MR

I have been looking for this book for years and have been unable to find a copy. No other book in my childhood stands out as much as Mr. Pudgins. I am in my late 20's now and yearn to re-read this book. It is sad that since it is out of print so many children will grow up without reading about the fantasy world Mr. Pudgins inspired. I truly wish that a publisher will reprint this book - it is definitely worth it!

I have a copy of this wonderful book..After reading the comments on others trying to get a copy, I feel very fortunate to still have my battered, but readable copy of Mr. Pudgins to share with the children in my life.. I would be willing to photo copy the pages for anyone wishing to read this story..(That is legal isn't it??)For anyone interested..Please e-mail me. This classic book will give your children a memory they will carry with them into their adulthood. I read this book to my nephew over 20 years ago and when I found the book in an old box I called him to see if he remembered, and of course he did. He is now trying to get me to give him my only copy. This book should be reprinted for circulation, Does anyone know if the author is still with us?

As a young adult, I gave away the majority of my childhood books, keeping only the few held a special place in my heart. Mr. Pudgins was one of those I treasured. I'm so glad that I kept it because this year I pulled it out from its storage box and read it to my own 5 year old. He asked to hear it again and again and again. It is sad that it is not available anymore, not even at any of our local libraries. I wish they would REPRINT this book...it would make a wonderful birthday present for his young friends. This is gentle magic and adventure at its best.

This story is a really good story. It's where Mr.Willowby gets a tree for a surprise. I really like this story because it's a Christmas story and because it really is cheerful. I recommend it for all ages because it is a really good book.

Each year when my family is able to be together, we curl up around the christmas tree and read Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree. It has become a family tradition and one that I cherish, even as an adult.

We were so concerned about this book going out of publication and to know that it is being sold again is wonderful - If you are looking for a story you all can share, year after year, this is the one!

It has seen us through over thirty years and is still going strong!

Well, I rememeber this book from when I was a kid. It is fitting that those families who found the top of Mr. Willoby's tree thought of it as a gift, not something that had to be bought. I made sure I had a copy of this book for my daughter to grow up with. I love Mr. Willoby's Christmas Tree

I defy any adult to read this story without getting a tear in the eye and a catch in the throat. I read this book to two groups of first graders today and nearly started crying--and I'm a 40-year-old man! What a beautiful story.

It's such a heartwarming story. It teaches you that you can be happy. I've read the book so many times! It's a great book that you'll love reading again and aagain.

...My first experience with this book was when the pastor of our church read it to our congregation as his entire sermon on a particular Sunday not too long ago. A very touching story of how we all deserve to be loved, are loved and love-able, if we open our hearts to the possibility, and how the knowledge of that can transform our lives. This is not just a book for children, though I am buying enough copies to send to all the children on my Christmas list, as well as to donate to local school libraries. I dare anyone with a heart to read this book and not shed a tear. The most heartwarming and uplifing children's book I've read since "I'll Love You Forever ..."

I have been searching used book stores for years for this book without luck ever since I realized that my original copy was missing. I am so happy that it has been re-released. Mr. Pine's is a story that we all need to hear as a child and again as an adult. How to rise above the desire to be like everyone else and find our own path.I will be happy to share this book with the children in my life. Incidentally, purple has been my favorite color all of my life because of its symbolic meaning in Mr. Pine's and The Color Purple.

I grew up on Mr. Pine, and was thrilled to see it again and share it with my 3-year-old daughter. Unlike many simple stories for young children, this one is fun for adults, too. The text is easy and predictable (a must for pre-readers) but not monotonous. The story is fun. The pictures, although in only two colors (black and, of course, purple) are wonderful. My daughter truly understands this book and talks about it ALL the time. It's amazing that a book can appeal so completely to adults and young children alike.

This is a book I wished my mom had saved. I think Mr. Pine Fan's are a unique brand of people! My cousin and I both grew up with Mr. Pine's Purple House. It taught us to be different from anyone else. We joke about the book often, even now, when we drive down a street with all the houses looking the same. "Must be Vine Street!" It's fun to see the looks on other friends faces when they can't figure out what we are talking about. Then we have to explain ourselves, and the retell the whole story.

