One of Each

I really love this sweet and charming story-- with 3 children that love books, I have become both a fan and avid collector of children's literature. My 5 year old son is particularly drawn to a rhyming story, and loves to listen to this one. We have read it so often in the last few weeks that he can recite many of the lines along with me. There is a particularly catchy cadence to the verse, and the story itself, promoting sharing and companionship, is priceless. I highly recommend this book to anyone with small children, and it would make a great Christmas gift for any child in your life.

There's not a single syllable too many in the entire book, and if you've tried to write poetry yourself, you know how difficult this is to achieve. I love books written in rhyme, and this charming book flows beautifully and easily, telling the story of a dog named Oliver Tolliver and his little "one-of-each" house and lifestyle. Oliver reminds me of my confirmed-bachelor/hermit husband when he and I first met: living quietly alone in his own neatly-ordered space and discovering the empty spots in his heart and house that could be pleasantly filled by the companionship of others. At first Oliver is quite surprised to hear Peggoty's opinion of his 'bachelor-pad': "A guest in your one-of-each house does not fit. It's made for one person and you, sir, are it! It's perfect for one, sir, if he's on his own, And so, sir, I'll go, sir, and leave you alone."but then he realizes Peggoty's assessment is true, so he quickly outfits his house to accommodate guests. Then Peggoty sees the improvements: "And when she arrived, she cavorted with glee And she said with delight, 'Why, you did this for ME!'"Oliver becomes friends with an entire group of animals who come over to socialize, and he is quite happy to have learned that sharing is the key to happiness: "And he found as he nibbled the peach, pear, and plum That they all tasted better when each one had some And that even though each person's piece might be small, Eating with friends was the best thing of all."This book is filled cover-to-cover with incredibly bright (what I call "color-block") illustrations. This is a favorite book of mine--and of my children. It's a book that I enjoy reading aloud every time they ask for it, even when they want to hear it three times in a row. My only disappointment with this book is that in our second copy of it (which I purchased through a school book club) the illustrations are not nearly as bright. I wonder if this is standard for paperbooks printed for mass-distribution.Treat your kids to a fun book with cute illustrations, and treat yourself to a book that you'll love to re-read for years!

In this terrific picture book, extrovert feline Peggoty Small teaches doggie loner Oliver Tolliver that everything is better when shared with a friend. The theme is simple and perfectly suited to the typical egocentric, "everything is mine" toddler. Best of all, the message is delivered in such a charming package. If you like the rhythm & rhyme of Dr. Seuss, you're bound to enjoy the clever verse and wordplay -- without the nonsense words that put some people off Seuss. If you like Matisse, you'll love the illustrations: lots of bright colors & patterns, slightly skewed perspective, and plenty of whimsy. A great book for any young child, particularly one who is having trouble sharing or who has just become a big brother or sister.

This is a wonderful book with captivating pictures and excellent text. The rhymes are intelligent, making it a pleasure to read out loud. The words roll of the page. My children, 2 and 3 years old, love the pictures of Oliver Tolliver and his house. I will definitaly purchase other books by Mary Ann Hoberman. A Delight!

After stumbling upon this book in the bookstore, I've found myself buying it for all the kids in my life. It is a fantastic, engaging story about sharing with vibrant illustrations. It is a MUST for all children. Kids ask to read it over and over again.