Kids all know Santa is coming to their house. Do they know about Jesus coming? If you're looking for ways to give God a little equal time during the pre-Christmas crush, get this book for your kids. Little ones love to hear about animals, so the barnyard perspective of the first Christmas night is particularly effective. They will love the pictures, which depict the busy goings-on of each animal who has a job to prepare the barn for the special visitors. As the pages proceed, a subtle nighttime darkness grows, demonstrating the long wait children will associate with waiting for Christmas: "But it is dark," says Cat. "They will never come," says Rat. "Yes, they'll come, says Mouse. "Someone's coming to this house." The hypnotic cadence of the the spare text will keep them interested and turning pages to find out the answer to the all-important question: "Who is coming to our house?"

I bought this book for my under-two-year-old boys and my nearly five-year-old daughter never misses the nightly reading. It is a new Advent family tradition we all enjoy.

I've had this book for 18 years and it's still one of my favorites. I love the simple story line and it tells the story of the birth of Jesus in a unique way. I am working towards becomming a preschool teacher and this will be a must in my classroom. If your looking for the best book for a child this is deffinatly it.

Who is Coming to Our House? is a super-favorite of my granddaughters, 14 months and 2-1/2. The black-outlined familiar farm animals and the final picture of the baby Jesus are just what they love. They study the details: apples, Joseph's lantern in the distance, Mary's toes. And the soft verse is hypnotic. A perfect last book before bed. No need to save this one for later. It is becoming my standard baby gift.

Miss Bindergarten is a dog who teaches school to a lot of baby animals. I read this book to my four year old, and he loved it. After we were done reading the book he hugged it and smiled really big. The book is intended for an audience of 4 or 5 year olds (maybe even the first graders). There are 38 unnumbered pages in this book. This book is illustrated by Ashley Wolff, and she does a brillant job. I usually don't like to pitch authors and illustrators, but there was a lot thought and care put into these illustrations so I just have to say something about this illustrator. At this age -- illustrations are everything. We spent about 10 minutes reading this book (5 of those minutes were me trying to get to the next page). Then about 45 minutes looking at the pictures and naming the different little animals. My son wanted to look at and ask questions about each page -- very stimulating for his little mind. I highly recommend this book.

My daughter has recently graduated her loved kindergarten. She was fascinated with two kind teachers in this book. They remind her of her worshipped teacher Ms. Kikuchi so she read this book again and again. For me, my daughter's kindergarten days are sweet memory, too. In those days, even catching cold and staying home is so sweet that we can't forget such a day.

It's Sunday and poor Miss Bindergarten has come down with the flu and she won't be able to teach school tomorrow. But, not to worry, Mr Tusky, the very able substitute, is here. And with the help of the children, Adam the alligator, Brenda the beaver, Christopher the cat... and the rest of the alphabetized named class, they don't miss a thing...show and tell, drawing and painting, singing...Unfortunately, with each day, another student falls victim to the flu. That is until Friday, when everybody is back for a full day with Miss Bindergarten. On Saturday and Sunday, everyone gets to stay home, especially a very sick Mr Tusky! Joseph Slate has written a very gentle, rhyming story about the joys of kindergarten, even when the flu hits. Ashley Wolff's, expressive, detailed illustrations, compliment the story perfectly as you watch the class play, learn and even fall sick. Together, they take some of the mystery and fear out of kindergarten life. A wonderful, delightful story all kindergarteners will love and want to read again and again.

One of my 4-year-old's absolute favorites, and educational to boot. The illustrations are especially good. We love Miss Bindergarten!

Thank you again, Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff!!! From a teacher's perspective, Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten is a wonderful follow-up to Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten. Slate's rhythmic, repetitive language make for a perfect read-aloud that children can participate in. Wolff's detailed illustrations reveal much time spent in REAL classrooms. Children will love seeing the similarities between their own classrooms and the beloved Miss B's. I'll certainly be reading this to my own Kindergarteners on our 100th Day celebration, and I encourage other teachers to do so as well!

I liked this book very much because it reminded me of the times when my dad reads or tells me bedtime stories. This book has a very good message and it makes you feel happy, which is nice before you fall sleep. The illustrations are also very nice and colorful. I am happy to see a new Porcupine book. I still read the first book "How Little Porcupine Played Christmas" every Christmas, but in this book the Porcupine is older. This book will be a nice Christmas present,especially for children who like to listen to nice bedtime stories.

