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"One lonely spider sipped her tea while gazing at the sky
She watched the insects on the leaves and many flying by..."

So begins the tale of Miss Spider, a charming arachnid whose only wish is to have many an insect delight in her hospitality by attending her elegant tea party. Outwardly, Miss Spider is quite beautiful - a cheery goldenrod body accented by large black dots, hypnotizing peridot eyes fringed by heavy lashes, a striking red coif and coquettish smile all look very innocent, indeed. Despite her attractive appearance and friendly demeanor, not one insect in Miss Spider's neighborhood will accept her invitation for fear they will be caught in a literal web of deceit and become the main course amongst the gleaming china and sweet cakes.

As Miss Spider tries time and again to coax different insects (bumblebees, beetles, etc.), for a sit-down, she is continually met with resistance and/or rejection and retreats to her place settings, shedding a tear for the loss of company. It's not until a hapless moth soaked by the downpour of a thunderstorm stumbles upon her council that Miss Spider offers a tablecloth and tea to warm him. As the grateful moth flies off with a piece of chocolate cake, the good news spreads quickly of her generosity and good nature. Before she knows it, Miss Spider is flanked by dozens of insects and becomes the guest of honor at her own party and is graciously welcomed into the fold of many an insect family.

David Kirk has crafted a charming story that tells young children that people cannot be judged by their outward appearance, only by the content of their character and it does so magnificently with all the colorful and resplendent original paintings contained within. Your child will be enraptured by Kirk's bright and beautiful art work (it's one of the main reasons why I picked up this book for my daughter) and as an added bonus will get a nice refresher course on counting from 1-12 (two beetles, three fireflies, four bumblebees, etc.). The entire book is written in the form of a poem with spontaneous rhyme schemes - the language as well as the story flows beautifully as a result.

Bottom line: Undeniably enjoyable for the reader and the spectator, the artwork and word form of "Miss Spider's Tea Party" makes for a visual and auditory rapture.

This cleverly written concept (counting and poetry) book combined with the most beautiful illustrations makes this a must have for any home library. Before they can even read, children will enjoy have this story read to them while they look at the vivid pictures and try to count all the bugs to match the story. Opportunities to increase vocabulary are bountiful with the creative and broad use of vocabulary within the rhyming plot. The ending shows a great character building lesson to get to know someone before making a judgement. Just perfect!

Very cute story. I bought my niece the Fisher-Price tea party set and bought this book to go with it. The story is short but the pictures are adorable and very colorful. I would recommend this book. My niece is 1 1/2, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone over 3.

We've been reading this to our little guy since he was three months old, if even that, and he was glued to it from the start, easily his favorite book, still, at nearly 13 months. Great color, great rhythm, and lots of fun bugs! :)

The "Miss Spider" books are pretty easy reads. Nice stories, wonderfully bright, and imaginatively styled illustrations!

My 3 year old is a little concerned with spiders in general and I think by giving a sweet personality to a spider, it helps to take the edge off of the spiders we may find in the house and in nature.

This book hit home. One of my best friends gifted me with this book and it has been one of the best gifts ever. I work full time and have a 10 month old daughter. After reading just a chapter I felt relieved to know I am not the only one feeling stressed with all there is to do everyday while maintaining a home, work, relationships,etc. This book gives permission to slow down, and it says it's okay to stop and listen and not do the big birthday parties and attend all the holiday parties and events. Just being and listening and not doing anything together is time well spent.

As others have noted, this book is a series of reflections about motherhood and the importance of slowing down to savor daily life with loved ones.

This book energized me to make several changes in my own life. Part of my motivation for homeschooling this year was a desire to have a more conscious, contemplative, and purposeful life rather than a frantic-mad-dashing here and there life.

In fact, as the holidays approach, many of my friends are feeling "swamped", "overwhelmed", "stressed" - feelings I remember all too well from previous years. While I still have my moments, overall I am much less stressed than last year. The overall tenor of the holidays is much happier and calmer. I have done my best to pare the holidays down to the essentials, to keep things simple and personal, rather than grandly extravagant. Extravagance has its place, but when children are young, I think simplicity makes so much more sense.

