J Books

In the 2nd book in The Cat Who...series, we meet again James Qwilleran aka "Qwill", a newsman for the Daily Fluxion. Returning to writing for a paper after several years absence trying to get his life together in which excessive alcohol was a factor, Jim has sobered up and sought gainful employment. After having been assigned to the art beat on his previous assignment for the Fluxion, Qwill is happy to be given a new assignment...until he discovers what it is. He is given the daunting task of writing a weekly magazine style insert titled "Gracious Abodes" that will focus on the world of interior design. Knowing nothing of the topic, Qwill throws himself into his new post, and quickly discovers that he has a lot to learn. When a home is robbed that was featured in the first edition of Gracious Abodes, Qwill wonders if his new assignment will be a curse. Several more mishaps occur with each edition, and Qwill begins to believe that someone is out to make the Fluxion and himself look bad. With the help of KoKo and the addition of his new cat, Yum Yum, a long-standing friendship and crime-solving trio is formed.

This is my favorite cozy mystery series! I had read all of the books in the past, and wanted to read them again for a second time. This time around, I have chosen to listen to them on CD, as I love the voice of George Guidall. Some of Qwill's background is explained, and it was interesting to revisit how Qwill found Yum Yum and where her unusual name originated. For those that have not read the series, I do recommend reading the first several first. Many others can be intermixed, but this book offers good insight to the way that Qwill and KoKo relate to one another in future installments. This is a great series by my favorite author!

The first book in the series is called "The Cat who Could Read Backwards". Enjoy!

Jim Qwilleran is a reporter for the Daily Fluxion. He's been working the art beat for the paper despite knowing nothing about art. His editor reassigns him to work on a magazine about interior design, of which he is equally ignorant. After he and his photographer do their first main feature on a private residence, the house is robbed. This starts Jim down a road that gets more and more complex and leaves him grasping for an explanation as to why every place they feature in the magazine has some sort of calamity immediately afterward. Thankfully, his Siamese cat, Koko, is there to give him the solution.

This is the second book in the "Cat Who..." series and it continues most of the pattern from the first. Jim gets a new home, takes on an unfamiliar assignment at the paper, a murder occurs related to his story, and he investigates with Koko's help. The supporting cast is pretty strong with some interesting personalities. Jim gets a girlfriend who is especially appealing, but she doesn't become a permanent cast member. The whol book is less than 250 pages, so you might well imagine that pacing is not much of a problem. Things move along smartly and is wrapped up satisfactorily at the end. This book also introduces Yum Yum, the female Siamese that becomes Koko's crime-solving companion.

Many people fall in love with the "Cat Who..." books and devour dozens of them. The writing is light and easy to digest. After reading the first two books in this series, I haven't gotten hooked but they were enjoyable reads. Fans of the series, would certainly do well to read this book, since it introduces Yum Yum. New readers don't need to read either this novel, or The Cat Who Could Read Backwards (Cat Who...) in order to enjoy the later entries in the series, but they're a good place to start just the same.

This is an enjoyable audio fit for the whole family. Crime is committed but the story is told without using graphic language or imagery. George Guidall's "reading" ability brings the characters to life.

What more can be said about this book that hasn't been said below. I will say that the shinanigans are in full swing this time with KoKo and Qwill and things are sure to get even crazier with the edition of Yum Yum.

In this second installment in The Cat Who... series we find Qwill on a new beat journaling the many different and eccentric people of the designing world. With each additional Gracious Abodes hot off the press comes a hot crime. Does someone have it in for Qwill and the Daily Fluxion or is it merily coincidence. Find out and more in this latest backstabing and fun addition of the Cat Who....series. With this one in the bag you will surely want to get your claws on the next in the series The Cat Who Turned On and Off and find out what Qwill, KoKo and the newest addition Yum Yum are up to.....

Lilian Jackson Braun's second novel in the "Cat Who" series is not only a worthy successor to it's predecessor it is even better. Even though the writing was quite good in the first book the story seems to flow better in this book and there are less jerky movements in the story. And a very good story it is!

