Taking a step away from trivia questions and clay sculpting, the makers of Cranium have instead created a game for teaching wee ones a few colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. (And, if you know 3- to 6-year-olds that won't lose all the included cards and balls, they may also learn sharing, cooperation, and imaginative play.) The bottom of the box houses the game itself, with three chutes along the top that the balls are dropped into and three rows of flip-up panels that are decorated with various colored objects. Players draw cards, match them to a panel, flip up the panel, and hope there is a ball underneath it. Once all six balls are recovered a treasure chest pops open and gameplay can begin anew. --Pam Lauer ... Read more

Asin: B000063XO3
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games   

This pretend cash register may seem like all fun and games to your little one but is actually teaching him coin and money values, coin identification, numbers, counting, and quantities. The register comes with a stack of play pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, all encased in easy-to-handle plastic chips. In explore mode, the smart coin reader on the register identifies all coins as kids drop them in, teaching their name and value. Four additional price tags represent larger monetary values and as kids slide price tags over the flashing scanner or drop coins in the register, they learn how to add values together and make totals. Kids can also set the register to price check mode to play a fun game that teaches number identification. Final checkout reinforces numbers, coins, and coin combinations once again and plays a fun song when the register opens. Throughout playtime, kids will receive encouragement and requests to keep playing from the LeapFrog's friendly voice. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• Teaches coin names and values
• Teaches coin combinations
• Includes realistic play coins, including pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters

Asin: B00008PW04
Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Learning    3. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    4. Electronic    5. Alphabet   

Did you know that Beethoven wrote his famous Ninth Symphony when he wascompletely deaf? Or that Mozart was composing music for kings and queens at age6? Learn amazing facts and play interactive games as you experience the music offamous composers. Find out what inspired Bach, Mozart, Handel, Tchaikovsky, andmore. Learn the difference between a melody and rhythm and between classical andBaroque music. Create your own music on the paper piano, violin, and pipe organ,or try your hand at conducting an entire orchestra. Journey through five periodsof classical music and learn more than 20 musical terms. Challenge yourself withfascinating music trivia. Make sure the LeapPad book you get is appropriate forthe child's educational level; this Leap Level 2 book should be a challenge forkids ages 6 and older or grade one and up. Works with all LeapPad learningsystems except My First LeapPad. ... Read more

Asin: B00005PJRA
Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    3. Music    4. Electronic    5. Alphabet   

On one of their weekly balloon flights over Celesteville, Babar and Celeste notice that the railroad station is standing empty. Elephants, it seems, now prefer cars over trains. Interestingly, although Babar comments on the roads "jammed with traffic," he and his queen decide to focus on the other issue--the abandoned station. Celeste comes up with an idea to turn it into a museum to house their art collection, and soon an architect is drawing up plans and workers are renovating the building. When the great day of the opening arrives, what a show! The royal couple had acquired some pretty impressive and well known works of art--all featuring elephants, of course. Laurent de Brunhoff outdoes himself with the real-life art-inspired paintings and sculptures, from Mary Cassatt’s"Mother and Child" to Edvard Munch’s "The Scream" to Leonardo da Vinci’s "Mona Lisa." Young art buffs will enjoy the very age-appropriate art appreciation lessons, as the children are encouraged!to say whatever they want about the art: "I like this picture because it’s red," says Arthur about Van Gogh’s "Self-Portrait." When pedantic Cornelius tries to pontificate, Celeste gently hushes him. Includes a free pull-out poster. (Ages 4 to 7) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Isbn: 0810945975
Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Animals in art    3. Art (paintingsculptureartistsarchitectureetc.)    4. Art museums    5. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    6. Children: Preschool    7. De Brunhoff, Jean / De Brunhoff, Laurent    8. Elephants    9. Fiction    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Museums    12. Juvenile Fiction / Art & Architecture   

Horton Hatches the Egg
by Random House Books for Young Readers
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (12 October, 1940)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $10.17
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Editorial Review

Poor Horton. Dr. Seuss's kindly elephant is persuaded to sit on an egg while its mother, the good-for-nothing bird lazy Maysie, takes a break. Little does Horton know that Maysie is setting off for a permanent vacation in Palm Springs. He waits, and waits, never leaving his precarious branch, even through a freezing winter and a spring that's punctuated by the insults of his friends. ("They taunted.They teased him. They yelled 'How Absurd! Old Horton the Elephant thinks he's a bird!'") Further indignities await, but Horton has the patience of Job--from whose story this one clearly derives--and he is rewarded in the end by the surprise birth of... an elephant-bird. Horton Hatches the Egg contains some of Theodor Geisel's most inspired verse and some of his best-ever illustrations, the dated style of which only accentuates their power and charm. A book no childhood should be without. (Ages 2 to 7) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (23)

It should be, it should be, it should be that way!
Some see this as the triumph of hard work, patience, and loyalty.I guess I can see that.Certainly, lazy Mayzie is as villianous a deadbeat parent as I can think of, and Horton strikes a noble contrast.

