptism gift. It's a great introduction to the rosary for children. It does an excellent job explaining the mysteries and helping young people understand how to meditate on the mysteries. It was even helpful to me. The only issue I had with it was that it did not include all of the prayers of the rosary. There was no "Oh my Jesus", Hail Holy Queen, or the closing prayer that begins "let us pray-Oh God, whose only begotten son, through His life, death, and resurrection..." I had to include a pamphlet on how to pray the rosary along with my gift.

Having said that, this is definitely a well-written book that does an excellent job explaining the mysteries of the rosary to children.

Best book I've ever found.
Hands down, this book was the most well written I have ever come across for young people.Even though it suggests the best ages of readers is 4 to 8, I have no problem reading it to my 8th grade Catechism class as well.Our younger generation is no longer satisfied with having "blind faith".They want more explanations in terms they can understand.I initially ordered this book for my young niece and nephew, but I will order more and plan to have them on hand all the time.After seeing this one, I will also be ordering the complete collection.God Bless you, Elizabeth Ficocelli and Anne Catharine Blake!

Great for all ages
I loved it at first sight, and my granddaughter expressed the same sentiments.One must be a child at heart, I guess, and this book was refreshing to me as a grandparent.It makes the point without beating anyone over the head. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A Child's Garden of Verses

In order to be a great storyteller, one must have a childhood immersed in reading and imagination.The environment must be of the nature to encourage fanciful play and to explore the world beyond our limited reality.

Of course, there are times when childhood is so horrible that the only safety for the mind is to find a place within itself where life is happy.Robert Louis Stevenson's childhood was a mixture of these two child realities.

Unfortunately, Stevenson's childhood was one of sickness.It was in that sickness that he looked out his window and imagined his world.Of course, having a nurse who read to him daily aided the writer within him.

A Child's Garden of Verses is a delightful collection of story verses which explore the childhood reality of the Scottish 1850's.A child of today should be exposed to these well written tales.

In addition, it gives an insight into the mind of the man who created-Treasure Island, Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Kidnapped, and the Master of the Ballantrae. These tales of imagination have entertained generations since they were written.

As he aged, Stevenson got to live his dreams.He lived his last years on the Samoan island of Upolu where the natives gave him the name of Tusitala, the one who tell tales.

The storyteller was buried on Mount Vaea.His grave overlooks the tropical sea where his mind often wandered during his short life journey of 44 years.


... Read more

Product Description
This very special prayer just for children is perfect for even the youngest reader.

In this new gift book edition Caldecott-winning Prayer for a Child is sure to win new fans and become a favorite.

* * *

Keep growing in faith and joy through Little Simon Inspirations books for your child! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Warm, Sweet, and Angelic
I enjoyed reading this book as a child, and last year, I sent a copy as a gift for a newborn cousin of mine.Oftentimes, when I've delved into the poetry of Rachel Field's 1941 Caldecott medal winner, strains of "The Children's Prayer" from "Hansel and Gretel" (as sung in the film, "One Foot In Heaven", which was released the same year as this book was published) have filtered through my head.
This book would provide a lovely way to spend lap time with little ones because the illustrations are darling and the scenes of a little girl's life as she prays for herself, her family, her most precious personal effects as well as others are so relatable.
I highly recommend this book as a classic that continues to shine its light, and to gently and lovingly reflect the world of children!

Prayer for a child
I have always loved this book.....read it to my children when they were small and now give it as a gift to anyone expecting a child.

My Favorite Baby Gift
My four children, now in their 50,s can still recite this prayer verbatim, as can I.

a beautiful classic
My Grandmother purchased this book for me when I was very young because she said the little girl in the pictures reminded her of me.I was instanly smitten as a child by the pictures and rhythmic verse.
I now read this book to my own children.It is part of the bedtime ritual for my 1-year-old son who loves to point to the baby in the pictures and "pat the kitty cat".There are special pages that he likes to look at for an extended time and smiles consistantly at certain pictures, especially the page representing children from around the world.
It is a lovely story with topics that children will readily associate with, and I hope that my children will enjoy its elegant simplicity with their own families one day.

Beautiful
We love this book and we always read it at bedtime. It is perfect for children because it is written in a way that they think. Like asking God to bless a chair and such. Too sweet!!! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

bookBarackObama
Perfect non-fiction biography for 1st grade studentsMeet President Barack Obama (Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers) ... Read more

Product Description
From the author of the nation’s most popular blog on parenting gifted children, comes the definitive how-to handbook for parents, Raising a Gifted Child: A Parenting Success Handbook. Raising gifted children isn’t easy, but when armed with the practical knowledge and tools in this exciting book, parents can navigate the maze of raising bright kids, leading to success in school and beyond.

