Titles Books

I bought this book when (I'm ashamed to admit) McD's came out with Wizard of Oz toys. My 5yo wanted to know who all the characters were, and what they "say". She loved the artwork, pouring over each page to find each character. The book is so eloquent, it's not nearly as scary as the movie. Also, because she's just beginning to read I could gloss over scary parts or words. She has loved it! The day we finished it she wanted to start over and read a second time. I highly recommend for reading with your child!

I bought this book years ago and am looking for another copy as a gift. This edition is the entire MGM script (including the lyrics to the songs) of the 1939 movie and is is wonderfully illustrated with stills from the movie. My family has practically worn out this oversized book and we need another! My husband recently witnessed my daughter's new boyfriend reading along as they watched the movie because he knew we were just fans and he had better catch up! Our families favorite book!

I think that this is a very good book and it also helps me because I have to do a research project on childrens literature and I needed to get pictures of the wizard of Oz and Amazon.com took me right to it!! I was so happy and also I tried other book websites and could not even find a thing!!!

The imagery of the century-old text is superb, and Michael Hague does it a great service. I've been reading this edition to my five year-old son over the past several nights, and he lingers over each lovingly detailed illustration. I'm surprised The Wizard of Oz doesn't have more high-quality editions in print. This volume is a wonderful item to add to your child's library, or even to libraries of adults who enjoy children's books. Highly recommended.

Here's a trivia question for you. When Dorothy killed the Wicked Witch of the West by dropping her house on the witch, was the witch wearing (a) ruby slippers? (b) silver shoes? (c) both?

If you answered "both," you have the correct answer. L. Frank Baum's original story (found in this book) has magical silver shoes in it. The movie version of the story, starring Judy Garland as Dorothy, had ruby slippers. Why the change? Well, ruby slippers film much better. So the Wicked Witch of the West wore both types of footwear, depending on whether you are reading the book or watching the movie.

I share that example with you because 9 people out of 10 have seen the movie, but never read the book. When I was a wee lad, I started in the opposite direction and was sorry to see how much of the Oz story was left out in the movie.

Now, you can make up for lost time by reading or rereading the original. I commend it to you for three primary reasons. First, the book version is built around the idea that the different parts of Oz cannot be easily traversed and the ensuing travel complications make for a better plot. Second, there are many more types of imaginative creatures in the book than in the movie. Third, the book has been lovingly enhanced by new illustrations done in turn of the 20th century style by Michael Hague. The illustrations encompass styles from immediately post van Gogh (yes, there are sunflowers) through Art Deco. I especially liked the water colors of gloomy and darkening skies.

If you are like me, you will chortle when you read L. Frank Baum's comment in the beginning that the story was "written solely to please children . . . a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained . . ." while the scary parts are left out. If you remember frightening moments, you are thinking about the movie. The book is much more gentle, which makes it more suitable for the youngsters. Yes, there are frightening villains, but they are quickly dispatched rather than being allowed to hang around to menace and frighten children just before bedtime. Still, children must have been braver in those days. This story is still scary enough for most to feel a deathly chill now and then.

Many of the ambiguities and confusing aspects of the movie are clearer and less disconcerting in the book, as well.

I won't go into a fine comparison of the two, because that will just spoil the plot for you. Do let me mention a few chapters that you will not recognize from the movie . . . just to whet your appetite for the book -- Away to the South, Attacked by the Fighting Trees, The Dainty China Country, and The Country of the Quadlings.

After you have finished enjoying the wonderful story and new illustrations, think about some of the lessons of the book. Notice that by teaming up, Dorothy and her friends could combine strengths to overcome individual weaknesses. This is the ultimate group of superheroes. How can you combine your talents with others so that all of you combined can accomplish vastly more than any one of you can individually?

Stay on the Yellow Brick Road with effective allies!

I truly enjoyed this book it was a page turner. The characters was simply amazing I enjoyed the relationship between Tyler and Miles. I also like Wes he didn't let what happen to him in the past take the love for his sons and Tyler away. I highly recommend this book.

