Terry Jones Books

Dear Readers, I think this book is a very good book. Some of the stories are similar to some of Terry Jones' other books. Part of The reason I read this book was because I liked another book "Nicobobinus" so much. "Fantastic Stories" was very nicely written and Terry Jones' humor comes out often in this, along with his wildly spread and unusual imagination. Micheal Foreman's illustrations were excellent. I believe Terry Jones and Micheal Foreman make a good team. Together, the two individuals have created a very interesting and wonderful book. I would recommend it to anyone who loves fairy tales, especially those with a twist. sincerely, Michelle Barbara O'Loughlin

As a chiled my father read me this story and it scaired the s*** out of me. my bed was under a sky light so I thought I was easy prey, because nobody could resist the call of the fly by night I thought. I had the biggest scaire one night when I woke up to a neabors BLACK CAT walking accross my window!! If you havent read this story or anny other terry jones faerie tales, log off and make you're way to the library. or just order them, all of them! and I doesent matter how old you are, Adults can apreciate the stories as much as children, maybe more. these stories are fresh and alive. I cherish my coppy of Fairy Tales ( the colection fly by night came from), It shaires a place in my heart with my OLD coppyes of grim and anderson fairy tales (the good ones with unhappyness, death and loss of limbs),narnia and the terrible horrible no good verry bad day. If you like fairy tales/ the fly by night check out: the curse of the vampire socks fantastic stories other terry jones books. If you like kids poems like Where the sidewalk ends you will definetly enjoy The curse of the vampire socks. I could go on forever about kids books, if you want to talk e-mail me

Like all the Fraudian work this book is incredible! What can I say, the man can draw. This book will enrich any collection.

This is the current textbook being used in Louisiana schools for the 8th grade social studies program. Great text, lots of excellent images, charts, etc.

This is a very funny collection of material from our friends in the UK. I highly recommend that you play this CD on the way to work in the morning, to give you a non-caffeine "lift".

The writings of Professor Tolkien are absolutely Timeless. His books are the gauge by-which all Fantasy books are measured. However, there is much more to Tolkien than many people realize. His translations and teaching positions are not always mentioned, yet they are credentials that make his other works even more astounding! The Hobbit and The Trilogy have been the Inspiration for decades of works by other authors, yet I have not ever seen these works surpassed by anyone. Terry Brooks is the only author I have read who even compares to J.R.R. Tolkien and his epic style. I became fascinated with The Hobbit and Trilogy when I was in the seventh grade. I borrowed them from a friend and snuck them home. I was completely enthralled with the world Tolkien created. I was not allowed to read anything that was even remotely related to Wizards, Witches, Astrology, D&D, etc., so these books were like nothing I had ever seen, before. I was captivated and felt the call to become a Writer. Previously, the poetry and such that we were studying in school BORED me to tears. I found my schooling to be mind-numbingly BORING and Tolkien became my Inspiration to Learn, create Poetry, Write stories, Study, become an Anthropologist, delve into Masonic Lore and so much more.... Throughout High-School, I had pictures of Prof. Tolkien on my wall and I desired to be like him. Not-only was he the Greatest Fantasy Writer the world has known, but he was "Professor of Anglo-Saxon, at Oxford University, from 1925 to 1945....and professor of English Language and Literature....and a Fellow of Merton College from '45 to his retirement in '59." Check out his translations of (book title:)"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo" (J.R.R. Tolkien) Also, Prof. Tolkien wrote wonderful stories like "Smith of Wooten Major (&) Farmer Giles of Ham" for children. Pop those titles into the search box! I can honestly say that reading Tolkien changed my life...for the Better! Tolkien created the highest standards of writing for generations of authors....I am quite sure he would be deeply disappointed with the majority of books published today, with numerous spelling errors and pathetic grammar. I believe Tolkien is a god-send to English teachers. Perhaps, he can still inspire young people to elevate their Writing and English skills, from beyond. I would fight to keep his works on the shelves. I was not allowed to do my Senior Thesis about this author, despite the fact that he is such an amazing author and advocate of Literature. I lost interest in doing my thesis and threw something together at the last minute. Perhaps teachers should Recognize the potential for inspiring youth, via the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

This book was assigned for a class that I took with Dr. Bill Jones, and was extremely helpful to me. It put a sharper point on some things I already understood, and helped me see a few things that I had not really thought about before. Most importantly it helped me to make application of what I learned. I highly reccomend it.