I loved this book so much I chose it for my book club of busy suburban SAHMs. I was quite surprised to find only two (out of nine) loved it as I did! Three thought the book had "some good ideas", but they clearly didn't connect with the author.

The other four were quite negative about Mitten Strings. They felt it was too preachy and perfect and Pollyanna-ish, that "real" people couldn't live like the Kenisons without lots of money. But it's not a financial lifestyle she is talking about, it's an internal one, it is simply making a conscious effort to notice, appreciate, prioritize and streamline.

In trying to figure out the mixed response to this book in my book club, I came up with a couple of ideas. I think the crux of liking the book has to do with the following:

First, it depends on whether you are at a point in your life where you actually consider rushing madly to be a negative thing, rather than proof you are productive. Some people feel empowered and energized by rushing and being busy!

Second, it depends on how contemplative you are feeling when you read the book. The more contemplative you feel, the more likely you might enjoy the book.

Finally, it depends on whether you enjoy visual and poetic language. The author writes with a heartfelt, genuine sentimentality that, while I enjoyed it tremendously, can apparently be off-putting to people with more pragmatic sensibilities.

One reviewer said they would not give this book to a parent of an autistic child, or one with Down's Syndrome. I actually think this book has considerable merit for families with special needs children - the key is knowing WHEN to give the book. I have a child who was diagnosed with autism at 3, and when he was younger and we were rushing around madly from therapy to therapy, ransacking our home to make it an engaging learning environment, etc..., I would not have been in the frame of mind to appreciate it.

In fact, according to my three criteria above: the mad rushing was proof I was doing everything I could to help him; who has time to be contemplative when you are trying to save your child from autism; and poetic musings about the wonderful lives of families with typically developing children would have been quite upsetting.

NOW I see things differently. I think the ideas in the book have even MORE relevance for children with special needs, who often thrive in calm, centered environments. I think children with special needs deserve to have their progress, however slow or small, deeply savored and appreciated.

Well anyway. This is not a book that EVERYONE is necessarily going to love, in spite of the steady parade of 5 star reviews. Nevertheless, I join the parade and give this book 5 stars based on my own incredibly positive experience reading it.

I truly enjoyed this book. It is not a religious book (despite the title) nor a parenting guide; it is a deeply spiritual look at what it means to be a family.

Mitten Strings touched me in such a way that I felt like I was reading a letter from a good friend. There was a sense of peace reading it and imagining my family in her book. Her basic premise is to slow down, notice the details of your children's lives and be present with your family. But the book goes so much further than that. We all know to slow down...but to be reminded how magical it can be, with illustrations that are so tender is even better. I highly recommend this book and in fact purchased seven more to give to my friends as a special gift. I'd love to meet the author (Katrina) and sit over a cup of something on the front porch while our children run circles around the house!

It is rare to say but so true. It was given to me by an older woman and it truely changed the way I parent my two boys, see life and helped me create a summer that I will treasure. A must read for those who want to slow down and get off the "treadmill" of life.

The restaurant business begins with a vision well founded on food knowledge. Having had great and many good meals helps. But the lessons of this book are many: the best is his order of priorities....first the employees, then the customers, then the suppliers and last the investors. Brilliant.

One of the best business books I've ever read. Danny really "gets it" as far as treating his employees and customers like family and VERY important people. THIS is why he is so successful with the top restaurants in NYC. A MUST read for anyone in sales or who deals with customers and employees on a daily basis

A great book that describes how to create customers for life, with "enlightened hospitality", creating an outstanding customer experience, based on a dialog with the customer. As he puts it "picking up the rocks" (to find the info) and "connecting the dots", a process that could and should be copied for every business.

His passion for food comes across the written page, its contagious.
I'm not a wine drinker but his passion made me want to give it a try.

I never been to one of his restaurants but I now see a trip to New York to visit his restaurants.

Highly recommended not only for restaurateurs, but for every business that has contact with customers.

This is one of the best books I have ever read on the hospitality business. Given that it is the industry that I am in, I probably found it more entertaining and insightful than many may who are NOT in the industry. Either way, a great read.

I was about to leave for vacation, and was looking for a beach read. Danny Meyer had been generous enough to supply an endorsement for my book, The Art of Client Service, so the least I could do was buy his book.

