Product Description
In a lighthouse by the ocean, Seabold, a dog, and Pandora, a cat, live with their three little mice children, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny. One day, Lila and Whistler decide they want to investigate the mysterious forest that stands near their home. What adventures could be waiting between those trees? Brother and sister ask permission to go exploring and discover not only adventure and enchantment but also a new friend! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Way better than many books for this agegroup
Not scary but not boring, wholesome but exciting, and enjoyable for parents to read aloud. Cynthia Rylant is great & my 6-year-old daughter loves this series.

Great Story about getting lost!
This series is a wonderful treasure to share with your children.Read the first one first, The Storm. It introduces you to the characters and develops the story line.After that, the rest can be read out of order and they will still make sense.There are 5 books, I believe in the series.

This book in particular is really good because the mice children get lost and the eagle helps them get back.It is a good book to help you talk to your children about getting lost and what to do.It isn't too scary for young children, but it does help them understand what it means to be scared when if they were to get lost.

I highly recommend this book!! ... Read more

Product Description

Life with only the sea can be lonely. Just ask Pandora and Seabold. They've lived most of their lives with the sea -- Pandora in a lighthouse and Seabold on a boat -- and they're each quite used to being alone. Or they were.

But one day, the sea did something extraordinary: It brought Pandora and Seabold together! And even better, the sea gave them the ingredients for an adventure that neither of them had considered before-an adventure called "family." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

LOVE this series!
This is, amazingly, the first good series I've found to read to my four-year-old son. They're good stories, no meanness or sarcasm that I've found in way too many children's books. They're just good, nice, interesting stories--and I don't have to skip or change the words! Thank you Ms. Rylant!

One of the best early chapter books we've found
We read a lot and have struggled to find the right chapter books to read out loud to our 6 (almost 7) year old.He can read the Magic Tree House series on his own now, so we were looking for something slightly more advanced in terms of vocabulary and number of words on a page to read TO him.Many of the books we've tried have had subject matter too dark for a 6 year old (Lemony Snicket, Winn-Dixie, Edward Tulane, Swiss Family Robinson early classic version, etc. - they all seem to include kids or parents dying).

This book was perfect.It included just enough new words for his vocabulary - not so many to make the story difficult to understand but enough to stretch his mind a bit.:-)The story itself had the perfect balance of drama/adventure and simple peace and goodness.I don't know just how to explain this, but the book itself just has a cozy feeling...it makes me want to snuggle up close to my son for an old-fashioned wholesome read.

I was surprised at how different this was in writing style from Rylant's books for younger readers (Henry and Mudge, Mr. Putter and Tabby).We liked those too, but the style here is much different.It's not just a longer story.The words chosen give the sense that she carefully crafted each page.I can't say enough about how much we loved this book and are looking forward to reading the others in the series.

I think the vocabulary would make this a little tougher for our almost-5 year old, so I'd recommend this for 6-9 year olds, depending on whether you're reading TO them or whether they're reading these on their own.

Lovely drawings and a sweet story!
A very nice chapter book for young readers about a cat who discovers that her purpose is to run a lighthouse and save sailors from the rocky shores.
However, the story focuses on more than just the lighthouse, it focuses on how the cat, Pandora, finds friends and a family as the sea brings to her what she had given up for it.

All you need is love toride "the storm"
"The Storm" by Cynthia Rylant is one of the most joyful stories a writer could ever put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to write. Finding Preston McDaniels to illustrate is probably a sign from heaven that this book was meant to be. It is perfect. That simple: "The Storm" is perfect. Because this is a ready-for-chapters book, a beginning reader has the story to practice reading skills. As a bonus, the story is didactic in teaching that solitude comes with a price and that friendship heals loneliness. Even if the young reader does not understand these concepts on a conscious level, surely the subconscious makes that registration.

The adult cannot miss the themes of solitude and friendship and what each bring. This is one of those books that I would like to stand in the foyer of Wal-Mart and hand out to everyone who leaves. Rylant has a soft touch, a magical way with words that go straight to the heart.

In children's books animals are often the characters. Why, you may ask? Studies explain the psychological use and also why they dress as humans. The first main character is Pandora, a cat who has accepted the loneliness that goes with living in a lighthouse, but her sole purpose in life is saving ships from crashing on the rocks. Enter Seabold, a loner dog who loves to sail the seas, who finds safe harbor one stormy night in the seas near Pandora's lighthouse. A dog and a cat living in the same house is difficult at first. He is a salty, crusty old dog, she is neat and tidy, a follower of rules. Their family is made complete with the rescue of three little mice.

Think of it: how incongruous it is that three such disparate sets of persons could make a happy home, but they do. This statement may be a spoiler, but it is not. It is not the make up of the family that this story is about; rather, it is about love and acceptance and kindness and generosity of spirit. Mostly, it is about the magic of love in transforming people, in making them human.

See what I mean. This book needs to be handed out at Wal-Mart. Pay it forward, make the world better. Another of Rylant's magically worded books is "Missing May," a Newbury Award winner. "The Storm" is the first in her Lighthouse Family series. Very highly recommended!

an adorable book for 5-8 year olds
The is the first book I have read my Rylant. Being a fan of lighthouses and children's books, I had to check this one out once I saw the cover. I was very impressed. The story is about 2 lonely animals,an adorable sheepdog and kitty cat, who love the sea and develop a deep friendship. They decide to tend a lighthouse together. The illustrations are some of the best I have seen in kids' books. This is definitely a cozy read for bedtime. ... Read more

Product Description
A thick fog has found its way up north to the lighthouse family, surrounding the cliffs and waters below. Always ready to lend a hand, the lighthouse siblings Whistler and Lila help Seabold guide small ships to land. As they overlook the foggy waters, they hear a distant voice echoing from the rocks below. Who could it be?

