Festivals Books

I am the coordinator of the Albert Lea Art Center in Albert Lea Minnesota and my July, 2003 show is the original illustrations of Joni Oeltjenbruns. They are fabulous. She is a great illustrator and this book is one of her best.

I truly enjoyed this book. Lisa Bullard's use of a Trick-or-Treating expedition to show the relationship between a boy and his new stepfather was masterful. The unexpected turn of events at the end was sweet and surprising. Oeltjenbruns illustrations evoke the coziness of home, family, and fall.
If you're looking for something different and new for Halloween this is the book.

With an amazing understanding of the young mind, Lisa Bullard has written another book for today's children. Reminding the reader that the changing family structures of today can be a great opportunity for a child, that it can expand their horizons, Trick-or-Treat on Milton Street has a way of feeling like it was written just for you, about you,or about your best friend. This story of a new stepdad and a new neighborhood will hit home for both children and parents. We learn that a new parent can bring you fun, friends, and new experiences. Joni Oeltjenbruns' art just keeps getting better! A great gift book for Halloween, the child who is moving or getting a new parent, or for the avid picture book collector.

Halloween is here, and Charley is upset for he has just moved to a new neighborhood on Milton Street, where he has seen no kids, and everyone seems to be a grumpy old adult. As if that weren't bad enough, Charley's Mother is sick in bed, and has given him an ultimatum, either he goes trick-or-treating with his stepfather, or he can't go at all. Much to his chagrin, Charley heads out with his stepfather, expecting a boring Halloween. However, he is treated to a lovely surprise. At every house he visits, the adults are dressed up in costumes. Skeletons, vampires, mummies, and more. And as he returns home, Charley finds something even greater, a wonderful Halloween party thrown in his honor, that makes him realize that Milton Street isn't really so bad.

Author Lisa Bullard has done a wonderful job of mixing morals about step-families into a fun book about Halloween, proving that stepfathers aren't all bad. While Joni Oeltjenbruns has brought the story to life with her wonderful illustrations. This is a wonderful book for Halloween, especially for parents who are trying to help their children adjust to a new step-parent in the home.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

The book cover may fool you into thinking that this story is probably only for kids in 3rd or 4th grade. This is not true. I read it one day out of complete bordem, and by the end of it, I was laughing till tears pratically came out of my eyes!! Not only does Anne Fine does an amazing job as the narrator for Ralph, she will keep you laughing page after page. With Uncle Tristam's "educational" short stories for poor Albert to Great-granny's way of training kids. Which, by the way; is not exactly pleasant.

Anne Fine uses humor to show us that even on the merriest of all holidays, disaster can happen right in our very own house. This is a book that I enjoyed TREMENDOUSLY and hope that others will too after reading my review.

I loved this book! It's not just for kids, but for any family plagued by obnoxious relatives during the holidays. If you've ever had to sit through a performance by a snotty brat in front of her adoring parents you will identify. Likewise if you've ever slaved over a meal, only to have your guests spew out their dietary restrictions and/or peculiarities at your table. Read it and put it on your next year's Christmas list.

This plot was interesting and entertaining. However, the incredible humor Fine creates in her characters and their situations makes this book one of the great ones. Ralph is retelling the adventures of his Christmas from the prison of his room. He was sent there after his cutesy cousin, devil cousin, evil great grandmother, dilusional great aunt, vengeful uncle, and uncountable other obnoxious relatives get into a huge fight. His poor parents are trying to survive the holiday, feelings are hurt all over the place, and Ralph is just trying to stay out of the whole thing. Seems like a lot of characters, but they're all developed well enough that you don't get them mixed up. I'm using this as my next read aloud for my class. My middle school students will love the witty writing of Anne Fine.

Ralph doesn't get along with his family. In fact, no one does ...