This book offers a large menu of strategies, resources, organizations, tips, and suggestions for parents to find optimal learning opportunities for their kids, covering the gamut of talent areas, including academics, the arts, technology, creativity, music, and thinking skills. The focus of this definitive resource is on empowering parents by giving them the tools needed to ensure that their gifted kids are happy and successful both in and out of school.

Additional topics covered include volunteering at your child’s school; different school options and specialty programs; tips for handling special circumstances; specific suggestions for each core content areas; and strategies for finding the best resources for parents on the Web. This easy-to-read book is sure to be a favorite of parents of smart kids for years to come! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

good resource for parents
I have read a lot of books on raising gifted kids, but this one is a bit different.It assumes you know what you're dealing with, and then gives you a wealth of resources for everything from homeschooling to summer camps.If you just figured out you have a gifted/talented child I don't think I'd start here, but it's absolutely worth getting as a resource to turn to when you want to figure out how to supplement your child's learning.

Every Newborn Should Come with Instructions
All parents would benefit from reading Carol's book because we all want our little "Star" to be the best they can be. But how do we deal with the downside of being gifted? Carol covers the good, the bad and the downright enlightening viewpoint that even "disabled" are gifted. As a social worker I love her wholesome, healthy approaches - relax a little she says, listen to your kids. I loved Chapter 8 because I think mentoring helps both the mentor and the child because it is about connectedness. Find out more from Carol - I want a second book telling us more about how to help the underachiever. My own gifted child suffered because his mom(a social butterfly) didn't get that he was brillant but socially struggling. I wish I'd had Carol's book. I'm making sure my children have her book and I'm recommending it to my peers and clients and to you.

Grandparents Would Like This Book, Too
Carol Fertig, the author, is my sister.I'll tell you that up front.She sent me a copy of her book and I thought, "Well, I guess I'd better read a chapter or two just out of sense of duty."I did not think it would really interest me.Well, guess what!I started reading it and I found that I was enjoying it very much, and I was finding a lot of information that was useful to me as a grandparent.I ended up reading the entire book, and it held my attention the entire time.

Carol's book is well-written in a style that would appeal to parents as opposed to an academic.After all, it was for parents that she wrote it.Individual subjects are treated in a clear and concise manner.So much of what Carol says just makes good sense when you think about it.One of the things that I loved about the book is how she points out that every child has strengths and weaknesses, but almost every child is gifted in some way.It is the goal of parents and teachers to identify those strengths and gently cultivate them.

I read this book from the perspective of a grandparent rather than that of parent.I came to the conclusion that this is an excellent book for grandparents, too.As grandparents, we often play a role of mentor to our grandchildren.Carol addresses mentoring in some detail, and this is the part of the book that I found to be most helpful to me as a grandparent.

I highly recommend this book.It is good reading for parents, but for grandparents, too.Frankly, I think this book would be good reading for all parents and grandparents as almost every child is gifted in some way.

Should be in the bookshelf of every parent of a gifted child
One could have all the talent in the world, but if it isn't nurtured, it'll go to waste. "Raising a Gifted Child: A Parenting Success Handbook" is a guide to parents who want to give their talented children all the tools they need to maximize their potential for the future. Just like those with learning disabilities, the other extreme need special care to assist them, and "Raising a Gifted Child" should be in the bookshelf of every parent of a gifted child.

Puts the parent in the driver's seat
Raising a Gifted Child-A Parenting Success Handbook is a new release from Prufrock Press.Author Carol Fertig writes a popular blog on gifted children at the Prufrock press website, and has many years of experience as a classroom teacher and gifted education specialist.

In the introduction, Fertig states, "There is no one way to define giftedness and no 'correct' prescription for working with highly able individuals.Instead of giving you 'magic' solutions, in this book, I have provided a large menu of strategies, organizations, and web sites to help you help your child learn and develop."She follows through on her promise with an open view of giftedness and myriad ways to encourage learning and personal growth.

I won't run through every chapter here, but I will offer some of the highlights.Chapter One, "Who Is This Kid Anyway?" discusses reasons to test.The author also advises parents not to get hung up on labels or test scores,but to pay attention to strengths and challenges instead.

Chapter Two, "Understanding Gifted Kids" has a useful chart of concomitant characteristics of giftedness.Verbal proficiency, for instance, can be positive when it means a child is articulate, but also negative in cases when the verbal child dominates conversation.A goal oriented individual may get tasks done, but also may be seen as stubborn and inflexible.Recognizing particular tendencies and proclivities will help children to learn to focus on the positive aspects of their strengths.Significant time in this chapter is also devoted to perfectionism, and social skills, asynchrony, and the extrovert/introvert scale are covered as well.

