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Book
Reviews and Summaries for Kids and Adults
Susan
Helene Kramer
susan@susankramer.com
Book Reviews for Kids
1. ABC Word Book by
Richard Scarry
2. All I See Is Part of Me by Chara
M. Curtis
3. Alphabet Puppets by
Jill M. Coudron
4. Berenstain Bears and the Big Question by Jan
and Stan Berenstain
5. Best Counting Book Ever by Richard Scarry
6. Best Mother Goose Ever! Giant Golden
Book by Richard Scarry
7. Best Rainy Day Book Ever by Richard Scarry
8. Best Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry
9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
10. Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter
11. Fundamentele bewegingen
voor kinderen by Susan
Kramer (Dutch language)
12. Meditation for all Kids
by Susan Kramer
13. Poems and Prayers for the Very Young by Martha Alexander
14. Prayers for Children by Eloise Wilkin
15. Richard Scarry's Best First Book
Ever!
16. Richard Scarry's Please and Thank You Book
17.Yoga for all Kids by Susan Kramer
More Reviews
doll making - paperdolls
- media - educational books - books for kids - instructional, inspirational
for teens, adults
1. ABC Word Book by Richard Scarry
In
61 pages chock full of examples, Richard Scarry's ABC
Word Book is a must-have for a child getting ready to recognize alphabet
letters.
There are two features in particular that set this book above similar titles. Number
1 is it has pages of words with the blended sounds of 'ch', 'sh', and 'th'.
And, reason Number 2 is the short sentences on each page have the
special letter for that page highlighted in red in every word. So, the child
sees the letter or double letter combination being used in writing!
I was really impressed by all the colorful pictures demonstrating how the
alphabet makes up words we speak.
If your child has challenges learning to read, this very basic and colorful
text could be just the incentive to keep stimulated, interested and learning.
I highly recommend adding this book to your child's library!
Details - 61 page hardback; 9.25 by 12.75 inches; published by Random
House (1971); ISBN: 0394923391
To order from Amazon.com go to
ABC
Word Book by Richard Scarry
2. All I See Is Part of Me by Chara
M. Curtis
Beautifully written by Chara M. Curtis and illustrated by Cynthia Aldrich All
I See Is Part of Me imparts a message of how interconnected we are with
all creation.
Though written for children, it is inspiring for everyone. I found the short
rhyming sentences at the foot of the pages easy to remember and uplifting.
In 1996 it was presented the Award of Excellence by Body, Mind, Spirit Magazine.
Most of the pages are created in beautiful color drawings that must have been
done on a rough surface paper. That in itself gives the illusion of depth to
the art work.
Also in the paintings I love the contrast between colors and the sharp line
accents that form trees in the distance, for instance. Even though the pages
are almost totally in color, where there is white showing makes these
highlights even more effective.
This book is a visual experience and one wants to linger on the page even
though the portion of text is read in a few moments. Both the reader and the
listener will enjoy paging through this book as I have.
In this time on our planet where we hear about our world broken up into
separate factions, I think it is important to show children that no matter what
our outer differences, Light lives within the hearts of all. This book
imparts that message perfectly! It gives us a view of life to look forward to
when we will live on our planet as sisters and brothers harmoniously and
without conflict.
Recommended!
Details - 32 pages by Illumination Arts Publishing Company; 11.3 by 7.8
inches; ISBN: 0935699074
This book can be ordered from Amazon.com at this link:
All
I See Is Part of Me
3. Alphabet Puppets by Jill
M. Coudron
Alphabet Puppets - Songs, Stories and Cooking Activities for Letter
Recognition and Sounds by Jill M. Coudron is a
122 page paperback geared for use by parents or teachers with children ages 4
to 8.
Teaching the alphabet letters is presented by easy to make puppets who give
practical examples through prose and song, and by making or cooking things
beginning with an alphabet letter.
I think this is also a great book to inspire your own creative ideas, as you
can take what’s on your dinner menu and make it into a lesson for an alphabet
letter.
You can go to the park, see a duck, come home and make a "d" puppet
for duck with the visual memory still fresh from the park.
Or, you can make a certain letter puppet, go for a walk, and then find
something that begins with that letter. On and on.
Recommended!
Details - 122 pages published by Fearon
Teacher AIDS; ISBN: 082240298X
This book can be ordered from Amazon.com at
Alphabet
Puppets by Jill M. Coudron
Also by Jill M. Coudron
1. Alphabet
Stories (Makemaster Blackline Masters)
2. Alphabet Fun and Games - Activities and Game Sheets for Teaching
the Alphabet
3. Alphabet
Activities, Original Ideas and Worksheets for Teaching the Alphabet
4. Berenstain Bears and the Big Question
by Jan and Stan Berenstain
Are your children asking about God? The Berenstain
Bears and the Big Question by Stan and Jan Berenstain
handles this timeless question from a spiritual approach.
