Children's Books for Early Readers

1 IS ONE (A Caldecott Honor Counting Book)
written & illustrated by Tasha Tudor. Soft watercolor illustrations along with some B&W drawings. Condition: UNREAD c. 1993 Aladdin soft cover, first printing. Light shelf wear to cover edges. Interior clean & tight. Content: "1 is one duckling swimming in a dish; 2 is two sisters making a wish," etc. "There will, of course, always be children who must learn to count. Teach them also to enjoy the process and to count those things that are most important to them. Eighteen stars twinkling in the sky and twelve baby birds learning how to sing are an excellent start." K-1. [1 copy available]
$ 2.50 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

AESOP'S FABLES
selected & illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger. Color illustrations. Condition: NEW 2006 North-South soft cover, first printing. Content: Twelve fables: Town Mouse and Country Mouse; The Milkmaid and Her Pail; The Man and the Satyr; The Shepherd's Boy and the Wolf; The Hares and The Frogs; The Monkey and the Camel; The Moon and Her Mother; The Ass and the Lap Dog; The Fox and the Grapes; The Hare and the Tortoise; The Fox and the Crow; The Dog and the Sow. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.50 + $ 3.09 media shipping. International shipping available.

AHOY THERE, LITTLE POLAR BEAR
text and illustratins by Hans de Beer. Adorable color illustrations. Condition: NEW 1995 North-South soft cover, first paperback printing. Tiny edgewear. Content: Lars, a little Arctic Polar Bear, jumps in the sea to catch a fish, but it is he himself who gets caught in a giant net! Dumped into the hold of a ship with piles of slimy fish, he is taken away from his icy home in the North Pole. Up on the ship's deck, he meets the ship's cat Nemo, whom he asks to help him get home. They both creep ashore at the next port, to a town where Lars's white fur gets very dirty, and another cat arranges for him to hop aboard a ship heading back to the North Pole. Soon enough, the young cub is reunited with his loving parents. "Lars was happy to be home again, but often he sat and stared out to sea looking for ships--and ship's cats." While the story line is simple, de Beer's illustrations are quite endearing. Young children will be taken in by Lars's harmless adventuring and safe return home. (Baby to preschool) [1copy available]
$ 4.50 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

ALBERT'S HALLOWEEN: The CAse of the Stolen Pumpkins
"perpetrated by" Leslie Tryon. Adorable, detailed color illustrations by the Author. Condition: UNREAD 1999 Scholastic large soft cover, first printing. 2-3 very small rubbings back cover. Tiny edge wear. Interior clean & tight. Content: Children unfamiliar with Albert the duck and his animal buddies will start off wishing for a who's who of characters here, but they'll eventually catch on and be able to enjoy the fun. Led by Chief Inspector Albert, Miss Maple, Sam Slade, and Shamrock Homes embark on a quest to find 18 missing pumpkins, with clues taking them from the pumpkin patch to the library, to the dead tree, to the playground. Certain words in the clues are colored red and appear in puzzle-shaped pieces, which are later pulled together to guide children to pumpkins that Tryon has hidden in her illustrations. Suitably dressed in detective-style attire, the animals make a fetching group as they search dark landscapes by flashlight till the mystery is solved. Children will have a great time doing their own detecting on Halloween or anytime. A mystery story plus hidden pictures equals a double dose of entertainment. Preschool +. [1 copy available]
$ 3.50 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY
written by Judith Viorst. B&W illustrations and cover by Ray Cruz. Condition: UNREAD 1987 Aladdin Paperbacks soft cover, second printing. Content: Poor Alexander is having a very bad day -- gum gets stuck in his hair, there's no toy in his cereal box, no dessert in his lunch bag, lima beans for dinner, and even kissing on T.V. Throughout these ordeals Alexander contemplates relocating to Australia, but then his mother tells him the awful truth -- "some days are like that. Even in Australia." [1 copy available]
$ 1.50 + $ 2.94 media shipping.

AMIGO
by Byrd Baylor. Wonerful soft color illustrations by Garth Williams. Condition: UNREAD 1993 Macmillan soft cover, 2nd printing. Designed as a reading supplement for schools, it does have the number "3" written on the top front cover corner - for third grade. Interior clean & tight. Content: Francisco is a lonely boy. Amigo is a prairie dog. They both live in the desert, and both want someone to play with. Francisco thinks that he's "taming" Amigo, his pet -- but Amigo knows better. [1 copy available]
$ 4.00 + $ 3.09 media shipping. International shipping available.

BALLET OF THE ELEPHANTS (A True Story)
by Leda Schubert. Beautiful and warm watercolor illustrations by Robert Andrew Parker. Condition: NEW 2008 Roaring Brook hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), 3rd printing. 2-3 fold-out pages showing the dancers. Lovely. Content: Sparking watercolors-and-ink illustrations dance across the page and spill out onto a horizontal foldout of elephants and ballerinas spotlighted together--in the true story of "Circus Polka," choreographed in 1942 by George Balanchine, with music by Igor Stravinsky and performances by John Ringling North's elephants. Robert Andrew Parker brings his love of theater, dance, and costume to this captivating story. Leda Schubert's background note includes black-and-white photos of the actual performance. Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
$ 4.39 + $ 3.40 media shipping.

