Product Description
From listening to his grandmother recite epic poems from memory to curling up in bed while his father read funny verses, award-winning actor John Lithgow grew up with poetry. Ever since, John has been an enthusiastic seeker of poetic experience, whether reading, reciting, or listening to great poems.


The wide variety of carefully selected poems in this book provides the perfect introduction to appeal to readers new to poetry, and for poetry lovers to experience beloved verses in a fresh, vivid way. William Blake, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, and Dylan Thomas are just a few names among Lithgow's comprehensive list of poetry masters. His essential criterion is that "each poem's light shines more brightly when read aloud." This unique package provides a multimedia poetry experience with a bonus MP3 CD of revelatory poetry readings by John and the familiar voices of such notable performers as Eileen Atkins, Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, Billy Connolly, Jodie Foster, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lynn Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Gary Sinise, and Sam Waterston.


Every reader will enjoy reciting or listening to these poems with the entire family, appreciating how each one comes to life through the spoken word in this superlative poetry collection. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (37)

Very nice poetry book
The selection of poems is fantastic.My Mom and my aunt both really like the book.Just be aware that some of the poems on the CD are hard to understand due to the accents of the readers.My Mom and aunt are both hard of hearing and my Mom is almost blind so using the CD didn't work out as well as I'd hoped.If you're simply reading the poems yourself, it's great!

The Poets' Corner
John Lithgow is such a Renaissance Man with eclectic taste and choices.All of which I celebrate in his Poets' Corner including his takes and the performances. What can I say?Go for it!

too thin for the price
poets corner-not enough, john! at best a sparce sampling. poor tom scrapes the bowl for want of meat he paid in full.

The Poet's Corner
I originally obtained the book from my local library.I loved it so much, I purchased it from Amazon.An old German proverb says, "Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen."This book is a treasure that I will return to again and again.It is a "pathway" to other important books (such as Jack Kerouac's "On The Road")that I have heard of but will now read.John Lithgow outdid himself.Thank you John!

Pricing
This is a great book but the pricing is odd. While this is one of the few I would rather own in hardcover than on my kindle, it should not cost 4 dollars more on kindle. ... Read more

Product Description
Mahalia Mouse and her family live underneath Dunster House, an old Harvard dormitory. Foraging for food for her younger brothers and sisters, Mahalia gets trapped in a backpack and then finds herself inside a classroom far from home. Mahalia, intrigued by the lecture, starts attending classes and soon becomes a full-time student -- all the while wondering about the fate of her family. But when graduation day finally arrives, Mahalia has a wonderful surprise waiting for her.

Written as part of his keynote address at Harvard's commencement, this latest book from John Lithgow (class of '67) incorporates his trademark witty rhymes and includes a CD of him reading the text at the commencement. Mahalia's story has an inspiring message for graduates or anyone whose success is worthy of celebration. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Marvelous Mahalia!
We bought the book with CD for my daughter's first birthday and both read and listen to it often (she can recite the entire story now).John Lithgow makes great use of rhyme and offers challenging vocabulary for younger kids.This book would also make a great gift for a college student from a parent, the story is sweet and speaks all ages.

Good high school grad gift
This works as a great alternative to the Seuss book that has forever been a favorite HS grad gift.This one bears meaning for grads who had to overcome obstacles.I first read it in an airport and fell in love with the book.

Even MICE enjoy learning!
While this is a children's book, Lithgow wrote this for a college graduation speech.He appeals to all age groups, you see.And the book has the usual CD included in the book - but I have not tried to separate it from the book to see if it works (neither of them worked in the two poetry collection books I ordered) as this book is purchased as a gift for a grandchild.Enjoy this selection and watch your gift recipients do the same!

AWESOME BOOK! great product!
Loved the book, the book was in Great condition and it is a great read for any age! Love the fact that it has a cd for the author to read aloud.

Seller will get my business again!

sincerely,

Betty Coplin

Inspiring at any age
This book was received as a gift upon completing my first semester at college. I absolutely adore the charming story and brilliant illustrations. It is suitable for any age, yet as a returning adult I appreciate the way Mahalia thrives, despite being a bit different from the other students. The CD that comes with the book is a fantastic bonus, since John Lithgow is one of my favorite actors. An all around wonderful picture book! ... Read more

Product Description
A year's worth of creative party suggestions for parents, written by the award-winning actor, lists ideas on how to host unusual theme parties for children, from a map-focused celebration on Columbus Day, to a Beatlemania party, to a celebration of baseball's opening day, in a guide complemented by supply lists, budget information, activity and mus ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Better than before!
John Lithgow blew me away with the first Palooza book, and the detail of this new one did it again.It basically lays out a weekly family event for the entire year.My family has been jumping back and forth from the first book to this book, but they have both been a blast.

hilarious fun for kids
Do you want your kids to have fun? Of course. Do you want them to learn and grow and explore their worlds imaginatively? Certainly. But can they do both at the same time? If you don't think so, think again: this book is full of ideas that will both entertain your kids and encourage them to think creatively. Lithgow lays out crazy party plans that will definitely be a first in the neighborhood. If you're tired of the same old slumber party and birthday cake, this book is the answer. ... Read more

Product Description

If you're a Kangaroo
through and through,
Just do what Kangaroos do.

