Nice addition to our 'train' collection.

My 2 year-old loves this book. It flows so nicely that I often sing the story to her, with her bouncing along to the "beat." Within no time, she had the book memorized. Its a fun story and the illustrations are lively and colorful.

We stumbled upon this book at the California Train Museum in Sacramento about 5 months ago and have been completely entralled with this masterpiece ever since. Not only are the illustrations vibrant and entertaining, the text offers a very special attribute: the rhyme actually has a train rhythm. Pulling out of the station the train clicks along at a slow pace, "The little black train goes down the track. Clickety clack, clickety clack." As the text tells who is on the train (yaks, acrobats, ducks, elephants...) and what they are doing (talking, singing, quacking, stomping...) it builds to a frantic speed until "two mice light fireworks" and give Driver Zach a "headache attack." At that point the "rhythm" of the "train" begins to slow as the passengers calm down and behave themselves and the train settles into an even-paced canter and leaves Driver Zach with a smile on his face. My then pre-2 year old had this book memorized within the first week and still asks for it daily. Another thing we found fun is to read it while whispering -- the rhythm is accentuated when you whisper and my son thinks it is especially funny. I cannot give this book more than 5 stars, unfortunately, but think that one that includes great artwork, catchy rhyming text, and incorporates a train rhythm to boot should be at the top of any train and/or rhythm and rhyme lover's book list.

The first time we heard this book, Toni Buzzeo actually read it. My daughter was only 6 months old and when Toni started to read it my daughter put all her attention to her and loved every minute of it. I got this book as soon as I could. She still loves it to this day!

"That's like me," my four year old said after our first reading of Dawdle Duckling. She totally related to day dreamer, Dawdle; she loves to do things her own way and her path is always filled with 'zigzags' and diversions that leave me trying to hurry her along. And like Dawdle, she knows that her mother is always waiting with open arms when trouble appears. After three readings she had the catchy refrain down and was 'reading' the book to herself. She loves the illustrations and picked right up on Dawdle's bent hat that sets him apart from his siblings. My daughter has proudly placed Toni Buzzeo's newest title in her special 'favorites' section of her bookshelf, and we are eager for more from Ms. Buzzeo.

Am I the only mom who always seemed to be saying, "Hurry up"? At one point, my oldest son said solemnly, "But I don't LIKE to hurry." Somehow it was a revelation. Oh. He doesn't LIKE to hurry. Anyone who has dealt with a dawdler will find this book hysterically funny...and great fun to share with kids. Toni Buzzeo has put her finger perfectly on the situation--and her dawdle duckling is a real charmer who doesn't get whapped with some punishment at the end but realizes for himself that there is a time to dawdle and a time to get zippy! Fabulous toddler book.

School visits can range from abismal to inspiring. It all depends on planning and communication. This book is the perfect resource for librarians and PTO visit coordinators, but it's also a between the lines how-to and fair-warning guide to authors and illustrators. All that plus an entertaining read. Don't miss this one!

As an author of children's books, it is important to me to connect with my readers in as many ways as possible. Terrific Connections is the perfect guide to making the author/reader experience a postitive one. With this book you can learn how to make those first connections, learn what makes a good visit great, learn from others what works and doesn't work, and so much more. Whether connecting virtually or in real time and space, this book sets the standard by which all future visits will be measured.

Author visits are a lot of work for everyone involved. Using this resource, you can be assured of making many terrific connections of your own. Authors, illustrators, teachers, and libraraions should all have this book.

C. VanHook...a media specialist, June 28, 2002,
Refreshing ideas to teach READING and GEOGRAPHY
What a great resource! I will take a 'focus' title from the resource and summarize the layout. Will Hobb's is a favorite author of mine, thus BEARSTONE: --begins with brief summary --background is brief with helpful teaching strategies to hook students --bookpairing section is attractive and formatted nicely to grab attention, also encourages reading more titles by same author, a feature I like! --expansion activities: Learn about author and themes in book. Websites are listed with detail about sites and suggestions for learning activities using these websites --hands-on activities give six brief but concise activities to do in classroom : graphic organizer, mapping, create character conversations, archaeologist journaling, cook, writing activity--covers the scope of the curriculum nicely here. --ready to go graphic organizer (student activity page) is included. Consistently, through the hands-on activities, additional books are brought into picture as well as more websites. This is packing so many useful resources into the 112-page resource! Books with audio recording are noted. Many cultures are touched on. There are 15 books recommended per seven U.S. regions covered in the resource. The table of contents will direct you to the 'beginning of each region' page. This page has a nice regional map that features 5 of the 15 books as 'focus' books. The other ten title recommendations are noted at the bottom of that page. All books refer to the states that are set in the stories. The authors will keep an updated list of websites to support this resource at their official websites. That's going 'above and beyond' and is greatly appreciated. The hands-on activities listed per 'focus' book are creative, innovative, exciting, and encourage students to think critically. Students will not just be 'cutting and pasting' information into the form of a book report. They will be living, feeling, and remembering the story for a lifetime! Permission is granted to copy and use the student activity page in the classroom. Excellent resource! Hope they do another just like this one--different titles or maybe with picture text books!!!!

Toni Buzzeo takes us on a magical trip back through time to the days when the vigilance and skill of the lighthouse keeper were the only things between a storm tossed ship and catastrophe. But then, there were some storms so fearsome that even the lights were of no help. Auntie Maita's reminiscences of her solitary childhhod on fictional Sanctuary Island are lyrical and moving. She tells the story of one storm and the sea chest that washed up on shore in its aftermath. The connection between the contents of the chest and the event that awaits Auntie Maita and her grand niece eighty years later is one that will leave you in tears as you gently close the cover of the book.

What a book! Toni Buzzeo has taken a Maine legend and transformed it with her lyrical language into a story of hope, the indomitable human spirit, and most of all, love.

My children (3, 5, 7 and 9) were fascinated by the surprising turn this story takes, and they were entranced by Mary GrandPre's beautiful illustrations.

THE SEA CHEST is a winner--highly recommended. We look forward to future picture books by Ms. Buzzeo.

Toni Buzzeo hits the ground running with her first picture book, The Sea Chest. As a long-time owner/director of a private primary school, I know that this fascinating tale will intrigue K-3 readers--the more so because, based on a local legend, it may even be true. Buzzeo's poetic use of language enchants the ear, while Mary GrandPre's gorgeously rich illustrations delight the eye. This would make a fabulous gift book for a favorite child, who is likely to treasure it forever. I can't wait for Toni Buzzeo's next book!

It is rare to find a book with excellent illustrations and story content. This book does both. My 5 and 2 1/2 yr old were spell bound waiting for "storms" coming. Perfect bedtime length!!A must for any childrens library!!

This book combines a cute story with very cute illustrations (the pastels are wonderful, but be aware that on a computer screen the colors look a lot less vibrant). It quickly became one of my daughter's favorite books (she's 2 years old), even though the story is slightly longer than other books we typically read to her. She especially likes the climax of the story, where the animals think that "storm" has finally cornered them in the barn. Mom and I like the story and pictures too, so it's not so bad having to read this one over and over.

I can't for the life of me figure out why our local bookstore doesn't display this book more prominently, as I think it would fly off the shelves with a little more prominent placement. I hope Tekavec and Spengler collaborate on another story soon.

A very cute story. Excellent illustrations. This is a must for any childs library. The story is written with much flair in all the animals in this humorous little book.