I Books

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.

My friend gave this book to me because the book was "thicker" than what she used to reading, and till this day I still thank her for giving me this book for it is a GEM!!!! I tried reading it on a whim and was hooked by midway through the 2nd chapter. The story was soooo addictive that I neglected my school works to read it; I read it in class while my teachers (I was in high school) lectured. I think what made this story different and why it has made a lasting impression on me was the way Holt expland the time the plot takes place. Other stories have their main characters married or fell in love by 6-8 months (some sooner and some later) but Holt takes you through a journey that took years to happen, and she gave all her secondary characters dimension and depth. I may or may not be making sense in my fascination w/ Ms. Holt's work, but other Holt fans would understand me (i hope :D). I also loved how Ms. Holt created the air of romance without (too much of, if at all) pre-marital sex. Call me crazy but i was sooo into her characters that long after finishing the book, i sometimes wondered how "Fabian and Drusilla are doing now, or how many children did they end up having...etc"

I rank The India Fan as one of Victoria Holt's best. Drusilla is an excellent narrator and as in Holt's best, the romance doesn't blindside you out of nowhere, nor does the "hea" seem incongruous because we're shown Fabian's growth and love for her through their interactions. And as is apparent in most of Holt's novels, The India Fan doesn't stint on the lush, vivid descriptions of Indian life and the massacre at Lucknow.

This is my second Victoria Holt book and it is so beautiful. Although I don't get why saves Lavinia so many times , although she does get rewarded. It's a good thing that Lavinia dies anyway.She defineitly deservered that.But this is a pretty story but not as 'The Silk Vendetta', which is a 10 times better than this . But still it is addicting. I recommend this to anybody who likes romance and mystery . But this one has more mystery and doesn't really tell about the Indian culture that well.

This book is AMAZING! Ms. Holt did a wonderful job decribing Drusilla's feelings and the setting in which the book takes place. It's about a vicar's daughter who gets forced into becoming friends with selfish Lavinia Framling and helps her out in many ways ( like helping Lavinia through her pregnency of an ilegimate daughter ). Drusilla is faced with many problems throughout the book. One problem, deciding if she loves Fabian Framlimg ( Lavina's older brother ) who has admitted his feelings for her! This is a book that you will only find once in a life time. If you like Victoria Holt and romantic suspense and mystery than this book is for you! I will read this book probably 100 times and NEVER get sick of it! Yes, that's how good it is! READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The central character of the book is Drusilla Delany. From her childhood Drusilla's life had been dominated by the Framling's - Lady Harriet, her son Fabian and her daughter Lavinia.

As a child Drusilla had played with Lavinia, and later they are sent away together to a finishing school in France. There Lavinia's wild and wayward behaviour leads them both into trouble.

After marrying, Lavinia leaves England for India, and later Drusilla accepts an opportunity to join her there as governess to Lavinia's children.

Arriving in Bombay Drusilla finds that Lavinia has not learned from her previous disasters.

The story moves between England, France and India and covers the period of the Indian Mutiny against the British in the mid 19th century. It is written mainly in the 1st person.

I didn't think this story would interest me, but I was enjoyably surprised; I think because the story is so well written.

Victoria Holt was one of the pseudonyms of Eleanor Alice Burford. After marrying she became Eleanor Alice Hibbert. Others she wrote under included Jean Plaidy, Ellalice Tate, Kathleen Kellow, Elbur Ford, Philippa Carr. She wrote almost 200 books under these names!

Her books are VERY addictive!

Sadly, most of her books are out of print at the date of this review. Some can be purchased on the Internet or from second-hand bookshops.

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)!

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.

We are big Doctor Seuss fans and are attempting to get the entire collection for our daughter. Like the book, just too similar to Fox in Socks. Nothing but tongue twisters and no real story.
Great to have if your trying to collect all Dr Seuss books. If completing the collection is not important to you, I would only chose this if you don't already have Fox in Socks

Great book for my 1st grader, he loves the rhyming words throughout.

This book captures literary genius in the form of childish tongue twisters. It proves to be an excellent practice of diction and reading rhythm while providing extreme entertainment for the little listener. The love of words is the beginning of all great literary accomplishment, and this child's book is a step in the right direction.

This book was one of my husbands favorites when he was growing up, and now that we are expecting a child he wanted our son to have the same experience. He was so excited when it arrived that he read it to me as a bedtime story. The riddles start out easy, but by the end of the book your tongue is so twisted it's hard to say anything!! It's a lot of fun and we really look forward to hearing our son try to say these riddles when he learns to speak.

