Z Books

This is a must have for Disney fans. Everything from ABC's LOST to the Alice Comedies and from Steamboat Willy to Meet the Robinsons is covered here. Some articles are more detailed than others but everything is covered. Makes an interesting read just on its own. Film historians and students will find a wealth of connective material here to jump start them on research and fill in the dots on hard to find questions. A beautiful display of pictures is included with this volume. If you can't actually visit the archives (and I certainly would like to) then this is the next best thing.

"Disney A to Z" is an awesome book that a true Disney fan cannot live without. It is a great book that will help you find out about old Disney movies, that you might have not seen. "Disney A to Z" encyclopedia is also an essential source for those that love to play the "Disney Seen it" board game. It gives a short description of ALL Disney movies including the short ones that came out after the World War II. I LOVE IT!!!

This is a great gift for any Disney fan. Many listing bring back great memories and coll trivia.

Great source for references to Disney films, characters and much more.

This book is a great resource for all Disney fans. All the characters, all the movies (unfortunately, the Mephisto movie made in collaboration with Salvador Dali is not in the book) and all the attractions, parks, properties and influentials employees are mentioned. Maybe just not as exhaustive as I would like it; it is, however, a great resource.

A great book. Give it to someone special! They WILL thank you.

This book is deceptively easy to consume. The chapters are relatively short, and dosed with just enough humor, perfect for reading in bed, no matter how tired you are -- or for reading aloud at the dinner table. However, there is more depth and complexity to Leder's writing than it may at first appear; I found myself thinking about and then re-reading many of the pieces. Among my favorites: his "Eleven Suggestions for Becoming A Mensch", and the calculations of how many diapers his mother changed and how many plates of food she served while raising him and his siblings (27,375 and 183,960). Rabbi Leder does not merely show us how extraordinary ordinary life is; he draws us a practical and inspiring map for our own journey.

Steven Leder's book, The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things, is undoubtedly the best book I've ever read. He is realistic, optimistic and has a keen insight on how real life is. A must read for anyone of any age, Jew or non-Jew!

Rabbi Leder has written a wonderful book that reminds us all that there is beauty and greatness in the everydayness of life. It is an uplifting and insightfull read. This book shows the reader that there is more to life and it is right in front of you. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

My 9 year old grandson raised with little Judaism, and 70 year old Orthodox brother enjoyed these stories, which they read together, in equal measure. It provided thought provoking insights into the extraordinary nature of everyday life in stories short enough for children raised on TV segments, and seniors with little time and patience for labored phliosophy.

My 5 year old would read this book every time we went to the doctor's office. A must have for little firemen!

First of all the pictures are well painted. Our son who is not yet 3 can finish the sentences from memory for each letter as we read together. This one was well worth the purchase.

This book is a great ABC teaching tool for children fascinated by the big red fire engines racing past. Learn some of the key terms and aspects of what firefighters do to save lives.

Young children will enjoy learning about the very exciting and dangerous aspects of being a firefighter. With the imagery and vivid colors, children will certainly get the message that fires are serious and dangerous business that should be left to professionals (and trained volunteers). It is a great book to approach the topic of fire safety with young children.

This is a really nice book to learn about firefighters. The pictures are bright. The fire is really vivid and a couple of the pages might scare really young children. It would be a good tool for teacher's to use during Fire Prevention Week.

My almost three-year-old son Devon loves fire engines. He gets so excited whenever we're out and one goes roaring by, siren screaming. He loves books too and he already knows his ABCs, both upper and lower case and this book shares the credit with a few others and his loving and attentive parents for giving him this gift of the Alphabet as such an early age. He'll be reading by Kindergarten.

In addition to being a very good ABC book, this book tells the story of firefighters fighting a fire, something guaranteed to hold the interest of any little boy (and a lot of little girls too). All of the letter pages have beautiful, action filled illustrations that seem to draw Devon right into the book. No wonder he can sing that ABC song so well.

Jack Priest, Dad in Training

I've been gardening for years but only recently started growing flowers from seed. This book has absolutely everything you need to plan and grow successfully. The entries are thorough but succinct, packing tons of info into a compact space. Every flower I've been interested in (100+) has been listed in here along with nice color photos. General information about seed starting and other methods of propagation in the beginning of the book make it a comprehensive reference for any type of gardening. Especially helpful are the special sections within the entries about caring for the plants. The author even includes suggestions for companion planting. All around a great reference for the beginner and experienced gardener alike. Oh and be certain to check out the appendix that concisely charts heights, hardiness, bloom time, color, etc. for all species. Makes planning your flower bed a breeze!

