Thanksgiving on Thursday or Fantastic Mr Fox

Thanksgiving on Thursday (Magic Tree House Series #27)

Author: Mary Pope Osborn

The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to the eve of the first Thanksgiving. There they meet the Pilgrims as well as Squanto, a Native American who helped them. The story offers an age-appropriate, in-depth picture of what life was really like for early settlers, as well as the usual Magic Tree House adventure and excitement.

Debbie West - Children's Literature

Eight-year-old Jack and his seven-year-old sister, Annie, have a magical tree house in their woods. Once inside the tree house, they can travel anywhere through the books that fill it. In this title, Book 27 of the "Magic Tree House" series, they find a note from famous magical librarian of Camelot Morgan le Fay. Immediately, they are transported back to the year 1621 and Plymouth, Massachusetts. They try to observe the Pilgrims quietly, but Jack becomes caught in a snare. Soon the Pilgrims are swarming them, asking questions. Squanto, the Wampanoag Indian, pretends to recognize them, thus including the two children in the festivities of the day. They meet the famous Priscilla, who takes them home with her and shows them how to prepare a Thanksgiving turkey, Pilgrim style. Jack's twentieth-century phrases have the Pilgrims shaking their heads in confusion, but he and Annie are still treated as if they belonged there. Priscilla sends the two children to the stream to catch some fish, but Jack and Annie soon realize they know nothing about fishing or hunting the old fashioned way. Discouraged by their lack of skills, they are afraid to return to camp. But Priscilla soon finds them and returns them to the festivities. The meal begins with mountainous plates of food brought out to the many set up benches. Squanto and the Wamponoag Indians feast with the Pilgrims on that momentous day, and Jack and Annie are delighted to be part of the ceremony. When the feast ends, they realize it is time for them to return home. Squanto leads them into the forest. From him, they learn a valuable lesson—how to be kind to those who are different. Children will relive a special moment in American historythrough this captivating story. 2002, Random House Children's Books, Ages 8 to 14.

Table of Contents:

Interesting textbook: The Big Fix or Cambridge Handbook of Psychology Health and Medicine

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Author: Roald Dahl

Fantastic Mr. Fox is on the run! The three meanest farmers around are out to get him. Fat Boggis, squat Bunce, and skinny Bean have joined forces, and they have Mr. Fox and his family surrounded. What they don’t know is that they’re not dealing with just any fox–Mr. Fox would never surrender. But only the most fantastic plan ever can save him now.

Michael Chabin - Children's Literature

"My lucky thing," Roald Dahl once said, "is that I laugh at the same things children laugh at." And children do laugh at the things he writes. In this case, fat Mr. Boggis who eats three chickens at every meal, potbellied Mr. Bunce who lives on doughnuts stuffed with goose liver paste, and pencil-thin Mr. Bean who drinks hard cider all day long, have decided to do away with Mr. Fox and his fine family. So determined are these maniacal three, that their efforts to eliminate the Fox family threatens the lives of every digging creature in the forest. Does Mr. Fox save the day? Of course he does! How? That you'll have to find out for yourself in this beautifully bound and superbly illustrated volume. Roald Dahl is the author of James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He died in 1990 after more than forty years of making children laugh. Parents note: the farmers have guns, the cider is hard, and there is an occasional graceless belch. 2002, Alfred A Knopf,

Children's Literature

In this story, a gentleman fox outwits three crass and vindictive farmers in order to protect his family from extinction. The beginning chapters describe the characters, the following sixteen present a constant stream of adventures as the bitter confrontation ensues between Mr. Fox and Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Chapter titles announce the direction the story is taking. Clever use of language gives an aura of refinement to the fox family, while one of villainy surrounds the farmers. When Bean announces that "I want that fox! I'm going to get that fox! I'm not giving in till I've strung him up over my front porch, dead as a dumpling!" the reader immediately aligns with Mr. Fox despite the fact that he is stealing chickens! The line drawings, with washes of gray are spontaneous and lively. Not a page goes by without a detailed drawing reinforcing the mood of the story. Seeing Bean's ears filled with "all kinds of muck and wax and bits of chewing gum and dead flies and stuff like that" only strengthens the reader's dislike of the character. This illustrated reinterpretation highlights the vibrant qualities of this story. 1998 (orig.

