Deserves to be a children's classic.
586850
I have no idea why this is not considered a "classic" in juvenile literature. This ranks up there with Where the Wild Things Are or Harold and the Purple Crayon, as a children's book that gets at a universal human experience, a beautiful introduction to the joys of literature. Simple, evocative illustrations and text. I adore this book and have given it as a gift to many adults as well as children.
97320
I read this book to my 6 and 9 year old sons during bedtime over a few days. It was a favorite classic of mine growing up, and I was happy to share it with them. They loved it and were so sad when the story finally ended (and are begging me to pick up the sequels). Children can easily relate to the main character, a boy named Omri who receives a magic key for an old cupboard that can turn his plastic figures to life. This story is not all fun and games. The "toys" are real people pulled from their lives into Omri's world. The story does not cover the how-and-why; it retains the magic. But the book does touch on weighty issues of responsibility (Omri needs to feed and almost cater to these toys-come-to-life), respect and learning about their culture, resolving a conflict with this best friend over the men, as well as injury and life-and-death. These lives, put into Omri's hands, are not to be taken lightly. I loved the drama and life lessons in this book. On the other hand, there are so many laughs in this book! My boys were imitating Little Bear's stubborn demands as well as Cowboy Boone's crying bouts. They laughed at the school adventure and almost cried when Little Bear was hurt. It was a wonderful read to share together (or for my older to read on his own), and we can't wait to revisit our friends.
4708811
I purchased a used edition, which was slightly creased, but that was OK, since I didn't want to spend the money on the hard cover book.  At any rate, I read this classic, because I had not read it as a child, and enjoyed it. Children's books today are written with such simple sentences that I worry that my granddaughter might not have the patience to negotiate it! The story is charming and sends a message that with energy, imagination and sincerity, a young person can overcome disadvantaged circumstances to win the love and respect of those around her.  Rebecca's difficulties do not go away entirely, and her dreams may never be completely realized, but she goes forth with confidence and greater maturity.
1706862
Winnie the Pooh is a classic for good reason. Every child should have real literature to be read to by their parents and to read.
483730
This is so rightly a classic.

Simple, but not as simple as it seems.

The drawings and the text are repetitive, but not exactly, giving a growing mind tiny differences to notice and comprehend, to the delight of child and adult alike. Read aloud gently, it really does lull.

Of the many children's books I have shared with my babies, this is the one that we (adults included) have yet to find tiresome (even with multiple readings a night at times). We're on our second copy of the board book -- the first is tattered from too much love.
3459885
My children and I LOVE! Make Way for Ducklings. For so many reasons, I think it has got to be one of the best children's books ever.
And I believe it should be a part of every childhood. It just doesn't get any better than this. It is worth owning this book.

Read it and see.

Blessings
4935299
This is a great children's book that has been around for years.  It is definitely a classic.  I highly recommend it.
2565913
This beautifully illustrated book deserves to become a classic.  It teaches a very adult lesson about tolerance in an entertaining story that children will relate to.
696530
Great illustrations with a wonderful and inspirational story line...this is a kid's book you will want to hang onto...a classic!
1613786
A friend suggested I rent this movie for my kids (I'd never heard of it).  Her high recommendation was well-deserved.  This movie should become a classic.

I have 3 children, ages 3-8, who watched it over and over again.  My husband and I also enjoyed it, as did my 17-year-old niece.  Four months after the fact my 3-year-old still brings it up.  Did he get the real message of the film?  Probably not, but I'm buying it so that over time he'll start to get it.  I love that it's a great, simple story without all the hoopla, glitzy stuff that typically comes with kid flicks (imagine...I don't even think there's a Robot action hero from the film at Toys R Us yet!).