This is a really fun book to read. However, you REALLY have to pay attention to the words or you will mess them up. If you love tongue twisters, this is the book for you. It also is great for young readers, but they may become frustrated with some of the words. It's fun for little ones to listen to and to see how fast you can say these phrases. When you hear "faster, faster," well, you know you're encouraging reading in your child. A very fun book - I recommend it.

Simon,

I appreciate you for sharing your own personal journey to find your brilliance. Your book inspired me to write my own book! You helped me to find my brillinance. I highly urge you all to read Simon's book!
Do not waste time! Do it now! I am grateful to you, Simon.


Sincerely,

Lana

Through four simple steps in the book, RELEASE YOUR BRILLIANCE, author Simon T. Bailey explains how to discover and activate the unique individuality in each one of us that will make the world a brighter place for all of us. He uses the analogy of diamond hunting and developing. He points out that no matter what our limits we have hidden abilities that define purpose, a "universal assignment."

Unfortunately society's stereotypes of "average" behavior encourages repression of peculiarities that could be channeled into productive, self enriching patterns, if we only knew how. This book is the guide that reduces what sounds like a monumental job to an easy, common sense approach based on eight aspects of personality. It furnishes everything needed for the task, including a website, www.releasingbrilliance.com, and an offer for a free CD.

I particularly like the comfortably embracing tone which will motivate everyone who wants more satisfaction from life regardless of priorities. Reading the book RELEASE YOUR BRILLIANCE by Simon T. Bailey is a single New Year's Resolution that will encompass all the details of a long list of "do's and don'ts" and result in a more productive, contented, shining NEW YOU!

I bought this book a month ago at the airport for a quick read on the way to a business meeting. Being in sales, I am always looking for a quick pick-me-up to get me moving in the New Year. I was completely shocked to be moved to tears in the first chapter. The exercise of finding my "Universal Assignment" or true purpose in life caused me to dig deep and really think about what I am doing with my life. Subsequent chapters gave me a roadmap and hope that I will be able to achieve my ultimate goals for my family and career, while motivating me to leave a positive mark on the world as well.

I found this book incredibly inspirational and the exercises caused me to create an action plan and not just read it and think "What a great idea!" put it down and never think about it again. Bailey shows us how simple it can be to become the person you always wanted to be--before your life got in the way. I have been truly moved by this book and I have read hundreds.

This is not just an interesting way to spin the same old thing, it is a new dimension in self discovery. So simple and yet so poignant, it will leave you with a real sense of who you are and where you are going.

"As Americas' first Sales Stylist I know how important it is for professionals to feel their ideas are..well.."Brilliant". Simon T. does a tremendous job of making the reader believe they are the diamond in the rough just waiting to shine! I now give my coaching clients "Release Your Brilliance" to further incent them to bring their true genius to the world."

Jennifer Abernethy
The Sales Lounge
[...]

So many self-help books are long on details of how to improve but short on an analytical framework that would help a reader to remember much about the book even one week later. Author Simon Bailey has skillfully used the analogy of each of us being like a diamond to provide an easily understood framework for polishing our god given blessings.

This is a power packed gem because of the way Bailey builds self-help concepts around the diamond analogy. For example, Zig Ziglar was the first to introduce me to the "wheel of life" concept wherein one evaluates ones status in eight different aspect of one's life (e.g., spiritual, physical, financial, etc.). Bailey has beautifully retrofitted that concept to tie into his diamond analogy.

I especially liked the author's chapter on "authenticity." Many are writing on this subject, but some who do so give me goose bumps what with their stretching of their credentials even as they challenge the reader to be authentic. Bailey seems to be much closer to the authentic he pleads for us to be than some of the new wizards on the self help scene. I felt incredibly comfortable with the author, his personal stories, and his positioning of where he is on his life journey.

Likewise, his comments on investing in relationship capital were very thoughtful and seemingly from the heart.

I could go on and on, but doing so would have me standing between my review and your reading this gem. Sure you will find more comprehensive self-help books, but few provide a better framework for a life companion. Definitely a five star book.

Seamless--that's the writing of Virginia Smith. This author has the ability to move me along line-on-line and chapter-by-chapter before I even think to come up for air. "How long have I been reading?" I ask myself. Actually, I don't care; I simply pick up the thread of Mayla's unconventional approach to life and dive. Smith weaves Mayla in and out of a job loss, a Florida trip to patch up a relationship, and an online tete-a-tete. Can unconventional meet conventional and survive with faith intact? With her typical candor and strength, Mayla doesn't disappoint. And neither does Virginia Smith in Sincerely, Mayla.