BENNIE & VICTORIA: Friends Through Time
by Patricia H. Aust. B&W illustrations by Robert Sprouse. Condition: NEW 1997 Child & Family Press Trade Paperback, first printing. Content: Benni Ramirez is a contemporary 10-year-old boy whose father has left and whose mother is struggling with drugs and alcohol. Victoria is a nine-year-old girl from 1859 who slips in and out of time in search of news about her sick brother and mother. Their paths cross at a school in Maine where they end up helping one another. By asking Benni's assistance in finding out about her family, Victoria enables him to experience love and the responsibility of being needed. Through her descriptions, Victoria conveys the devastation of diphtheria, especially for children. This is an interesting and, at times, moving case study. A well-meaning time fantasy about two children in unfortunate circumstances. Grades 3 - 6. [1copy available]
$ 3.94 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

BERLIOZ THE BEAR (Reading Rainbow)
written & illustrated by Jan Brett. Wonderfully detailed color illustrations. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1993 Scholastic soft cover, fifth printing. Name inside front cover. Content: A wonderful blending of elements into a cohesive, thoroughly entertaining work that subtly introduces young readers to the world of music. While practicing, Berlioz the Bear detects a strange buzzing noise coming from his double bass. On the way to the concert with the rest of the bear band, he is so preoccupied with the sound that he accidently runs the wagon into a hole. The lead animal, a mule, refuses to budge, despite a series of animals who unsuccessfully try to pull the wagon out. At that moment, what should fly out of Berlioz's bass but a very angry bee that takes out its frustration on the mule's hindquarters. The sting does what the other animals failed to do; the wagonload of musicians goes careening into the village at full speed and arrives just in the nick of time. In tone, Brett's cumulative story has elements of traditional folklore, and her spare text begs to be read aloud. Her pen-and-ink, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations are richly, often humorously, detailed, and they sweep over each double-page spread. The brushwork is distinct, and the palette is a well-organized blend of earth tones with touches of red and blue. The artist's penchant for borders is evident, here taking the shape of a proscenium arch. The top portion of each arch shows the villagers' preparations for the performance while the side panels depict various animals enroute to the concert. The borders, manner of dress for the animals, and scenery all have a distinct flavor of traditional Austrian and Swiss culture. K - 3. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 2.50 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

THE BEST TOWN IN THE WORLD
by Byrd Baylor. Beautiful and warm watercolor illustrations by Ronald Himler. Condition: NEW 1993 Macmillian soft cover, second printing. I can't believe this book was published in 1993 - too crisp - but that's what it says. A school supplemental book. Content: In this book, the dogs are smarter, wildflowes grow taller, and the chocolate cake is tastier. Baylor's delightfully nostalgic sotry of the Texas hill country finds it perfect complement and extensio in Himler's warm, glowing pictures. Reviewer: "What a sweet book! And not syruppy either. In this book, children talk about their father's hometwon-- the best town in the world, where food tastes better and everything is better. The children obviously believe their father had a wonderful time growing up, but also question some of his "bests"--for example, they refuse to believe ice cold creeks are the best to swim in. Even though I'm from a very different sort of place, this book reminded me of my own childhood and how many of the "bests" we experienced growing up can never be bettered--and never be fully understood by others who had their own "bests." What a great book!" Questions welcome. [1 copy left]
$ 5.39 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

BLACK BEAUTY (DK Eyewitness Classics)
by Anna Sewell. Retold by Caryn Jenner. Beautiful color ilustrations by Victor Ambrus. Condition: NEW 1997 DK hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first American edition, first printing. Tiny edge wear to DJ edges. Content: This is an abridgement of the classic novel by Sewell. The way the book is put together makes it a combination novel and history lesson. Excellent! In this abridgement of Sewell's classic story, McKinley has managed nicely to retain Beauty's unique voice as well as the most-remembered stories, while making the text more accessible to younger readers. Jeffers's fine ink illustrations will satisfy even the most demanding of horse-lovers with her ability to capture each horse's personality. This version brings back the sharpness of the cruelty towards Beauty and his companions, and McKinley has rightfully retained the pain and the ugliness of some of the incidents. Children will still weep at the death of Ginger, and Jeffers's portrayal of the barn fire is quite frightening. It's an elegant edition, which will linger with readers until they are ready to tackle the original. And it retains the core premise of the book: treatment of animals. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 6.19 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

BLACK, WHITE, JUST RIGHT! (A Book for Interractial Children)
by Marguerite W. Davol. Perfect color illustrations by Irene Trivas. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1993 Albert Whitman hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ issued), first printing. This is an un-shelved school library book with a stamp inside front cover and no other markings. Content: A mixed-race child celebrates the rich inclusiveness of her life in a joyful picture book. Mama's face is chestnut brown, Papa's face turns pink in the sun, the child's a little dark, a little light, "Just right!" Each double-page spread shows how members of the family are individuals with likes and dislikes, hobbies and habits that move beyond stereotype. Mom orders vegetarian; Dad orders ribs and bagels; the child likes it all. Mom does ballet; Dad dances to rap. Mom likes African masks; Dad goes for modern art; the child loves the Egyptian part of the museum. Each page has a rhyming refrain that ends, "just right." In keeping with the upbeat text, Trivas' energetic gouache illustrations are full of movement and affection. A photo of the author with her ``just-right'' grandchildren (also evidently from an interracial family) is included. (Picture book. 3-8) Questions welcome. [1 copy available.]
$ 4.89 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

