I Books

This book is absolutely beautiful. I love reading this book to my 2 year old son, and he loves when I read it to him. The illustration is adorable and the meaning of the book is just perfect. Exactly what you would want to say to your child about how much you love them. I would recommend this book to any parent or guardian with small children!

This is her best book! It is our bedtime book that I read to my 14 month old every night. He loves the pictures, and it is such a sweet message. It also has nice rhythm so I don't mind reading it over and over and over. It is a relaxing and reassuring message, that I am sure he will appreciate as he gets older. It is my favorite book to give as a gift. I recommend it to everyone!

I bought this book for the three children we are in the process of adopting (ages 8,5,and 3). It is one of the best books I have ever read for expressing unconditional love for a child !! I particularly like it because it expresses how the parent has loved the child since we "first met"... not when the child was "born" as many books do. If you have children, adopted or otherwise, please buy this form them. It will mean the world to them I promise !!

We got this book when my daughter turned 2 and it continues to be one of my favorites. She doesn't want to read it all the time but when she does it is the perfect book for both of us.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books, Florrie Binford-Kichler
Founder of Patria Press, Inc. - an award-winning independent publisher, President of PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and Member of The Children's Book Council; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book is an honored recipient of this distinguished award.

This book is very easy & quick to read - good for those who don't like to spend a lot of time reading one book.

As I was reading this book, I could easily relate to Darcy's frustration. A few years ago, I had a neurological problem where my muscles were slowly becoming weak, and I could hardly walk or move. It was extremely exhausting just getting out of bed. Thankfully, my problem was resolved, but I remember at the time watching other people go about their normal business, like walking etc, and thinking "They are walking so easily, like they don't have to think about it", yet I had to think about everything I did, just like Darcy.

I felt genuine empathy for Darcy, and I am so happy that she lived her last year with so much happiness, despite her terminal illness.

This book reminds me of another I have read recently by Kim Dalton "The Real Fight". Recommended reading.

Years ago I took an essay writing class with Darcy Wakefield. She was an aspiring writer and a pleasant person. I'm sorry that her first success at publishing came under such tragic circumstances. Reading her memoir, I wish I had known her better. She is smart, funny, and real. I'm glad she found personal happiness, motherhood, and spirituality before she died.

I went to a reading by Darcy shortly before her death. Her sister read short passages, as Darcy with ALS by that time could not do so. Darcy, herself, answered audience questions. She was alight with life and her book, with its candor and humor is a beacon of hope and a challenge for us all!

Darcy Wakefield in her mid thirties was diagnosed with ALS. Coping with ALS must surely be one of the most difficult of life threatening illnesses, for every step along the way brings greater challenge and diminishment. There is no uncertainty with this diagnosis, except for the amount of time left and swiftness of the onset of debilitating symptoms. Darcy is a most engaging person from the very first pages of her book and what happens in the year after she was diagnosed is nothing short of remarkable. I cannot think of a more inspiring book. She lives every moment fully and is an example of a person who knows how to live life well no matter what the limitations. She experiences and expresses a very full range of emotional life and writes powerfully and beautifully. When I finished this book,I felt so enriched, and I could not help but feel immensely grateful that she had written it.

This is a truly emotional and thought provoking book. She endured a deadly disease with grace and courage... teaching the reader how to live and die gracefully. Very powerful!

I really enjoyed the book, it was fun and made me laugh. But more so than making me laugh, it also taught me. It taught me about running and how strange we runners can be. It also reminded me not to take myself too seriously as a runner.

The chapters are short, making it an easy read! Whether you are a hard-core runner or a newbie (like me) you should enjoy it!

I was looking for a little humor to go along with training for my first marathon, and I found it in this book! Schwartz takes all the small quirks of a runner, things you may not even think twice about, and has you laughing all day. Nice, light, fun reading.

I may be one of the few runners who had not yet heard of Bob's wonderfully written book. Thankfully I came upon it at the bookstore and I could not put it down. It's filled with rip roaring laughter as Bob takes us on a hilarious romp through all things (and then some) near and dear to runners and provides some insight as well. I enjoyed all the many chapters but some stand out so well that just thinking of them makes me break out in laughter (from Introduction to Ingurgitation to Trick or Feet to Lifetime Taper for a Masterful Peak).

If you want to laugh, this is the book for you. Tremendous!

This is a fantastically funny book and although dealing with running, it provides a lot of laughs for non-runners as well. Bob presents a terrifically humorous look at runners and races and training and lots of other subjects associated with running. The book makes a great gift and the accompanying illustrations are a perfect compliment to each chapter.
It's rare to find a book presented so very well and Bob should be highly commended for this welcome addition to a runner's library. The chapters on stretching and cross training and his satirical look at rules to run by are simply hilarious!

