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Best Children's Friendship Books

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets: The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter, Book 2)
But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike. She has written three companion volumes in aid of charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (in aid of Comic Relief), and The Tales of Beedle the Bard (in aid of Lumos), as well as a film script inspired by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them . She has received many awards and honors, including an OBE for services to children’s literature, France’s Légion d’honneur, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award.
Reviews
"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"If you're an adult and have not read this series before (even if you've seen the movies), I encourage you to read the books. Whether it's the originals or these, the series is sure to be one of the best you've read and much better than the movies, of course."
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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter, Book 3)
The third book in the bestselling Harry Potter series, now illustrated in glorious full color by award-winning artist Jim Kay! For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. J.K. Rowling is the author of the seven Harry Potter novels, which have sold over 450 million copies and have been translated into 79 languages, and three companion books originally published for charity.
Reviews
"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"If you're an adult and have not read this series before (even if you've seen the movies), I encourage you to read the books. Whether it's the originals or these, the series is sure to be one of the best you've read and much better than the movies, of course."
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 1)
As Greg says in his diary, “Just don’t expect me to be all ‘Dear Diary’ this and ‘Dear Diary’ that.” Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won’t do and what he actually does are two very different things. Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. Amazon Exclusive: A Q&A with Jeff Kinney Question: Given all the jobs that you have--game designer, fatherhood, Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie work, etc.,--do you have a certain time that you set aside to write? Kinney: I never any real desire to appear in the Wimpy Kid films, but one day my wife encouraged me to be an extra in one of the crowd scenes. I eventually reached a voicemail of a reporter who said they worked for Time , and at that point I thought it was just a well-planned practical joke. Q: Would you ever consider making Wimpy Kid into a newspaper comic strip or creating another one? Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud "novel in cartoons," adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama. Greg's mother forces him to keep a diary ("I know what it says on the cover, but when Mom went out to buy this thing I specifically told her to get one that didn't say 'diary' on it"), and in it he loosely recounts each day's events, interspersed with his comic illustrations. Greg's journal entry reads, "I do feel a little bad, because it looked like it was gonna take a long time to clean up. Kinney ably skewers familiar aspects of junior high life, from dealing with the mysteries of what makes someone popular to the trauma of a "wrestling unit" in gym class.
Reviews
"These books have inspired her to move onto other books, this book set is great as a unisex read too, my little brother loves them too we would read every night I read a page and then he reads a page."
"If you have a kid between the ages of 7 and 12, who LOVES The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, you have to get this book!"
"I would recommend the entire series to any parent of a child who is learning and becoming comfortable with reading comprehension."
"My 9 year old son loves these."
"My 7 year old son has read this book about 43 times. And he's read it more since."
"As a family we loved it."
"My son doesn't just like to sit down and read, so when he showed an interest in the "Wimpy Kid" books, I got him this set and the newest single volumes."
"I get that the sort of "middle school boy" humor is not necessarily what I find amusing, but I found the character's nonexistant moral grounding to be distributing."
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Best Children's Elephant Books

The One and Only Ivan: A Harper Classic
Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. This Harper Classic edition includes an author's note highlighting the differences between the fictional story and true events, a. letter from Ivan's caretaker at Zoo Atlanta, Ivan's "signature," discussion questions, and more. ★ “Animal-loving youngsters and their adults will find plenty of food for thought in Ivan’s extraordinary story.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) ). ★ “Exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ). “Discover an animal hero that will take his place with other courageous and beloved animals such as Babe, Mrs. Frisby, Charlotte and Wilbur.
Reviews
"When my 11-year-old finished reading this novel, his first statement was, “I LOVED that book!” With an endorsement like that and because it was the first instance where he ‘stopped time,’ I had to read the book too. In it, the author says,” We live in a world where children are bullied into despair and even suicide; where armed guards in a school hallway are considered desirable; where libraries are padlocked because of budget cuts; where breakfast and backpacks, for too many children are unaffordable luxuries.”. “What makes children better than the rest of us is that they are buoyant, unrepentant optimists.”. As a writer, reader, and lover of words, I make it a habit to ‘stop time’ whenever I come across sparkling phrases that deserve homage. A ‘stop time’ is where we stop whatever we are doing to read out loud and to listen; we listen to both the author’s words and to what made that phrase so meaningful to the reader. The first ‘stop time’ that my son called happened when Ivan makes an impossible promise to Ruby, the baby elephant."
"great book for children, my son was reading this at school and just had to have it for home too."
"It had some sad parts and some good parts.I think that this is the best story I ever read."
"Great read for kids!"
"Great audiobook for the family."
"Christmas gift - I'm sure he likes it cause he likes the author."
"Easy, quick and interesting reading."
"Great novel with a deep message and memorable characters."
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Best Children's Mouse & Rodent Books

