Best Childrens Books
The Best Childrens Books for Your Child!

Description

The tale of Taran, assistant pig keeper, has been entertaining young readers for generations. Set in the mythical land of Prydain (which bears a more than passing resemblance to Wales), Lloyd Alexander's book draws together the elements of the hero's journey from unformed boy to courageous young man...

Reviews

I have never forgotten the land of Prydain

by CT music fan from Stamford, CT United States on 1999-12-10
There are books that you don't want to see come to an end.There are books that rattle in your brain, heart and soul, and stay with you, never to be forgotten.Lloyd Alexander's magnificent series falls into these categories. I first read them at the age of 13 and have just read them again at 35. This series was the first that I did not want to see end. It's what got me started on reading Tolkien, Lewis, Donaldson, Piers Anthony, Dune, and others. I'm glad to see so many people love these books as well. And why not? The characters are dynamic, engaging and more real than the average fantasy ones. The stories move along nicely with few if any slow moments. The classic elements of good and evil are all here with some twists. There were some aspects that I was too young to appreciate the first time. One was the humor, most noticeable in The Book of Three, as we see some of the characters getting to first know each other. The other aspect was the theme/message that the way of the warrior is not the only path to nobility, honor, and courage (or to adulthood). There is as much honor in taking care of a garden as there is in being a warrior, to very loosely paraphrase one of the characters. In this day and age, when so much of the culture says be the biggest, baddest, toughest, strongest, richest etc person who destroys or gobbles up things, the message of taking care of one's garden, creating something of beauty be it a woven cloak or a clay pot, or honoring a friend's request is refreshing and not heard enough. To the other reviewers who feel Alexander borrowed characters and motifs heavily from Tolkien, these have been part of literature and mythology for a long time. Long BEFORE Tolkien. If Dallben is Gandalf, well, Gandalf is Merlin. And Merlin was borrowed from other myths or folktales. Alexander borrowed some from The Mabinogen, the Welsh treasury of mythology. Tolkien borrowed from Beowulf and other English sources. These stories have been recreated or recast for ages. Sure, there are similarities but then this is a genre where dwarves, wizards, and enchanted objects are the norm. But assistant Pig-Keepers, frustrated ex-giants who whine about their lack of stature, a traveling bard with a second job as a King, or a trio of witches with an unusual, unpredicable sense of logic who switch identities daily(they deserve a book of their own!)? Hardly. And where have you ever seen a character quite like Fflewdur Flam? (Well, maybe in Dickens or Mark Helprin's A Winter's Tale) For the kids (or adults) who love Harry Potter: you've got till July before the 4th book is out. There are no Quidditch matches but Taran may remind you of Harry and Dallben may remind you of Dumbledore. Check these five books out. (But avoid the inaccurate animated version of The Black Cauldron) I've read the Lord of the Rings twice and for a long time considered it the best book I'd ever read. But it doesn't hold quite the special spot in my heart that the Prydain books do. And at least Lloyd Alexander spared us his version of those boringly long elf or dwarf songs and poems.

A great start to one of the great fantasy series

by Neil Roseman from Seattle, WA USA on 1999-11-29
I read this book for the first time about 30 years ago, when I was 10 years old. Recently I re-read the entire series, and was enchanted again. The tale of Taran and friends has everything a great children's book should: adventure, danger, good, evil, love and death. And, there is lots of humor, too, which you don't always find in similar clasics. The writing is great throughout -- this is not Goosebumps -- and the child who has the privilege of reading the Chronicles will surely be changed. The story, based on Welsh legends, subtly explores the great mysteries of life, and teaches lessons about bravery, honesty, compassion and devotion, without ever being preachy or obvious.These books belong on the same shelf as the L'Engle Time trilogy, Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising Sequence, the Narnia Books and a small number of others.Buy this for a favorite kid (maybe one that has gotten hooked on reading through "Harry Potter"), but get it for yourself, too.

Description

The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions! Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero...