I used this book extensivly this spring for starting all my flowers and veggie. I found it easy to use and most flowers etc were listed. Great book for my library and I will use it in the future for sure.

I have a library of gardening books and this is the book I reach for every time I need info on a plant. It has all the info you need from starting from seed to maintaining your plants. When I wear my copy out, I'll buy another. It is also THE gift to give to new gardeners.

This book is an excellent reference book describing seeds.
Giving the botanical name and common name. Most helpful with information on germination and were the seeds will grow best. And the the section that has thumbnail pictures
is excellent. The ease of using the paperback is all so great.

Bought this for my wife and she loves it! She was reading this book like a novel. Provides good information and tips on a wide range of flowers. Bought this book due to good reviews as well!

pete english, you spelled facet wrong. hehe. sometimes when i am home alone, i google myself (copyrighted).

I borrowed this book from the library and then I'm here now to buy it for my own. This book goes through each type of disability, how they are identified and will guide you through the maze of school testing, IEP's, and how to be your child's advocate to make sure they are getting everything they should be getting from their education! Great detail on emotional growth, planning for the future and assessment measures!

I recommended this book to the LD Specialist at my childs school who couldn't thank me enough for finding this book so she has a sound resource to suggest to parents of LD children. This book not only helps you learn to identify your childs learning disabilities or learning difficulties, but also to understand them. Also, it provides the information you need to talk with the school knowledgeably about testing and LD services. It helps you understand what your part of this process should be and tells you what you need to know to successfully participate in the process. It gives you strategies your child can use in everyday life situations that will help him/her learn. And it helps you with information about the social and emotional needs of your growing child. I no longer feel helpless in dealing with this issue. This book has given me the knowledge, but also very importantly, concrete ways to help my child be as successful as can be.

For any parent facing the possibility or reality that their child has learning problems this is the book I would recommend. I cannot think of a question it did not answer or a facit of the topic it did not cover. It helped me enormously - I am on my second read and this time I am taking notes.

When my daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability I was lost at how to deal with the school system. The first time we did her IEP I did not know what to expect. There weren't any parent advocates for us at the time of her IEP. This book prepared me on how to be an advocate for my child. I educated myself about her needs from the book and had alot of confidence when meeting with the school system to plan her education for the following year. Actually I went to the meeting knowing what to ask for and how to ask for it. It worked out that the items I asked for she received. Now we constantly use the book as a reference guide when we are unsure of something. This book is good right up into adulthood when your child is choosing higher education or out in the workforce. It was a lifesaver for us and a great learning tool!

I have owned the Natural Health Bible for several years and find it to be a reliable source for information regarding herbs, vitamins and supplements. Always answers my questions and keeps me informed.

A good reference book and one of the few I recommend to pet owners who want to learn about natural health care for themselves. This is the text I used and adapted for my own award-winning book. Super job!


Shawn Messonnier DVM
Author, 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats.

(...)

I love this book, it has great advice, warnings and cites good references. It is easily readable by anyone and goes into summary lists of warning and possible drug interactions.

At what this book is selling for, it's very cheap insurance for optimum health. While it is a bit out of date, it still has enough good meat to be very worthwhile.

This book has saved me hundreds of dollars, since I always cross-check claims by commercial companies that sell complementary products--and who usually provide artfully deceptive ways to make it appear as though vitamins, herbs, and other supplements are the "answer" to everything from arthritis to herpes zoster. Clearly presented with an impartial and reasoned conclusion regarding the efficacy of a vast number of natural healing consumables. It provides recommended doses when a product is given the thumbs up, and warns against common assumptions many of take for granted owing to media overexposure. When research is presented that purports to support the medicinal qualities of a product, the authors provide a careful analysis of the strength of the reserach, whether its been replicated, and whether other research has been done that has had less stellar findings. A brief history of natural products is provided whether its an herb used for thousands of years or a current fad that is prevalant in other health care systems, particularly in Europe. I do have ONE MAJOR disappointment, however. Where is the UPDATED edition? This book is now six years old; much has happened in the world of conventional and natural medicine in that time, and without such a reference guide it would require endless searching to learn of newer findings.

