Koncocoo

Best Children's Bug & Spider Books

The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Rise and Shine)
This classic story of a famished caterpillar who eats his way through a week of various foods makes the perfect addition to your child's digital library, easily available to read again and again. Put 42 pieces together to assemble Eric Carle's much-loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar jigsaw puzzle from Mudpuppy.
Reviews
"The different sized pages in the middle of the book (after the caterpillar pops out of his egg on Sunday morning) showing different foods with holes punched in the centers to indicate where he's nibbled through them are darling - each page is thick enough that I think I'm going to cut a caterpillar-sized piece of green pipecleaner to give him so he can watch his very own caterpillar making its way through the one red apple he eats on Monday, two green pears on Tuesday, three purple plums on Wednesday, four red strawberries on Thursday, five bright orange oranges on Friday, and then the variety of multi-colored foods (probably not a caterpillar's scientifically accurate diet, but fun!)."
"The book itself is cute and perfect to read for babies and toddlers (repetition teaching days of the week, numbers 1-7, fruits and other foods, and life cycle). It is a solid, sturdy, proper board book with smooth finished edges that I feel comfortable having a baby touch (or even if they suck on it before you notice and pull it out of their mouth). The plush toy is also very well constructed with no loose seems and withstands gentle tugging on the ears, legs, and colored fringy hairs (of course you always need be careful with babies and choking on anything and not let them suck on this more than a moment or unsupervised)."
"She is rapt through reading after reading, and I still like it myself."
"Delightful story, beautiful art, clever little "bite" holes in the pages, and even a gentle lesson about caterpillars and butterflies."
"Another wonderful must have children's book!"
"Our daughter loved this book many years ago, and kids still love it."
"All times favorite."
"Went great with the big stuffed caterpillar I got my niece for the holidays!!!"
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James and the Giant Peach
Life there is no fun, until James accidentally drops some magic crystals by the old peach tree and strange things start to happen. Roald Dahl's classic children's novel is now a motion picture from The Walt Disney Company, and this version of James and the Giant Peach grew out of the making of the movie.
Reviews
"Loved this book!"
"My granddaughter loves this story probably boosted because her grade school drama dept just did this as a stage production so naturally we had to have the book too!"
"Anyway, what a marvelous read and reminder that if life gives you giant peaches make chocolate cake and leave them wondering how you did it!"
"It's a Roald Dahl book, which means it's fantastic, as all Roald Dahl books are!"
"One of his best stories ever."
"My daughter really enjoyed the book!"
"My 10 year old grandson loved it."
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The Cricket in Times Square (Chester Cricket and His Friends Book 1)
The Cricket in Times Square is a 1961 Newbery Honor Book. One night, the sounds of New York City--the rumbling of subway trains, thrumming of automobile tires, hooting of horns, howling of brakes, and the babbling of voices--is interrupted by a sound that even Tucker Mouse, a jaded inhabitant of Times Square, has never heard before. Despite the cricket's comfortable matchbox bed (with Kleenex sheets); the fancy, seven-tiered pagoda cricket cage from Sai Fong's novelty shop; tasty mulberry leaves; the jolly company of Tucker Mouse and Harry Cat; and even his new-found fame as "the most famous musician in New York City," Chester begins to miss his peaceful life in the Connecticut countryside. “The story of a musical cricket and his friends, a mouse and a cat of real character, who took up their abode in a Times Square newsstand .
Reviews
"My granddaughter read this book with her entire school."
"Since to this audiobook on the way to Alaska with our kids in the car."
"the book is the best i want to read the next one!"
"My son needed this book for school."
"Required reading for son's class served its purpose."
"My niece, who is 4, loved this book."
"This was my second time reading this aloud and I enjoyed it just as much this time as the last."
"Excellent book for children - --."
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Best Children's Books on City Life

