Baby Books

I remember my sister (who is a bit younger than I) listening to and reading the teddy bear's picnic and being jealous that she got to have a book by jerry (I was raised in a house with many songs to fill the air)! This is a wonderful song, and though it's been years since I've looked at the story book I still have the tape in my old tape player (and I'm 20!)

I learnt this song when I was a child and when I could share this with my kids - it was a joy. The illustrations are sweet & give the child something to search for on each page. The music is great & helps you learn the song yourself - so you can sing the song as a family.

It's wonderful! You need to know the song to sing this song to your children or grandchildren.

Jerry and David have an amazing ability to create sensitive and intricate music and sing the most endearing words making a song lovely for all ages to enjoy. The children I care for love Teddy Bear picnic, as well as, the whole compilation of songs on "Not for Kids Only." The book/ tape combo is a wonderful gift for baby showers. Moms love the music too because its easy on the ears. Hats off to Jerry and David! They are masters at what they do!

Uncle Jerry & Uncle David unpack their guitar & banjo, sit down in front of the fire & make music. Your rug rats are in for a fine treat as these fine musicians accompany Uncle Bruce's picture story. Long, long ago when this editor was little the radio was her speaker to the world. There were programs for women & children dotted throughout the day on the BBC station & one in particular for the very young, in which could be heard such charming duets as Run Rabbit Run & The Teddy Bears' Picnic. I loved the mellow fellows who sang this charming song. I had not heard this melody in all those years when the book & attached audiotape caught my eye amid a chorus of bear calls & growls, demanding I listen. I never argue with Teddy Bears, especially when they're singing!...

Love the lesson behind this story. However, this book is probably best for toddlers and up because (1) the book isn't built for a lot of wear and tear and (2) the pictures aren't brightly colored and don't capture the attention of infants - at least not my nephew. Otherwise, good book for kids.

This is a lovely book, and makes a great "new baby" gift! Rhymes and repetition make it a favorite of my 18-month old. Illustrations are beautiful!

I sent this product back as I did not receive what I needed/wanted and they sent me the same thing so I kept it. I wanted this same book for a baby in a "Board Book" but I got a hard bound book which isn't appropriate for young children.
I love the book and the author that is why I chose this book.

Fun to read with the new baby - older siblings get into the rhyme as well

Dear little babies with their characteristically busy little fingers and stubby little playdough toes delight the reader with their realism. Thank you, Helen Oxenbury! A singalong rhythm that is "easy to read to" encourages the listener to join in after a couple of repeats. Thank you, Mem Fox!

Although these two gifted women had "retired", this book, and the Baby World, is as fresh and light-hearted as these babies are. Focusing on the similarities rather than the differences, their message of peace is tenderly and subtly played. I can't wait to give this as a baby gift!

This is a cute little book that has nice little rhyming verses on each page. My little boy doesn't seem too impressed with it, but I think as he gets older, he'll like it better. I think it's very sweet.

Great book. I love the illustrations and the rhyming of the book. My son likes it.

My son loves to look at books and this is by far one of his favorites. He loves the animals and children. I like the fact that it follows the order of creation so closely and gives thanks to God for all that He has made.

I have a four year old boy who is autistic and a two year old daughter. My children love this book. They will bring it to me to read again and again, and then they will sit down and pretend to read it themselves. It also makes a fabulous gift for baptism or christening.

My son received this book as a gift and absolutely loves it! The pictures are adorable with cute children and animals. The rhyming prayers are catchy and it is a simple way to intoduce prayer to children through a story book. We highly recomend!

A brutal, in-depth assessment of the repercussions of tickling ducks. Highly recommended as a stern warning to those foolish enough to consider pursuing such dangerous folly.

My son is two and loved the Stop Kissing Me! book from the same author, (Ethan Long) so I bought this one expecting the same response. He was expecting a button to press so he could hear a sound relating to the story. To our chagrin this book doesn't have the sound button. The book spends most of it's time on the shelf and the "Stop Kissing Me!" book still gets a lot of attention.
We both like the illustration, the characters expressions really help tell the story. Looking forward to the next book. Ethan please add a sound button.

Ethan Long's wonderful illustrations of an adamant duck demanding that you not tickle him under his wing, on his tummy, and on his feet are beautifully expressive, zany, and fun to look at.
The humor is pitched perfectly at toddlers, and even this 36 year-old reviewer had to crack a smile the first time I glanced through the durable cardboard pages of this wonderful little book.