When we last left veteran newspaper reporter Jim Qwilleran he was reporting on the art scene for the Daily Fluxion, an assignment that he wasn't thrilled with at first but one that he had warmed up to. Suddenly he finds himself with an assignment that he knows even less about than art, he will be covering interior design. He was, in fact, placed in charge of putting out a weekly magazine insert called "Gracious Abodes", an assignment that would lead him into another adventure with his faithful cat Koko.

Since most decorators could use the publicity a newspaper spread on their work would provide Qwilleran has no trouble in getting help finding houses to profile. He first hooks up with decorator David Lyke who gets permission for the Daily Fluxion to do a photo shoot in a home occupied by an old money family that has more than the normal old money quirks. Just after the first edition of " Gracious Abodes" hits the streets the home in question is robbed of a valuable Jade collection. What's more, the lady of the house is found dead of an apparent heart attack, which police theorize was caused be fear during the burglary. Of course this incident makes the Daily Fluxion look bad, especially since the rival paper plays up the burglary. Qwilleran immediately suspects a set-up and even begins to suspect that his new girlfriend whom he found in another decorator's office is part of the plot. He gets really suspicious after the second edition of his magazine comes out and the next day the police raid the place. It turns out that his second featured home is a cat house, pun intended.

Things get even more bizarre for the ace reporter when his neighbor and prime decorating contact David Lyke is murdered. The more Qwilleran sniffs around, the more he is convinced that he is being set-up but he can't quite put all of the pieces together. Once again, Koko saves the day by both pointing out the solution to the jade heist and also the key piece of evidence in the murder. Along the way, Koko manages to save Qwilleran's life and personally capture one of the suspects. This is one amazing cat!

This is also the book that introduces the reader to Qwilleran's second cat, Yum Yum who enters the picture to keep Koko from engaging in the behavior that led to the title of the book. We only get a short glance at Yum Yum in this book but I feel sure that she will turn out to be just as clever as Koko which will make for even more interesting reading in the next installment.

Altogether this book is whimsical, light and very fun to read. Also, as in the first book of the series the characters the reader will meet in this book are fantastic and colorful to say the least. Give this book a try and see what Koko can cough up for your enjoyment.

This eighth book in the series, Elm Creek Quilts has an ad out for new teachers to gain fresh blood and new outlooks in quilting techniques. There is Maggie, who is about to lose her longtime job in the nursing home she has worked in for years. Then Karen, an overworked housewife with three kids who feels underappreciated by her husband. Anna comes in chapter three who is a chef and a quilter. Her boyfriend Gordon doesn't treat her right, and she is feeling letdown all the time. Russell is another character in the story who learned to love quilting from his wife Elaine. When Elaine passes away from a serious illness, he is lost and deeply depressed. He goes on with quilting though eventually, but is ashamed to be the only one in a community of all women quilters. The last character in this book is Gretchen, who has a disabled husband and has been a housekeeper for a wealthy woman for many years. After her employer Heidi treats her very unfairly many times over, Gretchen knows she must move on. She also applies for the job.

After all interviews are conducted, the Elm Creek quilters have an important decision to make and choosing the right candidates is not any easy task. In the end three of five are the chosen ones.

Have read all of her books, enjoyed each one very much. They don't need to be read in sequence, but I did. Am looking forward to her next release hopefully before the end of the year. Also have recommended to all of my 'Quilting' friends. Jennifer Chieverini's web site is also very informational and funny. Maybe she will have a book signing in East Texas where so many of us enjoy quilting and would enjoy meeting her.

I don't normally read these types of books, but Ms. Chiaverini is an excellent story-teller. What I don't like is that her chapters are LONG - and that once I start reading one, I can't put the book down until the end!