I feel it is very important that I have a good source of information aside from that which is available from the company for which I sell natural supplements. I'm often frustrated by the limited acceptance of herbal supplements and remedies in the U.S., especially those which are widely used in Europe, China, and other parts of the world. This book states "principal proposed treatments" (those which have been tested successfully in the U.S.) and "other proposed treatments" (those not tested in the U.S., but are often used in other countries). It gives details about recommended dosages, safety issues, medical interactions, etc. So far, it has provided me with information about almost every ingredient I've searched for, and has made me feel much more confident about recommending the products I sell! There is a section regarding health problems and the recommended products for treating them, then another section of herbal substances and their recommended uses. The information is alphabetized, with shaded tabs on the edges of the pages for quick look-ups. It is so organized and easy to use, it's not only the first book I reach for when I need information, often it is the ONLY book I need!

"The President's Astrologer" is a perfect summer read, although I'd recommend it for any season. It has all the ingredients that make a book hard to put down: an exciting, suspensful plot, appealing characters who make you care about them, and easy to understand information about a fascinating subject, in this case, astrology. I was sorry when it ended. My hat is off to the author. Her command of dialogue constantly made me feel that this book would make an excellent film or mini series.

"The President's Astrologer" is a perfect summer read, although I'd recommend it for any season. It has all the ingredients that make a book hard to put down: an exciting, suspensful plot, appealing characters who make you care about them, and easy to understand information about a fascinating subject, in this case, astrology. I was sorry when it ended. My hat is off to the author. Her command of dialogue constantly made me feel that this book would make an excellent film or mini series.

This book is a blast. I truly enjoyed it from cover to cover. As an Astrologer living in Santa Fe, I really got a kick out of all the locations that were used here in the Southwest...And all the astrological jargon was fun for me too. I think she did a great job and here's hoping she will write another. Kudos to you, Barbara

It is amazing that this novel didn't get snapped up by a major publisher, but perhaps a film maker will be smart and option it. I haven't read something this fascinating and surprising in quite a while. It's a bit of "Air Force One" mixed with Ray Bradbury and a little new age awareness. Very enjoyable, and highly recommended.

This novel successfully crosses genres, and is filled with drama, mystery, romance & intrigue. The science fictional elements come into play only late in the story yet are integral in making all the various story lines come together. The use of astrology throughout the book is represented in terms and language that are completely accessible to the layman, yet are done with the thoroughness of one who is an expert in the field. The debate between science versus astrology is approached through the protagonist's personal relationship as well as her credibility to the public at large. And Barbara Shafferman is likely to expand a few minds along the way. This is a "must read" for all and is a fine first novel for the author. Highly Recommended.

Steven and Joy Gurgevich do a wonderful job of explaining the power of the mind and how hypnosis can be used to create lasting changes in behavior. I Recommend combining it with the approach in Body Esteem: Weight Loss Through Self-Discovery (includes 2 Audio CDs), the two books wonderfully compliment one another. Body Esteem gets deeper into the emotional reasons behind eating and is more of a workbook approach.

By accessing the subconscious, my weight loss struggle finally went beyond dieting, which was the key for me. Just consider what drives your eating habits, that's the place to start. Most people are so focused on working from the outside in, rather than the inside out, they are never able to build a real foundation for permanent lifestyle change. I'm over the "lose weight fast" diets and bogus pills, I'm getting thinner and healthier by changing the way I think about myself and food.

One of the biggest secrets THE SELF-HYPNOSIS DIET book contains is that it's not really a diet book at all, even though it will likely be one of the best sources of information you will ever find to help you consistently maintain your ideal weight. While diet books help people maintain good body weights by paying close attention to what and how much they eat, the magic of this book is that no regimented self-control regarding food is required at all. Rather than measuring small portions and obsessing about food and weight, the authors present self-hypnosis techniques that provide the reader with a whole new way to address long-standing emotional issues. THE SELF-HYPNOSIS DIET demystifies hypnosis, with help from a companion hypnosis CD that comes with the book and makes it easy to use the powers of the mind-body connection to get amazing results.