This book was not what I expected in terms of Tyler, Sterling, Miles and Lauren. The couple who I thought would get together didn't and vice-versa. Nana Tess and Wesley were the topping on the cake. The storyline was a page-turner and the ending made me smile.

I Njoyed the book. If you're looking for a "Take Me Away Calgon" literary moment, this is the book for you. Easy reading, but the message(s) are profound.

Charade is the first book by Donna Hill that I have read and I must say that I am glad I read it. The characters were so alive and real, the book will have all of your emotions in an uproar. If you are looking for a pleasant and quick-reading book, I suggest Charade.

This is the first book I've read by Donna Hill and what a page turner it was. I read it in less than 24 hours flat. I felt like I knew the characters personally. It was like an emotional roller coaster that came to a wonderful and heart wrenching yet estatic halt. This book is a MUST read. It truly deserves a sequel. Great work Ms. Hill

It speaks for itself. But in short, profound, shocking and earth shattering. It wold take any man 10 lifes to accomplish what Gurdjieff did in 1.

Gurdjieff (1866?-1949) was an eminently practical philosopher. After a traumatic car accident in 1924 from which he miraculously survived, Gurdjieff decided to transmit all of his lifelong learning into book form, and embarked upon an intensive writing effort that resulted in Beelzebub's Tales to this Grandson.

Gurdjieff advises us to read Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson thrice, with the open heart of a child listening to a fairy tale. This is not an easy task, for one is dealing here with an account of God, World and Man intentionally composed to provide a self-transforming shock. However, any sincere effort to 'fathom the gist' of this work will provide unexpected benefits. The ultimate impression one recieves is of unsurpassed compassion for the human condition and a heartfelt call to awaken a dormant conscience.

The manuscript was edited into readable English by A R Orage from the literal translation done from Gurdjieff's original Russian by Thomas and Olga de Hartmann. The result was then read to Gurdjieff who consequently revised the text, which was again refined by Orage. This arduous cycle was repeated for the full seven years (1924-31) that Gurdjieff worked on Beelzebub's Tales.

This Two Rivers Press edition is a fascimile of the original 1950 edition whose publication was directly supervised by Gurdjieff.

I wish you good hunting in your quest for the Hidden Learning.

If the book is the World's Number One Unread Book it is simply that the book is not very easy to read. However, if the effort is made, not only is the book intensely funny but the wealth of knowledge contained therein is truly priceless. Gurdjieff was the ultimate rascal mystic and Beelzebub's tales is a tour de force. I actually enjoyed this book alot! It took many years and many false starts and I have only read it through once but it is clear this book deserves an important place in the history of literature. And even though the book is somewhat tragic in its approach, I say it is easily one of the funniest scifi novels to come along ever.

This is the original version of Beelzebub you have been looking for. It is a very diffcult read with pages upon pages of foreign works, but well worth the effort! In this book, we find Beelzebub relating the history of the universe, our planet imparticular, to his grandson. These tales are a delight to read, albeit difficult at times. I can honestly say that this is the most enlighteningbook I have ever read. It offers an excellent model of social, religious, and political history and hope for the future.

The book commands your attention and mental energy every time you pick it up. The tales are so concisely creative, and are told in such a logical sequence, and in such rich language that I could not overcome the feeling of being a student sitting humbly at the feet of a High Quality Human Being. I recommend this book with all of my essence to all who want to attain to as Mr. Gurdjieff calls, "Objective Reason."

I recently picked up the book at a friends and i was pleased to discover a great story with stunning artwork, even as an adult i was able to fall in love with the story,the illustrations by Jeremy Downie were especially moving and really made the story come alive ...an excellent buy in the world of children stories.

Antoinette and the Wolf is a great story for children of all ages. The illustrations by Jeremy Downie spoke to me as they remarkably complemented the wisdom of the story. Everything about them seems to be magical and breathtaking. There is a certain undertone to his paintings, which is so enchanting and that's what makes this book so special and different. When I was little I always enjoyed more the books where the illustrations were almost more colorful than the story itself. I think that Jeremy Downie succeded in doing so and I cannot wait to have my children read this book and appreciate the illustrations as much as I do, and I am sure they will.