Young Sue really doesn't like being a kangaroo, so she goes off to find something better. First she tries climbing the trees like a koala, but that doesn't work. Then she wades into the sea like a platypus, but that's no good either. Finally, Sue joins up with some bouncy, jouncy wallabies...and discovers that being a kangaroo isn't so bad, after all.

Using a jaunty waltz rhythm, actor, comedian, and best-selling author John Lithgow reassures children that they can be happy with who they are.

For listening or singing along, a CD of a John Lithgow performance of Marsupial Sue and an instrumental version is included with this book, as is the score of the song.Amazon.com Review
Being a kangaroo certainly looks like a lot of fun, what with all the hopping and the hay eating. But who knew all that jumping around could cause such problems? Marsupial Sue, that's who, a smartly dressed young 'roo who can't abide by all the bouncing: "It rattled her brain. It gave her migraine. A backache, sideache, tummyache too."

So John Lithgow recounts in 4/4 time--along with the jaunty, waltzy music and score on the CD that's included--in his second foray into children's books (The Remarkable Farkle McBride being the first). Probably best known as Dick Solomon on TV's 3rd Rock from the Sun, Lithgow brings his comic knack to this Down Under story about the importance of being yourself. Marsupial Sue might be intrigued by the idea of being a climbing koala or prawn-slurping platypus, but with Lithgow's cooing reassurance as the narrator, she eventually comes around: "Be happy with who you are. / Don't ever stray too far from you. / Get rid of that frown / And waltz up and down / beneath a marsupial star. / If you're a kangaroo through and through, / Just do what kangaroos do."

Lithgow will likely never surpass the spiritual contributions he made to our world as Doctor Emilio Lizardo and John Whorfin, but don't hold that against him. Like Farkle, Marsupial Sue is surely worth a read (and a listen), especially with illustrator Jack E. Davis's cool cast of sunglass- and snappy-hat-wearing Aussie animals. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Lesson on Kangaroos
I used this book as the starting point and interest building for a Lesson on Kangaroos.I first read the book to the CTT 4th grade class then we watched excerpts from PBS film "The Beg Red Roos" The students discussed what they learned and then wrote their own Roo Poem which some shared.Then at the end of the day we learned the song.The students LOVED it.

A Winner!
They played this CD and read the book at my son's pre-school and it is his all-time favorite. We had to buy a set for ourselves when we moved. My son is 3. He listens to it at least once a week and it never seems to get old for him. The book is just so-so for me, but the CD is funny. Even my 1yr old daughter tries to sing-a-long. Too cute.

I agree... great gift idea.

Mom that loves to sing too
Marsupial Sue has a good message and is truly fun for the entire family to sing along to.My 3 yo daughter loves to sit and listen to the CD while trying to learn the words.The only downside is the song goes through the pages quickly and a 3 yo doesn't really know when to turn the pages.Overall, however, a great book/CD.We will consider this a gift for friends in the future.

Marsupial Sue
The kids I teach LOVE this book.It is a must in my classroom.It has a calming effect on the kiddos!LOVE LOVE LOVE

Just Do What Kangaroos Do!
"Marsupial Sue" the book and CD is another brilliant production by the immensely talented John Lithgow, actor-singer-performer extraordinaire and multiple Tony and Emmy awards winner. The heart of the story is about a kangaroo named Sue who wishes for something other than being a kangaroo, but of course discovers in the end that being a kangaroo is not so bad after all. The accompanying CD is a sing-along to the text, recorded in Lithgow's voice and has such a catchy tune that my 3.5 year-old requested I play it over and over, and I didn't mind! I loved singing along to this rhyming song with an infectious beat.

This is a wonderful book not just because of the lesson inherent in it, that of being comfortable being oneself, but also because it helps with early literacy skills, as all of Lithgow's books do - one can sing-along with the text, read-aloud, have discussions with one's child about the different animals found in Australia [kangaroo, koala, platypus, wallaby] and so much more. Plus, it's so much fun!!! Highly recommended. ... Read more

Product Description

From time to time I dream that I'm a manatee,

Undulating underneath the sea.

