V Books

This isn't just an update to the 3.5 rule set of d20/D&D, this is a whole new book! With the addition of like 50 pages, new classes, NPC archtypes, sub-types, equipment, etc... this breaths new life into tired old cities in any campaign. A must for world building and small adventures in or near a city!

Another great Skirmisher resource. I'm really getting to the point that if Skirmisher publishes a d20 book, I'll buy it sight unseen! Another must buy!

As a new DM, I found the material in this book to be invaluable in populating the major city for my PC's to play in. The standard WotC books provide a little too general information on Experts for a novice DM to easily dive in and begin creating a somewhat realistic world. I faced the challenge of filling in those gaps myself, but was lucky enough to come across this book at my local game seller. It is exactly what I needed.

Since I'm far from being a history expert, particularly on the daily lives of folks in medieval times, I found the first chapters describing the various types of experts (in broad categories of craftsmen, entertainers, professionals, scholars, and tradesmen) to be a fascinating read. It fully answered simple but important questions like "What is the difference between an armorer, blacksmith, and weaponmaker?"

The most valuable part of the book is the chapter on new skills. This chapter really gives nitty gritty details that are useful to my campaign. For example, there is a table in the section describing the Craft (Armorsmithing) skill with the self-explanatory title "Armor Creation Requirements, Times, and Costs". One of my PC's was looking for an armorer to craft him a mithral breastplate. I could easily tell him how much it would cost by using the DMG, but figuring out how long it would take, and who (if anybody locally) would have the skill to do it would be a much greater challenge. With the above table in hand and using the sample Expert provided in a later chapter as a template, getting this together was no sweat!

The only thing I'm unhappy with is the font that is used for many of the headings. It is very difficult for these old eyes to read. A minor quibble, but it is frustrating nonetheless.

I can't judge how valuable this book is for experienced DM's, but for an inexperienced DM that is building a world or extending an off the shelf product this is a must have!

This book is by far one of the best OGL/d20 books for DMs on the market. Finally the most forgotten NPC class gets the respect it deserves. With so many OGL/d20 books coming out that lack usable content, this book is a welcome addition to my considerable library. The expanded class descriptions, with its customizability is phenomenal. And some of the new feats, well, my players are now begging for permission to use this book. Keep it coming!

- Chris

I found the experts book to be incredible. It expanded the breif and uninformative experts described in the DM handbook very well. A must-buy for all DMs.

I had to pick this book up for my yoga instructor certification course. Initially, I approached like I do all textbooks, with dread and out of necessity. I expected it to be WAY over my head, especially since I am relatively new to rigorous practice of yoga. However, Desikachar's writing style and tone make this book completely accessible. I have learned so much from this book and what I have found is that Desikachar's words are very easy to incorporate into my dharma talks and apply to my yoga practice. The book is very well organized and very well laid out with each section building on the previous section's information. There is even a Sanskrit pronunciation guide in the back of the book! In addition to that, Desikachar's gift is his ability to share his knowledge and his passion in a way that engenders hope and allows the readers to have faith in their abilities, at whatever level of their yoga practice. It's not so much that he tells you what to do and places an expectation on you to do it. No, it is more as if he shares what he knows and wants the reader to be able to experience the joy and the profound effects of yoga. I highly recommend this book to any level yogi who practices any style of yoga.

I have used this book both a teacher and a student. I use this book for all our teacher training programs with huge success. This is a gem of a book. A necessary read for students and teacher's of Vinyasa. Having practiced at the KYM mandiram and having met Desikachar makes this book even more amazing as he is a living vibration of this book.

This book is interesting but is a somewhat detailed read. It teaches the background of yoga and ideas toward developing a personal plan toward practicing yoga.

This is really the best book on yoga asana by someone who had a long experience with it. Very easy to read and user friendly. It is one of the
best gift from India to the world. I can say only one word to the author
and his guru/father : Thank you ! May God bless the author to be able to live to one hundred like his father.