One of our family's favorite holiday stories is Joseph Slate's "The Little Porcupine Who Played Christmas", and so I was surprised and delighted to come across a new book featuring our old friend, "Story Time for Little Porcupine".

Like children everywhere, Little Porcupine is reluctant to go to bed every evening, and like parents everywhere, Papa can only get him to settle down by telling stories. The tales he tells are porcupine legends that explain the origin of the sun's rays, what a sunset really is, and where the stars come from.

A good children's book should not only entertain, but should also encourage youngsters to exercise their own imaginations. Mr. Slate's latest offering meets both criteria admirably. You'll find your audience hanging on your every word, and you may discover that Little Porcupine's curiosity will have your own little porcupines looking with greater interest at the world around them.

Jacqueline Rogers's illustrations are the perfect complement to Mr. Slate's narration. Her depiction of the sun as the Big Porcupine and the moon as a sly coyote are a must-see.

Looking for a gift that will be a continual source of pleasure for your kids? You won't go wrong with "Story Time for Little Porcupine."

(A nine-year-old fan asked that the author send amazon.com her comments:) "You are a very good writer. (Your book) is interesting too. I liked the part where the boy thought he heard a ghost. I hope to meet you sometime too. I would like to read more books of yours.

Simple yet profound, clever, yet touching, this masterful little story is a gem. To a heartbroken young porcupine who doesn't get a part in the Baby in the Manger play because the other animals taunt that a prickly porcupine is unsuitable for such an honor, the mother's oft-quoted words, "You are the light of my life!" are consoling. The surprise ending is touching and beautiful. The story fosters sensitivity, is superbly illustrated and full of laughter and tears, and the mother's words will become part of your own family life.

"There's much to do," says Miss B, "to make this circus fun to see." And Miss Bindergarten's alphabetically named kindergarten class gets right to work painting posters and decorating, designing costumes, numbering ticket, making refreshments, learning their parts, and practicing. When the big day arrives family and friends watch as class members perform their acts and tricks, including a special treat by Miss Bindergarten, herself..."the marvelous, the magnificent, the mysterious Jugglebee..... Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff are back and teacher extraordinare, Miss Bindergarten, is busier than ever. Mr Slate's creative, joyous text is filled with rhyme, rhythm, and energy, and complemented by Ms Wolff's bold, bright, and busy illustrations. Together this dynamic duo introduces letters and colors in a clever and exuberant, fun-filled romp. Perfect for preschoolers, Miss Bindergarten Plans A Circus With Kindergarten is a wonderful addition to a fine series that shouldn't be missed. Read them all and enjoy!

This book is a tremendous resource on the benefits of slate and why it creates a beautiful roof. The color photographs alone make it clear why all hard slate roofs should be maintained as local/regional treasures. After reading "The Slate Roof Bible" the roof moves to the foreground whenever evaluating a building's appearance. Unfortunately too few understand the long-term asthetic and function of slate roofs, and many beautiful older homes have been downgraded with installation of asphalt roofs. This fine book not only covers all aspects of slate roof installation and maintenance, but also provides help on other projects (gutters, chimneys, etc) while you're up there :-) Read this book and discover the "secret" of slate...

This book by Joe Jenkins is one of a kind. It's a comprehensive, kalidoscopic, multi-faceted tome that everyone interested in architecture, construction, or design must read. One is duly impressed by the encyclopedic knowledge and obvious love and care Mr. Jenkins has brought to his subject. The photos are outstanding and lead you to the conclusion that slate roofs are truely a work of art. This book not only explains the history of slate (as if that weren't enough), but it also devotes the last half to giving practical instructions on how to preserve slate roofs. It argues convincingly that the loss of slate roofs in favor of inferior materials reflects a lowering of aesthetic (and economic) values. After reading this book, you'll want one yourself, and if you already have one, you'll know how to preserve it. The writing is folksy, down home, and humorous, as if Jenkins were pontificating to you from the top of a cathedral as he's replacing a tile. As an example of Jenkins' elevated taste, he opens the book with a phenomenal poem that encapsulates in musical language the poetry of slate. Leaving no slate unturned, the poem artfully recreates the spiritual and aesthetic resonances that slate suggests. The poem is worth the price of the book itself, as is the creative cover by Tom Griffith. All in all, no house with a roof should be without it.