A little boy dreams of becoming a manatee, and what a dream it is! With his new gigan-atee manatee proportions, he sets off on an underwater adventure with his manatee friends.Amazon.com Review
Not blessed with the adorable good looks of a koala, the mythic mystery of a dinosaur, or even the useful familiarity of a dog, the manatee is an infrequent hero in the world of children's literature. It doesn't help matters that the poor thing has a name that's so difficult to rhyme. But the unnamed hero of John Lithgow and Ard Hoyt's I'm a Manatee (really, a boy dreaming he is a manatee) sees plenty of upside to the life of the animal that's been indelicately nicknamed the "cow of the sea." And when rhymes are unavailable to state his case, he simply makes some up: "Encumbered by my lumbering gigan-atee,/ I'm thought to be an ocean-going brute!/ The least appealing creature on the planet-ee,/ But to a manatee, I'm cute!" The words in the book are the same as the lyrics in the song version of I'm a Manatee, which is included on an enclosed CD featuring a singing Lithgow as well as in musical notation in the back of the book. The verses sound more natural in their original musical form than they do read aloud in the pages of the book where they can clunk a bit. Still, there's much to like about in this aquatic flight of fancy, including the kind of wordplay moms and dads will enjoy (very few kids' books contain the phrase "immune from human folly and inanity") and Hoyt's illustrations of the title animal, which manages to be simultaneously homely and adorable. (Ages 4 to 8) --John Moe ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

One of our favorite nightime bed reads!
I stumbled across this book in a lot I bought.It is so wonderful that I am buying it in hard cover so we can cherish it for years to come.The song is one I use to sing my child to sleep as well.A very well written children's bedtime book!Love it.

Fun & Educational
I bought this for our 7 y.o. son for Christmas b/c he loves manatees.He loves this book & CD, and it has been quite a hit for our entire family.It's fun, cute and educational.We had fun laughing together!

The Book and CD are fabulous, but why is there no Hardcover ed.
This is by far my children's favorite John Lithgow book and song.It is funny, has a catchy tune and the illustrations are beautiful.My only problem is that I thought I was getting this in the Hardback edition, but it turns out they don't have one on Amazon.

I'm a Manatee - a grandchild's favorite
Originally I got "I'm a Manatee" for free in a Cheerios box.My two year old grand daughter loved it so much, I bought the book and CD as a birthday gift for one of her little friends (who loves it as well).When I heard the CD I just knew my grand daughter needed to have it too - now we sing it together.Wonderful little book. Well illustrated. The CD makes it doubly enjoyable.

Maybe for older kids or grownups this would be alright
I love manatees, and I love reading to my daughter so I couldn't pass this book up when I saw it at the book store.Unfortunately I was disappointed.The art is good, not great just good and the text is mostly meaningless rhyming of manatee with made up words (Manatee's eat raisin bran-atee).This is not useful if you are trying to teach your kids to read or increase vocabulary.Worse yet the plot of the story is told primarily through the illustrations which don't have all that much to do with the text.Probably this one is more fun for adults who enjoy reading nonsense than it is for kids, who I imagine would just be confused. ... Read more

Product Description
"I'm too fast, you're too slow. Pan, pan, patty-cake pan, I can get away from you, I can!"

The much-loved story of the Runaway Pancake who pops out of the oven and is sure he can escape all who want to eat him, is given a new spin when Marsupial Sue and her friends put on a play version for their neighborhood. This has all of the wit and whimsy of Marsupial Sue and again features lively illustrations by Jack E. Davis. From the friends' preparations behind the scenes to the actors' final bows, readers will be inspired by the production. A CD recording of John Lithgow's live performance of the song "The Runaway Pancake" is also included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Kids love it!
My kids are 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 and they love this story.The book is a little long, so they usually don't make it until the end of the book...but I think they will grow into it. They absolutely love listening to the CD...over and over. I would definitely recommend adding this to your child's book collection. The illustrations are awesome too! John Lithgow is an amazing story teller.

Super cute
My 4 &6 yr olds love this book. They crack up every time they hear it!

I thought it was a lame Gingerbread Man ripoff...
...but it is actually very funny.The fox claiming to be hard of hearing and the pancake buying it cracked me and my 5 year old daughter up.She's made me read it to her 3 times already.She didn't catch initially that it was other animals in costume playing the characters in the story (e.g. Old Dog Tray is played by a koala) so once I pointed that out that made the illustrations more interesting to her.Enjoy a good laugh with you little ones!