Reviews

May smile at a king

by E. R. Bird from Manhattan, NY on 2004-09-22
I'm always fascinated by books and movies that are parts of larger series, and yet win major awards entirely on their own. A good recent example of this might be the third part of the "Lord of the Rings" films winning the Oscar. Similarly, the final book in Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles won the coveted Newbery Award. I pity the graduate film and literature students that discover these award winners without having seen/read their predecessors. Fortunately, "The High King" doesn't require too much backstory or catching up. If you are reading this book on its own you'll undoubtedly be annoyed by its continual references to characters or situations you're not personally familiar with. My advice is not to begin with this, the last in the series. Find "The Book of Three" and carry on from there. "The High King" is good, but it's best within context. When we last saw our heroes, Taran and Gurgi were finally returning to Caer Dallben after more than a year of Taran "finding himself" in the classic sense of the term. At last they are coming home, and to their delight everyone has turned out for their arrival. Unfortunately the joy is not for long. Prince Gwydion has been grievously hurt on his way to the party and his sword of Dyrnwyn has been stolen. Needless to say, this is very bad news. Soon the armies of Arawn-Death-Lord are marching and the time for an end to his reign is at hand. With Taran now a wiser steadier fellow, our band of ragamuffin heroes sets off once more towards adventures, traps, and triumphs. Old friends are met, new friends are found, and many good stout-hearted people die. Still, through it all our heroes never give up and the book is a stirring testament to the will of the average joe. By the end of the book Taran must face his greatest decision yet. And, as author Lloyd Alexander points out, "whether the ending is happy, heartbreaking, or both, readers must decide for themselves". Out of all the Prydain books, this is the one that bears the most similarity to the aforementioned "Lord of the Rings". This is based on a variety of different factors. The types of battles waged. The evil lord's landscaping. The idea that the bad guy has gotten an object of particular power and can now wield it for evil. Even the ending is similar (though Taran makes a surprise decision that is the direct opposite of Frodo's own surprise decision). Don't feel that this book is a weak knock off of Tolkien's (admittedly) better written baby though. Alexander's at the top of his game here, posing as many philosophical queries as he does political jabs. The presentation of a former good guy who believes peace can only come by joining up with bad guys... heck we're talking WWII political theory here. On top of that Taran is at his wisest in this book. He's poised and confident without being cocky. There's the odd inclusion of a terribly annoying fellow named Glew in this book who serves only to create important plot points and a form of weak comic relief, but fortunately he is the sole flaw of the book. I was greatly relieved too. After the meanderings of Alexander's far weaker, "Taran Wanderer", I was worried that, "The High King" might bog down into dreary who-am-I? type speechifying. Fortunately Eilonwy is present and accounted for in this novel. She fights and gets captured, but at least she's a gutsy ball of gung-ho goodness. As the sole female of the novel she's a welcome relief to everyone's serious even toned conversations. Once again, Eilonwy saves the novel. "The High King" is far longer than its predecessors, but that's fitting since it's the last in the series. Alexander keeps the action constant and upbeat. I doubt you'll find any serious objections to it. It is sad to say goodbye to the characters we've all grown to know so well in the books. I've always had a serious crush on Fflewddur Fflam so I think I'll miss him most of all. Fortunately there's always "The Foundling" and "Coll and His White Pig" to read for fun. They're not officially part of the Prydain canon but they belong squarely in that world. Consider checking them out if you fall into Lloyd Alexander withdrawal. "The High King" is rightfully considered the strongest book in its series. I recommend it with nary a reservation in sight.

Don't read this book unless you've read the other 4 first!

by from on 1998-07-06
You will be sorely disappointed if you read this book before reading the first four Chronicles of Prydain. This allegedly children's series is actually a heart-rending tale of the tragedies and triumphs of the trip from teenager to adult. It is, I believe, one of the best stories ever written and a landmark in teenage literature. do yourself a favor--start with The Book of Three and read the other four books before you read The High King. If you do, Taran and his friends will remain with you for life.

Description

The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions! Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero...

Reviews

The best first sequel in history

by E. A Solinas from MD USA on 2000-01-06
A little darker than "The Book of Three", this amazing sequel deals with far more mature themes, including the death of a character and events that affect all of Prydain rather than just the immediate characters. Most second books are weak; this one, if anything, is far more multilayered and mature in its content. There is character death, and there is more political conflict.Princes and war leaders show up at Caer Dallben with a mission: find the Cauldron that supplies the dark lord Arawn with his deathless, lifeless soldiers. Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper, is elated that he will be able to participate in his first real adventure (since the last one was because of a series of accidents) with a sword and the respect of his peers. This becomes something of a problem with the arrival of Ellidyr, Son of Pen-Llarcau - an obnoxious and arrogant prince who looks down on Taran, Eilonwy, and Gurgi. Taran, Ellidyr, Prince Gwydion, the dwarf Doli, the kindly warrior Adaon, bard-king Fflewddur Fflam and others ride off to infiltrate Annuvin, Arawn's lands. (They inadvertantly have to bring Eilonwy and Gurgi) But they soon find that the situation has become much more complex, as there are forces other than Arawn and Gwydion who want the Cauldron...The story becomes more Tolkienesque in this volume. The language becomes a little more formal, especially for Taran. And Alexander doesn't shrink away from battle and character death - none of it is graphic, but it is deeply saddening. His writing reflects this, as it is far stronger and more beautiful than in "Book of Three."The tempering of Taran, which comes to full in the last two books of the series, really begins here. At the beginning, Taran is an eager boy who wants to go out, fight, be a hero. Though he is called on to act heroically, he is a wiser and sadder young man; he's seen battle and death, and they aren't the glorious foe-slaying parade that he imagined. Gurgi's growing loyalty to Taran is demonstrated, as is Eilonwy and Gwydion's growing respect for him. Eilonwy, Gurgi and Fflewddur are all their irrepressible selves, no matter what.The supporting characters are also strong: we have the goodhearted bearlike king Smoit; the sinister Morgant; the arrogant, obnoxious Ellidyr who seems to secretly envy Taran; Gwystyl, the most depressed of the Hidden Folk; and, of course, the three weird witches living in the Marshes of Morva.Ignore the hideous animated movie, and read this delightful book. For adults and kids alike, those who have read Tolkien and want more...