This great children's book can be used for storymapping or to compare the storylines of Red Riding Hood with Antoinette and the Wolf. The absolute best part however, is the discussions about the "bully power" of the wolf, and what happened to make the wolf change. To address violence is very important and this book opens the avenue for the discussions about bully behaviour.

I bought this book at the store and loved it.I am so glad this book is out in stores. It's great.

A wonderful and eloquently written story book with truly breath taking illustrations. Good old fashioned story telling is back. My children loved the plot and understood the underlying messages. I also caught some of the metaphors in the illustrations as well. -Thank you Stephanie Macina.

Blue Eagle Meets Double Trouble
By
Steven E. Jones

Steven E. Jones introduces young children to light suspense in this second addition to his popular Blue Eagle series.
Blue Eagle leaves Peaceful Valley for the day and the animals encounter two wolves who try to eat them. The small community of characters come together to defeat the hungry wolves. Blue Eagle comes back and takes the wolves away from his friends.
A fun to read book that teaches children the values of teamwork, determination, pride in oneself and that we are all unique and should be proud of our accomplishments.
The beautiful, vivid, water color illustrations guide you through this tale and bring the animals in Peaceful Valley to life. Steven E. Jones Jr. is a very talented illustrator who has captured the essence of the characters whose lives we are allowed to share.
The Blue Eagle books will have long life on the shelves in children's libraries teaching them moral values for our time. This is a book that parents will also love to read with their children. Another great, must have book.

This author, Steven E. Jones, has done it again!! His Blue Eagle series is absolutely one of the best I have read. His second book,Blue Eagle Meets Double Trouble, is a wonderful story of the animals in Peaceful Valley and Blue Eagle who watches over them. The story is written in rhyme and the vocabulary is excellent. There is so much in this book to use in the classroom! I have taken this book and made a number of lessons from it. I expecially like the moral of the story. I can use the story line to bring up all kinds of discussions of the right and wrong things to do and the trouble you can get into if you do not work together. The characters all work together when there is trouble and Blue Eagle is always there to help them. I use this book in my classroom library and I had read it to my grandchildren. I brings me great satisfaction to know we have such a good author of children's books. I look forward to the next book in the Blue Eagle series. My students continue to look for blue feathers on their desks when they do a good deed.

I loved reading this book to my five year old grandson who was already familiar with Blue Eagle(we have the FIRST Blue Eagle book!) The book flows smoothly, the colors are vivid and beautiful and the story itself keeps a youngster completely interested. The characters all have their own personalities which makes them likeable. The Blue Eagle books are not only amusing but educational with a wonderful message for people of all ages!

As the BLUE EAGLE series continues we begin to see how the environment of Peaceful Valley is very much like the communities that we all live in. We can feel peaceful and protected by those who watch over us, but there are times when that peace can be shaken.

Blue Eagle is a friend to all and when his help is needed farther up the valley he gives his Peaceful Valley friends a few words of wisdom and then heads off. He secretly knows that they will do fine without him but he probably never suspects he'll come home to find a turple has saved the day!

Now coyotes have their place in the world as we all do, but they have a way of being mischievous and causing havoc and harm at times. And as they approach the valley a meeting is called and it's suggested that everyone should find safe places to retreat until peace returns.

Three residents decide that their built-in protection systems might help when their unwelcome visitors show up. Picking their spots they patiently wait and what happens next turns the tide in the valley's favor.

Blue Eagle returns to help clean up and hear the tale that has all his friends laughing and dancing while one resident learns the value of standing up for others even if it involves a little turpleization!

Blue Eagle meets Double Trouble gives us another treasure of family folklore. Once again this talented father-son team provide children ages four to eight with an engaging tale of suspense that in the end teaches values we hope to instill in our children. The virtue of community and teamwork, determination and willpower, and taking pride in one's own uniqueness shine through in the actions of the animals in Peaceful Valley. You and your children will love the bright watercolor drawings and the fun-to-read-aloud rhyming text. Bravo, the originator of these tales has to be smiling down on you two!

My children and grandchidren love this story. I bought the book to read to my youngest grandchild, who is 2 and a half. We love both the story and the pictures. We also have fun braying, barking, meowing and crowing like the heroic animals in the story. When her dad was her age we lived in Germany and visited Bremen and saw the statue of the animals.