When You Reach Me
This Newbery Medal winner that has a fantastic puzzle at its heart has been called “smart and mesmerizing,” ( The New York Times ), “superb” ( The Wall Street Journal ), and “incandescent” ( The Washington Post ). Amazon Best of the Month, July 2009: Shortly after sixth-grader Miranda and her best friend Sal part ways, for some inexplicable reason her once familiar world turns upside down. Rebecca Stead's poignant novel, When You Reach Me , captures the interior monologue and observations of kids who are starting to recognize and negotiate the complexities of friendship and family, class and identity. Set in New York City in 1979, the story takes its cue from beloved Manhattan tales for middle graders like E.L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler , Louise Fitzhugh's Harriet the Spy , and Norma Klein's Mom the Wolfman and Me . Like those earlier novels, When You Reach Me will stir the imaginations of young readers curious about day-to-day life in a big city. Here’s what Rebecca had to say about growing up in New York City, meeting Madeleine L’Engle, and how writing a novel is a lot like solving a puzzle. What I love about L’Engle’s book now is how it deals with so much fragile inner-human stuff at the same time that it takes on life’s big questions. It started out as a small detail in Miranda’s story, a sort of talisman, and one I thought I would eventually jettison, because you can’t just toss A Wrinkle in Time in there casually. So I went back to A Wrinkle in Time and read it again and again, trying to see it as different characters in my own story might (sounds crazy, but it’s possible!). Amazon.com: I love the way you incorporate hints of science fiction into the ordinary events of Miranda’s life. When I started writing my first novel, First Light , a lot of the raw material was also fragmented, and I had to sort of develop them into traditional chapters, which was what worked best for that story. But When You Reach Me is a little like a puzzle, and I loved the challenge of smoothing these small pieces until the whole thing fit together just right. Amazon.com: At the very beginning of the novel, we learn that Miranda’s mom is going to be a contestant on the 1970’s TV game show The $20,000 Pyramid . Rebecca Stead: They have a pretty nice system, which starts with their neighbor, Louisa, who scribbles down each day’s Pyramid clues at her nursing job because she’s the only one with access to a television at lunchtime. Amazon.com: Why do Miranda and her friends Annemarie and Colin like working in Jimmy’s sandwich shop during lunch hour? Rebecca Stead: I’m now raising two kids of my own in New York City, and I think a lot about the differences between today’s "preteen experience" and the one I had. Grade 5-8–Sixth-grader Miranda lives in 1978 New York City with her mother, and her life compass is Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time . Miranda spends considerable time observing a raving vagrant who her mother calls the laughing man and trying to find the connection between the notes and her everyday life. Discerning readers will realize the ties between Miranda's mystery and L'Engle's plot, but will enjoy hints of fantasy and descriptions of middle school dynamics.
Reviews
"I do remember the $20,00 Pyramid Game Show, and the author does a deft job of weaving this sub-plot through the book, while handling important topics of friendship, judging on first impressions, kindness towards strangers and coming of age."
"This book is not a book I chose, I had to read it for my graduate class but I believe in fate and I believe this book was on the list for a reason."
"This book has all of the elements I typically enjoy: great interaction between the characters, a splash of sci-fi and a concept to keep you thinking long after you read the last page!"
"I liked when you reach me because it talked about a wrinkle in time and time travel."
"I also love realism: kids (or adults) in common situations, learning how to act, taking steps that shape them into the people they become. The realism comes from the basic story premise: 11-year-old Miranda lives in New York during the 1970s. Her mother is obsessed with becoming a contestant on a tv show, The $20,000 Pyramid, and spends meal times studying and practicing. Miranda witnesses some seemingly weird actions on the sidewalk: she keeps encountering one particular homeless person who acts strangely."
"Because so many of them are a coming of age story, focusing on a young or boy learning to deal with whatever hardships life has dealt them, some of the details begin to merge together creating a giant Newbery read instead of the individual books. Too many times in stories where plot lines overlap and characters connect in unexpected ways, the coincidences become too much and too unrealistic for the necessary suspension of disbelief, and it lessens the enjoyment of the story, because I can't believe any of that would actually happen. One of the complaints I had with this book the first time I read it was the desire to know more about some of the periphery characters. Knowing too much about this book the first time you read it ruins some of its magic. Those are what make it such a magnificent first time read, but allows you to enjoy the story more each time you read it. I re-read this book just the other day, about two months after my first read through, and I found myself noticing much that I missed the first time through, and enjoying it just that much more."
"I teach 6th grade ELA, and I enjoy finding new books for my classroom library. My fellow ELA teachers downloaded it and within a day we were discussing our thoughts on the ending."
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Best Children's Frog & Toad Books

