Customer Reviews

Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too?

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I agree with recent reviewers who have recommended other animal-based Eric Carle books instead of this one. The verse is repetitive, which makes it easier for my son to learn early word recognition, and the theme is rather sweet, but other Eric Carle books ("Slowly, slowly, slowly said the Sloth" and "Mister Seahorse") are far superior.

I'd also like to respond to the reviewer who stated this book is gramatically incorrect. That's actually not true. The word "like" in "just LIKE you and me" is used as a preposition to convey relatedness of one thing to another. Since it's used as a preposition, the pronouns ("you" and "me" or "I") that follow must be objective (as in OBJECT of the preposition) case rather than subjective case. "You" is both a subjective and objective case pronoun. "I" is a subjective case pronoun, while "me" is an objective case pronoun. Therefore, "me" is the appropriate choice and "just like you and me" is gramatically correct.

Why the grammar lesson? One of the things I love about Eric Carle books is that the grammar is always correct. Any child who reads his books benefits from the colorful collage paintings, playful verse, AND exposure to correct grammar. All are essential for successful early reading.

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Some readers (particularly adults) may find this recent book by the venerable Eric Carle a little bit on the repetitive side or even short of plot. However the target audience for this book (2 to 4 YO's) are expert practitioners in the art of the repeated question .... with slight variations of course.

This book will appeal to the instinctive nature of young children to want to learn by covering the same ground (with slight variations of course) by going over a topic again and again (and again!)

The success of this book, shows the value of well structured rote learning. When done in an appealing way, like Mr Carle does, it is totally natural. The dynamic links between each question, page and animal will draw children along. The reward at the end of the book is the assurance that "animal mothers love their babies just as yours loves you".

If you find yourself saying to your kids "how many times do I have to tell you" then perhaps spending some time with this book may be just as instructive to you as it is to the children.

This book compares well with "The Hungry Caterpillar" where we learnt about numbers and time and tummy aches! In the "Does a Kangaroo.." we learn the importance of the loving relationships between parents and their offspring (BOING.... BOING)

Another great book by Eric Carle. His artwork is better than ever.

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We own nearly all of Eric Carle's books, and this one, though written with a sweet message (all mommies love their babies), comes across as a bit repetitive. My two year old is not captivated by the story (each page asks the same question that is answered on the next page, using different animals each time), but she loves to look at the pictures and the book has served as a great tool for teaching the names of animal babies - the last page of the book even includes the names, if you don't know them (ie, a baby horse is a foal, but what is a baby swan or kangaroo). I'd buy the book just for this information and the illustrations.

The customer who complains that the grammar is faulty is guilty herself of ignorance. The expression "me and you" is exactly as correct as "you and me" though less commonly heard. Thumbs up to Eric Carle for showing readers that there are more ways than one to express an idea! Thumbs down to this customer who reveals her own ignorance! I'm surprised that you at Amazon would print her letter, where it can keep people from buying and enjoying this delightful( and totally correct) book.

This is a very simplistic book, with virtually the same words on every page. I do not believe that an 8 year old would be interested in this book when my 2 year old barely likes it. The art work is good, but I was disappointed with it overall. It did not have anything new to offer.

My daughter and I have enjoyed reading all of Eric Carle'sbooks but I am sending this one back. His books use a lot ofrepetition which is fine, but there is no variety to the vocabulary and no story line at all in this book. Definitely not worth the price.

Eric Carle's "Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother, Too?" is a new classic, from my point of view. As a licensed preschool and elementary school teacher, I KNOW that repetitive books help young children learn to read. I am currently teaching a class of 16 two-year-olds. Their favorite books are colorful and predictable - just like "Does a Kangaroo..." I love to watch them grin as they shout out, "YES!" as I turn each page. I agree that this might not be a favorite of older children, but the one-to-three year old population thinks it's a hit!

I like this book beacuse it gives my 2 year-old son lots of practice saying, "yes" instead of his usual "no." AFter we read the book, we use the pattern established in the story to ask each other about other animals not featured in the book. For example, "does a cat have a mother too?" "Yes!"

Our daughter just turned 3 and she loves this book. We found a copy of this book at the library, brought it home and she loved it. This book encourages her to use her words. She even reads it to herself in her own little language. We are defenitely ordering this book today. It is also a great book for storytime (daycare setting). Other books that are winners in our home are "From Head to Toe", "Panda Bear, Panda Bear what do you see?","Polar Bear,Polar Bear what do you hear?", "Brown Bear, Brown Bear what do you see?", "Dream Snow", "The very busy spider". What we love about these books is the way the pictures are done, words, and all the animals in them. They are put together so well for children.

This is my one year olds favorite boko. He may not be the target age but he loves the repetition and all of the animals. He likes to find each one other places in his room. It also inspired his first sign -- lion.