In the story, the family goes off to "The Chapel in the Woods" where
the minister does not preach down to them, but points out to them, for example,
the beautiful attributes of the world we live in.
On the way to and from the chapel, brother and sister ask the questions we all asked
while kids and may still as adults be searching for in our own spiritual
quests.
This book may help your children verbalize their own questions. And, perhaps
even clarify those same thoughts for the adults in your family.
For a Berenstain Bear book, this volume is
particularly thought provoking in that it does deal with religion and
spirituality. I haven't found any of the other books in the series that broach
this timeless subject matter.
I have to give credit to the authors for their creative setting and storyline
that mimic the path of spirituality through the images of walking through the
forest path to the chapel.
Personally, I like way the story ends - with the question it leaves open for
family discussion, and personal reflection and meditation.
This is a great little volume for families that are looking for ways to help
their kids expand their spiritual understanding!
Recommended!
Details - 32 page paperback; 8 x 8 inches; published by Random House
Books for Young Readers (October 12, 1999) ISBN: 0679889612
To order from Amazon.com go to
The
Berenstain Bears and the Big Question
5. Best Counting Book Ever by
Richard Scarry
Richard
Scarry's Best Counting Book Ever really caught
my eye with its colorful and enticing cover - it made me want to look inside!
And I was not disappointed. Now, many counting books have numbers of items in
bright colors, but here we have a more interesting story line.
Lots of different animals and items are arranged in groups of 1 to 20, and then
by 10s up to 100.
I think this is a valuable book for children just learning about numbers and
quantities. For example, does your child need to see what the number 5 or 50 (5
sets of 10) means? This book shows it visually, and very well, at that.
I highly recommend this large size happy and fun book as an aid to really help
kids learn number and quantity concepts!
Details - 44 page hardback; 10.5 by 12 inches; published by Random House
Books for Young Readers (August 12, 1975) ISBN: 0394829247
To order from Amazon.com go to
Best
Counting Book Ever by Richard Scarry
6. Best Mother Goose Ever! Giant Golden Book by Richard Scarry
Richard Scarry's cheerful illustrations bring 50
Mother Goose nursery rhymes to life in this 96 page collection put together by
Golden Books.
I learned to read by memorizing these nursery rhymes - eventually associating
the verbal with written words. And when my children were preschoolers they
learned about written words the same way!
An important part about this book is that with just one rhyme per page
there is not an overwhelming group of words per page to become confusing.
Saying the nursery rhymes together is a great way to give your preschooler a
good start on appreciating reading, and feed their self-confidence.
You probably know I really love Richard Scarry's
contributions to teaching children to read, and to learn about themselves and
the world, from the number of reviews I've presented on his other books.
Some nursery rhymes included are - Jack be nimble; A dillar,
a dollar; Bobby Shafto; Georgie, Porgie; Hey diddle,
diddle; Jack, be nimble; Little Boy Blue; Little Miss Muffet
and London Bridge.
Combining the good quality of Golden Books and Richard Scarry,
makes this a highly recommended volume of these traditional rhymes!
Details: 96 pages in hardcover; published by Golden Books (September 1,
1999) ISBN: 0307155781
To order from Amazon.com go to
Best
Mother Goose Ever! - Giant Golden Book - by Richard Scarry
7. Best Rainy Day Book Ever by Richard Scarry
This
large paperback has fun activities that children can do by themselves while
learning early building blocks for academics.
My daughter had fun doing these activities, and I must admit, I still enjoy
browsing a new copy at the bookstore!
The projects reinforce early math skills through practical applications. And
because they look fun and interesting children are encouraged to practice their
reading skills to follow the instructions.
Actually, the pages are so well illustrated that reading the instructions is
hardly necessary.
Recommended for all 3 learning styles - visual, auditory and kinesthetic - a
chance to look over the pages, listen to parent or older child read
instructions, and practice small motor skills.
Details: 144 page large 10 and a half by 9 inch paperback published by
Golden Books. ISBN 037582927X
To order from Amazon.com
Best
Rainy Day Book Ever by Richard Scarry
8. Best Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry
My children loved this large Golden Book, and I must admit I enjoyed looking at
the pages, also. It is a fun way to learn the names of many objects.