Frog and Toad Are Friends (Frog and Toad I Can Read Stories Book 1)
Celebrate the power of friendship with Frog and Toad—a Caldecott Honor Book! The endearing pair hop along through five enchanting stories, looking for lost buttons, greeting the spring, and waiting for mail. Arnold Lobel's comfortable brown and green illustrations invite and delight every reader, setting the tone for warm, funny stories about friendship. If you need even more of Frog and Toad, don't miss Frog and Toad Together , Frog and Toad All Year , and Days with Frog and Toad .
Reviews
"A children's classic that take simple concepts (baking cookies and willpower, growing a garden and patience...) and threads wonderful little story lines with them."
"It is a timeless tale, one as endearing and. enduring as "Peter Rabbit", "The Princess and the Pea", or countless other stories children hear and learn by. heart."
"Ohhh this book is amazing !"
"My 3 year old is a little young to follow along."
"By the time she starts to read she will know the stories by heart, but that's ok - fond memeories of bedtime stories like these should help her build a lifelong interest in reading on her own."
"I read Frog and Toad to my children when they were young and will now continue the tradition with my grandson!"
"I play this for my daughters at bedtime and they love it."
"Love Arnold Lobel and his Frog and Toad stories."
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Best Children's Pig Books

Peppa Goes Swimming (Peppa Pig)
An all-new storybook featuring Peppa -- a lovable, slightly bossy little piggy!
Reviews
"It's also got value as a book to let a kid read by herself because it's simple and they can get the entire story just from the pictures. But the other Peppa books are better if you're looking to buy only 1 or 2."
"Bought this for my niece and she loves it!"
"Cute books, my son loves them."
"I got his for my neice for Christmas."
"My grandchildren love Peppa Pig."
"Excellent book."
"Love this book."
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Best Children's Pet Books

Old Yeller
A timeless American classic and one of the most beloved children’s books ever written, Old Yeller is a Newbery Honor Book that explores the poignant and unforgettable bond between a boy and the stray dog who becomes his loyal friend. When his father sets out on a cattle drive toward Kansas for the summer, fourteen-year-old Travis Coates is left to take care of his family and their farm. But can Travis do the same for Old Yeller?
Reviews
"On the other hand it's a "coming of age" story about a boy who's left in charge of the ranch, while Pa goes on a cattle drive to Kansas, and the stray dog that wanders into their lives and changes everything. Fred Gipson, the author, was born on a farm in the Texas Hill Country where he often worked as a farmer and rancher before attending college for a degree in journalism and becoming a full time writer, as a result much of the narrative is based on his personal, first hand, experience."
"Classic story which will play well with boys, at least from my perspective, but I suspect anyone who has fond memories of life on a farm with a dog as a child will like the book, too."
"I love books about dogs."
"I got this book for my 13 year old son who doesn't like to read books, but when he started reading it, he got hooked on it and loved it."
"Loved the movie and was delighted with the book, it had a few twists I did not know about and made the story great reading."
"My two grandsons loved this and plan on passing it on down to their little sister and other brother."
"Great classsic read."
"Classic movie."
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Best Children's Ape & Monkey Books

The One and Only Ivan
But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little , Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal ★ “Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. Quite simply, this story is life changing.” (Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall).
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."
"...and that’s not a bad thing."
"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."
"My seven year old son and I loved this book."
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Best Children's Turtle Books

