Miriam Cohen's stories bubble with the energy of children. They address the real stuff that's on kid's minds without being preachy or moralistic or stodgy. Eddy's Dream reminds me of the "Jim" series of books that are now classics and in every school library across the country. What's so amazing about this book is it's fresh approach: using Adam Cohen's intimate photographs insead of illustrations. Together, Miriam and Adam Cohen give us a vivid story of how kids interact and what they dream of.

It's a great story for parents to read and for kids to listen to (or read themselves). Best of all, my seven year old son picked it over and over as the book we'd read together at reading time.

You'll love it! And so will your child!

I just had the opportunity to see this book up close, and it's just amazing. I was so moved that these kids used their imaginations to transport a boy mired in sadness to a dream trip to his beloved grandma in Puerto Rico. I just loved Miriam Cohen's ability to lift the spirits of both children and the adults who read to and with them with this book.

It isn't often you get a book these days with black and white photographs. Somehow I think we think kids won't look at them, but what a mistake! This book is simply special. There's room in the text and pictures for the reader to find her/his own magic. And that's what it's all about isn't it. Can't imagine a kid not getting caught up. Thank you Miram and Adam Cohen!

Growing up in the Bronx in the 40's was not unlike the scenes of Brooklyn in "Mimmy & Sophie." The story and, especially,the illustrations, depicted the time perfectly. It brought back many memories -- falling asleep to the the sound of the streetcar on my block, playing outside without a "play date" or organized sport. I especially liked the scenes with the Charlotte Russe and the misspelling of those words. The interaction between the sisters was true to life. I'm anxious to read this book to my grandchildren and discussing what it was like growing up in New York City many years ago.

Thomas Yezerski and Miriam Cohen make a great team! The story of two young girls and their life together is perfectly captured in Mr. Yezerski's awesome illustrations. We would love to read more Mimmy and Sophie stories in bookstores soon.

I've got two little girls who love each other very much but are still learning to "play nice". It's great to find such a beautiful about two sisters in the same situation.

What a fun book to read. This book lends itself so well to a riveting read aloud. Add your own voice accent and song rhythm as you rollick your way through the subway scene that is so aptly captured. Fun for the reader, fun for the hearers!

Miriam Cohen explores what it means to "be a reader" through her delightful class of first graders. Jim wonders when he will learn to read. His holistic teacher points out to him that he is already reading many things such as familiar books, classroom signs and so on. As young children enjoy reading (or listening) about Jim's exploration, they also are learning about reading and what it means to be a reader. This book helps children understand that reading is developmental and depends on the social context. A great book for Pre-K to 1st graders. I use it with a unit called "I Can Read" that helps children appreciate their early reading abilities. Also a good choice for older children who are working with young readers as reading buddies or partners. This book is also a good choice for open house or parent meetings- to help anxious first grade parents to relax. If you haven't read any of the other books in this series, check them out too!

This is definently a must read- although more mature readers may find it a bit babyish. It taught me to be independant and not always tag along with my friends (in the book it was Elizabeth who did not want to lose her sister, Jessica). Also it was not like a fairy tale it was not something that you could not relate to. All the episodes in the book were things that could happen to anybody. I thought that the Author should have stuck to one story line instead of using two- Elizabeth and Jessica growing up and Ballet classes. I think that it should of been just about them growing up and how they changed in Middle School when Jessica started getting worried about her appearance and what the popular crowd thought of her. Jessica started putting her popular freinds in the Unicorn club ( which she manages to get into) before her very own identical twin sister. This makes Elizabeth very upset as she doesn't really like all those glamorous girls! And they should've made another book about their ballet classes and joined it to the sequal. But all in all I loved the book. I am a great fan of Sweet Valley.