BLUE MOON MOUNTAIN
by Geraldine McCaughrean. Beautiful color illustrations by Nicki Palin and Tomislav Tomic. Condition: NEW 2006 Templar (UK) hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), revised first edition. Content: Reviewer: "Award-winning children's author Geraldine McCaughrean presents Blue Moon Mountain, a fantastic children's picturebook about a special young girl who discovers the hidden land where mythological creatures dwell. The Wyvern, the Sphinx, the Roc, the Giant from Jack and the Beanstalk, and many more were unfairly depicted as villains in the fairy tales about them; they needed a place to live, and that place was the magical land of Blue Moon Mountain. For only once in years does a white moon path open and show the way to the mysterious land; young Joy, born during a blue moon, has the opportunity to travel there herself and meet the all the fabulous creatures, including the legendary unicorn, who misses his chance to return to Blue Moon Mountain and lives in a stable near Joy while waiting for the next blue moon. A delightful romp, wonderfully illustrated in full color. " The mythology of each creature is provided in a section at the end of the book. [1 copy available]
$ 8.59 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE BLUE STONE
by Jimmy Liao. Translated from the Chinese. Beautiful color illustrations by the Author. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 2007 Little Brown Kids hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ as issued), first edition, first printing. Problem: a few pale impressions front board. Content: From internationally renowned author and illustrator Jimmy Liao comes a new enchanting and evocative journey. Breathtaking illustrations and a haunting story take readers on a wondrous voyage around the world. A large, beautiful blue stone is discovered in a forest. It is cut in half, and one half stays in the forest while the other starts on a long and mystical journey through many places, many owners, and many transformations. It begins as a statue of an elephant, admired by museum goers, and then becomes a carved bird residing in an elderly woman's garden. It becomes a moon, a cat, a necklace, and more, until it finally returns to the forest. The Blue Stone is a powerful tale of different life paths and possibilities, a longing for home, and love. Beautiful color illustrations and much food for thought for early readers to young adult. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 16.49 + $ 3.40 media shipping. Priority & International shipping available - email us for cost.

THE BRAND NEW KID
written by Katie Couric. Clever color illustrations by Marjorie Priceman. Condition: NEW 2000 Doubleday hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition, first printing. Content: Couric pens an energetic though uneven picture book about tolerance. When second grader Lazlo S. Gasky, who speaks and looks different from everyone else, arrives at Brookhaven School, the other kids are quick to both tease and alienate him. Some weeks later, when Ellie McSnelly sees Lazlo's tearful mother, the girl makes kind overtures to him that Lazlo happily returns many times over. Ellie soon inspires others to extend a hand in friendship. Couric's laudable message of inclusion comes through. Unfortunately, however, the narrative's rhyming-couplets format results in forced, sometimes ungrammatical, phrasing (e.g., "They arrived at his door greeted by his French poodle/ and Mrs. Gasky was there with a plate of warm strudel!" and "He's terrific at chess, and his Mom's really sweet./ Playing soccer the guy doesn't have two left feet"). In what appears to be a hole in the plot, Ellie's best friend, Carrie, from whom she is initially inseparable, all but disappears for much of the proceedings. Priceman compensates by picturing Carrie even when she's absent from the text. Using softer lines and more muted hues than usual, the artist captures a full gamut of emotion, particularly in the crabby faces of taunting classmates and a beaming portrait of Lazlo at the moment he makes his first real friend. Grades 1 - 3. [1 copy available]
$ 5.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

BRAVE BABETTE & SLY TOM
written & illustrated by Elzbieta. Warm & appropriate color illustrations. Condition: Gently pre-read 1989 Dial Books hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. No problems, just pre-read. Content: Sly Tom was a terrible, cowardly cat. He ruled over the creatures of the Luxembourg Gardens with an iron paw and an insatiable appetite. Then one night as the first snow was falling in the peaceful park, Sly Tom's hunting left a small mouse all alone in the world. Little did he know that kindly Papa Blackbird would take the youngster under his wind. And that someday this small mouse would grow up to be the tomcat's undoing. Elzbieta's gentle able of a bully's comeuppance is told with a storyteller's rhythm and the warm and witty illustrations of a truly original painter. Dealing with a bully! Grades 1 - 3. [1 copy available]
$ 3.79 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

CAN'T YOU MAKE THEM BEHAVE, KING GEORGE?
by Jean Fritz. Color and B&W pictures by Tomie de Paola. Condition: UNREAD c. 1990s Coward-McCann soft cover, 14th printing. Tiny edge wear. Content: This is a very clever intro to the American Revolution and England's kings for young readers. Reviewer: "Jean Fritz has created many fabulous books for children. This book is one of my favorites. It shows the beginning of the American Revolution from the eyes of King George. The book is humerous and historically correct. Kids and adults will enjoy reading it together!" [1 copy available]
$ 4.59 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

THE CAT AND THE FLYING MACHINE
text and B&W illustrations by Laszlo Kubinyi. Condition: Gently pre-read 1970 Simon & Schuster hard cover & DJ (in mylar jacket), assumed first printing. The DJ shows light shelf wear around the edges - rubbings and 1 very short "repaired" tear top back edge. Interior clean & tight. 48 pages. Content: Shukru, the talking cat, literally flies to the aid of the kindly old alchemist who has been ordered by his cruel master to produce gold--or else! The diagrams of the "machine" are too cute. [1 copy available]
$ 3.29 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (Board Book)
by Charles M. Schulz. Adorable, colorful illustrations from Schulz as always. Condition: NEW 2007 Running Press Kids board book (no DJ issued), no printing given. Content: In this irresistible Snoopy board book, the Peanuts gang learns the true meaning of Christmas. "A Charlie Brown Christmas" is a "Peanuts" classic, and this clever adaptation tells the story from the point of view of a favorite character - Snoopy! He joyfully bobbles along, decorating his doghouse, winning first prize in the neighborhood contest and helping his master celebrate Christmas. Ages 4 - 8. [1 copy available]
$ 2.49 + $ 3.40 media shipping.

