This is a great book. It is very kid friendly. The illustrations and photographs are very vivid. My second grade class has enjoyed reading it.

This book is great! The monsters are fun and exciting. My son Joseph especially likes the snake monster. A must have for any kid with a wild imagination.

Lola Schaefer is an excellent writer and a master teacher, with many years experience. Her book is what every teacher needs to get their kids writing, examining their writing, and improving their writing.

This book is excellent for both teachers that are writers and teachers who feel uncomfortable teaching writing. It smooths the process and makes it one of enjoyable discovery with your class.

The rich language and incredible illustrations in this book make children utter the two words all teachers and parents want to hear--"Read it again!". The House-that-Jack-built pattern allows children to quickly join in and feel comfortable with the book. As a kindergarten teacher and educational consultant, I look for picture books which allow an instant connection with children and This Is The Rain is a beautiful addition to my collection.

A wonderful read-aloud book for Pre-school through grade 2. Children love the rhyming repetitive verse and with the bold, beautiful illustrations by Donald Crews it will keep an entire classroom's attention. Very good book for a science unit on seeds. It's hard to find fun things to compliment a lesson on seeds, but this book fills that gap. Every elementary school library should have this book in their collection.

This easy to read children's book explores the construction industry from "idea",to
"moving in day" (landscaping inclusive). I am only sorry that the author did not
explore FLOOR PLANS (hand drawn or CAD would have been nice to have been
included!)
There is an easy to understand "key", introducing youngsters to symbols within the
framework of the site plan.
Children love machinery and the photographs will certainly make them happy!
The first piece of machinery fails to include trade schooling (such as BOCES in our
part of the world) and just claims "on the job training."
The framing shows wood framing but steel framing (for even homes) could have
been "explored".
Once again, as far as education is concerned, the book's creators alluded to
"...studied as he worked with other heating and air-conditioned contractors." (Page
19). "...Many plumbers, like Leon, spent four years learning the trade." (Page 21).
Where, how?
"Like many electricians, Bill had five years of training and schooling to become an
electrician."(Page 23). They finally hit the BULLS-EYE!!! So glad that this was
included at this point in the book. Not every electrician "hangs out a shingle", as my
husband went to Delhi Ag. and Tech. for electrical as well as Air Conditioning and
Refrigeration... and graduated with a 4.0 G.P.A., so I am particularly sensitive to
this issue! Furthermore, "Some painters, such as Tom, went to a trade school for
three years..." (Page 27). One of the least hazardous of employs is given this
information, where the heavy equipment operation is lacking.

Don't be fooled--This book is NOT a how-to guide. There are no ideas or instructions to be had here. It's an easy reader, and a pretty stupid one at that. Nothing interesting or clever about the text. Just the requisite (very) limited vocabulary and boring sentence structure. I always figure that kids introduced to reading with this type of book probably die of boredom or give up in disgust before they crack the literary code!