I'll Follow the Moon — 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition
--Kirkus Reviews "[C]aptivates children with poetry..." --New York Times "[A] tiny one-inch hatchling teaches the world about courage...utterly magnificent..." --San Francisco Chronicle "[B]aby turtle wins hearts everywhere, expect your kids to hug you tightafterthe first read...expect to be asked to read again and again andagain..." --USA Today "[I]'m coming Mama, I'll seeyou soon, Iknow just how, I'll follow the moon...we can't get babyturtle's song out of our heads...you wont be able to either...achinglysweet littlebedtime book for wee ones." --World Wildlife Fund "[S]tephanie Lisa Tara and Canadian illustrator Lee Edward Fodi have teamed uptocreate a lyrical rendition of a green sea turtle's first glimpse oflife. The atmosphere of a quiet but determinedstruggle tobreak free of the egg soon gives way to growing excitementas the turtle mingles with fellow hatchlings and catches his firsttemptingsensations: the smell of salt air, the sight of the moon'sglow, thegentle touch and beckoning sounds of the waves rushing toshore. The turtleis the focal point of all the pictures, with few background detailsadded.Theillustrator has carefully integrated the turtle's actions with Tara's verse which relies heavily on verbs: roll, slide,tumble......crawl, scoop, shove. From his gentle struggles to break free of his egg to his determinationtodig his way out of the sand nest, we follow the baby sea turtle on eachstep of hisinstinctive journey back to his loving mother..." Very highly recommended. "[I]'m coming Mama, I'll seeyou soon, I know just how, I'll follow the moon...we can't get babyturtle's song out of our heads...you wont be able to either...achinglysweet little bedtime book for wee ones." "[H]ats off to this turtle hatchling who has garnered millions of fans acrossthe planet...a tiny activist who is saving his own kind...bravo." "[S]tephanie Lisa Tara and Canadian illustrator Lee Edward Fodi have teamed up tocreate a lyrical rendition of a green sea turtle's first glimpse oflife. Written in simple verse in the first person, the rhythmic text is full of action and sensory detail and loaded with alliteration and onomatopoeia for an enjoyable read-aloud. The atmosphere of a quiet but determined struggle tobreak free of the egg soon gives way to growing excitement as theturtle mingles with fellow hatchlings and catches his first tempting sensations: the smell of salt air, the sight of the moon's glow, thegentle touch and beckoning sounds of the waves rushing to shore. "[F]ramed by endpapers of soft, limitless,undersea green, Fodi'sdelightful illustrations feature an animated and engaging baby emerging from an egg buried in golden sand. With other tiny turtles, he isshown plowing through the damp sand, sampling the salty sea air and marching unerringly toward the moonlight glimmer, his guide to the ocean. The illustrator has carefully integrated the turtle's actionswith Tara's verse which relies heavily on verbs: roll, slide,tumble......crawl, scoop, shove.
Reviews
"I have been a sea turtle lover for as long as I can remember. He smiled and clapped and squealed when baby turtle found Mama. I received a hard copy of the book a few days ago. I will absolutely start including a copy of this book with baby shower and birthday gifts."
"I had this on Kindle for her to read on the car ride home from the pet store."
"So sweet bought this along with the stuffed animal - Sea Turtle Flopsie - the 2 together made a nice gift."
""Moon" weaves the true story of turtles being born on the beach (and starting their journey to be with their mothers) into light and lyrical prose. I love that author Stephanie Lisa Tara takes her time unveiling the turtles from their shells. The soft blues and tans of Lee Edward Fӧdi's illustrations are in perfect harmony with Tara's sweet and simple prose."
"Adorable book!"
"The book is large and colorful which is great for him to be able to see it when I read it to him."
"This book is perfect."
"I'll Follow the Moon by Stephanie Lis. Illustrated very colorful book, not only for children."
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Best Children's Duck Books