The Gruffalo
A mouse is taking a stroll through the deep, dark wood when along comes a hungry fox, then an owl, and then a snake. The mouse is good enough to eat but smart enough to know this, so he invents . Julia Donaldson lives in Glasgow, Scotland.
Reviews
"It's longer than you'd think would hold a baby's attention, but with wide eyes she giggles and kicks her feet with excitement."
":-). UPDATE 4/20/16: We LOVE this book... our daughter is now 18 months old and she just loves the Gruffalo, Gruffalo's Child, Stick Man, Tabby McTat... ok... all of Julie Donaldson's books... you can actually find the Gruffalo somewhere in all almost the books she writes...."
"The best part about it is the rhythm and repetition throughout the story- just love how it reads (and enjoy the illustrations that go with the story too)."
"It is a favorite around this house and our little one picks it time and time again for story time."
"Our favorite book! Julia Donaldson, you nailed it!"
""Knobby knees, turned out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose" are all times when I would touch my son's knee, toes and nose to add emphasis to the story."
"Not only does my 2.5 year old like this story, her one year old brother sits through the entire thing and often asks us to read it to him."
"Great story about a little mouse who survives by leading everyone to believe he is meeting an imaginary creature in the woods---the gruffalo!"
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Best Children's Books

Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7)
And most recently, The New York Times called Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the “fastest selling book in history.” This is the ultimate Harry Potter collection for Harry Potter fans of all ages! Newbery Medal winner Nancy Willard has written numerous beloved books for children and adults, including poetry, picture books, and novels.
Reviews
"SPECIAL NOTE: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases (with the exception of changing all "Philosopher's Stone" mentions to "Sorcerer's Stone"). Good or bad is naturally for each reader to decide--just know, if you plan to read the books while listening to Jim Dale's audiobooks, you'll notice a few superficial differences. The quality of this new illustrated edition is phenomenal. All chapter intros are illustrated."
"IMPORTANT: For U.S. customers purchasing the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you will notice the text has NOT been converted to the "Americanized" version of the original U.S. releases. This difference isn't as prominent or noticeable as it was with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone, but still something to keep in mind. Also, to answer a question that has come up quite a bit, this is the FULL BOOK and not an abridged or shortened version. Underneath the book jacket, the novel is bound in a sturdy orange hardback with green lettering on the spine."
"I was ravenous to get my hands on my copy as soon as it was delivered this morning, but was quickly disappointed. But when I took a close look at my dust jacket, I was extremely upset to find that the gold foil lettering for "Harry Potter" had been rubbed away and destroyed completely in some places leaving ugly, black matte in its place-- pock marking the otherwise handsome gold lettering. Needless to say I'm in awe how Bloomsbury has managed to put together such an incredible project, with JK Rowling's remarkable literature and Jim Kay's otherworldly illustrations-- and allowed it to be put together in a low quality binding! Not all alone in a box... Update (October 9th): I have finally received my new book and it was in much, much better condition. The cover and spine were tight, intact and falling apart from the binding like my original copy."
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Best Children's Pig Books

Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
It's time to start your engines in this Richard Scarry classic all about vehicles! Even 11-, 12-, and 13-year-olds are known to pore over the book nostalgically, cooing at Lowly Worm and eagerly tracking Officer Flossie's book-long chase after that irresponsible, speedster driver in a cowboy hat.
Reviews
"It will probably take us years before we can fully soak in everything that is illustrated in this book."
"Gave this to a truck loving toddler for Christmas."
"My kids loved these books and the appeal is still there."
"Some of the things in it are quite literal (i.e. a hot dog car is really a hot dog car)."
"I read this book over 40 years ago as a little boy and I still have my copy.... Fast forward to 2017, I gave a copy as a gift to my minster for her baby boy and the book still kicks butt........."
"Fun book to read with toddlers."
"My son of 18 months loves this book a lot."
"My 3 year old son is obsessed with this book."
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Best Children's Horse Books

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans
America’s #1 radio talk-show host and multi-million-copy #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a book for young readers with a history teacher who travels back in time to have adventures with exceptional Americans. Talk about a rock star—this guy wanted to protect young America so badly, he rode through those bumpy, cobblestone-y streets shouting “the British are coming!” On a horse. But what if you could get the real picture—by actually going back in time and seeing with your own eyes how our great country came to be? Our exceptional nation is waiting to be discovered all over again by exceptional young patriots— like you ! After offering a wide-ranging definition of American exceptionalism that begins with the statement that the U.S. is a “land built on true freedom and individual liberty, and it defends both around the world,” Limbaugh goes on to explain that the Founders believed all people were born to be “free as individuals.” Really? The book’s premise is that a substitute history teacher, Rush Revere, who dresses like his hero, Paul, along with his talking horse, Liberty, can go back in time. The text is wordy, and many of the pages are spent on the banter between Rush and Liberty, occasionally amusing but mostly just filling space, as do the tedious explanations of the way time travel works. They hadn’t been spoiled by wall-to-wall carpets, central heating and microwave ovens.” The fact that many modern-day people do experience incredible hardships, albeit different from the Pilgrims, seems not to have occurred to Limbaugh. Apparently, the turnaround for the struggling colony came “when every family was assigned its own plot of land to work.” Rush Revere drives home the point that it was after the Pilgrims stopped sharing the profits that success was ensured.
Reviews
"Great story to get your kids interested in the history of our nation."
"Does not gloss over or belittle of Pilgrims' accomplishments."
"Gift for my home-schooled granddaughter."
"My 8 yr old loves these books!"
"my grandson of 8 can't wait for the next one."
"Humor to teach US history."
"purchased copies for all the grandchildren."
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Best Children's Frog & Toad Books

The Wide-Mouthed Frog (A Pop-Up Book)
From the Okefenokee Swamp comes a frog with a wide mouth that he just loves to use. PreS?A greatly condensed, pop-up edition of the universally known story of the bragging wide-mouthed frog who ends up changing his tune and trying to make his mouth as tiny as possible.
Reviews
"Great book, I really like the pop ups on the animals, but it wasn't much of a story."
"My 4 y old son loves this book: he takes his playmobil little men and puts them in the mouth of the frog, in the beck of the bird, he runs away from crocodile."
"This gets our vote as a quick and fun read that doesn't feel burdensome when your toddler asks for it for the bazillionth time."
"Delightful choice for pre- and early school youngsters."
"My 3 year old likes this book."
"This book is so fun to read to the kids."
"My kids' favorite pop up book ever."
"Omg this book is not only for kids amusement and laugh!"
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Best Children's Emotions Books