A great book that the Disney cartoon does a great disservice

by Imbri from Texas on 2000-01-03
I am a sixteen year old girl who has been a fan of The Chronicles of Prydain for as long as I can remember. My father had been a fan of the books for years and passed them to me as soon as I was able to read them. I have read all five a thousand times and never tire of them. The adventures are always complex and exciting, and the characters are never flat. I have always appreciated the antagonists of these books because they always have reasons for doing what they do (like Ellidyr in The Black Cauldron), they never do things simply because they are bad, which happens all to often in books, especially in children's books. My favorite character is Eilonwy who has always inspired me with me with her courage and determination. Which brings me to my biggest gripe with the movie. Not only was the movie boring and urelated to the book except in name, the character of Eilonwy lacked personality, courage, and determination, qualities that were essential to the book character. So please, if you have only seen the cartoon, do not misjudge the books, and if you have only read the books, please skip the movie.

Description

The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions! Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero...

Reviews

My favorite of the series!

by from Castle on 2001-01-14
This book was my favorite of all the Prydain chronicles. Partly because a lot of the focus was on Eilonwy, though she was absent most of the book,(she has always been my favorite character) but also because it had great moral questions, and we finally begin to see Taran turn into an adult as he realizes as much as he cares about Eilonwy, he must let things be. In this book, Dallben decides that Eilonwy must leave Caer Dallben because it is time for her to learn how to be a young lady. He sends her to the Isle of Mona, and allows Taran to go with her, at least for the journey. On the way Taran struggles with his feelings for Eilonwy and his annoyance at Rhun, Prince of Mona, who is a bumbling fool, at least on the outside. Through an interesting chain of events, Eilonwy is kidnapped, and Taran learns that she is betrothed to Rhun without even her knowledge. They all go on yet another epic adventure to save her, as Taran must come to terms with his conflicting emotions. Another amazing thing about this book was that I didn't hate the love story part. Usually I hate mush because it seems as if they put it there just to be mush, and it rarely has any overall effect on the story. This however, was completly different, and I was actually hoping they would end up together. So, this is an excellent book that any fantasy lover would adore, though it would make more sense if you had read the other two books first.

A fascinating favorite

by from on 1998-07-12
I have heard complaints that this book is boring, lacking in action. Obviously, some people fail to appreciate the DEEP EMOTIONAL TURMOIL Taran endures on his quest to rescue his beloved princess (the greatest heroine in ALL of fiction, thank you very much) so that she can marry a bumbling idiot in prince's clothing. Oh, wailings of misery! as Gurgi would say. This is the best book of the series, and my personal all-time favorite. A word to adults: don't cheat yourself out of Prydain because the series is "for kids". I'm 20, and can fully enjoy the dark drama of Tolkein as well as the next fantasy-lover. But don't pass up the mini-wheats just because they're frosted! These books are ageless; these characters are as real as your own best friends. In fact, the fifth and final novel is dedicated to "all the boys who might have been Taran, and the girls who will always be Eilonwy." Thank you, Mr. Alexander; I am one of the latter (this explains my lack of brevity!). READ THEM.

Description

The Newbery-winning fantasy series now available in gorgeous new paperback editions! Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero...

Reviews

Inspiring

by Ahmad Jordan from Bufalo, NY United States on 1999-09-15
I was a little guy when I first came across the Prydain Chronicles. I had long since lost the books and had forgotten that they even existed. And then one day I saw "The Black Cauldron" on sale for 25 cents at a Garage Sale. Right away my mind jumped back to my youth. Needless, to say I bought the book as well as the complete set. Now that I am an adult I am amazed at how inspiring the books are. There is so much behind the words written in these books and I am grateful that I took the time to re-read them 15 years later! I think the idea of Taran searching for his history is reflective of many things in the lives of all people - young and old! There is a magic to these pages that I hope will not become a rarity in books written by todays authors. Alexander doesn't write books, he creates visions. I'm just glad that he decided to share his visions with many others.