When my mother suggested that I read these books, I resisted, thinking "why would I want to read a book about a bunch of quilters?" But I was not far into the very first book in the series (The Quilter's Apprentice) before I realized it is not a story about quilting at all. True, quilting forms the framework for the novels, but they are stories of friendship, life, and loyalty. I have sped through all the series that has been published so far, and cannot wait for the next one!

This book, Circle of Quilters, is a collection of several stories, sewn together to create a satisfying tale. The book is divided into character portraits of five people, all job applicants for a teaching position at the prestigious Elm Creek Quilter's camp in rural Pennsylvania. Some of their paths cross on interview day, but there is lengthy back-story and development for each, which elicits sympathy from the reader. I found myself rooting for each to do well during the interview for this highly desirable position. Each back-story leads to the interview experience, and not one candidate believes the interview went well.

The characters are as diverse as the blocks of a sampler quilt. Maggie is humble, hardworking, smart and capable. Karen is an overwhelmed mother of two small children, whose lack of childcare (at the last minute) makes you ache with sympathy. Anna, an underappreciated chef, tolerates her boyfriend's mistreatment and has an annoying lack of self-confidence--but anyone would want to taste her homemade cookies (!) Russ, a rare male participant in the quilting world, takes up the hobby after his wife's death and perseveres to become a renowned author and teacher of the art. And finally, there's Gretchen, who spends her entire life dealing with an evil neighbor and so-called friend named Heidi. I kept hoping Gretchen would at last go off on her with a sharp seam-ripper! But Gretchen had far too much class for that.

All of the candidates face the Elm Creek Quilters staff for an extensive and, due to a blonde named Diane, grueling interview. Each is also tested by a white-haired lady acting has a baffled camper in need of help with her appliqué piece. The way Jennifer Chiaverini pieces together the characters is clever and enjoyable, particularly if you have an appreciation for quilts and quilting. It was fun trying to guess which characters would receive offers for the two positions available.

A very fast read and I truly enjoyed it.

From the author of A Line Between Friends, McKenna Publishing Group.

The Color Atlas of Anatomy was recommended to me as a reference for designing implantables and surgical instruments.

As a non-anatomist, I found the illustrations and cadaveric photographs to accurately reflect my cadaveric surgical trials in the wet-lab.

I often referred to this atlas while designing an Achilles Tendon repair instrument and other orthopedic surgical instruments.

There are not very many books of this type of presentation to begin with so I must be careful here as to how I may sway your opinion of high priced books. Color Atlas of Anatomy has been a staggering companion to my study of Human Anatomy. After careful study of Grey's Anatomy for Students along with Clinically Oriented Anatomy I don't believe I was ready for what was presented in the fifth edition of Color Atlas of Anatomy. Astounding revelation. I don't know there may be a few of you that have actual access to Anatomy Laboratories but I must say everything is in the right place as far as what I was told in the books mentioned above but this book is something else as far as what you see is what you get. Color photographs make short work of any pedantic ravings of the layman's terminology. I never did get to go to any medical school in North America but I'm sure that any student there would agree there is no trick photography here.

There are 1158 figures with 1035 in Color and CTs and MRIs as well. All in 8 chapters and over 400 pages. This is not a book to leave out for the hackers to scoff and judge so keep it under your bed or better still in your locker at your Medical School.

Most of the Medial Schools that I want into have this required or recommended as a text and unless you can say something's changed in the last hundred days since 2007 all is as it should be.

I consider this book to be a must for any anatomy student. The pictures are exactly what you will see when you enter the lab.

In case it isn't clear from the description or title, this is an anatomy atlas made up of photos of actual human bodies. I don't know why we didn't have this in A&P. Fascinating, and a nicely produced book as well.

AM A SECOND YEAR STUDENT OF ANATOMY, AND AM GOING INTO THE RADIOGRAPHER TECH PROGRAM AT MY SHCOOL I JUST BOUGHT THIS BOOK AFTER SEEING IT, AFTER SOMEONE BOUGHT IT. SO I ORDERED MY OWN COPY, AND AM TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY BY THE PERCISION OF THE BOOKS DETAIL ON EVERY SINGLE PHOTOGRAPH. I THINK THIS WILL BE A DEFINATE KEEPER, AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE PRICE WITH A SIGH, DON'T JUST GET IT AND ENJOY!~

Also recommended: ALSO STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE COLOR ATLAS OF HUMAN ANATOMY by Wolf-Heidegger!!!!!!!!