The Heart of Yoga presents a clear understanding of the teachings of yoga from a perspective that respects the individual and the stages of life. It also has a commentary on The Yoga Sutras which I thoroughly enjoyed. The book and commentary are written in a manner which is easy to understand. I would recommend this book to new and experienced yoga practitioners.

I bought this book hoping it would supplement the PeopleSoft SQR class and in general was not disappointed, given my expectations. I knew it wouldn't include anything on PeopleSoft 8; thus the illustrations in the "SQR and PeopleSoft" section are dated. However, the examples in the section on working with effective-dated tables were very useful and apply to all releases. I haven't read the "Advanced Features" section of the book yet, because I was discouraged a bit when I had trouble grasping a few of the concepts in the SQR Basics section. I was pleased that their sample database, on which the reports are based, is modeled on the HRMS JOB, EMPLOYMENT, and PERSDATA tables; however, including sample output with each of their exercise/illustrations would have been helpful.

In summary, if you are a pretty experienced functional person (I am a consultant), are motivated enough to invest the time to learn SQR, and have access to the tool, this may be a good choice. Certainly more information (understandably) than you can get from a five-day SQR class.

You need this book if you are going to write SQR(s). However, you won't use it much with PS 8. You'll use App Engine.

I was working on a problem a couple of years ago and took the suggestion of a co-worker to buy this book. For the last two years I have been using it as a reference. I spent a few months off and came back and embaressed myself puting a report in process scheduler. So I sat down and read the book front to back. I wish I had done this a couple of years ago.

I have been working with SQR for five years. I have used examples and the SQR manuals to accomplish what I wanted. This work provided me with a lot of knowledge that I had never taken the time to pick up. Now even if I take the time off and need a refresher the sections are highlighted.

I have found this book very useful as both a reference and a knoweldge builder. Also, the writing style was good enough that rereading the portions that I was alread aware of was not too irksome. Interestingly, I could swear some of the interview questions I have been asked came right out of this book.

Aside from the fact that there is no other book that teaches SQR, this book is unique and valuable for following reasons:

- It teaches good programming practices. Anyone who has developed in any procedural language (including scripting and query languages) can quickly learn SQR. Therein lies a problem that this book overcomes: the excellent advice given about program development and structure can offset bad habits picked up in other languages.

- It's a definitive resource for SQR developers. Although SQR is relatively easy to learn, it's also rich with features missing from most other languages, such as complete control over printed and screen output, built-in constructs for graphs and charts, and multiple output file formats. Using many of these features not easy for beginners or programmers more used to other languages, but this book shows by example how to exploit every feature SQR has to offer.

- It dispels the common notion that SQR is a PeopleSoft-only tool. In fact, PeopleSoft doesn't own the language, and SQR will work in any database environment. More important, the book shows how to develop application and database independent programs that will work in any environment. This is an awakening for those who are going down proprietary paths, such as standardizing on Oracle's PL/SQL. While PL/SQL itself a powerful language, but is limited to Oracle - migrating from Oracle to, say, DB2 requires that all PL/SQL programs be scrapped. Had the applications and reports been developed in SQR the only changes would be to tables referenced.

In addition to the above, this book also provides good practices for forming SQL queries and understanding how a poorly formed join can make the difference between a resource hog and an unintrusive application. Since SQL, like SQR, is easy to learn many developers take the path of least resistance and develop queries with no thought on their effect on production systems. This book gives sound advice for avoiding that mistake.

The section on PeopleSoft, while out of date with respect to version 8, still contains valuable information for the majority of SQR developers whose exposure to SQR is via PeopleSoft.

There is something for everyone in this book - beginners can learn SQR the right way, and seasoned developers will have a ready reference that covers almost every facet of SQR in practical terms. If your job is primarily SQR development I also recommend that you also get a copy of "SQR Programmer Reference" by Don Mellen (ISBN 0967773008) as a quick reference to the features and nuances of SQR.