AWESOME BOOK!!!!
This is the cutest book I have seen in a while. I am a Kindergarten Teacher, so for me reading is everything, My students as well as my own girls LOVE this book!

Fun story and great CD!
My three year old borrowed this book with cd from the library and loved it so much he cried when it was time to return it! My children have truly gotten hours of enjoyment from listening to John Lithgow tell and sing the story on cd. It is a cute revision of the classic gingerbread man story with adorable illustrations that adults and children alike will appreciate. ... Read more

Product Description
Fanny and Blue may not be the smartest dogs, and they may not be the best-behaved dogs, but they are definitely the most-loved dogs.

John Lithgow's bouncy song - in the book and on the accompanying CD - is based on his own family's two dogs. And Robert Neubecker's eye-popping illustrations capture the joy of all things dog. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

Howling Good Time!
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1EM2U9GF6G6VF Rufus the Dog reviews the children's book I Got Two Dogs by John Lithgow, actor from 3rd Rock from the Sun.

Cutest Song & Book
This is a great book and song.Our 11 month old squeals with delight when we turn on Fanny & Blue. I totally recommend it for any age child.

fun colorful book and accompanying song
This book for kids up to about 6 is the spirited testament to the author's two mutts, Fanny and Blue, mischievous family pets who are well loved.The pictures are lively and funny, the words are cheerful, and the accompanying CD contains Lithgow singing the text in a boisterous tenor.Quite fun for younger kids.

I heart John Lithgow!!Cute Cute Book!
This may be the greatest gift I have given my five year old - she LOVES the CD and will listen to it over and over until we make her shut it off.John Lithgow rocks, he does a GREAT job narrating the story, perfect for little kids!I'm not sure we have actually even read the book all the way through; the CD is really the shining star here.Cute story, I will definatly check out anything else by John Lithgow, this purchase was worth every penny!

Fannie and Blue - Let's Hear You Sing it Out
The grandchildren and the adults who love them have enjoyed this music so much that the order has been repeated several times so it can be given to dog loving grownups.If you play the music more than once, don't be surprised if you find yourself singing it over and over and over.You've been warned!! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (20)

Not enough interest for young children

Perhaps I am in the minority here, but I was not impressed with this book.The best thing about it were the pictures.The basic story is good, but the book uses language that many adults, let alone kids, don't understand.I do believe we should use "grownup" language when talking to kids to help their grammar and vocabulary, but the flow of this book seems awkward and out of place to me.We bought several books about NYC before a trip to try to aid in educating the children about NYC, but this one did nothing.Other books, such as "A Walk in New York" or "From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler", however, were very much enjoyed and requested over and over. This book was read once and put aside. There are so many better books out there with more interesting, educational stories for kids.

Interesting book... Much Potential for the Right Readers
I enjoyed this story about a clever and creative little squirrel who savors fine art. This book has the potential to turn young people on to the visual arts and to the treasures museums offer. I love the "Norman Rockwellish" final illustration in the book --depicting Micawber rendering his own self-portrait.

This book could frustrate struggling young readers who might try to read it independently; the included CD is a great solution for that particular issue. For advanced young readers / students (ages 6-10), this book offers some meaty vocabulary challenges, higher thinking concepts, and if parent / teacher directed, some beneficial, value-based talking points such as these: 1) What is a museum, and why would people go there? 2) Who are Van Dyck, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Monet? 3) Should Micawber travel home with the stranger? 4) Should he mess with the artist's supplies? 5) What themes would a squirrel paint in his pictures? 6) What did the squirrel gain from his adventures? 7) How would you paint a picture?

For home-schooling parents / guardians, this might make an interesting "humanities" reading choice.

LOve the vocabulary!!
I love this book!! The squirrel is adorable and I love how he has his own art exhibit in the end!! Great art appreciation! I alsolove the great use of vocabulary in the text! I had to grab a dictionary on a word and that was great to show my children that even adults are always learning!!!
My 2 1/2 year old and 6 year old fell in love with Micawber as well!! Well written and CF Payne does wonderful illustrations! A perfect gift for a budding artist! I just bought 2!!

Painteriffic!!!!!!
My nine year old daughter thinks this was a really good book which was easy to read and very creative.Loved the pictures!!!Great childrens book!!!I completely agree with her.This was a very cute book with a nice message!

alternate morals
It's a cute story, but I'm a little unsure about the morals behind a squirrell using someone's paints without permission.It's kind of...um..stealing.It's cute for a young reader who may not yet have the concept of property. ... Read more

Product Description

Reedle-ee
Rootle-ee
Vroom-pety BANG!