A classic, whatever your age

by Tom from Pennsylvania on 2001-01-02
Taran Wanderer, the fourth book of the Prydain chronicles, is, in my opinion, the best book in a wonderful series. All four books focus on the character of Taran of Caer Dallben, an orphan who is raised by a wizard (Dallben). The plot of Taran Wanderer focuses on Taran's quest to find out who his parents were. Taran hopes that he will find that he has the "noble" blood that he believes would give him the right to ask the Princess Eilonwy to wed him. Needless to say, he does not have an easy time, wandering the length and breadth of Prydain searching for parents he does not know, who can barely remember him. The book's joy, however, does not lie only in its plot, but also in the development that Taran undergoes through the course of the book. In Taran Wanderer, more than any other book, Taran grows into manhood. The trials he passes through temper and shape him, as he journeys through both familiar and strange lands. His experiences teach him lessons, but he learns even more from the people he meets. Make no mistake. This is not a pure novel of character. Taran travels from one end of Prydain to the other, meeting kings and wizards, and also farmers and tradesmen. Along the way, he has many adventures and faces many hardships. As said earlier though, the solid plot is not the highlight of this book. The characters are. The myriad of people Taran meets in his travels provides a welcome break from the pattern of the other Prydain chronicles, where almost everyone seems to be either a king, a bard, or a magician (or some combination of the three). After so many books walking the heights, Taran finally returns to earth. For those who have read the earlier books, you will see many familiar faces, including faithful Gurgi, the (not quite) bard Fflewddur Fflam, King Smoit, and even three old friends from the Marshes of Morva. You'll also be intrigued by new characters, some of whom have had hidden influences on characters you already know. And through it all, the beautiful tapestry of plot that Lloyd Alexander has woven will captivate you. Taran Wanderer is a great book. I recommend it to readers of all ages.

Description

From the first day of third grade, when Ramona Quimby meets her eventual nemesis Yard Ape, life moves on at its usual wild pace--usual for the boisterous Ramona, that is. Soon she is accidentally squashing a raw egg into her hair at the school cafeteria, being forced to play Uncle Rat with her annoying young neighbor, and, worst of all, throwing up in her classroom...

Reviews

oatmeal and fruit flies

by Alice Fielding from Norman, OK USA on 2002-05-23
I have happy memories of reading this book aloud to my father when both of us were sick with stomach flu. Somehow, cuddling on the couch reading about Ramona's similar predicament helped both of us feel better.Like all the Ramona books, this is an outstanding portrayal of a very real little girl as she learns to enjoy reading, falls off her bike, fights with her sister and makes peace with old friends. It's a great book for eight-year-olds and for those who were eight a long time ago!

Ramona Quimby, Age 8

by Roger from on 2000-06-30
Hi! My name is Roger. I am 9 years old and I am in third grade. I just read the book Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary. It is about Ramona Quimby, a member of the Quimby family. The third grade is harder than Ramona expected. Ramona is funny and intelligent. Beezes is starting junior high school and has a lot of homework. Ramona's dad is going to college, and Ramona's mom has a new job. I think the book was great. It was funny. I recommend this book to 3rd graders. It would be too hard for 2nd grade and 1st grade students. I give this book 5 stars for the vocabulary and the funny parts it has.

Reviews

Ramona and her Mother

by Yvonne M. Johnson from Fruita, CO. on 2008-03-06
Ramona and her Mother. I bought this for my grand daughter. My daughter is an Air Force Police Officer and she was just deployed to Katar. My grand daughters birthday is March 15 she will be 8, so I thought the Ramona books would be perfect for her. My daughter was able to share "Ramona and her Mother" with my grand baby, in fact they finished the book the night before my daughter was deployed. I used to read these books to my girls when they were little and thought what a perfect memory to leave my grand daughter with. Not even realizing that I helped create a wonderful memormy for my daughter to take with her to Katar as well. This year has been especially tough on them; my daughters 2 month old son died of SIDS in August and found out she was deploying soon after. Thank you for getting these books to them on time in England. It means more these words could ever tell you. Sincerly, Yvonne M. Johnson Proud Mother of one who is serving our Country!

Perfect for First Graders!

by Tami McClelland from Brewton, AL on 2008-01-20
I bought Volume One and Volume Two for my neice, who is a first-grader! She LOVES these books. I highly recommend these to anyone searching for a perfect read for their young girl.

Description

The engaging tale of young Ramona Quimby's first days in kindergarten, Ramona the Pest takes a pint-sized perspective on the trials and delights of beginning school. Ramona can't wait to learn all the important things...

Reviews

Both the 12- and the 6-year old were rolling in the aisles

by Elizabeth G. Melillo from on 2000-09-29
From my long past days of teaching elementary school, I remember that Beverly Cleary's books were the general favourite of those in my classes. I recently acquired sets for my niece and nephew, and this book in particular had both of them laughing aloud - not a small feat when kids are, respectively, 12 and 6, and the former is not without a marked similarity to Ramona in some respects. I myself nearly choked at "sit here for the present," and the Mike Mulligan dilemma.Besides a vivid and delightful writing style, Beverly's books undoubtedly have a wide appeal because the incidents described are comparable to what children would have in their own lives or in those of others they know. The characters seem like close friends ... or, at the very least, friends one wishes one had.

Now she'd be called a "spirited child"

by K. Norlander from MN USA on 2004-05-02
I wasn't very fond of Ramona when I was little. As a bit of a nerd from the very beginning, I just couldn't relate to Ramona's exuberance that always got her into trouble, and I more or less thought of her as a bad girl. But I still carried memories of the book with me into adulthood -- especially Ramona's enchanting way of writing "Q."Fast-forward to parenting a spirited daughter. I re-read the book and decided that I absolutely had to share it with my daughter. I now see Ramona in a whole new light; as the author herself states, Ramona never (well, rarely) really means to be naughty. Most adults just don't understand her -- the way she cannot resist the temptation to boing a beautiful curl, her need for shiny new girls' boots and the glory of stamping through the mud the first day she wears them, her need to know that her teacher loves her.My five-year-old was indeed caught up in Ramona's story, frequently asking me to read another chapter when I had finished one. Ramona became so real to her that she covered her ears when it was clear that Ramona was headed for trouble -- she couldn't bear to listen to the consequences. I may have been too much of a goody-goody to fully appreciate the book earlier, but I certainly enjoy it now and am glad that my daughter enjoys it, too.