Expert systems designer and programmer Vlad Landres and PeopleSoft specialist Galina Landres have completely revised and updated this second edition of SQR In PeopleSoft And Other Applications. Covering the fundamentals of the SQR version 6, and how to integrate SQR programs with PeopleSoft version 8, SQR In PeopleSoft And Other Applications is packed from cover to cover with reusable code examples, warnings of pitfalls, efficient methods, effective-dated tables, complete SQR syntax reference, and so much more. There is no shortage of solid advice and demonstrations in this straightforward and strongly recommended "hands-on" guide.

It took me a long time to get through it but I found it was worth the effort. In my business, it's important to keep abreast of what's happening globally and Haley came through. Very insightful.

This is a serious book with some counter-intuitive conclusions. Logical, easy to read and based on a solid theoretical foundation - I recommend "chinese tao" heartily. At a minimum it will force you to think -- at its best it should bring about a serious retructuring of what it means for us to do business in China, and vice versa.

So you are doing business in China and are spinning your wheels. You've read the culture and etiquette books and the ones on market potential. STOP! Read no further until you read the Chinese Tao. This unassuming (though not little) book packs a punch. If you want to make money in China as a private business, everything is conspiring you -- history, culture, laws and managers -- and mastering them, or atleast anticipating the punches, is key to success in China. A thoroughly enjoyable book, and Usha and George display wry humor through the sometimes weighty material. Recommended reading!

I found this book very well-written, full of anecdotes and personal nuggets as well as statistical backing. In sum, it explained for me the contradictions, opportunities and pitfalls behind the "China miracle". I have read several books on China and I recommend this one over the rest.

A book of this kind is very difficult to write, as the authors chose to incorporate history, culture, modern business practices and the law (among other things!) to explain business success and failure in China. However, depsite their tall task, they did a good job. I especially liked the historical and political grounding combined with really fabulous personal interviews with CEOs. Some of the stories were fun (the golf story with Li Ka-Shing) and some were insightful (Pan Shi Yi's rise). I found the chapter on legal affairs in China useful but heavy going. However, regulatory risk is a big component of operating in China (just ask all those companies that have lost their patents there) and there is probably no "fun" way of communicating this. The authors' insights and recommendations were very useful.

This book should be read carefully and digested. I certainly do not advocate an overnight read (300+ pages!) but some chapters must absolutely be read before foriegners go to China -- and I think before the Chinese go abroad. George and Usha Haley have cut behind the hyperbole to reveal some very disturbing truths about this super power and the global business environment which it has changed for ever. More importantly, they have given us some ammunition to help us to control our destinies in this brave new world. A must read!

I found some information useful and interesting. However, what was disappointing was the stilted writing of the authors. I often got the impression that they were too repetitive and presented the work as if it were an instructional manual. Also, there was the feeling that the book was edited in a cut and paste format. Overall, there were interesting anecdotes, but this book will never be a THE reference for foreigners trying establish businesses in China.

This beautifully written book puts forth new concepts of reality. Bloodworth felt these concepts, which are inherent in most religious philosophies, would be proven by modern psychology. In fact, they have been proven by modern physics.

Bloodworth's book reduces complexities to simple to understand certainties in much the same way the movie "What the Bleep Do We Know" puts theories of physics into easily understood pictures. Her work will uplift even the most down trodden spirit.

Follow Bloodworth's blueprint for life and you will enjoy rewards of great magnitude. I have given this book to my friends and relatives since I first read it in 1984 so that they may get much more out of life. I typically buy several at a time.

This book is as close to a perfectly written book as I have ever read. This book is an exquisite and wonderful gift to any human being. You are doing yourself a great favor by reading this book.

I like this chestnut from the good ol' days of self-help advice. The "secret" before infomercials and toll free numbers. Pleasantly repetitive. These days the self-help gurus are flying around having seminars, living in mansions, making guest shots on Oprah. In the 1950s Venus Bloodworth lived quietly in Georgia with a psychiatric practice and occasionally taught lessons to women confined in a nearby state prison. Good one for a night stand in a guest room. Maybe your lost teenager will pick it up.

