As the predecesor to "Where's Waldo", this book is fun, lively and just plain great to look at. The story of a little orangutan who wonders about life outside the zoo is a visual treat. Wallace loves his life in the zoo but takes every opportunity to visit places like the beach, a ballgame, a department store and other exciting places. In each picture, Wallace must be found; for those truly observant readers, a host of other characters appear in each picture as well. Would love to find this book for my children as I loved it as a child. A shame it's out of print, one can always hope.

How wonderful to see this book back in print again! Hilary Knight is also the illustrator of Kay Thompson's "Eloise" books, but here he shines on his own with a masterpiece. The more famous "Where's Waldo" books seem but a pale imitation of this earlier, more original winner. For one thing, Knight's book is full of wit. It even has something of a plot, about a clever orangutan who is allowed to escape from the zoo by his friendly keeper. Every time he escapes, the keeper goes to look for him. Knight's panoramas invite hours of searching, not only because Wallace is hidden in them somewhere but also because the pictures are fraught with hilarious activity. Kids will read the book through once and find Wallace, but perceptive ones will then return to the book innumerable times because Knight has generously included at least seven other characters who recur in the backgrounds of every fun-filled page, among them a jogger and a knitting lady. Filled with winning characters and gorgeous pictures, this classic definitely deserves to be restored to its rightful place as THE find-the-character book. I recommend owning it. I'm still studying the pictures, even in adulthood!

This book clearly deserves more than five stars.

Like all of the great children's books, this one succeeds at several levels. The story creates a connection for the reader or listener between humans and animals at a caring, considerate level that can provide a model for human relations as well. It also succeeds as an adventure story, along the lines of a gigantic hide-and-go-seek game. At another level, it helps the reader or viewer become more observant with an early version of Where's Waldo? and I Spy. Finally, the book shows the potential for all to enjoy themselves more by cooperating to expand curiosity and exploration.

The book begins with the relationship between Wallace, an orangutan in a little zoo in a big busy city, and his keeper, Mr. Frumbee. The two are very attached to each other. They eat, read, and play games together . . . almost like parent and child. Mr. Frumbee even keeps Wallace's money for him in a bank. Then one day, the door of the cage is left ajar and Wallace escapes with his bank to buy some fine clothes. Seven more escapes follow, each following a discussion about the outside world that interests Wallace. For each of the eight escapes, Hilary Knight provides a wonderfully detailed two-page spread where you are encouraged to find Wallace. If you cannot, for some reason, he tells you where Wallace is on the next page. After you tire of this game or memorize the locations, Wallace has 6 companions in each of the panoramas that you can locate, as well. These illustrations will remind you of the best of the Richard Scarry drawings in their beautiful detail and colorations.

Along the way, Wallace is found each time by Mr. Frumbee, and they manage to spend a little time having fun with each other before returning to the zoo. What a nice counter model to the usual outrage and screaming of the caregiver who is looking for the lost child! Wallace finds himself in a park having a picnic, a department store buying clothes, a natural history museum with a dinosaur skeleton, a three ring circus, a baseball park, a midway at an amusement park, and an apartment building near the zoo.

The first hint that this could be a great book comes when you see that the story and panoramas are by Hilary Knight, the famed illustrator of the four Eloise stories.

The second hint comes quickly thereafter when you read Judith Viorst's description of her copy of the book, acquired in 1964 when it was first published. Her "original copy . . . [is] chewed on, dribbled on, spilled on, exhaustively read." Now what more could you hope for from a children's book?

The third hint hits you when you open the first panorama and find yourself engrossed in the beautifully detailed, small drawings across the two page spread. If you are like me, it takes you a minute or two to find Wallace, even though he isn't that hard to find in this panorama.

The fourth hint shows itself when you notice that Wallace is trusted with the door open, even though he takes off a lot. What is that trust all about? Ah, you see that Hilary Knight is subtly trying to show how you let children grow up by giving them chances to be responsible with suitable, simultaneous observation.

The fifth hint struck me when I noticed that Mr. Frumbee seemed to be enjoying the serendipity of the outings as much as Wallace was. This suggested a new level of mature behavior to encourage parents to be a little less up-tight.

The final hint for me was when I found myself smiling as I turned every page, in happy anticipation of a fun adventure. Few books affect me that way. I was glad to return to the days of being 6 years old when the world seemed totally unlimited in its potential to amaze and amuse me. I think you will also enjoy that return visit in the time machine. The book also ensures that your child will feel that expansiveness, as well.

