A mongoose battles two devious and deadly Cobras, that are bent on destroying a human family that had saved him from drowning.
One of the all time great children's stories, Rikki Tikki Tavi tells of an Indian mongoose rescued by a British family. He overhears two Cobras planning to make the walled family garden safe for their hatchlings —by killing his benefactors! Rikki, in justice & loyalty to the family, determines to defeat the deadly cobras. For a children's story, the war of wits & agility that ensues is remarkable and compelling.
There are great things to do, but you must work towards them even in the midst of failure... "There's fun to be done!"
The Geisel's offer the best advice anyone can give a child facing the world: use your free will, take charge of your own direction, enjoy the ups and wrestle through the downs, but never stop. Rather than penning a nonsense story in rhyme, the Geisel's have used their considerable talent to provide readers of all ages with the ultimate 'life' pep-talk: One can always choose a direction, and go, You should choose this book for your kids.
When her widowed father advertises for a wife, Anna anxiously watches for signs that Sarah Wheaton’s visit to their prairie farm will fulfill her hopes for family harmony.
Anna's mother died after Caleb's birth, and the singing on their isolated prairie farm ended. When Papa advertised for a wife, Sarah came to visit, from Maine. And, Sarah sang! Would Sarah stay or would she return to the sea she missed? Dialogue keeps Sarah's uncertainty explicit, but MacLachlan's use of subtle action shows a growing relationship between Papa and this new woman. The contrast creates tension and encourages deeper comprehension from young readers.
Princess Elizabeth uses her distinctly independent judgment to face a Dragon and her betrothed.
Princess Elizabeth's castle is destroyed by a dragon that also kidnaps her betrothed. She sets out to rescue the Prince. A smart judge of character, she manipulates the dragon by appealing to his vanity, to rescue Prince Ronald. Watch out for the surprise ending! The bold illustrations successfully convey the Elizabeth's bold character ...& the fun!
Arthur's own pet sitting business proves he is responsible enough to own a pet.
Arthur's Pet Business demonstrates that problems will always develop in a business, but it is responsible handling of those problems that make a person & business trustworthy and deserving.
A little girl wants to be as dynamic as the wind, and we see the fun things to know about wind.
A young girl notices how the wind zooms down hillsides, races through streets, and scatters seeds. It helps birds, butterflies and baby spiders soar. It snaps sheets and flags, drives rain and sailboats and more. "I want to play like a windy day." she thinks. Asch's bright illustrations mix depth and two dimensional objects in a way some may find surreal. He successfully makes the wind seem like a mischievous little girl, entertaining and benevolent.
David's struggle to survive in the endless muskeg of the Canadian North shows intelligent determination and a pursuit of wise personal values for his maximum happiness.
Escaping his unhappy stepfather, David stows aboard a U.S. airplane at an Edmonton airport. David, unexpectedly, is bound for the same destination as a pair of rare whooping cranes flying to their nesting pond... in the Northwest Territories! Tragedy strikes both sets of travelers. David and his strange but valued companion must fight for their lives. This story of determination and intelligence in the face of ever growing difficulties, offers readers a great character and an excellent vocabulary.
Stranded for eighteen years on an island off California, a native girl survives, fends off wild dogs and evades the murderous Aleuts
This story speculates on the life of Karana, an Indian girl left alone on an island near Southern California, when her tribe was moved to the mainland in the mid-1800s. For 18 years she hoped rescuers would re-unite her with her family. We follow her thoughts as she kept herself alive, solving the problems of building shelter and finding food, and even finding ways to be creative.
A tree and boy reveal the opposite character presenting the false, modern, moral alternatives of altruistic & egotism, respectively: the tree gives its all –even its life– for the boy, whereasthe boy takes the benefits with indifference.
A little boy plays on a tree he loves, and that loves him. As he matures he only visits her when he wants something. Her happiness lies in giving him her fruit, limbs and trunk! Finally, as a depressed, unappreciative old man, he sits on the dead stump "and the tree was happy." An honest reader must ask, "Really? You're dead." This parable exposes the folly of giving and taking as today's preeminent moral choice. Parents are left to teach a smarter alternative...
Little Critter learns how babies can add to family happiness, and acts accordingly.
Little Critter has plans to show his baby sister all his toys and games, but she is uninterested or frightened. At his Mom's suggestion he tries basic cuddling, rocking, tickling and baby toys. His sister responds and starts to have fun. ValuedMinds suggests parents will find this book useful for showing children how to interact with a new baby and to not expect too much of them.
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