I live in the Caribbean and am starting a Caribbean book collection for my kids. I really liked this book because it wasn't just another very colorfull book, it had a moral to the story. It is about a mother telling her little girl about the kind of doll she had when she was a child and how much she loved it because she made it with her own hands. It teaches a child the meaining of self gradification.

Wonderful story about the creation of man and why people come in so many different colors. It conveys a message of understanding that we are all one people in a most captivating way. I think this book should be an integral part of the early childhood curriculum

I first come across this book when I was younger and lived for some time in St Vincent, which is one of the Windward Islands where this is set. Looking back I remember the pleasure that this book gave me. I really loved this book and I think that any child reading it now would feel the same. For one the pictures used are sensational, drawn in such a way that they make children explored them as there are so many thing to look at in each! The story told I found to be so realistic and brilliant. I would advise anyone who is looking to buy a child a present or is just looking around to consider getting this, as I know from personal experience that this is a book that has something for everyone and can be enjoyed for generations.

O Christmas Tree, is a clebration of West Indian Christmas traditions. A warm and funny tale. A superbly crafted story. Anslem's attempts, to repair his withered pine tree from abroad are a hoot. Christmas is a time of yearnings and secret wishes and children will readily identify with Anslem's yearning for something he thinks is truely special. A must for every Caribbean family tired of commercial, foriegn, images of Santas, reindeer and snowmen. This is already a Christmas classic in my home.

This is the best telling of the Puirim story that I have come across for children. The narrative is very close to the original, but what makes the book wonderful are the illustrations which are fantastic. They are so vivid that my children (aged 4 and 6) love the book and ask for it again and again, even when Purim is nowhere in sight. The pictures also conjure up images of a time long ago which helps to give the children a sense of a far away time. I have used the book in a service for children for 4 -8 year olds at an Orthodox synagogue and even those who generally protest at being there are spellbound. Highly recommended.

My Little Island is a delightful book which I first read to my daughter when she was 4 years old. The story is wonderful and the illustrations are captivating. We read it again and again many nights as it became one of our favorite books. Soon my daughter began reading it by herself. She is 6 years old now and still remembers the names of all the beautiful trees in the story. I would highly recommmend this book to the parents of any 4 to 6 year old child whom I am sure would enjoy this book as much as we do.

Both my parents worked when I was kid. My younger sister and I used to stay at home and play. Every mid-afternoon we would stop playing and run to turn on MPT (PBS) and watch Reading Rainbow. We were never disappointed-- even the theme song pleased us and we would sing and dance to it. MY LITTLE ISLAND was one of my favorite episodes-- I have not read or seen this book in 12 years yet I remember so much from it: seeing the island overhead, looking exactly like a large swimming turtle, the market scene (the clothes and fruit compete with each other, both are so delicious to look at), and the night fishing. This is a beutiful book-- beautifully written, beautifully illustrated. Read it only once and I guarantee neither you or the one whom it is read to will forget it.

I like the pictures in this book. The book made me wonder what goat-water stew and guavas are. I wonder if people still live on Montserrat since the volcano erupted. I wish I could go there to swim, fish, and visit the market. I am 6 1/2 years old.

Patricia Zelver tells the story of Simon (Sam) Rodia, an Italian immigrant who 'grew' a dream of monumental proportions in the impoverished Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. It took him over 30 years to build the three amazing towers he named "NUESTRO PUEBLO." In this century it could be called a fantasy dedicated to recycling. When people asked Sam "Why?" he answered "I just felt like it." What creative energy in his imaginative salvaging of mosaic tiles, pieces of pottery, anyone's discards! And there is energy, too, in the colorful paintings of Frane Lessac, all demonstrating the hope symbolized by Rodia's art.

"...Old Sam's real name was Simon Rodia. He was a small man who dressed in ragged overalls, a shirt with the sleeves cut off, and a greasy hat. His arms and face were always covered with dust..." So begins Patricia Zelver's fascinating and engaging true story of an Italian immigrant, with no formal engineering or architectural training, who over a thirty-three year period constructed the Watts Towers in his backyard. Sam lived in a poor neighborhood called Watts, on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Over the years he collected all kinds of things other people threw away...broken bottles and tiles, pieces of mirrors and other glass, seashells and bits of pottery. He spent most of his money on cement, sand, and steel. Neighbors could hear him working behind his tall fence, and wondered what Sam was doing with all that junk. "One day, to the neighbors' amazement, something strange and beautiful rose up over the fence in Sam's backyard..." Ms Zelver's simple and straightforward text is captivating, and complemented by Frane Lessac's bold, bright, and magical artwork, done in an almost childlike style. Excitement builds with each page turn as the Towers grow taller, more intricate and beautiful. Perfect for youngsters 5-10, The Wonderful Towers Of Watts is an evocative treasure that is sure to inspire readers, pique their interest, and send them out looking for more. As Ms Zelver tells us at the end of the story..."Watts is still a poor part of Los Angeles. But no other place has the Watts Towers. Every year people come from all over the world to marvel at Old Sam's crazy dream."

thanks to oscar wilde for the above quote & paticia zelver for the book that brings it to life!

i grew up with reading rainbow & still watch it whenever i get the chance ~ i don't believe we ever truly outgrow enjoying being read a wonderful tale, and this book will give you a tale worth telling. it has a powerful & positive message & even better is that it's true! i've used it in classes to spur students into researching different topics, and everyone i've shared it with (regardless of age or ability) has been glad i did.

This is a unique concept: show a flash of what is happening in various countries at different times of the day. We are taken on a journey around the world, at one hour increments to see what is happening. Some of the time frames are strange, like a 2 am snack in the pantry in England!

We see a child getting read a bedtime story in Brooklyn NY USA, partying in Puerto Rico, shopping at market in China, barbeque in Australia, handcrafting in Samoa, etc.

The pictures are cute, with lots going on in the illustrations to talk about. There isn't a real story here, I assume the point is to show various cultures and talk about the detailed illustrations. The only thing that bothers me is the snapshot of what they are doing can be so limiting, for example, having England illustrated as snacking in the middle of the night and Russia being depicted as a cat knocking an item over and waking up the inhabitants of the house. How real is that of a depiction of their society? It is a cute book but doesn't have enough of a true depiction of different countries for the parent to have a discussion with the child.

For a taste of other cultures I prefer "Children Like Me".