Reviews for Books & Magazines
The Simpsons is wildly popular, and protagonist Bart Simpson is at the top of many people’s “Who should be the next president of the United States” list (according to official polls). Bart Simpson’s Guide to Life book is an insider’s guide to Bart’s brain processes, and provides a gift for teens (most likely teenage boys) that is certain to be obsessed over, but thankfully, not likely to be used as a real-life guide. However, much of it is amusing in a way that today’s kids appreciate. Purely for teenagers who are Simpsons fans. Purely for entertainment value.
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Carnival of the Animals Book & CD$13.57 at Amazon.com |
Preschool and primary education teachers have discovered that this beautiful Carnival of the Animals kids book & CD is a wonderful way to introduce children to classical music. Camille Saint-Saens composed this piece nearly 150 years ago as an exercise for his students, and it has since become one of his most famous works. The accompanying commentary and whimsical illustrations help children follow each section of the animals’ carnival, while they listen to the CD. We think you’ll enjoy reading and listening alongside your grandchild — a gift for all.
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Pirateology: The Pirate Hunter's Companion$13.59 at Amazon.com |
This wonderful oversized Pirateology: The Pirate Hunter’s Companion kids book is the fictitious journal of Captain William Lubber, an 18th century pirate hunter, as he plies the seas searching for pirates. It’s full of information that is presented in an original and wonderfully engaging format — parchment-like pages filled with images of ships, treasure maps and pirates. Pirateology entertains and educates, teaching its young readers about the places Captain Lubber travels to, as well as the arcane art of being a pirate. You will even learn how to tie various knots. A book for young readers (grades 2-5) or something to be read together so that you can even throw in a few pirate stories of your own.
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Harry Potter Hardcover Box Set$122.85 at Amazon.com |
Once kids start reading a book from the Harry Potter series they just can’t put it down. While the average kid and many adults have plowed through most or all of the editions by now, this deluxe Harry Potter boxed gift set is a great way to memorialize the achievement. After all, how many of us ever read such tomes at such an early age? As an example the hardcover edition of Book Four is 734 pages! This set includes every book in the series, from Book One (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone) all the way up to Book Seven (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) — all wrapped up in a beautiful package that the grandkids will cherish for years to come.
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This set contains the first 4 books in a series of more than 30 short chapter books that chronicle the fantastic adventures of brother- sister team Jack and Annie as they travel by means of their magic tree house to explore the land of the dinosaurs. Other books in the Magic Tree House kids chapter book series take Jack and Annie to places like Pompeii during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, Venice during Carnival, and the plains of Africa. Kids who read love these books, but so do all the parents who read them to their younger children. There’s always something to learn from them. Warning: this is truly the start of a great adventure — if you gift this first set you’re likely to get asked for the entire series!
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What could be better than a bedtime book for toddlers & preschoolers that’s simple and creative, and stretches imaginations to the limits. Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson, was first published in 1955 and has been a hit with kids ever since. For good reason. The story line is easy to follow, Harold is a gentle character, and the illustrations are easy on little eyes. But this simplicity is nicely complemented by the creatively adventurous storyline, led by the famous purple crayon. Harold and his readers encounter a dragon, sail on the high seas, eat pie with a moose and a porcupine, and fall off of a mountain into a hot-air balloon. And then, in perfect bedtime book fashion, Harold and his crayon draw their way home, to Harold’s bedroom window, and aaahh… to his safe, cozy bed. A delight for parents and grandparents to read again and again.
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David Kirk’s, Miss Spider’s Tea party book starts, “One lonely spider sipped her tea while gazing at the sky/She watched the insects on the leaves and many flying by…” and so the adventure begins as Miss Spider does her best to convince a veritable parade of lovable insects that she’s only in search of a friend… and not a meal. The verse in this book for young children is one of the best introductions to poetry we’ve seen — and it also tells a beautifully simple yet engaging story. The illustrations, also painted by Kirk, are vibrantly colored, with a modern, imaginative style that can’t really be described in words, but simply needs to be “soaked in” by your eyes, as you turn each page. We won’t tell you the ending, but suffice it to say that Miss Spider finds a way to convince the others to be her friends. This is a beautiful book — for both boys and girls and the parents who love to read to them.
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Muse (Magazine Subscription)$32.97 (9 issues/year) at Amazon.com |
“Cover to Cover,” and “Awesome,” is what we hear from our kid consultants about Muse kids magazine (for ages 9-14). Topics vary and kid submissions are encouraged. We’ll be surprised if this gift subscription doesn’t generate a laugh (or at least a smile) from every page—and teach a thing or two as well! Winner of the Parents’ Choice Gold Award.
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Amazon.com Gift Certificate$5.00 - $5,000.00 at Amazon.com |
Still can’t decide what to get your grandchild? Sometimes the best gift is allowing kids the freedom to shop online for their own special something. Amazon.com has more products to choose from than any other online retailer. Kids can spend hours, even days if they want, shopping for toys, books, clothes, electronics… almost anything they can think of! Trust us. So when in doubt give them an Amazon.com gift certificate. They’ll be in shopping heaven!
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