Titles Books

It is extremely difficult finding clear texts on Grammar let alone Modern Standard Arabic Grammar. This Book is well organized and clearly written.I truly wish all grammar books were written like this. Simply a breath of fresh air.

This is by far my favorite book on Arabic grammar -- it is well organized, easy to follow, systematic and thorough. This book however is not for people who wish to start learning Arabic, rather it is better suited for students of Arabic who already have a couple of years under their belt and want a one stop reference for grammar.
It is perfect for review and editing - it has come in handy on MANY occasions for me.
The author uses a lot of linguistic jargon and this book is not designed for learning Arabic - it assumes that the reader has a decent grasp of Arabic.

SubhanAllah(Praise be to Allah), not only does this book greatly presents Arabic grammar but also makes you understand the English counterpart also. 2 in 1 deal, even though it is an Arabic Grammar reference but it will also increase you English vocabulary and strengthen you English grammar rules also.

I love, love, love this book, at last all of the mysteries explained. The ista prefix, helping vowels, hamza in detail and a whole page on Waa, all the connectors and more!!!. The downside, it is the size of a phonebook which makes it difficult to handle, I am afraid the binding will break, maybe it should be in two volumns

This is an excellent reference manual for MSA Arabic. I found it a useful reference for somebody who already has a firm grasp of Arabic and would like to gain a deeper understanding of the language. If you are a beginner, or even intermediate student, this really isn't the right text for you. It is simply too difficult to make sense of without adequate background. I majored in Middle East Studies/Arabic and also lived in the Mid East for a while--and found it just right for me. I selected this book a while after graduating to solidify and deepen my understanding of the extreme complexities of the language. I was not the top student in written Arabic (nor was I the bottom student), so perhaps a more exceptional student academically could make use of it with less experience. Personally, I did much better in spoken Arabic, but less so in written Arabic--so I needed (need) a book like this.

The book does build from chapter to chapter, so skipping right to chapter 11, for instance, may be difficult for the average person. If you skip chapters, it assumes that you understand the previous chapters. The amount of material covered in this book is both its strength and it's weakness: if you are ready for over 700 pgs of complicated Arabic grammar (not a page is wasted), go for it. Again, I don't recommend this for any but the VERY serious intermediate student (any student of Arabic has to be serious--I mean serious even for an Arabic student), or advanced skilled Arabic user.

I think it is best to look elsewhere if you are having trouble with a particular concept at a functional level. However, if you already understand the concept at a fairly functional level, and want to deepen your understanding, this book may be right for you. For example, verbs. If you in general know how to work an Arabic verb but want to know just how hollow verbs or assimilated verbs (/etc.) works beyond a basic recognition/survival ability, than this is a good choice. If you stumble with simple verbs then this is less useful--it will only confuse you with the level of detail.

However, everybody is different--I tend to be much less grammar oriented, and much more "speak to me and I'll speak back--if you look blank I'll try again" type of guy, not the academic guy. I got this book to balance that, and got more than my money's worth. This book is exactly what it says it is, and if that's what you want, get it.

This unique book follows the Stones from their earliest years as a struggling band through their early fame, as recorded by photojournalist and Stones friend Bent Rej. Many of the photos are more intimate than the typical stuff shot of the band, because Rej knew the members. The book is chronologically arranged, with sections on each individual original member as well. The text is informative and serves as a good backdrop for the photos.

What amazes me is that this fifty dollar book is available on Amazon for under five bucks. What is everyone waiting for!? Jump all over this one.

fantastic book. Awesome pix of the Greatest Rock band ever!!! not enough WOW words to describe this book. Especially love the photos of my favortie musician ever Brian Jones!!

Thanks author and Bill Wyman for their work. Happy to see people from 1960-s. Think, that new volume about Brian Jones' Rolling Stones is great addition to the histiry of the Great Rock'n'roll band and to the history of the our papas and grandfathers' generation. Photos are fine. We can see them only in magazines and fanzines from early 1960s. But quality of prints is better here, in the "RS in the Beginning"

Great pictures, many never seen anywhere else. Essential for a Stones fan.

Bent certainly captured the uniqueness of Brian Jones and his Stones in this collection. Much humor was filmed that many can say is absolutely priceless! Especially Mr. Jones camping in his undergarments. Those were the days!

I bought this book after hiring a trainer that had a bit of a "rough" approach. The author's approach is all about positive reinforcement so it was a great perspective to get. While we are still struggling with our 14 week old Tibetan Terrier, we have used many of the training guidelines outlined in the book. If you too have a puppy, good luck...you will need it!

This book is fabulous! While being extremely helpful in teaching you how to have a great realtionship with your dog, it is also almost like reading a novel!? It is entertaining, engaging and the advice really works!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves animals.

