beautifully illustrated, tongue-in-cheek story
347744
Well written, beautifully illustrated, tongue-in-cheek story. Great messshe and great cause for the books profits!
2222900
You know how children's books are infinitely more lovable when they are fun to read for the caregiver?  When the words just trip off your tongue in a way that makes you smile? This is one of those books.

The book has been asked for again and again by my kids (age 6 and 5). The story is funny and makes a nice study of the letter G with some awesome new vocabulary words.  My six year old who is advancing in reading is having fun reading the bigger words that surprise you after a page turn with the next addition to the rollicking, lyrical prose.
4882406
I really love the illustrations that go along with each page. Plus, most pages have a paw print with the breed of cat that is illustrated on that page. It took me a few pages to understand that aspect of it, but I think it's an interesting visual thread to the story.

My guess is that the age level for this book is likely grade school (2-6), though I would not let that hold you back from getting it and reading it to younger kids. There is a great decision making component to the story. Such as "Lot's of meowing or quiet?", "Lots of grooming?" and "Playful or not?". The point of the story is that the child if going through the traits they want in a pet, and having to think about how that affects the rest of the family, as well.

The answers to each question are split/juxtaposed between the narrator and the cousin. So, the reader learns:
- there are questions we have to ask ourselves
- there are other people involve in our decisions
- other people around us (namely the cousin here) may choose differently for different reasons (and that's okay)
- and all of our decisions can be written in a coherent essay to make our case.

My son is very young, and he mostly just likes pointing to the cats on the page while I read it to him. I'm not interested in whether he understands it yet, but I know that over time it will sink in, much the same way Sesame Street repeated themes over and over. We we likely too young for some of them, but we eventually got it over the years.

I really enjoyed this book!

I received a free sample of this product to evaluate and provide an unbiased review.
2937617
It's hard to decide on a favorite thing about this book.

The illustrations are amazing -- so expressive and funny and detailed.

The story line is a hoot -- buying a kid a blue whale to teach him responsibility.

The size of the book and the quality -- this is a BIG book.

It's hard to find a book that a babysitter and a kindergartener will both love.  This book does it.  Not to mention -- grown ups enjoy it, too.

There are a few bits of humor tossed into the illustrations that just really make this a five-star:

+ the end papers look like old-time Sears & Roebuck advertisements for products, but of course they are all nautical and hilarious.  (Captain Sheepshank's Big Old Anchors: "We're Going Nowhere Fast")
+ A "Cetacean of a Tale"
+ Mom fumes and her head is a storm cloud.  The parents' faces are covered with the words coming out of their mouths.  That's a clever touch.
+ Jacques Cousteau
+ The delivery service is FedUp -- delivering punishments worldwide
+ Jacques Cousteau!
+ The whale gets sprayed with graffiti while Billy is at school.
+ The fold-out whale care instruction booklet looks like airplane emergency cards -- nice touch.
+ Barnacles

The ending is so great.  Don't hesitate to get this one.  It would make a great birthday gift for any kid -- ages 5 to dead, as my kids say.
895906
Inspector Dewey is a very adorable children's story. I really enjoyed the playful writing style, and I think the author did a wonderful job of creating "voices" for the cats in the story. While cat-lovers will undoubtedly love Inspector Dewey, I'd also say you don't need to be a cat-lover to love this book.

I also found it very interesting that this is somewhat based on a true story. The author, Kristen Heimerl, got the idea for Inspector Dewey after an encounter with an unexpected intruder. What a lovely way to turn a potentially terrifying situation into something so positive!

The illustrator of Inspector Dewey is Irene Bofill. Her images are very charming and have a bit of a whimsical feeling. I really love that there is a clear colour theme for the book of blue, yellow, and white. Each page flows beautifully to the next.

Some of the language is probably a little better suited to school-aged children than toddlers, so I'm looking forward to reading this story more often when our little one is a bit bigger; however our three-year-old loved that there was cat named Lily in the story, because we also have a cat named Lily.

Overall, I think this is a really lovely children's book that would make a beautiful gift, especially for an animal-loving home.

And to make buying or gifting this book even sweeter, fifty percent of the profits from the sale of this book will fund veterinary care for pets whose families are in financial need, so that animals can remain in their homes and out of the shelter system.
1323504
Lovely story and nice illustration! A worth buying book!
3919809
"Mehitable in the House" is a well-written and beautifully-illustrated story set in Virginia's hunt country in 1940. As the story begins, young Mehitable awakes to a glorious day, and is predictably happy because it just so happens to be her tenth birthday! She is eager to have a great day, but each person she approaches, from her mother to the nanny and even her brothers, is unwilling to spend time with her. As the day wears on, Mehitable becomes very sad because she thinks everyone has forgotten her birthday, but a lovely surprise is in store for the young girl, and all ends well!

The story is well-written with lots of higher order words which will need to be explained in context as an adult reads to a child. My seven-year-old, who is an independent reader, read this out loud to me and we went over some of the more difficult vocabulary (which she could pronounce but did not know the meaning of), such as "surreptitious", "seamstress" etc. The story is enhanced by the lovely illustrations by Yoko Matsuoko which are in vivid, colorful hues. I'd recommend this as a read-aloud for ages 5-8, and also for independent young readers (with adult supervision to explain the meaning of words in context).
3313950
The Tale of Custard the Dragon is a whimsical fantasy in verse about Belinda, who lives alone in her house with four pets, a dog, a cat, a mouse, and... yes, a dragon named Custard.  All the other denizens of the house pride themselves on their fearlessness at make-believe games, and they deride poor Custard for his timidity.  However, when a real danger arrives in the form of a burglarizing pirate bent on mayhem, only Custard is ready with a suitably ferocious response.  After the danger is past, everyone begins to boast again about their courage, and Custard agrees that everyone else is braver than he is.

