*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 31, 2009 22:00:12
About a year and a half, ago my daughter and I decided to start a Mother-Daughter book club with some of our friends. It has been a wonderful experience for me because I have had the opportunity to read books with my daughter and hear her thoughts. I also think it’s been a great experience for my daughter because she is learning to delve a little deeper into books, and she is also getting much better at expressing her ideas. Needless to say, we are very passionate about our Mother-Daughter book club!
Now given that I am pretty involved in our mother-daughter book club and I read a lot of middle grade books because I have a daughter in that age range, I have no idea why I hadn’t read THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB by Heather Vogel Frederick. This book is absolutely perfect for my daughter and me (and our book group.) I am so glad that I finally did because I was sure missing out on a wonderful middle grade book. I absolutely loved this book and its characters!
THE MOTHER -DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB tells the story of four young girls whose mothers (and one father) decide to start a mother-daughter book club. Since girls will be girls, there are many misunderstandings and mishaps (some intentional) along the way. I don’t think I will ever get used to how catty girls can be to each other! The story is told from each of the girl’s perspectives in alternating chapters. I loved that the author wrote the book this way because it allowed me to understand and appreciate each of the four girls. And, I have no doubt that young girls will definitely relate to at least one of the characters.
Another thing I really liked about this story was that it followed a mother-daughter book club. I loved getting some insight into another book group (even if it was fictional) and seeing how their meetings were held. Our group reads a different book each month, but the club in the story decided to read LITTLE WOMEN over the course of an entire school year. (I happen to love this idea, but I’m not sure it would fly in our group.) I really appreciated how the author incorporated the story and characters of LITTLE WOMEN into the book. The book takes place in the town where Louisa May Alcott lived; and the girls not only visit her home, but they also dress as their favorite character. After reading THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB, my daughter and I both are ready to read LITTLE WOMEN!
I enjoyed this book so much that I didn’t want it to end — I still think these girls have a lot more stories in them. I was very happy to learn that THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB is the first book in a series. Two more books are available — MUCH ADO ABOUT ANNE (the girls read and discuss ANNE OF GREEN GABLES) and the recently released DEAR PEN PAL (the girls read DADDY-LONG-LEGS.) I can’t wait to read these two books too!
THE MOTHER-DAUGHTER BOOK CLUB is ideal for young girls because it deals with many of the same issues that they face everyday — peer pressure, mother/daughter relationships, jealousy, insecurity, etc. I was so excited to find that there is a reading guide available in the back of the paperback version. There is also a section on recommended future reading and a worksheet to help the girls come up with some of their personal goals. And since book club wouldn’t be complete without yummy food, the author has included some recipes of snacks that they girls in the book served at their own meetings. I really do think this book is ideal for mother-daughter book clubs, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Great for Moms and Tweens – Jennifer Donovan – Connecticut, USA
I actually read this first book in the series, after reading the second MUCH ADO ABOUT ANNE. It doesn’t really matter what order you read them — this is a delightful series.
This would be especially fun to read before a trip to Concord, Mass, where all the girls live, and where Louisa May Alcott’s house is. The bookclub is formed in this book, and the girls are all getting to know each other (or getting reacquainted) as they read Little Women together.
These are normal, diverse, can-do girls — featuring many of the stereotypical tween girls (so that everyone can relate to someone): a brain, a jock, a fashion-obsessed girl, a sort of misfit, a queen bee. The characters come from stereotypes but these girls are unique. They are sixth-graders in this book (and age one year with each book).
Another really fresh thing about this series is that the moms are well-developed as well. They deal with their own issues, teaching the tweens (the characters in the books and the ones reading them) that moms are people too.
I love all the books in this series. While set in the modern era, they read like lovely childhood classics.
A Must for Those Who Love Louisa Alcott’s Little Women……… – Deborah L. Woodstuff – Wellsburg, WV USA
I feel in love with Little Women when I read it many, many years ago. As the mother of a teen age daughter I required her to read it, much to her dismay. She stuck it out and admitted that she liked it more than she thought she would.