The script of this book has the duck talking to your child and asking, er, begging, not to be tickled. He keeps pointing to a specific body part (tummy, foot, underarm) and asking to not tickle there. Then, since obviously your child will want to tickle him, the following page shows him laughing hilariously. Each of the featured body parts has a texture to it making it extra enticing to tickle the duck.

This book is so much fun. Our toddler loves it and laughs right along with the duck. Tickle the Duck is a delightful interactive book that your child is sure to want to read over and over again.

The Duck in question has ducky, feathery protruberances available for tickling through strategically-placed holes in the heavy cardboard pages. Thus, when the Duck adamantly demands that your toddler NOT tickle it, the temptation should prove to be simply too great to NOT reach out and give the down (more feathery in some places, softer in others) a little tug. At this, the Duck laughs, increasingly to the point of tickle-xaustion, as we call it in our house, begging to be relieved of the torture in progressively stronger terms. Never fear: when the Duck makes a quick recovery from tickle-xaustion, it reconsiders and deigns, perhaps, to allow you a brief tickle once again.

With all the pathos of "Hug", the real-life verisimilitude of "Everybody Poops", and the roller-coaster ride of emotion of "Maisy's Train", this new entry in the tot-blockbuster potboiler pile is sure to please many a kiddie and perhaps their adult confreres: we have tested it on a two-year old and a forty-two year old to good effect, although it must be pointed out that our interactivity did in fact cause the 42-year-old to beg to stop being tickled without then asking again to be tickled. Not so with the two-year old.

We just hope there's a books on tape or a large print version available soon we can give to Grandma and Grandpa by way of repaying the favor.

This has been one of my favorite books to read to my children and now to my grandchildren but it may be an even more important book for adults who will recognize the subtle lessons that corrolate with our busy lives. When our lives get too busy (too noisy) we disengage from our body and spirit and live only in our complex and critical left brain. It is only when we remove some of life's distractions that we can re-engage with our mind, body and spirit and relax. This happens when we are doing something quiet that we truly enjoy such as hiking, watching a sunset, or sitting by a waterfall. When we are quiet and direct our thoughts within, healing has room to take place.

Great classic story, wonderful illustrations and story line. Wish I could have this in a board book format. My 9 month old loves the "swoosh swoosh" noises!

I was a substitute librarian, and was thrust into a storytime. The librarian handed me this boook and said it was a great ice breaker. I read it to the class, and it's true! This book practically tells itself - and the kids loved making the animals sounds with me. Well, I decided I was having so much fun, I shifted gears and became a children's librarian, and used this book a LOT! Not only fun with the various animals, but good vocabulary (hissed, swished, etc.) and the children really do get to know new words and also know instinctively what they mean. I cannot praise it highly enough - bought it for both my nephews!

My mom was so happy to get this. She used to read it to us as kids.

This was my favorite book when I was little. I made my mother read it to me at least one hundred times a day. Now that I have children of my own, I want to share it with them. My 3 year old son knows most of the book by heart now. I look forward to cuddling up with my children every night before bed to read this story together.

This is a great book for toddlers, very cute pictures, sparkly accents and cute story!

This is a great book. Each page has lots of different things to touch and feel. The pages are very thick and durable. The text is cute and I don't get tired of having to read it over and over to my 18 month old.

This really is a beautiful book and a favorite of my daughters when she was 1 & 2 yrs old. She is 4 now and she still enjoys looking at the pictures and touching everything. The book has held up extremely well and still looks practically new.

My 11 month old loves this book so much she squeals with delight! It is bright, cheerful, colorful and interactive, a must read for her bedtime.

I bought this book for my 9mnth old daughter and she loves to feel the different textures. Even my 3yr old loves to touch it. With all the colors and textures my daughter sits long enough for me to read it to her, because she can touch stuff. Very fun and cute book for little ones.

a simple short and well written story which is appealing to any age reader, if you enjoyed books like "all creatures great and small" or "charlottes web" you might enjoy it. Contrast to "I am the Great Horse" another horse story but written creatively from Alexander the Great's Bucephelus' point of view, which is more child like.

Michael Morpurgo's WAR HORSE tells of war horse Joey, who began life as a farm horse with a gentle boy master and was sold into the army during World War I. Fans of Black Beauty and other classic animal stories will find this first-person horse's eye story of war and change brings to dramatic life all the conflicts and struggles of battle.