After you finish enjoying this wonderful story for the fifth straight reading in the same day, I suggest that you arrange to duplicate the adventures . . . starting with a trip to a zoo (or a farm, forest, or park, if you don't have a zoo handy). You can pick five types of animals to look for. But be sure to just explore whatever is there, as well. You can then make a scrapbook of your visits, with colored drawings (or, if you want to get fancy, you can take some photographs).

If you have a chance to go to Manhattan, you should know that Hilary Knight was inspired by an orangutan in the Central Park Zoo to write and illustrate this story. Then, you can make a literal pilgrimage. While you are there, remember that Eloise is only a few blocks away at The Plaza Hotel. Be sure to visit her picture in the south part of the lobby area, just off of the Palm Court.

Where's the fun? It's all around you . . . if you take the time to pursue it! Loosen up to enjoy being with your child more.

This is a good book for all ages. It's a fun little book that you could read over and over again and again! This book is about two little monkeys that love their babysitter because she just talks on the phone all night. They get in to all mischief and mess the whole house in the process. They slip and slide out of the banana-covered kitchen in to the bathroom now covered in bubbles then outside to the muddy ground below the jungle gym. I think they are dirty now so they need a bath. They go take a bath and then notice the mess in the house they have to hurry to clean it before mama and papa monkey get home and then jump in to bed just in time!

The story begins with the mommy and daddy monkey getting ready for an evening out and their two little monkeys are delighted because they know that the babysitter will let them do basically anything that they like because it is her opinion that they are "the best little monkeys in the world" The little monkeys do get into mischief while their parents are away, but it all works out in the end. This story delighted my children...ages 4 and 7 and even made their big brother (12) smile when he over-heard part of it. I recomend this book for children 3 - 7.

This book was my favorite as a child. The illustrations, and the words just make you feel like your really in the story. The tales of fun and games were endless, amd I absoloutely loved the illustrations. I think out of the many books I've read I can definitely say this is the best!

Hilary Knight's Twelve Days Of Christmas tells of a bear who struggles with an overabundance of holiday gifts from her sweetheart. Whimsical animals parade in each scene as poor Bedelia struggles with a house increasingly filled with odd gifts. The illustrations are especially whimsical.

It's Christmastime, and Benjamin Bear looks out his window, and down the path to his beloved, Bedelia Bear's little cottage, and you can almost see the gift ideas popping into his furry head. So, on the first day of Christmas, he arrives with a partridge in a pear tree, and the fun begins..... Hilary Knight, author of Where's Wallace and The Owl And The Pussy-Cat, and illustrator of Kay Thompson's Eloise books, takes this old familiar holiday song, and turns it into a joyous and engaging picture book. His marvelous artwork, full of bold, bright color, and expressive detail, grows busier, and more intricate with each page turn, until it almost spills off the paper. Young and old alike will be mesmerized as they pore over the pictures, finding something new and fun each time they open the book. With a delightful and creative surprise at the end to get everyone in the holiday spirit, Hilary Knight's The Twelve Days Of Christmas is a wonderful read-aloud book the whole family can share together, and is sure to become a "must have" classic to help usher in the Christmas season, year after year.

I've loved Hilary Knight's work since I was a child feasting on his *Hilary Knight's ABC.* In his *Twelve Days of Christmas," Knight provides an original and meaningful interpretation of the traditional carol. I especially love the way Bedelia returns the "true love" of her beloved gift-bringer by making a fair for him to enjoy--love is reciprocal in this book! The second thing I love about this book is the subplot, in which the raccoon struggles to open the mysterious can, only to find a true love of his own. Finally, the concept of each day as a "pick-up," in which Benjamin brings a partridge and a pear tree (and ensuing gifts) on *each* day, adds a new dimension to the story. Well-planned, beautifully executed, and the finest children's picture book version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" that I've seen.

My first (and favorite) mother-in-law gave this to me as a wedding present, twenty years ago. At the time I fancied myself quite the gourmet cook, and was mildly insulted. Finally, out of boredom one day, I read it cover to cover. I fell in love with it. There are several laugh-out-loud phrases in it, and Hilary Knight's illustrations are gems. Then, as I started working longer hours and no longer wanted to do something en croute for my husband for dinner, I turned to the recipes. They are simple, good and fast, and most of them can be crammed down a child's throat without too much fuss. They were written in the days before we knew about cholesterol, but hey, not everything's perfect. Are you tired of presenting Tuna Helper to your family? This will give the effect of a much more home-cooked meal. Good everyday family meals, relatively nutritious.