A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES
by Robert Louis Stevenosn. Beautifully illustrated in color by Diane Goode. Afterword by Peter Glassman. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1998 William Morrow hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Problem: DJ has been price-clipped and there is a gift inscription on the decorated end page. Can't believe someone would receive this book as a gift and not read it. Content: Goode's illustrations perfectly complement the poetry that has survived a century in print. Here is a comfortable world of sunny gardens and storybooks, where children play with toy soldiers and imaginary friends. You may remember some of these poems from your own childhood, such as "My Shadow," "The Swing," and "The Land of Counterpane." If time is any judge, this garden of delights will stay a perennial favorite. Reviewer: "This book is so beautifully illustrated I couldn't resist it. I have always loved the poems written by Stevenson and to see these drawings alongside the poems made them even more enjoyable. I looked at other printings of this book and this one was far superior. If you like the old fashioned drawings, this is the book for you." Ages 5 - Adult. [1 copy available]
$ 4.79 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

A CHOCOLATE MOOSE FOR DINNER
written & illustrated by Fred Gwynne. Clever, fun color illustrations. Condition: UNREAD 1980 Aladdin soft cover, 23rd printing. Tiny edge wear. Content: With his hilarious wordplay and zany humor, Fred Gwynne keeps children of all ages in stitches! Clever use of everyday phrases adults use (i.e., car pools, fishing tackle, etc.) and how children picture those. Ages 5 - 8. [1 copy available]
$ 4.59 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

CROW MOON, WORM MOON
by James Skofield. Beautiful, soft color illustrations by Joyce Powzyk. Condition: NEW 1991 Four Winds Press hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first American edition, first printing. Content: Plants and animals anticipate the arrival of spring in this poem about the vernal equinox. With well-matched text and illustrations, this is a poem of spring in which the moon calls out to the crow, worm, bear, trout, maple tree, and caterpillar, awakening them from their winter torpor and exhorting them to live and multiply. Skofield's chantlike verse has an almost hypnotic rhythm, evoking images of primeval forests and eschewing complexity. Single syllable words predominate, adding to the power and the drive of the verse. Powzyk's strong, uncluttered illustrations show each animal responding to the moon's call. Her use of contrasting light and dark gives some of the watercolor illustrations a woodcut-like vigor that complements the text. The large, vibrant illustrations make the book ideal for spring story programs. A great read-aloud. Grades K+. [1 copy available]
$ 7.49 + $ 3.40 media shipping.

THE DANCE
by Richarad Paul Evans. Wonderful soft & warm color illustrations by Jonathan Linton. Condition: NEW 1999 Simon & Schuster for Young Readers hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket) , 3rd printing. Rough shipping from mfg. it seems: bumped corners with 2 tiny impressions front & back covers. Not bad, but there. Tiny edge wear to DJ top edge. Much better than it sounds. Very clean & very tight. Content: A father loves watching his daughter dance--from her first recital where she was dressed as an ear of corn to the final dance she does just for him as he nears the end of his life. While the text is easy-to-read for early readers, the concept of the book may need some explanation. A read-aloud for a first reading would be appropriate, IMHO. Ages 4 - 8. Adults will also appreciate - especially fathers. [1 copy available]
$ 6.69 + $ 3.40 media shipping. Priority by arrangement. Email us.

DANCING IN THE WINGS
by Debbie Allen. Beautiful - really beautiful! - color ilustrations by Kadir Nelson. Condition: NEW Dial Books hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), 17th printing. Problem: DJ edges show a bit of shelf wear including a "repaired" short tear back top edge. Content: This charming picture book focuses on the world of ballet classes, and children's cruelty toward those who are different. Sassy loves to dance but she is tall, gangly, and has really big feet. Her desire to perform is her strongest asset. When she soars through the air in a giant leap, she feels like she can do anything. Sassy does indeed live up to her name. This African-American child is fresh, she is innovative-she wears a bright yellow leotard to stand out in the crowd-and she is determined. The story is sure to build self-esteem in those readers who can empathize with Sassy and they'll cheer when she takes center stage in a dance festival in the nation's capital. Nelson's artwork conveys Sassy's spirit and captures well the expressions of her smug, mocking classmates. A great read-aloud. Grades K+. [1 copy available]
$ 7.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT
retold by Margaret Hodges. Excelptionally interesting color illustrations by Melisande Potter. Condition: NEW 2006 Holiday House hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: When Dick Whittington finally gets a ride from the countryside to London, he anticipates a wealthy paradise where the streets are paved with gold. He is shocked, though, to find that the city is in an even worse state than the country! Dick struggles to survive, barely living off scraps of food, until the wealthy merchant Mr. Fitzwarren offers him a job. Still lonely, Dick purchases a cat to comfort him and to kill the rodents in his bedroom. Little does anyone, particularly Dick Whittington, know that this cat will bring many more fortunes than anticipated! The humorous illustrations, created with colorful inks and gouache, enhance the story with expressive faces and movement that delight the eye: a person wearing a mask and teetering on stilts, a dog nipping at the feet of an agitated juggler, a young girl dancing with a tambourine. Period detail includes short tunics, long cloaks, pointed shoes, timber-framed houses, thatched roofs, and mullion windows. The dramatically posed landscapes and people are energized by some wavy and slightly distorted perspectives: a man staring out a window, his head at a seemingly impossible angle, and an enlarged cat's head emerging at the end of Dick's bed to view some fleeing mice. Grades K - 3. [1copy available]
$ 4.79 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