However, I couldn't help reading this as Dr. Seuss' take on nature vs. nurture.Horton does all the real nurturing, and out comes an elephant-bird, a Lamarkian triumph and an inspirational to adoptive parents.I'm not sure if it's what Dr. Seuss believes to be true or if it is what he wishes to be true, "it should be, it should be, it should be that way."
I could do without the scene where the hunters point their rifles straight at Horton's heart, but that's just me.Evidently I'm too gentle for world of children's literature.

Big thumbs up, though, good story, good rhymes, and not as insipid as the lazy-Mayzie "wocket in my pocket"-era Seuss. Most importantly, my daughter loves it.

True to his word, great lesson
Poor old Horton is back again, this time hatching an irresponsible mother bird's egg.While she takes off for someplace like Florida, poor old Horton is sitting on her egg, just like he told her he would, waiting for it to hatch.In the midst of storms, good weather and sneers from others, Horton sits on the egg until it does hatch.When it does, mother bird just "happens" to appear and wants her baby.However, the baby is a flying elephant!It's a very cute story and teaches kids to keep their word as promised.It's also great if you have an elephant lover in your house!

faithful 100%
As I kid I loved this book because I thought Horton was a pure wonder.I always loved the line "an elephant faithful 100%".And my little innocent heart took it all very seriously and I wanted to be just like Horton... faithful 100%.As an adult this book has taken on a very new stronger meaning that I did not see as a child...And I am very happy to be passing along the message to my children. ... Read more

Isbn: 039480077X
Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Classics    5. Elephants    6. Family - General    7. Fantasy    8. Humorous Stories    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Poetry    11. Stories in rhyme    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants   

"Stand Back," Said the Elephant, "I'm Going to Sneeze!"
by HarperCollins
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (23 April, 1990)
list price: $16.99 -- our price: $11.55
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Reviews (30)

One of my favorites!!
My mother used to read this to me when I was a young child.The illustrations in this book are wonderful.This poor elephant is about to sneeze and all of the other animals are begging him not to.They are doing everything they can to get him to NOT sneeze.They begin to recall what happened last time the elephant sneezed.Major chaos for all of the other animals.The writer is so creative when it comes to what happens to each of the animals.For example, the zebra yelled yipes as it lost its strips.It is so cute and imaginative.As each animal recalls what happened last time they are willing to do anything to get the elephant to stop from sneezing.This book has a creative ending with a twist.I still love this book.I pick it up from time to time to bring back those wonderful memories of my mother reading to me.

This was my favorite childhood book
Im 19 right now... But I remember my mother reading this story to me and my older sister ever since I was about 4 years old. We had the story up until a couple years ago. Then my little brother got a hold of it and tore it up. So now I am buying a new one. This story is so funny. I recommend this to all children and parents.

A Timeless Classic
This is a wonderful book.It's funny, full of surprises, and the rhythm of the rhyming is so well done.I read this book to my children when they were young and it was one of their favorites.Now I read it to my grandchildren and they love it as well.The humorous but touching story line and the rhyming verses make the children want to learn to read it themselves.It's a classic and should be in every child's reading library. ... Read more

Isbn: 0688093388
Sales Rank: 15070
Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Children's 4-8    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Preschool Picture Story Books    7. Stories in rhyme    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Poetry / General   

An Elephant Called Slowly
by Anchor Bay Entertainment
Average Customer Review:
DVD (17 December, 2002)
list price: $14.98 -- our price: $13.48
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Features

• Color

Reviews (4)

As the title says, It's slow... but still charming
Although it's in docudrama style, several of the characters play "themselves" in this charming African tale about a baby elephant named Slowly. Real-life married acting couple Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna (who played George and Joy Adamson in the 1966 film Born Free) return to Kenya where they meet up with George Adamson (portraying himself in all his oddball glory) and his cavalcade of exotic animals including cheetahs, lions, rhinoceroses, buffalo, ostriches, and pachyderms. Bill and Ginny find themselves the reluctant adoptive "parents" of three mischievous baby elephants named Slowly, Kadengi, and Eleanor (who, of course, wind up causing all kinds of comic situations and stealing the hearts of everyone who gets in their way).