Who knew one could get so excited about slate roofing. After reading this book, I am so motivated to tackle the roof on my house. Everywhere I walk now my head is pointed upwards to look at the slate on roofs. My father always told me that slate lasts 100 years - but never did I imagine it could last up to 400! The most interesting thing about this book is the geology of slate. Mr Jenkins clearly shows his experience but also his passion for this type of roof - which is more than a roof- it's a piece of architectural history. The book appropriately enough starts with a poem - because slate can truly inspire poetry. My only criticism is that in his passion for slate, Mr. Jenkins occasionally slights terne roofing. Being in a barn, garage or gazebo under a terne / tin roof during the rain is just as poetic as slate. I remember looking for books on terne roofing, a skill which thankfully my father passed on to me, and found in some complete guide to roofing (sic) that 'metal is no longer an acceptable roofing material because of the noise it makes during rain'. My God - they just don't get it. Tthe poetry of rain on a tin (or slate) roof. Pity the people who have never heard that soothing, lulling sound.

Our three year old is an Animal Planet nut and he loves this book. He figured out the Alphabet sequence to the animals AND their names before we did! Unfortunatly we can not figure out what animal Quinton and a few others are.

Miss Bindergarten and her kindergarten explore exciting places around town, from the bakery to the fire station. Enjoy a rollicking rhyming text and fun, bright art which displays how clever children enjoy their outing - sometimes at others' expenses!

Join Miss Bindergarten as she and her wonderful alphabetically named animal class are off visiting community helpers on their first field trip. But before you turn that first page, take a look at all the different shapes on Miss Bindergarten's easel and see if you can find them as you read the book. First the class stops at the bakery where children learn to cut cookies and ice cakes. Then it's on to the fire station where they try on gear, ring the bell, learn to stop drop and roll and watch Miss Bindergarten slide down the fire pole. At the post office, the class looks at stamps and finds out where a letter goes after you mail it and at the library, they see what's new and catch up on story hour. Last but not least, they're off to the park for a snack before heading back to school..... Ashley Wolff and Joseph Slate have authored a wonderful interactive story your children will want to read again and again. Their delightful, humorous, rhyming text is complemented by bright, bold, expressive artwork that's full of busy detail and youngsters will enjoy finding all the shapes (circular cookies, square cake, rectangular envelope...) and letters in the pictures. Perfect for youngsters 3-6, Miss Bindergarten Takes a Field Trip With Kindergarten is a charmer and a terrific new addition to this series.

I don't think this book gives an accurate veiw of what kindergarten is like. I teach pre-school and have been to kindergarten classes with the children. This book gives an idea of what pre-school is like.

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready For Kindergarten is a delightful book that should be a part of every kindergarten classroom! It is a good "ice breaker" story for the first day of school and gives the children an idea of what it is like for the teacher to prepare her classroom as well as exploring the various feelings that children may have about the first day of school.

The rhyming words and repetitive text throughtout the book provide the children with an opportunity to participate in the story, as well as enhancing their recall skills.

The illustrations are beautifully done and provide much for the children to look at. My personal favorite is the one in which Miss Bindergarten (who is a dog)applies lipstick right before school starts!

Miss Bindergarten, a dog wakes up and gets ready for her first day back to school. She packs her car and prepares to fix her gloomy classroom. Her pupils are getting ready for their first day of kindergarten. Each student (animals) has a rhyme to go with their activity: "Beaver Heath brushes her teeth" and "Ian Lowe says, 'I won't go' ''. Some are excited and some, such as Ian, are upset. Meanwhile, Miss Bindergarten has transformed her room into a bright rainbow of colors. Ashley Wolff does a wonderful job of illustrating this book. The illustrations are done in watercolor-and-gouache. Depicting the animals realistically, she captures excitement, dispear, and love in their facial expressions. Each animal looks incredibly life like, even though they are portrayed with some human characteristics. I think that it is important for children's books to illustrate animals realistically. If children look at books that show purple elephants and blue horses they will believe can be any color. This way the children will be better able to identify the animal when they see it again. The colors used in this book are very vibrant. Every page contains busy animals and curved text, they fill every available space.