Fertig is a former teacher andparent to two gifted children.In chapter Four, "Parental Responsibilities", she encourages parents to work on improving school situations and not just complaining about them.In her words, "To be effective, parents of bright children have the responsibility to learn as much as they can about gifted education, to work with schools and districts in constructive ways, and to offer enrichment and other learning opportunities outside of school."

Chapter Seven, "Specific Subjects" is full of many suggestions and links for parents and children to explore.Various programs, competitions, print resources and clubs are mentioned, and all are categorized by subject and described by the author.This section in itself is a good reason to buy this book.There are also further resources listed in the back of the guide.

Carol Fertig sees gifted children as unique individuals and her message is clear.She wants parents to know their kids, know their options, and be proactive about providing educational challenges. ... Read more

Product Description
Tells the story of the Israelites in the desert.Discusses the sacrifices and the Tabernacle.Includes the beautifully illustrated BOOK OF ESTHER traditionally read during the Jewish holiday of Purim. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fabulous set - buy all 5 and save a few bucks!
My son loves these.We came across Genesis at the library one time, and after that I had to buy them all.It tells the stories in language simple enough for a 4-year-old to understand, but does not dumb down the concepts at all, and doesn't skip that many details unlike other kids' bibles which gloss over so much you might as well not bother.This does mean that some parts are very boring for him, but that's what the book has, and now he knows it!Mostly he loves the stories.The extras are great too, and particularly handy around the relevant holidays.

In our house, these books are frequent bedtime story requests.I find this totally incredible and absolutely fabulous.Other people I know send their kids to Sunday school, but I think that at this age (now 5), we don't need more than this set of books.I really recommend this for any Jewish child's library, and for non-Jews, too!

I bought them one by one, but I highly recommend buying the set of 5 - it's cheaper that way.

The Jewish Children's Bible: Genesis
My kids (5-1/2 and 8-1/2) love this book.We are in a rural area with not many other Jewish children to share experiences with.This book is very readable, close enough to Book I, yet a little literary license to keep itentertaining and flowing for youngsters. ... Read more

Product Description
Brian Wildsmith's stunning art is the backdrop to this newly revised selection of Robert Louis Stevenson's wonderful poetry for children. First published in 1885 and continuously in print since then, Stevenson's poetry captures the joy and whimsy of childhood and is deservedly a classic. This book is a garden of delightful, imaginative poetry, complete with fairies, animals, and plenty of fun. Make-believe that a bed is a ship and exchange pirate stories; swing from a favorite tree and feel like you can touch the highest leaves; or visit a caravan of kings. An excellent read-aloud to share with a child. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (42)

Child's Garden of Verses
I live in a Retirement Community.This is a fabulous collection of poems.Although meant for a child, the ones of us here absolutely love them.Alot we remember from our youth, but others were new to us.
This is a WONDERFUL poetry book for all ages. nita grier

Wonderful
I bought this book for my niece but when I received it, I sat down and couldnt help but ready many of the poems. They are sweet and lovely and the illustrations are colorful and captivating. I highly recommend this book.

A Child's Garden of Verses
Although the art is different in this updated version it is still a timeless collection that should be in every child's selection of available reading material.

Artist rather than writer focus.
I was distressed with how many of the poems from the original Garden of Verses had been eliminated. I was more interested in the writing and would have prefered all of the text from the original.

Children of any age love this book...
We have been reading this book for over eight years to our boys (10 & 7).It was recommended by our beloved teacher of two year olds for a Mother/Mom little school program, she had been teaching for 18 years and said that the Tasha Tudor illustrations drew the children into being fascinated into listening to the poems.And the poems are about the adventures of a little boy.My boys each have their favorite poems and request having those read to them like little presents.At night, the older one has heard the poems so often, it's like sleep therapy...half way through "we built a ship upon the stairs all built of back bedroom chairs..." and he's out like a light.But, please for everyone's sake, get the Tasha Tudor version, it really is superior. ... Read more

Product Description
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to groupsserving Native American children. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Buy this Book
As a teacher, and one who is sensitive and well aware of Native American lives and cultures, all I can say is BUY THIS BOOK!

A must for every elementary library
A good survey of native kids' lives, activities that emphasizes their ongoing cultural contributions to life in the multicultural climate of today's America. Great color photos, text at about third grade level, this ought to shatter stereotypes right and left. Glossary, resource guide included.

Excellent photos break stereotypes, teach about diversity
As the authors explain in their preface, the goal of this book is to break stereotypes about Native Americans -- and it does this very well.All too often we think of Native Americans only in terms of powwows and costumes, and then only the "war bonnets" or beaded buckskin dresses of the Plains tribes.Some of the children in this book are wearing native dress (in many different styles) for traditional occasions, but they also wear modern clothes for everyday activities like sports, hiking, fun on the playground, etc.