She is now required to read The Mother-Daughter Book Club, much to her dismay. The book looks at four six grade girls all with different family structures, physical and social attributes, and financial differences, whose mothers, much to their dismay, have started a book club and will be reading Little Women. The author has a great understanding of 6th grade girls.
The book takes place in Concord, Massachusetes, the hometown of Louisa Alcott.
The book is very well written. I found myself longing to be part of the book club. Each chapter of the book is done by one of the four girls prospective. When I first started the book I was concerned that this would be confusing and cause the flow if the book to be disruptive;but, those concerns were quickly put to rest.
Also, each chapter has a quote from Little Women.
There are many questions to consider at the back of the book and there are many things to ponder throughout the book, wether you use it for a book club or just want do them on your own.
Read it for yourself or with your daughter, you will be enriched by it.
Very Sweet – Busy Mom – Ohio
Normally, when you read a book in series, it doesn’t matter if you read it out of order as normally, the author will introduce a catch-up point for incoming readers. However, in this case, I would recommend that you read these books in order. I read the second book in the series first and liked it so much that I went back and ordered the first book. This book is very sweet, but I like the second one (Much Ado About Anne) much better.
This is the beginnings of a mother-daughter bookclub in Concord, MA. Emma’s mom decided to have a book club and their first book for the year deals with Louisa May Alcott, Concord’s famous writer. There’s Emma, Jessie, Megan and Cassidy, all different from night and day. Their mothers are just as different as well and this is a cute series about sixth graders entering middle school and not quite children but not yet teenagers.
This book is perfect for the Tween set. This one is a little bit more simple in comparison to the sequel, but still, it is quaint. Emma is struggling with her weight issues and her crush on a popular kid at school. Megan wants to be a fashion designer but her mother refuses to hear anything about it. Jessie’s mom is in NYC working as an actress on a soap opera show. Cassidy just moved there from California after her dad’s death. How do these girls and their mothers become friends when only books seem to be the common denominator? Well as any serious book reader can tell you, books bring people together no matter what their backgrounds are.
It is a very sweet book and I would recommend it for the younger crowd starting at the age of 9. Mothers and daughters will enjoy it and perhaps enjoy their time together.
2/7/09
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 31, 2009 21:53:51
Jody is the primary catcher on his baseball team and he has a mental problem. Although his arm is strong enough, his mind gets in the way when he attempts to throw out runners trying to steal bases. He is so fearful of overthrowing the base that he regularly bounces the ball in. Consequently, runners take advantage of him at every opportunity. His problems are further compounded when he gets hit in the head by a pitch. Although his helmet keeps him from being injured, the incident further clouds his thinking and now he has trouble hitting. Jody’s courage is tested when he is forced to rescue his cat Midnight from a cave and with the help of some knowledgeable adults; he is able to work through his baseball fears.
Good adolescent sports fiction is about people facing challenges, working through adversity and not giving up until the task is completed. This book satisfies all of those criteria and since it features boys in realistic situations, there is the additional advantage that young boys participating in sports can relate to the problems Jody faces. For these reasons I recommend this book.
Jody’s Super Arm – –
My favorite book, Catcher with a Glass Arm, is written by Matt Christopher. I gave this story five stars. It is very enjoyable. I had a lot of fun reading it. My favorite part of the book is when Jody and his parents were riding in there car and it starts to rain. An electrical pole fell and they have to wait for the electrical workers to fix it. They have to stay in the car because it is raining outside and they don’t want to get wet. If you like sports I really think you should read this book. Matt Christopher writes more books like The Lucky Baseball Bat, Baseball Pals, Two Strikes on Johnny, Little Lefty, Baseball Fly hawk, Hard Drive to Short, Too Hot to Handle, Challenge at Second Base and a lot more.
Emerson, NJ; fifth grade student
A good dude book – –
The book I’m reviewing is Catcher With A Glass Arm by Matt Christopher. I think it deserves five stars. The problem in the story is Jody the main character has a glass arm. Jody thinks he could play, but his teamates don’t think he can. Although his teammates don’t believe in him, Jody plays. Jody starts catching badly and he is starting to think he can’t play. Jody solved this problem by talking to Mr. Baruth. Mr. Baruth tells him not to care about what his teammates think. Then he says “As long as your happy playing baseball, then play.” Jody gets his confidence back and plays very well. I recommend this book to a friend.