What I love most about THE SELF-HYPNOSIS DIET is the way this book says, "If a person really believes that they can have their perfect weight, they will," and then includes real-life case studies about how various clients found unique ways to address their specific, individual issues. I loved reading the success stories about the woman who imagined she could eat whatever she wanted and really lose weight... and she did... and the story about the man who learned to eat imaginary, very filling mushrooms before each and every meal, therefore feeling full at the proper time. I also love how this book is packed with dozens of useful tips and helpful research which can help readers uncover and heal their own inner beliefs and issues pertaining to their weight.... and how easy it can be to use this self-hypnosis method to achieve all kinds of goals in life, in addition to reaching and maintaining optimal weight and health.

The companion hypnosis CD is easy to listen to and especially helpful for those who have never before experienced hypnosis, as Steven and Joy guide us through a process of allowing ourselves to become absorbed in our own thoughts and ideas... discovering how a hypnotic trance and a daydream are very similar. As mind and body share information more effectively through this focused state of immersion where we are immersed in our own ideas, we gain the advantage of becoming more comfortable and relaxed and positive... making the changes we desire happen by letting them happen. And it just doesn't get better than that!

Before I was hypothyroid never had to worry about my weight, so becoming hypothyroid was a major rude awakening. Where before I could lose weight by cutting out a few sodas and chips each week, after my thyroid problem started, I not only couldn't lose weight, I actually gained weight following stringent diets. It was awful. I was so relieved when I finally was able to start losing weight again, by optimizing my thyroid function, changing what I ate, and adding in supplements and appropriate exercise (an approach I've outlined in detail in my book, The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss). But that doesn't mean that I don't work at this every single day. I always have more to lose it seems, because it's easy to gain, holidays and wintertime can be setback periods, and I'm by nature not an athletic or active person. So weight loss and management is a lifestyle for me, not just something I can do once and forget about!

So, with all this in mind, I have to say that s Steven and Joy Gurgevich's book/CD, The Self-Hypnosis Diet, is a resource that I consider pretty much indispensable, no matter what type of diet you are following -- helping make any diet successful -- whether you're following my Thyroid Diet, or you're doing Weight Watchers, or Ediets, or low-carbing it, South Beach, or making up your own diet as you go.

I've been using this book and companion CD for more than a year, and I consider it absolutely essential to my ongoing diet and weight loss efforts. Dr. Gurgevich is a member of the faculty at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine, where he is the Director of the Mind-Body Clinic and teaches mind/body medicine to physicians. Dr. Gurgevich is very much the real deal, and he has created an incredible, effective approach.

When it comes to diet and weight loss, I only recommend books or products
that I have personally tried and found helpful. I'm a diet product guinea pig for thyroid patients, and believe me, I've tried some pretty wacky things along the way. Most of the things I try I never even bother to write about. Why? Because they don't work, and they're just trying to rip us off!

But this is different. Quite simply, the Self-Hypnosis Diet does work. It helps make the connection between what you WANT to do, and what you DO! You know that feeling -- you're shoveling a cookie in your mouth and thinking, "Why am I eating this when I want to lose weight?" Your goals and desires are not translating into action. Somehow, after you read the Self-Hypnosis Diet, and listen to the accompanying CD, if you're like me, you'll find yourself acting the way you WANT to when it comes to diet and
exercise. Instead of sabotaging yourself, you end up supporting yourself, and making decisions that are good for you. It makes it easier to be on a diet.

I know something like self-hypnosis doesn't sound like it's for everyone. It sounds woo-woo or "holistic-ballistic!" But it's actually very straightforward...by learning to relax and make a true mind-body connection, you get your weight loss goals synched up with your behavior.

An interesting aside: When I first started with the Self-Hypnosis Diet, my best friend kept asking me what I was doing, as she thought I was looking great. I gave her a copy -- she didn't need to lose weight (she doesn't have a thyroid problem, lucky her!), but she wanted to try to stop eating chocolate and eat more veggies. After a few weeks, she had gotten rid of her raging chocolate cravings, and was craving salads. And she told me she had the weirdest side effect. She stopped smoking of all things, something she'd wanted to do for years and had given up hope on!