I am very glad I did.

Setting the Table certainly is a book on how to provide superior hospitality to customers, but it's more than that: it's the best book I've read on what it means to provide service to clients in ANY business. Its candor, humility, and generosity of spirit are reflected in all the lessons Danny learned, applied, and now recounts as he grew to be a leader.

My only quibble, and it is a small one, is that the book lacks an index. I assume this was a conscious decision on Danny's part, possibly because he does not view Setting the Table as a "how to" guide. But the reality is, the book is loaded with practical advice on how to build and sustain enduring client relationships. An index would help readers refer to lessons that inspired or motivated them.

My one regret is that I failed to include Setting the Table in my book's annotated bibliography of the 20 titles advertising people should read. I will, however, add it to the Art of Client Service website. And most important of all, I will recommend the book to all my advertising industry colleagues.

Where do I begin? I admit, when i started the book, i really had a hard time and almost put it down. It took about 10 pages in and I was hooked. This book is a very moving and tender story of a woman made bitter by tragedies in her life and who is shown love later in life by a very unlikely source who transforms her spiritually and helps her find God. It is a Christian novel but not your typical soft and sugary kind. It really touched my heart. Another great thing about it is that the main character is an avid reader and references many books throughout, some i have read and others i bought after checking them out on line.

Get this book - it will strengthen your faith

"Some Wildflower in my Heart" is a wonderful book. It was recommended to me by one of my daughters, so I bought the book and began reading it. It grabbed my attention from the very first sentence, but I found it very hard to identify with the main character at first. She speaks in a very stilted, formal tone and words. But as I got into the story, I realized that this was not the author's writing style. Instead, it was the voice she had given her character, Margaret -- the voice of a woman who had educated herself via public libraries.

Margaret's painful life begins to change when she meets Birdie Freeman. This book was a revelation to me of how a committed Christian, just living her ordinary life to the glory of God, can impact those around her. It challenged me -- am I living my life in a way that impacts others for good?

Highly recommended!

Margaret Tuttle lives a life filled with secrets. She guards her secrets well, even from the man she married. And then her life changes drastically when an elfin woman appears alongside her, to ease her burdens and show her the way to a much fuller life.

Birdie Freeman is open and kind. She seems to not have a care in the world as she extends the hand of friendship to those around her. Margaret discovers that Birdie has secrets so deep, they could have torn the fabric of Birdie's life apart.

Birdie's offering is that of unconditional love. As Margaret's heart begins to trust and hope once again, suffering descends. Will Margaret be strong enough to withstand the latest attack? Will love heal even in the midst of suffering?

Armchair Interviews says: Author Jane Langston Turner's writing style is unique. Take the challenge; delve into lessons of faith and friendship.

This book is my all time favorite contemporary Christian fiction! Real life, real situation, real solutions! A convincing lesson of Christian love bringing someone to Christ and His healing graces. I've read "Wildflower" three times, and each time I vow to be just a bit like Birdie. If we all tried to be like Birdie, the world would be a much better place!

a friend recommended this book to me and i loved it from the beginning. i then recommended it to my book club. many loved it and a few really didn't, however we still talk about birdie and margaret 2 years later. so even if you don't like the book, you will never forget it! i love reading all jamie turner's books since she keeps them all generally in the same location and you get to "see" friends from other books that you have already read! if you have read this one once, read it again! it gets better every time!

My daughter and I have LOVED sharing Betsy-Tacy as a read-aloud. The way that the author weaves the girls' fantasies right into the chapter is a perfect illustration of just how real imaginary play is to children (or at least used to be when kids were allowed to imagine). Beware, parents: Have a hankie on hand for the Easter Eggs chapter. I had tears running in rivulets down my cheeks. The only sad thing about Betsy-Tacy is that my daughter wishes that she had a kindred spirit of her own as they do. Highly recommended!

I was introduced to Betsy and Tacy at 5 or 6 by my mom. She adored the series growing in the 50/60s. I grew up in the 70s/80s and fell in love with Betsy, Tacy and Tib. I have 3 daughters that now love these books also. If I had to name the best gift I ever received, I would name my Betsy books. I read the books at just the right time in my life. I would look forward to receiving my Besty/Tacy book at Christmas. When I had my 1st child, my mother gave me the final book in the series when Betsy also has a baby. I was overjoyed yet sad because I knew it was the end of the books.
These books were so important to me growing up that I still think of the characters often. They are wonderful classic stories of a simple time and true friendships.