You should also read Peg Bracken's other books. They're terrific, too.

Peg Bracken's "I Hate to Cook Book" sure has an awful lot of good, simple recipes for a book that purports not to be about cooking. It's fun, fun, fun to read and the recipes truly are simple and good.

The best thing about the book is Bracken's inimitably breezy voice. When she tells you to stir "Company Carrots" until they're well-coated, she writes, " . . . stirring so that all the strips get well acquainted with the sauce." When introducing a recipe for "Rosy Radish Salad," she prefaces the instructions with, "This next one uses up radishes and some of your canned beans." No doubt she's always eager to get beyond dinner because she wants to get out of the kitchen and be seated with her guests, enjoying the conversation! She's a hoot to read, and the recipes work. I love the recipe names: Lamb Shanks Tra-La, Elevator Lady Spice Cookies, Sour Cream Cinch No. 1 and No. 2, Philosopher's Chowder, Breakthrough Salad, Immediate Fudge Cake, Dazzleberry Tart (which begins, "If the dazzleberries aren't ripe yet, use canned cherry pie filling"), and more. Even the chapter names are funny (No. 22 is entitled "Stealing from Knowledgeable People"). Get this book if you enjoy cooking or hate cooking--it doesn't matter--but definitely get it if you like a good laugh and good, plain, simple recipes.

I used this cookbook as a newlywed. It saved many a dinner party. I thought the author was Erma Bombeck.(obviouslt I was wrong) Before I order this book I would like to know if there are afew recipes which I remember. That way I can be sure this is indeed the book I want.

Is there a chicken recipe called Chicken George?
Also is there one called Hamburger Stroganoff?

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Pat Rahimi

I think this is the best of the Eloise books. I read it as a child and still remember the picture of her walking down the street using baguettes as skis. What a coquine! I think the more French you know the funnier the book is--partly because many pages have a hilarious hash of French and English words. My 7-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter also loved it, although they might just have picked up on my mood. I just couldn't stop laughing. I'm not sure whether Kay Thompson's text or Hilary Knight's illustrations are the best part. A real romp through the streets of Paris.

A fantastic visit to the most superb city in the world, conducted by the world's most superb six year old! You simply must read this book, as all the other Eloise books, perfect for children and precocious adults alike.

I read Eloise when I was about 6 or 7, 32 years ago, and I have never forgot the precocious, messy, FUN little girl I met in these books. Her life in the hotel and the pranks and tricks she pulled were so delicious! She is a very warm memory of my childhood and I recently bought her books just so I could have them to read again to my children, grandchildren and hopefully, great-grand children. Okay, okay, I admit it, I wanted them for myself! : ) They are fantastic books greatly enhanced by Hilary Knight's illustrations (who also drew for the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series) and I recommend them to any one looking for an imaginative book to share with their child.

At last! Books the I can read to my kids (ages 9 & 10) that amuse ME as well as them, and not just because the pictures are great! Even the 2 year old enjoys Eloise, and who wouldn't?

I cannot BELIEVE that my mother didn't introduce me to the joys of Eloise when I was a child, but perhaps it's best this way, when I am truly able to appreciate these wonderful books!

I am not a huge fan of old "nursery rhyme" type poetry, but this book caught my eye and my 3 yr old boys and I love it! The illustrations are simply amazing as each page unfolds from 2 children visiting an eccentric, storytelling neighbor to the children becoming the owl and pussycat. My boys immediately noticed the firepole in the man's house among other curiosities. As the children enjoy a snack and the man reads the poem, the floor turns to water and the window seat to a pea green boat. The bespeckled little boy becomes an owl and girl becomes a cat. The poem is read a second time with them as the main characters and the illustrations cleary 'telling' the story. Just as fluidly, the children return to human form and their mothers call them for dinner as the poem winds down. This book would certainly be a wonderful addition to a classic nursery rhymes collection.

