OK-I haven't read it 500 times but it IS consistently on the list of favorites. It has a bit of a thrill without getting too scary. Lavish illustrations.

In this story, which is told in rhyme, a small mouse insists on teasing a cat, while the cat is lounging on a hammock, drinking ice water, and generally minding his own business. A chase ensues each time the mouse begins the tease and the mouse scampers back to his mother to save him. By books end, the mouse has learned that it is not wise to tease. This book is extraordinary in its illustrations. My 3 year old son never tires of this book. It is a well read bedtime story. Highly, highly recommended!!

I learned of this book when I purchased another book and Amazon recommended it. What a sleeper! I had never heard of it. My 3 year old son laughs everytime we read it. The mouse insists on teasing the sleeping or relaxing cat, who then pursues him. The mouse runs to mommy to protect him. However, during the last chase, mommy cannot help and the mouse has to figure out how to save himself. There are some real slapstick scenes which my son loves. The cat has his nose tweaked, the cat falls off of his hammock, typical three year old humour. Highly, highly recommended!

Boredom settles over the crew of the space ship STAR WARTS and Commander Toad has to do something quick. Lieutenant Lily, Mr. Hop, Jake Skyjumper and Doc Peepers are all unhappy. They've watched all the ship's movies-SPLASH GORDON, THE TOAD WARRIOR, INDIANA FROG AND THE LILY PAD OF DOOM-and read all the ship's books-ROBIN TOAD, THE LIZARD OF OZ, and SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN WARTS-and played a lot of croak-kay, leapfrog, and hopscotch. There is nothing to do and they're all going a little crazy. That all changes the day Commander Salamander and his pirate crew arrive. Commander Salamander boards STAR WARTS and takes everyone captive except for Doc Peepers. Only a little while after that, Commander Salamander makes Commander Toad Hop the Plank at sword point! Only Doc Peepers can save the day!

Jane Yolen is an award-winning children's book author as well as a writer of adult science fiction and fantasy. She's earned the Caldecott-given for the most distinguished picture book, the Nebula-given to the most distinguished writing in the field of science fiction and fantasy, the Golden Kite-given by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the World Fantasy Award. She's written seven Commander Toad Adventures, including COMMANDER TOAD AND THE LONG VOYAGE HOME, COMMANDER TOAD AND THE PLANET OF THE GRAPES, COMMANDER TOAD AND THE SPACE PIRATES, and COMMANDER TOAD AND THE BIG BLACK HOLE. With dozens of books written in many genres, Jane Yolen is a great author to introduce to young readers.

Fun to read out loud and filled with puns and sight gags really well drawn by Bruce Degen, COMMANDER TOAD AND THE SPACE PIRATES is a blast to share with young or reluctant readers. The sentences are short and choppy, driving the story on and filling the events with laughs. The pirate talk, "Yo-ho-ho, me slithery-slees!" is top-notch and will inspire young readers to quote the lines long after the book is finished-if an adult is willing to read the passages in a properly piratical dramatization. The solution to the pirates, once revealed, is hilarious and makes perfect sense even to pre-readers who understand story and set-up that comes in narrative repetition.

The Commander Toad series, all seven books, is recommended for imaginative young readers who have already been exposed to STAR WARS, STAR TREK, and various other science fiction based television shows and movies. Jane Yolen is one of the most entertaining authors for young minds out there.

Commander Toad and the crew of the good spaceship Star Warts are bored out of their minds. They have played all of their games like leap frog and croak-kay, they have read all of their books like "Robin Toad" and "The Lizard of Oz," and they have watched all of there movies like "Splash Gordon" and "Indiana Frog and the Lilly Pad of Doom" so many times that the crew is desperate for something different. The good news is that the crew of the Star Warts get the diversion they want, but the bad news is that what breaks up the boredom is a gang of space pirates, led by the notorious Commander Salamander, the Scourge of the Skies and Goon of the Galaxie, who has a new game for the hostage crew to play: Hop the Plank.