I have read this book so many time and it still doesn't get old.

I have always been an avid fan of LJ Smith, so I was not surprised that this series was awesome. Her descriptions are always so clear (and so strange) that you can almost envision the people and things in front of you (unlike everyone else though I loved Rob more than Gabriel). As an adult now, I still read her books (although I have yet to find the last book of the Nightworld Series). A great read for anyone!!!!!!!

Whilst LJ Smith's books are a good read, I do get narked with the characters sometimes. Most of the lead characters are too nice and any 'bad' characters are always gothy and into heavy metal. Goodie is sickly sweet and oh so nice blonde, baddie is hot but very nasty brunette (see how easy it is to follow the plot read the secret circle if you don't believe me) But back to this, this had a great starting point, but lost the plot slighty. LJS seemed to be really hitting us on the head with how 'bad' Gabriel was and how nice everyone else was, and of course the main female is so understanding and desired by all. Liked it but not as much as the Forbidden Game.

I had read several of L.J.Smith's Nightworld series when I read Dark Visions, and I was immediately spellbound. The characters were all well-developed and very appealing - you cared what happened to them. Of course, Gabriel was my favorite. There's something so appealing about a bad boy in need of salvation. I read the whole thing through in one sitting and then sat down and read it through again. I would recommend it for anyone interested in the unknown, in coming-of-age books, or just interested in a good read.

This book is by FAR my favorite book of all time. Kaitlyn Fairchild is my new favorite female character. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings... Yeah, they don't hold a candle to L.J. Smith's Dark Visions Collector's Edition.
Personally, I am AMAZED that this book doesn't get more recognition than it currently does. I would enjoy it more than life itself if this book became a movie. I'm actually telling all my friends about it.
I am not much of a reader... at all... But this book... This book made me cry, made me laugh, made me think hard on certain subjects... everything. I loaned my copy to a friend in hopes of getting her hooked on it too.
I have read and re-read this book, time and time again, for years. It never gets old. Smith's vivid descriptions of surroundings and characteristics give me a good mental image of all her characters.
I am seriously thinking about getting her other books. In fact, I will.
Read this book. If you think you knew what a good book is... you haven't read anything until you read this.

The Never War is the third book in the Pendragon series. I thought this book was amazing this book I think was the best of all of the pendragons. This book brings back the characters Mark, Courtney, Spader, and Bobby and a new traveler Gunny. This book brings you back into 1937 on first earth. At the start of world war two and ends with a big ending that may shock you.
I would totally recommend this book because it envolve your own world and it makes you brush up on your history. This book is definitely the greatest sci-fi I have read. The Never War is a book that you never want to stop reading it keeps you on the edge of your seat through out the whole story and this book always has you thinking of what could happen next.

This is a really interesting book for probably one reason: the historical fiction.
This book takes you to First Earth, where life is eternally 40 yeaers behind our Second Earth. The plot of this story is where Saint Dane is trying to alter things that have already happened to cause chaos throughout Halla. This is about the Hindenburg. Saint Dane offers Bobby a chance to save the Hindenburg from crashing but what will happen if he doesn't?
This is book is chalk full of good historical fiction. I liked it, A LOT!

For this book review I read Pendragon: The Never War. The author of this fantasy book is D.J Machale.