The main characters are Kenny and Kathy Bear, and along with their friends they
let the reader see many items that belong to specific locations.
I like that each place is illustrated in a different style. It is like reading
several books at once.
The illustrations have a great deal of depth and intricacy - each time you read
you see something new.
I feel this book is a fun way for a child to learn who may need
reinforcement in associating names or words with objects.
I highly recommend this as an addition to your child's learning library! I wish
I had been able to learn vocabulary this way, but in my day it was mainly with
flashcards!
Details - 72 pages; 10.5 by 11.7 inches; published by Golden Books;
ISBN: 0307155102
Available at this link from Amazon.com
Best
Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry
9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Charlie Bucket, the main character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
by Welsh author, Roald Dahl, leads us on a journey into the land of chocolate
through a series of adventures and misadventures.
There are many lessons to be gleaned from the tale and children of all
abilities can learn something from thinking about the story played out by each
of the main children in the story.
I think Mr. Dahl gives a strong case for cause and effect by what happens to
the children in the book who embody overeating, being overly materialistic,
watching too much tv, and
chewing gum excessively. (I think it is also meant that adults substitute
in their own bad habits in place of those of the kids.)
The story begins in a European town that houses a chocolate factory. The owner,
Willy Wonka, wraps 5 golden tickets inside 5 chocolate Wonka bars for sale.
Those who open their bar and have a golden ticket are invited on a tour of Mr.
Wonka's chocolate making factory.
That is where all the trials and tribulations begin as the children act out
their obsessive characteristics and get in lots of trouble. But our hero,
Charlie Bucket, who is a child who embodies virtue
ends up rising above their troubles when put to the ultimate test, and reaps a
just reward.
It is a heart-warming story and a fine adventure. The book has also been made
into the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." It has won
numerous awards such as the New England Round Table of Children's Librarians
Award in the USA in 1972; and the Millennium Children's Book Award in the UK in
2000.
This story has my highest recommendation!
Details - 176 pages paperback; Puffin; Reprint edition (August 16,
2007); 7.6 by 5 by .6 inches in size; ISBN-10: 0142410314; ISBN-13:
978-0142410318
Three versions from Amazon.com
The
book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
DVD
Audio
CD
10. Education of Little Tree
by Forrest Carter
This Book of the Year, ABBY Award Winner, is a timeless story of a young boy
raised in rural Tennessee by his half Cherokee Granpa
and Cherokee Granma.
After 5 year old Little Tree's parents die, his Grandpa comes to take him to
live in the hills and forest of Tennessee with him and Granma during the Great
Depression.
Little Tree grows in love and respect for nature by learning how to live the
harmonious ways of the Cherokee. A big plus for the reader is learning about
the farming and hunting skills used to survive in the woods, and in this
circumstance in history - such as how to clear land and grow vegetables in the
forest.
Humor carries the story that education is far more than book learning, told
through the style of anecdotal recollections.
The book is narrated through the perspective of a very wise child, unencumbered
by material overload that may have come from growing up in the city.
The Education of Little Tree will bring many emotions to the forefront;
a book you want to read just a little longer before putting down.
I recommend this as good read for adults, young adults, and for reading to
school-age children. I have reread it almost annually.
It is a book that is instructional for depicting a time and place in American
history, and at the same time it is fun and interesting to read because the
pace moves along at a good clip.
Details - 228 page paperback; University of New Mexico Press; 8.1 by 5.3
inches; ISBN: 0826328091
Here is a link to Amazon.com if you wish to
order this book:
"The
Education of Little Tree by Forrest Carter"
11. Fundamentele
bewegingen voor kinderen by Susan Kramer (Dutch language)
Fundamentele bewegingen
voor kinderen met dansjes, meditaties en yoga door Susan Kramer - 16 Ritmische,
basale, motorische vaardigheden, 9 dansjes, 9 meditaties voor ontspanning en 15 zacht bewegende yoga houdingen voor kinderen van alle leeftijden en bekwaamheden.
Plaatsing: 477.8 Bewegingsonderwijs;
Basisonderwijs; Didactiek. Volledig geïllustreerd, 108 pagina's.
Nederlands taal.