Finally, a humorist who is a runner takes a wonderfully funny look at all runners. This book had me laughing out loud from the moment I opened it as each of the short, snappy chapters are filled with wonderful humor in a very well written, easy flowing and creative manner.
Bob is a skillful author and very funny and entertaining. I've read many of his articles on family life as well and would love to see a similar book on that subject.
I highly recommend I Run, Therefore I Am - Nuts! to all runners. The book is simply great! I've actually read it twice now and had the same amount of laugh out loud chuckles along the way.

I LOVE this book and I am not an artist. The tips and techniques that are shared in this detailed and well researched book are amazing and will help anyone that needs to market themselves. I launched my blog and have done really well with it using the information Stanfield provides in the book. One of my marketing mentors advises to check out what other people in other industries are doing. If you only do what everyone else in your field is doing you will have a hard time standing out. Not being an artist I found this book to have fresh new ideas and concepts with new twist on things I already had been doing. I haven't taken it off my desk since I got it. I keep referring to it and using it over and over.

I bought this book because of all the great reviews even though it was so new on the market. I have to say I haven't been disappointed! The author does a great job breaking down the barriers most of us artists seem to have about doing things like...making a website, organizing our information, etc. She's got a great no-nonsense approach, but does it with a sense of humor. And, some of the things that have haunted me like the idea of marketing, are starting to loose their hold over me. She's a fabulous support in taking the steps laid out to get something done. I would HIGHLY recommend this book. Having a solid foundation as you try and develop your art business is imperative and this book might just be able to help you in ways others don't. It has for me. Plus, I have ADD and find the short sections and easy to read format (a,k.a. easy-to-keep-focused-formatting) help me actually keep focused. :) She knows her market!

"I'd Rather Be In The Studio" is without a doubt the best book I have read on how to get going in your art career. There are a lot of things to do as an artist aside from making art. Alyson Stanfield's book will tell you exactly what you need to know and how to go about doing it. As I was reading it and going though it I felt as if it was written for me. It really does leave you no room for excuses to not market yourself. Making art is great but who's going to know if you don't tell others besides close friends and family? This book will help you gain the confidence, motivation and the know how to get going and know you are accomplishing things. Not only that, she talks about your web site, blogs, routines, organization, everyting that you sometimes don't consider to be marketing your artwork, but it's all part of being an artist. I absolutely love this book. If your just starting out or you're an accomplished artist, you're going to get good advice. Buy it.

Alyson B. Stanfield's book on self-promotion for artists is a true gem. I've never been so excited by an art marketing book - and I own several different titles. What sets Alyson's book apart from the rest is not only the wealth of ideas, tips and advice - better have that highlighter and Post-It flags handy - but the intelligent and accessible way in which the material is presented. The book's focus is on the eight most frequently expressed excuses from artists about why they don't self-promote. Of those eight, I personally identified with five of them. Alyson tackles each one as the chapters unfold, providing insightful and practical solutions to get on with getting the word out about your art. And her optimistic style is inspiring. I feel like she's right there next to me offering encouragement and suggestions.

Alyson's book is one of the best books on marketing that I have read yet. She brings together all the advice and tips that she has passed on to artists for years as an art marketing coach and has organized it so well in this book. After reading the chapter on getting organized, I did just that. I organized my files, my bookshelves, my entire studio. It was amazing how much more motivated you are to create when your art isn't competing clutter. This book is for those who are just starting out as well as artists who have been creating and marketing for years. There is advice for every level. No more excuses, get your art out there!

This is a great book. The girls of my girlfriend love the book. As soon as I sit down, they grab a book and jump in my lap.

I stumbled on this with my daughter one night and she quickly fell in love with it.

It's one of the lessor known books but I think it's a great story. Dr. Seuss did a great job with with his words as it easy to get into a flow while reading and it also allows the story teller to play ring master and have fun.

This is a great bed time book and my daughter declared that only I can read it to her.

"If I ran the circus" starts off with a boy and an empty lot. I had a lot similar to this near my childhood home. This book played perfectly into my wild imagination of what one could make out of a seemingly uninteresting place. It made me see things in a different way, the possibility that was in every place and every thing. This book is wonderful. Calm Sneelock is worked into the plan. (Isn't it just typical that kids think of shopkeepers as friends?) This book is a big part of my childhood and now I am happy to share it with my kids to help them see the potential in everything. One just needs to use a bit of imagination -- a lesson for young and old.

