Ackamarackus

A cute collection of funny tales with morals. Can be read to preschoolers. The material is not "dumbed down." Without necessarily focusing on it, the book helps expands a child's exposure to more complex ways of writing and using language and more complex vocabulary. For example the first story is about Bernard the bee who coldn't buzz - "Bernard was about ready to cry when he heard something....It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. Bernard followed it deep inside a peony. There, sitting in the center, was a bee playing an instrument with a long neck and a body shaped ike a triangle. "Wh-who are you?" Bernard Asked. "I'm Brenda," the bee playing the instrument responded. "And what's that you're playing?" "It's a balalaika." .... "but you're a bee!....Bees don't play balalaikas. Bees Buzz." And the moral at the end: "1. Always BE ALL that YOU CAN BEE. 2. Why buzz when YOU CAN BALALAIKA?" The book and it's pictures are colorful and cheery - which will appeal to young children. Some of the artistic elements of the book particularly the typefaces in the text itself and the use of fonts and print in the pictures will be lost on younger children but are interesting to adults who like that sort of thing.

What could be better than six original modern fables by Julius Lester? Not much! His stories, about unusual, quirky creatures in absurd situations are full of witty and imaginative alliteration, wordplay and puns, from the Bee who lost his buzz and is now a Been, to the alligator who can't stand the heat in Florida and finds a better life with a bear in Vermont, to poor Ellen the Eagle who's afraid of heights and yelled her first word, HELP! because she saw the ground and realized she wasn't on it. His clever text including colorful display type and thought provoking morals are complimented by Emilie Chollat's bright, vivid collage artwork and together this dynamic team has authored an unrivaled book full of insight, wisdom and humor. Perfect for youngsters 5 and older, Ackamarackus is a wonderful read-aloud book the whole family can enjoy and a sumptious feast for both the ears and the eyes. If you buy only one new book this year, Ackamarackus should be the one!

I agree with Deb Beall who wrote the first review. In fact, I sold her the book. I am a bookseller of children's books and I see a lot of things, but this book is exceptional...exceptionally funny, exceptionally alliterative and exceptionally well illustrated. These funny fables frolic across the pages and entertain with hilarious illustrations, anthropomorphic animals and sensible morals. It is a standout and a keeper.

This is not a book for 4-8 year olds. This is a book for all ages! I am 47 and have never enjoyed a book more! I was looking for a book to read to my 10 year old's class and instantly fell in love with it. So did the 28 kids I read it to. This is one of the best "read aloud" books I've seen in years. I always leave the book as a gift for the teacher for her classroom library, and the kids are still fighting over having their chance to read it. I had to go back and buy a copy for my daughter, and every time I look at her, she's looking at the book. I recommended this book to friends for their 18-month old granddaughter who loves to be read to. Although she might not appreciate the incredibly ingenious stories, she loves the animals and the pictures and the bright colored words. This is a book that will last her for years and one that she will never get bored with. The illustrations are something to behold. They are just as ingenious as the stories. I can't find one thing wrong with this book. It's bright. It's colorful. It's extaordinarily clever. It's funny. It's imaginative. I am very grateful to the author and the illustrator for teaming up and creating such a magnificent book. There's nothing quite like a bee losing it's buzz or flies learning to fly. The illiterations are great. But not too much for a child to handle. A child will love the humor, but the adult will appreciate it's intelligence. I know that you will be left with the same feeling as me - I'm still smiling. You will be too!