Too many people seeing the ideal dog on TV or movies, or maybe a super bright one who does lovely tricks, want their dog to be the `perfect dog'. You know, the dog that *never* digs, that *never* jumps up to lick a child, the dog who would never dream of barking, and maybe even rescue 500 kids from a burning building etc. Honestly, for most dogs of average trainability and intelligence, and most realistic owners who want a well behaved companion, not a human substitute that will thrill friends, this book is the book. You will end up with a mannerly, pleasant to live with dog, and you won't have to spend ages doing it. The approach is sensible, realistic and very simple.

Since getting my 6 week old puppy I have become so interested in dog behavior and training and started reading tons of books. When trying to apply various training techniques I realized many did not work, in fact some lead to my puppy regressing. Any type of physical correction no matter how gentle just did not work. I started realizing that when teaching anything, they have to learn how to do it on their own without any force. We are there just as positive motivators. Thats what this book is able to teach. How to motivate your puppy to do commands, have manors, and follow directions by encouragement and positive rewards. I like that she uses food rewards and toys as rewards, but in moderation. This is a great book and I could tell right away the author understood what so many people do wrong and what we can do right. If you are searching for books to help you raise your puppy, small breed dog, and even larger breed dog I sincerely encourage you to buy this book, it is well worth the money and I only wish the book was even bigger!! I am now teaching my puppy to "drop it" on command, you know how puppies like to put everything in their mouths=). With the technique in this book my puppy has learned it in one day and she didn't even know we were training. When we play with her toys and she is in the middle of chewing it in her mouth, I say "Goober Drop it" and show her a nice treat. She drops the toy right away and I give her the treat. Then I start saying "goober drop it" without showing her ther treat and after she drops it I give her the treat. After a while you can sometimes give her a treat. This is great for puppies to learn and you will learn how to teach this and so much more in a way that is positive and motivational!! This is the first book out of many I read and bought that I highly recomend.

On the subject of raising your voice to your dog, Jody Rosengarten advises, "He can hear a Frito fall at 250 yards. There's no need to yell." When I picked myself up off the floor and did some deep breathing to relieve my belly-laughing- induced tummy-ache, I knew I had found the dog book for me. It goes without saying that common sense is so simple as to often be overlooked. Never is the need for common sense made more glaringly apparent than in this book. If you've never had a dog and are thinking about getting one, read Rosengarten. If you've had dogs for years and think you know all there is to know about their training, read Rosengarten. As a matter of fact, if you think you never want to have a dog, read Rosengarten. She could change your mind and that would be a good thing.

I loved this story. I still cry sometimes as I read the ending. the artwork is fun and interesting to look at. The story is about how this clever girl teaches the king about how he can find happiness by helping out his people instead of focusing on making more gold. I love reading this to my little girl. She is 18 months and asks for it. I don't know how much of it she gets but I certainly think children younger than 4 can really enjoy this book.

This inspiring take on Rumpelstiltskin is fabulous. Stories that model awesome choice making inspire people to make good choices. I love to read this story to my kids. I love the message that family is more important than vanity and worldly glory.

This children's story is 29 un-numbered pages in a large format. The cover size is 9 x 12 inches. It is well illustated with large, full-color illustrations.

It is a delightful retelling of the story of Rumpelstiltskin. In this version, the miller's daughter finds Rumpelstiltskin more attractive than the greedy king, and escapes with him to take up a new life on a farm. But, later, the king discovers their daughter, and kidnaps the daughter to try to force her to spin his straw into gold.

The daughter is certainly not attracted to a greedy old king in his dotage, expecially one that her mother had already rejected when he was younger. But the daughter has plans of her own for rescuing the kingdom, and she is a lot smarter than the king.

Like many good children's stories, this one has gone out of print. One could hope that the publisher will reissue this one.

This book has a great message for young girls (and boys!), and the illustrations are very clever. I think I enjoy this book as much as my daughters do! It makes a great gift.

I *love* this book! And so does my 3 year old daughter. The artwork is beautiful and so wonderful to look at. The story is *awesome* and just great for little girls [and boys!].

The author has a superb wit and a gift for storytelling. This has quickly become one of our very favorites and my daughter spends lots of time now pretending to be "Rumplestiltskin's Daughter" [who also had a name!]. I'm very happy with the impact this tale has had on her sense of what it is to be a woman.

This tale encourages girls to be clever and self sufficient without being tedious or overbearingly feminist. [And without being anti-male]. I can't recommend this book highly enough!

While this wonderful story accepts the unhappy and frightening secrets that people can have, it gives life and hope and happiness at its core. An uplifting tale, beautifully told, for all ages. I look forward to Kate Coombs' next book with great excitement!