Llama Llama Mad at Mama or Eclipse

Llama Llama Mad at Mama

Author: Anna Dewdney

Yucky music, great big feet.

Ladies smelling way too sweet.

Look at knees and stand in line.

Llama Llama starts to whine.

Does any child like to go shopping? Not Llama Llama! But Mama can't leave Llama at home, so off they go to Shop-O-Rama. Lots of aisles. Long lines. Mama is too busy to notice that Llama Llama is getting m-a-d! And before he knows it, he's having a full-out tantrum! Mama quickly calms him down, but she also realizes that they need to make shopping more fun for both of them. Parents and children are sure to recognize themselves in this fun-to-read follow-up to the popular Llama Llama Red Pajama.

Children's Literature

AGERANGE: Ages 2 up.

The author manages to show a toddler's view of a trip to the store, a trip the little one is not enjoying. After being dragged away from a happy time playing with his toys, Llama is strapped into his car seat, where he takes a little snooze during the drive to the Shop-O-Rama. It does not take him long to get tired of the "Yucky music,/ great big feet/Ladies smelling way too sweet/look at knees and stand in line" and so he, "starts to whine" He is out of sorts as Mama Llama has him try on clothes from the clearance shelves; he has no interest in socks and underwear. Then, as his mama shops for food, Llama Llama gets mad. Finally he hits fever pitch and has an all-out tantrum right there in the store and throws things from the cart. Mama Llama very patiently asks him to stop and explains how much she loves being with him and asks him to help her shop, and that makes all the difference. This story will strike a chord with moms who have been confronted by an overtired child while in the supermarket. The story tells of an everyday event in the lives of moms and their little ones in a way most everyone can relate to and appreciate. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford

Jayne Damron - School Library Journal

PreS-K
In this sequel to Llama Llama Red Pajama (Viking, 2005), the hoofed protagonist goes shopping with his mother. Gradually the small annoyances of the Shop-O-Rama ("Yucky music,/great big feet./Ladies smelling way too sweet....Try it on and take it off./Pull and wiggle,/itch and cough") send the youngster into a tantrum: "It's no fun at Shop-O-Rama./Llama Llama/MAD at Mama!" With admirable patience and parenting skills, Mama tames the "llama drama," explaining to her son that they can make the chore fun by working together. Soon Llama Llama is helping Mama clean up the messy results of his meltdown and complete their purchases, and then they are off to pursue more pleasurable activities. Children will giggle at Dewdney's rhythmic rhymes. The inviting, oversized paintings are bold and colorful, and Llama Llama's priceless expressions carry the emotional arc of the story to its gentle conclusion. Add this amusing tale to your storytime repertoire or recommend it for one-on-one sharing.

Read also Multivariate Public Key Cryptosystems or Introduction to Computational Physics

Eclipse (Warriors: Power of Three Series #4)

Author: Erin Hunter

Firestar's three grandchildren have learned of the powerful prophecy that foretells their destinies, and the responsibility of deciding the Clans' future weighs heavily on the three apprentices. But each secretly yearns for power: Lionpaw dreams of being undefeatable in battle, while Hollypaw longs to be a great leader and Jaypaw knows only he can see the true past and future for them all. Their strengths are tested when ThunderClan is suddenly attacked—and all four Clans are thrown into a battle unlike any the cats have ever seen.

Then a dark shadow falls across the forest, and a mysterious stranger warns the Clans of more trouble to come. For the first time, it appears that StarClan does not hold the answers the cats need.

All of a sudden, the warrior code is being tested. A crisis of faith threatens to tear the four Clans apart and destroy what the cats have built their lives upon. . . .