Young Farkle McBride is a musical genius: He plays the violin, the flute, the trombone, and the drums with incredible skill. But he's never satisfied: Something is missing.

In his first book, actor and musician John Lithgow introduces a memorable character, a fickle yet lovable child prodigy who brings the sounds and rhythms of an orchestra to sprawling visual life. With a double gatefold showing the entire orchestra, this is the ultimate book for the music lover in all of us.

Deedle-ee
Doodle-ee

Doom-pety CLANG!Amazon.com Review
Star of 3rd Rock from the Sun, actor John Lithgow is less well known as a music enthusiast, but in his comical verse story The Remarkable Farkle McBride, he has created the musical prodigy he would perhaps like to have been. Farkle is a little boy with astounding talents (he's playing violin with the orchestra by the age of 3) but little perseverance. Each year he gets bored with his instrument, takes up and masters a new one, and then gets bored with that. Of his recently beloved trombone, he says, "The racket is more than my eardrums can bear! So return it or throw it away! I don't care!" In the end, Farkle realizes that the whole orchestra is his instrument: he finds satisfaction as a conductor, and the book ends with a gatefold of him triumphantly leading all the other musicians. C.F. Payne's illustrations combine a Norman Rockwell realism with a caricaturist's sense of humor. (Ages 5 and older) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Customer Reviews (43)

Brilliant Absolutely Remarkable Illustrations! Story's Nothing Remarkable Though!
Picked up this picture book purely for the fact it was written by John Lithgow.I've enjoyed his work as an actor and thought I'd see if he knew how to write as well as he can act.Disappointingly, the answer's no, well at least not with this effort, published back in the year 2000.Being that he's played a few comedic roles such as on Third Rock from the Sun, I'd wrongfully assumed this would be a funny tale.It's not, but I don't need humour to enjoy a good story.The story of a spoilt brat named Farkle McBride isn't too remarkable though, he never gets his comeuppance for his behaviour, he never gets up to anything too interesting at all, pretty much the whole story revolves over him picking up a few instruments, mastering them (well he doesn't really he's pretty much a born natural with each), getting sick of them and destroying those expensive instruments.His parents don't punish him at all, or even make him work doing chores or anything to pay for the price of the next instrument.Not much of a lesson for kids here. If he'd maybe bought the instruments with money he'd earned collecting cans, or washing neighbourhood cars or something, smashing them would be fine as they'd been his own paid for instruments. Lithgow could even have made the story interesting by maybe meeting some interesting characters who heard him throw a tantrum of being sick of the previous instrument and offered to trade him for the next instrument. Then he just walks up to an orchestra and can suddenly conduct, come on!Maybe if he'd had a lesson or two and somehow mastered it real fast, you could say that's he's remarkable.Too far fetched the way it is.At least most of the book rhymes, you can give Lithgow that.

Accolades where they are due though to C.F. Payne.The illustrations inside are superbly detailed and extremely interesting to look at.I'd certainly buy other picture books illustrated by him.

A Snappy Story about an Orchestral Child Prodigy
This unusual rhyming book, full of wordplay and visual humor, tells the story of a child prodigy who, each year of his life, masters a new musical instrument and then tires of it, throwing it away in dramatic frustration.At age ten he reaches the pinnacle of his musical career when he is asked to conduct the orchestra, and his musical capabilities are at last fulfilled.

The text is cleverly written with unusual vocabulary, a snappy rhythm, and a sly mood.C.F. Payne, who has been called "The New Normal Rockwell,"provides wry and interesting illustrations, and his use of light and perspective (while occasionally disconcerting) add to the fantastically dream-like quality of the story.

Some parents may object to young Farkle's dramatic angry outbursts as he reaches the end of each instrument's potential, but if they are willing to overlook this bad behavior, Lithgow's playful story may be used to help introduce children to the instruments that make up the orchestra, as well as the mood and dress that go with that social environment.

Good Children's Lit Book for a Music Class
I teach general music in an elementary school in Tennessee.I bought a copy of this book for myself and one for the other music teacher on the strength of a recommendation from a facilitator in a professional development workshop I attended in May.

My team mate said she once had a copy of this book at another school she'd taught in but lost it, so she was thrilled to have it back in her classroom library.She said the story draws the students in and fires their imagination to ask questions all during the time she reads it aloud.She mentioned it is especially effective to engage the boys with----which speaks volumes about the value of this book!

I plan to use it with 2-4th grades starting in the upcoming school year.