While Grahame's The Wind in the Willows may have been written for children, it mimics and speaks to adults, as well. The characters in his "low fantasy" story, though animal in name, physical description, and dwelling habitats, portray many of the same foibles and flaws as those represented by human beings.
Mr. Toad, for example, is not only wealthy and pretentious, but spoiled, haughty, self-serving, and thoughtless. He takes his truest friends for granted, and things nothing of thievery or dealing underhandedly to accomplish his selfish wants. For toad, Mr. Toad, like some people we encounter, has no real material needs, but has wants that seldom satisfy him for more than a moment.
Mr. Toad's friends, Old Badger, Water Rat, and Mole also have personalities that mirror that of adult humans. Perhaps Grahame intended to reach children at an age when they are teachable and impress upon them manners and sensibilities that will guide their interpersonal relationships as they grow.
Though the poetically beautiful settings of the story are present in the "real world," the magical occurrences of motorcar-driving frogs, gondola-sailing rats, and suit-wearing badgers, make this fantastical story entertaining, particular for children, who possess a vivid imagination that is oftentimes stifled by everyday pressures in the world of grown-ups.
Both children and adults can identify with the personalities of Grahame's imaginary characters, and there are age-old lessons taught in this story that are often present in mythology and even Biblical teachings. There is even a God-like character in the book, called The Piper, who brings the seasons and protects the animals.
The morals taught in the story are satisfying, in that, in the end, Mr. Toad is a changed man, er, frog, in that he has learned to appreciate the value of true friendship accept his good fortune with humility. Through his animal characters, Grahame represents the bad in human nature made good, while entertaining us with comedic situations that--if they didn't involve such fantastical creatures--could be considered realistic.

This is a delightful book, readable well into adulthood. Mr. Toad is particularly entertaining, but so are the wise and tolerant Badger and the adventure loving Mole and Rat. A fully realized world that even makes reference to the classics. Good prevails in the final battle, and the animals are restored to their peaceable kingdom. A wonderful book to read and reread.

This has to be my all time favorite DVD far better than other productions of this I have viewed. Absolutely delightful to watch for people of all ages - it's a keeper that you can watch over and again!

`Straighten up, everybody,' commanded the Badger in his best parade ground voice. 'We must all give a good impression to the reviewer. This means you too, Ratty.'
'Why yes badger,' cried Ratty, hastily stuffing his tea cake under the picnic table. 'Best behaviour, what?'
'Where is Mole?' continued the Badger, glancing sternly at the cake crumbs clinging stubbornly to the Rat's whiskers.
The Mole broke surface directly beneath the picnic table, almost scattering the Rat's carefully laid out treats to the four winds. Clambering out from under, he turned towards the stern Badger.
'Here I am, sir,' squeaked the Mole anxiously.' I do hope I am not late?'
'Of course not, Moley, Just in time, what?' Laughed the Rat as he straightened his table. It would not do to leave good, picnic food unstraightened. It would only, he knew, attract the Weasels. Or even a stoat or two.
'When you have quite finished,' announced the Badger, striving to maintain the dignity of the occasion, 'I would like you to impress upon the good people reading this that Mr Grahame's novel, which is all about us, I hasten to remind you, is the finest tale of riverside life ever written by human or animal. I want you to impress upon anyone who asks that this is a cheery-up of a book, a time to relax of a book, a best reward of a book, to warm the hearts of all.' The Badger unshipped a particularly stern glare. 'Do I make myself clear?'
'Why of course, Badger, 'replied the Rat while doffing his boater at a pair of passing rabbits and their giggling brood, 'Wind in the Willows is the finest book of its kind. I would advise folk everywhere,' he smiled at the rabbits, 'to read it to their children for double the pleasure.'
'Yes quite', the Badger harrumphed.
'Now, on the next item on the agenda. Where, oh where, is that wasteful extravagant miscreant, you know who?'
Crash! With an explosion of knives, forks, cupcakes, bread and honey, and cheese, the picnic table evaporated into the ether. The animals scattered, the Rat losing his boater in the proceedings.
When the dust settled, all was revealed. The remains of a once-fine motorcar sat right in the middle of what had once been a picnic. Upside down, stuck helplessly in the bough of an oak, waved the tweed-clad legs of one who, even upside down, could not be mistook for a upright citizen. From inside the strong oak there came a muffled, yet unmistakable cry.
'Poop poop!'