This is a formula book, aimed at people who are already convinced of the existence of their god. It's as realistic as one of the medieval Lives of the Saints, and as subtle as anything from Stalinist Russia, where heroic peasants worked heroically for the common heroic good.

Here a little girl uses the socratic method to "enlighten" her guardian in the ways of god. The character of the little girl will be unrecognizable to anyone who's ever encountered a real child for more than five seconds. This would be acceptable if it were not for the fact that the philosophy is threadbear. Only an uncritical acceptance of second-hand ideas coupled to a second-rate god would make this an interesting work.

The writing itself is workmanlike enough, though this doesn't preclude the inevitable tedium that comes from the subject matter itself.

In other words, it's a false piece of writing, just as hagiography was false and heroic socialistic heroism was false. Spare yourself this juvenile meandering. If you really want to know something about the way god has evolved in the west, take a look at Karen Armstrong's book A History of God. Far more interesting and insightful, and much more capably written as well.

The title wonderfully chosen, the voice and the mood of the author is happy and yet suprised. Beautifully written book, Amazing child, the way Fynn wrote it was like he was still under shock because of the way Anna sees the world, God was friends with Anna, they communicated everyday.Fynn learned so much from Anna. The whole book was a lesson to me and I guess to all other readers, this book teaches about kids that we cannot ignore their intelligence though Anna's intelligence was scary as it always scared the hell out of Fynn. Anna is just a kid that knows God so much, one could'nt argue with her because she knews her story, she fitted into society like a glove. No questions asked that is why Fynn kept her, she was a community builder at her age, changed peoples way of thinking, she was interested in learning new things as well, the fact that she would say 'write it down big' was amazing as you can tell that she was an interesting kid that wanted to learn things that she did not know. Kids do change peoples lives everyday that is why it is always advisable that we spend sometime with them, they are as fun as Anna was. I totally agree with Fynn that she is laughing with God now. this book I will read it over and over again and I will pass it on to my kids.

The first time I read this book, I could NOT believe that it could possibly be a true story. The concepts which little Anna proposes and then PROVES are too complicated for any mere child... right? But then, I realized that it doesn't really matter to me whether or not this story ACTUALLY happened; the truths it contains are what have changed my views of God, pain, sin, and true joy forever. This book not only provides answers to some of life's questions; it also provides the questions.

The book Good Night Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian, was a book I extremely enjoyed reading. When I first looked at the title, I wasn't too attracted to reading the book but once I caught the basic idea on what it was about on the inside, I was eager to read it. I'm glad I did, because this book is one of the most heartbreaking stories I have read. The story starts out very nicely, introducing the main character, William aka Willie aka Will. Unlike some books, the beginning of the story catches your attention and does throughout the whole book. The sad part is, Will is an evacuee and constantly gets seriously abused by his mother. With no father to help him out and his mother not willing to take him during a war, Will is sent house after house with other children to be accepted somewhere else. Will's mother is a religious type but takes everything to another dangerous and extreme level that hurts herself as well as her son. Will is very lucky and ends up in a small town named Little Weirwold with Thomas Oakley, or whom Will learned to call, Mister Tom. Hardened by the loss of his son and wife, he gradually starts to accept Will and in a way, takes him in as his own son. After making friends, discovering talents, creating memories and going on wild adventures, he slowly regains the childhood that he missed. Learning that his before life was not suppose to be, Will is reluctant to return to his mother because she is "sick." The rest of the story is something you need to find out yourself. Even I cannot express the joy and sorrows with reading this heart touching story. Only the readers can feel this by encountering it for themselves. The reason this book received the rating it did is because it was so nicely put together, it makes the reader see the innocence of Will when it's such a heart break just to see him learning new things that are common to us. Michelle Magorian also brought out the infinite patience and love of Mister Tom. This made the story even more special because of the hero role he plays to Will. Another reason is because she makes the conclusion and ending worthwhile the read. It was as if the only reason I was reading the book was to get to the end. The final important reason was because the whole book was exciting. I cannot remember one moment in the book where I wanted to stop. The experiences little William became a part of me and I wanted to encourage this character as he went struggling through his rough life. Overall, this book was very satisfying. I hope to read more books like this in the future... a true heartache. (Very special book)