Halloween or Bust or Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Halloween... Or Bust! (Fancy Nancy Series)

Author: Jane Oconnor

No one knows Fancy like Nancy . . .

. . . and no one knows Halloween like Nancy!

Books about: My First Summer in the Sierras or Lost Continent

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter #5)

Author: J K Rowling

There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?

Here are just a few things on Harry's mind:

• A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey.

• A venomous, disgruntled house-elf

• Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team

• The looming terror of the end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams

. . . and of course, the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In the richest installment yet of J. K. Rowling's seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts.

Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew, boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice.

Though thick runs the plot, listeners will race through these tapes and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back.

USA Today

A very wise decision, J.K. Rowling, to allow three years to pass before publishing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book in your global sensation of a series. The fever-pitched anticipation, the media frenzy, the pilfered books, the leaked details. The book richly deserves the hype. — Deirdre Donahue

Time Magazine

Just when we might have expected author J.K. Rowling's considerable imaginative energies to flag -- this is the fifth book of a projected seven-volume series -- she has hit peak form and is gaining speed. — Lev Grossman

The Los Angeles Times

In fleshing out her plot, Rowling devotes considerable attention to such coming-of-age aspects of Harry's personality, making him a richer and more psychologically complex character than ever before. There's no doubt that Harry is growing up, and the process isn't always pretty, although he remains wonderfully appealing and, when necessary, heroic. — Michael Cart

The Washington Post

Go read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for the other main reason to love the series: their sheer comic exuberance even in the midst of high drama. Kids, of course, would mention this first. Jokes, gags and memorable put-downs pop up on nearly every page … Sometimes it seems we adult critics are so quick to take Harry Potter seriously (whether we're looking to praise or censure) that we forget how cheerful Rowling has been throughout this whole amazing, death-haunted enterprise. — Elizabeth Ward

The Denver Post

The stakes, both for Harry and the reader, grow with each succeeding work in the series. Rowling's first novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, topped the best-seller charts by grabbing both children and adults with a fast-paced story peopled by intriguing characters, set in a clearly imagined magical world. The legend has grown with each succeeding volume, not because she's written to a formula but because she continues to deliver the same combination of enticing elements without allowing them to become predictable. — Robin Videmos

The New York Times

A considerably darker, more psychological book than its predecessors, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix occupies the same emotional and storytelling place in the Potter series as "The Empire Strikes Back" held in the first "Star Wars" trilogy. It provides a sort of fulcrum for the series, marking Harry's emergence from boyhood, and his newfound knowledge that an ancient prophecy holds the secret to Voldemort's obsession with him and his family. — Michiku Kakutani

Publishers Weekly

Dale again takes the reins as nimble voice master and gallops away with a splendid performance of Rowling's fifth tome about the beloved boy wizard. Full credit is due Dale for creating-and keeping track of-an enormous cast (134, to be precise) of distinct voices; he achieves impressive continuity of character from one novel to the next. But perhaps most notable here is Dale's development of protagonist Harry's evolution from wide-eyed, affable boy to an often angry and disillusioned teenager. Obviously at home in Rowling's world, Dale effortlessly follows the story into darker and more complex waters. Plot turns include further intrigue amongst the wizard hierarchy, the arrival of a new, suspect Defense of the Dark Arts professor, and the main characters' navigation through increasing social and academic pressures. Though Harry, Ron and Hermione are gradually sounding a bit older, and inevitably wiser, Dale keeps their cores intact, so as not to lose listeners along the way. Ages 9-up. Simultaneous release with the Scholastic/Levine hardcover. (June)