This book is mostly about Bobby Pendragon who is a traveler and Gunny and Vo Spader, another two travelers who go through the flume that killed Uncle Press. Vo Spader and Bobby Pendragon come out and see two gangsters who have machine guns pointing right at them. The gangsters take them but they both escape and that's where they meet Gunny. Gunny takes them back to his hotel because he is a hotel bellboy. He lets them stay on the sixth floor. They meet a gangster named Max Rose but Max Rose makes them go see Winn Farrow. Winn Farrow catches them and ties them up and he burns the place down, but they escape. A big blimp called the Hindenburg comes in with Max Rose's money in it, but Winn Farrow fires a rocket at it and blows it up and Max runs into the blimp and he dies. They all go back to Second Earth and see their friends.

I think this book is a really good book because it didn't get boring or anything. It was a really exciting book. This book would be best for people who like good adventure books and exciting books.

The book that I read for my report was called The Never War by D.J. MacHale. The Never War is a fantasy book. It was very, very good.

My book is about a boy named Bobby Pendragon who is called a Traveler. Travelers can go to distant universes to fight off a very evil Traveler named Saint Dane. So, Bobby warps to New York 1937, where he is chased down by gangsters and has to deal with, of course, Saint Dane. As he explores this new, or old (to him), New York, he comes along the First Earth Traveler, Gunny.

Bobby also comes along a man named Max Rose, who was a rich gangster and was working with the Nazis in Germany. He finds out Rose has an enemy, Winn Farrow, a very dangerous gangster. But one thing that really makes Bobby mad is that Winn is planning on destroying a blimp called the Hindenburg. But, this blimp is from Germany and is sending Rose his payments for working with them. Should Bobby stop Winn from blowing it up? Or should he let him destroy it so history can play out the way it was supposed to?

You should really read this book. It is filled with excitement and adventure. I would recommend this book to people who like adventure and action. This was a very, very good book. It was probably one of my favorite books because the book flows and never leaves you hanging. The book is also suitable for people who like history. It is going on in 1937 and that's when World War II started.

D. J. MacHale wrote for television for years before turning his attention to novels. He created ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?, a long-running series on Nickelodeon in the United States, but it also showed in Canada on YTV and Cinar.

For the last few years, he's been writing the adventures of Bobby Pendragon, a boy who's destined - hopefully - to save the world. Several worlds, actually. Bobby is a Traveler, one of those who have the power to "flume" from world to world. He's brought into the adventure by his Uncle Press. As Bobby was growing up, Uncle Press also took Bobby scuba diving, mountain climbing, to martial arts, driving, and several other things that gave him skills he needs to survive against enemies he encounters. All during that time, Uncle Press was training Bobby to be a Traveler.

Bobby's greatest foe is a villain called Saint Dane. Saint Dane has the ability to change his appearance at will and constantly hides in different worlds while working his nefarious plans.

THE NEVER WAR is the third book in this exciting series. In it, Bobby travels to First Earth, which takes place in the year 1937. The gangster era isn't new by any means, and I was slightly let down when I discovered I wasn't being taken to a new world. I especially loved Cloral, the world Bobby went to in the second book, THE LOST CITY OF FAAR, and I look forward to returning there hopefully in one of the later books.

Still, I'm older than the average Pendragon reader. The 1930s and the Hindenburg are familiar to me through several other books I've read as well as history I've researched.

For all the familiarity with the time period, though, MacHale tells a fascinating and fast-paced tale. Bobby and his new best friend Spader land in the 1930s while pursuing Saint Dane. They're immediately met by machine-gun toting thugs that try to kill them. Bobby figures out how to escape and gets Spader out as well. Spader is way out of his depth because he's never seen anything as "technologically advanced" as the 1930s.

One of the best things about the Pendragon books is that Bobby usually gets to save the day in a down-to-earth manner. He doesn't have any really special skills or powers that help him. At this point, he's fourteen years old and can do what most kids that age can. This makes the series more believable in some ways, and I think it draws the Pendragon audience in a little closer.

MacHale's sense of timing and pacing is excellent. The story moves quickly, and I got a real sense of urgency throughout the book as Bobby tries to figure out what Saint Dane is really doing. Many of the chapters end up on cliffhangers that will draw you rapidly into the next chapter. The dialogue is fantastic and sounds real.