B-T fans rejoice! Sutton Foster acquits herself well, and brings the characters and Maud's distinctive writerly voice alive in her reading of B-T.

Tired of reading the book over and over and over to your children? This audiobook can take over the chore. Or guarantee that you arrive at work in a good mood, by listening during your commute.

Don't hesitate, just get it before it goes out of print. Let's hope they issue more of the books on CD too.

I was recently reminded of the Betsy-Tacy books I loved so much when I was a young girl. You can not imagine my horror at seeing the current editions' illustrations of the girls, though. Part of the original books' charm was the simple illustrations. Whoever decided to change them should be ashamed. Ashamed and fired. Seriously.

Contact me if you want to join a campaign to have the real drawings returned to future editions of these timeless classics so many of us loved so much.

What a delightful book! I cannot believe I missed these books as a child; I picked them up to read with my daughters on a friend's recommendation, and they are a treasure. They remind me of so many other classic children's books -- Lois Lenski, Carolyn Haywood, Beverly Cleary, Eleanor Estes. Not only are the stories sweet and captivating, they take me back to a place where life was so much simpler. It's a return to innocence, and I loved the journey. I would highly recommend these books for little girls; they'll make new friends that they'll cherish for a lifetime.

I was given this book as a gift. I have never been a Michigan fan and always thought Big Ten football as boring. I could not put this book down. I loved every page of it. Not only is it a great look into Michigan football and a great football mind but it is one of the best business books I have read. Basic fundamentals that, packed around interesting stories that show how they work. I am ordering a copies for everyone on my sales staff. This is a book I will read again and again. Now the painful part, I now have a soft spot for the Wolverines.

This is a great book on the fundamentals of leadership. Bo and the author use football for examples of different challenges a leader might face. As a Michigan fan it was wonderful to read how this legendary coach made his way to Michigan, and how he formed his philosophies on coaching. After reading this book, the reader will have a better appreciation of how and why Bo coached the way he did. If anyone knows a person or if they themselves coach anything, this book is a MUST read. But you can still enjoy the book even if you don't coach or lead anything.

Bo's life was a reminder to me about the things that are important - integrity, friendship, leadership, honest communication, and giving your all every single day. Although a football story, I think it's more an inspirational guide to attainment of the highest human values disguised as a football story. Put this on your list to read!

This is the best book by/about Bo. Many of the stories are familiar, but most of the ones that have appeared before have a somewhat different slant on them here. If you have been in a leadership position, you will recognize much of what Bo says as simple truth. You will also recognize examples where you didn't follow his principles, and regretted it later. People like him who see life as simply are rare, and are an inspiration. I'm not sure how much of the effect of the book would be lost on someone who did not have a familiarity with college football, but if you have even a cursory exposure to it, you should find the stories enjoyable and educational.

This book was written as though Bo was talking. Oftentimes after I closed the book I was motivated and charged. It had a lot of great advice and pointers about leadership. I good book for a leader. A great book for a Michigan fan.

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.

I loved the description of the furry doctor -- definitely a kid's point of view. In fact, the depiction of Theo is very real, very true-to-life. The mother also intrigues me. What triggered her depression? Does she come out of it? And what did Dad see in Theo's chart? I would definitely like to read more!

Reading this excerpt put me right into the head of the 11-year old Theo, so much so that I felt a little like I was time-traveling. Theo's POV brings us all of the fears, concerns and simple pleasures of an eleven year old boy amidst the trials and tribulations of a broken family. The mysteries of Theo's injury and his mother's unpredictable behavior hooked me, and the wonderful writing made it easy to keep reading. I like these characters and want to see them through to the end. Looking forward to reading more.

My favorite thing about Ms. Librie's writing is the way she catches the intimate moments. Theo is half angry with his mother when he looks at her sleeping in her bed, yet he wants to climb in next to her the way he did when he was little, "and lose himself in the waves of her breathing." In the hospital, when she asks him if she upset him, he doesn't answer. She gives his hand a little shake and asks, "Did I?" The simplicity and grace in the breathing and the little shake makes me care about these characters and hope I get to read the full story in the published novel.