Description

At 7 and a half, with working parents and a sister at "a difficult age," Ramona Quimby tries hard to do her part to keep family peace. Usually, however, she ends up behind every uproarious incident in the house...

Reviews

Ramona's struggle for her Mother.

by S. K. Leggate from Fernley, NV United States on 2003-03-11
At 7 and a half Ramona Quimby tries hard to contribute to keeping the family peace. Usually, she ends up being the cause of every uproar and incident in the house despite her efforts. One could never say Ramona's life is dull. She's always up to something from dying herself blue, watching while her young neighbor flings Kleenex around the house, squeezing an entire tube of toothpaste into the bathroom sink, to wearing her soft new pajamas to school one day. All she wants is her Mother's attention and recognition as she struggles for a place in her mother's heart, as she has begun to worry that she might be unlovable. Beverly Cleary's undeniable gift for understanding the web of thoughts and emotions scrambling around in a child's mind and heart is remarkable. Luckilyher novels will be around for a long time yet to come.

It is a great book

by from on 2002-12-02
This book was really good. I really liked it when Ramonasquirted out the whole tube of toothpaste. Ramona is a fungirl. I like Ramona so much that if she were a real person,I would be her best friend. I think that everybody shouldread this book and other Ramona books, they are just wonderful!

Description

Teenagers think they've got it rough. Try being a misunderstood 6-year-old! Ramona Quimby is bound and determined to be brave as she weathers first grade, her mom's return to work, and sleeping in the spooky dark all alone...

Reviews

I'm Going to Say a Bad Word!

by R. J Metz from Blacksburg, VA on 2003-01-22
Guts! Guts! Guts! Guts!This is easily one of the best Ramona books. It is time for Ramona to start First Grade. Prior to her start she and her sister Beezus, play in the neighborhood park and the bad boys make fun of Beezus's name in a profane way. Then when Ramona starts school all kinds of things don't go her way. Her new teacher, Mrs. Griggs seems not to like her, because she never lets Ramona take attendance or lead the pledge of allegiance. Then she gives another student a passing grade for plagiarizing Ramona's art project. After Ramona destroys the classmates plagiarism, she has to apologize for show and tell. But my favorite part was when Ramona's family laughed at her for saying the word "guts."

A funny, interesting book!

by from on 2005-10-29
Ramona the Brave is six years old, just like me. She has brown hair like me, wears dresses like me and is in the first grade like me. Ramona lives in a house with her big sister (Beezus), her Dad, her Mom, and Picky-Picky (her cat). Ramona is starting first grade. The first days are bad for her. She doesn't like first grade at all. It turns out better than she expected, though! I liked it when the doggy chased her and she figured out how to get him to stop with her shoe. Ramona is brave, spunky and a good artist. I was disappointed when the book ended. I wanted to read more about her. I'm glad there are more Ramona books I can read!

Description

When the two girls reached the place where they had left the two boys, Bert was beginning to make a snow house and Freddie was rolling a snowball as the start of a snow man. You know how they are made; a small snowball for the man's head, and a larger one for his body, with legs underneath...

Description

THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK CHAPTER I A CROCKERY CRASH 4C WELL, here we are back hOlne again! " exdairned Nan Bobbsey, as she 5at dovn in a chair on the porch. "Oh, but ve have had such a good tittle! H "The best ever!" exclainled her brother Bert, as he stt dovn the valise he had been carrying, and valked back to the froat gate to take a small satchel from his nlother...

Description

THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT CHAPTER I GOOD NEWS It. VHAT are you doing, Freddie?" asked Bert Bobbsey, leaning over to oil the front vheel of his bicycle, while he glanced at his little brother, ""ho "vas tying strings about the neck of a large, handsome dog...

Reviews

Childhood memories

by C. Parry from on 2008-11-12
I grew up with these books. How nice it was to find them again. Now my granddaughters can enjoy them as well. Thanks

The Bobbsey Twins - A family tradition

by Sarah Person from Richlands, North Carolina on 2007-03-08
My mother ordered the collection of The Bobbsey Twins for me when I was a little girl. I would forward to the new book for the month. I enjoyed many hours of pure pleasure reading those books. My mother had read them when she was a little girl. I was ecstatic to find the series at Amazon.com. I have purchased them all so that I can share them with my niece. I wish I had found them when my sons were growing up. My mother mentioned the books at Christmas when we were talking about how my niece reads everything she can put her hands on. So I searched for the collection and found it at amazon.com.