Turkey Trouble
Turkey is in trouble. The kind of trouble where it's almost Thanksgiving . He ties a brush on the back of his head and wears a tiny saddle because surely no one would eat a horse for dinner. When he hears Farmer Jake tell his wife that if they can't find the turkey, maybe they should eat the rooster for dinner, the protagonist comes up with the perfect ruse. A first choice for holiday collections.— Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME END "Stuffed with clever wordplay, groanable puns, and easy-to-ham-it-up animal sounds, the chuckle-inducing narrative makes a crowd-pleasing read-aloud.
Reviews
"We watched Bookaboo read Turkey's Halloween story, and when I saw there was a small series, had to get this one too."
"Great read aloud for around Thanksgiving."
"The lengths a turkey will go to to stay off the Thanksgiving Day menu make for barnyard hilarity including some groan worthy puns."
"Enjoyed both the story and the illustrations in this timely tale😀. All the disguises then a perfect solution made me smile."
"My almost 3 year old loves this book."
"Easy to follow plot line that I have used to help teach prediction and summarizing."
"Funny Thanksgiving story that my students all enjoyed."
"Adorable book."
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Best Children's Zoo Books

The One and Only Ivan
Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated novel is told from the point-of-view of Ivan himself. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little , Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create Ivan's unforgettable first-person narration in a story of friendship, art, and hope. Gr 4–6—Budding fans and die-hard Ivanites alike will appreciate this sumptuous, oversize edition of Applegate's spare yet resonant Newbery Award—winning work, inspired by actual events, about a gorilla put on display at a mall and his journey to freedom. Bonus materials add appeal and context: Applegate's Newbery acceptance speech; a copy of the real Ivan's "autograph" (fingerprint); a letter from Jodi Carrigan, the zookeeper who helped care for Ivan at Zoo Atlanta (where he lived after leaving the mall); and sketches and illustrations that were considered for the original edition.—Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal ★ “Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. Quite simply, this story is life changing.” (Patricia MacLachlan, Newbery Medal-winning author of Sarah, Plain and Tall).
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."
"Bought it for my 4th grade nephew."
"Great read for kids!"
"This is a fun little book."
"I have been searching for books that I can enjoy reading with my 10-year-old boy, and this is one of them."
"it was a gift for brothers who like to read."
"Touching, and based on a true story.. my 8 yo enjoyed it very much."
"Christmas gift - I'm sure he likes it cause he likes the author."
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Best Children's Baby Animals Books

Kids book: The Terry Treetop Collection: Bedtime story- Beginner readers- Adventure - Animal stories-Teach Values Book-Funny-free story 3-8 (prime) Rhymes,Fantasy-Education-Animal ... Books for Early & Beginner Readers)
It will encourage your children to be helpful, kind and considerate, to think for themselves in face of trouble, and to actively pursue their dreams. Tag along for the ride to four exciting journeys that will inspire your children to be open to different cultures, see new places and explore the world around them.
Reviews
"I love how you can change the font and make them big if needed for children. I think ages 5-8 would like this but younger kids would like the story being read to them.While I definitely recommend this book to other readers, I would recommend it because the stories are rich in entertainment, discovery, fantasy, imagination and learning that parents will gain as much pleasure as the children. Farther more I received this product at a discounted rate in exchange for an honest review."
"Terry Treetop is a little boy who loves to climb a tree, go on adventures and make new friends. He will go to great length to help those in need on these amazing adventures, all while teaching important and educational lessons."
"The Terry Treetop collections book series is wonderful for my daughters. I am a strong believer that book readers live more than one life, and it is clear that that happens with my children in this series. Kids book: The Terry Treetop Collection: Bedtime story- Beginner readers- Adventure - Animal stories-Teach Values Book-Funny-free story 3-8 (prime) Rhymes,Fantasy-Education-Animal ... Books for Early & Beginner Readers)."
"My daughter is 4 and has enjoyed them very much and my nine year old daughter enjoys reading them to her sister! I think they both have learned or relearned some valuable life lessons.The illustrations we really adorable and very detailed."
"This book set gives us ample reading time together at night and each one is set up in a different way which makes them totally fun to read."
"The length of each story is not too long or too short, they are just perfect bedtime stories for the kids.They teach some valuable lessons to the kids like helping those in need, being self-motivated, sharing and helping each other."
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Best Children's Rabbit Books