"The Wind in the Willows" reminds me a lot of the television series "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood." I make this connection because in the face of a great deal of children's entertainment that is fast-paced, zany, and explosive, it is gentle and slow, and speaks honestly to children without diluting its messages any. In many of these reviews, readers have expressed their affection for loyal mole, brave rat, etc. I agree, but to me the really cool thing is how all of these characters are actually very complex and very real, yet loveable all the same. Loyal old mole is also rather pompous and unheeding. Courageous rat is often brusque and self-centered. Brave Badger is sometimes unkind, and by the same token vain, petty, wasteful Toad is also loyal to his friends and generous- to a fault- with his things. All the characters have unexpressed longings- Rat, great lover of the river-bank, fights a conflicting desire to travel and see more things. Mole, wholeheartedly embracing his new life, also secretly longs for his old one. Badger secretly loves company. What makes the characters so compelling is how fundamentally decent, loyal, and kind they are to each other, and that's the best lesson any child can get out of this fine story. As a teacher I see the results of kids who haven't learned this lesson in my classroom day after day. I had this book read to me as a child and loved it and it has an honored place on my shelf now, where I reread it at least once every two or three years, when the modern world gets to be too much for me!

Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book

You will love this book; rather far out fantasy art, thinking. I cannot wait to read the other Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy books.

Like collectors of pressed flowers, this book presents itself as a collection of "pressed fairies". Very creative, completed in watercolours, this book is wonderful to view and certainly worth owning. The art is fantastic, a must of lovers of art and lovers of fairies, not to mention those prone to flights of fancy.
The book is wonderfully presented, with a large soft padded cover it is both beautiful inside and out. Makes a great gift too!

A "must have" for children and for those young at heart...very creative, thoughtfull, funny and charming...sure to make anyone smile!

I don't know, I usually love books about fairies, as a matter of fact I collect them, but this is definatley not my favorite book about fairies. I think the plot is kind of sick, but I must say the illustrations are amazing. I enjoyed when the narrator was young, but once she got older the book turned form cute and gross to just plain gross.

"Pressed Fairy Book? What the...?" This was my initial reaction when I first laid eyes on this crazy book when I worked at B. Dalton a few years back. The title itself is enough to immediately draw your attention, "Pressed Fairy Book." It sparks your curiosity doesn't it?
This book is filled from cover to cover of beautifully drawn illustrations of smashed fairies, sounds a bit morbid but I assure you there were no fairies intentionally harmed, I'd rather say the fairies were all voluntarily smashed. This book starts out like a journal of a little girl written in that sloppy writing we all had at seven years old. The little girl explains how as she was sitting in her garden writing in her journal she has these bugs (which she later found out were fairies) flying all around her head and she used her book to smash one and oops! It was a fairy, but oddly the fairy was making faces as it was smashed in her book, almost like it though it to be fun or a game. Through out the years the little girl collects any fairy she runs across in her book; catch many different varieties of fairies.
This book has throughout the years been my favorite book, and I often give it as a Christmas gift because it is most decorative and amusing for everyone who lays their eyes on it. This book is exceptionally rare and becoming increasingly hard to




Find at many book stores, which is an even better reason to give this as a gift to the art or fairy lover in your family. It serves as a great coffee table book and will entertain even the grumpiest of in-laws visiting your home. I give this book a rating of Five Stars in illustrations, four stars in story line, and Three stars in availability. I recommend this book for all ages, and highly recommend this book as a gift. You can find this book at WWW.AMAZON.COM . This book price ranges from $[...] - $[...], there are also many alternatives to the book its self there is a calendar, pocket book and a new version of this book called "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Letters" which gives you additional hilarious illustrations of smashed fairies. This author and illustrator really know how to put a smile on anyone's face.