Description

General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1916 Original Publisher: Grosset

Description

Equal parts droll and gorgeous nostalgia book and heartfelt plea for a renewed sense of adventure in the lives of boys and men, Conn and Hal Iggulden's The Dangerous Book for Boys became a mammoth bestseller in the United Kingdom in 2006...

Reviews

My 6 year old went nuts for it.

by K. Rule from Beaverton, OR USA on 2007-05-16
I bought this book after seeing the author on the Colbert show (or was it the Daily Show?). I loved the idea of the book and ordered it from Amazon immediately. On arrival if found it exceeds my expectation. It reminds me a lot of the Popular Mechanics books from the 30's & 40's that I found in my grandmothers attic when I was a kid. The style is archaic, which is part of the charm. My 6 year old son, who really isn't into "chapter books", went nuts for this book. I think this mostly had to do with the title, but as we scanned each chapter together he seemed to get more and more excited. Before his bed time we read "coin tricks", "Girls" and he started planning how to get the badges found in the back of the book. He managed to learn the "French Drop" and proceeded to show everyone his new trick. Tomorrow he wants to hear about hunting and cooking rabbits. My wife was a bit nervous about the book, especially after seeing the section on hunting and cooking a rabbit. But I think she liked the section on "Girls" and she realizes that this book is targeted to boys, not Moms. It's definitely a hit. I will be reading chapters out of it to my son for some time to come. But I don't mind and will probably learn a thing or two myself. Update: It's more than a year later. The book is dog-eared, dirty and worn but my (now) 7 year old still reads and loves this book. I doubt there is a better review you can get from a 7 year old.

A Breath of Fresh Air

by D. McHone from Ankeny, IA, USA on 2007-05-30
I have been thoroughly enjoying the book, as has my son and thousands of boys (and dads!) in Great Britain and the US. What is it about this book that brings such excitement to so many? If I had to offer my opinion, I would say that the appeal of this book is that it does not ask any boy to apologize for being a boy. Our culture is infested with the demand that boys forgo their God given call to grow up to be men, largely because we have adopted an unhealthy view of just what a man is. Whether our example be found in Homer Simpson, Ray Romano or the dad on Family Guy, men are portrayed as selfish imbeciles in a large portion of the media. Women are shown to be compassionate and intelligent, and they are usually given the role of the one who fixes the problems created by men. I have no doubt that most women are compassionate and intelligent, but the common negative portrayal of men is presented far too often, and frankly I'm tired of it. This book has a different take on what it means to be a boy, which is important because boys grow up to be men. From a biblical standpoint, men are meant to lead their families and churches by serving them. Where can you find such a concept on the television? You can't. This is yet another reason to get this book in the hands of a boy and his dad and get them outside to explore the world, whether that be an excursion in the woods or even just in the back yard. But how does this book portray a boy? What ideals are encouraged? I'm glad you asked. I simply cannot take this book section by section. There are instructions meant to get a boy started in tying knots, making a bow and arrow, fishing and many other activities. These are expected out of a book about being a boy. But included with such topics are other mini-chapters about the wonders of the world, grammar, historical battles, understanding latitude and longitude (something I never grasped in a classroom), the Declaration of Independence, poetry, Latin phrases, literature the Ten Commandments and also how to talk to girls. I mention talking to girls last, not because it is the last topic, but because I would like to highlight it for a moment. The first piece of advice about girls is to listen to them. The second is to avoid a long string of nervous jokes by listening to them. I'm sure that my wife wishes I had this book as a child! After this, romance is mentioned. Buying flowers is often not a good idea if you are young, because the girl will know your parents purchased them. I wouldn't have thought of that. Anonymous valentines are a good idea, due to the suspense the girl will have trying to figure out who's eye she has caught. Vulgarity of all forms is to be avoided at all costs. Respect for girls is given the utmost priority. Is this what is so dangerous about this book? Is it the high value the authors place upon girls or is it the very fact that they say that girls and boys are not identical? Is it the suggestion that every boy should have band-aids available for the inevitable mishap, because our bodies do heal? Or is it the way this book portrays a healthy boy in a way that expresses both a boy's natural desire for adventure and the ideal of respectfulness for others? I really can't say for sure. If I had to pick one way that this book is considered dangerous and why it has met some opposition, I would say that it is because The Dangerous Book for Boys resonates so well with dads who can only wish such a book was available to them when they were growing up, and because their sons by and large are reveling in the contemplation of spending Sunday afternoons and long summer days with their dads, rediscovering what it means to be a boy with their father acting as the primary instructor. I give this book my highest praise and encourage every dad to buy it for their sons. If you have a boy, you really need to get this book. If you don't have any boys, I'm sure you know somebody who does.

Description

As boys reach adolescence, everything changes: their bodies, their feelings, and their relationships. Their world turns shaky just when they find it hardest to talk with the adults in their lives. But even if they won’t say what’s on their mind, they still want straight answers...

Reviews

tastefully done

by SPri from Georgia on 2007-09-28
My husband and I were very impressed at how well this book dealt with 'touchy' or sensitive topics without being offensive. This book is not graphic. It is straight to the point without sharing any information about sex. The book covers everything from body odor and puberty to nocturnal emission and saying no to drugs. great book for parents to read and discuss with 8-13 year old boy.