Give It All You’ve Got! – –
I read a book called Catcher With A Glass Arm by Matt Christopher.I liked this book because it helped me overcome my fears of being a catcher.My favorite character is Moonie because he learns to be friends with Jody, the main character, and helps Jody not to be afraid of the ball.Jody realizes that he should throw the ball as hard as he can and not to step out of the batter’s box because he doesn’t want to get hit by the ball. I didn’t like that they didn’t say who got the scores. I would suggest this book to anyone who needs help to throw or catch a ball.
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 31, 2009 21:51:31
Our son formed an early attachment to all things John Deere, so when we saw this in a bookstore it was an easy decision. The book is about 12 pages, each with about 8-10 flaps to lift. Each flap has a picture underneath, and a short line for parents to read. A few of them show the insides of the vehicles and how they work!
The overall story is of Barney Backhoe and his friends Danny Dozer, Grady Grader, Luke Loader and Eddie Excavator build a park in Deerfield Valley. It shows many of the different functions of the machinery, as they would be used to build a park.
PERFECT BOOK AND SERIES !! – Bubba’s Girl – MN United States
I highly recommend this book and the series. They are darling books with wonderful pictures and pull-flaps that little people, like my grandson, Theo, just love.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 31, 2009 15:41:29
I just stumbled across this mini-board book for my son and after 2 times of watching me slide the characters in and out of the pages with a finger tip he had it down!! This sturdy book is constructed to withstand lots of reading & use plus the animals all slide very easily. My son spent 20 feverish minutes last night working each and every page over and over!! I’m buying the other two books in the series as well: munch munch tap tap & bang bang knock knock
We have multiples of this book! – Sam – iowa
We love this book so much at our house that we have multiples of it. We have worn through several copies and each child wants their own. Very cute, durable and fun.
Loves Munch Munch – Jennifer L. Webb – Fishers, Indiana USA
My 17 month old son has been reading this book since he got it at a book swap last Christmas. He reads it so much that it started to fall apart. I did not have the heart to throw it out so it is now in a ziploc to go in his box – so he can know that for a full year he had to read this book every night.
This book is too cute! – Aaron’smommy – Pennsylvania
My 7 mo old son loves to see the little animals pop out, this is a great book for babies!
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 31, 2009 09:40:23
i agree with the previous reviewer in that i like the straightforward and simple approach of this book. the questions are set up to read like a story for your child. I like how they kept it subtley unisex by alternating blue on one page followed by pink on the next and the peter rabbit and friend photos throughout are cuteand timeless. there are ample places for photos wihtout being over the top including – a picture of the family, a picture of mom & dad (pre-baby), a spot for a sonogram photo, a picture of baby’s first home and nursery, a photo of baby when first born, a photo of baby first night at home, first b-day (there are some others in between but i don’t recall). there is also a flat pocket in the back cover for holding keepsakes. there is not a lot of room in this pocket, but I am sure i will have some things to save in there including our birth announcement, shower invitations, cards from family etc.
some of the sections the books covers include: 2 pages – “when we found out you were coming, our thoughts on knowing you’ll be arriving, our hopes for you in the future,” a family tree, some details about mom & dad and grandparents including their birth dates, full names, and their “favorite things”. there is a section devoted to prenatal visits and going for the sonogram, and then a couple pages on the baby’s delivery day and what went on, there is a section on the first night at home and how baby slept, and later on some info about babys early routines. Later on there is room to record baby’s Dr. visits and height and weight. There is more in between but the book wraps up with the baby’s first year celebration and a photo. i think it all comes together to tell a very nice story of anticitpating the little one’s arrival and then all babies accomplishments/milestones in the first year. it also highlights big milestones nicely without getting too detailed.
also the book is acid free and chlorine free – so it is of archival quality, and you won’t need to worry about the pages yellowing over time. I think this book will be cherished by us and our baby for years to come!