I recommend War Horse because it is a story about dealing with death, and growing up.
Joey is a horse that is taken by a farmer. Then he is sent off to war.
This book will interest many people especially people who like horses. You never really know what will happen next.
When I read War Horse it was like I was there, and I felt like I knew him all my life.
The characters are explained so well that I could see all of them perfectly in my head.
This book only has 21 short chapters, but they have so much information in such small chapters. My favorite part is when...never mind, it will give it away. To find out what my favorite part is you have to read it your self. It might be your favorite part too!
I enjoyed War Horse, I hope you do to.

Wow! What a thrill to find this book still available after over 40 years! I read it repeatedly when I was in about 4th grade. It says a lot about the quality of the story that it has stuck with me all these years. It really showed me at a young age the suffering that some animals must endure, and the quiet patience and courage with which they endure it. I can still picture Joey struggling in thick mud to pull his load. And even as young as I was, it made me understand more what my older uncles had experienced in WW1. I am definitely getting this for the kiddies, but before I give it to them, I am going to read it again myself!

I decided to pick up War Horse after the nice, new cover caught my eye in a local bookstore and immediately brought it home, cracked open the cover, and allowed myself to be swept off into Joey's story.
I love the fact that this book comes directly from the "horses point of view," which is similar strikingly familiar to Black Beauty by Anna Sewell as to compared to Michael Morpurgo's War Horse.
The story starts out with the description of a painting of a horse, and than jumps into the horse painted in the picture, Joey, who is bought by a farmer and brought home to Albert, who loves and cares for him similar to Joe Green did in Black Beauty. The stories end similar, with different twist. But we aren't focusing on Black Beauty here...
Joey ends up being sold into war, where he learns the task of bearing men through the machine fire of war, dragging the dead away in carts and even being used to pull the cannons to the front lines. His life is hard, but he does the best he can under many different owners, the majority of them kind and caring, from going to the English to the Germans themselves, we see the innocence of the Deutschlanders struggle to fight the war against the British and the French. Joey also makes close friends with a fellow war horse called Topthorn, a tall, black stallion that seems a lot like Ginger. The two remain together for a long time, always partnered up and never too far away from the other.
All the while Joey wonders about Albert.
This is a nice story to read to anyone whom loves horses and there point of view on things. The war that Joey took part in was a frightening one and isn't for young children. I found this a nice read and a nice companion to Black Beauty. So if you love World War I, and horses, try picking up and reading War Horse.

Hans, a young boy, comes from a family of bakers. Nonetheless, he dreams of working with the handsome Lippizan stallions of Vienna.

How this unlikely dream comes true is an encouraging and challenging story for young readers. It's a reminder that goals can be achieved.

This is a handsome book with the march of the stallions around the arena decorating the front and back fly leaves. Wesley Dennis's inspired black and white sketches which appear throughout are treasures in themselves.

Ah, what can I say about such an important book in my life?

Hans is a poor boy who dreams of riding dressage with the Spanish Riding School of his native Vienna. He attains his goal through hard work and perseverance, by his own merit and against the odds. The book is beautifully written with a flowing narrative style, engaging for both adults and children. The illustrations are the best I have seen from Dennis, at times humorous, at times scholarly, and always precise.

I did my senior thesis on the birth of dressage in the Renaissance, but without this book I would never have even heard of Xenophon, or the passage, or known that the Ancient Greeks rode without stirrups. I illustrated it with my own copies of Wesley Dennis's drawings from this book.

Also highly recommended as horsey history, "Gaudenzia, Pride of the Palio" by the same writer/illustrator team.

If you would like to find out more about Classical dressage please check out Laura Camins's "Glorious Horsemen" and Walter Leitdke's "Royal Horse and Rider," both of which deal with the birth of dressage in the Renaissance according to modern scholarship, and by extension the noble equestrian ballets of which the Spanish Riding school is the last still extant. Did you know that the Louvre's great central courtyard was designed to accommodate horse ballets exactly like those in this book?

When I first read this book, when I was about seven years old, I owned a Lipizzan mare of my own. She was for me what Borina was to Hans, my schoolmaster. She was small and gray, with a wide girth, branded, and very long lived. She would do caprioles as we galloped through the field, I kid you not. Were it not for this book I would not have the words to describe her, to remember her like this, and so I am indebted Marguerite Henry.

To bring one spark of beauty into the world is worth a life's dedication, is it not? Certainly mine.

Read the book and you will understand.