Best book for boys on puberty

by J. Whalen from New England on 2008-05-08
My three sons have all embraced this book and loved it. Initially, I believe they were drawn to it by the colorful illustrations, as well as the wonderful side bars that provide useful sound-bite style information. The book has a a very inviting design, using icons and colorful headers that let the reader know what the sections and paragraphs relate to, so they can determine if they need to read it or not. In fact, some of the icons used help the user quickly identify the source or topic in a side bar, i.e. is this an expert's opinion, a helpful tip, etc. The text is bright and lively and the book flows in a way that let's a boy pick it up and find the information they need in order to address what they may be dealing with in their travels through puberty and daily life. It's cleverly packaged using the same trim size as a comic book -- which young boys relate to! This is the best book I've read that offers growing boys insights on dealing with bullies, family matters, sports, homework, and their ever changing bodies. It's a really terrific book!

Description

Like many children, Henry loves books. But Henry doesn’t like to read books, he likes to eat them. Big books, picture books, reference books . . . if it has pages, Henry chews them up and swallows (but red ones are his favorite)...

Reviews

eat it up

by M Faith from on 2008-03-17
This is such a charming book! As so many reviewers have mentioned, the visual details are amazing. Yes, the story is simple, and I think that allows us to enjoy all the extras Jeffers gives us on every page. The plot is predictable to adults, but my son was quite engaged and even a bit worried when we read "This is the worst bit." My 4-year-old loves it and my 2-year-old repeated "monumental" multiple times while we were reading it for the first time. I really enjoyed finding a book with an obvious message, agenda even, that doesn't overdo it.

Clever tale with beautiful illustrations

by Benjamin L. Cady from Los Angeles on 2007-11-28
Oliver Jeffers third book is his best yet. While the story is clever and whimsical, it is the outstanding illustrations that are the star of this book. Jeffers illustrations are bold and unique. Each picture tells a story of its own. Kids and adults alike will love this book.

Description

There's this boy. Let's say he's somewhere between nine and thirteen years old or so. You'd like to see this kid get creative. You'd like to see him get some exercise. You'd like to see him get out from in front of the television...

Reviews

I couldn't get my son to put this one down

by K. Corn from Indianapolis,, IN United States on 2006-04-20
Okay, first things first. I know this book is sure to offend some people. It contains borderline or even overtly rude tricks, gags and activities. But hey...ever listen to the average boy when he really lets loose with his friends, especially when they head towards adolesence? It is often "no holds barred" as they figure out the rules of life. You gotta cross over the line sometimes before you figure out where the line should be. I found this book is a pretty tame outlet for energies that could express themselves in far more destructive ways. Plus, the author does balance the "gross out" factor with solid safety info, such as the section on fireworks where he cautions kids against going up to a firework after its been lit, even if it seems like a dud, suggests they have adults around, stay away from buildings or anything that could catch fire, etc. Now for my kid's take on this book. He really enjoyed learning how to make all sorts of weird sounds, got some amazed raves when he did the magic tricks and..yes...he even grossed out his friends with the "poopy diaper" trick (peanut butter in a diaper). The latter gag was thoroughly disgusting, which pleased my son immensely. This is definitely a great book to have around for rainy days or when boredom strikes on vacations or summer breaks.

It's impossible to over-rate this book...

by Jan Koenig from on 2004-08-21
I'm the proud mother of four boys, and though they are all quite different, when it comes to THE BIG BOOK OF BOY STUFF, it doesn't matter... they ALL want to read it at once! Talk about encouraging literacy! I've had to get multiple copies of this one. They really seem to love the "Gross Stuff" and "Magic" chapters. My third-oldest was so taken with the "Emergencies!" chapter (fun and practical information on boy emergencies), he now wants to be a fireman! I don't want to oversell this book, but I can safely say it is the overall favorite book my boys have ever agreed upon. It would be a great gift for any boy 8-15, although I can say that my husband chuckles over it as well.

Description

A toddler's graduation from diapers to the potty is always a very important moment--and one to make parents and toddlers proud! In this book, Henry needs to have his diaper changed so he can go out and play...

Reviews

Great!!!

by Alex Morrison from on 2010-03-22
My son just loves this book, can really identify with the story. The words all ryhme so it keeps little ones entertained to the end. Definitely recommend! And if you want the potty training to be fun and smooth, then I recommend this book Fun and Stress Free Potty Training Techniques

ADORABLE and DURABLE!

by Tracy Foote from New York City on 2000-06-03
Was so surprised and pleased at the cute pictures in this book and the diversity it covers compared to other potty books. Very pleased with the heavy weight pages, close to board book durability. It does not heavily focus on boys except you follow a boy throughout.. there are no standing pictures if that is what you are looking for. Still it held my son's attention and made him laugh. Great size to hold on a potty too!Highly recommend!

