Best Children's Nonfiction Performing Art
A NEWER, REVISED AND EXPANDED EDITION OF THIS BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE, The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary (DOG DAYS EDITION), INCLUDES 32 NEW PAGES ABOUT THE THIRD WIMPY KID MOVIE, DOG DAYS, PLUS AN ALL-NEW COVER ILLUSTRATION. Jeff Kinney is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and five-time Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award winner for Favorite Book.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have a 7 year old grandson, who HATES reading."
"Thanks for this very valuable, likeable books that encourage he to read."
"My son loves these books."
"Great quality."
"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."
"This book seemed too young for me but my little nephews loved it."
Inspired by the original Hogwart’s textbook by Newt Scamander, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original screenplay marks the screenwriting debut of J.K. Rowling, author of the beloved and internationally bestselling Harry Potter books. 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
Find Best Price at Amazon"For Potterheads worried that Fantastic Beasts will be another Harry Potter fan fiction that messes with your view of the original characters, fear not. While the original HP series revolved around one hero and his fight against the all powerful You Know Who, Fantastic Beasts seemed more lighthearted without being childish. And then there are Tina and Queenie, beautiful, talented, charming and kindhearted sisters, stuck in menial positions in the wizarding world and wanting more."
"I did not read this until after I had seen the movie, so I had the visuals playing in my head as I read, down to Newt's awkward lovability and Jacob's wonder."
"Once again Ms. Rowling delivers a fantastical world within our own."
"In whatever form, this world created by JK Rowling will always be amazing."
"Amazing and exciting story!!"
"Imagine an adult "Harry Potter" scenario wirh different characters, set in 1920s New York."
"You know that fresh book sound when you open it the first time. If you saw the movie before getting the book, you'll lovingly remember every beautiful scene."
"The writing is in the spare style of a script, not the lush with details style of the Harry Potter novels."
His mom thinks video games are turning his brain to mush, so she wants her son to put down the controller and explore his “creative side.”. As if that’s not scary enough, Halloween’s just around the corner and the frights are coming at Greg from every angle. Jeff Kinneyis a #1 "New York Times" bestselling author and six-time Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award winner for Favorite Book.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I always love the smell of a new book but the smooth outside texture of the book adds a good feature to the book. It is a well worded book from the first page to the last page (217 pages overall) each page has a complete word filled page but the pictures adds to the imagination of the child reading this book. He's now 10 and he LOVES this book series so much he looks forward to the new books that come out and every once in a while re-reads the older book series. I can't say enough good things about this book or any other book from the series."
"We just received the book!"
"My teenage son loves the series."
"This was a Christmas gift for my granddaughter and she was thrilled with it."
"-I would recommend this to my brother because he has a great sense of humor. -No other series I’d rather read more!"
"10 year old granddaughter loved the book."
"Great book for my 8 year old."
"I had purchased all the previous "Wimpy Kid" books for my grandson as birthday and Christmas gifts over the years."
Best Children's Circus Books
In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing, and performing high-wire tricks a quarter mile in the sky. This effectively spare, lyrical account chronicles Philippe Petit's tight rope walk between Manhattan's World Trade Center towers in 1974. When Philippe gazes at the twin buildings, he looks "not at the towers but at the space between them.... What a wonderful place to stretch a rope; a wire on which to walk." Kindergarten-Grade 6-As this story opens, French funambulist Philippe Petit is dancing across a tightrope tied between two trees to the delight of the passersby in Lower Manhattan. On August 7, 1974, Petit and three friends, posing as construction workers, began their evening ascent from the elevators to the remaining stairs with a 440-pound cable and equipment, prepared to carry out their clever but dangerous scheme to secure the wire. With its graceful majesty and mythic overtones, this unique and uplifting book is at once a portrait of a larger-than-life individual and a memorial to the towers and the lives associated with them.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Beautiful illustrations and well told tale of the tight rope walk between New York's Twin Towers so many long years ago."
"Wonderful account of the famous high wire feat between the World Trade Center towers."
"My husband and I collect Caldecott Medal winners & other beautifully illustrated books, and this is one of our favorites - always leaves us a little tearful at the end."
"I've always loved buildings and although there will always be sadness about the fate of these most famous pair of landmarks, this book does an amazing job of conveying one fact: someone actually walked between them one day because he thought he could and carefully (for five years) planned his walk before doing it."
"We bought this as a gift for my nephew, who went and saw the movie and wanted the books based on the guy who walked between the towers."
"I read this book every September to focus on the wonderful stories around such a tragedy."
"My students are too young for me to explain much to them so I liked reading this along with talking about the disaster of that day."
"Very good for having the kids explain about why the illustrator drew the pictures a certain way and what mood did he want the readers to feel."