"Commander Toad and the Space Pirates" is, on a very basic level, quite silly. But young readers are going to be drawn to the relentless puns and Jane Yolen does a good job of setting the reader up for something surprising to happen (probably involving a whole lot of tongue depressers) without really giving away what the big surprise is going to be at the end of the book. The artwork by Bruce Degen is appropriate (you will believe that a frog can fly...a spaceship) and does a nice job of capturing the narrative action. This is one of those books where you trick young kids into learning a life lesson, because while their chances of going off into deep space on a spaceship commanded by a toad are rather remote, kids manage to get bored all the time (or, more to the point, they often complain about being bored, which is not necessarily the same thing). So if any youngster makes the mistake of announcing that they are "bored" within your hearing, then toss this book at them, which should solve both their short-term and long-term problems with regards to the subject of boredom.

Boredom settles over the crew of the space ship STAR WARTS and Commander Toad has to do something quick. Lieutenant Lily, Mr. Hop, Jake Skyjumper and Doc Peepers are all unhappy. They've watched all the ship's movies-SPLASH GORDON, THE TOAD WARRIOR, INDIANA FROG AND THE LILY PAD OF DOOM-and read all the ship's books-ROBIN TOAD, THE LIZARD OF OZ, and SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN WARTS-and played a lot of croak-kay, leapfrog, and hopscotch. There is nothing to do and they're all going a little crazy. That all changes the day Commander Salamander and his pirate crew arrive. Commander Salamander boards STAR WARTS and takes everyone captive except for Doc Peepers. Only a little while after that, Commander Salamander makes Commander Toad Hop the Plank at sword point! Only Doc Peepers can save the day!

Jane Yolen is an award-winning children's book author as well as a writer of adult science fiction and fantasy. She's earned the Caldecott-given for the most distinguished picture book, the Nebula-given to the most distinguished writing in the field of science fiction and fantasy, the Golden Kite-given by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the World Fantasy Award. She's written seven Commander Toad Adventures, including COMMANDER TOAD AND THE LONG VOYAGE HOME, COMMANDER TOAD AND THE PLANET OF THE GRAPES, COMMANDER TOAD AND THE SPACE PIRATES, and COMMANDER TOAD AND THE BIG BLACK HOLE. With dozens of books written in many genres, Jane Yolen is a great author to introduce to young readers.

Fun to read out loud and filled with puns and sight gags really well drawn by Bruce Degen, COMMANDER TOAD AND THE SPACE PIRATES is a blast to share with young or reluctant readers. The sentences are short and choppy, driving the story on and filling the events with laughs. The pirate talk, "Yo-ho-ho, me slithery-slees!" is top-notch and will inspire young readers to quote the lines long after the book is finished-if an adult is willing to read the passages in a properly piratical dramatization. The solution to the pirates, once revealed, is hilarious and makes perfect sense even to pre-readers who understand story and set-up that comes in narrative repetition.

The Commander Toad series, all seven books, is recommended for imaginative young readers who have already been exposed to STAR WARS, STAR TREK, and various other science fiction based television shows and movies. Jane Yolen is one of the most entertaining authors for young minds out there.

My husband calls our 2-year old son "Doodlebug" so you can guess how excited I was to find this book!

When he opened it on Father's Day morning, he was practically speechless. Of course, he and our son immediately opened it and read it! They both loved it and so did I.

The pictures are bright and colorful without being too distracting. The recommended age was 4-6, but our 2-year old sits through the reading.

It has become one of our favorite books. It's such a sweet and funny father and son book.

For some fathers, it is easy for forget that young children will model themselves on their parents. One of the best ways to have that reminder be a pleasant spur to being a better role model is to read this book. In this tongue-twisting, extra-arm-and-leg sporting tribute to fathers, you'll get lots of laughter and bonding. I recommend this book as a gift from a child for father's day.

Doodlebugs have four arms and hands. As a result, they can do a lot more than you or I can.

Here are some examples of the wordplay:

You will hear about "soup-and-noodle bugs" and "apple strudel bugs." To do this, you have to go to "Mayfly's Diner."

At the zoo, they eat "potoodle chips" because Daddy is a "foodlebug."

They can walk their "poodlebug" which has 6 legs and paws.

Outdoors, they "padoodle" their canoe. Also, they go for "bugoodle rides" in the park.

Looking for fireflies after dark, they play "hoodle and seek bug."