In the Forward by folksinger Buffy St. Marie (whose music first raised my awareness of Native issues back in the 1970s), she correctly points out that every child belongs to at least one culture, but that children are not ONLY their cultures."Even kids from the most traditional Native backgrounds have much in common with other children," she writes. "They have families, they grow and change every day, they love and work and play."

There are over 500 Native tribes in the United States, each of which has its own language and customs.This book covers 25 tribes representative of the various geographical areas, from Maine to Hawaii, with a map showing their locations.There's also a section on urban communities.(Which city has the largest Native population?New York!)

The authors describe their photo essay as "a book of few words and many pictures."The bright, colorful photos are indeed fabulous, and the "few words" are well-chosen.Each tribe gets a two-page spread, with child-friendly facts about history and daily activities that range from sports (Lacrosse is originally a Native game) to harvesting clams, making maple syrup, riding horses or carving totem poles.Sidebars give the total population of each group, its geogrphical location(s), and names of some famous people.Throught the bookj, the focus is always on things that children do, with lessons about about diversity, respect, tolerance, ecology, and other issues gently woven in and not at all preachy.I myself learned a lot myself from reading this book, and the photo on page 11 finally cleared up the mystery about an odd old tool I found on my hobby farm -- it's a "comb" for harvesting cranberries!

There is also a teacher's activity and resource guide (sold separately) that goes with this book.The Guide has biographies of contemporary members of various Native groups, with suggested investigative activities focusing on that person's accomplishments and/or expertise.For example, the page on Lori Aviso Alvord, the first Navajo woman surgeon, has a discussion of traditional forms of holistic healing, and suggestions for investigating different healing approaches used in the world today.Taken together, the activities in the Guide cover the whole gamut of contributions that Native Americans have made in all areas of society and life.

The authors are currently working on another diversity book about children's ceremonies around the world. (In fact, that's how I learned about this book.Author Yvonne Dennis queried me for details about a traditional hair-cutting ceremony for Hasidic boys.I was very impressed that she actively sought to include Jewish children, because so many diversity projects do not see Jews as a culture.)The goal of their new book will be to help children relate to each other through learning about the ways that children are special in each culture.I look forward to reading it when it comes out.

One of the best multicultural educational book I've seen!!
As a teacher I have always been interested in exploring the diverse history of Native Americans with my students but have been unable to locate a book that is both educational and fun...until now.Children of Native America today is a book that engages young people while showing them how Native American children are as diverse and heterogeneous as any other group.I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in teaching young students about Native Americans.

Careful attention to what life is really like
The collaborative effort of Yvonne Wakim Dennis and Arlene Hirschfelder, Children Of Native America Today introduces young readers to the lives and cultures of Native Americans all across the nation. Ranging from the Ojibway and Cherokee peoples, to the Pueblo and native Hawaiians, Children Of Native America Today is enhanced with color photographs illustrating an outstanding survey which broadly touches upon a variety of different Native American tribes and cultures -- rather than going for an in-depth on any particular one. Careful attention to what life is really like, and emphasizing the importance of not allowing stereotypes to cloud one's judgement, make Children Of Native America Today a highly recommended addition to school and community library Native American Studies collections for young readers. ... Read more

Product Description
José was a boy with a song in his heart and a dance in his step. Born in Mexico in 1908, he came into the world kicking like a steer, and grew up to love to draw, play the piano, and dream. José's dreaming took him to faraway places. He dreamed of bullfighters and the sounds of the cancan dancers that he saw with his father. Dance lit a fire in José's soul.

With his heart to guide him, José left his family and went to New York to dance. He learned to flow and float and fly through space with steps like a Mexican breeze. When José danced, his spirit soared. From New York to lands afar, José Limón became known as the man who gave the world his own kind of dance.

¡OLÉ! ¡OLÉ! ¡OLÉ!

Susanna Reich's lyrical text and Raúl Colón's shimmering artwork tell the story of a boy who was determined to make a difference in the world, and did. José! Born to Dance will inspire picture book readers to follow their hearts and live their dreams. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Written in poetic prose and illustrated in luminous watercolor and colored pencil
José! Born To Dance is a beautifully written and illustrated biography of José Limón (1908-1972), one of the great dancer/choreographers of the twentieth century. José was the oldest child in a large Mexican family that immigrated to the United States after his father lost his job as a result of the Mexican revolution. Taunted in school, José became determined to learn English better than his classmates and within three years, he spoke with confidence. Inspired by his artistic talent, José left his family in California and traveled to New York, where he discovered that his talents lay in dance rather than visual arts. After years of study and hard work, José formed his own dance company, which continues to tour today. His dances are still performed by major dance companies throughout the world.