Using only a rope and their hearts to guide them, Seabold, Lila, and Whistler make their way down the side of the cliff. And what they discover will help them weather even the thickest fog -- a new friend. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful Read Aloud for 4-6 year olds
My girls have loved the whole lighthouse series as I've read them aloud to them.They have wonderful language and pictures!This is a great stepping stone to reading chapter books with your kids.

Fabulous family reading
My 8 year old son and I have enjoyed all of the Lightouse books. They are endearing, delightful and touching. The subject matter is light, family oriented and yet keeps my son's attention. He is enamoured of all the characters and I feel confident that he will return to these books many times. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Couldn't Put It Down
A fast and furious ride into the inner city kept me up until midnight reading Every Secret Thing.I've been there, man, and it's for real.Ms. Preston uses some beautiful phrasing and creates some remarkable characters. I hope to see a sequel. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

Adorable ideas
I love this book!I've already made three hats out of the book and can't wait to make more.Yes, some of the designs are down right silly, but if you are a mom you know that's exactly what kids love.My two year old twins love the cow and cat hats.I loved the fact that I could make them in a few hours.The designs are easily adaptable too.I made the acorn hat in two shades of blue for a baby shower and it was a huge hit - not your same old baby hat!

Adorable patterns
What a great book!There are so many adorable patterns, something for every skill level.They work up super quick too!These patterns will be a very sweet addition to any baby shower gift.The cotton yarn most of the patterns call for is inexpensive too, and I have found the hats I have worked up don't look "homemade" at all.

SIMPLY ADORABLE!
The hats featured in this book are REALLY cute and clever.Unfortunately, however, some of the pattern sizing seems wonky (even though I made gauge swatches) and some of the patterns slightly unclear.Also, there are some small details not to my liking (the drawstring tie on the kitty hat), but nothing that I couldn't figure out how to change.Irregardless, I do highly recommend the book (especially if you're looking for something "different"), as does my two-year-old daughter who will spend hours just looking at the pictures!:)

Imaginative patterns
This is perfect for little ones, especially the patterns on the cover.Although I can't make them for my granddaughter yet( she is still very small), you can bet that I will be, so many cute patterns that will be enjoyed by the babies.

Super cute hats for babies
This book is full of hats for babies (up to 24 months) with a few accessories like slippers, mittens and a purse.
The hats are mostly "costume" hats - there's a pointy elf hat with a fuzzy chin strap that looks like a beard, there's a pink poodle hat that uses eyelash yarn to make the curly hair of the dog, a chocolate kiss using silver yarn and a sweet strawberry with a green stem.
These are not the old crocheted items your great-aunt used to make...these are cute, hip, "new" styles that are sure to get lots of compliments. ... Read more

Product Description
Low tide around the lighthouse means it's time to go exploring. With a packed breakfast and a passion for discovery, the lighthouse children venture out through recently uncovered parts of the ocean and encounter an octopus named Cleo who can change color as quickly as his mood. Cleo has spent his life living in the nooks and crannies of an abandoned ship at the bottom of the ocean. However, during this special day when the tide is low, Cleo is ready to do some exploring on his own and the lighthouse family is there as his guide.

Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Preston McDaniels bring the peaceful sounds, sights, and characters of the coast into the imagination and hearts of readers.

... Read more

Product Description

Pandora, Seabold, Whistler, Lila, and Tiny have all been enjoying the love and comfort that being a family brings. It is a comfort they are unexpectedly reminded of when Whistler and Lila hear the cries of a lonely baby beluga whale named Sebastian. When they learn that he has lost his mama, the Lighthouse Family, with the help of a cranky but noble old cormorant named Huck, does all it can to reunite mother and child.

Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and illustrator Preston McDaniels invite readers to brave the elements once again, with a story that reminds us all about the strength and courage of family and friends. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Read the Whole Series!
This book is a part of a wonderful series by Cynthia Rylant!I was struggling to find good read aloud chapter books to read to my girls (3 and 5) after picture books but before long books like Charlotte's Web.These are perfect for that in between time!The vocabulary is wonderful and the pictures are engaging.We read one short chapter each day.My girls woke up each morning asking to read from the books.

Amazing New Book for Young Readers
Pandora the cat; Seabold the dog; and Whistler, Lila, and Tiny, the orphaned mice, make-up the wonderful, Lighthouse Family. Together they live amongst each other in an old Lighthouse on the water, where they help to direct ships. However, one day Whistler and Lila hear the cries of a whale, a baby beluga whale named Sebastian, to be exact. Soon they have found that poor Sebastian has lost his Mother, and doesn't know where to find her. It's now up to Whistler and Lila, with the help of the rest of the Lighthouse Family, and a cranky old cormorant named Huck, to find Sebastian's Mother, and bring mama and baby together once again.

In this wonderful, adorable new series by Cynthia Rylant, we are introduced to various wonderful new animal characters, who are sure to rival those found in classics such as THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS. Each character is unique, and possesses his or her own quirks, yet they all share one thing in common, their love for each other, and caring nature. Filled with wonderful sketches by Preston McDaniels amongst almost every page, as well as a delightful plot that will please all young readers, THE WHALE is sure to be a hit.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I like this book.
This book is so cool!I love it.I like that there's a baby beluga in the book, and the cat and the dog and the mice.Because they keep the baby beluga company and they help him get home. ... Read more