The Day the Crayons Quit
Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons and coloring a blue streak after sharing laughs with Drew Daywalt and New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers. This story is perfect as a back-to-school gift, for all budding artists, for fans of humorous books such as Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, and for fans of Oliver Jeffers' Stuck , The Incredible Book Eating Boy , Lost and Found , and This Moose Belongs to Me. Praise for The Day the Crayons Quit Amazon’s 2013 Best Picture Book of the Year. Move over, Click, Clack, Moo ; we’ve got a new contender for the most successful picture-book strike.” – BCCB , starred review. * “This colorful title should make for an uproarious storytime.” – School Library Journal , starred review. * “These memorable personalities will leave readers glancing apprehensively at their own crayon boxes.” – Publishers Weekly , starred review. The conceit is an enticing one, and although the crayons’ complaints are not entirely unique (a preponderance centers around some variation of overuse), the artist’s indelible characterization contributes significant charm. A final spread sees all things right, as Duncan fills a page with bright, delightful imagery, addressing each of the crayons’ issues and forcing them into colorful cooperation.
Reviews
"That's because I used them to light the fire used to heat all the food you dropped on the floor during dinner and then fed it to your little sister because, as you know, we don't waste food around here. No matter your age, you will identify with the characters, they will probably remind you of your family, your coworkers and your friends. In case you're wondering, some of my other favorites are: The Three Little Pigs, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Small Pig, Where the Wild Things Are, I Want My Hat Back, Pete The Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, We're Going on A Bear Hunt, The Cat in the Hat."
"She loves to have books read to her, but this is one of the only times my short-attention-span kid has asked for the same book twice in a row and the first time a book as inspired such a burst of creativity."
"Our older grandsons have a lot of fun voicing the letters written by "Red", who even has to work on holidays (i.e. coloring Santas, Valentines), "Purple" is going to "completely lose it" if Duncan doesn't start coloring inside of the lines soon, "Beige" (who is "BEIGE and PROUD!"). ), who claims to be very happy with his work, congratulates Duncan on his coloring career, but wants to inform him of the bickering between "Yellow" and "Orange" over who gets to be the color of the sun, with "Yellow" and "Orange" writing separate letters each stating their case along with documented proof, "Blue" is overworked and now just a stub who can't even see over the box railing any longer, "Pink" believes she's experiencing discrimination because she's "a girls' color", while "Peach" is completely unwrapped ("I don't even have any underwear!"). But the amazingly colorful picture Duncan creates - allowing each crayon to stretch beyond their typical usages - ends up earning him an A for coloring and an A+ for creativity!"
"My young one loves it and frequently asks for the "crayon book" but the humor is perfect for older kids and parents too."
"Gave this to my four-year-old great niece who loves to draw, for Christmas."
"Awe a book that is simply close to my heart."
"Great book."
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Best Children's Dragon Stories

Hogwarts Library (Harry Potter)
From every sale of the Hogwarts Library , Scholastic will donate twenty percent of the retail sales price less taxes of this boxed set to two charities selected by the author J.K. Rowling: Lumos, a charity founded by J.K. Rowling which works to end the institutionalization of children (wearelumos.org), and Comic Relief, a UK-based charity that strives to create a just world free from poverty (www.comicrelief.com). J.K. Rowling is the author of the bestselling Harry Potter series of seven books, published between 1997 and 2007, which have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, are distributed in more than 200 territories and translated into 79 languages, and have been turned into eight blockbuster films by Warner Bros. She has written three companion volumes to the series in aid of charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in aid of Comic Relief; and The Tales of Beedle the Bard in aid of her children's charity Lumos.
Reviews
"It`s beautiful, love the presentation."
"The box is very good quality and very beautiful, you learn a lot about J.K.Rowling's world and annotations (that the characters have written) present in the books add a nice touch to these books."
"A gorgeous set of Hogwarts text books, these are a must have for any Potter collector."
"Beautiful books."
"Great quality and lots of interesting detail to make original series even more realistic."
"came with no bent corners or cracked spines."
"Bought this set for my Harry Potter fan son and when he opened it up on Christmas he had never heard of the series."
"As such, I owned all of these books from the day of their original releases, and remember them well. Many people reading this review (and indeed, there are even pictures posted from previous releases showing it) may remember that the original release was presented as a copy of the textbook as owned by Harry Potter. As such, it contained a lot of doodles and "handwritten" notes from Harry and his friends throughout the book, integrating a lot of humor and personality into the textbook content about the various creatures."
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