Meet Ralph in this dreadfully funny novel. Ralph is a normal kid. But every Christmas, Ralph is thrown into the torture of spending it with his family. Even though spending Christmas with your family may not sound that bad to you, it is to Ralph. You see, no one in Ralph's family gets along. From his unbelievably negative Great-Granny, Natasha (who says things like, "If I had my own teeth, I'd bite you"), to his perfect princess cousin, Titania (who puts on "cute acts" by singing songs of fairies and wearing frilly pink dresses), and finally to the terrible twins, Sylvester and Sylvia (who trash the house in every possible way), Ralph is bound to tell the worst Christmas story ever.

This funny book has become one of my favorite humor novels. I enjoyed reading the lines the characters said, and I also enjoyed the great number of problems that came up without a solution. The thing I like most is that the plot really draws you into the story. As I was reading, I got more and more involved with what the characters were thinking. Most of the time I felt like I was standing right next to the character who was talking. This book is great for readers who are looking for something nasty and funny.

This "Thanksgiving comedy" highlights gratitude of an unusual sort--that of not ending up basted on a Thanksgiving Day platter. Which is important if you happen to be a turkey on "Wishbone Farm."

Turk's parents are proud of their big, strong son. His mother thinks he'll be a dancer. His father is sure he'll be a star athlete. No one listens to Runt when he warns that his brother "is a goner."

While his family is blissfully ignorant of the impending signs around them, Runt, small but smart, devises ways to keep them from the roasting pan.

This sassy wobble-gobble of a story is stuffed with word play, energetic drawings and imagination.

Lisa Wheeler writes some of the most delightful children's books around today. "Turk and Runt" is a gigglefest! What child can't relate to Runt, the younger brother, who just can't seem to measure up to "perfect" Turk. No-one ever listens to Runt and it nearly costs Turk his life. Read this book to your children or just read it for your own pleasure.

Laugh-out-loud funny! The kids loved it and the adults had their funny bones tickled as well. Read this one out loud to the whole family, then plan on having tacos for Thanksgiving.

This is simply the story of a family of turkeys, not unlike many human families you may know. Mom, Pop, The Golden Boy and of course the Runt. This is an absolutely hilarious Thanksgiving tale. The illustrations are great and the story line will keep you snickering from front to back. This is actually quite a useful book for the class room. After reading the book and finding out how runt saves the day, have the children write you a letter, as a turkey, talking you out of not having him or her for your feast. Out of a class of third and fourth graders, you get some very interesting stories. I enjoyed this one, thought it was funny and well done.

This little book offers a catchy rhyme that is sure to hold a toddler's attention. Positively adorable!

My eight-month old son smiles and laughs the second anyone starts saying, "It's turkey time, Thanksgiving Day....". Cute pictures, with the added bonus of being so easy to memorize you can recite at will (or in a dark bedroom at night).

This book makes you want to be a kid again! An absolute delight to the eyes as well as the brain!

This little book, like all of Kelly Asbury's work, is charming and sweet in the very best way. A little girl enjoys, with anticipation and wonder, a Thanksgiving Day, as she watches the great feast being prepared, the table sat and the scrumptious food being served up...all the way to the pumpkin pie. Asbury's simple, colorful illustrations are perfect visual treat and the easy text should appeal to even the youngest child. A delight in every way!

If you're traveling to Europe looking to party, party, party go to the Pink Palace which is like a summer camp in the Greek Isles, When you've had enough to drink to get your courage up, Run With The Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. These things and more I have done and reading about them in Stavrou's travel guide to partying around the globe made me laugh. I love this book. Gave me more information on where to go to drink and party for next year's trip.!!Great Read.