One of the other facets of the series that I really enjoy is Bobby's friendship with Mark Dimond and Courtney Chetwynde. The closeness they share, even through Bobby's journals, feels real.

MacHale also mixes in adult heroes with his young champion. Vincent "Gunny" Van Dyke was an excellent grown Traveler in this novel. He was kind and gentle, and guided Bobby and Spader throughout the adventure.

I did miss the world-building in this novel, but I know MacHale gets back to it in later volumes of the series. But for kids who haven't researched the 1930s much, this should be a fun book and on equal footing with fans of Artemis Fowl and Alex Rider.

I have been struggling with autoimmune diseases with them potentially evolving into Lupus. This book has been helping me get through some really tough times. It also has helped to be able to talk to doctors with a clearer understanding of this disorder. I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and this book along with Dr. Wallace's fibromyalgia book have really put things in perspective for me. I have read many books on the subject and this book by far is the best!

As I am newely diagnosed with Lupus, after years of confusing symptoms,this book has become the most important resource I have found. The information is clear and concise.I now know how to ask questions of my Rheumatologist, and to understand the test results.

I was recently diagnosed with lupus. I found this book to be extremely helpful with alot of the questions I had. I would recommend to anyone who has the disease to read this book.

This is the book whether you are a patient, a family memeber, or just trying to figure out if you might have Lupus! I've had multiple life-threatening manifestations of Lupus over the past 10+ years and I always go back to this book for answers. I have yet to read anything that comes close to covering all the bases...and since there are SOOOO many bases to cover with Lupus, start here. More than likely the it's the only book you'll need. I bought many other books but this is the one I always reference first, and I usually don't need to look further.

I have Lupus, and have bought each new edition of the book as it has come out. It's the best book on Lupus out there. Now I have also been diagnosed with MS, if only I could find a book about MS that was as concise, organized and well written as this one, I wouldn't feel nearly as "alone" in the land of MS as I do.

Thank you Dr. Wallace for such a great book that helped me navigate the uncertain road of being newly diagnosed with Lupus 15 years ago, and for the continued information you provide to all of us who have or are affected by Lupus.

I am the chair of the Classified Staff Council on a very large University Campus. We use this book as a guideline for our meetings and events. I purchase them for each memeber to review if they have questions. EXCELLENT

It is brief to the point and very clear for quick in the meeting reference.

Exactly what I needed and as promised. This is a great introduction to Robert's Rules of Order. After reading it I was comfortable running a meeting not just attending!

Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief gives you the skills and know-how to run a meeting. As President or an officer in any organization, you need to know several rules that will help you officiate and move it along while getting its business accomplished. This book sets out the standard order of business in an easy to read format. Its size makes it easy to carry and facilitates getting needed information. Membership in work, church and social organizations requires specific knowledge that this little book provides.

There is only one true brief of Robert's Rules of Order and this is it.

Hi
I ordered these books and paid for them but still have not received them
Lyn Bos

I first got this book as a gift in 1996 and it's been a great part of my daily life all these years. I've bought several copies over the years for family and friends and it's the most beloved book and heart touching devotional I've ever read. I've never read it cover to cover, but instead pray for direction and open to where I'm lead. God has never failed me and spoken to my heart every time through these pages. I would love to buy one for everyone on the planet.

This book is like having God right there in your living room. My friend with ovarian cancer recommended it to me because of the comfort it has give her during her illness. Now that I face an uncertain future with parkinson's, it is helping me the same way. It is the best devotional I have found.

My first copy has long since lost its cover and the pages are dog-eared and tear-stained. I use this every morning during my prayer time to launch a converstation between me and the Master of the Universe. If you have ever longed to hear the sweet, intimate words of God and His plan for you, this is the book for you. Encouraging, and uplifting. After 8 years, this book still challenges me to walk intimately with God each moment of the day.