An intense story of family dynamics is quickly established by Librie's economical writing. The reader is immediately invested in the story which is nicely grounded by details both physical and emotional. Librie has created such a sympathetic character and realistic situation that my stomach knotted when Theo's did. This could be a powerful young adult novel in the tradition of Bridge to Terabithia.

For anyone who grew up with a depressed mom, this story rings painfully true. Ms. Librie gets into the head of Theo, the 6th grader, who can't figure out what's happened to his mum. She writes Theo's push me-pull me feelings exceptionally well, he wants his mom back and he's darn angry that she left. I look forward to reading what ever it was that the Dad read in Theo's medical chart. Is he NOT Theo's dad? A great set up for a great novel, please give us more!

This is an excellent book that tells the story of cpl. Dunham and Lima company in Iraq. It has a smooth introduction that breaks off into an ambush with intense second by second battle recounts and then takes a turn onto the more emotional path of Dunham's and his squads wounded tales and their path home through many hospitals. This book will emotionally drain you, but has lots of comedy relief to bring you back to life and has a ver spiritual ending. I am very glad I picked up this book at the library when I saw it sitting on a shelf where it did not belong. This book should be a bestseller and be placed on many book club reading lists. Why has this book went unnoticed? It is too good to be placed in the shadows.

A quick read that will help the family of this fallen Marine heal their pain. Would be a good basis for a course or discussion or analyis of how wishful thinking and hope by well meaning people falls short when they lose sight of the realities of the situation and circumstances. None of which takes anything away from the valient heart of Medal of Honor recipient Corporal Jason Dunham, USMC.

This is also a non-fiction book about the trials of becoming a Marine, then a leader of men, and then a victim of the tribulations of that position. I have been reading the Wall Street Journal for over 50 years, and have been ever salutory of the reporters that have produced stories for that instituion----and this is NO exception! This reporter dug up the very varied backgrounds of these Marines, and brought them into focus of a VERY controversial time in the U.S.----and the M.D.'s and nurses that played their roles in the very lives of these fighting men and women----that are on the the frontline--------so that we do not have to be.

This was an incredible book about an incredible young man and his sacfrice for our freedom. As a USMC veteran of the first GUlf War I was interested in reading what these guys are dealing with in Iraq. As a father I was so caught up in what his family went through and how they dealt with the decisions they had to make. This book will be on the top of my list of favorite books.

I know it's only January but this book is fantastic - an extremely well-written account of a fascinating story of a true American hero. Strongly recommended.

This remarkable book describes the commitment of a young American (17 years) in the Marines in 1968, as a server of the famous M60 rifle gunner. "Guns up" - the order of battle and odf immediate fire - became a classic Overseas Atlantic story of the war in Vietnam. It has all the ingredients for success: good writing, humility, joint commitment ( "team spirit") and even religious faith (not that of George Bush, however, and fortunately).

I found this story in the spirit of the commitment of the elite troops at the French war in Indochina. 7 months of fighting without having set foot in a barrack, living in the jungle: what warrior feat indeed! Embuscades, fraternity, weaknesses of man.

A great book for a superb story.

Vietnam another generation, another war,life in the bush;death nearby everyday,war buddies killed.Life as a teenage Marine, either you grow up or die. A great read if you want to know what life as a Marine is.

if you want to know what the south end of Quang Nam province was like in 1968-69, this is it. i was there, just like johnny clark; but i was in 1/7. he's done a great job of capturing the feel of the time.

This is one of the best books I've read. The writer says in the end that some of this is fiction, or that certain characters are made of multiple people he knew, but the bulk of this story is true, regardless of who it happened to. I have yet to know someone who read this book and did not have to fight back tears at least once. I have read this book 4 times now. I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

I read this book at the suggestion of a friend (Sgt. Watson from the book). It was one of the quickest page-turners I have ever read. The reader is quickly made to realize the challenges of war as well as the personal sacrifices made by our soldiers. Anyone who is a soldier or knows one will appreciate this honest and well written account of this group of Marines' tour of duty.