I found this book at http://www.clark.net/pub/partyguide and ordered direct from publisher. It is filled with really good travel tips, bargain flight info and accommodation stuff. It is so funny. I read about the author's running with the bulls in Pamplona, Munich Octoberfest, his partying around the globe, Mykonos, Athens, other Greek Isle party spots, living in Prague, trips to Ireland, France, Caribbean, New Orleans. Just filled with great place and advice on when to party and best watering holes. Seems to be aimed to college age and Generations X'ers looking for action

I found Stavrou's travel guide to be full of Information on partying in Europe and very funny

I was looking for a budget guide to Europe and this was it.so funny. Everywhere to go to drink and party, especially drink.I reccomend this book if you are looking for action in your travel. Inside information on Europe. I am going to the Greek Isles and want to go to the places that this guy had so much fun at. So Myknosos will be my first stop, after than the Pink Palace Hotel. That is, if i survive Myknosos

ISBN 0140323244 - Herbie Jones is such an average kid that Herbie books are just a little BETTER than average. Most kids can relate to him and his friends as they go through really normal, really common, almost boring things in a most un-boring way.

Herbie's got a girlfriend. Her most attractive feature is that she likes Herbie's poetry. Herbie's best friend Raymond isn't thrilled with this G Disease (Girl Disease) that his friend has caught and keeps a jealous eye on the situation. Annabelle's fondness for Herbie's poetic wit isn't enough to build a lasting relationship on, and when she starts to really act like a girlfriend, Herbie can't ditch her fast enough. He liked her for slightly less than two days and now he longs for the good old days, when Annabelle wasn't even speaking to him.

Herbie's just a hilarious, normal boy, whose romantic thoughts are along the lines of "...still thinking about Annabelle's eyes. He decided they reminded him of chocolate malt balls." As a lifelong Luke Spencer fan, I found it funny that Herbie's sister, Olivia, was watching General Infirmary. On the "lessons" side, it was nice that, although the boys attempted to cheat for the spelling bee, they confessed before it started.

I really like this book and think most kids, particularly boys, will enjoy it. However. There's always those parents whose concerns are different. If you are among the parents who might be bothered by the fact that Ray thinks he would get spanked if his mom found out that he cheated, skip this book. If several innocent butt-jokes, while looking up "haunches" in the dictionary, might bother you, skip this book. If you might get freaked out by the (intentional) mis-spelling of words in Herbie's handwritten poetry (spigetti, reseaver, etc), skip this book. If you're slightly less uptight and freaked out and just want your child to know the joys of reading, pick up a copy - and read it while your kid's sleeping!

This story takes place during the school year is one boy and his friend and he play with him but the boy as a teacher his name is Ms. Pinkham the part the am like is when the teacher due the spelling bee.

This is mostly about a 8 years old boy win the spelling bee and he tell to is friend if she wanted to go out with him and she told him yes.

In my opinion, this book is entertaining and funny and awesome. I liked and am laughed to much.

I would it is entertaining and funny.

This story takes place during the school year is one boy and his friend and he play with him but the boy as a teacher his name is Ms. Pinkham the part the am like is when the teacher due the spelling bee.

This is mostly about a 8 years old boy win the spelling bee and he tell to is friend if she wanted to go out with him and she told him yes.

In my opinion, this book is entertaining and funny and awesome. I liked and am laughed to much.

I would it is entertaining and funny.

Kids who have some difficulty reading are not usually motivated to pick up a chapter book. This one, however, grabs their attention right away. The antics of Herbie and his friends (especially his trouble getting rid of a girlfriend) capture the reader's interest and maintain it throughout. A great read for those 4th and 5th grade kids who may struggle with reading!

It's a wonderful book, heartfelt and fascinating. The illustrations, too, are delightful. Highly recommended!

This book captures you quickly and holds you the length of the story. I found the story enlightening as it explained one of the Jewish holidays with reverence and warmth. A wonderful book for younger children of any religion!

This is a delicious Simchat Torah story based on the tension between a bright little girl and her fearsomely stern grandfather. Stylized illustrations capture New York's Lower East Side in the 1930's as a curious heroine provokes a joyous outcome. For younger children.