Staci Layne Wilson
Author of Staci's Guide to Animal Movies

Poli, Poli
At last! At last!I have waited 20 years to own this movie!I saw it the last time it was on TV (and on crackly home recording since).The unofficial sequel to Born Free, Slowly is the story of Bill Travers' and Virginia McKenna's return to Kenya after falling in love with the country when filming Joy Adamson's story about Elsa the lion cub.Whilst house-sitting for a friend, they find themselves the neighbours of three unruly elephants who, according to the local gamekeeper, have "adopted" them.It is very funny, very silly, the scenery/wildlife is breath-taking and the music is amazing.Watch out for the stars feeding the baby black rhinos lollipops - gorgeous! I highly recommend this movie to anyone with a sense of humour and a heart.

Great for young children!
My 2 year old daughter loves this movie!It is great for teaching her the names of all the animals and talking about the wonderful scenery. Nothing bad happens and there is no profanity, etc. I highly recommend this movie as something to watch *with* your child to talk to them and experience it with them. It is really too simple for an adult to watch, but fabulous to train your child learning about the world. ... Read more

Asin: B00004Y6AG
Sales Rank: 15146
Subjects:  1. Feature Film Family   

The Lorax
by Random House Books for Young Readers
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (12 August, 1971)
list price: $14.95 -- our price: $10.17
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Editorial Review

When Dr. Seuss gets serious, you know it must be important. Published in 1971, and perhaps inspired by the "save our planet" mindset of the 1960s, The Lorax is an ecological warning that still rings true today amidst the dangers of clear-cutting, pollution, and disregard for the earth's environment. In The Lorax, we find what we've come to expect from the illustrious doctor: brilliantly whimsical rhymes, delightfully original creatures, and weirdly undulating illustrations. But here there is also something more--a powerful message that Seuss implores both adults and children to heed.

The now remorseful Once-ler--our faceless, bodiless narrator--tells the story himself. Long ago this enterprising villain chances upon a place filled with wondrous Truffula Trees, Swomee-Swans, Brown Bar-ba- loots, and Humming-Fishes. Bewitched by the beauty of the Truffula Tree tufts, he greedily chops them down to produce and mass-market Thneeds. ("It's a shirt. It's a sock. It's a glove. It's a hat.") As the trees swiftly disappear and the denizens leave for greener pastures, the fuzzy yellow Lorax (who speaks for the trees "for the trees have no tongues") repeatedly warns the Once-ler, but his words of wisdom are for naught. Finally the Lorax extricates himself from the scorched earth (by the seat of his own furry pants), leaving only a rock engraved "UNLESS." Thus, with his own colorful version of a compelling morality play, Dr. Seuss teaches readers not to fool with Mother Nature. But as you might expect from Seuss, all hope is not lost--the Once-ler has saved a single Truffula Tree seed! Our fate now rests in the hands of a caring child, who becomes our last chance for a clean, green future. (Ages 4 to 8) ... Read more

Reviews (64)

A classic and a great birthday gift
A book every kid will love for its characters and cadence and fanciful art work.

GoKidsGrow LLC reviews "The Lorax"
From the environmentally thought provoking moral of the story to the wonderful illustrations, this is truly a timeless classic. I recommend "The Lorax" without a single reservation.

The simple fact that you are considering this book and reading this review is testimonial to your willingness to take an active part in your child's development. There is no more noble cause and we at GoKidsGrow LLC salute you. All the best to you and yours.

Great book, terrible cassette
The book is of course a classic--I give the book by itself five stars.But this cassette is unbelievably bad, yet another example of his widow's mishandling of the Dr. Seuss estate.Ted Danson's turgid, pretentious reading is so over-the-top melodramatic that it's almost funny--I've been to cheerier funerals.

