This book is so fun to read and a 2-3 year old can get involved in reading it with you. Your child will enjoy it - because every child understands what "no nap" means. Children will love this book and ask for it over and over.

I gave this book to my father for father's day. It tells the charming story of a young girl and the relationship she has with her father. She wants to spend Father's Day with her Dad doing all the things he loves. Instead they do the things she loves to do and like every good Dad he goes along and pretends they are his favorite things too. It seems like he's thinking, "without her I wouldn't be celebrating this day". Any father would love to read this book to his child and cherish it as a gift.

I use this book in my reading program and it is adorable. The story is sweet with a twist at the end. What makes the book, however, is the pictures. The little birds are so funny. My students, all of them from kindergarten through fifth grade, love this story.

Yes, there are some similarities in plot between this book and the Wilson book, both of which I own and have read. (Because they're both based on the same folktale, perhaps?) But the whole tone of the books can't be more dissimilar. The Wilson book includes murder, riots,death by incineration, death by the plague, death by being eaten alive by thousands of rats...it's a dark fantasy not intended for children under 16, a satiric look at human society, demagoguery,how revolutions go awry (many echoes of the French and Russian revolutions)loyalty and love.

The Meddaugh book is intended for young children of 6 or so. It is a lighthearted fantasy about brother and sister rats, who get caught up in Cinderella's big night. Only one rat is transformed into a human, and when he tries to protect his sister from another boy by admitting their relationship, things get confused. The two end up at a wizard's cottage, where the boy, thinking his change is permanent,tries to see his sister turned into a girl. The wizard succeeds (sort of),but then at midnight, he's a rat again, while she stays a girl. All ends happily for the two, and the rest of their family, and none of the rats ever fear cats again. The moral of this children's book is summed up on the last page:

"Life is full of surprises, so you may as well get used to it".

Life is full of surprises. Just ask the title character of Susan Meddaugh's clever story, Cinderella's Rat. You may remember him from the fairy tale: he's the one that the Fairy Godmother turned into a coachman (actually more of a coachboy). While Cinderella is busy dancing at the ball, Cinderella's Rat and his sister, Ruth (who is still a rat), have an adventure of their own. They discover rat heaven -- a fully stocked castle larder. Before they can enjoy it, however, there's a case of mistaken identity, and a well-meaning new friend drags the boy and Ruth to a wizard so the wizard can turn Ruth "back" into a girl. The boy is afraid to reveal the truth. What if the wizard turns both him and Ruth into cat food?

Since Ruth is truly a rat, the wizard can't completely change her from a rat to a girl. Much to her brother's dismay, the wizard transforms Ruth into a cat, then a girl who meows, then a girl who woofs. Before the wizard can "fix" his last spell, it's nearly midnight, and, well, you know what happens when the clock strikes twelve. The coachboy returns to his rat self, and Ruth helps her family by keeping the cats away. The most amazing thing about Ms. Meddaugh's illustrations is that when Cinderella's Rat and his sister change from rat to human or vice versa, they are still recognizably their former selves. As humans, they look slightly rodent-like, but in a cute way. As rats, they seem almost human, especially when the siblings are sniffing the cheese that leads them into a trap, or huddled inside the trap awaiting their fate.

An excellent tale to be sure, but I am concerned that amazon and other reviewers seem unaware of Wilson's The Coachman Rat (published in 1990 by Baen) which is a dark fantasy on a remarkably similar theme.

I strongly recommend it to all the adults like myself who enjoyed reading Cinderella's Rat to their kids.

This book makes children realize that they will be accepted for who they are. I have hair just like Amanda but it is a part of my character. Overall, a great book to tell you that everyone only wants to know "the real you."

Amanda's Perfect Hair is an excellent source of inspiration for letting children make their own choices and mistakes. In the book Amanda, the main character, has really long, curly, and thick blond hair. She hates it but everyone else loves it. Amanda gets fed up one day and desides to cut her hair so that she can be herself. Amanda cut her hair and everyone loved it. Now that Amanda was free from her bondage she could be anything that she wanted to be. This book shows children that they should be themselves and helps them to make choices for themselves. This book can also help parents who have trouble letting their children make thier own choices.

Thanks, Amanda

I really enjoyed this retelling of a Liberian folk tale. This book is a great book for helping young readers to explore math concepts like counting.