In Michelle Magorian's novel Good Night, Mr. Tom, she brilliantly illustrates the hardships of a young child growing up post World War II after having being abused and abandoned by his mother, the one person who was truly supposed to love him. After being shipped from London to the English countryside to live with Mr. Tom, Willie has to adjust to living in a world he never knew existed. A world in which love, affection and friendships flourish. Magorian uses what she knows to set the plot, being that she was born and raised mostly in England. Her parents met each other during the World War II and perhaps she was reflecting on her own issues because as a child she lived a couple of years in Singapore and Australia. She eventually came back to England when she was 9 years old, but had already been moved around a lot, as did the main character in the book. The New Yorker called Magorian's novel "An engrossing and poignant story, with much sunlight to balance the darkness." Jim Trelease from The Read-Aloud Handbook said it was "powerful." And that, it is.

This book has the power to make you laugh, cry, and want to sing. It is a story of a young boy learning how to live life with joy and without fear, and an old man remembering how to live life. This book is like a dear friend to me. When every I am unhappy I come and read this story, and I feel that my passion for life is renewed. An excellent book for people of all ages.

I read this book and thought is was cute, funny, and a great read! The charecters are: Mr. Popper, a man very interested in the arctic, Mrs. Popper who is his wife, thier children Janie and Bill, the 12 penguins, Mr. Greenbuam who owns a theater, and Admiral Drake who is an arctic explorer. Mr. Popper is sent a penguin by Admiral Drake. When the penguin gets sick the aquarium sends Mr. Popper a girl penguin, and, naturally the 2 have babies.The Poppers cannot affford the penguins, so Mr. Popper decides to let them perform on stage. Mr. Greenbaum lets them use his stage, and the family gets richer and richer. At the end Admiral Drake comes and asks Mr. Popper if he would like to take the performing penguins and himself to the South Pole for 2 years. Mr. Popper says yes. I hope you read this book because it is wonderful.

My Grade 4 students gobble up this book! I include it in several " thematic literature kits": animal stories, award winners, and humourous stories. Reluctant readers are especially attracted to it, as it isn't difficult to read independently. It really grabs their attention and makes them laugh out loud. Even slow readers work hard to make their way through this novel.

Kids especially love all the penguins, their hilarious antics, and the bizarre trouble they get into.

It's also full of very interesting knowledge. We delve a little into history, getting a glimpse of life in the 1930's. We learn some geography, about exploration of the Arctic and Antarctic. And we certainly learn about penguins!

Written in the 1930's, this book has become a classic that hasn't lost any of its appeal for kids today. I've never seen a kid who didn't love it!

Mr. Popper's Penguins By: Richard and Florence Atwater

Mr. Popper lived with his wife and two children, Janie and Bill.
Mr. Popper was a house painter and only worked spring-winter. Mr. Popper enjoyed reading books about Arctic life (mostly penguins). One day Mr. Popper received a penguin from the Arctic explorer Admiral Drake. Mr. Popper named his penguin Captain Cook. One day Captain Cook looked very sick and lonely. Mr. Popper called an aquarium and they sent another penguin named Greta. Soon Captain Cook and Greta had a family of their own. Now there were 12 penguins. The Poppers were short on money so they trained the penguins to do tricks. Soon the performing Popper penguins became famous.
The main characters of this book are: Mr. Popper, Mrs. Popper, Captain Cook, Greta, Janie and Bill. Mr. Popper is a house painter that enjoys reading about Arctic life. Captain Cook is a kind penguin that doesn't cause much trouble.
This book mostly takes place in the town of Stillwater. The genre of this book is kind of realistic fiction. What surprised me is the end, because the name of the chapter seemed melancholy but ended up being something different.
What the author did well is naming the chapters. They were good descriptions of what happens. I think the author's style was kind of humorous. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes to read about penguins.