This is the story of Hans, a young Austrian boy that wishes more than anything to work with the "Dancing White Horses," the Lipizzaner stallions of Vienna. In the story he is accepted to the Spanish Riding School, the finest riding school in the world, and then the work begins. Teamed with his patient instructors, one two-legged and one four-legged, Hans sets out to achieve his dream and prove to everyone that any goal is possible with dedication. This is my all-time favorite horse story; the characters are believeable, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is timeless.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It didn't take long at all to finish it. I love horses and if you are a horse lover you should really read this book. Marguerite Henry makes me want to read more.

If you have any doubts about purchasing this book, forget them and buy it now. I was given this book when I was a child (20 years ago) and it thrills to me to this day. Ms. Henry writes with such imagery that you find yourself caught up as Hans, the young boy who is captivated by the stallions. Not only is the writing terrific, but so is the artwork. This story is one of my all-time favorites.

This is an oversized paperback that would work superbly in front of a classroom. The text is very simple, calling the reader to search for the body parts of a tiger: eyes, whiskers, tracks, etc. It also serves as a
fine introduction to art. The illustrations are richly stylized with
color, mood, texture and pattern.

As a parent of ten children (now grown) and a first grade teacher of 7 years now, I love this book-as do my students. It is colorful,encourages imaginative thinking and easy to follow. I use it for our animal unit as well as discussing story elements.

A tiger wonders why everything avoids him, and compares his body
to other creatures. We love this book for the extraordinary artwork, full of detail.

I have no children of my own but have been a nanny for 6 years. Of all the stories I've read . . . this is by far the best! I give it to every person I know with children! Thank you for such a wonderful story, such beautiful artwork and such wonderful sounds!

This is a true picture book-as the pictures tell the story beyond the words. The illustrations go the distance for story time reading, as well as working for up close inspection (be sure to look for that unconcerned snail on every page!). I just never tire of this book and its illustrations, and I have been a fan of it for six years. The illustration of carp, tiger, and jungle folliage provide visual saturation satisfaction. The simple repetitious rhymes are fun to say, they roll off the lips in a way not always found in rhyming text, with wonderful repeating sounds. The story message is sweet, loud and clear, yet subtle at the same time. Thank you for this gem, Mr. Baker!

For children 3 years old and up.

As Faith the snail relates in this simple, pleasant tale of transformation, "As the world turns, so do you. When you change for the good, you change the world too."

Faith is the wise mentor of Anew, a young caterpillar who feels growing pangs of doubt and uncertainty. Though Anew dreams of standing atop rosebuds and viewing mountains from the sky, he is also afraid. Through further dreams and Faith's counsel, Anew learns that "thinking like a caterpillar does not work for butterflies." Following the flow of his own inner yearnings, Anew comes to embrace the mystery of change.

This charming story provides reassurance to young readers who are just learning to navigate their own changing world. Vibrant watercolor illustrations from award-winning artist Aries Cheung add humor and a lovely dash of zip to Anew's adventures.

Growing up my father and I had a favorite children's book that we read together every night. My father passed away last year but the memories of those moments are still with me today. I had been searching for a similar story that I could share with my children. Now I have found it. Wings of Change is a wonderful book that helps to explain the process and importance of change in life. I found that this story does a nice job of communicating this powerful lesson to children and adults alike. I highly recommend this story to anyone who is looking for a special way to connect with their children and help guide them through life.

Wings of Change follows the adventures of a very happy little caterpillar named "Anew." Through a series of dreams and with the help of his friend and mentor, Faith the snail, Anew learns to accept his approaching metamorphosis, discovering that, "thinking like a caterpillar does not work for butterflies." Franklin Hill's inspired and entertaining analogy shows young readers that they need not fear the inevitable changes within their own lives. Aries Cheung's artwork is perfectly suited to this charming, insightful, and very original picturebook story.

Wings of Change presents the children's story of a contented caterpillar who is afraid to become a butterfly. This simple metaphor reflects the insights that Dr. Franklin Hill has gained while facilitating progressive changes in education. Dr. Hill specializes in planning new educational facilities. He is well acquainted with the effects of change on the young and the young at heart. Dr. Hill created this beautiful story to illustrate how the process of change, though sometimes scary, can lead to positive transformation. The rich illustrations by renowned graphic artist, Aries Cheung, are exceptional and colorful. Confused by the changes he feels are coming, Anew the caterpillar looks to his friend, Faith, for guidance. Faith reassures Anew that one positive action can change the whole world. Anew chooses to trust Faith and his own dreams. Anew finds happiness as he transforms into a vibrant butterfly. He can finally view the meadows from the sky! Dr. Hill's excellent book Wings of Change will provide peace and optimism for young readers learning to navigate their own changing world.

