5 Stars.

A highly recommended read...

Nicky's Nocturnal Octopus by Ginny Christensen is a charming and endearing tale of a little boy and his special friend ...

This is the kind of book that your little one will want to read again and again.  The story is so engaging and the illustrations are simply beautiful...

I especially liked the learning aspect of the book and even learned a few things myself from the educational facts in the back of the book...

This original, rhyming picture book is a beautifully created story of responsibility and love.

SWISH, SWISH, SWISH go the fish. Nicky has a chore to do. It is his responsibility to take care of the fish in the aquarium. He loves them all because they are all so beautiful and unique in their own ways. There is one that is very special because he is so different.

BUY the book to see what will happen because of Nicky's love and to learn some interesting and educational facts about the octopus.

Younger children will be squealing with delight over the beautiful, whimsical, water color illustrations and will be memorizing and reading the words in no time.

5 Stars...
A recommended read.

This book is a must read for all the Harry Potter fans or for anyone who enjoys stories of magic and fairy tales...

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.

The stories are accompanied by delightful pen-and-ink illustrations by Ms. Rowling herself, featuring a still-life frontispiece for each one. Professor Dumbledore’s commentary—apparently written some eighteen months before his death—reveals not just his vast knowledge of Wizarding lore, but also more of his personal qualities:   his sense of humor, his courage, his pride in his abilities, and his hard-won wisdom. Names familiar from the Harry Potter novels sprinkle the pages, including Aberforth Dumbledore, Lucius Malfoy and his forebears, and Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington (or “Nearly Headless Nick”), as well as other professors at Hogwarts and the past owners of the Elder Wand. Dumbledore tells us of incidents unique to the Wizarding world, like hilariously troubled theatrical productions at Hogwarts or the dangers of having a “hairy heart.” But he also reveals aspects of the Wizarding world that his Muggle readers might find all too familiar, like censorship, intolerance, and questions about the deepest mysteries in life.

Altogether, this is an essential addition to our store of knowledge about the world and the magic that J. K. Rowling has created, and a book every true Harry Potter fan will want to have for their shelves.

4.5 Stars.

A delightful story for young children ages 2-8. This is one story that your little one will never tire of hearing. And luckily for you, you won't get tired of reading it anytime soon. It's just that cute!

If food dropped like rain from the sky, wouldn't it be marvelous! Or would it? It could, after all, be messy. And you'd have no choice. What if you didn't like what fell? Or what if too much came? Have you ever thought of what it might be like to be squashed flat by a pancake?

5 Stars.
A recommended read...

What a charming and delightfully hilarious  story! This would make an excellent story to read along with your child to instill a love of reading...

Secrets have a way of getting out, especially when a diary is involved.

Whatever you do, don’t ask Greg Heffley how he spent his summer vacation, because he definitely doesn’t want to talk about it.

As Greg enters the new school year, he’s eager to put the past three months behind him . . . and one event in particular.

Unfortunately for Greg, his older brother, Rodrick, knows all about the incident Greg wants to keep under wraps. But secrets have a way of getting out . . . especially when a diary is involved.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules chronicles Greg’s attempts to navigate the hazards of middle school, impress the girls, steer clear of the school talent show, and most important, keep his secret safe.

4 Stars.

This is the first book that I've read by Andrew Clements but I found it to be a very enjoyable and fun read. I read it with my eight and eleven year olds who really enjoyed the story...

When reading a children's book I try to look at it from a child's perspective instead of an adults. For one instance something that may be old and already done thousands of times to an adult, may also be fresh, new and exciting to a child. And Lost and Found was all of those things, my kids found it to be impossible to put down right until the very end...

The Grayson twins are moving to a new town. Again.

Although it's a drag to be constantly mistaken for each other, in truth, during those first days at a new school, there's nothing better than having a twin brother there with you. But on day one of sixth grade, Ray stays home sick, and Jay is on his own. No big deal. It's a pretty nice school, good kids, too. But Jay quickly discovers a major mistake: No one seems to know a thing about his brother. Ray's not on the attendance lists, doesn't have a locker, doesn't even have a student folder. Jay almost tells the school -- almost -- but then decides that this lost information could be very...useful. And fun.

As Ray and Jay exploit a clerical oversight, they each find new views on friendship, honesty, what it means to be a twin -- and what it means to be yourself. Entertaining, thought-provoking, and true-to-life, this clever novel is classic Andrew Clements times two: twins!

4.5 Stars.

This is an amazing book, perfect to help young children work through their own fears right along with little mouse as they learn that everyone is afraid of something. The book is for ages 4-8 but I think that parental supervision is very important as younger children may not understand the story on their own...

Each page in the book, which is filled with some very charming artwork. Tells about what little mouse is afraid of and includes space for your child to record their own fears and at the same time gives you a perfect chance to discuss their fears with them...

I tested the book on my own children ages 8 and 11 to get a child's opinion. The 11 year old thought that the artwork was cool and liked the fact that the book gives the scientific name for each fear profiled. The 8 year old also enjoyed the artwork and was interested in recording his own fears in the book...

5 Stars.

A highly recommended read...

Fire Fish by Davy Liu is a beautifully written and illustrated children's book, about three adorable little fish on a quest to find their missing parents. Along the way they encounter many new adventures and meet many new sea creatures some friendly and some very deadly...