Phantom Tollbooth Written By Norton Juster Reviewed by Adam

Milo is a kid with no opinion about anything. He never likes what he is doing, but sees no point in doing anything else. As he says, "It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time. There's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing." One day he receives a strange package containing one genuine tollbooth, one set of instructions, and one road map. Expecting this to be just a dumb activity, Milo puts the tollbooth together and drives through it in a small electric car. He travels through a strange land to a city called Dictionopolis, on the way picking up the Watch dog Tock, who has a watch for a body. Once in Dictionopolis, Milo, Tock, and their newfound friend the watchdog and the Humbug are caught up in a quest to save the princesses Rhyme and Reason and restore order to the world. On the way he meets strange people like the Whether Man ("for after all it's more important to know whether there will be weather than what the weather will be") and Alec Bings who sees the other side of things and is born in the air and grows down to the ground. Milo and his newfound friends Tock the watchdog and the Humbug are caught up in a quest to save the princesses Rhyme and Reason and restore order to the world.

Norton Juster does a great job making The Phantom Tollbooth enjoyable and humorous. He combines clever puns and real pieces of literature and math to make an extremely interesting story.

" I read [The Phantom Tollbooth] first when I was 10. I still have the book report I wrote, which began 'This is the best book ever.'" --Anna Quindlen, The New York Times

"A classic... Humorous, full of warmth and real invention." --The New Yorker

I rate this book 10/10 stars.

After my first reading of 'The Phantom Tollbooth', it became,and still remains, my favorite young reader book. I wrote two book reports on it for my middle school reading classes. I even received a copy of it as a tenth birthday present. Ever since, I've read it from cover to cover at least once a year.

As a child, I enjoyed reading the strange adventures of a bored Milo embarking on his legendary quest. As an adult, I enjoy the tome's play on words, such as the Whether man ("It's more important to know whether there will be weather, rather than what the weather will be") and the Isle of Conclusions, a place you have to jump to to get there. I also love the book's personifying such abstract concepts as statistics, like the (literally) half a child that Milo meets who's the end result of the average family having 2.58 children. It also has neat takes on people's points of view, like the boy who grows down, rather than up. Needless to say, it's pretty apparent that even though I loved this book as a kid, I appreciate it much more as an adult.

If you remember reading this as a child, I strongly recommend you give it a look again. You'll likely pick up on quite a few things in the story that you might not have gotten the gist of in your youth!

'Late

I read this book when I was nine. Now I am eleven, and it is still a great book to read. I am actually doing a book report on it for school right now! The characters, ecspecially Tock, are great and the book is sarcastically funny. This book is about a forlorn boy who needs some fun and exciting adventures. He drives through the phantom tollbooth and through the lands beyond. But then he gets stuck on a dangerous mission, rescuing Rhyme and Reason. You'll have to read it to find out the rest! I'd recommend this book to anyone with imagination!

Since I'm an elementary school librarian who has written many reviews of children's books here at ..., M. Beatryce Shaw was kind enough to send me a copy of "Mr. Browne's Roses" for consideration.

This book covers a very important topic that should be discussed with all elementary age students, that of racial harmony and equality.

There are actually two stories told here. The main story is about roses that are various shades of brown being sold by Mr. Browne. The darker ones in the back don't get much attention, so they don't get sold very often. When Mr. Browne's children take care of the store, they mix up the roses so that they all get proper attention and look more attractive together, so more roses of all colors get sold.

The second story is told in the introduction and concerns an unfortunate incident of racial discrimination in the author's childhood that motivated her as an adult to write the book. Several adults that I shared this book with felt that Ms. Shaw may have provided too much information for the context of this book, but they also felt that this introductory autobiography was worthy of more attention in a separate volume. We all agreed that "Mr. Browne's Roses" would be more affective by reading it aloud to primary grade children with no mention of the introduction.

For this review, I read the story aloud to a second grade class with an African American teacher in our predominantly white school. The children had no idea what "color awareness" meant in the subtitle, but by the end of the story the were able to deduce that it had something to do with when "white people picked on black people."

