"Abazaba alley cat A, Bebop a boogaloo, bim bam blues..." I wrote that last line from memory, so excuse any mispellings. My son loves this book so much I can do the whole thing from beginning to end in my sleep... the pictures are wonderful, bright and full of detail. Lots of animals to name, objects that begin with the appropriate letter are incorporated into each page, and the people depicted are multicultural. The text is alliterative and rhythmic (NOT rhyming,as one of the print reviews says), and really captures the movement of jazz.

The recommended age is 5-9, but my son has been in love with this book since he was 12 months old. He's 15 months now, and still demands it upwards of 10 times a day. He loves to find the kitty cat and the little boy that are found on every page of the book (except one) and will clap his hands with the rythym.
I just pray our copy will last for more than a year... this book is really getting a workout in our house.

Read it in your best "blues man" voice, and you've got a winner for any preschooler! Va-va-varoom!

Sherry Shahan swings through the alphabet, jazz style, and every toe will be tapping on this raucus, fun-filled journey from A to Z. Listen to the boogie-woogie, bim-bam blues. Watch the cool cats cuttin' the rug, and fat cats shuffle to a fine funky beat. Hear that jazzy jam session, or the organ all oozy and bluesy. The piano pitter-patters, plink, the saxophone is swinging, so shimmy and shake, and the woodwinds wibble-wabble woo woo wee. So zip up that zoot suit and get ready to jive..... Ms Shahans clever text is lively and captivating, and filled with energy, rhythm, alliteration, and motion that's contagious. Little ones will be on their feet and moving to the beat. Mary Thelen's bold, bright, and busy illustrations dazzle with vibrant colors and intensity, and youngsters will never tire of exploring each intriguing page. The Jazzy Alphabet is an engaging manic romp, best read aloud and shared, and a definite preschool crowd pleaser. "The jazzy alphabet boogies and sings, hot jazz, cool jazz, pizzazzy street-jammin' jazz. Razzmatazz! It is the cat's pajamas. MEOW!

The photographs are fantastic to show what all is being described in this book. I found the material to be factual and presented in an interesting manner for an elementary student who wishes to write a report on sled dogs or sledogging as a sport. It would also be a good book to learn about sled dogs and their sport. I live in Alaska and follow sled dog activity. I have also written a children's book about a sled dog. The photographs set this book apart from all the others I am familiar with.

One of the latest titles in the outstanding "Meet The Author Series" from Richard C. Owen Publishers, Imagination showcases popular children's picture book author Mike Thaler who tells young readers about himself, and what it's like to create, write, and illustrate stories for children everywhere. Full-color photographs and warm, personal narration make Imagination an enjoyable read to share, especially with budding young storytellers curious about the creative process. Also very highly recommended for school and community library collections are two other "Meet The Author" series titles: Laura Numeroff's If You Give An Author A Pencil... and Denise Fleming's Maker Of Things...

Working Dogs

A doggone grrrrreat book for beginning readers. The photos are fascinating, filled with warmth, humor and story. The text offers unique tidbits of information about dogs and their jobs that kids, teachers, and librarians will find surprising and interesting. As a former teacher, I can see how this easy-reader about man's best friend could help kids learn more about these talented, dedicated animals . . . while giving them a feeling of triumphant satisfaction when they close the book and say: "I read it all by myself!" (It will also help them realize that books can be a best friend, too!) My four-year-old loves this book, as well. We give it a five-paw review!

The setting takes place between Yukatat and juneau Alaska at least in the late 1980's. A girl named Cody travels with her cousin Derek to Juneau, Alaska from Yukatat, Alaska. To find their mothers who are shopping for supplies traveling by kayak. Trying to beat the rising current Cody loses her kayak in the current that had all their supplies that was needed. Cody gets a fever in which she almost dies but thanks to Derek she was calmed down. Cody goes blind from the glare of the sun off the salt water. They almost get to the city but, were caught in a storm. Imagery was used in this story because it creates pictures in the mind of the reader. I think that this is a very good and interesting book. When I started to read it I couldn't blink my eyes. I like the character Derek because it was cool how he took care of her cousin.

15 year old Cody and her 12 year old cousin think that they are sneaking off for a carefree 2-day camping and Kayak trip in glacier/fjord wilderness in Southwest Alaska, while their mothers are in Juneau bueing supplies. The trip soon turns into a terrifing week when the Hubbard Glacier "serges" blocking the Fjord, the water leval rises and washes Codyes kayak away and a lot of their supplies. Soon they are soaking wet, starving , and tired. The fun two night trip becomes a fight for servivle, the're fighting huge glaciers, waves, and the worst par is they think they are being followed!

Frozen Stiff

by Sherry Shahan

Cody's mother and her cousin Derek's mother are away in Juneau, Alaska. Cody and Derek plan to go kayaking and camp out on an island in Alaska. The two cousins lose their kayaks and are stranded on the island. They camp out on the island, but then they think someone is spying on them. What they thought was going to be a simple two night trip turned out to be a longer and harder journey. This is a really exiting book. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read interesting, funny mystery books.

I think that the book was scary, but it was kinda hard to follow. Like in the end when they took him to the prison for his birthday I got all confused.

Jason is writing a story of a guy named Blowtorch and notices when ever he saves the story , it changes around. Now blowtorch wants to get out of the computer and erase Jason. Can Jason Erase him first?