Elsa Okon Rael is making a true place for herself in young children's literature. Both this book and her earlier Zeesie story evoke a time in immigrant history, but more, bring to life a very real little girl amid her loving family. There is no better gift for a grandmother to give her grandchild or one that will be reread so often.

I bought this book to read to my grandchildren, ages 2-4. The drawings are fun to see and the words are equally fun to read. My grandchildren thoroughly enjoy this book.

This book caught my eye at first because of its different, "snowflake" shape...the illustrations are extremely charming, warm and "un-slick"-unlike so many that have that computer-graphic-generated style. Also-we don't get snow here at all, and so this is a lovely, evocative subject for California city dwelling kids. My little niece loves it. Definitely a worthy addition to your children's bookshelf.

This book features perhaps the cutest little kitten ever spending a snowy winter's day walking among the icicles and snowflakes. Kelly Asbury's pictures are fresh and funny, while Ann Burg's text is engaging and easy to read. This is a must for any kid's library and a great teaching tool for helping kids learn about the seasons. A+!

The book is a about a kitten who is taking a walk in the outdoors during winter. We see him get on all his warm clothes and off he goes. He does lots of fun winter things. He makes snow angels, snowmen, goes sledding and looks for tracks in the snow. When he has had enough fun for the day he goes back inside by the fire for a cup of hot chocolate!

The board book has a very unique shape. It's in the shape ofa snowflake. The pages are made of stiff board like paper making it easy for little hands to turn.

or why not?I would recommed this book to parents and caregivers of kids ages birth to 3. This is a great way to introduce them to winter and all the things that come with it.

I didn't know as much as I would have liked about Passover, and these books were extremely helpful in becoming more familiar with it. Finding new perspectives on the traditional story and ritual was an exciting way to go about learning, and it really helped me connect to the holiday. In addition, the books just provide a great take on women's roles and accomplishments today. I would recommend this book and the Women's Passover Companion to everyone, whether you have thought a lot about Passover and are looking for fresh insights, or are just starting out and looking for meaning in the traditions of Passover.

This book is a really great resource. I highly recommend it!

This book, together with its companion, The Women's Passover Companion, is a wonderful, wide-ranging compilation of beautifully composed thoughts, rituals, readings, and reflections by women from across an incredible spectrum of backgrounds. The two volumes represent not only a culmination of over thirty years of growth in the Jewish women's movement but can also stand alone as works that capture a breadth of Jewish women's voices at this particular moment in history.

The books are equally suitable for the Jewish professional and the Passover novice. No matter your age, religious affiliation, or political ideals, these books contain a multitude of readings that will resonate for you--and countless other readings from which you will learn and expand your understanding of the Passover holiday. I recommend them strongly no matter where you are on your journey through the wilderness.

This was an incredible book. The contributors were very passionate about Judaism and women's issues and incredibly well informed about Passover and connected themes. Some of the pieces were funny and some were serious, some were academic and other were more relaxed, creating a divere mix. This book was great because it can be useful for anyone who appreciates Passover -- religious or secular and everyone in between. It would make a great gift!

This book is fantastic! We read it every night to our one year old daughter as part of her bedtime routine. She loves it!

This is one of my grandbabies favorites....and I have five. I make certain I buy it for any expectant parents I know. I find myself asking my grandkids, 'Won't you be my Kissaroo?' even when we're not reading the book.

This is an ideal book for mom or dad to read to their little one. The illustrations are great and quite eye catching. The book is entirely about love, love between parent and child and that is a good theme to read about with any child. The text is simple to understand and goes quite well with the illustrations. This is a great bed time story book or setting under a tree book for you and your young ones. Recommend this one highly.

This book has so many elements children love: pictures of animals, a birthday party, a birthday cake (my 2-yr-old loves pictures of birthday cakes!), kisses, friends, etc. It tells children about different kinds of kisses (morning kisses, goodbye kisses, etc), and it has cute illustrations to go with it. The cute illustrations have details that my daughter loves to point out and name, and the colors are good. We like this book and recommend it to others.