My daughter and I love love love this book. It is so creative and everytime we read it (which is seriously twice a day) she finds something new in one of the pictures. The cadence and flow of the sentences is almost mesmerizing. Really delightful to read!

this book is great for kids because they get to see whats at a crcus. it broadens their vocablary. its an easy book to read with great pictures and fun rhyming!

by:
laura r.

On my top 2 list of favorite Holt books. This was great! I couldn't put it down! The entire plot was fascinating, and I loved it from beginning to end. A must-read!!

I may get bashed for this but , I think this book is really pathetic . I really books when girls get seduced and the guy just runs off. And how he is next in line to be king really makes me made.It really was good book and probably a really good fairy tale story but just not for me.

This book was the best of hers that I have read so far! i have read 10 of her books and i have been pleased with every single one of them! This one i liked becasue it keeps you waiting the whole entire book to find out whats going to happen next! i couldn't put this book down i kept on trying to predict what was going to happen next and than you would be surprised with something else! When I read this book i felt like i was actually their watching everything take place! Its a great book taht i think everyone would enjoy! i let some of my friends read it and they thought the exact same thing!

Of course, Victoria Holt never disappoints, and this book is no exception. While it is not my favorite novel of hers (On The Night of the Seventh Moon and Bride of Pendorric are) this is a wonderful book with an interesting, intelligent heroine. Worth reading for the elaborate descriptions of the Bavarian forests, the mysterious secondary characters, as well as the romantic hero Conrad. This will sweep you off your feet -- like a fairy tale for older readers...enjoy!

Victoria Holt truly lived up to her reputation as the queen of romantic suspense. This story combines nicely a romance with political intrigues and murders. What i like about a VH book is that the setting is always done so well i can even feel the real world in the book.
Some complaints about the story, though.(1) Conrad professes to love Philippa, yet never shows any hint of trust in her in the matter of her sister's marriage. (2)Only after seducing her does he let her know he can only keep her as his mistress and never even ask how she feels about it. That looks like cheating to me.(3)The story gets very redundant and repetitive halfway through. Whenever they meet, Conrad is forever whining that he loves Philippa, that he can't live without her; and Philippa is always busy thinking of how she is affected by him and whether she should stay with him or not.
Despite those problems, overall this book is still very enjoyable.

I just finished reading Just as I am and I have to say that is is now one of my favorite books!! This is not a normal Christian story of the pretty girl who meets the handsome man and live happy ever after. Mayla goes through real problems in her life. She stands out with purple hair and a nose ring. I love the way Mrs. Smith shows that even if you are different you can still do great things for God. I cant wait to read the next book in this series, the last chapter of this story left so much in question. I think that everyone should read this story. I hope it blesses you like it has me.

I loved Just As I Am! This is a great book and I would recommend that you read it. I borrowed a copy from a friend and liked it so much that I bought a copy of my own. This book is a great example of how God loves you and wants a relationship with you no matter where you are in life: purple hair, nose ring, etc. It also helped me to look at people differently and not to judge them by what I see. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). This book is a great example of that! I hope you enjoy it too!

Mayla has just become a new Christian. Everyone in her church is surprised because her dyed hair and piercings don't make her look like a normal Christian. However Mayla is eager to know more about God's word and to grow in her newfound faith. She has to battle grumpy church members who prejudge her because of her appearance and old friends who prejudge her because of her new faith. She is also becomes friends with a guy with AIDS and helps him to live out his last days with hopes of reconciling with his estranged family. Then there's finding her niche in church and her growing relationship with Pastor Paul. If you ever wanted to know what it's like to be a new Christian in today's world, read this book!

I really enjoyed reading this book. Mayla was such a refreshing, realistic character. I could really relate to her. She's my age, going through the same problems that I am. I loved the fact that she had piercings and dyed hair. Just by that alone I could relate to her because I used to have piercings in not typical places. This book showed how you really shouldn't judge people just by their appearances. Mayla had to face a lot of prejudice by the older Christians just because of how she looked. To me, if I had become a new Christian and keep facing this type of attitude, I would become very discouraged and eventually lose my faith. Mayla on the other hand, turns the other cheek and does not allow this to hinder her new thirst for more knowledge of Christ's love. The same can also be said of the non Christian who assumes about what Mayla will become now that she's become a Christian. Mayla's roommate judges her totally unfairly because of a bad experience. The treatment she receives from both sides is enough to make anyone go crazy but she handles it with such maturity and grace. The storyline involving Alex and his battle with AIDS was extremely well done. Virginia Smith is an excellent writer and this book really showcases her work. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book to find out what happens between Maya and Pastor Paul!

