What a great book to introduce children to patriotism and the All American parade! The illustrations bring a parade to life! All three of my kids ages 6, 4 and 20 months loved this book! Like a real parade, something for everyone!

This book captures the essence of a favorite American event - the annual Fourth of July parade that can be witnessed in almost every small town. Ziefert's rhyming story is wonderfully illustrated with vivid paintings of the different entries in the parade. Uncle Sam on stilts, the Little League, the High School Band, the local beauty pageant winner---it's just like the author says "Everyone marches on the Fourth of July". My favorite picture is the one of the baton twirler trying to retrieve her baton from the mischievous pup that caught it. This book is an excellent one to read aloud to toddlers and preschoolers.

Well, I have to say first and foremost, that I love Harriet Zeifert books. This one was a disapointment. Like I said, it was just ok. The illustrations are nice, but very dark, and it is difficult to read the black text at times. My daughter on the other hand loves this book. She thinks Susan is a riot when she gets out of bed, wanting to sleep with Mommy and Daddy. This book would be good for a child who doesn't want to sleep in their own bed. That is not my daughters case, so other people might enjoy this book more or it can be a help to their children.

Both of my kids loved this book (they are now 6 & 8). I am saving it for my grandkids. I have recommended it to several parents whose children "want to sleep in their bed." I wish it was still in print. The little girl Susan doesn't want to sleep in her bed. She wants to sleep with Mom & Dad. But they show her that everyone has a place to sleep, the dog, the bird, even baby brother. And of course, Susan. Very simple message given very gently.

PLEASE NOTE! This review is for the version that is illustrated by Dorothee Duntze. Everyone knows this Hans Christian Andersen story about the bedraggled princess who shows up looking for shelter on a stormy night. She might be a good match for the prince who's been searching for a "real" princess so the queen mother runs a little test...the rest is the subject of fairy tales! This version is simply told and beautifully illustrated. The pictures, executed in soft pastel colors, have a quirky Art Deco feel to them that I thoroughly enjoyed. The gowns of all the ladies in the book are done in a collage style and are covered in intricate patterns and designs. Lovely...the real thing!

In the beautiful land of Upper-Crestalia King Adolph, Queen Frieda, & their dear son Prince Ralph live & the queen is quite content until her son one day bursts into her chamber & declares that he wishes to marry.

The queen does not like this idea at all so she hatches a plan to prevent her son marrying & she makes sure that the few princesses who do audition for Prince Ralph's wife all fail.

Mad with grief, Prince Ralph tears off in his expensive car down to Lower-Crestalia & when smoke starts billowing out of his hood, poor Ralph is stranded.

To his great surprise & relief, an auto-mechanic pulls up next to him & a dirty young woman in overalls carrying a tool box, jumps out. They get to talking, & the Prince is smitten! Her name is Opal, & she is the princess of Lower-Crestalia.

On the spot Prince Ralph proposes & when her prince charming confesses that his mother has idiotic tasks in store for her, Opal only becomes more determined.

Opal passes the tests with flying colors & that's when the queen insists there be a third test which is the one from which the title of this hilarious book is taken.

Will Princess Opal pass the final test? Will the queen's crafty plan succeed? Read this enchanting book & find out!

I had been looking for a book about Hanukkah for my 3-year old son to take to pre-school to share with his non-Jewish friends. I have looked at many and this one was perfect. It simply explains the story of Hanukkah and several of the traditions (lighting candles, eating latkes, playing driedel, etc.). The flaps also make it fun to read.

The nice thing about this story is the element of family togetherness. Josh's mom and dad teach him the story of Hannukah, help him light the menorah, recite the blessing and play dreidel. Grandma and Grandpa come over for a family dinner that includes latkes n'applesauce. Modest gifts are exchanged and the book ends with the kids singing, "I Have a Little Dreidel". Lift up flaps make the story even more fun.

I recently used this book with a 1st grade class to introduce the math concept odd and even numbers. The first grade class enjoyed the book and it also kept them engaged. The book is an easy reader and the kids can follow along without any trouble. I recommend this book with young children who are just learning math and numbers. The book does a great job in keeping the pattern of odd and even numbers clear to the children. This book can also be used with parents that are trying to help their kids with early math.

Written in the old style of a basal reader story (you remember- See Jane run. See Jack run.), this book has a controlled vocabulary. With a limited vocabulary of 50 words the author has written a cute little story about three friends building a sandcastle at the beach. The best part of the book is in the back. The back page contains mini cards of the words used, and the inside back cover lists follow up activities to do with your child to help them learn to read.

Bugs, Beetles and Butterflies is an adorably illustrated, informative book for young readers. They are introduced to science with a rhythmic, easy to read text. There are questions at the end of the book to encourage verbal discussions and the exploration of the insect world around them.

An adorable little flap book all about a pengin family hanging their Christmas stockings. My little ones (ages 2-3) love this book at the holidays when we hang our stockings. A fun holiday book with a cute surprise.

It's a shame this book is out of print. With excellent illustrations and the wealth of information it provides children on issues as delicate and complex as: How babies are made, How to deal with a new brother or sister, The do's and don'ts with babies, Getting along with a growing baby, etc.

A good read for parents who are expecting another child, to share with their existing children. Appropriate for 4-7 year olds, however, you may want to proofread first, as a few may somehow find it offensive.

Remember the old gags like "which weighs more-a pound of X or a pound of Y?" Well, there are lots of those kind of riddles in this book. The publisher recommends this book for kids aged 6-9 and I would be reluctant to recommend it for younger readers as kids need a basic understanding of money, weights, measurements.... Of course you may regret buying this book because you know what kids are like with jokes--you could be hearing the same ones over and over and over...