I have probably given at least 50 of these books to people that the Lord lays on my heart. This book speaks to me all the time, whatever I am going through. It is like the Lord is standing right in front of you talking with you. Everyone I have given it to says that they have been so blessed by the words in this book. I highly recommend it.

I love this type of book, a strong heroine, the prototypical reluctant hero, and a setting full of history and mystery. Congratulations C.J.!

CJ has a story to tell, and sets the stage in quick fashion. Likened to a cross between chiseling stone and molding clay, CJ Rapidly develops four main characters, five if you include the cat. The common "scar" factor links the pursuer to the pursued. And the rapidity of action and change of scene channels my attention, presumably, where she wants it, first, the inkling that the hunter and prey have a common horrific experience, and second, why is this relationship deadly? As my tastes run toward Clancy, Grisham, and am a fan of Hillerman, I was impressed. So... what's around the corner?

I was drawn in and hooked in no time.. I definitely look forward to reading more! I imagine this will be a book I won't be able to put down.

Don't read this unless you want to be completely riveted - because I promise you, it'll happen in the first page. A whirlwind blend of action, darkness, and humor, in perfect balance. The bathroom scene is especially chilling. Absolutely excellent and I can't wait for more.

While this is generally not my genre, I took the chance. I was instantly taken by the main character, intrigued by her self-purpose, despite the crippling horror and the amnesia. I wanted to know what had happened, why she was running, what or who she was running from...and of course, with just the excerpt available, I still want to know!

It is easy to read, entertaining, and it makes me want to read the rest. I liked the Irish setting as well, and the way the author settles the reader into that setting without hammering it in with pages of description.

Jon Muth's breathtaking paintings and Caroline Kennedy's choice of poems make this book a treasure for middle aged me, and children of all ages.

This book is a treasure. The art is light filled and the selections are very satisfying. Leave it to Caroline Kennedy to share her wealth with the rest of us in her tasteful way.

I planned to give this book as a gift, so "new condition" was important. When I received it, it did look perfect. Then I opened the front cover. On the inside page was a big inscription "Happy Chanukah from Grandpa Vic"...to my family" etc. That rendered it unusable for my use...and not mentioned in the pre-purchase information.

I ended up giving my own copy, which truly was in new condition, and keeping the inscripted version for myself.

Family of Poems, A

This s book of superb quality with the Kennedy family's best loved poems and superb water color illustrations for each one. The price is astoundingly low for such a lovely book. Over the past year or so, we must have ordered close to 20 to give as gifts, and each gift was warmly appreciated--especially the one that we gave to our host in Ireland. We also enjoy reading from ours to our grand kids.

Poetry can make "all the difference" when we are choosing a path in life.

Growing up listening to my father read poetry I would gather 'favorites' in my mind and wish I could publish my own perfect collection. Caroline Kennedy has carried out this dream - in a book fit for any lap. a child's - or adult's. Its readers may always compare her choices with their own childhood favorites. My memory carries me back to "Silver Pennies" - the child-size book with line drawings & silhouettes, rather dated now, I suppose, but with solid choices of poems , as are Ms. Kennedy's.

Nostalgia triumphs over bright colors? Not really - both are greatly enjoyed and Jon Muth can be envied for the range he was free to explore. The truly important factor is that the someone reading cares to share the flavor & color, the lilt of words - and the love that shines through them. Anyone's favorite book of poetry may hang on to that special status for years, but having a child's open mind can gain you an appreciation of language and laughter, and introduce you to 'literary friends' who can point you toward many a less traveled path.

There were no illustrations in my parents' volumes, many with aging marbleized bindings, or leather. It was their obvious love of poetry that guided us to appreciate that laughter and choked-up emotions found expression in words, as well as phrasing and rhythm. An ear for poetry can be nurtured no matter what the format, or who is editor, or illustrator.

Reviewer mcHaiku's years have taught her that knowing which poems, hymns and songs are/were treasured by a parent or sibling is an ever-present treasure, a link to cherish. I am always grateful for one more poetry collection, one more lovely excuse to marvel at words at their best.