Excellent, excellent choice.
4454178
Oh my goo'ness!  Oh my goo'ness!  I have to revert to little Shirley Temple's trademark expression in order to describe how I feel about this rewritten edition of the classic story.  I had wondered how today's children might feel about Prince Bumpo's wish to change himself, and the authors found a perfectly believable substitute, suitable for small children.  Born in 1938, I grew up with the very non-politically correct original: by the 1960s my childrens' copy of the book had already been bowdlerized, making Bumpo's story more acceptable.  The current changes in the story are perfectly acceptable.
But what thrills me are Michael Hague's illustrations.  Lofting's primitive B&W pen sketches have their charm, but even they are racist in depicting the Africans.  Hague's are largely in color and in full-page format, with a great deal of detail.  They add enormously to the story.
Books of Wonder (William Morrow and Company) have published a number of children's books, both well-known and obscure.  They're to be thanked for treating the stories with respect, providing a beautiful format.
3889073
One of the best children's novels ever written
2357425
This is a classic and deservedly so. A beautiful evocation of England and written for children, but in a way that is not in the slightest bit condescending. Children reach up to it.
418685
This is a wonderfully crafted children's book that every kid should have. The book tells of the importance of not being sad and of learning to make the best out of the day; all the while with the use of hilarious animal photos. Fans of the adult version of this book will love giving this one to their children. It also makes for a great learning tool, as children often love animals and will have fun seeing what they are doing when they supposedly feel a certain way. Younger children will probably even like it just for the pictures themselves if they're too young to read it. My daughter loves this book (more for the photos then for the narrative), and I hope you other parents give the book a try.

Darien Summers, author of&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Mischievous-Hare/dp/1432746022/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Mischievous Hare</a>, a children's book.
3810689
We read this story for a family read aloud and my daughters, then 4 and 5 really enjoyed the book.  The only drawback from their point of view was that it was a bit long compared to our normal read (I wouldn't expect an average 4 yr old to maintain interest for this lengthy story).  It is an enchanting tale that is sure to become a classic.  I enjoyed all of the various mythical characters taken from different cultures that were woven together in this tale (there is even a sort of glossary in the back with background on the various characters).  Very original.  While I personally don't approve of exposing children to unnecessary violence, I really didn't feel that this was too frightening as expressed by another reviewer.  I'm sure if it were to be made into a movie the scary parts would be overemphasized, but I felt the novel had a good balance.  My 5 year old enjoyed this magical story and the fact that good triumped over evil in the end.  There was a great mix of magic, mystery, humor, and even good values.  The artwork is quite beautiful, as one would expect from this talented illustrator, and definitely contributes to the enchanting feel of the book.  I highly recommend this to families whose children enjoy a potpouri of fantasy, love, and mystery.
4928800
THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE is a classic children's story.  Written in the 1960's and the winner of a Newbery Honor Book award, THE CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE has wonderful staying power.  Now, courtesy of Macmillan Young Listeners, the tale truly comes to life.

The story finds a country cricket, Chester, unwittingly stranded in New York City.  After falling asleep in a picnic basket in Connecticut, he wakes up in a world that is totally different to him.  He is befriended by Mario, a young boy who helps his parents run a newsstand in the subway.  Chester encounters Tucker, a wizened city mouse, and his friend, Harry Cat.  The two teach Chester how to live in the city and enjoy the wonders of the subway.

Soon, everyone learns of Chester's talent of recreating any music he hears, and spellbounds Mario's parents, music critics, and subway commuters alike.  But Chester quickly becomes tired of the constant performing, and misses his quiet country life.  Tucker and Harry do their best to ensure that Chester finds his way back home.

With the talents of Tony Shalhoub, Chester Cricket, Harry Cat, and Tucker Mouse become real characters that the listener can instantly relate to.  Even though the story is about animals in a Times Square subway station, the listener gets drawn in and wants there to be a happy ending.

Mr. Shalhoub creates unique voices for each of the characters, and from the very beginning, it is easy to decipher which character is doing the speaking.  I listened to the story (an unabridged production on two CDs) with my two children and they were immediately enchanted.  With classical music signaling the end of each chapter, they both would shout out the next one.

For anyone not familiar with the classic tale, listening to it will be an adventure.  And for those that know the sweet tale of Chester finding himself in a foreign land (at least for him), listening to the story will be a treat.  No one will be disappointed!

Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
4210663
Such a lovely story, full of charm and wit. It's one of those books, like The Little Prince, that can be read at any age.  Should be a classic!