Description

Danny loves dinosaurs. When he sees one at the museun and says, "It would be nice to play with a dinosaur," a voice answers, "And I think it would be nice to play with you." So begins Dannys and the dinosaur's wonderful adventure together!But a dinosaur is no ordinary playmate...

Reviews

A book kids and parents will both enjoy...

by from on 1999-02-01
A boy meets a dinosaur in a museum and the dinosaur follows him home for a visit. This fantasy appeals to a child's desire to befriend the creatures that fascinate them. It's a gentle story, with no sad or scary parts. The dinosaur and the boy do "cool" things together, but also treat one another, and others, kindly.

My two year old loves it!

by S. D Haynie from carlsbad, nm United States on 2004-05-05
This is one of the books we find him "reading" on his own. This is one of the most requested books he has (out of hundreds). It's a great read-aloud book because there's enough room to point out the words while your kid is pointing at the pictures. The whole Danny series is great, in fact.

Description

Danny and his pet dinosaur have been delighting children since 1958--almost the Jurassic Age to today's preschooler. There's a reason for that. To adults, this dinosaur, so different from the scary guys in Spielberg-land, may seem a bit of a wimp, but he, his friend Danny, the kids in their neighborhood, and the reassuring stories of their simple adventures, are a gentle introduction to the dinosaur universe...

Reviews

Charming Addition to Mr. Hoff's Danny & the Dinosaur Series

by from on 1998-09-18
Danny's big Jurassaic age pal is back for another adventure. Danny returns to the museum and takes his friend the dinosaur to summer camp where they experience a typical day in the life of a camper. Mr. Hoff's has hit his mark again. Danny and the dinosaur go to camp offers a clear and simple presentation of the kinds of values we should all strive for. The dinosaur potentially a creature of fear, is gentle, noble and considerate. Values such as acceptance of those unlike ourselves, sharing, participation and friendship are expressed with simple eloquence in both word and illustration. While meant for early readers, the story is engaging for all ages. This book may also help allay the fear of detachment experienced by many children prior to attending their first summer in camp.

Great

by Disappointed Shopper from on 2008-09-01
Great book. Great story. Great pictures. My son loves all of Syd Hoff's books.

Description

What would happen if a dinosaur came to a birthday party? Come to Danny's house and find out. His friend the dinosaur helps make this one party you'll never forget!

Reviews

Happy Birthday, Danny and the Dinosaurs

by from on 2002-01-10
The print type in this book is larger enough for a beginner reader to point to an not lose there place. My son enjoys reading this story as much as I did when I was his age.

Happy Birthday, Danny & the Dinosaur!

by H. Brinson from Edwardsville, IL on 2009-05-29
I bought this book for my grandson. He got to see the Dinosaur Sue at the Science Center in St. Louis with his classroom at school. He is beginning to read & he loves books.

Description

childeren's book

Reviews

Danny and the Dinosaur

by M. Simpson from NC on 2009-08-24
A wonderful little story about a BIG friend. Any boy who is enamored by dinosaurs is going to love Danny's adventure. An oldie but goodie from Weekly Reader, it has gone through three generations of boys in our family, and is still loved.

Danny and the Dinasour by Syd Hoff

by Cecilia B. Cunningham from East coast on 2010-06-25
My four year old Granddaughter loves this book. It is her second one.....she completely wore out the first one. She loves "Happy Birthday Danny and the Dinasour" and is also on her second book with this one too.

Reviews

Dany and the dino

by ...Loggie... from I live on the earth, in the western hemisphere, in North America, in the country of the United States of America, in Illinois in the town of Champaign on 2004-05-22
This book is a collection of the three Danny and the dinosaur stories; Danny and the Dinosaur, Happy Birthday Danny and the Dinosaur!, and Danny and the Dinosaur Go To Camp.The first story, Danny and the dinosaur, is 64 pages long (twice as long as the others). It starts one day when Danny decides to go to the museum where he meets a live dinosaur. Danny and the dinosaur then leave the museum and go exploring around town and have many adventures before it is time for the dinosaur to return to the museum. The second story, Happy Birthday Danny and the Dinosaur!, is 32 pages long. In it Danny goes back to the museum to invite the dinosaur to his birthday party. The dinosaur is glad to accept, and, as it turns out, today is his birthday too! The third story, Danny and the Dinosaur Go To Camp, is also 32 pages long. In this story Danny takes the dinosaur with him to summer camp. Of course they have unusual adventures. This story tells about their first day at camp.All of the stories have some wording trouble. In places the wording is awkward and some of the conversations are hardly believable. Each story however improves on the previous one in this sense however, and the last one flows reasonably well.The drawings change slightly from story to story. The dinosaurs in the first and last stories are slightly different from each other and definitely different from the ones in the middle, even though it is all supposed to be the same dinosaur. The colors certainly make the drawings stand out, but to me they also make it look harsh. I my prefer the style of coloring that was done in the original 1958 version of Danny and the Dinosaur. Other than that the illustrations are great.In short, this is a fun collection of three good stories about a boy with his friend dinosaur.Loggie-log-log-log