I found the seller took a bit longer to ship the book than I'd wanted, but at least I had it in my hands before we let out for the summer!

great book
I have had this book for several years and recently purchased it again as a Christmas gift.My son is now 12 but still occasionally reaches for this book for a smile.Great for any musician.

My daughter loves this book!
The Remarkable Farkle McBride is a delightful story, made even better by the use of lilting rhyme and excellent vocabulary. ... Read more

Product Description
But oh! what a fabulous night he had had,
When his world was turned into a zoo!

After wandering off from a school field trip, a young boy falls asleep in the Natural History Museum. There he sees his classmates, teachers, and family transformed into a menagerie of animals, from wild hyenas to stately peacocks.

John Lithgow's exhilarating word play, inspired by Camille Saint-Saëns's1886 composition, provides a narrative arc to the piece for the first time. Lithgow created the text for the New York City Ballet, where the Carnival of the Animals ballet, with his narration, debuted in 2003. Boris Kulikov's witty artistic interpretation of the story adds to the fun.

A new recording of Saint-Saëns's suite, performed by Chamber Music Los Angeles under the direction of Bill Elliott, complete with John Lithgow's recitation of the text, is included on an enclosed CD. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

another cherished book by John Lithgow
Another book in the collection of John Lithgow's childrens' books.
Lovely and witty prose.

Wonderful narration and eye popping illustrations
I used this with my kindergarten music class, and they were absolutely enthralled.Even kids who normally weren't on their best behavior were attentive and involved.We laughed hysterically together at the pictures, they were always finding something on the page to talk about.In addition, John Lithgow is a terrific storyteller who really makes the story come alive. During the musical passages woven through the story, I would stop and prompt the children to identify the instruments in the background and have them discuss ways each shows the character - eg.the how the elephant is shown with a slow, heavy tempo with low pitch; or how the wooden bars of the xylophone resonate to sound like the bones of the fossils.I highly recommend this book and cd.

So sad john....
I have to say, I own ALL of john's books and I love them all, except this one. I teach 3-4 year olds and the tune of this book is very dry. kind of boring. I let my friend borrow it to present to her 5 year old children and still no interest from them. The pictures are wonderful, and the cd is ok to listen to while the children play, but they are not interested inrerading the book.

Great except for one word
I am an elementary music teacher and this book is excellent for a number of reasons.However my only problem, and it is a problem in elementary school when children in grade 1 or 2 want to read the book, is one word.It is another name for donkey and starts with jack.It appears three times and I have taped over the word and put the word donkey, which works well except for one sentence that is suppose to rhyme. The pictures, prose, and included CD are all great and work well in the classroom as well as the home.

Carnival of the Animals
I was a bit skeptical of this book when it was given to my 5-year old at Christmas, but I have to say it won me over.My son really loves it too, and we don't always have the same taste for books, so it's nice that we both enjoy this together.The rhymes are ingenious and the music is lovely.The vocabulary is advanced, but that's part of what makes this book so charming. ... Read more

Product Description
"I'm too fast, you're too slow. Pan, pan, patty-cake pan, I can get away from you, I can!"

The much-loved story of the Runaway Pancake who pops out of the oven and is sure he can escape all who want to eat him, is given a new spin when Marsupial Sue and her friends put on a play version for their neighborhood. This has all of the wit and whimsy of Marsupial Sue and again features lively illustrations by Jack E. Davis. From the friends' preparations behind the scenes to the actors' final bows, readers will be inspired by the production. A CD recording of John Lithgow's live performance of the song "The Runaway Pancake" is also included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

No CD for me either...
This book is great, but I bought it too because the product description said it was supposed to come with a CD.

BEWARE - make sure you get your CD!!!

did not have cd
i checked before i ordered it and it said it came with the cd--which is the only reason to buy it.without the cd it is really a pretty mediocre book- but with john lithgow reading/singing it is pretty fantastic.i was very upset it didn't have the cd.

Not original, but fun
Celebrity authored books are all the rage; a famous name helps sell copies and publishers are eager to promote such books. Unfortunately, being a celebrity does not make that person a good writer and many of these books suffer from poor plots, substandard writing or storylines that lack originality. Fortunately, Marsupial Sue Presents The Runaway Pancake rises above the clutter of lackluster celebrity books for children.

In Marsupial Sue, Sue and her friends are putting on a play with Sue in the lead role of Auntie May. When Auntie May decides to cook herself a pancake, the narrator of the play cautions that "You must never, ever, EVER cook a pancake in a hot oven. And my story will tell you why."