I still say that my favorite book is "Just As I AM". I loved how it made me look at people differently, hopefully more like Christ looks at them. So when I heard there was a sequel, I wasn't sure I'd like it. But, Mayla is so real that I was immediately swept back into her story. I laughed, cried and just enjoyed Mayla all over again! She is a friend to those who really need one, a daughter/granddaughter to love and be loved by, and someone who isn't too proud to let the Lord still work in her heart. I highly recommend you get both books about Mayla to read and enjoy!

Sincerely Mayla is Virginia Smith's follow up to Just As I Am, where we first met Mayla Strong a young and very unconventional character and watched her come to faith. Sincerely Mayla brings us this lovable character as endearing as she was in book one, though a bit tamed in her appearance, sporting fewer piercings and less colorful hair.

In the thick of winter, Mayla finds herself unemployed, on the outs with Pastor Paul who Mayla discovers she has feelings for, and the proud owner of a pet that she finds in the middle of a storm. When faced with these disasters does Mayla do what every unemployed, lovesick, pet owning woman should do? No, of course, not. This is Mayla we're talking about here. She sets off for Orlando, not to visit the big mouse, but to reconnect with her grandmother and get away from her problems. But poor, Mayla. Her problems hop on the plane or zip through emails and the telephone to make her vacation anything but restful.

As an avowed suspense and mystery lover, I rarely make time for novels outside of this genre. Virginia Smith's books are one of the few exceptions. Smith does such a wonderful job of character development. She provides the reader with a unique cast doing battle with everyday issues and marries this with the struggle to live within their faith. Wrap all of this up with humor and a fun plot and you have one must read after another.

Sincerely Mayla certainly fits this mold and is another Smith winner. Through Mayla's innocence we see the world from a different perspective. We watch her struggle with her new faith and think about how we live out our own faith. Her innocence coupled with the basic desire to do the right thing makes Mayla a very loveable character. She faces the same life issues we all face and the reader can deeply empathize with Mayla, forming a strong bond with her. Don't miss Sincerely Mayla or any other Virginia Smith novel. Buy one today, you won't be disappointed.

I thoroughly enjoy Virginia Smith's Mayla books. This is book two in the series, and Mayla is a Christian now, but she still has a world of problems. Her boss lays her off so he can hire his niece to take her place, she finds a rabbit in a blinding snowstorm and takes him home with her and he promptly tries to chew up her bedroom. Her gay neighbor blames her because his partner became a Christian and moved out, and she makes a fool of herself in front of Pastor Paul, the man she dreams about becoming more than just a friend. Overwhelmed, she decides, against her mother's advice, to go to Florida and see her grandmother. But grandmother is a train load of trouble, all by her self. Funny, touching, with a ton of very human conflict, and a strong faith message. Who could want anything more?

"I've always said if the Lord had intended His people to live in snow He would have put the garden of Eden in the middle of the North Pole." So begins Sincerely, Mayla. With these opening words from Mayla Strong I immediately related to her. And even though she's a bit younger and more impulsive than I am, I stayed with her through the whole book, feeling her struggles, laughing at her joys, rooting her on as she tries to fix things.

Nobody can handle serious subjects quite like Virginia Smith. She deals with several "hot button" topics here, but with such a light touch that it never comes off as preachy. This is just Mayla, living her life, trying to be the person God wants her to be, and hitting a few speed bumps along the way. Smith has written a funny, touching sequel to Just As I Am. If you haven't read it, you will still enjoy Sincerely, Mayla., but you'll probably enjoy Mayla's story a lot more if you know how she started.

We have been reading good night moon to our daughter since she was born till about 11 months. Our baby sitter gave us this book as a gift and our daughter loves it. For a few weeks we gave her the choice of which book she wanted us to read at night and every time she picked the wombat book.

Enough said. She giggles whenever we read it.

We received this book as a gift from family in Australia. From the first reading our son (16 months) LOVES this book. The little wombat goes through small little adventures explaining why he likes to certain things, like jumping as he can "to see how much noise he can make when he lands." Our son's favorite part is when little wombat sticks out his tongue and makes funny faces, he then also pokes out his tongue (very cute!) The book is brightly illustrated with easily recognizable Australian animals and supported with short uncomplicated text, which is the perfect length for our impatient listener ;). We believe that this book is a MUST HAVE for all little libraries

This is quite a wonderful book for little ones. My grandchild just LOVES it - it's one of her favorite stories.

You should read "Sometimes I like to curl up in a ball." It's so funny. It's about a cute little wombat and his feelings. The pictures are really amazing. I think your kids would like it. I think you should read it anytime you get the chance! I am 7 years old and I really like this book for bedtime. It helps me get to sleep. Take my advice and buy this book!

I got this book for my son 2 years ago and since then this book is read every night before bed. My son LOVES the part with the silly faces and the mud the character plays with. I often buy this book for friends when they have a child and it is a quick favorite for everyone I have given it to.