Note to parents - the physical size of this book is actually quite small, smaller than the routine "Spot" board books for example. It's fine for small hands, but in it's "new" condition, the pages need to be "broken in" to make reading easier. BUT don't let the small size of the book scare you off - small does not mean short. It's a good length with excellent pictures.

Aside from it's size, this book is a sure fire hit!! It features everyday situations on each page, with one picture being the opposite of the other e.g. Ernie is at the front of the line, Bert is at the back of the line.

If your toddler loves Sesame Street, they will love this little book. It is perfectly sized to slip into the Diaper bag. It features everyday situations in the bath, at the playground, or at home, so my 16 mo old son could follow along from the first read. Be aware there is not a single picture of Elmo. Its fine by us since my son is indifferent to Elmo but is a huge fan of Ernie who is featured on many pages with Bert, and Cookie shows up on several pages too.

I have a one year old and this is one of the cutest books for that age. It is very durable and small. She gets excited because she has learned the words when you say up next you say down, when you say in next you say out. She gets very excited and takes it and runs off.

Jim Henson was a man who managed to sum up the whole intire feeling of what it was to be young, and full of energy in his fantastic creations. His work, from Mupets to films such as 'Labyrinth' and 'The Dark Crystal', showed us that he could tap that part of our minds that wanted to let go, and be free to live in our fantasies. This book, unlocks the back door to the mind that created our most cherished characters from the Henson world. It shows us where these characters came from, and also gives us an insight to the man who made it all happen. I found this book to be a real Gem, and an adventure. Just seeing the doodles Jim did as a child, or a teen, and some of his non character based art work, was fascinating. Buy this book If you are a fan of Mr hensons work. It is not the most complete book, as far as his other projects go, and some people may wish that some of his film work had got into the book. But for those that like to get closer to their idols, and want to feel like a close friend looking through his old scrapbooks, get this book. You won't be dissapointed.

This is a must for all you muppet fans!

The wonderful new long awaited book, Jim Henson's Desings and Doodles is almost a museum on paper. It shows Jim's best artwork, from storyboards, to puppet desingns, even a very early Kermit sketch. The book also features a never before seen look at the never produced special, "Johnny Carson and The Muppet Machine" which was to be a physcedelic trip into the 1960's. The artwork is very detailed, and even has a stone carving of Ed Macmahon! The book also shows some of his early work, including silkscreen images of meloncholy (which was inspired by the death of his brother , Paul) and concert posters and crazy characters who were soon to be Frackles!

One of the best parts of the book is Henson 's early commercial storyboards, which feature the two popular commercial Muppets ,Wilkins and Wontkins, Hansel and Gretel Muppets, and Kermit, The Snerfs and Rowlf (the IDEAL doll ad where Kermit sings the unfamilliar jingle"Oh buy us, oh buy us, oh buy us we beg! If you do not buy us, we'll bite you in the leg!!!) . Early drawings of the La Choy Dragon, and Nutty Bird(Royal Crown soda ads, precursor to Big Bird) are also featured.

The book brings us for the first time many illustrations of show ideas that never made it to the small screen. The Zoocus (The Zoo Circus), The Entertainers, and Martian Landing are all examples shown by illustrations from Jim's fertile imagination. The Zoocus was to be a show full of new Muppets such as Mr. Ripple and Carbourator Jones and had a guest star on each show (Sound like TMS to you?). The show would be a variety but would mostly ,as shown in Henson's drawings,be a talk show with the guest, where the Muppets would lounge behind large alters and other sets. The Entertainer was to be a show about a travelling vaudevillian show where Muppet men (and a can can girl) would sing popular songs at the time. This was also to be a Variety type show. Martian Landing would feature Muppet Koosebaine like creatures that would swap jokes and do skits on another planet. It was to be a Live variety show. It ashame these didn't get aired.

This book has so much I haven't mentioned yet, (I don't want to spoil it!) and it is definetly worth every penny. By far, one of my favs. among a long line of Muppet Books. Enjoy!

Jim Henson was one of the most imaginative people of this past century and this book beautifully captures some of his brilliance in the form of sketches, doodles and small art pieces. If you've ever marveled at his artistry, or wondered at his talent, then this is the book for you.

What I most enjoyed about this collection are the sketches and stories from Jim Henson's earliest years and most obscure projects. Alison Inches has included Jim's cartoons from college, High School program designs, album covers, advertisment ideas and story boards, as well as characters like, Taminella Grinderfall, Thog, Chicken Liver and Baskerville. Have no fear though, plenty of more widely known projects and characters are featured as well. We're taken through the steps from Sam and Friends, to the Muppet's succesful commercials, to Rowlf the Dog's appearances on The Jimmy Dean Show, through The Muppet Show and Sesame Street. Along the way we're also treated to many unrealized puppets and projects. It's a facinating journey and one that you're sure to revisit many times over.