The illustrations are delightful for this traditional story. A great gift for any child or adult.

Some animals were going to Bremen Town to be musicians. On the way they saw some robbers. They kicked them out and the animals never went to Bremen-Town.
The donkey kicked the robber with his hind legs, that is why I liked the book.

The animals were going to Bremen Town to be musicians because the owners were going to kill them. On the way to Bremen Town, they met some robbers. The animals stole a house from the robbers.
I liked this book because the robbers looked funny.

Of all the stories my father read to me as a child, this was my favorite. Its endearing story of self-discovery is timeless, and not to mention quite humorous for a six year old boy. It reminds me of a time far less complicated and will thus always hold a special place of affection for me. This was the Catcher in the Rye of my Elementary years. I would highly recommend this to anyone with children looking for quite simply a flat out good story to read them that they will enjoy.

We bought this book after purchasing a greeting card by Pamela Silin-Palmer for our Aunt. She loved the card so much that we thought she would love the book even more. Once we recieved the book we read the whole thing and it is simply stunning. The story is great and you could spend hours just looking at the beautifully detailed pages. This is a great purchase for a rabbit lover!!

Disney has nothing on this. This book has such wonderfully rich, fabulously detailed illustrations! Every illustration has so many wonderful details, you spend more time looking at the pictures than reading the tale. The story is not the same as the Disney version - much gentler and simpler. The Beast is much kinder and not scary like the Beast of the film. The book is one that will enchant most children and the illustrations are worthy of framing.

I am 27 years old and I collect "Beauty and the Beast" books, and have about 60 books in my collection. It is my favorite fairy tale, and the story is timeless. I love to see it told in all different ways, especially with wonderful illustrations like these. I don't have any children, but will get this for my godchildren! "Bunny and the Beast" is my most recent acquisition, and it's an outstanding addition to my collection. I love it!

This is not only a great childrens book but also a beautifully illustrated book for bull terrier collectors! The illustrations of the bull terrier are true to form and will add to any collectors library.

Okay, so I just checked this out from the library yesterday and my kids (two daughters, ages 4 &6) were fighting over it! I don't usually do this so soon, but I ran out... and immediately bought a copy of it for my personal (keepsake) bookshelf. These honestly have to be the best illlustrations I've ever seen in a book -- period! Even my husband leafed through it and said, "Oh, you've got to BUY this book -- as soon as possible!" :) I enjoyed the story and pictures as much as my children did. This is bound to become a new "classic". My 6 y/o is an aspiring author and illustrator and seeing this book really inspired her to continue her efforts. Great book! Someone please give these ladies a medal. This is the kind of stuff kids should grow up on. Thank you Molly Coxe for a super re-telling of a classic and Pamela Silin-Palmer for your glorious artwork! :)

(My review is on Thoreau's Cape Cod rather than this specific edition).

While some literary critics seem to slight this work by Thoreau, saying that it is not as "powerful" as his other works, etc., I personally find this one very enjoyable. Sure, it does not have as much "philosophizing" as other books by him, but it is full of humor and very fun to read. The part where he describes the old man spitting into the hearth is particularly hilarious. The part about him sleeping in a lighthouse is also very funny. It lets us experience the more jovial side of Thoreau. This is probably one of the easiest to read among Thoreau's books.

Published posthumously, this volume is surprisingly consistent and complete (unlike "The Maine Woods" which is chopped into three different parts), it gives one the feel of walking along the entire cape, although the materials are quarried from several different trips. One only wish Thoreau had lived longer and had seen the West, imagine him taking a trip in the Sierra! Oh, well, meanwhile, we still have this one to enjoy.

This hardcover edition from Peninsula Press is unquestionably the best available edition of Thoreau's Cape Cod, for these reasons:

1) While all other editions are based on Thoreau's journal entries from only his first three visits to the Cape, this edition includes an epilogue compiling Thoreau's notes from his fourth and final visit, in which he traveled south to Chatham and Monomoy.

2) This is the only edition to translate the many, many Greek and Latin phrases Thoreau includes throughout the work, and it is also the only edition to provide illustrations, maps, and sidenotes in-text.

