Laura Forman's illustrations are magical. Forman combines meticulous observation, attitude, characterization, humor and imagination with impeccable drawing, sophisticated perspective, mastery of technique, and originality. The illustrations in this book are nothing short of masterful. This is Caldecott material.
Hooray!

"Now settle down and listen well/To what I am about to tell/About the troubles that befell/A town and set it spinning./As such tales do, it started small,/With one wee mouse, just one, that's all,/Who one spring day came by to call-/And that was the beginning." So begins Mary Ann Hoberman's kinder and gentler adaptation of the Pied Piper. As the town is overrun with mice, the mayor looks far and wide for help, and an appealing red-caped stranger appears with a magic fan to take care of the job. As he waves his fan, an odor wafts through the air. It smells just awful to the villagers, but the mice find it alluring, and they follow the gentleman right out of town. "Some said it smelled of Brie from France,/While others swore 'twas Liederkranz/Or Gorgonzola, ripe, perchance,/Or Stilton, Swiss, or Edam..." With their problem finally solved, and the fee paid, the townspeople celebrate until they realize that their cats have followed the mice, and the dogs have chased after the cats. In no time, the children, missing their pets, also leave town. But never fear, unlike the original, this tale has a happy ending, as a little girl comes up with a creative and inventive solution that sets everything right again, in the end..... Ms Hoberman's lyrical, rhyming text begs to be read aloud, and is only outdone by Laura Forman's delightful, old-fashioned artwork. Intricate illustrations, in subdued and quiet tones are filled with charming detail, and little ones will enjoy lingering over each picture before turning the page. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, The Marvelous Mouse Man tells an old story with a new and refreshing twist and is sure to become a family favorite.

Bill Grogan's goat is another great read/sing book. This is also one of the MENC recommended American folk songs that all children should know. It comes with the music in the front of the book. My students' ask me for this book often and I find it hard to resist them. It is an especially good classroom book, because the hardcover version is very big so all your students can see the pictures. You and your class can sing it in echo format or as written. It's hilarious from beginning to finish. Wonderful.

Genuine characters juggle their big sisters, step-mothers, and cheek- pinching aunts in this collection of family-centered poems. While Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers entertains young readers with situational humor and sprightly rhyme, selections such as "Half-Whole-Step" and "When Annie Was Adopted" deviate from its lighthearted verse to celebrate and explore diversity: "I am a half-brother / I am a whole-brother / I am a step-brother / There's just one of me!" Although metaphor is sparse, Mary Ann Hoberman's utilization of natural meter and playful diction spawns vocalization of each line. Readers will smirk and reminisce as they hear, "A not-everyday jacket / That's-not-for-play-jacket / A do-as-I-say jacket." Aside from the different features and members of families, this collection reveals those situations common in many households, such as new births, shyness around extended family members, and jealousy among siblings. Varying tone and dynamic narratives encourage children to read this book as a whole, but inclusion of different family types provokes students to focus on certain poems to which they relate. Marylin Hafner's lively illustrations complement the multicultural slant of Hoberman's poetry, encompassing a kaleidoscope of individuals and lifestyles. Each colored-pencil drawing supplies glimpses into the action of each poem and drives readers to consider what happens next. Children ages four to eight will enjoy the book's smooth, fun language, its action-packed pictures, and its sensitivity to their own lives.

If you are familiar with the work of Mary Ann Hoberman, you know her books are top-notch. If you are REALLY familiar with her work, you will recall seeing the text of this book back in the early 70's. This remake is fabulous! Husliska-Beith has added the color and whimsy that the original version lacked in illustration, making it something special for today's child.

The book is an interactive experience. The child is encouraged to join in on the search for Pistachio the cat. His owner, Ned, is looking on every page and needs your help. With clever lines..."Of course you know it's not much fun/
to lose a cat upon page ONE...And so he started out to look/straight through the pages of this book."

There is also plenty for the eye (perhaps why it is called THE LOOKING BOOK?:-) Huliska-Beith has added lots of funny details which should keep you and your child entertained. This is one they'll pick up over and over again.

Katie (1.5 yrs) loves rhythm and rhymes and this book pays off big time. It's fun to read and play but it is also great to look at! The pictures are terrific. After hearing the story, Katie started playing with the sounds as she did other things around the house. Great for musical children.

What a wonderfully easy book to read/sing with your students. This song also has a hand jive to go with it, but it is not located in the book. The melody isn't located there as well. A quick search on the internet will clue you in on both of those. A great book to read/sing with your students in the regular classroom or in the music classroom. I highly recommend.

My daughter is 2 years old and enjoys the rhymes in this book. She has started to repeat some of them. Wonderful illustrations.

I use this in the music classes that I teach. The kids love the part that everyone knows, but the authors have taken it a few steps further by adding additional verses. The verses are charming and make a great addition to this already established children's classic. The illustrations are hysterical and subtle. Make sure that you take time to examine them closely!

I read A House is a House for me by Mary Ann Hoberman. The book has a lot of homes in it. Home of animals and other kinds too. I only liked the pictures and the ryhming parts. It was not so exciting. I think little kids would like it.

I have only been a first grade teacher for two years now, and am just starting to build up my own children's literature collection. House is a House for Me is without a question one of my favorites. The children loved it so much when I read this book of rhyme, not a peep was made on the rug. When I was finished reading the book, the children wanted to create their own class version entitled House is a House for Me 2! If you are a teacher or a parent, this is a small investment, but one that you and your children will treasure for years to come.

I read this book to my daughter fifty times or more. It is a wonderful piece of poetry to recite; rhythmic and fun. The pictures are very detailed, with lots for a child to discover and ask questions about. Every page has an intricate drawing with many different recognizable details. I found it to be a good jumping off point for many varied discussions when my daughter was a tot. I send it to my friends who are having their first baby....

My one-and-a-half year old got this package from her aunt and uncle. She loves all three books, but The Lady With the Alligator Purse and Skip to my Lou in particular. My only real complaint is that the music is on a cassette, not a CD, so I can't play it in my car (though I suppose that may be a blessing of sorts), and I can't skip a track easily. Also, with just three songs it can get a bit repetitive, though my daughter is totally unconcerned about such quibbles. Be warned: the songs are infectious, and will get stuck in your head for days and days. Still, great fun for all.

Mr. and Mrs. Muddle have troubles meeting in the middle, in other words, agreeing on anything. She likes to ride in cars and he doesn't like to, then he wants to go for ice cream and she doesn't want to. The book is a thinly veiled look at marital discord which is frankly too sour a subject for a children's picture book.

The broken-line, muddy watercolor illustrations by Catherine O'Neil although sweetly humorous have me puzzled (are the characters horses? aardvarks?). The scenes ansd images don't "read" easily or quickly.

The meet-me-in-the-middle compromises the couple achieve seems a weak solution to their overall unhappiness together. I finished the book thinking ultimately the two characters would be happiest in life without each other as they were incapable of taking turns at making each other happy.

My four year old was ultimately confused and bored by the overall wordiness/rhyminess of the text and the overuse of she said, he said.