My 22 month old son loves this book. He brings it to me or my wife several times a day for reading. Not much text, good illustrations. Tools are grouped by function (tools that make holes, tools that measure etc.). A few of the tools are obsolete (like the bit & brace) but can be found in the workshops of grandparents.

Gibbons has created a complete study of wolves that is geared toward younger readers. Vocabulary is introduced and explained. Labels are placed in the illustrations to further understanding of the concepts. The illustrations are colorful and exciting. All in all this is a wonderful information book on wolves that engages the child. Features of the text include a map, diagrams of wolves body language, synopsis of some legends and tales, and a lesson on the reasons to protect the species. This book is a good teaching tool as well as an enjoyable read for children.

This book is about pirates and how they rob ships. This book is also about where pirates hide their treasure. It also talks about pirateers. I rate this book good because it was interesting. I recommend the book.

My situation and perspective comes from being a mother of a just turned 4 year-old who is for some reason, is interested in pirates and wants me to read books to him, yet is scared of them and has nightmares about them. I don't quite see how one can even discuss pirates with small children yet avoid discussions of robbery, guns, killing, and stealing. I don't think it is possible. For this review I will point out some things this book illustrates and discusses and let you decide whether your child is ready for this or may be of an age where these things may be too scary.

I borrowed this book from the library and when my son saw the cover he decided it was too scary for him and he didn't want me to read it to him. I read it to see how this author would depict pirates to an intended audience of 4-8 year olds who read picture books.

The book has a historical flair, citing places, dates, and real names of pirates. Sometimes I think there are too many dates than a young child would even care to hear about. A general overview of what a pirate is, what they do, and the harm they inflict is depicted. Swords are seen in every illustration and guns abound. Pirates have mean looks on their faces. Kidnapping is mentioned. Illustrations show scenes of pirates taking over ships and throwing people overboard. Actual dueling with swords and fighting with daggers is shown. Some passages can be scary "no treasure ship was safe from the fierce and greedy pirates". Cannon fighting is discussed and depicted. Shooting of guns in battle is shown. Walking the plank is shown. A picture shows the burning of a ship and is discussed. Treasure maps and treasure burying is briefly mentioned. How the countries dealt with pirates is discussed and mentions that pirates that are caught were often hanged for punishment (opening another can of worms for a child to be exposed to, another discussion for parent and child).

A confusing point is made where they say not all pirates are bad, and a pirate, well dressed, is shown holding a pistol and wearing a sword, these are called privateers and were considered heroes. I don't think that was explained well enough to make sense to a young child. It states the kings and queens hired them to rob ships of their enemies. I am so confused by this passage and think it sends mixed signals. This section should have either been discussed in more detail and more clearly or else just eliminated altogether since it leaves the reader confused as to whether killing and stealing is acceptable/good or is it bad (as the whole first part of the book was eluding to)? And why would it be all right and heroic for a king or queen to pay someone to kill and steal for them?

The book wraps up with saying that pirates no longer sail the seas and that "most of the oceans and seas are safe for travel". I dislike that element of unsure-ness over the safety of ocean travel. Yet another element of fear for young children, to think that even today they aren't safe if they go on a boat ride. Brief biographies of some well-known pirates (male and female) are at the end of the book.

I give it 4 stars because it is pretty detailed, is historically accurate, and the illustrations are good. I usually rate books that depict violence low, but as I said before, how can pirates be portrayed accurately if the fact that they rob, harm and murder is not included?

If you believe, love, or at least like dragons dont read this book.It destroys your beliefs and wonders.Gail Gibbons certainly did not have any imagination when he was a child.My friends and I LOVE dragons.We really did not like this book.Gibbons is trying to explain every thing about dragons,making dragon believers look like jerks.THE ONLY REASON I PUT A STAR IN THE RATING IS FOR THE A+ ART WORK.

I love dragons, and so does everyone else in my family. I hoped for a book that would feed my love of dragons with information and new dragons to love. Instead, I found this book constantly de-mystifying, taking all the wonder out of dragons. There were a couple of new dragons in the book, and some bits of new information, but overall, I felt a real letdown because I felt the author, instead of wondering with me about where all these dragons came from, explained them away, explained them out of existence so that they became silly stories ignorant people used to believe. Very sad, especially for children. Though there were token entries on Aztec and Chinese dragons, overall the book was very Eurocentric. It was also quite simplistic. It is possible to write a book for this age group that simplifies without being simplistic. The best thing about the book was the illustrations which were very colorful, cheeful and eye-catching. I would recommend this book for the child who doesn't read but likes looking at pictures of dragons, and tell the adults not to read anything but the names of dragons.

Gibbons gives an overview on the history of dragons from various cultures. The text is brief, but informative. Illustrations are colorful and well done. A great read. This is an excellent folklore book and is recommended reading for students from 1st through the 6th grade, and for teachers, as well.

This book, while it might be OK for reading at home, was inappropriately read to my 2nd grader's class by some school librarian who apparently thought the whole world is, or should be Christian. On the second page of text, the author describes Jesus Christ as a saviour, which might be true, but this is not what I send my kids to school for. Unfortunately, some school systems allow any books to be read, and purchased if the librarian thinks they are needed. What is needed is some concern for the constitution of the United States here (in Barnard, Vermont!) I guess if you're looking for a book about Santa, this is as good as any, if you're looking for a book to read in school, this is not it!

It has been a while since this book crossed my desk, but I felt I had to give a more informative review than the only other review here to date. While I don't recall all the details of this book I do remember being impressed with the thorough examination of the changes through the centuries of the idea of Santa Claus. I felt this book would be a very good way for an elementary aged child to learn more about the history of Santa than what they see watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer every December. I am not partial to any organized religion, especially christianity, and I was not offended by this book because I felt it was fairly objective. The author presents a clear picture of all the different people and legends that contributed to our idea of who Santa is.

Given that this is an informational book, I expected to find lots of info about caves and caverns, clearly described and detailed. The text is often confusing and raises more questions than it actually answers. This confusion is compounded by the artwork. The illustrations are appealing to the eye and well suited for children, but they do not work particularly well with this topic. The pictures that accompany the text are often confusing and do not interact well with the written word. (Not to mention the fact that all people represented in the art are white.) Actual photos might have been a better choice, esp. considering the age level. If you know a child who is interested in this topic and really wants to learn something about caves and caverns, this is not the book.