Best Children's Dance Books
The New York City Ballet presents a classic ballet tale for a modern ballet lover with George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, a holiday favorite. The stylized paintings have a whimsical, dramatic feel, full of sweeping curves and exaggerated features. VERDICT A good option for families heading to the ballet during the holiday season.—Virginia Walter, UCLA School of Education and Information Studies This introduction to the ballet closely follows the production of the New York City Ballet, as originated by George Balanchine. Marie and the Prince travel through the Land of Sweets, where they meet the characters from the ballet, such as the Sugarplum Fairy and Mother Ginger, before returning home in their magical sleigh drawn by reindeer.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a beautiful book that goes along very well with the movie that was made featuring Macauley Caulkin as Drosselmeyer's nephew."
"This story is told in a compact yet lovable way."
"Love this -- does it come in a poster??"
"Beautiful book, and the recipient loved it!"
"Can’t believe beat the price!"
"Darling pictures, nice condensed version of the story."
"Beautifully illustrated and the nutcracker version I love."
Best Children's Music Books
Nikki’s sure she can handle everything, but will all the excitement cause new problems for Nikki and Brandon, now that cameras are everywhere Nikki goes? Between filming the show, band practice, voice lessons, dance rehearsals, studying, and homework, Nikki is barely able to squeeze in time with her crush, Brandon. Overall, this is a seamless fit with the rest of the series and will be popular with fans of the previous books.—Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary School, Glen Rock, PA Rachel Renée Russell is an attorney who prefers writing tween books to legal briefs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I love love love it if you like this book too go get more of the books you'll love em too."
"Easy reading and my grand daughter love the story line of each book."
"It is so amazing I love this book."
"my daughter loves these books, great price."
"It is the best because....I Don't want to spoil it too much but......Brandon kissed.........Sorry I have to go....."
"My kids love all her books."
"Have a book worm in the house and she loves this series."
Best Children's Arts, Music & Photography Books
The playscript for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was originally released as a 'special rehearsal edition' alongside the opening of Jack Thorne's play in London's West End in summer 2016. When Albus hatches a plot to go back in time to save the life of Cedric Diggory—what Albus views as the biggest mistake his father made—time becomes distorted and Harry is left to examine his own life, his relationship with his son, and how love can sometimes be much more complicated than it seems. This is an interesting extension of the "Harry Potter" universe, but readers should go into it knowing that it's its own beast. Rowling didn't write it (much to the fury and vitriol of many fans), and it is in script form, so it loses some of the magic that won over millions of readers back when it all began.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I read the books 2-3 times per year since I was a child. These books are a part of me, I've named my children after characters in these books. I have waited for this book like the rest of you. I get more of a harry potter vibe from the fantastic beasts trailer than this entire book. I think the best way to go into reading this and saving yourself from despair is to read it as a fanfic and not the true works of rowling."
"I keep wondering if there's a therapy group where all the disgruntled fans can congragate and weep together. The entire 7 book series was about friendship, love and loyalty, and Harry knew that; and most importantly, knew that's what made him different from V. You're telling me, he, Ron and Herm didn't continue to live and instil those values in their children? Harry wouldn't have choosen work over time with his family, which after all he'd been through WAS ALL HE EVER WANTED. This new book is the worst kind of trash, the one that destroys the soul of our hero. Also, what they did to calm, measured, quirky, wise Dumbledore, making him a weepy, rude mess, who spoke in cliches, issuing a completely unnecessary "apology" to why Harry was at the Dursleys, when Dumbledore had already apologized profusely for that in HP5 AND severely told off the Dursleys in HP6 for their abusive behavior! And what a weak, floppy mess Harry was during the fight scene?!"
"I want to start this by saying that I am a huge Harry Potter fan. I grew up with Harry, I went to midnight premiers of the books and movies. His character, all jokes no supporting and listening to Harry and Hermione. o In the last book when they are dropping off the children at the Hogwarts express, the kids are genuinely confused as to why everyone is looking at them and Ron makes a joke saying “I’m famous”. It is deduced that the kids do not know the extent of everything their parents went through to save the world. Let’s go back to that epilogue where they all see Draco with his family and a joke gets made about not playing with his son. Which then Hermione corrects and Ron says to beat him on test but not to get too cozy and marry him. She would have loved to mother the Dark Lords child; there would have been no greater honor. And then the gang goes to Malfoy manor there is no baby in sight. Voldemort would have wanted an heir; wouldn’t he have made it a horcrux and offered it more protection? I know she was horrible but I do think Harry would have deep feelings about his mother’s sister passing. Sirius Black escapes and the freaking muggle minister is alerted! But hey, this guy who tortured the Longbottoms into insanity he escapes and it’s cool. It’s sounding more and more as if this witch convinced herself that she is the heir of the dark lord. Cedric a character who was noble and good and died oh so tragically. This character who was loyal and kind and helped Harry turns DARK SIDE?!?! CEDRIC A DEAD EATER HAHAHAHA NOPE NOT FUNNY. Thank you for turning a good character and completely changing him for the worse. Thank goodness you did not include Sirius Black in your play. But wait not, here I got some polyjuice potion here in my back pocket and I just happen to carry my dad and his best friends hairs at all times. Harry duels Delphi (a eighteen year old) and she is stronger?"