3) This is the only indexed edition ever created.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for fans of both Cape literature and Thoreau in general.

Thoreau visited Cape Cod in 1849, 1850, and 1853. These trips formed the basis for a series of essays, several of which Thoreau published in magazines. After Thoreau's death, the essays were gathered together and published as "Cape Cod" in 1865.

Thoreau's "Cape Cod" is different in tone in theme from his earlier books. The tone is leisurely and light. Instead of solitude or the wild woods, the picture that remains with me from this book is that of a long walk, or, as Thoreau puts it, a "ramble" through the sand and dunes of Cape Cod. The book is picturesque, full of humor and wry observation. Thoreau unforgettably describes the ocean, in its storms, vicissitudes, and moments of peace, the fish and the fishermen, the sands, birds, plants and lighthouses of Cape Cod, and the people. I have visited portions of the Masachusetts coast, but I have never been to Cape Cod. Thoreau took me there in his book.

The book is arranged into ten chapters. It opens with a description of the shipwreck of the St John on a rock off the Cape. Thoreau then describes a ride by coach across the Cape. But the heart of the book lies in the following chapters in which Thoreau with a companion walks the 30 mile beach from Nauset Harbor to Provincetown with many stops and diversions along the way. I felt the salt air and saw the fishermen and the sandy beach as I walked with Thoreau.

The most vivid characterization in the book is in the chapter "The Wellfleet Oysterman", as Thoreau describes a grizzled, taciturn, and ancient native of Cape Cod and his family who offer him hospitality for the night. Another memorable chapter involves the description of the Highland Lighthouse, no longer standing, and its keeper. The stops with the Oysterman and the Lighthouse punctuate Thoreau's long walks through the day over the beach and his meditiations about and descriptions of what he finds there.

Thoreaus walk ended at Provincetown, on the northernmost portion of Cape Cod, with its wood walkway, shanty houses, and ever-present scenes of fishermen, boats, and drying fish. Thoreau offers what I found an affectionate portrait of these hardy fishermen and their families. Following a description of what he found at Provincetown, Thoreau offers a great deal of historical background on the exploration of the Cape, from the Pilgrims reaching back to earlier French, Icelandic, and English explorers.

Thoreau's "Cape Cod" is a worthy companion to his books describing his experiences inland, on Walden Pond and on the rivers and woods of New England and Maine. It is beautifuly written with unforgettable descriptive passages. It made me want to get up and go from my life in the city, and over 150 years after Thoreau wrote, wander and walk for myself along the dunes and sands of Cape Cod.

This book details the flora, fauna and people that Thoreau found in Cape Cod in the 1850s. Thoreau organizes the book around a single trip to Provincetown, although much of the material that he uses in the book came from various visits to the Cape, and to the ocean in general. He starts with a description of a shipwreck at Cohasset, then a stagecoach ride from Plymouth, then a walking trip with a companion along the outer shore to Provincetown. Along the way, he describes not only the plants and animals he encountered, but also the people who he met. The book finishes with a lengthy academic historical account of the discovery and mapping of the Cape.

I found this to be the most humorous of all Thoreau's work. The character sketches he provides in this book, sharpened with his trained eye for observation of natural phenomena, are legendary. The cultural description of the Cape and its environment is quite fascinating for those interested in the history of daily life in 19th century Massachusetts. As Thoreau describes the desolate, treeless desert that made up the far reaches of the Cape, one begins to comprehend what it meant for an economy to be based on wood and whale oil for fuels. Thoreau stresses how valued driftwood was for residents of the Cape, as one of their main sources of heating and cooking fuel. Doubtless, he would not recognize the Cape today with its lush new forests. Or its Wal-Marts--switching to an oil economy has brought mixed blessings for the Cape. For those who think Thoreau to be a humorless didactic philosopher, this book shows a very different aspect of Thoreau as a writer.

You will forget about the outside world when you read this; nothing but sand, wind, and water. Plus some natural history, local folklore, a few shipwreck tales. Typical Thoreau; he finds beauty, interest, detail in the wilderness. The desolate landscape will help to clear your mind. Highly recommended.