Auntie May puts her pancake in the oven and then does housework while her lunch cooks. But she soon hears a noise from inside the oven. When she opens the door, out pops her pancake, complete with eyes, nose, mouth and feet. As her lunch runs away, Auntie May pleads for it to return. The pancake teases,

"No, no.
No, no, no.
I'm too fast, you're too slow.
Pan, pan, patty-cake pan,
I can get away from you, I can!"

With Auntie May following, the pancake comes upon a dog who is also eager to eat it, but the pancake refuses to be anybody's lunch and repeats his jingle, this time adding a line about the dog. Soon, the pancake has a whole host of animals, along with Auntie May, chasing him and the jingle he repeats on each page has grown much longer, as he adds a line for each animal. It looks as though the pancake might escape until he comes upon the sly, old red fox. (It is odd that the illustrator choose to draw the red fox as purple.)

Marsupial Sue is not a new theme, it's a rehashing of the runaway gingerbread man, however, Lithgow does a good job of recounting the adventure. Children will enjoy the ever growing jingle and have fun anticipating what will happen as the pancake meets each new animal. I'm not sure why Lithgow choose to present the story as if Marsupial Sue and her friends were putting on a play. The play aspect gets lost in the story and serves no purpose.

Quill says: Better than most celebrity authored stories, it's not original, but it is fun. ... Read more

Product Description

What's a palooza?

An activity that keeps kids from uttering those terrifying words, "I'm bored!"

You may know John Lithgow as star of stage, screen, and television or even as a bestselling children's book author. But his most important role -- parent -- was also the most fun. Whether building cardboard castles or putting on a King and I puppet show or conducting a treasure hunt in the National Gallery of Art, John has spent years perfecting the art of the palooza.

A palooza is easy to do!

• A palooza doesn't cost much (some cost absolutely nothing)

• A palooza is instigated or organized by parents but is quickly taken over by children

• A palooza may involve a computer but never the TV

• A palooza may use all varieties of arts and crafts

• A palooza may secretly teach children (and parents!) a thing or two

• A palooza is entertaining for the entire family

• A palooza depends entirely on the inexhaustible creativity, ingenuity, imagination, and sense of fun of young minds

This book contains 101 ideas for creating paloozas for children ages 3 to 12 wherever you are. Grouped according to interests and themes -- like art, drama, music, vacations, and birthdays -- and incorporating lots of extrapaloozas, fun facts for parent and child, and suggested additional reading for all ages, John's paloozas range from adopting your own soup can for a day to inventing your own secret language to establishing left-handed day or creating a self-portrait. A Lithgow Palooza! is an utterly unique collection of original activities guaranteed to transform any household from bored to bubbling with fun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Now what I expected
The activities offered in this book were old school and kind of lame.I was going to give it to my niece for her kids, but I could just see them rolling their eyes when my niece tried to engage them in the suggested activities.So it went to Good Will

A Lithgow Palooza
I picked up this book as I was surfing through the childrens book section last month, it seemed cute and insiteful.Boy!Was I ever wrong!This book is absolute GENIUS!John Lithgow is a good actor, a smart person, but he is so fantastic with children he makes Mr. Rodgers look like the wierd guy who sits on his porch with a shotgun.
My family started doing these Palooza activities once a week and we have four under our belts with only 97 more to go.My children are already picking which ones to do almost two months in advance.I walked in on my daughter last night as she was looking up famous astronauts in history that she wants to portray on the "Mission to Mars" Palooza, not playing a video game or chatting online with her friends or even watching television.My wife is in love with it because she was complimented on her homemade donuts at the Halloween Carnival, yes the recipe was in the Holiday Paloozas.
In the introduction Lithgow warns that even he has only done 10% of all the palozzas in the book and doing them all would be impossible.So the gaunlet is thrown down and my family has accepted, we are Paloozaholics and can't wait to finish all the Paloozas in the book (should only take three years, give or take a few weeks).Thank you Mr. Lithgow.

Lithgow Mania
I was given this book as a gift, and our family loves it. Lithgow has an amazing mind--and he's just quirky enough to cater perfectly to kids. We have used many of the ideas in the book, and have even expanded by creating our own "paloozas." You'll never run out of ideas or creativity if you buy this book. He has several others out now too.

A world-wide wonder for children to learn and play from!
This is a playful, richly informative book giving lots of interesting ideas to make kids THINK and HAVE FUN.I checked out the book from the library and now I need my own copy... because the age ranges are so broad, it's a resource you will be using for YEARS.(And yes, even if you are an adult I can almost guarantee you'll find something new and fun!)Lithgow creates interesting paloozas, and side-notes offer more details and resources for further exploration.Some of my favorites:
Labyrinths (no, it isn't the same as a maze!)
Kolam
Backwards Party

5 stars is not enough!
Creative, innovative, superlative, outstanding.I just received my copy today and have read through one half of the book so far, but am very impressed.Every new parent should be given this book at baby showers.Lightow writes in an understandable, friendly conversation manner which is easy to understand.