Written in poetic prose and illustrated in luminous watercolor and colored pencil, this biography will delight young readers, as well as offer lessons in the connection between determination, hard work, and success.

Brave Young Man!
This boy of Mexican dancer Jose Limon is beautiful.This young Mexican boy who immigrates to America and follows his dreams of becoming a painter is a pure joy to read. Painting is not the road he takes. Dancing finds him!After reading this book I proceeded to learn more about Jose and the his dancing career in New York. This book is amazing in it illustrations.I love any book Raul Colon illustrates! I think 1st-3rd graders would enjoy this book.

Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon
A beautifully illustrated biography of the dancer José Limon, this book has proven to be quite timely in light of recent events surrounding immigration. It chronicles how young José fled Mexico for America and endured ridicule in elementary school for his poor English. Regardless, José's determination to succeed prevailed, and his story always receives cheers when I read it to various elementary classes. To view this and other cool short book recommendations for all ages.[...] ... Read more

Product Description
This is a fully updated edition of the extremely popular Children's Dictionary. Now with more than 35,000 entries, this edition has updated definitions, images, and details; plus 2,000 additional words and 900 additional images.Amazon.com Review
In evaluating a children's dictionary, there are two test words we always check first: "e-mail" and "iguana." After all, if "e-mail" doesn't appear in a dictionary, how up-to-date can it be? And iguanas, well, what kid doesn't want to read all about this "very large tropical American lizard with a ridge of tall scales along its back"? We are happy to report that this fine dictionary is above and beyond our gold standard. Not only are there definitions for each of the test words, there are illustrations for each, as well! This 912-page illustrated dictionary is packed with great information, including world maps on the inside covers, an easy-to-use how-to guide, and a reference section with facts and maps of the continents, pictures of flags from countries around the world, U.S. presidents and vice presidents, pronunciation guides, signs and symbols, and lots more. Sandwiched between this wealth of facts and figures are 846 pages of definitions with DK's trademark crisp, clear photographs illustrating many of the words. One of the handiest features in this volume is the multicolored alphabet running down the outer edges of every single page, with the featured letter highlighted for easy reference when flipping through. So get out there and e-mail all your iguana friends about this terrific reference guide! (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Customer Reviews (77)

I like it
Lots of pictures and examples. The meanings are much more understandable that the adult dictionary I have. I think we'll make good use of it for many years.

Decent information - Poor Quality on Binding
Decent enough content, nice pictures and descriptions....However the binding broke within a month of normal usage.

Great dictionary , excellent for ESL adult students !
DK Merriam-Webster Children's Dictionary, revised edition 2005 , will appeal not only to children (ages 8 and up ) in the elementary grades but also to ESL ( English as a Second Language ) adult students for the following features :

1)It includes entries for 32 000 words and phrases, a sizable enough vocabulary for talking, writing and reading

2)It provides Verbal Illusrations : short examples of using a verb for its various meanings

3)It provides 3 000 Visual Illustrations in full colors : for an ESL student, seeing is more accurate than a description for an entry and labels are included.

4)It provides Synonym Paragraphs : with 3 or more equivalent words or word phrases, how do I pick the right one for my sentence ? This dictionary helps you
choose the one that fits.

5)Finally, it supplies good size illustrations , not the very small illustrations offered by some competitors; the illustrations will appeal and motivate reading.

Awesome!
I love this dictionary! I bought it for my 5 year old who is always asking what words mean. It is easy for her to use. It has clear definitions and wonderful pictures. I love the abc tabs on the side! Very glad I purchased this!

DICTIONARY FOR SCHOOL
This Dictionary is great, I needed to get one for my son for school. I knew Amazon would have a seller that I could get a great book for a great price, this dictionary is so easy to navigate and the pictures are colorful and helpful to the book. I would recommend this dictionary to anyone, my son picked up on navigating the book so well the letters are big so he could tell what word he needed to look up. There's also an information section in the back of all the continents, flags, and presidents in the back of the book. My son loves that part! ... Read more

Product Description
Children's fascination with buildings is a natural outgrowth of their curiosity about anything strange or huge or complex. This unique book brings together thirteen architectural wonders that have intrigued children for years. Through activities such as games, quizzes, drawings and other activities, it teaches them the history behind each of the buildings, and presents fascinating facts about the design, historical use, and construction techniques. This book features pyramids built by men with pulleys, a tower that leans, an opera house shaped like a sailboat, a museum built like a spiral, and the most recent example, abird's nestA" stadium where the 2008 summer Olympics were held. Each of these buildings and more are introduced to young readers through lively texts and illustrations that will serve to heighten their interest and knowledge about the world's most important architecture, and perhaps inspire them to dream and build on their own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

For a budding architect
My son expressed interest in being an architect, so a friend of ours in the field recommended this. My son is 11 and loved this book! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Valuable Classic
A beautifully illustrated Bible Story book for young children.It served us, our children and now our grandchildren.It is a great gift for young children.Our church now routinely gives one every time a new child is born,

A Classic
When I was a child back in the 50's I got this Bible Story book. Loved it back then. Got one for our children and am now buying it for our grandchildren. I love the artwork - it is beautiful. Stories are told simply, just right for children.