From young to old, with secrets as innocent as disliking a babysitter to the shame of supreme selfishness, everyone in Maldinga unloads on the secret keeper, Kalli - everyone but the the potter's son, whose secret is the greatest of all. In The Secret Keeper, Kate Coombs uses beautiful language and vivid imagery to weave this tale about the power of secrets. Anyone who likes traditional folk tales, who appreciates rich writing, or who has ever had a secret, will love The Secret Keeper.

I loved it so much, I bought several copies, which I will proudly share as gifts!

I LOVE this book!! The imagery is rich and hidden meanings are on every page (or behind every tree in the forest). Even adults will enjoy the tale's symbolism and happy morale.

The language is so beautiful it's a pleasure to let it roll off your tongue. Even without a reason to read it out loud, you'll find yourself chanting "secret-keeper of malinga" just for the fun of it!

A MUST-READ! You will LOVE it!

I can't wait to see what Ms. Coombs has in store next!

Difficult to impress, my 9-year-old daughter is utterly enthralled with this enchanting new fairy tale. She was initially pulled in by the exquisite artwork, commenting on the rich colors and attention to detail. The story itself is captivating and beautifully told, with a richness of vocabulary appropriate for just about any age (although the reading level is listed as 4 to 8). We're thinking of buying more copies to give as gifts. Excellent work!

"The Secret-Keeper" is a sort of child's version of Nathaniel West's masterpiece, "Miss Lonely Hearts," in which a "helper" is similarly overcome by the demands of those needing help. Of course, as a kids' book, the tone is far lighter and the outcome happier, but they share a theme about the burden of receiving confession.

In a beautifully designed and illustrated medieval/hobbit-like setting, long-haired, quiet "Kalli" welcomes men and women of all ages to tell her their secrets. Some secrets seem relatively innocent ("A plain girl loved a handsome boy and dared not tell him"), some, not so (A bribe induces a matchmaker to makes a bad match), but all of them feel heavy to those who hide them. The magical proceedings, the slightly moralistic tone, and the appearance of hero and heroine give this a classic fairy tale aura, and the arched and rectangular framed pictures (done in lush, ornate design with watercolor, oil, and collage) recall the prototypical illustrations of N.C. Wyeth and other early masters. It's truly a gorgeous book.

The plot revolves around Kalli's unselfish generosity, and how it almost overwhelms her. However, the author doesn't clearly establish Kalli's secret-collecting method, causing some initial unnecessary confusion. "Shed," the baker, admits that he cheats when he weighs his customers' bread. In exchange for her confession taking..."He gave Kalli a basket of fresh rolls and a copper coin." When Kalli hears his secret, she "nodded and caught his words in his hand." Now comes the confusing part: "After Shed trudged away with a sigh, Kalli opened her hand again. Shed's secret was a small grey rock, like a stale breadcrumb. Kalli went inside and tucked the secret into one of the tiny drawers that lines the walls of her cottage.

After a few of these exchanges, it's clear that Kalli has the ability to transform the secret into a concrete object, something that can be stored away. However, author Coombs uses a metaphor, "Shed's secret was a small grey rock," something too abstract for concrete-thinking kids. It's also unfortunate that Ms. Coombs compares the rock to a "stale bread crumb" --did Shed cheat by somehow inserting the small rock into his loaves? A simple and clearer presentation might have been something like, "Kalli took his secret and turned it into a small grey rock." All this becomes clearer after a few more examples, but adult readers might want to supplement the text with gestures or some ready explanations if questioned.

Kalli's transformative powers, while itself a metaphor, also drives the plot. As she collects more and more secrets, changing them into small drab objects, she becomes sick. Slowly the villagers realize that they take much more from the secluded woman than any gold piece cold buy. When they discover her sick in bed, they realize that one can also tell Good Secrets, not just bad ones. As they tell her (it's all very rapid, like townspeople in a Jimmy Stewart movie: "...my husband helps folks." "I married my own true love." "I made up a song," "My mama and I dance in the meadow"), Kalli's strength and spirit begins to return. She takes each of these good secrets and changes them into objects--but beautiful, magical objects: A dragonfly, a rainbow, a meadowlark, and more all emanate from Kalli's hand, all revealed in a series of pictures that resemble tapestries. And, speaking of her hand, the quiet potter's son tells the last secret to the now healthy Kalli: "I love the secret keeper." Some toddlers and early elementary schoolers will love this touching, sentimental romance, others may not be ready for it--know your audience. I enjoyed it, and it's followed by a blissful celebration in the meadow, so idyllic and light that you half expect the love to lift the villagers into the air.

