The story of Emma, the chicken, and her amazement and confusion at what the farmer and his family seem to expect from her and her eggs is a joy to read. It has a repeating catch-phrase of "No, no, no, Emma, that's NOT what you do with eggs!" that kids will enjoy saying along with you, and it turns around at the end to their joyfully exclamation of "Yes, yes, yes, Emma, THAT'S what you do with eggs!" The illustrations are a match for the story - Emma's facial expressions and body language make me want to smile every time. I highly recommend this book - I know my three-year old will want to hear this book for many years to come.

Emma's Eggs is the cutest story of a chicken doing her best to please her owners. When she sees one of her eggs get scrambled, she tries to scramble the next one herself. Problem is, the farmer and his family are not pleased with her efforts. So it goes with each of her eggs, until she finally decides to sit on her egg and refuse to give it up. You can guess what happens with that final egg. The best line in the book: "Emma fitted on her nest like the lid on a cookie jar." The illustrations are wonderful; the expressions on Emma's face are priceless. This was an instant hit with my daughter, and she giggles every time she reads it. I highly recommend this book!

Growing up in Canada and in this area where these pictures in the book were painted bring back fond memories of my childhood and reading and discussing this book with my kids gave them a better understanding of how the alphabet can be understood, and that there is alot more to our alphabet than we think. This is a great way to extend their knowledge to be more aware of various types of trees, wildlife, flowers, etc... This book is a masterpiece and should be added to everyone's book collection.

Each page has a beautiful, realistic picture with a sentence of alliterations for the letter. Each picture also has a hidden letter, making the book challenging, informative and fun.

An absolutely delightful tale of barnyard intrigue. Emma is noordinary chicken! She is determined to overcome her fears and outsmartthe evil coyote who lurks around the hen house. In spite of comments like "a chicken can't outsmart a coyote!", she believes in herself and teaches children to do the same. This book gives a wonderful positive message to our children and will help them develop good self-esteem. The illustrations are colorful and entertaining. My children loved it! My daughter's entire kindergarten class wanted it to be read over and over again! This one's a keeper!

Diana Bonder's beautiful and fun illustrations enhance Margriet Ruurs's A Pacific Alphabet, a basic alphabet book which uses a whimsical illustration checklist to help teach. The sea life and world observed by a sailor help emphasize the alphabet for kids.

Reading this book is like sitting down with the author to gain knowledge and understanding of how to best help children enjoy reading and writing poetry. It's an easy read that compels one to write and facilitate a successful poetry unit. Ruurs references numerous sources (books as well as Internet sites) that will help the reader be successful. This book is a "must read" that is worth every penny spent!

Margriet Ruurs is a gifted poet who writes verse consistently reflecting a joy of language and insight into the world of children. Enhanced with illustrations, Virtual Maniac: Silly And Serious Poems For Kids is a showcase collection of her highly recommended talent. School Sick: I don't want to go to school today./I think I'll be sick so I can stay/in my bed, cozy and warm./I don't want to go out in rain and storm./I'll throw up all over the rug/and crawl back to bed, comfy 'n snug.//I'll fake a sore throat and a fever./My mom is smart, but I can deceive her!/I'll have funny lumps with a rash/so she'll want me back in bed in a flash./That way I can stay home and play,/slumber and snooze the entire day.//Uh oh!/Here comes my mom with a bottle and a pill,/she takes my temperature, I have to live very still!/I don't want to swallow that!/I just may have to get out of bed!/The medicine has a terrible smell,/and all of a sudden I feel very well!