My favorite Bible story book!
My daughter loved this book. The stories are not too over simplified and not too complicated, but just right! It goes through the Old Testament and New Testament. The stories are interesting and just the right length for a bedtime story. Child's Garden of Bible stories

My Favorite Book of Bible Stories
This was my favorite book of bible stories as a young child.It has beautiful pictures and the stories are written so that a young person in grade school can read them.Young children gravitate to this book.

Ilike to give copies of this book as presents to young children - I onlywish it were in hard back as mine was. ... Read more

Product Description
When Monique, a young visiting nurse, steps into the home of an elderly patient, she finds herself in rooms filled with the most vivid color she has ever seen. Her patient is the artist Henri Matisse, and as Matisse recovers from his illness, he and Monique become good friends. Later, Monique enters a convent where she becomes a nursing nunÂ--and by happy coincidence, she meets Matisse once again. Her religious order is so poor that they donÂ't have a chapel of their own, but Matisse decides that with MoniqueÂ's help, he can remedy that situation. He develops a sketch drawn by Monique into a brilliant set of stained-glass chapel windows, and then uses his influence to raise enough money for the chapelÂ's construction. This true account of Matisse and the chapel at Vence, in southern France, is the main focus of Laurence AnholtÂ's newest delightful childrenÂ's story. AnholtÂ's illustrations faithfully reproduce many of MatisseÂ's wonderful artworks in this beautiful storybook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

"Henri Matisse Painted with Light!""Take a peek!"
What started out to be a visit to the Art Institute to view the Matisse Exhibition (which concludes on June 20th) turned into a treasure hunt of artwork unavailable at this exhibit.The gallery entrance was filled with huge expressions of color in somewhat geometric shapes. Once inside, the viewers could read the signage identifying Matisse's artistry, style, and the period in his career in which these specific works of art were completed.

For me, there is always the adventure of finding children's books to translate the artist's work at an understandable level. While many of the books were geared to the adult expert, I found several that explored his life.The one particular book that caught my attention was written by the British author and illustrator, Laurence Anholt, called Anholt's Artists Books for Children Series.I had already acquired several of these books at the Louvre in Paris.[Yes, they are available here in the US, specifically at Amazon.com].

Among the titles I purchased were the childrens' biograhies on the lives of Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh.Once I read them, I gave them to a young child who is an avid reader.Each of the books were created around the artist and his relationship with a young child; each of the books brought out significant details about the artist, maybe details not quite known by the general public.Now, this book on Matisse continues the collection.

When I saw this book in the museum gift shop, I stood and read it, right there.I was intrigued with the story of Matisse and how he came to know this young nurse who took care of him, how their lives separated, and how they were once again brought together by her life as a Dominican nun, his as an ailing and crippled artist, yet able to paint.In their friendship, a plan for designing and building a chapel in the French village of Vence came about.With the help of others, Matisse began sketching, drawing, cutting out shapes, and designing all the parts of the chapel, its walls, the altar, the floor, windows, even the priest's vestments emerged.It's not your typical tourist stop, unless you are staying in the south of France for an extended period.

None of the artwork at the Matisse exhibit at the Art Institute were able to bring these details forth.So, when I arrived back at my work space, I searched on Google, then Bing, for Matisse, specifically childrens' books, and also, found myself searching Wikipedia; now, this is the place to find great reference material.You will be connected to many links to explore; you will be able to see photos of the chapel, of the beautiful altar, and the gorgeous windows that Matisse was responsible for.Somewhere in my search, I came across the comment that "Matisse painted with light".Now, take that thought and run with it.

For the Art Institute's Matisse exhibit to be complete, there could have been some photos of the chapel windows, probably his greatest work of art, shortly before his death; they already had large photo reproductions of him at work.

Note to Parents: In a student's academic career, opportunities are presented wherein the student "researches" specific topics.With Wikipedia, it now appears to be too easy.Think not, as the instructor will probably ask the student to explore, contrast, and summarize a specific topic from a definite perspective.The "student of the future" will have to do more than copy the work of a researcher; the student will be asked to think for herself, or himself.