As a left hander in my middle years who has struggled with the challenges and redicule of being "different", I especially appreciated the chapter relating to lefties.Creaping/galloping degeneration in usefulness of my left hand is forcing me to become ambidextrous in performing the simplest daily activities.

Thanks to a very literate and intelligent person for this great resource for parents.

My advise:Throw away the coloring books and remote controls and, buy this book.

Thanks to you Mr. Lightow for this enlighting and entertainig book.By the way, we loved Third Rock also.

CV ... Read more

Product Description
But oh! what a fabulous night he had had,

When his world was turned into a zoo!

After wandering off from a school field trip, a young boy falls asleep in the Natural History Museum. There he sees his classmates, teachers, and family transformed into a menagerie of animals, from wild hyenas to stately peacocks.

John Lithgow's exhilarating word play, inspired by Camille Saint-Sa?ns's 1886 composition, provides a narrative arc to the piece for the first time. Lithgow created the text for the New York City Ballet, where the Carnival of the Animals ballet, with his narration, debuted in 2003. Boris Kulikov's witty artistic interpretation of the story adds to the fun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

book
The art work was interesting but the plot of the story was hard to follow.

adorable book
This book has rollicking lyrics and fun pictures to introduce a classical score to children.It is fun to read (and even better to hear). ... Read more

Product Description

John Lithgow makes Arts and Literacy a Palooza of fun for kids!

Collect all 18 titles for your d ... Read more

Product Description

John Lithgow makes Arts and Literacy a Palooza of fun for kids!

Collect a ... Read more

Product Description

John Lithgow makes Arts and Literacy a Palooza of fun for kids!

Product Description

John Lithgow makes Arts and Literacy a Palooza of fun for kids!

Collect al ... Read more

Product Description
New from John Lithgow, the bestselling author of whimsical books for children and creative ideas for families

Family car trips and plane rides need no longer be a source of stress with this terrific Lithgow Palooza! kit aboard. The book contains loads of ideas for creating fun projects and just plain silly constructions by combining the enclosed materials-suction cups with hooks, chenille sticks, wipe-off paper, wipe-away marker, an eraser, and lanyard wire-in unique and highly entertaining ways.

Don't just ask, "What's a palooza?" Try one! A palooza is an activity guaranteed to take a kid's mind off of the long drive or day ahead and get him or her interested in something new, creative, and out-of-this-world fun. A palooza takes an everyday idea and makes something completely different-and totally unexpected-out of it. A palooza isn't just an idea, it's a way of thinking.Our Lithgow Palooza kits come complete with just about all the materials needed to make imaginations soar. Sculpt a racing seagull from chenille sticks! Make a puzzle only you can solve! Tons of ingenious and inspired brainstorms will soon have kids everywhere saying,"It's not just an idea, it's a palooza of an idea."Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Exclusive Content

Amazon.com's Significant Seven
John Lithgow kindly agreed to take the life quiz we like to give to all our authors: the Amazon.com Significant Seven.

Q: What book has had the most significant impact on your life?
A: Tellers of Tales, stories edited by Somerset Maugham, from which my father read bedtime stories to my brother, my sister, and me.

Q: You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?
A: Book: Shakespeare's Complete Works
CD: Bach's Mass in B Minor
DVD: Casablanca

Q: What is the worst lie you've ever told?
A: I have never lied (which is the worst lie I ever told).

Q: Describe the perfect writing environment.
A: A cabin in Montana with a window looking out into the woods.

Q: If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?
A: On my gravestone: "The best thing in it."

Q: Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?
A: William Shakespeare

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
A: Flying would be nice.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

No more back-seat screeching
If you're a parent, I'm sure you've had at least 10 horrific car trips consisting of crying, name-calling, "I'm bored, Mom," incessant whining, and non-stop "are we there yet?" This book is the solution to your problems. Give it to the kids at the first hint of a whine, and they'll be entertained for hours: your trip is nearly guaranteed to be trouble-free. The book comes with fun bits and pieces that go along with the games and projects Lithgow suggests, so you don't have to worry about art supplies or anything like that--it's completely self-contained. With fun facts and brain-bogglers alongside songs and storytelling, your kids won't want to put this book down--instead of "are we there yet?" you'll be hearing "do we HAVE to get out of the car?" ... Read more