Overall rating: 5 stars
Based on 5 star rating scale

A great book for any Monty Python fan. Like the title said "All The Words". I got both books (1 & 2) along with the dvd set and I read along with the dvd. Also great for sketches seeing as the desribe the scene as stuff is going on.

I've seen "Monty Python's Flying Circus" so many times that I can recite long stretches of it by memory. But due to all those weird accents and manic deliveries ("GREET! GREET!"), sometimes not everything they say is totally coherent.

Fortunately for those times, Python fans have "The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words," a series of transcripts of every sketch they did. They're lacking in detail at times, but still enormous fun and full of delightfully quotable lines ("It's probably pining for the fjords!").

Basically, ther first volume contains the first half the series, starting with the Mozart show and ending with "Long John Silver Impersonators Vs. Gynecologists. Among the classic comedy sketches: the Spanmish Inquisition, the Ministry of Silly Walks, the lethal joke used against the Germans, semprini, the Lumberjack song, the Attila the Hun show, how to defend yourself from fresh fruit, camel-spotting, Secret Service dentists, and the invasion of tennis-playing blamcmanges from the galaxy of Andromeda.

The dialogue to each one is laid out carefully, with each character identified (like "Interviewer (JOHN)"). Most of these episodes are one long continuing sketch -- ots of sketches that spill over into each other, with bare-bones descriptions of Terry Gilliam's bizarre animations. And, of course, the opening sequences, often with the "It's" man.

These guys had a rare and hysterical writing talent -- it's full of crazy glorious dialogue ("The black death, typhus, cholera, consumption, bubonic plague..." "Ah, those were the days"). Not much description of the action in places, though, especially where there is lots of action. But when necessary, they describe everything down to clothing and tear-shedding.

The problem is that this should only be read after you've seen the series, because otherwise it becomes a bewildering blur of stream-of-consciousness comedy numbers. You have a better chance of finding Ilchester in a cheese shop than of unerstainding what the heck is going on.

The first volume of "The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words" is a hilarious companion book to the legendary TV series, and an excellent refresher for all those great lines. Now, alduce me to introlow myslef!

..but as a relaxed reading for someone who wants to learn the sketches by heart, this is the ultimate book.

That Monty Python is actually very limited a franchise. These few Python book which script the entire series in it's four year run (as there was only a few eps each year) really leave one saying "Is that all the fuss is about?" Sure there were Python movies (but about half of these films were simply rehashes of the series). I never understood when Python became so big. In the late 70's they were just something I watched on a UHF station latenight. Benny Hill was really funnier than Python (even the UHF station advertised Hill that way) but he didn't become as much of a franchise. Python shouldn't of either. Really there isn't that much to it!

As a fan of MPFC since it first aired on PBS in 1973, these two volumes sort of put a cap on a 30 year fascination with the team. Maybe like me, you've watched every Python-Marathon or taped every show, but having these scripts really is the icing on the cake.

What's striking to me is the simplicity of the scripts. When you watch the episodes, the gags seem so complicated. Then to see The Dead Parrot sketch reduced to just a few pages, you realize how brilliant those guys were in terms of compression, and in terms of acting. An added plus, for me at least, was to finally see the words and phrases that I never quite "got" because they were unique to British English. From there, I logged on to a few websites on British slang and, boy, I realized what MPFC got away with...some of it was pretty raunchy. Anyway, this is two-volume set is priceless for any fan.