Goodnight Moon
In this classic of children's literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day. Perhaps the perfect children's bedtime book, Goodnight Moon is a short poem of goodnight wishes from a young rabbit preparing for--or attempting to postpone--his own slumber. In addition, an oversize board book edition of Goodnight Moon makes the great green room larger than ever, allowing readers to trace with ease the tiny mouse that appears in each spread.
Reviews
"I bought both the English and Spanish versions for my granddaughter so mommy can read to her in English and daddy can read to her in Spanish!"
"Got this classic for a baby shower for a cousin."
"Read it to my children and now to my grandchildren."
"A sweet classic for babies & young children."
"I use to read this to my son when he was growing up and now my husbands children have children to read it to."
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Best Children's Mammal Books

The Hiccupotamus
And every time he got’emus... he'd fall upon his bottomus!” Calamity ensues when an elephant, a centipede, and a rhinoceros try finding a cure for Hippo’s colossal case of hiccups. "...It's hard to say what's better: the whimsical, rhyming text or the beautiful colored-pencil illustrations....with funny results.
Reviews
"This book is so silly and adorable."
"My kids love it and if you add a bit of acting when reading it, our kids give us cute belly laughs."
"Cute story and the illustrations are great."
"This book is adorable and fun."
"Cute idea for a 3 yr old who lives in a city whose mascot Is the hippo."
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Best Children's Lion, Tiger & Leopard Books

Tiger's Curse (Book 1 in the Tiger's Curse Series)
The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny. The last thing teenager Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing over the summer was meeting Ren, a mysterious white tiger and cursed Indian prince! The unlikely duo journeys halfway around the world to piece together an Indian prophecy, find a way to free the man trapped by a centuries-old spell, and discover the path to their true destiny. Houck: J.K Rowling ( Harry Potter Series), Chris Paolini ( Eragon Series), Stephenie Meyer ( Twilight Saga), John Steinbeck, Walter Farley, Jules Verne, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Orson Scott Card, and many more! I was fascinated with Chris Paolini’s story and when I found out he was such a young author and carried around his manuscript for four years before getting it published on his own, I was even more impressed with his grit and determination. I recently finished the Percy Jackson/Lightning Thief series which I loved and currently I’m reading The Life of Pi which I originally purchased because of the tiger on the cover, but I also have shelves full of books waiting for my attention. The next books on my list include Scott Westerfield’s Uglies trilogy, Alyson Noel’s Immortals series, and The Guardians of Gahoole by Kathryn Lasky. I originally self-published my first two books through Amazon and the reader comments created enough buzz to attract a film producer and interest from foreign publishers before I even had an agent, which I’ve learned is kind of unheard of! When 18-year-old Kelsey takes a job with a circus, she finds herself oddly attracted to the white tiger she has been hired to feed. Although her book—the first in a proposed series—is sometimes derivative, she tells a good story filled with chaste romance that will keep readers turning pages to the inconclusive ending.
Reviews
"I'm not a shallow woman, but I do admit that a pretty cover will catch my eye. I love that the cover is textured, and that when you turned it in the light, it picks up multiple colors. Which makes it all the more appropriate, because this story sticks with you, long after your finished reading it. It will invade your dreams, your waking thoughts, until you find yourself drawing little hearts encircling the name, Ren. Call me crazy, [If you've made it this far into my review, I'm sure your already questioning my sanity], but when your a dedicated reader, you love the feel of the book in your hands, the texture and smell of the pages. So when I picked up this book to take a peek at the content, I was more than impressed with how solid it felt in my hand. Content, getting to the story line ... Colleen Houck did a fantastic job, thinking through the world she created for this series. It is very apparent while reading, the dedication she put into the research supporting the plot. The amount of detail intricately woven into the story, made it easy to visualize what the characters were seeing. We have seen many series based off Angels, Nephilum, Vampires, Werewolves, Fey, Mermaids, Shape shifters, Ghosts, Zombies, ...ext. It was laced with Indian culture, history, and religious practices, that were simulated beautifully. It didn't matter which direction the book was taking, I continually found myself turning the pages needing to know what the outcome was. I also relate to her independent nature, and hesitance in allowing herself to be vulnerable enough to get hurt. It is full of action, adventure, true friendship, and a romance so breathtaking, you'll want to revisit it again and again."
"A century's old curse, a mysterious adventure, a little magic and a little romance make this one of my favorite books."
"TIGER'S CURSE is an epic fantasy adventure that will take you on a magical ride to India! The writing style is another great part of this book; every chapter felt like the adventure was taken to another level, which I loved. And when a character named Kishan entered, I knew that even more adventures would happen later in this series! I definitely enjoyed how much Colleen Houck put into this book to make sure that the reader felt like they was along for this epic ride! And gosh, Houck made her characters shine and develop in ways I couldn't imagine within only the first book."
"As a college student, I really wanted to find a series to read over the summer that was fun and exciting.I was skeptical about this book when I first saw it. I read through the reviews and found that they were split pretty evenly so I decided to take a leap of faith and order it."
"Have my own copy; this was for host family's child who adores reading."
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Best Children's Reptile & Amphibian Books