Leslie Rounds - Children's Literature

In the fifth entry in this series, an angst-ridden Harry Potter must face new challenges and a deepening of the mystery surrounding Voldemort and the death of his parents. At the beginning of the book, the wizarding world remains divided on the question of whether or not Voldemort has regained his power. Harry finds himself unhappily spending the summer at Privet Drive with his annoying aunt and uncle, cut off from all communication with his friends. After he is forced to fight off two Dementors attacking him and his cousin Dursley, he is brought to a safehouse being occupied by members of the Order of the Phoenix, a collection of witches and wizards determined to defeat Voldemort. The house belonged to Sirius Black's parents and is also home to a motley collection of rather dark creatures including an angry house elf who once belonged to Sirius's mother. These creatures, once again, demonstrate Rowlings' powerful imagination. Immediately in trouble with the Ministry for his underage use of magic in fighting off the Dementors, Harry's problems just get worse when he returns to Hogwarts. There is a new professor there, the despicable Dolores Umbridge, to whom the Ministry has given extreme powers to control the faculty and students. She clearly wants to control Harry most of all. Harry responds to many of the problems he encounters with anger, and spends a good deal of time feeling alienated and sorry for himself. This is, no doubt, a true reflection of common teen behavior, but can get rather annoying. Some readers may also be put off by Harry's romantic interest in a rather insipid fellow student. Fortunately, as the extremely exciting climax heats up, Harry seems to find his stride. Theconclusion brings just a bit more explanation from Dumbledore about Harry's past (and future), leaving readers primed and eager for the next offering. As Harry grows up in this story, he realizes that many of the people he most admires are less heroic than he once believed, adding a new depth to the series. Although longer, and a bit "darker" than previous volumes, younger readers will probably not be disturbed by the content. Even the death of a major character is understated. This is a thrilling read. Those who enjoyed the previous books are not likely to be disappointed, and Rowling will probably add even more Potter fans with the publication of this volume. 2003, Scholastic Press, Ages 9 up.

Sarah Dean - Alan Review

This is the fifth book of the Harry Potter series and picks up the story where the fourth left off with the return of Lord Voldemort. In this story, Harry, Dumbledore, and his group, the Order of the Phoenix are trying to warn the wizarding community of the danger. They are hampered by the fact that the Ministry of Magic refuses to believe that the dark lord has returned and tries to discredit Harry and his friends. Harry still manages to return to Hogwarts and finish his fifth year, but the Ministry's representative, Dolores Umbridge, is now closely watching the school. As the ministry tries to take control of Hogwarts, Harry, Ron, and Hermione try to find ways to learn the skills they need to survive and to uncover why Harry is having dreams of Lord Voldemort. Although this book is fairly long, the story is fast paced. Each of the characters is starting to develop to full potential. Motivated by the oppression of the Ministry and the threat of Voldemort, the characters face a variety of challenges and manage to prove themselves. Although adult characters receive rough treatment in this book, young adults will relate to Harry's ongoing story, especially with the ending that reveals the true relationship between Harry and Lord Voldemort. 2003, Scholastic Press, 870 pp., Ages young adult.

School Library Journal

Gr 4 Up-Harry has just returned to Hogwarts after a lonely summer. Dumbledore is uncommunicative and most of the students seem to think Harry is either conceited or crazy for insisting that Voldemort is back and as evil as ever. Angry, scared, and unable to confide in his godfather, Sirius, the teen wizard lashes out at his friends and enemies alike. The head of the Ministry of Magic is determined to discredit Dumbledore and undermine his leadership of Hogwarts, and he appoints nasty, pink-cardigan-clad Professor Umbridge as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and High Inquisitor of the school, bringing misery upon staff and students alike. This bureaucratic nightmare, added to Harry's certain knowledge that Voldemort is becoming more powerful, creates a desperate, Kafkaesque feeling during Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. The adults all seem evil, misguided, or simply powerless, so the students must take matters into their own hands. Harry's confusion about his godfather and father, and his apparent rejection by Dumbledore make him question his own motives and the condition of his soul. Also, Harry is now 15, and the hormones are beginning to kick in. There are a lot of secret doings, a little romance, and very little Quidditch or Hagrid (more reasons for Harry's gloom), but the power of this book comes from the young magician's struggles with his emotions and identity. Particularly moving is the unveiling, after a final devastating tragedy, of Dumbledore's very strong feelings of attachment and responsibility toward Harry. Children will enjoy the magic and the Hogwarts mystique, and young adult readers will find a rich and compelling coming-of-age story as well.-Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library

What People Are Saying

Stephen King
Is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as good as the other Harry Potter books?