Back when he designed his first school, Frank Hill did all the right things. He talked to the faculty members about their programs and goals. He studied all the literature about the future of education and educational technology. He met with the school board to discuss its vision for the district. Then he integrated his research into a building that was the school of the future, primed and prepared for all the educational changes and progress everyone had outlined to him with such enthusiasm.

The educators took one look at the plans and declared they didn't like them.

"I thought, 'what went wrong?'" Hill said. "Then I realized it wasn't the design, it was the changes it would require. People are afraid of change. It's human nature. So I had to figure out how to assuage their fears."

That was 15 years ago. Hill, an urban planner and president of Hill and Associates of Bellevue, has learned quite a bit about the fear of change and what to do about it; enough that he has designed or redesigned more than 60 schools, each time matching the design to its future, not present needs and, each time, running into people who thought those changes were a fine idea, until they realized they were the ones who would have to adapt to them.

Hill decided the easiest thing to do would be to simply give them a book on overcoming one's fear of change. So he wrote one.

All Ages:
"Wings of Change" (Illuminations Arts, Bellevue, illustrations by Aries Cheung) is a book for children, actually. But its principles can apply to any of us. In it, a good-natured caterpillar named Anew is quite happy with his life. Then his friend Faith, a snail, explains that changes are afoot. Anew doesn't understand. But Faith reassures him, "As the world turns, so do you. When you change for the good, you change the world, too."
Anew starts having odd dreams. In one, he decides he can fly. But caterpillars can't fly so crash he does to the ground. Then he dreams he has a butterfly's wings, but a caterpillar's body. He tries to fly again and again, he crashes. Then he dreams has a butterfly's wings and body, but when a bird tries to catch him, rather than fly, he runs like a caterpillar and gets snagged in some thorns.

Thinking like a caterpillar does not work for butterflies, he realizes. Faith explains that the dreams were preparing him for a very big change. Instinctively, Anew starts spinning his cocoon. A few weeks later, he emerges as a butterfly; but not just any butterfly. The new Anew has prepared himself for this, the biggest change of his life. The strange new experiences of flying and seeing the world from the sky are fun, not frightening. While he enjoyed being a caterpillar, he enjoys being a butterfly more.

The fear:
A simple parable, "Wings of Change" incorporates a number of the principles Hill developed for overcoming fear of change.
First, he found, everyone is apprehensive to some degree about change. After all, not all change is good, Hill said. Consider the changes brought about by an earthquake or a heart attack.
As a result, people tend to respond to the good change in three general ways. Some pick up the latest trend and throw themselves into it with blind enthusiasm. The problem with that is they often have no vision for the changes they are making. Like Anew, they fly because they think they should, not because they are prepared for it.

Next, people often want to change, but can't get rid of their old behaviors. They may have butterfly wings, but they still have a caterpillar's body.

Finally, a lot of us end up with all the latest technical and intellectual developments in our fields at our fingertips, but we still think it terms of the status quo. We can't integrate our style with the new circumstances. We have a butterfly's body, but we still think like a caterpillar.
What to do?
Hill found the first step in adapting to change is to recognize how the change will make things better. If you are dealing with someone else's fear of change, you do that by involving the person in the process and showing how the change will be relevant to their goals and activities. Then you demonstrate how they can use elements of the change to accomplish more of what they want to do, Hill said.

Sounds fairly simple. But you're dealing with fear, which is both complicated and irrational. So a fair amount of patience is a good idea.

Dealing with children's fear of change is actually easier, Hill said. Childhood is a continuum of change and kids often sense when a change in their lives in imminent. When it is imminent, encourage the kid to view changes as growth and improvement, Hill said. And, help the child make the change within a safe environment so he or she can exercise control of it.
"Fear of change is often the fear of loss of control, and for good reason," Hill said.

Find your focus:
It is a legitimate fear because change is often thrust upon us, whether we are prepared or not, he said. When that happens, the key is to concentrate on your personal intentions; what will make your world better, even when the world beyond it is in a state of confusion and flux? Often you can adapt elements of the change swirling around you and make them work for you, Hill said.

"Wings of Change" is Hill's first book. He has three more in mind, all of them children's books. He recently finished "Wings Within" about a spiritually self-actualized snail, and is working on books three and four. He won't reveal their plots, other than to say they involve bees and butterflies.
"I write children's books because if I can make things clear enough for children to understand, I just might understand them myself," Hill said.