One of the first things that struck me about this book is the absolutely breathtaking beauty of the illustrations. The second was that the story seemed somehow familiar and when I reached the end of the story I realized that it was inspired by the book of Exodus and told from the prospective of the sea creatures...

The timeless story and gorgeous artwork ensures this book will be a favorite with parents and children alike...

In this golden fable, three little fish, Sarai, RaaOn and Sesom, dare to embark on a grand and dangerous quest to find their hearts' desire. Their journey is inspired by the legend of the Fire Fish, mystical masters of the Bright Beyond. Never more than a fin-flip away from deadly danger, they tumble from one breathtaking exploit to another, using the power of "the call" to guide them through a world bigger than they ever imagined. A story of mythic power. There is a surprising twist to this fish tale that teaches timeless truth and ensures its future as a fireside classic.

About the Author Creator of the Invisible Tails Series, Davy Liu worked for Disney Feature Animation on classic films such as "Beauty and the Beast,""Aladdin,""Mulan," and "The Lion King." He has worked for George Lucas at Industrial Light and Magic and for Warner Bros. Feature Animation. His illustrations have graced the pages of Time, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many other publications. Davy has a studio and gallery in Laguna Beach, California, where he lives with his wife, Joan and daughter Sabrina.

Five Stars...
A recommended read.

Am awesome book for adults as well as pre-teens and teens in the style of Indiana Jones ...

Perfect for those of you who love  fantastic tales of action and adventure and are missing the Harry Potter stories...

Everest is Hollow is an adventure novel, featuring a teenage Indiana Jones-style archaeologist. His nickname is "Trouble." Together with his friends Nuru and Tattoo, Trouble climbs Mount Everest's difficult West Ridge. Fierce weather and snow leopards add to the risk of an already challenging expedition. Their risks multiply when Trouble enters a cave and realizes Everest is hollow. Inside the world's tallest mountain, he discovers an abandoned city, the key to a lost civilization built on treasures of the past. How it was done is a mystery. The only clue is a strange creature, the last of his species.

4.5 Stars.

A fun read for children 12 and up who enjoy scary stories. The story line is just a little to much for younger children...

Otherwise it's a fun,enjoyable,and very appealing read with some laugh out loud moments that  even adults will enjoy...

It can be a little gross at times, which is also something that my kids(gross little buggers that they are)find to be very enjoyable...

Her big sister bosses her around; her mom makes her dog-sit Mr. Boots, the family's well-dressed Chihuahua; and she's convinced a strange and squishy swamp creature that lives down at the lake is eating high school kids.

When no one believes her, Arlie and her best friend, Ty (yes, he's a boy, and no, he's not her boyfriend), set out with Mr. Boots to stop the creature themselves -- because if they don't, half the school is going to end up as lakeside hors d'oeuvres!

4.5 stars.

The cover art is what first attracted me to this book and after reading it I wasn't at all disappointed, it's a fast and fun Gothic type story filled with dark humor that will appeal to older children and adults...

My 11 year old read and enjoyed it, but I do think that the subject matter is just a little to old for younger children. So I would probably caution you about letting young readers have it, otherwise if you enjoy dark spooky stories with a little bit of a twist then you're sure to love  The Joy Of Spooking...

Do you dare set foot in Spooking?

It's the terrible town on the hideous hill -- and Joy Wells is a proud resident. A fan of classic horror stories, Joy is convinced that famous author E. A. Peugeot based his spine-tingling tales on Spooking. Take the eerie similarities between the nearby swamp and the setting of his masterpiece, "The Bawl of the Bog Fiend." Could the story be true? Could the bog fiend be on the loose?

Things become truly horrifying when Joy learns that Darlington, the despicable suburban city where she is forced to go to school, is planning to build a water park over her beloved bog. It is up to her to safeguard the endangered area and its secrets. Little does she know that there is someone determined to destroy not only the bog but the town of Spooking itself -- and anyone who dares stand in his way.

P. J. Bracegirdle spins a yarn of delicious devilry and macabre mayhem in the very first book of The Joy of Spooking trilogy.

5 Stars...
Perfect for children ages 4-8.
The Tiniest Tiger is a wonderful and charming tale of a small kitten who becomes lost while chasing a butterfly. And in the process of looking for a new home ends up at the zoo and eventually finds the perfect home. The story is beautifully illustrated and filled with interesting facts about endangered cats and I would very much recommend it as a great way to teach small children about nature and conservation...

Children and adults will revel in this charming and brilliantly told tale of a forlorn and scruffy little kitten with a black stained nose and a striped tail that tries to find a home among the “big” cats that reside at the local zoo. Young readers will especially delight in this truly literary and fully illustrated lesson that advocates the protection of endangered species. When a stray kitten loses her way and is displaced from the only alley she has ever known, she squeezes her tiny body under the fence at the zoo and begins a long and tireless hunt for a home. Her search leads her to a tiger and into a lion’s den by way of a cheetah, clouded leopard, puma, jaguar, bobcat, and an ocelot. She learns a lot about what she isn’t, but gets no closer to finding a home until she is spotted by the zookeeper’s daughter and learns that there is truly a special spot for every cat—even the tiniest tiger—under the sun.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales will benefit conservation projects for endangered wild cats in Africa,Asia,North America, and South America, through the Conservation Fund of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.