Any designer, puppeteer, artist or Muppet fan will be fasinated by this book. But don't think you'll be geting a comprehensive career retrospective. I'd recomend "Jim Henson: The Works" for that. The focus here is squarely on the creation and design, which is right where it should be and it makes Designs and Doodles the perfect companion piece to Jim Henson: The Works. One giving you a look at his projects and the other a glimpse into his mind. And oh, what a marvelous glimpse it is!

I read this to a class of 2/3 year olds and a class of 3/4 year olds and the kids ggigled through the whole book. They answered Grovers questions and wanted it read again and again. This is very similar to the Monster at the End of the Book. I highly recommend this book.

This was one of my all-time, absolute FAVORITE books as a small child. It was so silly and such fun. It still makes me smile.

I have been searching for this delightful book in children's stores for some time. I have five children and wore out two copies of this much loved book and I was thrilled to find it here! If you can try to imitate Grover's voice a bit when you read it to your child,it makes it even more special. The declaration at the end about the child being the reader's BEST FRIEND brought tears to my eyes almost everytime we read it.This book is a real TREASURE. I heartily encourage you to try this book out on your favorite,(or even troublesome child), and watch them melt as you tell them from the bottom of your heart,"You're my BEST FRIEND!"

My 18-month old loves this book. The activities and characters are familiar to our daily lives and she loves "discussing" each page's event. While she has never seen Sesame Street on TV, she loves the characters anyway.

My 12-month-old son loves to be read this book. It's one of those books that's easy to make interesting: "Cookie glides down the slide" , "Ernie swings high," "Bert swings low" . Very simple pictures and words, suitable for a baby or young toddler.

What a wonderful book for young readers just learning to read. Within this book you take a tour through Bear's house exploring room by room naming different items in each room. My 11 month old daughter has fun trying to find "Bear's" friends in each room. The words in the book are so simple to read and learn. The illustrations that they have chosen for each word are excellent and very clear for the reader to understand what the item(word) is. When you read this book you start in the kitchen and go all the way to the attic to see Luna.

After you have read this book, you can ask your child where items are located in Bear's house. You can even ask them if you have any of the same items in your own home as Bear does. You can also ask your child, how many of a certain item are in Bear's house. Not only does this book teach the reader words it can also help them count, along with helping them with their memory skills.

I can hardly wait for my daughter to get older so that we can read this together. However, we have fun looking at the pictures, and having me read the words to her for right now. We strongly recommend this book for any "Bear" fan or any young reader.

Our daughter received this book several months ago and it is one of her favorites. At 19 months she enjoys pointing to the pictures and being able to identify them herself.

In this Bear book, we are taken on a tour of the Big Blue House by Bear himself. As we travel from room to room, different simple to read words can be found by objects that are very ordinary.

We have read this book on many occasions now and it always amazes me what my daughter picks up on after we read it. I highly recommend this book for the Bear fan in your life!

My two-year-old absolutely loves this book. We read it every night. He's the kind of kid who won't let anyone look in his mouth or ears. Now he wants me to look in his mouth and ears like the doctor does to Elmo. For extra fun I use a penlight to get a better look. I'm taking this book with me to his next doctor's appointment.

And isn't that the measure of a great toddler book? We have read this book over and over and over. It not only entertains my 2-year-old twins, it helps them anticipate what to expect when they go to the doctor. They like it so much that they can now 'read' it to each other, as they know whole pages by heart. Thumbs up!

I received this as a Christmas present and was suprised at how tiny it is. Only 127 pages long and it measures just about 3X3! However this small package is packed with Muppet takes on classic Christmas carols (Please Rest Ye Grumpy Gentlemen), stories (The Thrift of the Magi), Muppet letters to Santa and illustrated with charming photos of the Muppets in various Christmas settings. It's sure to bring joy and delight to children as well as adults!

Moi and her family send this to very special friends around the world each holiday season. Our tribute to keeping the spirit of Jim Henson and his company alive. :-)

Best Wishes!

My children love this book. Big Bird and Barkely palying.....what else could entertain babbies better.

A delightful book about Big Bird and Barkely. It has been a favorite with all 4 of my children. We are now on our second copy. Don't get me wrong it is very durable but after 6 years of heavy handeling by little fingers...you get my point. A copy is even going into a memory chest so thier children can enjoy the same book years from now.

I loved this book as a child and still have the gift to read and share with my own children. Every story is very charming and extremely fun to read. My favorite is The Diamond D and the Dreadful Dragon!! Those of you who have had the pleasure of reading this particular story, and have a wry sense of humor fully understands why. This book is a classic and a "must have for all children."

What a wonderful book! Full of emotions, life lessons and fun familiar friends. The story of the Princess and the teeny tiny cookie has stayed with me all my life and I have so enjoyed sharing it with my own daughter.

This is one of the best bath book that I met. Its sharp colours amazes my baby very much. It is also wonderful book for toddlers. My two-year-old son even thinks its magic to change the colours and so he loves it so much and must take it in his bath.

My daughter loves to get in the bath and watch the colors change in this fun book about ernie and his duck.