Mary Shomon, Thyroid Patient Advocate and Author

I admit I went to sleep listening to the entire thing (they say that is normal). But now that I know which tracks get to the beef, they are very good. They help to make you mindful (the book comes with a CD). The book is a bit boring but what is unique is it's not food plan and it's not quackery "you are getting sleepy" hypnosis. I put it on my IPOD and listen before bed. The net/net is that it makes you mindful during the day. It helped me give myself a Girl Scout cookie Samoa intervention (I normally eat pretty good but those Samoas are down right evil I tell you!). It worked. I heard about it from Dr. Mark Hyman's emails that I get (he is awesome as well) and Dr. Weil also did a plug on these guys. You do have to get past the corny parts "you can do it, yes you can" but it's worth it. I also like Belleruth Naparstek. Her voice is soothing and she has an entire series. So, if you are struggling or need adjusting, add this to your aresenal and just use it as time to relax. It may surprise you that it has some impact on your thinking (but I do recommend staying awake for tracks 6 & 7 where the real beef is).

The book is clear and easy to read with interesting information. I would listen to the CD at night and kept falling asleep so I didn't remember what he said. It didn't matter because my unconscious mind heard it. I noticed immediately that many cravings have stopped. At night I remembered that I had a fruit popsicle in the freezer and was going to get it when my mind said "but you are not hungry". I took a moment and noticed that I was full and satisfied and did not get the popsicle and more important did not feel deprived. It was there and I chose not to eat it. I also came home from work and instead of snacking, I excercised to a a Taebo video. During excercising I noticed that I actually enjoyed it. I felt energized and felt good about how well I had followed the exercising routine. It has been only 4 days and I have lost 2 pounds already. I am confident that I am on on the right path.

I can't possibly add any comment that wouldn't just echo the praise already heaped upon this excellent novel which I originally read as a teen in the early sixties. With the recent remake of The Manchurian Candidate updated to current events, Seven Days In May has preyed on my mind.

Possible scenario: The U.S. Military, totally disgusted with the Iraq War's civilian leadership and the destruction of a military establishment slowly and systematically put back together after Vietnam, decides to stop the carnage and waste and do SOMETHING about it. Of course, it would only be temporary until the next elections...or maybe not. A chilling possiblity.

This gripping 1962 novel provides a stark reminder of both the Cold War and the fragility of democratic rule. President Jordan Lyman has recently signed (and the Senate approved) a nuclear disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union. But the treaty remains highly unpopular, and has left many in and out of the military establishment frightful of surprise attack and seething with anger. Enter General James Scott, a charismatic leader with political ambitions. President Lyman learns that General Scott may be plotting against him, but the evidence is sketchy, and Lyman doesn't want to act against a possible military coup without something closer to proof. Adding to the President's woes are his current unpopularity, his doubts as to just who is loyal, and his uncertainty as to the correct course of action. As the story unravels, we sense the President's fear as well as the ever-present threats to democratic rule, particularly in times of danger and stress.

SEVEN DAYS IN MAY is an excellent novel as relevant today as it was in the 1960's. This fast-reading book was made into a very good 1964 movie with Frederick March (President Lyman), Burt Lancaster (General Scott), Kirk Douglas, Ava Gardner, and Edmond O'Brien.

Exactly as long as it needs to be--an important thing with books--"Seven Days in May" is a riveting thriller about the totally unthinkable: a military coup d'etat in the United States Goverment. Yet, the author makes it seem possible. A very popular general, a president with the lowest rating since Truman, and a Peace Treaty that has the country and the government divided...could it trigger a popular coup? It does in this book, and it is set forth totally realistically, as if something like this REALLY could happen. We think our country is immune from this kind of Byzantine political intrigue, but it turns out that we really are no less vulnerable from breakdown than your average banana republic...at least in this book. Chilling thought isn't it? Totally awesome book, I recommend it highly.

"Seven Days in May" is an authentic classic political thriller of the first rank. Authors Baily and Knebel present a scenario in which an unpopular President is targeted by America's top military brass for an actual military takeover of the government. The story is complex, but vividly presented with an authenticity that is both disturbing and plausible. The reader is brought to understand that it could happen here, and the story suggests how such a scenario could come about in these United States.

The novel is well-written and fast-paced, never drags, and absolutely holds the reader's interest throughout. The amazing thing about the story is that every bit of it hangs together without straining the reader's sense of credulity. The novel features excellent writing, and the authors weave the plot together towards a conclusion that is startling and believable (no spoiler here).

This was a big budget movie in the 1960s featuring Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster (available on DVD) and I would very much like to see a reprint of the novel become available, as my often-read paperback copy has long since fallen to pieces from frequent readings.

I read this book on a long airplane trip, and the story was so intense it kept me glued from lift off to land down.