This book is a great book to begin a fabulous series. Jessica and Elizabeth, identical twins sisters have shared everything for 12 years. Now Elizabeth thinks that they are growing apart. After all, Jessica wants to join the snobbiest group of girls who are in a club that is called the Unicorn club. Elizabeth on the other hand thinks the club is silly after she attends just one of their meetings. They just talk about her least favorite subjects: boys, clothes, and make-up... boring. So what it's just one little thing right? Well it's alot worse than that. Elizabeth is starting a sixth grade newspaper called the Sixers. Jessica thinks this idea is boring. She would rather spend her time with her popular friends. Elizabth is really hurt when Jessica says no to the paper. Soon the twins aren't even dressing alike. What will happen to the twins?

This book is so memorable. As I said, I read Sweet Valley University books mostly, but I still love Sweet ValleyB Twins. Anyway, in this book they start to grow apart. Jessica Wakefield is interested in boys and makeup, when Elizabeth wants to start a newspaper. Meanwhile, Jessica does something bad in order to get Elizabeth into the Unicorn Club.

Very enjoyable and reader friendly. Children relate to the situation, especially with the current pressure of standardized testing by the state agencies. Children love the ending... Friends are more important then testing results...

..."First Grade Takes a Test” is an excellent, multicultural book that should be in every elementary classroom, especially Kindergarten thru 3rd grades...For it’s use in demonstrating that the really important things in life aren’t measurable, and even as a tool for helping students understand and interpret poorly worded questions (and there will always be a handful of them on any standardized test), the book is invaluable. Highly recommended from this early childhood teacher.

My kindergarteners love this story about Jim and his supportive First Grade friends. The simple language is appealing (and not babyish!) The book also underscores the role ( positive and negative)a teacher plays in developing the child's self-esteem. It's a favorite!

This delightful story has many connections for middle schoolers as well as younger students. The older set can very quickly relate to a teacher that has convinced him or her that (s)he "can't". It is a favorite and the students love the illustrations as well as the realistic dialogue. I use it often in class and at home; it is also a frequently requested, quick, but potoent read-a-loud. A human twist to The Little Engine That Could AND a loud statement to any adult who lead a child to believe (s)he couldn't ...

This is a great book for preschoolers about making friends. I thought the scenario was very similar to what many preschool children encounter when they enter a group of strange children and try to make friends. Jim wonders who will be his friend in his new school (which could also be a daycare); some early encounters with other children are disappointing, but eventually he forms a bond with another boy. This book can help three to five year olds anticipate social situations at school or child care.

For over thirty years, this book has answered one of a young child's most important questions about starting school: will I have any friends? Walking to school on the first day with his father, that's the question Jim asks. His father smiles down at him and says, "I think you will." Jim's a little intimidated at first. "All the boys were making noise. All the girls were laughing. Where was his friend?" Like my two oldest kids, Jim stands at the edge of the action and waits for someone to invite him to join in. It takes awhile. He hasn't found his friend by snack time. He hasn't found his friend by rest time. Where is his friend? After rest time, the boy who was lying down next to Jim shows him a toy truck. Jim promises to bring his toy gas pump. He's found his friend! I wish my parents had shared this is a straight-forward, slice-of-life story with me when I was a shy three year old starting nursery school. It wouldn't have made me more outgoing, but it might have made me a little less nervous.

Very cute story. I love that backpack baby is riding on his DADDY! It is also wonderful to see that he is being carried, a nice switch from all the "stroller" type books out there. it is a very nurturing story. The illustrations in general are just terrible. All in all I would recommend the story to all families out there that carry their infants and want to reinforce that this is natural for many families. But I wish the pictures were as beautiful as the idea for the book was.

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This is a very cute story that takes a look at the selfishness that every little kid feels, in a really fun way. Another reviewer comment on the illustrations which I personally thought were pretty cool, they have a very childish cut & paste quality. My kids get a kick out of all of the backpack baby stories

She has been really struggling this year trying to learn how to read (she's in second grade now). But she actually took this up to her room and told me she wanted to read this by herself -and she did!