Answer: No, this one is quite a bit better. The tone is darker, and this one has the unexpected --- and very pleasing -- effect of making Rowling's wit and playful black humor shine all the brighter. … Will kids (and adults as well) still still be wild about Harry a hundred years from now, or two hundred? My best guess is that he will indeed stand time's test; and wind up on a shelf where only the best are kept; I think Harry will take his place with Alice, Huck, Frodo and Dorothy, and this is one series not just for the decade, but for the ages.

Table of Contents:

Warriors Box Set or Grimms Complete Fairy Tales

Warriors Box Set: Volumes 1 to 6

Author: Erin Hunter

The first story arc in the #1 nationally bestselling epic warror cat series is now available in a beautiful box set.

Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales (Barnes & Noble Leatherbound Classics)

Author: Brothers Grimm

With the words “Once upon a time,” the Brothers Grimm transport readers to a timeless realm where witches, giants, princesses, kings, fairies, goblins, and wizards fall in love, try to get rich, quarrel with their neighbors, and have magical adventures of all kinds—and in the process reveal essential truths about human nature.

When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm set out to collect stories in the early 1800s, their goal was not to entertain children but to preserve Germanic folklore—and the hard life of European peasants was reflected in the tales they discovered. However, once the brothers saw how the stories entranced young readers, they began softening some of the harsher aspects to make them more suitable for children.

A cornerstone of Western culture since the early 1800s, Grimm’s Fairy Tales is now beloved the world over. This collection of more than 120 of the Grimms’ best tales includes such classics as “Cinderella,” “Snow White,” “Hansel and Grethel,” “Rapunzel,” “Rumpelstiltskin,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “The Frog Prince,” as well as others that are no less delightful.

This new edition features beautiful full-color illustrations throughout to provide even more magic to these beloved tales.

Magic Tree House Collection or Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See

Magic Tree House Collection: Books 5-8 (Magic Tree House Series)

Author: Mary Pope Osborn

Jack and Annie return to audio with four more eye-opening adventures.

In this collection Jack and Annie learn the secrets of the Ninjas, explore the rainforests of the Amazon, go back to the Ice Age, and travel forward in time to visit a moon base.

Volume 2 includes:
Magic Tree House #5, Night of the Ninjas
Magic Tree House #6, Afternoon on the Amazon
Magic Tree House #7, Sunset of the Sabertooth
Magic Tree House #8, Midnight on the Moon

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Author: Bill Martin Jr

A big happy frog, a plump purple cat, a handsome blue horse, and a soft yellow duck-- all parade across the pages of this delightful book. Children will immediately respond to Eric Carle's flat, boldly colored collages. Combined with Bill Martin's singsong text, they create unforgettable images of these endearing animals.

Children's Literature

Many new board books are re-releases of beloved books, now made more durable for babies who will first love the books' rhythm and rhyme in infancy and continue to love the story as toddlers. Among the classics making a new board book appearance is Martin's wonderfully rhythmic Brown Bear with illustrations by one of the best in the business, Eric Carle.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-- In this new edition of the popular classic (Holt, 1983), the same clean design and crisp text remain. Illustrations, however, have been slightly altered. Stronger colors and more texture help delineate animal bodies more sharply. Positions and shapes are slightly changed, resulting in a less static look. Red Bird is shown in flying position with a sleeker body, sharper beak, and more carefully defined tail and wing features. Yellow Duck has webbed feet and an open bill; Blue Horse has black hooves and teeth showing; Green Frog a spotted back and pink tongue; the former Mother with pale pink skin has become Teacher with beige skin tones and darker hair. The overall effect is livelier and more interesting, although changes are minimal enough that the old edition is still serviceable. When replacements are in order, this will be a welcome addition. --Sally R. Dow, Ossining Public Library, NY