Crosby Bonsall (1921–1995)

The I Can Read book collection, one of the most prestigious and recognizable series of beginning readers ever published, has been in print since the 1957 release of Elsie Holmelund Minarik's Little Bear. It includes some of the true classics for this age level, among them Syd Hoff's Danny and the Dinosaur, the Amelia Bedelia series, Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad books, and of course, one of my own all-time favorites, Scarlet Monster Lives Here.

This entry in the series was originally show more published in 1961, and is a delightful exploration of the magic of books and the joys of reading. "I know a place," begins young Andrew, and proceeds to tell his friend Tim of a magical place where a boy can hold an elephant in his arms, pick up a river and never get wet, or see a sky full of stars. "Tell me some more," Tim interjects at every turn, until he finally asks "Is everything there?" Everything IS there, as Tim discovers when he finally sees this place for himself. It is the library of course, and the adventures are only beginning...

Tell Me Some More... had a special place in my childhood collection. It was one of those books that I liked to read again and again, probably because it so perfectly captured the enchantment that my own library held for me... Our weekly trips were one of the high points of my week, and like Tim, I never tired of hearing more...

It is a true shame that this title remains out-of-print, and something of a mystery to me. As a long-time bookseller, I know that practically anything with the I Can Read label on it will sell, and Crosby Bonsall has many other titles that are currently available. Why not this one? show less

This simple book is a good early reader. Its repetition of words and phrases is varied just enough to challenge a new reader, but predictable enough to support the beginning reader. The story will make adults smile with realistic child antics, while children will recognize elements from their own world. The characters are illustrated charmingly with very good expressions.

When Mildred the cat goes missing, the private eye club does their best to find her.

Content consideration: there's a lot of arguing and "yelling", which is often the youngest character crying.

A little girl builds a "truly great thing" out of junk. Her friend Stanley is nowhere to be found. But who is Stanley anyway? What a mystery! Until the great thing is almost complete, that is. Then, it's playtime, and there's just no stopping Stanley.