Matt's Pick of the Month: Patrick's Dinosaurs on the Internet

This was a birthday gift to Matt and he loves it! It is also a favorite of the little boy who gave it to him. This is a cute book about a little boy who, while trying to fall asleep (or is already asleep?) is contacted by a dinosaur from outer space. He is taken on the spaceship and travels to another planet where they all live. There isn't any "learning" in this book - you won't learn about dinosaurs or space - but it does help develop the love of storytelling!

It is a great book to read to your child and one that they will enjoy reading themselves when they are able.

Classics

My favorite book of all time is "Jane Eyre". I read it every couple of years. Having said that, I must admit that the first time I tried to read it I couldn't finish it. I just couldn't get through it. The sad thing was it was a Reader's Digest Condensed Book! The language bogged me down. A few years passed and I tried again. By that time I had matured and I could appreciate everything about the book.

I have discovered the Usborne Classic Collection and have to recommend these books to introduce kids to the classics. I just finished "Jane Eyre", "Tom Sawyer" and "Moby Dick". Never having read the original "Tom Sawyer" I can't compare the versions, but I can say that I liked it, a lot. Boys would really enjoy it (as well as a certain 10 year old girl I know who recently read it also!). "Jane Eyre" was only missing the formal English language and phrasing. The only condensing I found was that some of the conversations were just summarized. In other words, the very things that can intimidate a young reader were omitted. These books should help smooth the transition to the original works. After reading "Moby Dick" I am actually planning on reading the original - I enjoyed it that much! I found it a little slow to start, but once Captain Ahab appeared I was riveted.

The Classic Collection is an excellent way to introduce children to the great authors and their works.

Click Here to get your own copy of "Jane Eyre", "Tom Sawyer" or "Moby Dick" from Miss Stacey's bookstore