Nash's hilarious wordcraft and sly humor will amuse children and adults alike, and Lynn Munsinger's whimsical illustrations merrily evoke the mood of the poem, while bringing the rather complex vocabulary into reach for kids.  Younger listeners may not immediately grasp the central irony, and a brief explanation may be necessary for them to appreciate the joke.  This book is probably best introduced as a read-aloud, although confident readers will also be able to enjoy it.

Purists may also want to check out&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Custard-the-Dragon/dp/0316598410/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Custard the Dragon</a>, the earlier version illustrated by Linell Nash Smith, Ogden Nash's daughter, although it's out of print and hard to find.
4732656
There's much to love about this picture book!  I'm a big fan of this illustrator.  His illustrations in this work perfectly capture a toddler's manic energy.  His over the top use of bright bright color and bold lines is perfect for capturing the eye of even the most rambunctious story listener.  Unfortunately, the text does not offer much to engage young readers.  The author's take on the inner workings of a toddler's mind is spot on, but is not all that entertaining in a picture book format.

Must. Push. Buttons! is a visual treat, and is even good for a laugh or two if you are a parent.  You will chuckle at this little toddler who dashes through his day with reckless, carefree, mischievous abandon.  I just don't think your kids will find it all that funny.  This book joins a disturbing trend - picture books for adults masquerading as books for kids.  Great illustrations combine with a strange text for a book that is just okay.
1000438
My four-year old giggles with delight each time we read this book. The silly poem makes him smile, and the gorgeous illustrations never fail to catch his eye.  This is the most beautifully illustrated book I have purchased in 25+ years of buying books for the children in my life.  We treasure this edition of the classic poem. (Note:  We purchased the hardcover book, which contains the entire poem.)
182911
I am a "dog person," and usually in the minority among flocks of "cat people," but even to me, that this book is about dogs is less to the point than its humor.  OK, it wouldn't be as funny if it were about little boys, or ducklings, but it is the dialogue that makes this book so much fun to read (and re-establishes my status as Reigning Queen of Reading Aloud around here).

The title comes from the page about "Mr. Beefy," a pug or small bulldog (the grown-up version of the cover pup).  The text of these two pages (each dog has a two-page spread):  "I am not thin, but I am beautiful.  When no one is looking, I steal tubs of butter off the table.  I take them to the basement to eat in private.  Once I ate a PIE."

It is fun to read each short speech in different voices.  After one reading, my youngest was quoting Mr. Beefy.  My kids are 8 and 10 and they both find this book amusing; maybe boys find this kind of silliness more appealing than girls would.  I like it too, though, and I'm the mom.
2463629
Adorable story of the resident cat at the Algonquin Hotel. As a former teacher and school counselor, it's a book that would be fun to read to students - probably 1st grade and higher. (some of the humor may have to be explained to the primary kids)  It's quite appealing for adults as well, in that the humor is witty and the setting is charming. It gives the readers with limited experiences an idea of what life might be like in New York City. There are a couple of pages with background information about the cat, the historical hotel and it's patrons. The illustrations are delightful and a yet intentionally a tad retro looking, thus matching the overall concept of the book. It's a feel good story that also provides some fun information too.
1594828
Sweet little story about a "not quite Narwhal" dealing with identity issues. The illustrations are beautiful, soothing colors and all of the creatures are just adorable. Our toddler was immediately drawn to the pictures, and while she's too young to understand the self-acceptance message, we're sure this is going to continue to be a bedtime favorite as she gets older.
4480639
Clever rhymes and beautiful, quirky illustrations (by the illustrator of Iggy Peck Architect), this cheeky book is a reimagining of the Prince and the Pauper. If you like children's books with good eating, this is one for you as the illustrations of all the treats and goodies that Pignacious (the hero / antihero) gets to eat are simply delicious. Funny story, and not a clunky rhyme to be found. We love it!
1957222
Ten Gallon Bart is a cute book with beautiful illustrations.  It comes in a nice hardcover that should be able to withstand some abuse.  I enjoyed the unusual style artwork. It gave the book a special kind of feel.  It's a fun book that kids can enjoy and since they are all animals, I don't think kids will read too much more into it like we adults might.  Yes, Bart might be a thief, but he's also a dog messing with a bull.

I think this is will make a great addition to any young child's library.  If not for the story, I would definitely get it for the illustrations.  If your child can't read yet, they can still enjoy the unique artwork.  I would recommend this book.
2690446
A delightful and humorous story.  Well done illustrations.
644532
This book is cute, cute, cute!

Pasketti-itis is a fast-paced picture book full of fun imagery. It reminded me a bit of one of my childhood favorites, The Chocolate Touch, in that it instills a lesson for picky eaters in a way that's playful and entertaining. It's a great book for reading aloud (my daughter and I read it together); all of the different pasta names (farfalle, spaghetti, rigatoni, fettucini) are something like a tongue twister when read quickly, which my girlie thought was all kinds of fun. Pasketti-itis`s illustrations match the story's merry tone. They're bright and cartoon-ish and rather silly. They totally held my kiddo's attention.

If you've got kids at home, especially kids with crazy food demands, or kids that love to giggle their way through a story, Worst Case of Pesketti-itis is definitely worth checking out.