If you're a fan of Hilary Knight's artwork (and if you're not, you ought to be), you will definitely want this book. Those who are only familiar with Knight's wonderful pen and ink drawings for Eloise and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle will be amazed at the beauty of his full color illustrations. This book is good enough for either your child's/nephew's/niece's bookshelf, or (in my case) your own. The illustrations of a young boy and girl slowly becoming part of the tale are beautifully rendered. I am glad to see so many Knight books on the market again, and hope that i will get to see some more.

hillary knight's illustrations are of the quality rarely found in children's books anymore, detailed, witty, and charming. the list is wonderful and will bring back any adult's own memories of childhood longings/unfairness! wanting only to have pointy crayons, to pet every dog and cat regardless of pointy teeth or germs! i love this book, it's a classic and it's great that it's been republished.

I looked for this book for years now that I am that mother with a little girl. This is a charming story about a little girl who doesn't like her mother's rules, so she tells her mother (and all who will listen!) about how it will be when SHE is the mother. You can imagine the list...

For any princess or former princess who wanted chocolate ice cream for breakfast, this is your book! I'm almost forty, but remember it so clearly. I can't wait for my daughter to read it to hers some day!!!

I love Eloise!!! Eloise in Paris is my favorite Eloise book. What's really fun are those long made up words such as "zuk zuk zhwocky zuk zuk nnnn" for their Plaza telephone. With the "charming" six year old as the star, this book is about how a rich girl spends time in Paris with Nanny, Skipperdee (Turtle), Weenie (dog), and Koki (chauffeur). It's very creative; all of Kay Thompson's books are. I read the first Eloise book to a bunch of friends in my college dorm, and I only got past four or five pages because they were all saying, "C'mon, Hilary!!! That's enough!" I also went through this phase a year or so ago where I sent E-Mails saying: "The Bell Captain Knows Who I am!" which left most of my friends perplexed. I remember the response of one friend: "That's really great, but who's the Bell Captain?" It's quite odd because books can create all sorts of situations for people. The funny words or phrases can start jokes as well. One of my friends and I thought it was weird that Eloise said that paper cups were good for talking to Mars, and we sometimes say on the phone to eachother, "have you talked to Mars yet?"

From the viewpoint of a Beatnik, Eloise In Paris and all the rest of the books about her are some of the beatest kids books I've seen!

I'm 32 years old and I LOVE Eloise - she is an absolutely delightful character! I have bought several of the Eloise books for my 5 year old daughter and she just loves Eloise as well. How fun and inspiring is it for a little girl to read about a character as whimsical and independent as Eloise?

The illustrations in this book are fantastic and really bring Paris to life for children. I have read this book at least 100 times to my daughter, and each time I enjoy it more. My daughter now wants a champagne cork necklace just like Eloise...thanks Kay Thompson for laughs you have allowed my daughter and me to share!

I read Eloise (at the Plaza) and Eloise in Paris - all 'very much' Kay. I loved that woman - a very good friend of my mom's. I worked with/for her when (as a teenager) I did her musical arrangements and orchestrations for her fabulous act with The Williams Brothers - which opened in Vegas and played all over the world.

She was one of a kind (you can see her in Funny Face) brilliant musical/vocal arranger herself, world traveler, racounter, incredible lady. I've bumper into her in Rome, Paris, London, New York, LA and was terribly saddened by her death (even though she was painfully painfully thin her whole life). She was one of the great women in the history of show biz. The Eloise books are thrilling to say the least and I continually laugh every time I pick one up even after I've gone through them 100 times. I'm ordering them once again as I left mine in London and MUST have them once again. Buddy Bregman

This book was a joy to read. I used to wake up my husband laughing and when he'd ask what I was reading and I'd say "a cook book", he'd doubt my sanity. I remember especially "slug-a-bed stew". It's great fun for all cooks, and most of all - lazy ones - like me!

All of the things you want in a recipe, AND this book is funny!
I bought this a few months ago and hadn't used it since I HATE TO COOK! Picked it up to make pork chops (for the first time in my life) They were fast, simple, and tasted fantastic. The directions are easy the ingredients are things that you have. It almost made cooking a pleasure and a joy. I recommend this book for everyone who hates to cook but loves to eat and can't eat out all the time.

My mother had the I Hate To Cook Book when I was growing up in the 60s. The recipes are good and fast (if not very healthy -- when was the last time you browned ground beef in a little oil?) and the text is just hilarious. The one I've always remembered is "let it simmer while you light a cigarette and stare sullenly at the sink." It's a lot of fun, especially for those days when only the food you grew up with will do.