A DICTIONARY OF DANCE (SIGNED BY AUTHOR)
text & color illustrations by Liz Murphy. Condition: Signed on Title Page. Gently pre-read 2007 Blue Apple Books, first printing. No problems, just pre-read. Content: Dance is not just an art, it's a whole different language! From "Arabesque" to "Zones," this is a very broad overview of the subject. The defined words vary a great deal in complexity. Some of the more sophisticated ones include "Notation" and "Improvisation." "Energetic" and "Yearn" are among the more generic terms. Specific movements ("Ouvert") and specific styles, such as "Quickstep" and "Break dancing" are briefly explained. The dynamic and colorful illustrations have real child appeal with line-drawn characters happily and enthusiastically interpreting the words. This potpourri of aspects of dance is imaginatively done, and those who already have an interest in the subject may be fascinated. Grades K - 3. [1copy available]
$ 4.79 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

DRAGON IN THE ROCKS: A Story Based on the Childhood of the Early Paleontologist Mary Anning
text & great color illustrations by Marie Day. Condition: Very gently pre-read 1994 Owl hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ), first printing. No major problems - just pre-read. Content: From the book: Mary Anning was a real person. With the help of her mother she continued to search for fossils, and she spent the rest of her life digging in the cliffs at Lyme Regis for mysterious creatures from the past. If you go to the Natural History Museum in London, look for a creature with teeth like razors and an eye much bigger than your mother's biggest plate; and if the creature is longer than four men put together and has flippers shaped like paddles, then you too have found Mary's dragon in the rocks. This is the story of her first find - an Ichthyosaur - a giant fish-lizard that lived in the ocean millions of years ago. Neat book for budding scientists. [1 copy available]
$ 3.69 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

DREAMTIME: A BOOK OF LULLABIES
selected by Belinda Hollyer. Simply beautiful watercolor illustrations by Robin Bell Corfield. Condition: NEW 1999 Viking hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first American edition, first printing. Inside front end pages decorated with a setting sun; the back end pages with a rising moom. Just lovely. Content: Hollyer's brilliant collection of night poems and lullabies and Corfield's perfectly matched watercolors combine to form an artistic whole that expresses all of the magic of settling down to sleep. The poems range from pre-bedtime pleading ("Can't I just finish this game please?/When a game's once begun/It's a pity never to find out/Whether you've lost or won" in Eleanor Farjeon's "Bedtime") through bedtime rituals ("Hug me gentle, hug me strong,/hug me short and hug me long./Now it's time to put away/all the pieces of today" from Russell Hoban's "Getting-Ready-Lullaby") to nodding off to sleep ("The storm shall not wake thee, nor shark overtake thee,/Asleep in the arms of the slow-swinging seas" in Rudyard Kipling's "The White Seal's Lullaby"). To read this book is to savor the sure use of words by master poets gathered by a master anthologist. No young child should drift off without a reading from this book or a look at its ethereal landscapes, certain charms for sweet dreams. Ages 1+. [1 copy available]
$ 4.50 + $ 3.40 media shipping. International shipping available - please email us.

THE EGG
text & wonderful color illustrations by M. P. Robertson. Condition: UNREAD 2001 Phyllis Fogelman hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ), third pritning. Content: Hagrid would love this book! In the tantalizing opening pages of this fantasy, a boy peers into a henhouse and sees a hen perched upon an enormous golden-brown egg: "George knew something wasn't right when he found more than he bargained for under his mother's favorite chicken." The only clue to the egg's source is a mysterious hole in the henhouse roof. George uses a wheelbarrow to maneuver the armchair-sized egg into his house, and in a tense four-part spread, he watches as something ("It definitely wasn't a chicken!") starts to hatch. After an all-too-brief period of suspense, a muscular, bat-winged baby dragon emerges, and George patiently trains it to fly and to aim its fiery breath. Robertson's (The Bed and Breakfast House) delicate, detail-rich watercolors resemble those in Peter Collington's wordless books, and indeed some of Robertson's multipanel illustrations convey the duo's silent communication (since George "didn't speak Dragon"). In one sequence, a lesson in "How to Defeat a Knight," George uses a wooden sword to mimic a certain saint, then waves a white flag as the dragon looks at him with affection. Yet many practical considerations go unpictured: How does George get the gigantic egg through his bedroom door? How does he befriend the dragon? And what does a kid feed a giant green lizard? Ages 4 - 8. Great read-aloud book. [1copy available]
$ 4.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping. Priority shipping available.

EMILY'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (Helping Hand Books)
by Sarah, Duchess of York (my favorite Royal). Cute color illustrations by Ian Cunliffe. Condition: NEW 2010 Sterling hard cover (no DJ issued), first printing. Content: This entry in the Helping Hand series follows young Emily on her first day of kindergarten, strikes a nice tone for new students. Emily can’t quite imagine what school will be like, and despite her mother’s assurances that the day will fly by, she doubts it. Yet between meeting her classmates, storytime, and especially art, her mom is back to pick her up before she knows it. The simple computer-enhanced art features a wide-eyed family and students placed against plain backgrounds. The helpful hints that conclude offer plenty of solid advice parents will appreciate. Preschool-Grade 1. [1 copy only]
$ 3.19 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

EVERYDAY ANGELS (Slipcase)
by Mark Kimball Moulton. Beautifully, lavishly illustrated in color by Susan Winget. Beautifully decorated end pages. Condition: NEW 2000 Lang Books large hardcover (pictorial boards) in a pictorial slipcase, third edition, 10th printing. Content: Reviewer: "This book, beautifully illustrated and written in poetic form is a keeper and a wonderful gift to kids. It is a simple tale of how important we are to one another and how we all have "angels" watching over us whether or not we can really "see" them. In fact they are in smiles, and in nature and in the good things in life." "This is a lovely story of the "angels" that walk among us: be they teachers, firefighters, our neighbors, our mothers... When you think you need some strength, these are the people who come through for us -- our support and inspiration. It is a great story for children, but also is a wonderful gift for your "angel." Ages 4-8. [1 copy available]
$ 11.79 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