Pleased with quality & size – R. Adams –
I just received this baby book this afternoon for my 3rd baby on the way in a few weeks, and I was surprised at the large format of the book. I decided that the bigger size was a good thing, as it has plenty of space for lots of little notes, etc. The sweetness of the layout & illustrations is heartwarming, and it actually got me a bit teary-eyed while flipping through the pages.
I knew that I needed to order a book soon, and didn’t want to be a mom that ‘forgets’ to record important milestones for subsequent children, so I’m pleased to have this book in hand. I think that it’s a great value for what you receive, and I like the expandable pocket in the back cover to hold ‘extras’ that need a place of their own. I think that you could improve this book by making it spiral bound, but I think with the large size of this book, having a traditional hard-cover spine will be just fine.
I think it would also make a very sweet baby shower gift. I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with this book!
very sweet and simple 
– sesshomaru68 – USA
I just purchased this book at Barnes and Noble and I personally preferred it to the other baby books of a similar nature that I saw there. This one had a simple charm and I liked the set up and questions better than some of the others, though it depends on personal taste. It is an environmentally friendly book but I did not purchase it for that reason. I do like the look and feel of the paper and preferred it to some of the more brightly colored and somewhat visually distracting counterparts. The cover has that “recycled” texture and could probably get ruined more easily than a slick-coated book. It’s very cute, and I would recommend it, particulary to anyone who likes things with a natural or simplistic appeal.
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My 5 year old grandson enjoys doing the mazes – I was a bit surprised at how small the book was … but had I read the full description I would have known! Good deal for the money.
Cute Little papperback – D. Klopping – California
It’s a nice palm-size paperback maze book. My four year old likes it. For the price, it’s a good deal.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 31, 2009 03:39:02
Little girls are really “into” My Little Pony and this book is great. My granddaughter is just learning to read and she loved it. Some of the pony names were a bit hard for her to remember, but a little challenge is good.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 30, 2009 21:37:33
In my opinion its hard to grow up in the 80’s and not know “Frog and Toad” it was so popular when I was a kid I don’t know anyone that didn’t read it and with that I had the name Arnold Lobel branded in my mind since. So when I saw this I had to give it a try. “Owl at home” is made up of a handful of little short stories which i find really useful at bedtime cause I can zip through them quickly yet they don’t feel rushed and yet amazingly evoke alot of thought and questions afterward. My daughter is the type to pull out 15 books at bedtime so these are a great way to wrap up the night or read something light. “Tear water tea” is my favorite (I find it to be incredibly creative yet true to what you imagine little minds would find sad) cause the images he uses to make himself sad (in order to cry and collect enough tears in a pot for tea) are so cute like spoons that fell behind the stove and are to never be seen again and mornings nobody saw cause they were too busy sleeping! I just love it love it love it I couldn’t recommend a beginner book more!
Cute. – Robert P. Beveridge – Cleveland, OH
Arnold Lobel, Owl at Home (Harper Collins, 1975)
Cute little collection of tales about Owl. This is almost entirely a one-character book, which is extremely interesting in any kid of lit, much less kidlit; Owl interacts with other such “characters” as the wind and the moon, but is often the only living thing in the frame. Very nicely done, this, and up to the usual Lobel standard. *** ?
Need more Owl! – Lynda J. Costello –
So charmingingly simple – my kids (2 – 4) love these tales. If only there were more stories from Owl’s world! “Bunps” – a tale of the mysterious bumps under Owl’s covers that drive his imagination wild had my son laughing and reenacting the story with his own covers at night. This is a fun book for ages 2 – 4.
Lobel is the man – Emily Taylor – Northern Utah
This charming little book takes a comfortable character that is at once independent and someone to whom kids can relate through good ol’ fashioned anthromorphing. The stories are short, adorable, and well-crafted, and Lobel’s illustrations are of course his best.
A perfect gift for someone older – EMG – Austin
I just purchased this for my 33 year old sister as she is going through some hard times with a relationship’s break up. This book seems to bring comfort as an old memory of similar books that I loved as a child because they helped me feel safe and see the world in a wonderous way. Can’t remember all the titles but they include Old Black Witch, Suzy Squirrel, and other various otters, cats, and creatures.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 30, 2009 15:36:25
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