Inhoud
Deel 1- Ritmische
basale motorische vaardigheden
Sleutel voor het klappen van ritmes
Een opmerking over de illustraties
1. Lopen
2. Rennen
3. Marcheren
4. Galopperen
5. Glijden
6. Hinkelen
7. Opspringen
8. Ver springen
9. Fietsen
10. Dansen als een paard
11. Wijzen met de teen
12. Huppelen
13. Walsen
14. Menuet dansen
15. Schotse polka dansen
16. Polka dansen
Om te oefenen - 9 Dansjes
Deel 2 - Meditaties
Inleiding
Zittend
Liggend
Lopend
Onmiddellijke ontspanning
Deel 3 - Korte meditatie verhalen
Inleiding
Anneke en Hans leren
een zitmeditatie aan het strand
een loopmeditatie langs de vaart
een dansmeditatie in het
park
een ontspanningsmeditatie
in de wei
een les over instant meditatie
Deel 4 - Zacht bewegende yoga houdingen
Opmerking
1. Het blad
2. De bloem
3. De krekel
4. De uil
5. De vogel
6. De eekhoorn
7. De hamster
8. De schommelstoel
9. De zeehond
10. De groet
11. De slang
12. De schildpad
13. De zeester
14. De kattenrug
15. De schommel
ISBN: 978-90-78099-01-7
Paperback boek koop
hier via internet:
12. Meditation for All Kids by Susan Kramer
How
to teach through description and illustration: sitting, walking, dance,
relaxation, instant, music, running, swinging, biking and swimming meditations,
plus a chapter of guided meditations on virtues, and a chapter of affirmations,
inspirations and prayers. For tots to teens of all abilities.
Useful resource for parents, educators, and interfaith
clergy. 100 pages.
Included in text
Chapter I. About Meditation for all Kids
Meditation and Spiritual Living
Meditation and Meditative Movement
Benefits of Meditation
Chapter II. How to Teach Kids Meditation
How to Teach Sitting Meditation
How to Teach Walking Meditation
How to Teach Relaxation Meditation
How to Teach Music Meditation
Chapter III. Basic Meditations for Kids
Sitting Meditation
Walking Meditation
Relaxation Meditation
Instant Meditation
Running Meditation
Swinging Meditation
Biking Meditation
Swimming Meditation
Chapter IV. Guided Meditations on Virtues
Guided Meditation on Friendliness
Guided Meditation on Being Compassionate
Guided Meditation on Being Honest
Guided Meditation about Being Kind
Guided Meditation about Sharing
Chapter V. Group Circle Meditation
Part I. Opening Verse
Part II. Short Meditation
Part III. Song
Chapter VI. Dance Meditation
Preparation
Part I. Stretching
Part II. Dancing and Elements of Movement
Part III. Quiet Time Meditation
Chapter VII. Affirmations, Inspirations,
Prayers
Introduction
Affirmations
Inspirations
Special and Holiday Prayers
100 pages.
About the author: Susan Kramer has been teaching dance, yoga and
meditation to kids of all ages and abilities for more than 30 years.
Available as
paperback or ebook
13. Poems and Prayers for the Very Young
by Martha Alexander
This little collection of 38 poems and prayers is just perfect for quiet time
before bed. My children grew up with this little book, which, by the way, was
sturdy enough to last for years.
One of the beauties of this children's book is that the selections are short
enough to memorize and remember for a lifetime.
I like the fact that meal time prayers are included - my kids liked to have a variety
of prayers to say grace. What better way for children to practice feeling
appreciative than through little poems and prayers that easily come to mind.
I love the gentle illustrations by Martha Alexander. She uses just the right
colors to bring light to each page. Her little people are delicate and bright
and nice to look at. I've always thought they serve as models of how I should
think and act.
I've even seen one of my granddaughters snuggled up on the couch turning
through the pages even though not old enough to read.
Any child will look forward to some of the selections, or even the whole book,
for their bedtime story. What better way to finish the day than with some
uplifting verse or prayer for any of us, young or old!
Details: 32 page paperback; published by Random House Books for Young
Readers (August 12, 1973) ISBN: 0394827058
To order from Amazon.com go to
"Poems
and Prayers for the Very Young" - Selected and Illustrated by Martha
Alexander
14. Prayers for Children by
Eloise Wilkin
One of my favorite Golden Books - and I enjoyed many - Prayers for Children
by Eloise Wilkin is still just as appropriate for young readers today!
You and your child will enjoy the traditional prayers, inspiring all the more
because of the precious illustrations by Eloise Wilkin (1904-1987), who
illustrated many in the series of classic Golden Books.
I like that the hardcover stays sturdy over the years - right into adulthood.
You don't have to worry that the book will fall apart with much loved use. It
your kids are rough and tumble a book's sturdiness is something to consider
when choosing amongst several similar books.
The visual impact of each page is a comfort just to look at, over and over, as
each prayer is developing spiritual guidelines for living.