THE FIRST DOG (Reading Rainbow Book)
text & beautiful color illustrations by Jan Brett. Condition: NEW 1988 Voyager Books soft cover, 5th printing. Content: A simple, imaginative tale of how the first domestication of a wild animal may have occurred. Kip, a cave boy living at the end of the Ice Age, is followed on his journey home by a Paleowolf, who, smelling the boy's roasted Woolly Rhino bones, begs for a treat. Each time the boy stops to rest and eat, the wolf hound senses danger and flees, saving the boy's life, too. After Paleowolf warns him of a fearsome Saber-Toothed Cat, the boy makes a deal with himhe will exchange some of his food for the animal's protective senses. The book's glorious watercolor illustrations will attract young prehistory enthusiasts, for amidst the melting ice floes roam the mighty Mammoth, the Wild Horse, the Woolly Rhino and other denizens of the Pleistocene period. Each scene appears on a ``canvas'' stretched across two pages. Borders show wood and stone carvings, cave paintings, and artifacts. Side panels on several illustrations show the dangers that Kip avoids by heeding Paleowolf's warnings. This is another of Brett's lavish offerings, intricately designed and filled with eye-catching detail. However, it is a fabricated story told with authority, featuring a modern-looking boy amidst authentic-looking animals and scenery. Children familiar with the ever-growing body of factual material on this period may accept it as the truth, despite its accompanying notes. Grades 2 - 5. [1 copy available]
$ 4.69 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE FISHERWOMAN
text by Anne Carter. Wonderful, detailed color illustrations by Louise Brierley. Condition: UNREAD 1991 Lothrop Lee hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first US edition, first printing. DJ has been clipped. Content: Maud, a poor fisherwoman, dreams of having beautiful clothes and mingling with the rich who live in the mansion above her village. One night, her catch includes an old, sea-encrusted vase that becomes the vehicle for realizing her dream -- growing flowers that provide her with an elegant hat, shoes, and dress. Haughty in her new finery, Maud is invited to a garden party at the mansion, where her initial pleasure is spoiled by the other guests' greed and cruelty. Fleeing the falseness, she returns to her humble home to find the alien plant withered and lifeless. The next day, she makes a sail for her boat from the dress and sets out to fish once again, dropping the vase overboard. Carter's writing is elegantly understated -- a superb complement to the simple yet powerful watercolors. At times verging on the abstract, Brierley's skewed perspectives, featureless faces, and hazy palette are just right for the mythical, timeless tone of the story. Thus, text and pictures work in complete harmony to create a modern fable that is fresh and a bit different. Brierley's illustrations are especially notable--and curiously intriguing -- as they invite viewers to step out of time and into the story. Grades 2 - 5. [1 copy available]
$ 4.69 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE FOOL OF THE WORLD AND THE FLYING SHIP (A Russian Tale)
retold by Arthur Ransome. Color pictures by Uri Shulevitz. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1991 Sunburst softcover, second printing. Label inside front cover with with pale vertical near-crease back cover. The book has obviously had a bit of shelfwear. Content: A delightful picture-book version of the Russian folktale about the simple third son who, through the magical powers of the Listener, Swift-goer, Drinker, and others, performs the tasks set by the Czar and wins the princess. The handsome illustrations which fill the pages with animation and gleaming colors have a folk character and Russian flavor. [1 copy available.]
$ 2.50 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

FRIENDSHIP SAVES THE DAY: A Story of Friendship and Forgiveness
story by Karen Ravn. Lovely, sweet, soft color illustrations by Cary Phillips. Condition: UNREAD 1998 Hallmark hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), no printing given. Content: It's a beautiful spring day! Following the advice of prim Penelope Pig, this community of lovable animals happily begins its spring cleaning. But when Lainie Lamb discovers that Gallagher Goat (who will eat anything) has carelessly gobbled the prixe curtains she hung out to dry, she scolds him. Embarrassed by his mistake and sory for upsetting his friend, Gallagher runs away to hide. Then, realizing that her friendship with Gallagher is far more important than her curtains, Lainie organizes a surprise party for Gallagher featuring "junk" food she knows he will love. And Gallagher has a surprise for Lainie that brings the story to a very happy ending. Grades 3+. [1copy available]
$ 4.00 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

ROBERT FROST: Poetry for Young People
by Robert Frost. Edited by Gary D. Schmidt. Wonderful soft natural color illustrations by Henri Sorensen. Condition: NEW 2000 Scholastic soft cover (stapled wraps), 10th printing. Content: This book is just what it says it is: poetry for youngsters by the best we have to offer, Robert Frost. Poems accompanied by art appropriate to the text. Biography of Frost included. Very nice indeed. [1copy available]
$ 2.69 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