You will also learn about "tagoodlebug," "fairytoodles," "Goldiebug," "Robin Hoodlebug," "storyoodlebug," and "bedboodles."

As you can see, the reading here will make Peter Piper picking his peck of pickled peppers seem like a snap.

A good way to enjoy this book is to make up your own language and pretend that you and your child are different kinds of creatures that you both find to be fun. You may soon have a fiction author emerging from your word play!

Take off from where you are to more humorous and happy realms together with your child!

Great book, in the most frequently requested pile. Theillustrations are really charming and the wordplay is alot offun....unless you are reading it for the third time in one sitting!

Guess Who's Coming, Jesse Bear is the latest of the Jesse Bear series, a charming set of soft-cover picturebooks about young Jesse Bear, his family, and his friends. In Guess Who's Coming, Jesse Bear, the young ursine shares a delightful week-long visit from his cousin, with outdoor excursions, playtime and happy memories. Written by Nancy White Carlstrom in simple, friendly rhyming verse, and illustrated by Bruce Degen with affectionate color drawings, Guess Who's Coming, Jesse Bear is a highly enjoyable and recommended read-aloud story.

I now have 5 Jesse Bear books, Guess who's Coming Jesse Bear
is a great book for my grandchildren. They are easy to read and my grandson who's 2 has memorized some of the words. Again there is nothing more satisfying to sit and read to my grandchildren. Knowing the knowledge they get is the best. I will be watching for more of Jesse Bear books in the future!

My preschool kids love this story, especially when they learn that even little people can have complex relationships with each other.

We never tire of Josefina's story. It was a great introduction to the western migration, and sparked my daughters curiosity about the prairie and the period. I would recommend it.

When Ralphie takes Liz home for the weekend, something's wrong! He forgot Liz's habitat! What place is best for Liz? A nest? A pond? A rock? Can you help Ralphie find a home for Liz?

In the Children's book Jamberry by Bruce Degen, the pictures tell practically the whole story. The story begins with a sweet brown bear taking a berry picking adventure with a curious little boy. As they go about their berry-finding expedition, the illustrator depicts each scene with enormous imagination and creativity. The pages hold bright pictures that are simple enough for little children to comprehned and detailed so that each page holds someting new and entertaining. As the pair find themselves in going over a Niagra like berryfall, we see bread growing on bushes and jellybeans steming out of rivergrass. Upon arriving in Berryland, the two march in a berry parade, which circles the raspberry jam skating rink. This story holds age appropriate material which will hold toddlers attention enough to get to the ending where the the berry explorers expereince a jam jamboree with berries of all types. I highly reccommend this book for younger children. After reading it to my little brother once, I am now asked to read it everynight!

One of my all-time favorites for children aged four months to 2 1/2 years! The youngest will enjoy the enthusiastic alliterative rhyming and the bright colors; toddlers (and adults!) will also enjoy the clever pictorial links between each page (preparations for fireworks are shown in the corner of one page; delightfully exploding berries on the next).

I don't know whether this book is more fun for the reader or the listener ("Raspberry/Jazzberry/ Razzamatazzberry/ Berryband/Merryband/Jamming in Berryland"), but it will fast become a favorite for you and a child! An enchanting tale, beautifully told: A perfect gift!

Come join a little boy and his very endearing bear friend as they travel through berryland, on a "razzamatazzberry" adventure of a lifetime, picking and eating and playing together. Bruce Degen fills this entertaining treasure of a book with lively and joyous wordplay, alliteration, and high-spirited fun, and complements his jazzy, rhyming verse with bright, bold, and engaging illustrations. Imaginations will soar with each page turn as little ones explore the busy artwork, finding something new and special each time they open the book. Perfect for preschoolers, Jamberry is a marvelous mouth-watering, toe tapping, energetic, romp that begs to be read aloud, and is sure to send you off to the kitchen for a jamberry snack of your own. This is a classic to share with family, friends and future generations. "Mountains and fountains/Rain down on me/Buried in berries/What a jam jamboree!"

