This was super adorable, I definitely recommend reading this to your child to teach them about the danger of talking to strangers. It was cute with go...moreThis was super adorable, I definitely recommend reading this to your child to teach them about the danger of talking to strangers. It was cute with good illustrations so the kids I was reading to did not get bored and the story was much more interesting than just lecturing them on what to do if a stranger comes up to you. It made it a fun way for them to learn and helped them remember it much more than the standard lecture.
The only thing I thought was a little odd was the last page that had tips. The last tip talked about not opening e-mails from a stranger. For the age range that would be reading this book, was that really necessary? I don't know any 4-7 year olds that have their own e-mail account. (less)
At first glance of this book I assumed it was going to be an entire book stroking Miss Piggy's ego, which she so often does herself. It was actually s...moreAt first glance of this book I assumed it was going to be an entire book stroking Miss Piggy's ego, which she so often does herself. It was actually somewhat endearing. Her utter obsession with Kermit is a consistent theme throughout but it isn't annoying. It's rather cute, you can spot all sorts of little things with Kermit's face on them.
Overall it's perfect for little girls around the age of 5-8 when they are at that magical dreaming age.(less)
The illustrations in this book were just marvelous. It's short and a bit redundant but good for younger kids because the story is easy to follow and t...moreThe illustrations in this book were just marvelous. It's short and a bit redundant but good for younger kids because the story is easy to follow and they have great pictures to look at.(less)
There is most definitely a reason this book is one (if not arguably the number one) of the best books Agatha Christie has ever written.
To sum it all u...moreThere is most definitely a reason this book is one (if not arguably the number one) of the best books Agatha Christie has ever written.
To sum it all up:
1) The number one best thing about it.. the ENDING! It's a total smack in the face. Unless someone has already spoiled it for you, you're in for a surprise.
2) You feel for the characters. The circumstances at the end are so heart breaking to the reader that you are left feeling that murder was almost the best choice.
3) The conclusion is believable. There were a few clues that I couldn't understand how Poirot came to his conclusion, but for the most part you have a few 'Ah-ha' moments when he reveals his findings. As in, "Ah-ha, I should have noticed that earlier!" At times I felt that some of Christie's books needed a little more explanation because the conclusion was drawn on facts that weren't clearly represented in the writing- but rather explained to you quickly in the end.
This will be one of my all-time favorites in my life. I highly recommend it for people that love murder mysteries that are not so gorey, enjoy a bit of a brain teaser and of course love Poirot!(less)
This book made me think. This book still makes me think and I have not read it in years. I always find myself wondering, "How far away could we be fro...moreThis book made me think. This book still makes me think and I have not read it in years. I always find myself wondering, "How far away could we be from that happening? It could happen." That's the thing; it could happen. It frightens me a bit when I realize it fully.
Even though it strikes me as such, I was left with a dissatisfied taste in my mouth at the end.
SOMEWHAT OF A SPOILER------
I didn't like that you do not know what happens at the end. I have always, always hated these types of stories and I always will. I don't want to imagine what happens, I want to know what happens according to the author.
At the same time, that sort of added appeal to the book, didn't it? The fact that it's unknown signifies that our futures are unknown and that we walk into each day not knowing what will happen. Perhaps this was the perfect ending to this tale.(less)
It's been a while since I read this book but I keep putting off reading it again because it made me cry and cry like a little baby. It was one of the...moreIt's been a while since I read this book but I keep putting off reading it again because it made me cry and cry like a little baby. It was one of the most beautiful and tragic books I have ever read. I definitely recommend it to fans of The Phantom of the Opera as it gives a much more in depth view into Erik's life.
It's sad, tragic, beautiful, amazing.. it will tug at your heart strings.(less)
This was just a cute little read. It was supposedly from Genie's point of view but it was the exact same story with a few comments that made it seem l...moreThis was just a cute little read. It was supposedly from Genie's point of view but it was the exact same story with a few comments that made it seem like it was from his point of view. I was kind of hoping for a little twist on the story but it wasn't that bad.
It accurately went through the entire movie. It also showed Jasmine in four different outfits, which I absolutely loved as she was always my favorite Disney princess growing up.
Nothing amazing but not a bad read either. If your kids like Aladdin they'll enjoy reading this with you.(less)
This book was absolutely adorable. Throughout the story were lots of different rhyming words to make it fun for your kids. The story was cute as well....moreThis book was absolutely adorable. Throughout the story were lots of different rhyming words to make it fun for your kids. The story was cute as well.
Ted buys his new red bed and falls asleep in the store. He dreams about going on an adventure.
Another positive note on this book were the fold out flaps on two of the pages. The first showed Ted walking up to the store's door and when you fold it back you see him walking inside.
Cute read, good for children learning to read because they can read the easier words and if they have a spot of trouble, the rhyming generally helps speed things along.(less)
This story wasn't too good in my opinion. I don't really want to read it to my kid again as it's not upbeat nor does it have a very good message to it...moreThis story wasn't too good in my opinion. I don't really want to read it to my kid again as it's not upbeat nor does it have a very good message to it. It wasn't terrible though, and isn't bad to read to your children at all. Just wasn't something I want my child to continue to read.(less)
This book was so-so. I had read this one before the reverse side story when I should have done the opposite so I was a bit confused as to why an engin...moreThis book was so-so. I had read this one before the reverse side story when I should have done the opposite so I was a bit confused as to why an engine was bricked up in a tunnel and being left there "for always".
