There's not much substance to this story of Harry (actually, Hxzltl, in Centipede), a many-legged creature who lives down-under (ground, that is), beyond the world of the HOO-MINS. Unless, of course, you are an eight to 10-year-old reader, who likes animals of every kind, especially buggy ones, and adores characters who like you rebel against their parents' every instruction.

In that case, Harry is made to order, and you'll enjoy him so much you will read this book two or three times at least.

Perfect for second, third or fourth grade readers who prefer chapter books with illustrations, this 153-page story of an insect mischief-maker will delight kids who like to read down-under (blankets, after lights-out). Alyssa A. Lappen

Meet Harry, he's young, charming, has many legs and he's poisonous. He lives with his mother, Belinda and best friend George, in tunnels under the ground. Like many young centipedes his age, he doesn't always listen to his mother and heed her warnings to stay away from the "no-top" world, where humans live and danger lurks around every corner. And because of this, we are treated to Harry and George's many adventures, as they leave their safe home underground, to go up above and experience the forbidden "no-top" world. Lynn Reid Banks has written a very creative and imaginative story, about the world, from a centipede's point of view. Her writing is witty and down to earth, full of funny dialogue and great, fast paced scenes. Your kids will be turning pages to the end, to find out what happens when Harry and George, finally come face to face with the dreaded human. The perfect book for youngsters aged 8-10, Harry the Poisonous Centipede is a winner.

This is a very good book. I recomend it to anyone that doesen't know how to speak centipedish. I think that all hoo-min kind should read it. (you'd know what I mean if you have read the book!)

Magical fun and humoruos! I read this book in book group and it didn't get alot of conversation but it did get 10s 1000s and inbetween!great fun. Discover the Fantoras and their tricks and talents!

Thios is possibly the best book I have ever read. I am now 11 years old, and I still read it often. I am getting book 2, and am HOPELESSLY waiting for book 3!!!

I am an eleven year old boy in search of HUMOR. And this book has it all. I highly reccomend this book for younger kids who are just starting to read chapter books. It's simple to understand, has lots of funny drawings, and is hilarious.

This book brings back memories of my own childhood. I love to read it to children. It is full of imagination and fun. I also recommend 10,000 White Horses by Betsy Lee which you can get at Amazon.com.

As our young narrator tells us in no uncertain terms, she's not interested in being a good girl, or a girly girl, sitting around with friends chatting, having tea parties, and playing with dolls. That's not her idea of fun. She definitely doesn't want to have her head in a book, or cook, clean, and sew. And as for high-rise living in the big city, well this young lady yearns to live on the prairie, breaking broncos, driving cattle, twirling her lasso, and sleeping under the stars. And that's just what she plans to do. "I've got my shiny spurs and boots,/I've got my cowgirl hat-/I'm leaving for the Wild, Wild West./Now what's so wrong with that?" Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross have authored an imaginative and humorous ode to the wild, wild west, with a very satisfying, feel-good ending, that's sure to become a read aloud favorite at your house. Ms Willis' rhyming text is entertaining and engaging, and begs to be read with a lilting western drawl. Mr Ross' charming and creative, cartoon-like artwork is rich in expressive, wild west images, and sharp eyed readers will enjoy poring over the illustrations and finding all the special and amusing details in each picture. Perfect for youngsters 3-7, I Want To Be A Cowgirl is a rootin' tootin' good time for little cowpokes with big dreams of their own.

Under a city sky scuttled with cactus shaped clouds a dissatisfied little miss stoutly declares that she doesn't want to be a good girl, but a cowgirl instead. Surrounded by books and needlework in her 20th floor apartment she observes that good girls have absolutely no fun, and she does this in lilting rhyme: "I don't want to be a girly girl, Who likes to sit and chat. I just want to be a cowgirl, Daddy, What's so wrong with that?"

Vested and hatted Daddy thinks this is a really absurd ambition. Nonetheless, off his little daughter goes to Texas, to the wild, wild west. As it turns out, she doesn't go alone.

Tony Ross's inimitable boldly colored illustrations add another dimension of fun to this lively tale of a little girl's dream.

- Gail Cooke

What child hasn't asked "Why?" What adult hasn't tried to answer this question? Plenty of other reviews detail the plot, so I won't rehash it here.

This is a great story to encourage children to keep asking questions and to help them understand why adults sometimes have trouble answering.

I've shared this story in a church service, and children of all ages as well as adults loved it.

The book has some nice extras too. The endpapers are covered with "Why" translated into many languages, emphasizing the universality of this question. Some of the illustrations have signs and background dialogue written in Thargish code. Older children and adults will like deciphering these humorous additions. A code key is included for the decrypting-challenged.

I can't recommend this book highly enough!

I read a lot of books to a lot of kids here at the library. This is one of my favorites to read because, the audience immediately begins to participate! At the first "Why?" there is a giggle. And at the second a laugh. Then they Why-along. The illustrations are bright, energetic, and well...cute. The end makes adults smile warmly...and all the children leave saying "Why?" to just about everything--well, okay it might drive some parents/teachers mad...but it's well worth it. The kids adore it. I used this with seven seperate classes of first graders this year and their opinions were unanimous! Lilly is a winner!

This is the ultimate book about the never ending question, why? If you have young kids & this is their favorite word (but not always yours) - here's your answer! Your kids will love the ending & may even understand why Mom or Dad can't always handle this simple question. "Thargon" has become a new word in our vocabulary! Written by a Dad who's been there.

The UK/Australian version is called "Dr Xargle's Book of Earth Tiggers".