Best Children's Activities, Crafts & Games Books
Treacle Tart--Harry's favorite dessert Molly's Meat Pies--Mrs. Weasley's classic dish Kreacher's French Onion Soup Pumpkin Pasties--a staple on the Hogwarts Express cart. They can make the mince pies that Mrs. Weasley sends Harry every Christmas, and the pumpkin pasties from the Halloween feast scene I loved reading as a kid. As long as you don't mind your kids going down the weird meat-pie, haggis, and Scotch collop–filled path that is the world of British food, this book is sure to be a hit." (Epicurious). "Cooking dishes from popular fantasy books--from Harry Potter to A Game of Thrones to the Twilight vampire tales--has become a pastime for fans seeking to immerse themselves in their favorite fictional worlds. Literary foodies are trading tips on how to cook eel pie and nettle soup, sharing ideas on blogs, YouTube and Twitter, and occasionally scoring cookbook deals. Lucky for all of us muggles, Dinah Buchholz has penned The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook , a guide to recreating all sorts of witchy and wizardy vittles introduced throughout the series." With more than 150 easy-to-make recipes, tips, and techniques, you can indulge in spellbindingly delicious meals drawn straight from the pages of your favorite Potter stories." "After a long winter's day, ever wish you could just cozy up in the Burrow and have Molly Weasley whip you up a little roast chicken with mashed potatoes? "From Cauldron Cakes to Pumpkin Pasties...this magical tome for muggles is filled with awesome facts about each recipe."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It's pretty basic sometimes, it's more European type quisiene so if you don't like haggis, liver, lamb, or other English/Scottish dishes etc then these recipes aren't for you."
"The BEST part was that each recipe has the correlating book and page number of where it appeared!"
"Hardback cover and thick pages that make it look like a spell book."
"Purchased this book as a gift for my wife who is a huge Harry Potter fan."
"Even if it’s not ‘authentic’ JK Rowling I thought it was cute and bought as a present for my friend who bakes and also loves HP."
"This was a hit at my company Christmas party."
"A whimsical cookbook which is a good introduction to (mostly) traditional English cuisine."
"bought two of these for my adult daughters."
Best Children's Nonfiction Art Books
Learn how to create awesome drawings of everything from crazy monsters to monster trucks. Aaron Sautter is a Capstone Press author.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"He has shown an interest in drawing and asked for art supplies for Christmas."
"Great, great gift for boys who love warrior and anime type characters."
"This is a great how-to for drawing all different kinds of characters."
"This was a Christmas gift for my stepson and he has really enjoyed it!"
"So fun to watch my son use this -- little advanced for an 8 year old, but great options."
"My son thought that it was "cool"."
"I would recommend this for any boy who is into drawing!"
"This is not for a beginner and my 11 yo son found it discouraging till he just gave up and started tracing the pictures."
Best Children's Nonfiction Music Books
Its easy and joyful learning style enables the young student to think, feel, and develop musically. * Ode to Joy by Beethoven. * Amazing Grace. * Happy Birthday. * Jingle Bells. * Yankee Doodle. * When the Saints Go Marching In. * Scarborough Fair. * Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. * Mary had a Little Lamb. * Take Me Out to the Ballgame. * Michael, Row the Boat Ashore. * House of the Rising Sun. * This Little Light of Mine. * Home on the Range. * Shenandoah. *And Many More Great Songs and Pieces! Praise for Damon Ferrante's Books and Piano Music: "As a piano teacher I can assure the reader that the Little Piano Bookworks well with students of all ages. As a pianist and professor of piano studies for over 25 years, I was alwayslooking for a book that would teach beginner piano in a fun, useful and musical format. The Little Piano Book is the product of these efforts and is designed for beginner piano students, either learning on their own or working with a teacher.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I have played self taught for years but after looking through this book I found that it would have been so much easier for me to learn with this."
"This book is great on the Kindle Fire!"
"I give it five stars because this little book helped me understand something that I wanted to do for the last 20 years...I not only can play the piano but I understand what to do with each hand I tried a couple of left handed lessons (I'm a leftie) first, then I tried a couple of right handed lessons."
"As a pianist and former piano instructor, I wish I had known about this book sooner. I feel that my students would have been able to understand the concept of music much easier than other lesson books such as Alfred’s Basic Piano Books."
"I think this book was very helpful in learning some new things about playing the piano. It helped me learn many new things, and I definitely will recommend the Little Piano Book to anyone trying to learn the piano - young or old!"