This book is a metaphysical classic written for the beginner and the advanced student alike. The beginner is given a clear outline of tools and practices that focus their energies in specific, soul-enhancing directions. The advanced student is reminded of the basics that enticed them into a deeper exploration of the underlying principles that govern the visible domain. We're never too advanced to revisit the basics, and our life is never so far off course as to be beyond the help of such a solid presentation of spiritual principles.

J Douglas Bottorff, author of The Whisper of Pialigos

Enjoy this wonderful reminder of how to create your joy, health, prosperity from within.

This is the third of Betty Dravis' short stories (available on Amazon) that I have downloaded and read. She has the knack of developing a plot line with a twist that moves forward quickly, without giving away the ending. Indeed, her endings normally surprise, without being dishonest (Don't you hate reading a story, and the ending is a complete "Deus ex Machina," with no hint of what was to come?).

This is about a couple who were transformed on a cruise. They left, elderly and no longer romantically inclined. They returned, rejuvenated and passionate.

Charles offers his ageing friend Walter the opportunity to take the same cruise. Charles speaks of the enchantment of the event, culminating in a sensuous dance by Juanita and Juan, followed--in turn--by one of the most delicious meals that he had ever experienced. V. O. was the mystery factor that made the meal so special.

Walter, indeed, followed up on the offer--only to learn the terrifying truth--including the meaning of V. O.

This is only eight pages long when printed out from Amazon. But it is eight pages with some real pop. Like other of Betty Dravis' short works, it is well written, flows smoothly, and surprises. A good investment of time and interest to read this.

I found Betty Dravis' short story V.O. to be a veritable offering of vivid description, engaging dialogue and faultless pacing. She describes what seems to be the perfect vacation, one that leaves people feeling rejuvenated and physically looking younger.

But at what cost? The answer to this question is what makes V.O. such a spine-chilling read. How far would you go to obtain good health and youth? I think I'll pass on accepting a red card.

I highly recommend this Amazon Short, and I see now why it is one of Amazon's most popular! Kudos, Ms. Dravis!

I'm keeping my review vague.
Charles and his pregnant wife share a dark secret.They've just returned from a vacation.
There is suspense and mystery.
Shocking to read Charles recommend the trip to one of his friends.
It is a trip.
Thank you Betty, for the ride:)

Sometimes it's a good thing to not peruse introductions or reviews to / for a story before you read it, particularly one like this short by Betty Dravis. The element of surprise is what makes this descriptive, transporting tale so enjoyable. I was intrigued because of the title, "V.O.," initials of my maiden (now middle) name. Little did I know I'd take a trip to Mexico, live out someone's fantasy and then BOOM! get hit with a left hook. A well-told tale in a challenging genre.

V.O. by Betty Dravis is a wonderfully constructed short story about an elderly couple who have returned from an once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Charles and Evie are looking better than they have in years, and as Billy Crystal might say, "They look mahvelous." What's the secret to their new found youth? Well, that you'll have to read for yourself. Suffice to say that they are the envy of their friends, and they get to choose one lucky couple for the next adventure to paradise. The old boys club appears to have some fringe benefits besides the forest-green leather chairs.

Dravis has written a few other short stories that are available through the Amazon Shorts program including The Search for Bobby McGee and Homer, Hector, and the Smashed-up Jag. They are truly a bargain at a mere forty-nine cents each for the digital versions. Skip the scone with your morning latte and feast on one these delightful tales or all three.

Charlie Maze
May 2, 2008

This book was of great help, particularly when our pups began to dehydrate after birth. There were only 2 things it did not prepare us for, having smaller than normal litters and the mother's nervous behavior affecting her care of such a small litter. According to the emergency vet on holiday call, there are breed specific behaviors which play into the mother's care and can interfere. My only wish was that I could have found a book more specific to my breed. As a general instruction manual, it was of great help. The two little pups are dear and are doing well now, 2 weeks later.

