Holly Keller's story of growing up and changing is a fantastic story wrapped in beautiful watercolor illustrations. She weaves the story of everlasting friendship that we all long for and cherish in a charming and simple way. Keller's accomplishments include more than 30 books that she has written with "as many illustrated (that were) written by other people." It's easy to see why she has accomplished so much. I love this book.
Keller's story opens with little Farfallina, a caterpillar, munching on a leaf during a gentle spring rain. Her munching disturbs a handsome gosling that quickly befriends the caterpillar. Despite the fact that they make an unlikely pair, they become the warmest of friends. Their friendship is rocked by separation however when one day Farfallina must rest. For weeks she is gone and Marcel realizes that he must grow up without her. A happy reunion finds them still fast friends despite the growth and change each has had to face.
The illustrations in this book are fantastic. Kellers use of watercolors, is alive with bold vibrant colors that capture the attention of any reader. Her pictures are incredibly cute and resemble the sweet friendship Marcel and Farfallina share. Keller's illustrations encourage readers to peruse each page liesurely. I have always loved finding hidden pictures, and although Keller does not necessarily intend this, children can look for Farfallina's cocoon in the tree tops or note the changes in Marcel's feathers. Without the pictures, the story wouldn't be the same.
I look forward to sharing this book with little ones during story time at the public library. Allowing the children the opportunity to visualize the colorful pictures as this heartwarming story is told will truly be a pleasure. I hope that they enjoy the story as much as I have. I've added it to my wish list and look forward to giving a second copy to my nieces.

I used this with my class (3-5 year olds) and they sat so still, they really loved the book. The story is heartwarming and the illustrations make you love the characters.

I teach a class of 3 to 5 year olds and I found this book as a
supplement to my "Growing" unit. My class sat so still (I didn't know they could sit so still!) and it gave me the opportunity to launch into my "growing" unit! Fabulous book, beautiful pictures, gently touches upon growing and changing.

This is another great STAGE 1 book in the "Let's Read & Find Out" Science Series. The STAGE 1 Series books are written for preschool and kindergarten-age kids (age 3 to 6) about basic science concepts.
This book has 32 pages of nice illustrations (artwork NOT photography) to help the words tell about the developmental stages of frogs.

Some children's books miss the fact of who their target audience is. The "Let's Read & Find Out" books consistently keep subject matter easily understood using age appropriate vocabulary and keep a child interested at the same time.
We recently bought a home science frog growing kit. This book is perfect read along material to show my five year old son what to anticipate in coming weeks.

The books are written for the reading ability of an "average" 3 year old. Older kids may very well get bored with the simple reading in this book. But, they should find the information about frogs fascinating, especially if they are participating in growing some at home or in class! Remember how much fun frog eggs and tadpoles were as a kid?

We have several books in this series and are pleased that our son enjoys them so much.
John Row

This book is very appropriate for any young one learning about frogs. My nephew has learned alot from this book about where frogs come from. The pictures are real and not drawings which I like.

As a future elementary school teacher and a student in a children's literature class, I came across this book accidently in the library one day. It caught my attention immediately, and I couldn't put it down. Like many, many children, I too had a baby blanket that I couldn't give up (and it looked JUST LIKE GERALDINE'S!) I read the book once, then twice, then to my mother and friends and then to my literature class. I loved it so much, that I had to buy it after I returned it to the library. All the people I read it to could relate to how Geraldine was attached to her blanket and the extreme and clever measures she takes in keeping it with her always. My mom especially liked the mom and dad in the story because she was just like them too. This is a book I will keep on display and in my heart just as I will keep my baby blanket as a treasure of my childhood.

Over the years, I have purchased over 300 books for my kids library, this being one of them. My sister recommened this book because her daughter like it so well. This book soon became one of my then 3 years old daughter's favorite, probably because she was a "security blanket kid" just like Geraldine and could relate to Geraldine's struggle to retain her blanket. Even when she was in early elementary and passed the blanket stage, she would often pick this book to read from her many early readers. The pictures are darling and the story line is clever so this book isn't a "yawner" for parents to read to their kids. Now that my daughter is eleven, I have given many of her kids books away, but she insists on keeping this one. She loved it that much.

When I was in elementary school, I was picked to read a story to a kindergartner. This kindergartner picked out "Geraldine's Baby Brother", and so every day I read it to her. Soon I memorized it, and then kept in touch with her later. Now we still talk - and everything starts off with "Geraldine's Baby Brother, by Holly Keller"!

I am surprised no one else has written a review of this book. It is an excellent book, used in many school districts as multicultural, narrative literature. THis book can be teamed with Sadako and/or the Magic Crane to show examples of the belief that cranes bring good luck. It can even be tied in with an origami lesson on folding paper cranes.

This book is one of my four-year-old daughter's favorites, as well as one of mine. Its simple and melodic predictable text written from a child's point of view is complemented by its attractive illustrations of common plants and animals in nature.

Island Baby is a fantastic children's book. It is a sweet, endearing tale of caring, nurturing, love, separation and letting go. A beautiful example of respect and caring for animals. A great separation tale for children going off to school for the first time. A definite must for any early childhood library...if only it were easier to find!

I have been working with my kindergarten daughter on phonics, but the thought of being able to read a whole book by herself encouraged her to try. In just 20 minutes she has gone through it several times and now she can read it herself. She is so proud she read it to her mother herself. The book is perfect for a beginning reader..

Wendy Pfeffer has a talent for making difficult science concepts understandable to young children. This is a lively and very kid-friendly book with cheerful illustrations that kids will enjoy and learn from.

Interesting, written on a level primary school students can understand, and packed with information

By the time the kids are at this level most of them already have some idea of the food chain concept (and anybody who has played Magic School Bus Animals definitely will!). It sits right at the cross roads of two levels- a solid first grade book, perhaps.

This book is great to use when studying food chains. The kids love it!