Books with author Michael J. Rosen

A collection of political tales―first published in British workers’ magazines―selected and introduced by acclaimed critic and author Michael RosenIn the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, unique tales inspired by traditional literary forms appeared frequently in socialist-leaning British periodicals, such as the Clarion, Labour Leader, and Social Democrat. Based on familiar genres―the fairy tale, fable, allegory, parable, and moral tale―and penned by a range of lesser-known and celebrated authors, including Schalom Asch, Charles Allen Clarke, Frederick James Gould, and William Morris, these stories were meant to entertain readers of all ages―and some challenged the conventional values promoted in children’s literature for the middle class. In Workers’ Tales, acclaimed critic and author Michael Rosen brings together more than forty of the best and most enduring examples of these stories in one beautiful volume.Throughout, the tales in this collection exemplify themes and ideas related to work and the class system, sometimes in wish-fulfilling ways. In “Tom Hickathrift,” a little, poor person gets the better of a gigantic, wealthy one. In “The Man Without a Heart,” a man learns about the value of basic labor after testing out more privileged lives. And in “The Political Economist and the Flowers,” two contrasting gardeners highlight the cold heart of Darwinian competition. Rosen’s informative introduction describes how such tales advocated for contemporary progressive causes and countered the dominant celebration of Britain’s imperial values. The book includes archival illustrations, biographical notes about the writers, and details about the periodicals where the tales first appeared.Provocative and enlightening, Workers’ Tales presents voices of resistance that are more relevant than ever before.

A primer, an owner’s manual, a field guide, and more, My Dog! is the complete book for every child who has a dog―whether it’s a brand-new puppy or adopted mutt, or a beloved pooch who’s been in the family for years. And it couldn’t be more kid-friendly, with its customizable cover (paste in a picture of your dog), tabbed chapters, and a pull-out dry-erase dog care chart.Written by Michael J Rosen, author of Kids’ Best Dog Book, and dubbed a “fidosopher” by The Washington Post, My Dog! covers everything from the basics of handling, feeding, and grooming to history, lore, and the kinds of fun facts kids will always remember (dogs have a sense of smell a million times better than ours; the oldest dog on record, Bluey, lived to be 29). It tells kids how to train their dogs, with illustrations―including action commands like Sit, Stay, Come, and Go to Your Place, and behavioral commands like Speak and Thank-You. There are the simple health checks kids can do. A How to Speak Dog section to insure that kids and dogs remain best friends―including why a raised, wagging tail doesn’t always mean “I’m happy,” and the important difference between a Yelp! and a Yowl! Even a recipe for Carob “Cocoa” for kids and dogs to bond over after a brisk winter walk. Included with the book is a field guide to 75 breeds of the most popular and family-friendly dogs kids are likely to meet―each illustrated with a gorgeous full-color photograph and profiled with essential facts, including behavioral insights that make it an invaluable guide to choosing a family pet.

A collection of political tales—first published in British workers’ magazines—selected and introduced by acclaimed critic and author Michael RosenIn the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, unique tales inspired by traditional literary forms appeared frequently in socialist-leaning British periodicals, such as the Clarion, Labour Leader, and Social Democrat. Based on familiar genres—the fairy tale, fable, allegory, parable, and moral tale—and penned by a range of lesser-known and celebrated authors, including Schalom Asch, Charles Allen Clarke, Frederick James Gould, and William Morris, these stories were meant to entertain readers of all ages—and some challenged the conventional values promoted in children’s literature for the middle class. In Workers’ Tales, acclaimed critic and author Michael Rosen brings together more than forty of the best and most enduring examples of these stories in one beautiful volume.Throughout, the tales in this collection exemplify themes and ideas related to work and the class system, sometimes in wish-fulfilling ways. In “Tom Hickathrift,” a little, poor person gets the better of a gigantic, wealthy one. In “The Man Without a Heart,” a man learns about the value of basic labor after testing out more privileged lives. And in “The Political Economist and the Flowers,” two contrasting gardeners highlight the cold heart of Darwinian competition. Rosen’s informative introduction describes how such tales advocated for contemporary progressive causes and countered the dominant celebration of Britain’s imperial values. The book includes archival illustrations, biographical notes about the writers, and details about the periodicals where the tales first appeared.Provocative and enlightening, Workers’ Tales presents voices of resistance that are more relevant than ever before.

A stunning, bold and funny picture book for the very young, from former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen and illustrator Kevin Waldron.My oh my! Big elephant tramping, big hippo rolling, big tiger snatching, but off flies the fly... From Michael Rosen and Kevin Waldron comes this great read-aloud story for the very young that chalks one up for the little guy.

Complete with hook, line, and sinker, The Kids' Book of Fishing is an initiation into the oldest unofficial club in the world. Written with an emphasis on freshwater catch-and-release fishing, this fact-filled, illustrated book points out the best fishing holes and what to use for bait. Kids meet bluegills, crappies, perch, bass, and trout; learn about their habits and habitats; and discover if they feel pain (they don't). Then it's time to catch them. Beginning with the simplest hand-line method for jigging, The Kids' Book of Fishing establishes the basics: tying knots, judging water depth, choosing the right tackle and bait, attaching a bobber, and-most important of all-how to tell when a bite comes and what to do about it.Packaged with each book are 30 feet of monofilament line, 3 sinkers, 3 hooks, 1 plummet weight, 1 snap-swivel, 1 red-and-white bobber, and a custom-made plastic tacklebox. With its environmental tips, neat facts, projects and activities, The Kids' Book of Fishing is The Compleat Angler for kids. Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and the Rodale Book Club. 190,000 copies in print.

When I was a boy,I had a favourite treat.It was when my mum made . . .CHOCOLATE CAKE!Ohhh! I LOVED chocolate cake.Fantastically funny and full of silly noises, this is Michael Rosen's love letter to every child's favourite treat, chocolate cake. Brought to life as a picture book for the first time with brilliant and characterful illustrations by Kevin Waldron.

When a blizzard traps a family outside in a whiteout, a cattle dog devises a stunning rescue in a moving, suspenseful, and gorgeously illustrated story.A family—a mother, a father, and their ten-year-old son—have come all the way from Florida to the Appalachian foothills to experience the wonder of a snowy weekend. At a nearby farm, a cattle dog is working, as she does every day, driving her forty head of cattle from pasture to corral and back again. And then, suddenly, a blizzard descends. The family is trapped outside, disoriented in the whiteout. They are panicked, exhausted, freezing, and stranded in waist-deep drifts. From off in the distance, the cattle dog has heard their faint, snow-drowned cries. Her inexhaustible attention turns to saving them. This stirring tale is both a compelling story of survival and a meditation on the tremendous will of man's best friend.

A fish that walks on land, a frog that makes its own sunscreen, and an insect that can become invisible? Whether to avoid predators, to stalk prey, or to withstand extreme temperatures, Earth's creatures have evolved some outrageous features and tricks to ensure survival. For example, did you know that the geoduck (nope, it's not a duck, it's a clam) can live as long as 160 years? And that the aye-aye, a nocturnal primate, uses echolocation and a long, spindly finger to find and dig up food? Or that in its deep-ocean habitat, the vampire squid uses bioluminescence to startle predators? These are among the many animals that show evolution and adaptation at work.