We just had a litter and everything went great. There are nine healthy pups. We had to do the slinging thing with one pup, and with the illustrations and directions it worked and the pup is healthy. We didn't loose one!!!

I bought this book to help me get through breeding my two Yorkies. It was comprehensive and easy for the non-vet to understand. If I had a question, it had the answer.

Excellent book. My dog just delivered 8 healthy puppies. I had read the book several weeks earlier and kept reffering to it as the whelping approached. It directed me all through the process and I learned many things that helped me avoid what would have been costly mistakes.

This is the best of the dog breeding books I bought when wanting to learn specifics about breeding my bitch. It gives time lines, what to expect when and also info on what to expect from the stud. I found this book to be very practical as it answered most of my breeding questions.

Count D, the androgynous, keen on the tranvestite clobber owns a very strange, supernatural pet shop, where you want to be careful what you wish for when you ask him for a recommendation. Apart from that, the first part he is on holiday with a detective and his kid brother, and they run across a man who claims to have seen a mermaid 50 years ago, and has been obsessively hunting it ever since.

Thrown in a volcanic eruption, to make it more interesting.

I picked up Pet Shop of Horrors on the strength of it's reputation as both one of the best josei (women's) manga and one of the best horror manga. It's a reputation well earned.

The primary setting is San Francisco's Chinatown, where the mysterious, effeminate Count D (we don't in fact learn his real name, as Count D is actually his globetrotting grandfather, but for the purposes of the story we'll call him D) runs a petshop with a seedy reputation and whose clients have an alarmingly high death statistic. Detective Leon Orcot vows to close the shop and put D behind bars for murder and whatever else he can pin on him. More on that in future volumes - for now we're just getting accustomed to the format of the series.

Each volume generally tells the tale of four pets and their owners and what happens to them after the sale. In the premiere, we meet a gentle, empathetic Bird of Paradise trying to lighten his mistress' depression; a monstrous rabbit who is both her new owners' desperate dream and worst nightmare; a Basilisk who falls in love with her master; and a noble, heroic Doberman determined to protect his blind mistress from the still-at-large murderer of her parents who might be after her next. Of course, this is Pet Shop of Horrors, not Lassie, and when their tales are told, things will only have turned out well for one of the four...

The pet shop scenario allows D and Leon to be a point of reference throughout the series so that new situations don't have to continuously be set up. The banter between them is often amusing, and D himself is fascinatingly ambiguous. In some ways the stories are somewhat predictable (although the ending of one gave me quite a whallop), but that's not always a bad thing, and some have rather deep things to say about treating not only our animal companions but fellow man well. The animals themselves are diverse enough to keep things from getting stale.

It is worth addressing the manner in which the animals are presented here. Throughout the series, they appear to their owners as humans, which anthromorphizes them (think the ballet Swan Lake, the musical Cats, or the anime Wolf's Rain). An interesting aspect is that the animals reflect the human cultures of their indigenous area. The Bird of Paradise, for instance, appears as a beautiful androgynous youth in the traditional dancing garb of Bali to represent his plumage, while the Doberman appears as a handsome young man in a German military uniform.

A mixture of fantasy and horror, this is worth a read for anyone old enough to handle the fact that it is a horror series with some frames which earn it a 16+ rating.

Pet Shop of Horrors has a lot of magic and insight in its stories.
Count D, with his love for nature and animals, webs a mystical tapestry in which mankind is another thread, that constantly menaces to rip the cloth of Life apart.
I recoment this manga for anyone who likes magic and animals, and sweets.

I really enjoyed this series and the artwork is definetly some of the best! ^.^ Also get the DVD version of this. Unfourtunately they only did one dvd of this manga but that was excellent also.