I have used this book to teach mathematic lessons to grades one through three. It serves as a great springboard for discussion on factors, prime numbers and patterns. The pictures are delightful and the children love to make predictions on just who will make the King happy. My students choose to return to this book over and over again.

MARTHA SPEAKS is about a dog who ate alphabet soup and the letters went into her brain. One day Martha the dog comes in to the dinnig room and says "isn't it time for my dinner?" Everyone stopped what they were doing. They all were amazed. I liked this book because it's funny. You will enjoy it too. After reading this book you might even want to be a talking dog on a walk.

We love this book- what child wouldn't? Martha is a great character; someone I'd love even as a human or an ordinary dog, but as a talking dog, she's great! She has sufficient depth that I'm not left feeling that something important has been left out. The illustrations are wonderful as well- portly Martha ordering lots of meat from the butcher- very nice.

Somehow, after eating a bowl of alphabet soup, Martha the dog can speak! (There's a very funny illustration of the letters going to her brain instead of her stomach; no further explanation is necessary!). But being able to speak is not the same as knowing when to speak (she interrupts people), how much to say (she talks incessantly), or what to say (she can be a little rude at times).

A very funny book, with nice loopy pictures, a subtle lesson in manners, and a happy outcome (except for the would-be burglar). One of a series of "Martha" books, this would make a great gift for young children, and is one of those special finds that adult will enjoy reading as well!

The contents are terribly arranged. The entire five stories are not well connected. The illustrations are just sloppy like the little piggies. We do not need this book to teach children about silly rhyming. A Money-Wasting-Choice book.

The five Little Piggies is a cute book on the true story about the ryme:
"This little piggy went to the market.
This little stayed home.
This little piggy had roast beef.
This little piggy had none.
And this little Piggy cried, "Wee wee wee," all the way home!"

This fun detailed book is wonderful for all ages of children. It is very cute and will give you a good laugh at the end. I promise that you will enjoy every little part of it, because I did, and I know you will too. This is a very exciting book that children of all ages should read. I loved it.

This is a roll-on-the-floor-and-giggle book that my kindergarten class adores. I save it to read at special times -- like the end of the day or right before recess -- because the kids literally roll around laughing at these short-and-silly stories based on the familiar "This Little Piggy Went to Market" rhyme. Clever, cartoonish illustrations add to the fun-and-games flavor of this book. Highly recommended.

Parents always want to help with their children's Halloween Costumes. But it's not for children. It's just hfor parent's fun. Parents' wishes are differnet from children's wishes. And this book gave measome ideas for Halloween,too.

"Bimwili and the Zimwi" is a traditional folktale from Zanzibar. Two sisters go to the beach; the older sister fails to keep an eye on the younger, Bimwili, and Bimwili is abducted by a monster, the Zimwi, who makes her sing while imprisoned in a drum, which he then exhibits as a marvelous "singing drum". Bimwili devises a clever trick to escape and eventually the Zimwi is destroyed. Bimwili's escape makes her the hero. The illustrations add to the story, showing how the Zimwi attracted Bimwili's attention. The story may be a wee bit frightening, but this is very typical of folktales and fairytales the world over (what would Hansel and Gretel be if it weren't a bit scary?, and aren't "watch out for strangers" and "take care of your little sister" good lessons for children?). This is a good book if you're looking for a story from Africa to add to your collection.

"African Folk Tales" (Dover Children's Thrift Classics) by Hugh Vernon-Jackson (Editor), is also recommended and is a bargain.

Please see my reviews of other books about Africa.

Bimwili and the Zimwi Book Review

Bimwili and the Zimwi by Verna Aarden is a good book. It is about a green ugly monster named Zimwi and a little girl named Bimwili. My favorite part was when Bimwili's family put sand in the drum and while the monster was fetching water, they got Bimwili back. That was funny!! I learned that you should always keep track of your stuff. My other favorite part was when she sang a song with the shell against her ear. Another favorite part was when they ran away from the big pumpkin.

By Josias

Bimwili and the Zimwi is an enchanting and suspenseful story. A small child is captured by an evil magician and rescued by her family. Although it could be frightening to the very young , it provides an excellent catalyst for conversations about personal safety and "listening to one's little voice inside". It also provides a multicultural setting. I highly recommend this title for home or curricular libraries!!