FU-DOG
story by Rumer Godden. Delightful color illustrations by Valerie Littlewood. Condition: Gently pre-read 1989 Walker Books (UK) hardcover (pictorial boards), no printing given. Problem is the DJ - edge wear with short "puncture" front at spine. Interior clean. Content: As exotic as spice from the Orient and as British as afternoon tea, Godden's story of the Fu-dog celebrates hope, love and a child's imagination. With the gift of a satin toy dog, Li-la's Great Uncle sets in motion the events that will eventually reconcile the two halves of the seven-year-old's family in London's Chinatown. Only Li-la can hear the Fu-dog speak--until she journeys to London where her skeptical brother Malcolm is injured, the Fu-dog is lost and all is resolved by the children's mysterious uncle who restores Fu-dog to Li-la in the form of a "real" Peking puppy. Images echo like the voice of the Fu-dog in Godden's ( The Story of Holly and Ivy ) affectingly told and neatly plotted narrative. The story is central in this 64-page, six-chapter novella, but seems well suited to the picture book format in which Littlewood's vibrant full-color illustrations and artful blue line drawings enhance but never overshadow the text. Ages 5-8. [1copy available]
$ 4.00 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE GALLOPING GOAT AND OTHER STORIES
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Color illustrations by Robert L. Jefferson. Condition: UNREAD c. 1965 Abingdon Press hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket). DJ has minor edgewear and back DJ panel has light rubbings along fold. Interior perfect. DJ is clipped, but the price is still there - very odd. Content: In these 9 short stories author Naylor presents a colorful melange of faraway and strange countries. Characterization and plot vary greatly from tale to tale, but the children in each story are all a bit wiser for what happens to them - and so is the reader. Spanish gypsies, Hawaiian coin divers, Japanese insect collectors are a few of the unusual children other children will enjoy reading about. [1 copy available.]
$ 9.50 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

GOD BLESS THE CHILD
words & music by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. Warm, appropriate color illustrations by Jerry Pinkney. Condition: NEW 2000 HarperCollins large soft cover, first printing. Content: A moving visual interpretation of Holiday and Herzog's swing spiritual based on the proverb, "God blessed the child that's got his own." The song serves as the inspiration for Pinkney's depiction of the Great Migration of the 1930s. Through evocative images, the artist tells the story of one family's move north. The warm and sweeping illustrations are masterful, completely filling each spread. Although the pages are rich in detail, the well-composed paintings never seem cluttered or overwhelming. There is something new to attract readers, even after several readings. The sense of the family members as a unit, as well as their emotions of hope, anxiety, and relief, are all beautifully conveyed. While a fine choice for independent reading, this title is particularly poignant when shared with a group. An author's note provides background about Pinkney's inspirations and research. This offering makes an excellent tie-in to units on African-American history. [1 copy available]
$ 5.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

THE GREAT KETTLES: A Tale of Time
text & color illustrations by Dean Morrissey. Condition: NEW 1997 Harry N. Abrams hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first edition. Content: Having met the Sandman himself in Ship of Dreams, Joey falls in with a larger cast of elementals, including Father Time and Mother Nature. Now living in an inventor's long-vacant house, Joey constructs a time machine from notes and gadgets left in the attic, and hurtles off across the Sea of Time to the islands where the keepers of the sun, moon, stars, and weather live--jamming the great clock that measures out Perpetual Absolute Standard Time (P.A.S.T.) in the process. Getting it started again, and getting home, requires a short, easy quest. Morrissey's large accompanying paintings are models of magic photo-realism; he assembles into fantastical machines a variety of antique keys, charms, brasswork, and dented, peeling old toys, and places them into settings in which every leaf and nail is precisely limned. Readers are likely to ignore the unexceptional plot and characters to pore over the pictures, which are executed with dazzling virtuosity. (Picture book. 7-9) [1 copy]
$ 4.39 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

THE GREAT KETTLES: A Tale of Time
text & color illustrations by Dean Morrissey. Condition: Gently pre-read, IF at all, 1997 Harry N. Abrams hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ), first edition. Content: Having met the Sandman himself in Ship of Dreams, Joey falls in with a larger cast of elementals, including Father Time and Mother Nature. Now living in an inventor's long-vacant house, Joey constructs a time machine from notes and gadgets left in the attic, and hurtles off across the Sea of Time to the islands where the keepers of the sun, moon, stars, and weather live--jamming the great clock that measures out Perpetual Absolute Standard Time (P.A.S.T.) in the process. Getting it started again, and getting home, requires a short, easy quest. Morrissey's large accompanying paintings are models of magic photo-realism; he assembles into fantastical machines a variety of antique keys, charms, brasswork, and dented, peeling old toys, and places them into settings in which every leaf and nail is precisely limned. Readers are likely to ignore the unexceptional plot and characters to pore over the pictures, which are executed with dazzling virtuosity. (Picture book. 7-9) [1 copy]
$ 3.39 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

A HAT FOR IVAN
by Max Lucado. Color illustrations by David Wenzel. Condition: NEW 2004 Scholastic soft cover, second printing. Content: All the grown-ups in Ivan's village wear a hat that shows waht they love most or do best. Because Ivan's father is the hat-maker, Ivan gets to watch his father create a hat that is perfect for each person. Ivan wonders what kind of hat he will have. Will he be a musician? A baker? A firefighter? Ivan doesn't need to worry about his future because his father, the hat-maker who loves him most, shows him that there is only one hat - and one life - created just for him. [1 copy available]
$ 3.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