Affectingly humanistic AND gleefully misanthropic all at once, PET SHOP OF HORRORS is a 10-volume series revolving around a Chinatown pet shop, the highly unusual animals it sells, and the (often unpleasant) fates which befall its patrons. Running the shop is "Count D", a young Chinese man with a charming smile. Trying to run him in is Leon Orcot, a grumpy police detective who is convinced D is behind all those nasty, animal-related incidents.

Each volume contains three or four clever, creepy, well-characterized stories focusing on an individual customer. Meanwhile, the series as a whole gradually unveils the story of Count D, and his quasi-adversarial relationship with the dogged-but-dense detective.

A lot of reviewers here explain the "rules" of the series to you. But I really enjoyed reading Book One "cold" and figuring it out for myself. The confusion is half the fun, and the real charm of the series is the way the stories subversively mess with our perceptions.

Some stories are better than others, of course. I was briefly alarmed at a dip in quality at Book 4, but Book 6 bounced the series back. Even so, Books 4 and 5 each contain one first-rate story, and overall work just fine as a brief change of pace. Book 10 concludes the series with four interconnected tales focused on the recurring characters. It is one of the best final books of a manga series that I have yet come across.

The "rating" jumps from T13 to T16 after Book 3. But I think that Book 1 gives you a good idea what you are in for content-wise. The detective does not watch his language, mermaids don't wear tops, many of the stories, uh, don't end well, and there is gore and extreme weirdness. But it is never gratuitous or stupid, and risque content is clever rather than crass. My local library has the full series, but it is STILL at the top of my To-Get List. It is that good.

Unfortunately, I had to order this book through another supplier due to some problems here at Amazon, but I have to say, this book is great, as are the other Harmony Guide books that I have. Some repeat stitch designs (very few), and lots of new and beautiful ones. My only real criticism is that the charts in the book seem to be hand-drawn and lack the uniformity found in the other crochet books I have, which the charts appear to have been done with a computer or something. Also, they don't seem to use the abbreviation for Front and Back Post Stitches in the written instructions for the stitch patterns, and the chart for the Crossed Puff Cables (which is gorgeous and I can't wait to try it), shows all Front Post Stitches on right and wrong side, rather than Front on the right side and Back on the wrong side, which seems to be an error. But if you've already got your basic skills in place by the time you get to that one, you should be able to fix it up no problem. :)

Wonderful collection of stitches, but the introduction is not what I would choose for a beginner. Betty Barnden's "The Crochet Stitch Bible" is a better choice if you are not an old hat at learning to crochet. However, as the second book on stitches, any of the Harmony series would be good.

I bought this so I could make my own designs, mainly a sweater for my daughter and it was good for just that. I found a stitch I had never seen that was cute and nice and dense (my daughter didn't want any holes in her sweater). There are some great stitches in this book and nice pictures.

The Harmony Guide V.6: 300 Crochet Stitches is an excellent reference! I first checked it out from the library; I got my own copy as I figured there were over 45 stitches that I would like to learn from this book (and I've been crocheting for years.) The binding could be stronger, so for $10, I took it to Staples to have a spiral binding added and the covers laminated; it's beautiful! I use it frequently. I find the directions very concise and easy to follow. The photographs give very good visuals of what the stitches look like. The stitch directions are written directly underneath the photos and the diagrams are a wonderful addition for us visual learners. The Introduction chapter has wonderful drawings and instructions for novice and experienced crocheters. There are well-written abbreviation descriptions and stitch diagram information. I would give this book 6 STARS if I could!

Great reference book for those who love to crochet and design their own patterns. It is also good for beginners because the introduction explains the basic crochet stitches along with their variations. The diagrams and color pictures of each stitch pattern are very helpful. Highly recommended for anyone who crochets or wants to learn how to crochet.

Every public and school library should have a copy of this excellent resource. The research that Judy Freeman did to create this compendium of quality read aloud books is well worth the investment.