Would you really board a bus that could turn into a spaceship? Well, the kids in Ms. Frizzle's class did it once again. The Magic School Bus Gets Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole. This time they were off on another fantastic adventure in space. It gets very crazy in his book when Ms. Frizzle gets lost in space and the class has to go on without her. The children also have to learn now to deal with Arnold's cousin Janet. She is a "know it all" who shares everything with every one. This book is great for a couple of reasons. First, the pictures really let you visualize space. Second, the pages are set up so that you can learn something on every page. This book is a really good introduction to a space unit. It really encourages you to learn more about space. I think the author must include her own love of adventure and learning in every magic school bus book. She has so many great lessons that are packed with information. I hope you look forward to finding out if the children can save Ms. Frizzle and if there will be any more great adventures!

The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System is one is a series of science adventure books by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen (Illustrator), all of which are trulky excellent. The chart the adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her class as they go on some really interesting field trips.

The books operate on several levels. They work as adventure stories as the manner in which they get diverted from an ordinary school field trip to the adventure at hand is always entertaining. The illustrations are truly wonderful and add to the story line very effectively. The books do in fact contain a lot of basic information about the topic at hand, so your kids are actually learning something as they read. And, as a final bonus, the books always involve some sore of class socialization issue, so your kids are exposed to some real life classroom issue, (here it's a Miss know-it-all type) and strategies for dealing with them as well. On top of all that, the books are just plain fun.

A great series for late pre-schoolers and early elementary age kids. So, what are you waing for? Jump on the Magic School Bus and have some fun!!!

The book I reviewed is The Magic School Bus in Outer Space by Joanna Cole. This book is about planets. When read this book I learned about the planets. I thought this book is a good book. They fly around the planets. Ms. Frizzle leaves the bus then she meets the kids later. She goes back to the magic school bus and they all go see the other planets. Then they go back to school.

My daughter has loved this book since receiving it on her first birthday. We like that Mommy, Daddy and Jesse bear are interactive in the story.The ryhming text makes it easy and enjoyable to read after a nonstop day.

Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?, is an excellent book. This book focuses on younger children, but is interesting and fun for all to read. I am currently 16 years old and I have owned this book since I was very little. One can tell by the condition of the cover it was a very well liked bedtime story. The story tells of Jesse, a little bear cub, and what he does during the day. Jesse goes through the story telling what he wears for every activity he does, whether it is sand, a shirt or his pajamas. Jesse is a very mischevious, and spunky little cub who will keep you paying attention throughout the story. This book has great illustrations and will be treasured forever.

We love Jesse Bear. My husband and I are touched by the way our now 15 months old baby loves this book...she likes to hear the story over and over (like is normal for all kids at this age) a lot more than she like to hear other stories, she knows many words and acts out (in her very own way) the things that Jesse Bear is doing. When Jesse Bear's pants dance she dances, she touches her toes and screams TOES! when Jesse Bear is playing with a rose in his toes...She waits excited for the part about Jesse Bear wearing his CHAIR! and for the carrots and PEAS!, she loves the blanket that's blue and plays peek-a-boo and gives "bear hugs" to us...She just totally loves it. The illustrations of the book are beautifully done...Although I did notice that the papa bear comes home at night just for bath and bed time I don't consider that to be incorrect at all...the story portraits a very loving papa bear who -in this case like for many real life families- is working out all day. The mama is home taking care of Jesse Bear...I think this story could represent any happy family's normal day, whether is the mom or the dad working out of the home or both, the story has a main caregiver with the child all day and a loving parent who comes later on. The rhyme is nice, sweet and musical. My daughter can spend a long time just browsing through its pages and mumbling with joy things about Jesse Bear's adventures. This book is MUST HAVE for babies and young children.

My son likes this book. It gives some good insights into germs and our bodies. he likes the entires Magic School Bus series - but this is one of his favorites. An easy read before bedtime - just the right length.

My daughter is 3 1/2 years old. I got this book and wasn't sure if it would be to complicated for her. She loves it! I have ordered a few more Magic School Bus books and she can't get enough of them. She even drew a picture of her Daddy's red blood cells! It was hilarious. But best of all, she enjoys them so much. They are her favorite books and she is learning about science. I wish I had these when I was a kid.

Very fun to read and educational. My daughter is 7 years old and she must have read it ten times. She only usually reads a book once!