A Crazy Day with Cobras (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission Book 17)
Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure. Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures. Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2011: The first Magic Tree House book was written by Mary Pope Osbourne in 1992, introducing young readers to the clever sibling duo, Jack and Annie, and the magical tree house that transports them on important assignments throughout history. Armed only with their courage and a trove of research books, Jack and Annie have delighted and educated young readers with their heroic adventures in time.
Reviews
"We read to our boys every night before bed but our oldest son who is 8 has started to want to read after bed so we started getting the Kindle addition books for him."
"Bought for my daughter."
"My 6 year old first grader son is in love with these books."
"6 year old grandkids love this series."
"Read them to elementary school children."
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Best Children's Alligator & Crocodile Books

May I Please Have a Cookie? (Scholastic Reader, Level 1)
In this Level 1 Scholastic Reader, Alfie learns that the best way to get a delicious cookie is to say please! For kids just starting to read, this cheerful title in the Scholastic Reader series is a combination of very simple sentences and bright, clear, colorful illustrations. He comes up with three funny tricks to get his treat, but it isn't until he asks politely that Mommy gives him what he wants--along with a big hug. For kids just starting to read, this cheerful title in the Scholastic Reader series is a combination of very simple sentences and bright, clear, colorful illustrations.
Reviews
"My three-year-old loves the story she ask us to read it to her almost every night."
"A simple, cute, and bright book for the early readers."
"This is my 3yr old son's me new favorite book!"
"Grandson loved it, I have bought several books to help him with his reading!"
"This is one of five books recommended to motivate preschoolers to read."
"Some other recommendations based on her favorites are: Hop on Pop, The Very Busy Spider and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"
"Such a cute book...with a lesson!"
"This is one of my granddaughter's (in kindergarten) favorite books to read by herself."
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Best Children's Mice & Small Animal Stories

Library Mouse
Beloved children's books author and illustrator Daniel Kirk wonderfully brings to life the story of Sam, a library mouse. Sam read so much that finally one day he decided to write books himself! During the day he sleeps, but at night he reads all kinds of books. This is ready-made to introduce a classroom writing activity, though some of the pictures are too small to be appreciated in a large-group readaloud. Cummins, Julie Daniel Kirk has illustrated a number of popular books for children, among them Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo!, which School Library Journal called “an instant hit with young children.” He has also both written and illustrated books, among them Snow Dude , which Booklist said “[crackles] with excitement and mischief . , which School Library Journal called “a lively trip that’s loaded with fun.” Daniel lives in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, with his wife and three children.
Reviews
"very cute book about "who is a writer" and lends itself well to lessons and prompts for grade school writing projects."
"Great book to use when beginning Writer's Workshop in kindergarten!"
"Love love love this book!"
"My first graders are all writing small books and sharing on my author's chair."
"My son absolutely loved it."
"I loved it."
"This is an adorable book."
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