Elephants Books

Babar books are always must reads in our home, but this one is a favorite of my daughter's. Just an all around fun read with a cute and unforced lesson

Babar's ABC is a classic alphabet storybook originally published in 1983, making it one of Laurent de Brunhoff's original works (as is stated on the cover). This is the kind of book that not only draws the attention of children, but adults also. The style and illustrations lend a simple, if not old-fashioned, air to the work when contrasted with the very loud, often sarcastic, tone and overly-vivid graphics found in some of today's books for children. This book is reminiscent of children's publications of years past with its repetitive style, simple watercolor illustrations, and whimsical text. In Babar's ABC, each letter is presented in both its capital and lowercase form along with a cute full-page illustration of a word that begins with that sound, such as Aa for Airport or Bb for Babar. For most of the letters, there are smaller boxes on the page depicting unrelated scenes just for the sake of using semi-alliterative, sometimes silly, sentences of the showcased letter (example: "The bird blows out the candles on the birthday cake" for the letter B). I personally find these sentences to be minimally helpful as they bear absolutely no connection to the main word and illustration and, if a letter makes more than one sound, the sentences often do not contain words using both the soft and hard sounds. Further, my 2-1/2 year old, who absolutely adores this book above all others, shows no interest in these little asides. However, as indifferent to the sentence boxes as I am, it irritates me that as the end of the alphabet approaches there are no boxes for the letters V, W, X, and Y. It completely breaks up the pattern and style of the book and each time we arrive at this point in the work I can't help but imagine a harried Laurent de Brunhoff scurrying to meet some sort of a deadline and skipping ahead to Z, leaving the four previous letters to utter neglect. Overall, I recommend this book as one of many introductions to the alphabet for toddlers and young preschoolers since my own child enjoys it so much. The illustrations are fun and light, as is the work itself. However, I'm sure that it isn't the best ABC book out there, so supplement as necessary to ensure that your child is exposed to the letter sounds in all their varieties as well as richer literary works that may be more effective.

This is an old classic but a good one. My great-granddaughter loved it. The pictures are beautifully done and really attractive to small readers. I cannot tell you what she thinksabout it, but since she constantly picks it out of her little stack of books feel I made a really good choice.

This book is a good and helpful addition to any book collection
of Bach flower essences use and history. New information and
interpretations are presented, which may be absent from other
books. I have been using Bach flower essences for over 20
years, as well as other types of essences, and I gained further
insight by reading this book. It is written in a light tone,
with brief yet clear definitions of the remedies; the author
also shares with us various insights and tips from her years
of practice in the healing arts field- I feel such sharing helps
the healing arts evolve, and assists in our understanding of
vibrational healing. It is also a wonderful guide for general
household use! Everyone should have a set of Bach flower
remedies, along with this book!

Looking back over my African Hunting book collection I can recount only one published elephant hunter who was able to retire a wealthy man back in his home country strictly from the proceeds earned with his rifles. I am certain there were others, but Walter Bell's ability to know where and when to go hunting, made him unique among his peers. This book, which was published after his death in 1951, is a biography of sorts that recounts his pre and post African adventures in Scotland and Alaska. There are two chapters taken from his first book, The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter, that enable the reader to get an introduction to his ivory hunting days but this book really strives, and succeeds, in defining Bell himself. I would fully recommend Bell of Africa to anyone remotely interested in learning about the golden age of ivory hunting. This third book from Bell's pen was the final act of his written accomplishments and does an excellent job of describing both the man and Africa he was able to enjoy.

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Ronald Reagan June 12, 1987
Berlin

When I hear this quote I can't help but agree with the Gipper's impassioned plea for children's book authors to tear down the literary "fourth wall", and allow characters to speak directly to readers. "Big and Little" succeeds at drawing in readers by making them the audience. An entertaining flap book that will work well individually or with groups of listeners.

The premise is this: Elephant jumps into a small container of water. That's it. The first time you've seen this reenacted? Me either. The circus ringmaster (a mouse) pours a glass of H20, sets it on the table, and speaks directly to the reader (there is no other audience shown) about what's happening. The buildup is exciting. Things get more and more urgent until the time comes for everyone to find out if Ellie can actually dive into that glass. The twist ending will catch readers off guard and adds a nice finishing touch.

You ever read a book aloud to kids and have the punchline/exciting result ruined because the next picture shows what happens? Kids are already laughing/shocked/grossed out before you can read it. The only alternative is to read the book with the pictures facing you and turn it over when you get to the punchline, which is no fun. "Big and Little" is set up so that will not be a problem.
Each two page spread contains a flap that the reader must flip over to continue the story. If you're a regular reader you may know how I feel about gimmickry (click here to read my review of "Gallop! A Scanimation Picture Book"). But that's just plain inventive, friends, and it adds suspense to the story. A solid choice for storytime.

Agyeman's ability to write realistic characters with very different perspectives on the same situation really makes this book come to life. The book evolves as you learn more about each characters background and you begin to understand each one's motivation for their part in the desperate undertaking the embark on. The book informs as well as entertians, leaving the reader enriched in many ways.

very useful book if you work and treat elephants. Well structured and easy to use.

A very clear, concise, and easy-to-read book that lays out the origins, current state and the challenges facing Global IT services. This book is a must read for people who buy IT services, sell IT services, deliver IT services and also for those who have more than a passing interest in Global IT. The authors present an unbiased view of the industry, how the different parties involved have created the successes (some accidental), the challenges, and some future scenarios (four-seeable futures), without introducing the reader to new jargon. In the process the authors pepper the book with industry trivia, some more welcome (origin of IBM) than others (full name of FIAT, the auto company). They do a great job of presenting the realized value and the larger unrealized potential of IT services transforming businesses. The authors certainly deliver what they set to achieve (as outlined in "About this book"). There are many takeaways from this book that some may call "common sense." And, that would be a shame because it is not that common.

I wish the authors had spent a little more time on how the different parties involved in Global IT services have contributed to the challenges and the unrealized potential. I also think it would have been better if the authors had expanded/ shown preference for at least one or two of the four future scenarios they layout even though they clearly say they are not out to predict the future. In addition, areas like software-as-service and vertical specific products could have benefited from more discussion.

Overall, `Blind Men and the Elephant: Demystifying the Global IT Services Industry' is a great introduction for anyone interested in Global IT services or entering it as a participant and a good summary for all those who are in it.

Bun wakes up and runs to Mom and Dad's bedroom to exclaim, "It's my birthday!" He helps Mom and Dad prepare for his party, opens his presents, and hosts the party. The text, simple and unpretentious, is easy for a young child to understand and relate to. We have literally hundreds of books, many of them highly reviewed and recommended, but this is one of the favorite choices of me and my daughter, now four, who has loved it since she was two.