Ever wished you could keep up all the great children's books and pick the best ones to read aloud and recommend to your students? Need inspiration to liven up your lessons on library skills? Looking for more effective ways to collaborate with teachers? This book has it all!

Targeted at grades K - 6, the first 100+ pages include wide-ranging information about children's books and ways to use them. Topics include: how to be a great school librarian, evaluating children's books, read aloud and booktalking suggestions, fun library learning games, storytelling, creative drama, reader's theater, etc.

The next 600 pages contain wonderful annotated read-aloud lists divided by Easy Fiction/Picture books, Fiction, Folk & Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends, Poetry, Nonsense and Language Oriented non-fiction, Biography, and Non-fiction. In addition to standard information (author, summary, etc.) each of the 1,705 annotations includes grade level, related titles, subjects, and a "Germ." "Germs" are small, practical, do-able ideas to interject into lesson plans including ideas for sharing the books with children and incorporating comprehension, creativity, library skills, and cross-curricular ties, etc. Pick one book on the list and turn it into a great lesson plan!

The final 200 pages include a professional bibliography and 3 handy indices: Author/Illustrator Index, Title Index, and the index I find most helpful - the Subject Index including grade level of each book. Subject you can think of is covered - from Aardvarks to Bullying to Hispanic Americans to Zoos!

I cannot recommend a book more highly! It's not just for school librarians - teachers, homeschoolers, parents, and public librarians will also love it! I also recommend previous editions - Books Kids Will Sit Still For and More Books Kids Will Sit Still For - both have different hints on how to be a great librarian and annotated lists of older books. I use all three Judy Freeman's books almost daily to help me work with teachers and plan great library lessons.

I stumbled across this wonderful book while working my way through our library's books about books in search of more wonderful picture books to share with my toddler (who is nearly 19 months). It was mis-shelved in the local branch (took 4 tries for the librarian to find it) and since no one had noticed in the 6 months or so since the book came in, my friendly librarian slapped a due date sticker on it and let me check it out. I found myself immersed in it during the daughter's afternoon nap and checked to see if either of the previous volumes was available to check out. Alas no, although I found a cheap ex-library copy of the previous volume, More Books Kids Will Sit Still For: A Read-Aloud Guide (2nd Edition), which when it arrived looked like it had never been touched. I don't pretend to understand that - I think this is a treasure trove of ideas and books to share with young (and not so young) children. Although it's aimed at elementary educators, there's a huge amount to offer a parent or other caregiver...ideas for activities related to the books as well as related titles.

As the parent of a toddler, I confess that I prefer the overlapping mini-sections by age found in More Books Kids Will Sit Still For: A Read-Aloud Guide (2nd Edition) and Books Kids Will Sit Still For: A Read-Aloud Guide Second Edition (Books Kids Will Sit Still for) because it's easier to sift through a couple hundred titles than 800 for books short enough for a toddler to sit through, but that's more of a quibble, especially since the expanded entries offer so many ideas for making (or keeping) books interesting.

How does she do it? Another winner from Judy Freeman! More tips, annotations, bibliographies, storytelling, reader's theater etc.. The amount of material is superb and the format is clear and precise. She is marvelous at what she does and can help any media specialist or teacher sharpen their book skills.
A must buy for all elementary educators!

I've had the pleasure in the past week to read Judy Freeman's Newbery committee experience in her latest "Books Kids will sit still for 3" (c. 2006). She had to take the Librarian Oath, probably with a ceremonial blood letting to seal it, that she and the other members would never tell the secrets of the Committee dealings with the individual books. Ooooooh, that makes me want to be on the Committee even more!

I thought the listings alone in the book would be worth the book's weight in gold (which is substantial, with more than 900 pages), but it pales in comparison with the first 100+ pages of the book in which she shares her passion for reading, books, libraries, and children. What a treat! Reward yourselves soon by allowing time to read this.

Thanks, Judy! You made my day!

Liz Frame
Librarian
San Antonio Christian Elementary School