This is truly one of Roald Dahl's best and is pretty much one of the best tributes to childhood he has written. Heck, it's about a whimsical candy shop and it's pure Dahlian. I still melt every time I hear about the mysterious factory and its master. I don't even mind the not-so-sublte morals (though the book does not have them as blatant as the Gene Wilder movie version). It's creative, understatedly intense while drumming up the quirkiness of the factory and the characters, and is wonderfully British. A true children's classic.

Roald Dahl was immensely creative, as you can see in this book. If you have watched the movie and have not read the book, you have only experienced a sliver of Roald Dahl's imagination. The book is very much like both of the movies, but his descriptions and details in the book are magical. I would recommend this book to anyone, and it is, as it says in the title, one of my favorite books. If you like this book, I would recommend the sequel to this book, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, which is a worthy sequel to this classic.

"There were only two rooms in the place altogether and there was only one bed. The bed was given to the four old grandparents because they were so old and tired. They were so tired they never got out of it. This is the house of poor Charlie bucket."

Charlie bucket is the main character in the book of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Charlie bucket is a small child compared to his other friends. This is because Charlie's family is poor and they don't have enough money to buy plenty of food for the six of them. But then one day Charlie bucket finds some money on the floor and he goes to the nearest store and buys a Willy Wonka chocolate bar. When he buys the first chocolate bar he eats it all up then he decides to buy a second one and when he opens the chocolate bar from the back he finds Willy wonkas last golden ticket. After he finds it he runs home and tells his family and they get so excited. After this all the magic happens when Charlie bucket meets Mr. Wonka and the other lucky winners and the adventure begins.
As I read this book I thought to myself, what if I was in Charlie's place? How I would feel if I lived his life? And then that one day I got to find the golden ticket. What I would do is run straight home and tell my family about what I have done, the next thing I would do would be to rub it in all of my friends faces because I would want o see the look on their faces. I think if this would have happened to me I would have been so happy because if I was in Charlie's place and really didn't get anything good in my life I would be the happiest person. One of my favorite parts of this book was when they were in the chocolate factory and they went into the biggest room which was where all the chocolate was made. I liked this part because I imagined a chocolate river and all sorts of kinds of chocolate while I was reading this book. I think the moral of the story is that even though someone is poor, if he or she is patient and friendly while others are not, good things can happen because that's how Charlie was and he happened to win something.

This book was good. If you love chocolate, you'll love this book. We liked the characters, especially Charlie. Boy or girl, you'll love this book. If you don't buy it, you're crazy. After you finish it, try Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. It has a lot of suspense. Roald Dahl puts a lot of description in his writing.

A classic children's book and rightly so. Roald Dahl is one of the great authors for children, which is obvious since his books are still fun, funny, and interesting for adults. The story is simple and sweet (that is not suppose to be a pun). The writing never talks down to children without being above their heads. You need to get this or any Roald Dahl book for any child you really care about (if they have a sense of humor or need to learn what it is to have one) or if you missed this classic as a child don't wait any longer and read it.

...and yes, someone needs to undertake a follow-up volume for the new episodes. However, this would be an intimidating task because Dawidziak has writen such a tremendous volume.

This is a fine book - I've read it cover-to-cover. It's all you need if you are interested in the fumbling, bumbling ways of this great detective.

I hope that Mark Dawidziak revises it someday to include the newer additions to the Columbo saga.

This is a great book rich with detail and exclusive interviews. I've read - and reread - the book a number of times.

This fine book shows just the sort of attention to detail the great detective would appreciate. It is a work of love, and is a good read for any fan of Columbo. The only problem is that the book is a little out of date now - well over a dozen episodes have screened since the last one listed. A new edition is in order. Please, please, give us the REST of the story!

I refer to the book many times when I watch Columbo episodes I've taped over the years. I think it's a great book, but like others, I think it should either be updated, or a sequel book, possibly titled "The Columbo Phile - Just One More Thing" that just covers the newer cases and updates the statistics (such as how many times William Shatner has been a murderer on Columbo, which used to be 1 and now is 2). Maybe they could use color photos in it, too.