As the other reviewers have summarized, the plot centers around "Seven days in May" as the President of the United States and his closest aides secretly scramble to thwart a coup being planned by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The book is very fast paced, and has no "main" character. The point of view shifts from one character to another, often on opposite ends of the country, with lots of action in between. There are numerous twists and turns, but the book is never predictable or cliched.

It's also a very well-researched story, and anyone well versed in National Security and the Pentagon will be impressed at the two authors' attention to detail.

I was really amazed how un-dated this book is, despite being written in the early 60's. The authors wisely never reveal the year the story takes place, but subtle hints indicate it takes place sometime in the 70's (Kennedy is the last "real" President mentioned). When you hear the logic of some of the coup-planners you have to wonder wheter or not such a scheme has ever been secretly plotted in the past- or wheter a similar one will ever be plotted in the future. Complacency in the stability of ANY democracy can be dangerous, and the events in "Seven Days in May" certainly proves that.

This book highlights the independence that exists between the military and civilian branches of the US government, and the careful dance that the president must do to appease both sides. When it comes to matters of national security, the book raises the important question of who is ultimately responsible. Should the constitution always be respected, even when the safety of the nation is in danger? Does the military have the right to surpass the president if he is acting in a manner that will endanger the country? Does the president deserve to have his role as "Commander in Chief"?

In this era of terrorism and uncertainty, these are all very relevant questions to ask. This book, especially the ending, answers these, and many others, brilliantly.

Over 50 years ago I read these books in Swedish (original language)and now I read them in English. I just love them, to me they are the best fairy tales ever written for children and for adults. Jan

Tove Jansson's tales from the Moominvalley are fascinating reading for adults and children alike. Although I read my first copy in Finnish, the English translation is equally enjoyable. I am surprised that Disney has not yet bought rights to the series that would make wonderful animated movies.

This is not exacly a book for kids and much as I liked some of the other Moomin books, I used to hate this one. Only after my visit to Finland this year and seeing the museum of Moomins did I re-read all the books.

I fell in love with them. Totally and permanently.

If not for anything else, get this book for the story of the Hemulen who loved silence. I actually had tears in my eyes when reading it.

Beautiful, warm, mature and full of hope, like all the other Moomin books.

I picked up this book because I thought I hadn't read it before, wanting to see the Moominvalley books through adult eyes - not to have my childhood memories of favourite books tarnished. As it turns out, I had read "Tales from Moominvalley" before (the fungus-covered granny was the trigger for my recollection), but I was really relieved to find that Tove Jansson's books are just as good as I remember - and there is, I think, even more for the adult to appreciate and enjoy than there is for the child.
I generally dislike the short story genre, but not when it's done like this. Every short story is simply that, a short story; not a contrived literary exercise with the obligatory "twist in the tail". Jansson's stories are charming little gems, full of wonderful moments and images, thought-provoking and touching. Her characters are often the lonely, the lost, and the troubled, and she makes you feel for them and understand them, without ever becoming ridiculous or sentimental. The tales about Snufkin and his tune and the Fillyjonk who believed in disasters are shining examples of this. But Jansson can write humour and happiness just as well, as the tales of the invisible child and the fir tree show.
I really can't speak highly enough of this book. Jansson's wonderful insight into people, her spare, deft prose, and her brilliant imagination make a great combination. Buy it for your children or for yourself.

As many readers have noted, Tove Jansson's Moomin books may be appreciated by adults as well as children (particularly children who are of a quirky, thoughtful bent, in grades 4 and up.) The "Tales" is a late collection of short stories and not a complete novel like most of the other ones (beginners should start with "Comet in Moominland" instead), but it contains all the characters we know and love from the series. As usual, Jansson deftly captures the exact mood of the time of year portrayed in each tale, as well as the complicated inner workings of the misfit characters, with a few deft words. Two of these stories are absolute masterpieces. The first is "A Spring Tune," in which the fiercely independent Snufkin is prevented from writing a melody by a lonely, talkative squirrel. The other is "The Fir Tree," which comes at the end of the book and is perhaps the finest Christmas short story I have ever read, which is praise indeed. (Were ever layers of irony so superb? All writers take note of this one.) In between we get an offbeat collection of curious tales, not as memorable perhaps as the novels but jolly good fun, and emotionally pure like all of Jansson's amazing body of work. How else to describe it? Read for yourself.