As an adult, I was not expecting to enjoy learning a little bit about the coral reefs, but I really did.

While visiting with my nephew, he wanted to read this book. My mom(his Nana) went with him to the library and he picked out five of the Magic School Bus books. Takes a Dive was one of the books.

The illustrations by Bruce Degen were really cool. At one point in the book, the children turned into different sea creatures from anemones and hermit crabs to remoras and sharks. Degen definitely makes the book visually appealing.

Joanna Cole writes in a way that is easy to comprehend for children. I think that it is wonderful how she revolves the book around a multicultural class of about eight kids. Many different ethnicities in the class are represented.

Cole gives the child a chance to explore the coral reefs to discover what the reefs are about in a way that is neither condescending or patronizing.

Also, she throws in the concept of partnership. One of the kids, Wanda, is always wanting to know why she has to have Dorothy Ann as a partner. Through their exploration of the coral reef, Wanda and Dorothy Ann discover why they need to work together as partners.

Even though my nephew was four years old, I would say that this book is designed for an older child between the ages of 9 to 12, like they suggested here at amazon.com.

If you want to learn a little bit more about exploring coral reefs with your children, then this is the book for you.

I have never seen this on television, so I do not know how it would come across on television. But, if it is as good as this book, then it would be just as good.

Author, Nancy White Carlstrom and illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon have combined their talents to create a truly beautiful bedtime story for the young child. Nancy White Carlstrom whose family moved to Alaska wanted to create a book that was reflective of the flora, fauna and traditions she found there.

Included in her lovely poem are both animate and inanimate items as mountains, rivers, trees stars, moon, moose, wolves, bears, foxes, and mice brought to life as members of the family, grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles, aunts, cousins, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers. The book supplies a profound and visual picture of our inter-connection with nature and each other that are frequently found in Native American folk tales.

The Dillons are well reputed children's illustrators who specialize in illustrating stories which fairly represent many different cultures. Their illustrations in this book are outstanding and really I would love to have some of them framed. This book as other outstanding children's book could serve as a coffee table book for adults to leaf through and drool over.

The book is for children though and it provides a wonderful warm feeling for children as they nestle into their bed on a cold winter's night or even in the summer. How special it is for children to know they are loved by many different family members as they fall asleep.

A good read-aloud story to introduce Alaskan wildlife and the changing of the season. The raven illustrations truly represent this magnificent bird.

Nancy White has really written an amazing book. She used past events from her own childhood to create a book that would steal into the hearts of every reader. There is some piece amung these pages that fits perfectly into ever readers past. The type of book that you will read again and again.

This is a beautifully written story, complete with it's own song and music, about a little otter who strays from his mother, and how she calls him home with song. A soothing, delightful bedtime story.

I was amazed when this birthday present for my boys (aged 2 years old) was such a satisfying book to read! They love it and so do I. The words invite a dynamic reading: quiet, loud, fast, slow, while telling the simple story of a visit to the neighboring farm where Wyatt, the children's best friend, lives. The way to Wyatt's house is full of doors sighing shut, leaves crunching underfoot, logs to climb over, beetles scurrying. At Wyatt's house they "jump out of quiet into LOUD!" as the farm animals greet them, each in its own special way.

The book focuses on sounds (my kids call it the "crunch book") while telling the story of a sweet friendship. The poetic text is pleasing to hear but not too hard for young kids to understand. This is the kind of book I imagine will fuel my kids' love of reading.

The best Halloween book for little ones out there! Carlstrom does a fantastic job of capturing the excitement, delight, and apprehension that Halloween brings to small people. Jesse, Papa and Grandma visit the pumpkin patch and carve a pumpkin, which is great fun. But turn out the lights and light the jack o'lantern, and it's a little bit scary. For his costume, Jesse finds the perfect mask -- then scares himself silly when he puts it on and looks in the mirror. Trick or treating sounds good in theory, but where did all these other spooky folks come from? If you have a little person who's both delighted and terrified by Halloween, this is the perfect book for you. If not, buy it just for the rollicking rhyme and gorgeous illustrations. A must-have for all toddler households.

My 2 1/2 year old son should be the reviewer of this book. He has requested it from the library at least 4 times and he loves to read it to himself. It's got a great rhythm, and wonderful pictures of lots of different animals. "Would you dip with the otter? Dippidah dippidah!"

Where is Christmas Jesse Bear? Join Jesse and his bear family as they explore the sights, sounds, smells, activities and feelings that make this time of the year so wonderful. Is it the beautiful prickly tree or the ornaments and lights? Is it the aroma of cookies baking and spicey apple cider? Is it the music we hear, the wrapping of presents, the glow of candles or the falling snow? Jesse Bear finds out it's all these things and much, much more...most importantly, that warm feeling in your heart that comes from celebrating with family and friends. Nancy White Carlstrom's newest Jesse Bear book really captures the spirit of the season with this warm, gentle, rhyming story, as we watch Jesse and his family get ready to celebrate Christmas together. Her text is beautifully complimented by Bruce Degen's expressive, colorful, detailed illustrations and together they bring pre-schoolers the holiday message of peace on earth and joy to the world.

I read this book(they misspelled the title,it should be "The White Hart)when it first came out in 1979! I loved it than & every so often I reread it.I love it!! Now as a member of the pagan religion I know why,it's full of Goddess symbols.It's a great read for kids and for kids at heart.