Matisse the King of Colour
I am a teacher in Sydney Australia.I read this book to a composite grade one/two class last year and they absolutely loved it. The illustrations are wonderful. I would thoroughly recommend this book to any teacher in Grades K-6. I am planning to read it to my Kindergarten class later in the year. I also purchased Vincent van Gough by Brad Buck and Joan Holub [Smart About Art Series] and was extremely happy with this purchase also. So I am planning on buying the 'Henri Matisse' book in the same series as it will be a perfect complement to 'Matisse the King of Colour' [Anholt's Artists Books for Children's Series].It was a great lead up to the study of collage in our art lessons.

Inspiring children's book about Matisse
Ever since my preschooler discovered (with mom's help) the wonderful painters' series of books by Laurence Anholt, we've accumulated quite a collection! Anholt has done a great service through these books, making art accessible to young children in the most creative and vibrant manner. What is even more remarkable, is that these stories are actually based on real events in the artists' lives - Monet's encounter with a young girl in his garden, Van Gogh's friendship with a young boy despite the alienation he suffers, and this book is no different.

In "Matisse The King of Color", the friendship between Matisse and a young girl named Monique is explored. Monique initially meets the painter whilst he's convalescing from an illness, but later Monique goes away to enter service as a Dominican nun. However, the pair's paths cross again and this time Matisse gives Monique a very special gift that has lasted till this day - the construction of a chapel with stained glass masterpieces painted by the great artist himself. This is an inspiring story that conveys the lasting bonds of friendship, that attests to the creative and healing power of art.

art books children love
Great book.My granddaughters (age 10, 7, and 4) love it.I've bought the entire series. ... Read more

Product Description
When parents need the most authoritative information on raising gifted kids, they can turn to Parenting Gifted Children: The Authoritative Guide From the National Association for Gifted Children. This comprehensive guide covers topics such as working with high achievers and young gifted children, acceleration, advocating for talented students, serving as role models and mentors for gifted kids, homeschooling, underachievement, twice-exceptional students, and postsecondary opportunities.

The only book of its kind, this guidebook will allow parents to find the support and resources they need to help their children find success in school and beyond. Written by experts in the field of gifted education and sponsored by the leading organization supporting the education of gifted and advanced learners, this book is sure to provide guidance, advice, and support for any parent of gifted children. ... Read more

Product Description
Answers questions about manners, behavior, responsibility, hygiene, and everyday life in the United States. An activities section is included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A young kid's introduction to everyday life
This work, in the Time-Life "A Child's First Library of Learning" series, is aimed at younger kids. Its focus is on everyday life.As such, this should be a good work for its target audience.

The format for each book in the series is a set of questions, followed by an answer and related issues. One to two pages per Q-A. To illustrate. The first question is on page 4, "Why do we wash every morning?" A part of the direct answer: "It makes us feel clean and fresh and ready to face the new day." Other features in the two page segment: the best way to wash a face, what parents do to start the day. Finally, a brief snippet on page 5 "The the parent." These brief features allow parents to talk about related matters in a bit more depth. Here, parents are told how to get kids used to washing their faces in the morning.

Other questions in the volume: Why do we dress in the morning? Why are pets not allowed in some buildings? Why is it wrong to play around and make noise on trains? Why can't we play outside after it gets dark? Why do we take baths? How do some doors open and close by themselves?

The final part of the book provides some active learning elements, such as a record of firsts for kids (first time I dressed myself on my own, for example), a record of things that a child enjoys, and so on.

All in all, another solid exemplar in this series.
... Read more

Product Description
2009 National Jewish Book Award Winner, Children's Illustrated Books; Finalist in Jewish Family Literature

2010 Sydney Taylor Awards Notable Book for Readers of All Ages ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Adressing the bad review....
This is a review purely in response to Keri Mom of 4. I am writing this because I do not want a bad review to stop anyone from buying a great book that can ignite a child's imagination, and knowledge regarding the Torah.

I was worried about this review, the last thing I need is a sexualized rendition of the Bible for my children! But so many have endorsed this book, from the right or more conservative side, plus I have always trusted JPS in the past. I decided to get it any way. The first thing I did, before allowing my children to see it was to check out pages 50-51, Jacob's dream. I am sure that, with 100% assertiveness, their are NO female, NOR nude, figures in this section nor any suggestions of it. All that can be made of the genderless, iridescent and transparent figures, are that they are sitting, and the outlines of heads and arms. I have a degree in Art History, and one in Religious Studies, and was a Religious School Teacher, so I have a very good eye for these things. Perhaps the reviewer means to address another book. In fact, as I go through this book all depictions of angels, or messengers, or supper human beings, are completely cloaked, shown, from behind, and obscured. Also everyone is dressed fairly modestly and covered for the time period, even the Egyptians and Romans. It's most controversial image is that of Samson bare chested and in a loin cloth. I can not fully speak on written content because I have not read it all yet, but what I have read is perfect in length, style, and content to be read by or to a young person.Also of course the pictures should be fine for anyone who is interested in an Illustrated Children's Bible of the Old Testament. I have found that a child as young as three can be engaged by this book.