It is hysterical, and the illustrations terrific. The under-6 crowd perhaps don;t really "get it" - it requires the capacity to understand word jokes.

The picture of the mother spooning out "meatblob" (cat food) whilst wearing a handkerchief round her face is a killer! The look of dismay on the little girl's face as the "meatblob"lands on her ice cream is priceless. Perfect depiction of the gloop in tins produced for cats!

A lot of fun this book.

My then-7-year-old daughter received this book for Christmas last year, and even a year later it makes her laugh! As a family of cat owners, we found the book to be as accurate as it is funny. We highly recommend this and any other "Professor Xargle" book.

The story is read by the author. She has a lovely voice and a beautiful English accent. (Like Julie Andrews) The story is delightful, original. The talent of the author is very obvious. It begins: "Harry was a poisonous centipede. You may think that's not a nice thing to be, but Harry thought it was fine. He'd anything else and he liked being what he was..." Unless you have a beautiful English accent, I recomend the audio tape. I think this story is perfect for ages 4 - 9.

My children listened to Harry the Poisonous Centipede on cassette tape and loved it. Lynn Reid Banks voice is captivating. This is such an entertaining story, but also gives interesting details about the life of a centipede. It is recommended for listeners ages 8 and up, but even my 3 year old wanted to hear it again and again.

This book is charming and my children love it. They can never get enough rereadings and seem to laugh at all the mischief Henry manages to inflict on his family. Since Henry's parents seem to favor his brother, Perfect Peter, this is Henry's chance to star on his own. I recommend it highly.

I am 7 1/2 yrs. old and I loved this book, along with the other Horrid Henry books. Henry is horrible, especially to his younger brother named "Perfect Peter". But the things Henry does are very funny - they make me laugh. There are 4 chapters in this book. My favorite chapter is the last one titled "Horrid Henry's Christmas". I laughed when Henry switched the his name tags on the Christmas gift with his cousin "Stuck-up Steve". The words are written in British, but I understand them and enjoy learning the new words.

What a delightful, fun book about the bravery of Sir Fred, the treachery of Melvin the Miffed and the love of Lady Wendylyn!

Although he is very brave, Sir Fred he is afraid of one thing: the dark (Achilles). Sir Miffed wants Lady Wendylyn to himself so he tells her that Sir Fred must be up to something by only seeing her when there is a full moon (the snake in Eden). Lady Wendylyn tests Sir Fred's love by requesting to see him at night. This leads to a climactic ending where Lady Wendylyn and Sir Fred each face their own fears in order to save the other, proving that their love for each other was stronger than their phobias.

Hollywood would do well to come out with such a good romance. Illustrations are funny; could't help but think that Sir Fred looks like Gerard Depardieu!

This is a sweet story that is as much for adults as it is for children. The artwork is fun, something new is found each time the book is read. The story is a simple one: facing your fears and the rewards of doing so. Sometimes love does conquer all!

How do you become a big, bad wolf? Why, go to Big Bad Wolf College, of course! Our 2nd grade book club thoroughly enjoyed this funny book. It is written entirely in letter form - letters home from Little Wolf - about his adventures going to Cunning College to learn from his Uncle Bigbad. The kids enjoyed finding the misspelled words and the words Little Wolf made up to end his letters, which gave his parents an idea of how his day had gone, e.g. "Yours sorebottomly". Girls & boys liked it equally well - almost all of them gave it 5 stars. Is Little Wolf destined to become a Big Bad Wolf? You'll have to read it to find out!

In response to the review below, my 8-year old LOVED the "ly" endings to all the salutations in Little Wolf's letters. He also pointed out (with gleeful superiority)how funny it was that various words were mispelled. He was given this book after he thoroughly enjoyed the second in the series. Then his big brother took the book for a long look. Very funny, entertaining, goofy English humor. I love the ink splotches. I just wish they were already in paperback and I'd give them out!

I liked this book because I started it right when I got home and fell on the floor laughing it's soooo funny! I loved it!

This was a very good book, great for kids in the third or fourth grade. Ambers best friend moves away, because his father gets a new job. Amber has alot to deal with now. Her parents are not together and she has lost her best friend. This book shows how Amber copes with all these things. It also is helpful in showing you how to make new friends. Great book, would recommend it to everyone who has ever felt a little left out or just lonely at times.

I picked Amber Brown is not a Crayon because I like the book very much and I like reading something that is funny. And like Amber brown she is a teenage girl like I am.She talk about things that I would talk about.She goes through things that most girls and families goes through.There was one book that she wrote was Amber Brown goes to fourth grade and her mom tries so herd to get her up for school and she makes up the most stupid lies that I have ever heard .But in the end her mom makes go to school anyways .And I will rate this book to 5 stars because that is a very good book. I reccomend all people out there read this book.

Amber Brown is not a Crayon is a 5 stars book! I suggest you read this because in the book Amber's friend Justin moves away!! If you've ever had a best friend move away, you would love this book! Amber has had a very tough life because her mom and dad are divoriced. She bairly ever gets to see her dad. She really loves her mom and dad both and wishes that they would get back together again! If your parents are divoriced then you would know how Amber feels. When I read this book I said to myself this is the best book I've ever read and then when I told my class they agreed! So that is how good it is!! If you don't read this you'll be very sorry. So just put down that gameboy and nintendo and get reading!! As I said before I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down!! Other books that are in the Amber Brown series are Amber Brown Forever, Amber Brown You Can't Eat Your Chicken Pox, and Amber Brown goes Fourth!!