The good doctor wrote this book in part to deflate the dull preachiness so common to the environmental community, but the reading turns out to be a perfect example of what he was rebelling against.Yuck.
... Read more

Isbn: 0394823370
Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Classics    4. Ecology    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Nature & the Natural World - Environment & Ecology    8. Nature & the Natural World - General    9. Pollution    10. Stories in rhyme    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / Nature / Forests & Trees   

Cootie
by Milton Bradley
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $9.99
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Editorial Review

This classic game has been around for nearly half a century and is just as fun as ever. The bugs' faces are a bit goofier than before, but the object remains the same: to be the first to create your own Cootie. Just arrange the bug parts on the fold-out board and roll the die to win the parts you need. (Roll a 1 and pick a body, roll a 2 and select a head, roll a 3, etc.) Body parts are made of hard plastic and come in various mix-and-match colors. Small pieces are a danger to young children, so supervision is recommended. Instructions in English and Spanish. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Instant Winner
I just baught this game for my son (4 1/2) and he loved it right away. He loves to play with me or on his own. Only drawback: the poor quality; the pieces keep on falling off. My son is very meticulous for his age and doesn't mind. He's just extra careful handling his cootie. But I think it could be a great cause of frustration. I always have to pick up my pieces and I think it takes some of the fun away. Strange that it is so poorly made. But my son has so much fun with this game and that's what matters.

Pieces Fall Out
I believe the game is fun but the pieces would not stay together. The head, body, legs, and antennae would keep falling off. This frustrated my children because they had to keep putting the pieces together after they already put them on and so it took the enjoyment out of the game. My children is 3 and 4 years old and my nephew is 6 years old.

too bad times have changed
this "new" "updated" Cootie STINKS!it is nothing like the original and this one IS NOT DURABLE.the parts are so cheep and they do not stay in the holes.Go on eBay and find an original... don't waste your money on this new version. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IWDO
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool   

Play-Doh George Foreman Grill.
by Hasbro
Average Customer Review:
Toy (08 August, 2003)
list price: $12.99
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Editorial Review

Ever since Play-Doh was first invented, children everywhere have enjoyed creating their own treats with the colorful modeling clay. Now young chefs can take their imaginative culinary play to another level with this George Foreman Grill. The battery-powered grill features simulated sizzling noises when you press down on the bottom side of the grill, and doubles as an easy-to-use mold for pressing miniature burgers, chops, chicken legs, and fish. Along with the authentic looking grill, the play set comes with three two-ounce cans and one five-ounce can of colored Play-Doh, two grill surfaces, a two-sided grease catcher and veggie mold, an extruder rail and one plate. Adult assembly is required, and although three AA batteries are included, you'll need a Phillips screwdriver to replace them. --Chris Burns ... Read more

Reviews (8)

AHH HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAAA!!!
The other day I found one of these whilst walkin' through the clearance section of the local Toys 'R' Us, and just about died laughing. Well, actually I stopped laughing after I realized about a half-dozen folks were lookin' at me like I was some sorta mental case. I just couldn't help myself; this is one of the funniest freakin' things I've seen in quite some time. I simply couldn't believe they'd even THINK of makin' a Play-Doh Foreman grill, let alone actually manufacture one. Somethin' tells me the folks at Hasbro got into the good stash when they came up with this...

I tried out the "sizzling" sound effect, which sounds more like a bucket of water hittin' hot asphalt. The back part of the grill doubles as the shape-making extruder that a little young'un can use to squeeze out hot dogs, buns, and ketchup or mustard streams with the help of the shape template that also serves as a serving fork. Now I dunno `bout you, but I don't find extruded foodstuffs-- be they real or simulated-- all that appetizing for some reason...

A nice little bit of irony: the grease trap accessory is used to mold the veggie slices for the Play-Doh burgers, drumsticks, and such that are molded in a hidden compartment of the grill toy. Too funny...

Anyhoo, I decided to grab one of these as a gag gift for my mom, who has been hinting at me & my dad to get her a real Foreman grill for Mother's Day. I'm sure she'll get a big kick outta it... then she'll probably disown me. Hmmm... maybe I should let dad give it to her, instead; he's gotten used to sleepin' on the couch lately...

`Late

The kids are cookin' in our house....
Add us to the list of happy parents-- Our 3 children have taken on the role of making meals in our house!Yippee!This grill is so cute and boy does it get the imagination rolling.The grilling sound that it makes helps with the realistic (yea, right) look of the food that comes from these molds.This appears to be a very sturdy toy -- especially with the abuse that it has taken so far.

One suggestion:buy more than one if you have a household filled with budding chefs.

On the menu tonight:fish, chicken legs, hamburgers, hot dogs and cheese fries!Mmmmmm!

Fantastic
This is by far my 2 1/2 year old daughter's favorite Christmas toy.She has not stopped making her daddy dinner!We use the real George Forman grill often so she loves imitating us. ... Read more

Asin: B000099Z4G