Nude Woman ("Angel") in Jacobs Dream?!
No where in Scripture are Angels depicted as feminine.
This book has been polluted by liberal art and fallen minds.

Sydney Taylor Notable Book for All Ages - 2010
Ellen Frankel introduces children and families to the Jewish story through fifty-three uniquely chosen Bible legends capturing the language and cadence of the Hebrew Bible.She succeeds in creating an age-appropriate interpretation of the most intriguing and familiar stories that allow families to gleen the essence of Jewish teachings, ethics, and history.She organizes her work into three larger categories that reflect "The Torah" with stories about Adam and Eve, the Ten Plagues, and the Rebellion of Korah; "The Prophets" with stories about Gideon, Samson, David and Elijah; and "The Writings" which include Ruth and Naomi, Esther, and Daniel.Deep, abstract and detailed full page paintings accompany each selection augmenting the action and adding a visual element to the interpretation.Aware that unlike folklore and fairytales that offer happy endings, Frankel is cognizant of leaving a more classical impression with her readers anchoring the stories in their traditional narratives of the original Bible and presenting them with good storytelling techniques of dialogue, suspense, irony, wordplay and characters.A good addition for the Jewish family bookshelf to read and discuss together. - RITA SOLTAN - WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI

JPS Illustrated Children's Bible
There are many adaptations of the Bible written at a child's level. The JPS Illustrated Children's Bible is one of the best versions I've ever come across. Ellen Frankel, the CEO and editor-in-chief of the Jewish Publication Society has carefully selected fifty-three Bible classics and crafted them into exciting, easy-to-understand stories for young learners. Complementing the text are the dramatic illustrations of award-winning artist, Avi Katz. His softly brushed landscapes are the perfect backdrops for his vivid portraits of the characters in each scene. Children will be captivated by the pictures as they are drawn in by the words. Most of the stories in the JPS Illustrated Children's Bible are from the Torah, with a smattering included from Prophets and three major tales from the Writings. Each retelling, while true to the ancient version, has been masterfully adapted for the twenty-first century child. Archaic language has been replaced with more familiar vocabulary, yet some ancient terms have been retained to "give children a feel for the special diction that characterizes sacred texts." Throughout the book, care has been taken to balance these two concerns. An "Author's Notebook" at the end of the book explains the choices Frankel made as she translated the Jewish text. Her adaptations accommodate the young American reader without diminishing either the content or the meaning of the original stories. The chapters are dramatic, the illustrations powerful, creating a dynamic children's Bible that will be cherished by the entire family. Recommended for adults to share with children ages 4-8, reading level ages 9-12. Marcia Berneger

Great stories...great illustrations!
My daughter actually begged me to buy this book for her after the author visited our synagogue.I ordered it, and was so glad I did.The stories are perfectly written for my 9 year old, and I find her reading it quite often. ... Read more

Product Description
In Paris, at the turn of the twentieth century, when artists were experimenting with new ways of seeing things, Erik Satie had something new to say about music. Most people didn't understand his pieces; critics called his music surreal. But Erik Satie didn't care. He wanted to make music that followed no rules but its own. Satie's life was strange and wonderful, frenetic and lonely all at the same time. He was friends with Picasso, and with wizards and puppeteers; he scraped himself with a stone instead of bathing, and he once threw his acrobat girlfriend out a window. Now award-winning author M. T. Anderson tells the story of the irreverent French composer in a biography that is witty, accessible, and endlessly surprising, while Petra Mathers' fanciful illustrations capture all the vibrancy that was Erik Satie's topsy-turvy world.

Illustrations by Petra Mathers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Composer Children Can Love
I read this beautiful book to my daughter (not quite 4 years old) for the first time while listening to Satie's music, and she was entranced. She frequently requests repeated readings, and makes me stop periodically to just listen to the music. The pictures and words are a perfect compliment to this odd man and his enchanting music, without sugar-coating the difficulties that so often accompany genius. I will seek out more books by this writer and artist.

This is an excellent book
This is an excellent book. My son wondered why Mr. Satie was referred to as "strange," and his question was soon answered.M.T. Anderson gives some amusing anecdotes about this composer who was relatively unknown and quite poor during his lifetime. One example is that Mr. Satie did not take baths, but rather rubbed himself with a stone to get clean.How clean we wondered?The book creates an interest to hear Satie's music and is educational. ... Read more