The question was compelling. Author Virginia Smith asked, "Can He (God) really use a purple-haired young woman with a pierced lip?" The question spoke to my own prejudices so I picked up Ginny's debut novel, and began to read. What I read changed me. It reminded me that no matter where we are in our own personal walk with the Lord, we can be reenergized in our faith. And it also reminded me how dangerous it is to judge someone's heart based on their outward appearance.

Ginny's story presents a solid example of the life-changing work of Jesus Christ. But it's also fun read with unexpected twists and turns. I highly recommend it!

When 22-year-old Mayla Strong --- with her purple hair and assorted facial piercings --- makes the walk down the aisle to publicly commit her life to Christ, the congregation gapes. But Mayla doesn't care. She's used to stares, rude comments and the like. Somehow, Mayla's choice of hair color, clothing and jewelry make her distinctive and noticeable, and that's the intent. So the long walk to the front of Salliesburg Independent Christian Church is a piece of cake for this independent, strong-minded young woman.

It isn't until the pastor mentions baptism that Mayla's heart jolts some. Before the next heartbeat Mayla agrees, and her mom, Angela, is leading her to a side door to get dressed for this special occasion. Not expecting to being up front and center with a baptismal gown clinging to her body, Mayla's hot pink panties would be pretty obvious (and distracting), so Angela pulls off her own slip and Mayla is set to go.

With such a morning as becoming a Christian and being dunked under water by a young and handsome preacher, Mayla wouldn't have been surprised by anything. Yet the afternoon's welcome to the church family picnic stirs in Mayla some interesting and thought-provoking questions. Should she get rid of the nose piercing and labret stud? What about her hair color of choice? Mayla also works as a server at the restaurant/bar, distributing liquor to customers. Does this matter? With some not-so-subtle remarks Mayla is immediately thrust into the world of Christian do's and don'ts, but she isn't taking anything lying down. In her own style, Mayla is determined to discover what God's Word says about such things.

During the following days and weeks, Mayla immerses herself in daily Bible reading, asking poignant, thoughtful questions of her mom and pastor, and tries to find her place in this church world community. Despite some setbacks, her non-believing friends thrust Mayla into Personal Evangelism 101 and her experiences are delightful, humorous and genuinely real. This new-to-the-faith young adult must overcome friends' disappointments and prejudices from Christians who hurt them. She meets and befriends a young man dying of AIDS, all while attempting to live a life alive to God and in service to others.

Throughout this lively and often comedic text, author Virginia Smith successfully bridges the gap between Christians and their failures in reaching a hurting world with a message of hope through kindness, love and transparent humility. Excellent reading!

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

This book is one of my favs.
I read in it in an hour!!!!
It is about a girl who has just turned 16 and is searching for who she is. She thinks she has found it, but is it who she really wants to be. To find out I encourage you to read
The Year I turned 16- Lily

Once I started this book I couldn't stop.It was a great book about how a 16 year old finds her true self.Se is the baby of the family and wants to be different then her sisters so she pretends to be someone she isn't.

Lily Lily Lily- A great character. A great ending book to the series. Boys, Jobs, complications, everything a sixteen yr old has. If youve read the other three books, dont stop there!! Continues and find what happeneds with Rose and Stephen, Laurel and Carlos. I recommend Highly!!!

This is the last book of a 4-book series. There are 4 sisters, and there is a book for each sister for the year they turned 16. Each book is written in first-person by that particular sister. The sisters, in order from oldest to youngest, are: Rose, Daisy, Laurel, and Lily.

This book is about the youngest sister, Lily Rebecca Walker. Lily's three older sisters had definite talents and interests when they were 16. Rose had singing; Daisy had sports; Laurel had animals. But Lily feels that she has no talents and no identity. Instead of being 'Lily', she feels as though she is 'Rose's sister' or 'Daisy's sister' or 'Laurel's sister'.

Determined to find herself, Lily ends up in the It crowd (via a boyfriend), and almost abandons her two best girlfriends who are not invited to the It crowd. Will Lily be happy in the It crowd, and is this really her true identity? Will she continue to be happy with her It boyfriend? Will she ever fully come back to her girlfriends? Will she find her true identity and a true love?

The 4 sisters have a wonderful relationship with each other. Their mother Maggie is the best and most wonderful mother in the world. She deeply and truly loves her daughters unconditionally. The whole family loves and appreciates each other.

