This is a very special book. Our 15 month old has enjoyed it practically since birth. He sees something new in this book every time we read it together. The photography is stunning - like you are there in person. The prose are beautifully simple, but grab all ages by making you think on the last page. Not only does this book help teach counting, but appreciation of the natural beauty around us and the importance of preserving it.

We now give as a gift to every newborn we know, and hope you will enjoy as much as we do.

This is a unique counting book (numbers 1-10) written by Kentucky author George Ella Lyon with beautiful close-up photographs taken in a forest in Kentucky by Ann W. Olson. At first glance this may appear to be just an interesting counting book. Upon further investigation it becomes clear that this book is that and much more. It is also a wonderful book to use with students of all ages when studying science. Children are naturally curious and the crisp colorful photos of bugs, nests, and wildflowers will surely spark many scientific questions. The photos complement the brief poetic text. I think that the text describing the number 10 ("Ten trees whose innumerable leaves / clean the air/ for everything / that breathes") will heighten even the youngest readers' interest in trees and their role in preserving our environment. This book will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

This book offers a marvelous and unique way to teach young children how to count. The photographs of Cave Run Lake and the Clark State Fish Hatchery offer children opportunities to feel as though they are actually there where the poem takes place. It is a great book to use in introducing forest animals and habitats of various forest animals. I was very impressed with this book. The rhyming nature of the text and the breathtaking photographs make it very easy for young readers to get "lost" in the woods while learning to count to 10. Excellent resource for teachers! (Especially KY teachers)

This gorgeous book is unlike any other children's book I have ever seen. It is richer, more varied in its offerings and in its fundmental concept, which is a celebration of books. I can imagine enjoying this book with children of any age from newborn all the way through early teens. It expresses a tender love of both language and image that I find deeply evocative. Imagine a book that offers a myriad of possibilities on every page, in a beautiful, nonlinear way, as different from Richard Scarry as possible. This is a wondrous book about books.

This book is fantastic for teaching the power and purpose for reading. Students of all ages can see how virtual reality is not only on a computer monitor but also between the pages of a book! The words are few, but the paintings are outstanding provoking imagination and conversation about the power of thought and the written word. It is a powerful teaching tool for teaching students of all ages, k-post college.

Chances are if you have a preschooler, they have a best friend and can spend hours talking about the fun they have together. First friendships for children are delightful, intense experiences and George Ella Lyon has written a charming poem in celebration of these first friendships.

Lyon with the help of illustrator Vera Rosenberry escorts us through some wonderful experiences that two good friends have.

"You salt the ice and I'll crank the cream.
Let's put our hands together and dream the same dream."

We read as the girls crank a huge ice cream maker and share a giant sundae.

Every page provides an imaginative scene between the two young girls, one white and one black, who share fun and friendship together. We see images of them building sand castles on the beach, building a house, fighting a dragon and swimming with the dolphins. Anyone who has watched young children playing knows their imaginations are working overtime and these two girls are perfect examples of this imagination. Children will have fun looking at the illustrations and explaining what the girls are pretending.

With the poetic verse and lovely imaginative illustrations you will love reading this book to your child. It promotes such a positive message about the importance of friendships. It is important that adults provide children with positive ideals and messages to aspire to and this book gives a parent a beautiful way of doing just that.

This book is a beautiful poem with lovely illustrations. The pictures are of two girls, one white and one African American, celebrating their friendship. While the book is clearly designed for little people, 3-grade school, I plan to get several copies as gifts for my adult friends. If you have a special friendship to celebrate, this is the book with which to do it!

" Basket " is a fiction book about a girl, her mom and grandma having a basket on a farm.The baket is a little oak basket which is used to hold almost everything.She held chicken eggs,peaches,pot holders,roses,and some scissors at the bottom. Her grandma would always say "Go look in the basket". The author wrote the style in sentence form to create a story that will go through generations of familys through the whole world of people.

This is the kind of book that kids love to imitate. I have seen school classes take off on its two word rhymes and make books of their own. The images are very natural to kids used to computer screens; it's the grown-ups who lag in their visual skills. While Damp Camp is definitely about summer camp, it is also about having fun with words and about connecting words with experience. Buy and try!

This is a beautiful book and will be especially valued by those who have visted Mesa Verde in person. What struck me most about it (in addition to the beautiful illustrations) was that the text, while evoking a child's imagination, is also sophisticated poetry that appeals to an adult sensibility.

My children and I have checked Five Live Bongos out of the library at least a dozen times in the past two years. The frazzled parents are true to life - and yet encourage the creative energy of their brood. The kids get along great - a wonderful example in a world so full of conflict. They work hard to have fun, which is the most important work of childhood. The rhythmic text and colorful artrwork delight my three year old and he practically gets up to dance when we read the book. He keeps asking me to buy it. I was very disappointed to find that it is out of print so soon. Overall, it is a great book for kids ages two to ten.

This is a great, and a very amazing story. A little boy nick named Hawkaye, is very brave and has lots of love for his family. He loves to play baseball with his dad, and this is where he got the nickname Hawkaye from. He is a very committed person when he wants to do something he doesn't give up. The love that this family has for each other is very strong, no object could ever amount to the love of this family. This is a very inspiring story, I think that this gives a great example of a little boys love for his family.
Little baby Becky is a very fearless baby. I am pretty sure that she really didn't know what was going on but I am sure she will one day. When diaster strikes they are trying to save their own lives, but after its over they are trying very hard, and are not thinking about themselves anymore.
I would recommend this book for children of the ages of 4-8 because this shows total respect and dedication to family, and I think all kids should learn to do that.

A favorite to check-out at the library and to give as a gift. This book is wonderfully illustrated and the text opens the door for a history lesson. I still get goose-bumps when I read it aloud to a child!

I give this book 3 stars because it talks about a person's life style. It's about a little girl and she sees electronic signs. Then she goes to the circus and when she gets home she acted like she was a tight rope walker. I liked the illustrations because they look real. My favorite part is when she looks in the mirrow in her bathing suit. I think you would like this book if you like to experience things.

The paintings look so real because of the light and dark shadows. I think this book is one of a kind. I recommend this book, not only because of what the story is about but the illustrations (they're awesome)!!!!

"Wow" I said in my head as I had just finished the book A SIGN. When I closed the book I thought it was amazing and awesome. Chris Soentpiet used a lot of double spread pictures and was very creative. Also Chris Soentpiet's pictures came to life. The story A SIGN is about a little girl who wants to be all these different things and dresses up as them. You might laugh at some things that the little girl dresses up as. I can't tell you what she dresses up as because I want it to be a mystery for you. You will be surprised to find out what she really will be at the end.It is not any of the things she dresses up as,I can tell you that. Chris Soentpiet did a good job on this book. I give this book 5 stars!