About the illustrations - to me they are the best part of the little book - the
children with soft whisps of hair, round cheeked
faces and kind expressions all the children share.
I remember as a child I wanted to be just like the little girls in the book, so
as an adult I have seen how important it is to give our children just the right
books to read as they may be influenced, as I was, long past childhood.
I am so glad that the Little Golden Book series has endured over the years. It
goes to show that which is worthwhile is a good acquisition for today's family.
I do recommend the addition of this little volume to your child's library!
Details: 24 pages in hardcover; published by Golden Books (November 19,
1999); ISBN: 0307021068
To order from Amazon.com go to
"Prayers
for Children" by Eloise Wilkin
15. Richard Scarry's Best First Book Ever!
Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm learn about the alphabet,
shapes, sizes, colors, counting, manners and more in this 48 page hardcover
book by Richard Scarry. The publisher is Random House
Books for Young Readers, the ISBN is 0394842502.
The illustrations are detailed with items in the pictures labeled for word recognition,
or even for just a growing association with written language.
As most of us who have read Richard Scarry's books
for young kids know, he has a knack for teaching basic living skills through
his interesting animal characters. My children learned many lessons through his
stories that sunk in more than when I told them how to act!
For a child with a short attention span, this book is perfect because just a
couple of pages is enough to teach a particular
concept or lesson.
And, I love sitting and looking at the detailed drawings that incorporate humor
into the story.
I highly recommend this addition to your child's library!
Available through
this link at Amazon.com
16. Richard Scarry's
Please and Thank You Book
Parents,
do you remember Pig Will and Pig Won't?
Each of the short stories in this paperback book use animal characters in a sketch
that demonstrates how we get treated best when we say 'please' and 'thank you'
and consider others' needs, too.
And that kindness gives us the soft heart we need to feel empathy for others -
how they are feeling.
This little book teaches kids that when they are polite they'll bring a smile
to someone's face and feel good themselves.
Another aspect of this book I like is it lets pre-readers or those having
trouble reading words absorb the story by looking at the pictures, page by
page, because the illustrations tell the story so well - just like the cliché
"a picture's worth a thousand words."
The whole series of Richard Scarry's books for kids
are both educational and entertaining - you'll find several reviewed here in
the Learning Library.
Highly recommended!
Details - 32 pages; Random House Books for Young Readers; 8 by 8 inches;
ISBN: 0394826817
Here is a link to Amazon.com if you wish to
order this book:
"Richard
Scarry's Please and Thank You Book"
17. Yoga for All Kids by Susan Kramer
Traditional yoga poses and meditation techniques have been adapted to help
foster motor skill development, coordination, concentration, and stress relief
for children, teens and adults of varying abilities or special needs.
The elements can be used as a group activity, or practiced individually. How to
live social skills, and a dictionary of 40 one-sentence hints for happiness
complete this book of techniques, providing a broad offering of yoga's
nurturing.
A useful resource for parents, homeschooling, or teachers that want to bring
harmony back into the classroom!
I recommend this text as an all-around resource with kids of all ages and
abilities, as well as for adults to follow. After all, it is probably the
parents who are reading the book first before giving it to their kids to browse
through.
It has my highest recommendation, therefore, for all ages - for the kid in us
all.
Contents
Introduction
Meditations
1. Sitting
2. Relaxation
3. Walking
4. Instant Stress Relief
Moving Yoga Poses
Guidelines
Benefits
1. The Leaf
2. The Flower
3. The Cricket
4. The Owl
5. The Bird
6. The Squirrel
7. The Chipmunk
8. The Rocker
9. The Seal
10. The Salutation Pose
11. The Snake Pose
12. The Turtle
13. The Starfish
14. The Cat Pose
15. The Swing
How to Live Social Skills
Introduction
1. Citizenship
2. Compassion
3. Contentment
4. Friendship
5. Honesty
6. Kindness
7. Manners
8. Respect
9. Responsibility
10. Tolerance
11. Trustworthiness
12. Truthfulness
Happiness Dictionary
40 One-Sentence Hints for Happiness
83 pages
About the author
Susan Helene Kramer has been teaching meditation, yoga and dance to students of
all ages and abilities since 1965.
Available as a Paperback
Book or Ebook
*******************************************
All reviews, summaries and content on this site are
copyright Susan Helene Kramer
and may not be used in any manner without express written permission.
Email: susan@susankramer.com
*****************************************
DISCLOSURE: I am an
Associate of Amazon.com and bought my own products.
page created June 23, 2009; updated September 18, 2012; updated
July 26, 2014