This book is not just about a girl turning 16. It is about family. The important bonds of family love, linking the past, present, and future. If you don't get anything else out of this book, the book will have been worth reading just for that.

You don't have to necessarily read each book, but I would highly recommend that you do. You will enjoy the books a lot more if you read them all, and read them in order. More of the events and characters will be familiar and will be more meaningful if you've read the previous books.

I had read all of the previous three books and enjoyed them too but not as much as this one!A lot of people probably could relate to this story because Lily's situation happens to a lot of girls her age everyday.I recommend tis book to anyone who likes to sit down to a good book(but you'll love it so much you won't want to put it down)!

This book on the names of God is awesome! So much information about the character of God, and how one can have a personal relationship with God and live in light of His Word, His truth. Wonderful book ... Wonderful study. Very indepth, and power packed.

Our ladies Sunday school class has been working through this book together. The chapters are about the right length to do in a 45 minute class. We read the chapters and think about the questions during the preceeding week then discuss together. We have found the book to be an excellent study of the names and character of God and may do another of the books in this series.

My small group of young women are enjoying this study very much. This is one of Kay's older studies, but it is timeless and applicable to all ages. They are enthused and we look forward to another Kay Arthur study.

These are the Hebrew names that the chosen people called on the God of our salvation. He is a God who sees, is solomn, is everywhere, is a provider, the most high God, the Lord of Hosts, is the Lord of battles, He is the all sufficient One. He is GOD!
Great teaching tool to understand and know who God is and how He can be all these things in your & my life.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

Learning the names of God; His character and who He is, that's what this book is about.

We are using this book in our Bible-study group. It lends itself to a personal devotional as well as a group study. I would recommend it to all Christians. I think you will truly be blessed and your walk with God will be transformed.

I loved how Suzanne incorporated her mother's comments on each chapter. It really shows how far their relationship has come over the years and makes the book so real. I am sure writing about their life was very humbling for both of them. I identified with this book and could hardly put it down as my mom had many issues that I wanted so badly not to transfer down to my own daughter. I reviewed this book as research for a book I was writing on prodigal daughters and found that Suzanne gives a wealth of information that is helpful both for parents who are trying to overcome their own past as well as those who find their children repeating some of the generational sins of the parents. A must read for every parent.
Janet Thompson author of "Woman to Woman Mentoring," "Dear God, They Say It's Cancer" and "Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter" (release 2/08)

I grew up in a loving Christian home and yet, I was spellbound by this book. Eller's commitment to the Lord is contagious, her spirit refreshing, and her down to earth candor very helpful. I plan to use this book for my next Bible study.

Suzie Eller's heart is all over this book, and she doesn't hold anything back. Her mother's contribution to the book helped me look at my own mother in a different light and to realize every person has a some kind of baggage that spills over into their own parenting.

I found myself drawn into the stories of her life that it was hard for me to stop and work through the questions after each chapter. That's why I'm going to read it again, and this time take a closer look at my upbringing, and present parenting habits. Suzie's story gave me hope and helped me see that I could be the mom I really want to be. And it's not too late, no matter how old my children are.

The Mom I Want to Be is different from the other "mothering" books I've read. Eller tells her story of a dysfunctional family life and how she has overcome it to be a successful, loving mother. If you had a less-than-wonderful childhood or even if you simply struggle with minor pain from your past, you'll want to read this book. It's a vivid portrayal of the effects of our words and actions as parents can have on our children. It's also a touching story of how these hurts can be overcome.

Don't let the title fool you. This wonderful book is for women everywhere. It shows women how to deal with major issues, whether they have children or not. It talks about forgiving, breaking down walls, and much more.

Ms. Eller is a breath of fresh air because she's real. Her mother, Mrs. Morrison, deserves five stars for her courage in this project. Both of them made me laugh, and cry.

The following lines, written by Suzanne's mother in chapter ten, brought the tears: "If I could talk with someone whose life is like mine once was, I would say that God is the great Healer. He can make you whole again no matter how broken you once were. He can give you a new spirit on the inside of you. He can give you what you need to forgive the wrongs done to you, and he can give you what you need to forgive yourself for what you have done to others."

These lines, written by Suzanne after she mentions having surgery in chapter nine, made me belly laugh: "Faith was holding my hand. Her bright cheerful voice was just as powerful as the drugs in my system. She was also the person who hit the drug-dispensing button too many times (because I was moaning in my sleep) and helped me discover I was allergic to morphine. I woke up swollen like a sausage."

I grew to love these women by the end of the book.

I believe you will as well.

I highly recommend this book.