I'm not a big fan of this book but it wasn't terrible at all. The engines are a little rude to one another but I suppose that can help with real life lessons for children as not everyone in life will be polite always.(less)
I don't even think at the age of 10-11 I would have enjoyed this book. Being the "fat kid" myself, I found it so degrading at first. I suppose that is...moreI don't even think at the age of 10-11 I would have enjoyed this book. Being the "fat kid" myself, I found it so degrading at first. I suppose that is reality but I never heard such things in my time growing up. Perhaps I am glad that I never had to listen to those things.
I felt bad for Elsie. I felt bad that the author dumped so much crap on her life in this book. It was like she was punishing the fat kid. Maybe the author herself was the fat kid growing up?
The children are evil and cruel, more so than I ever remember growing up. The story was sweet at the end but mostly just pointless. I'm glad it only took me an hour or so to read this entire book or I would have been angry at wasting so much of my time.(less)
At first I thought this was going to be a stupid message to children. When Ariel gets a four-leaf clover, she starts having good things happen to her....moreAt first I thought this was going to be a stupid message to children. When Ariel gets a four-leaf clover, she starts having good things happen to her. Blah blah, happily ever after.
Actually, in the end she realizes that she has the ability to control her surroundings with her attitude and actions. It ended up being a very good message indeed.
The illustrations were beautiful (although I thought Ariel looked a tad strange, not quite on the mark with her face) and glossy.(less)
I found this book a bit reaching for the most part. I know she was trying to tie in the actual labors/tasks of Hercules, but I didn't think that many...moreI found this book a bit reaching for the most part. I know she was trying to tie in the actual labors/tasks of Hercules, but I didn't think that many of them were close at all. This is probably one out of only a few books by Agatha Christie that I really did not enjoy. That's even worse because it was a Poirot book and I absolutely adore Poirot, which usually grants some leniency on my judgement.(less)
**spoiler alert** This book made me cry at the end. What with Claudine and Tray.. So much sad! Anywho, it was a nice break from all of the other book...more**spoiler alert** This book made me cry at the end. What with Claudine and Tray.. So much sad! Anywho, it was a nice break from all of the other book endings which always seemed to be all happy and resolved at the end. I'm sad that I will have to wait to read #11 after the next book but also excited as I have caught up on the series almost.
I was also very much pleased at the union of Eric and Sookie. Oh yeah, the knife thing too. ;)(less)
This book was a little strange to me as the subjects in the story are not ones I usually read about. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was c...moreThis book was a little strange to me as the subjects in the story are not ones I usually read about. However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was creepy and realistic. I could not read it alone in the dark at some parts, it really got to me. Definitely a good piece of work by Mr. Koontz.
I was also really happy by the ending. It left me with a satisfied feeling and really tied things up. Would most likely read again when my queue runs out or I just feel up to it.
The only thing I didn't like was just how sad it was for what the family in the center of the story had to end up doing.
A quick review, as I have not read this in some time. I knew who the killer was most of the book. It wasn't some surprise thing to me, it was so obvio...moreA quick review, as I have not read this in some time. I knew who the killer was most of the book. It wasn't some surprise thing to me, it was so obvious. Taking away that shocking discovery, the rest of the book was alright. Some of her books stumped me to the last page but this one was just mediocre to me I suppose.(less)
I was disappointed in this AC book. The murderer and the motive were so blatantly obvious once you learned all the information you needed that the res...moreI was disappointed in this AC book. The murderer and the motive were so blatantly obvious once you learned all the information you needed that the rest of the book was just filler for me. I did rather enjoy Mr. Rafiel though (and was happy to read Nemesis because of that reason) and a few other characters.
This was definitely one of my least favorites as far as suspense goes, however.(less)
I used to adore these books when I was in second/third grade. The story was cute, the pictures were neat but the one thing that always bothered me abo...moreI used to adore these books when I was in second/third grade. The story was cute, the pictures were neat but the one thing that always bothered me about these books were the way they break down the sentences into lines. Sometimes it confused my little reader. Love that dog forever though. (less)
I wasn't sure if I'd like this book or not but once I sat down to read it I didn't stop until I was on page 138! It was a great romance story in my op...moreI wasn't sure if I'd like this book or not but once I sat down to read it I didn't stop until I was on page 138! It was a great romance story in my opinion, but it was a little irking at times. I wanted to slap Turner for most of the book as I suppose we were supposed to want to.
I cried and cried near the end of the book. I wasn't expecting such a heart-wrenching twist in the plot and it really hit me. It had a good ending that I am thankful for and wasn't quite the traditional: Girl and boy like each other, man is too head strong, girl chases after, guy sees how amazing she is and falls in love with her, they get married, the end. It was close but different and that was pleasing to me. I have a feeling this would make a really good movie, one I would definitely go see in theaters!
One thing that did bother me a tad bit was how the heroine always seemed to be less than enough. She was never pretty, just pleasant. Things like that bothered me. I felt she needed something other than her wit, like that she was an excellent horseback rider. Just SOMETHING so she wasn't just your typical smart-but-blah girlee. Plus she always felt that way so she would let people just walk all over her and it was a bit disheartening after a while.(less)
I haven't read this in a while but I remember loving every bit of it. The story was good and I remember that I love, love, LOVED the ending. Need to r...moreI haven't read this in a while but I remember loving every bit of it. The story was good and I remember that I love, love, LOVED the ending. Need to read this again in the near future.(less)