HOME PLACE
by Crescent Dragonwagon. Soft, beautiful color illustrations by Jerry Pinkney. Condition: UNREAD 1993 MacMillan/McGraw soft cover, second printing. Intended as a school supplemental book. Content: Pinkney's richly hued watercolors, strong with a sense of place and personality, will help draw young readers into this dreamlike reminiscence of a large, lively family whose existence echoes only faintly in the present. Deep within a lush southern woodland is the site of an old homestead, visited only by deer, squirrels, and raccoons. One spring day, a child discovers this "home place." Spurred by her curiosity about the past, she digs in the ruined foundation and discovers a marble, a horseshoe, and the arm of a china doll. These objects lead her to envision the family whose home once stood there. Children love a mystery and this is a picture book that will invite them to think about the life cycle and the riddles of the past. Primary graders may need the help of an adult in raising and exploring these questions. Dragonwagon's short, rhythmic lines, laid out like poetry, have a sometimes mystical, sometimes conversational quality. Each full-page illustration lies opposite a brief block of text printed on a soft bone-colored background. One error must be mentioned, with regret. The flowers identified as honeysuckle in the text appear as morning glories in the illustration. The book has a simple dignity that is in complete harmony with the tone set by the author and the illustrator. A wonderfully evocative work. Grades 1 - 3. [1 copy left]
$ 4.19 + $ 3.19 media shipping

IN THE NIGHT KITCHEN (25th Anniversary Edition - Caldecott Honor Book)
text and colorful illustrations by Maurice Sendak. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, c. 1996 Harper Collins soft cover (original publication date 1970), no printing given. Small rubbings along hinge with light edge wear (shelf wear). Interoir perfect. Content: When asked, Maurice Sendak insisted that he was not a comics artist, but an illustrator. However, it's hard to not notice comics aspects in works like In the Night Kitchen. The child of the story is depicted floating from panel to panel as he drifts through the fantastic dream world of the bakers' kitchen. Sendak's use of multiple panels and integrated hand-lettered text is an interesting contrast to his more traditional children's books containing single-page illustrations such as his wildly popular Where the Wild Things Are. Reviewer: "Little Mickey goes to bed and dreams of an adventure in the night kitchen. He almost gets baked into a cake (whoops!), makes an airplane out of dough, and saves the day by diving into a milk bottle to retrieve the missing ingredient for the bakers. Yes, its a strange story, because, you know - it's a *dream*, people. It's so evocative because it's so surreal, it is one of the most perfect renderings of the dream-state ever created. The illustrations are unbelievably gorgeous. Yes, the little boy is naked at times, and yes, you see his penis. If you think that's a big deal, nothing I'm going to say is going to convince you otherwise. But I am going to say that the nudity is not incidental. One of the primary delights of this book (and of dreaming for that matter) is it's sensory aspects - the great visuals of the city made of pantry items, the wonderful smells of baking, and of course, the feeling of food. If you have a kid you know that they love to play with food. Imagine how awesome it would be to roll around naked in cake batter, wear a cake suit, and go swimming in a big bottle of milk!" Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 4.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

JAMIE O'ROURKE AND THE POOKA
story and pictures by Tomie dePaola. Condition: UNREAD 2001 Scholastic soft cover, 5th printing. Donation inscription inside front cover. Content: Award-winning author and artist Tomie de Paola has created another lively folk tale based on traditional Irish lore. Jamie O'Rourke, the laziest man in all of Ireland, has been left in charge of the house while his hard-working, long-suffering wife Eileen goes to visit her sister for a week. In spite of his plan to stay in bed the entire time (thus not "dirtyin' a thing"), Jamie's cronies come by to keep him company and eat up the grub Eileen left behind. Jamie goes back to sleep amid the mess that night, only to awaken to a mysterious donkey-man cleaning the house. Pleased at his good fortune, Jamie continues his slovenly ways all week long, watching the Pooka (Irish animal spirit, as explained in the author's note) sweep and wash every night. But lazy Jamie's luck is just about to run out... Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.89 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

ALPHABET BOOKPLATES
by R. Francis. Condition: NEW package of 12 bookplates made by pacaritambo books. The peel-off label stock is heavier than most bookplate materials and is matte and not glossy. They are as perfect as possible, and we feel the subject matter is much different than you can get anywhere else. 4.0" wide x 4.0" high. Content: This is another very simple bookplate aimed at getting kids to recognize the colored letters of the alphabet. However, this is a very large bookplate - easy on young eyes - and is probably best for larger children's books. Any questions or to request a sample, click here to email us.
$ 4.00 + $ 2.85 first class shipping. International shipping available.

GIRL AT THE BEACH BOOKPLATES
by Alvera. Condition: NEW package of 12 bookplates made by pacaritambo books. The peel-off label stock is heavier than most bookplate materials and is matte and not glossy. They are as perfect as possible, and we feel the subject matter is much different than you can get anywhere else. 3.0" x 3.5". Content: Little girl in red hat at the beach looking at sea shells washed ashore. We can personalize your bookplate (the font is Snell Blk BT) - just email us the name. Any questions, click here to email us.
$ 4.00 + $ 2.85 first class shipping. International shipping available.

GIRL WITH BOUQUET BOOKPLATES
art by Pendochka. Condition: NEW package of 12 bookplates made by pacaritambo books. The peel-off label stock is heavier than most bookplate materials and is matte and not glossy. They are as perfect as possible, and we feel the subject matter is much different than you can get anywhere else. 3.0 wide x 4.0 high. Content: Beautiful little girl in shades of red and pink holding a bouquet of pink roses surrounded with a wreath of pink roses. We can personalize your bookplate (the font is Snell Blk BT) - just email us the name. Any questions, click here to email us.
$ 4.00 + $ 2.85 first class shipping. International shipping available.

WINNIE THE POOH BOOKPLATES
by Disney & Antioch. Condition: NEW package of 12 Antioch bookplates. 4 x 3. [1 package left.] Content: Adorable color drawing of Eyore, Winnie, and Piglet enjoying some time outdoors. Any questions, click here to email us.
$ 3.59 + $ 3.09 first class shipping. International shipping available.