The children were a bit distracted by the brown and white illustrations. They all seemed to want a little more detail, and a little more color.

While this book would make a good discussion starter for primary classes, especially around the time of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, or during Black History Month, a quick search here at ... revealed a number of titles from major publishers that appear to cover similar territory. These titles have been recommended by major review sources, something most school librarians are required to consider when making purchases. Some of the titles I found were:

Shades of Black
The Colors of Us
Black, White, Just Right!
Amazing Grace (about an African American girl, not the song)
Grandpa, Is Everything Black Bad?
Colors Come From God Just Like Me

I'd like to thank M. Beatryce Shaw for sending me this book and giving me the opportunity to review it, as well as take a glance at what else is available on this important topic for elementary school children. I wish her the best with her publishing and speaking career.

This easy-to-read, easy-to-understand book about color awareness is must class reading for teachers in the early grades to help children understand discrimination. The sensitive, unassuming tone of the book will appeal to children as they learn, through Mr. Browne's experience, the meaning of bias and how avoiding it can create wonderful relationships. As the book says "...the children see through the eyes of innocence."

I look forward to reading many more of Ms. Shaw's contributions.

When it comes to accepting people for merit and substance, children are wiser than adults. Their minds are free from corruption and therefore able to absorb truth and kindness without reservations. Thank goodness for this book! It will equip those who wish to enlighten others with a tool so long needed; TRUTH!!!

Neil Gaiman has always said this is his best comic, and I find that really hard to believe. I would think that much of the 'Sandman' series is far superior in terms of plot and characterisations.

It is a shame that the script has let this work done, because the artwork is probably the best I have ever seen for a comic/graphic novel, and certainly more appealing than 'Sandman'. Divinely textured, with incredible breath and detail, McLean's (responsible for the Sandman covers) work is truly incredible. The puppet photography is an innovative idea, and the portraits of the boy are also fantastic. The photography of the grandfather's hands also resonates, and overall the work has a wonderfully finished appeal.

However, the series is too short and underdeveloped, and the characterisations are weak. I had difficulty telling several of the characters apart, while it does have that beautiful dark mystical quality I would come to expect with Gaiman.

Neil Gaiman has several recurring themes to which he revisits again and again like the swallows returning to Capostrano. Foremost among these is the persistence of memory, which is the theme of "The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch."

The tale revolves around a Punch n' Judy show at a seaside carnival and how it acts as a trigger for a young boys memories of his family. As with much of Gaiman's work, there are tales within tales here, and the real story he tells is more implied than elucidated upon.

Dave McKean's art underscores this theme beautifully, with the "real" characters in the story as cartoon caricatures while the puppets look like photographs, exactly the focus with which young children would concentrate their memories. Can we not all remember a favorite toy more easily than our parents faces when we were little?

A marvelous and poignant tale well worth your time and money.

Neil Gaiman is my hero. I always have, and always will be intrigued by Punch & Judy. Therefore, Gaiman's Mr. Punch is one of the greatest works I've ever read. Though it is unfair to say "Gaiman's Mr. Punch", as it is equally Dave McKean's, for without him, I'm sure Mr. Punch would lose part of its eerie, strange, subtle power. Mr. Punch is an odd book. I read it in a single sitting, and afterwards, I was actually at a loss for words trying to describe what it is. This was a first; I can praise Neil Gaiman for hours on end, but I was stuck with Mr. Punch. I've seen it classified as Horror, Science Fiction, normal Fiction, and just as a Comic. But it is much more. It sent something through me - something that I am also at a loss of words about. This is a really great story, much like a dream (or nightmare, depending) it is surreal, yet uncommonly realistic; it is disturbing, but also soothing. It's more of an experience than a reading. McKean's artwork and Gaiman's words send you into something of a trance, where you enjoy yourself, get disturbed (actually, more troubled, as the young protangonist would say), and subtly reminded of your own childhood. A must read for any Gaiman or McKean fan, and also a must read for any Punch & Judy enthusiast, or anyone looking for a great read.