This is a very good book for children in the 10-12 year old age range. Michael and Jennifer are two children that are part of a school group visiting a large castle and they get separated from the others. While they are viewing two paintings of a man and a woman, a man comes up to them and offers to tell the story of the people in the paintings.
Prince Marlon is the heir to the throne of Mentoria, but his heart is uneasy. While leading a band of the king's soldiers against some peasants he fights a strong warrior until they agree to stop fighting. At that point, another of the king's soldiers deals the other warrior a deathblow.
After returning from the battle, Marlon leaves the castle dressed as a common man and wanders out to meet the people. He comes to the aid of a man named Gug and he goes home with him. Gug's daughter Nicole is beautiful and Marlon quickly becomes infatuated with her.
After Marlon spends some time working on Gug's farm, a herald of the king arrives searching for Marlon. The king is on his deathbed and the kingdom has fallen under the evil sway of the high priest Mordal. Marlon returns and leads an army against a rival kingdom. He emerges victorious, banishes Mordal and assumes the throne. He rules very wisely and the kingdom thrives.
This book is also beautifully illustrated; the characters are drawn with exquisite detail. The coloration somehow manages to be subtle yet sharp, the quality is as good as I have seen. The story itself is a fairly standard one of the crown prince trying to achieve an understanding of how the people in the kingdom actually live. It is a good story with a happy ending, as Marlon and Nicole become the king and queen of Mentoria and ascend to the throne to the genuine cheers of the populace.

I think People who lioke the hero slash romantic adventure type of thing should read this book. I think its a pretty good book for children 7-12 to read in their spair time. The book itself has some very interesting aspects that may or may not catch your catch your eye every once and a while so have fun reading this book and leave a good review.

There is nothing wrong with this book that should keep you from reading it. It has very detailed illustrations that look real. It also has a good story. It also teaches that tour guides don't always tell you everything. It tells the story of a prince who doesn't belive that rich people should be able to take poor people's land just to make themselves richer. It is a great book as long as you don't hate stories that take place in Midievil times.

Wonderful bardic mastery here; as if the myth of King Arthur came alive again, yet its ending still expands into a living energy of our continuance - for here there is no wounded fisher king, but rather a continuance of love - father to son, brother to brother, man to man - without a doubt. As a female, I am reminded strongly of the "Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley, yet this tale is told from a male vantage point, who as of yet is only just beginning to discover that his lady love is real - as real as he. Complex yet so simply told, amazing mysteries of love unfolding from a point of ever-changing mysteries of all that we might yet now come to be.

The parallels of many Arthurian legends, and even a hint of "Avalon come true" are spoken here, within a form and style that must inspire the wee folk of our lives to live within its inspiration. I applaud this endeavor of artistry, and hope to see this lovely volume back in full publication again very soon.

Michaelette

http://michaelette.com

I really love Michael as a singer. I'm a fan of him since I started feeling sense of music. But I wasn't aware of his writing skills indeed. He has proved his writing skills after giving a great gift of the Secret of Lost Kingdom. The book is not infact just for childern there is something for every age, the morality, honor, truth and love. The heart touching and well illustrated story is really worth to be explored.

This book was great for ideas and general instructions. However, I found the patterns to be way too large for the 18" dolls, and I found several errors in the construction directions. As a seasoned sewist, I knew how to work around this misdirection, but newer sewists may not.

I can still recommend the book though just for the inspiration.

This book contains full size patterns that sew beautifully. Great selection of outfits and complete insructions that are very easy to follow.

Joan Hinds provides an excellent choice of patterns with which to create indoor outdoor fashions for 18" dolls. The patterns are timeless. They can easily be modified to reflect most style periods from the mid 20th century forward.

My daughter (who is 10 years old) got her American Girl doll for Christmas this year...and after spending all that money on an 18" doll, I wasn't about to pay $24 per outfit.
I have some sewing experience. I can hem up jeans, sew pillows, fix a seam or button if need be...but that's about it. I've never used a pattern before.
The hardest part was finding the pattern pieces. There are two large tissue papers tucked away in the back of the book. Each piece appears to have hundreds of little patterns. Once you find the pieces for what you are making, it is a breeze.
I will warn you, there are some things that just can't be sewn with a machine. Invest in a thimble and proceed.
Half the fun is teaching my daughter how to sew. She loves her doll and wants it to have a wardrobe exactly like hers. I warned her that the deal was if she got the doll, she would have to help make the clothes. She agreed and we've been able to sew many outfits that closely resemble hers.
This book, in my opinion, contains the most modern clothing patterns. It also has very easy to follow instructions. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an American Girl doll.

I have made most of the clothes presented in Hinds "Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe" and been very pleased with the results. Her instructions are clear and complete and allow for personal variation. My granddaughters and neighbor girls have been happy with their gifts of doll clothes!

Because I liked "Contemporary" so much, I recently ordered (via Amazon)and received promptly 3 more Hinds books.

Simply put this book should be mandatory reading for anyone that feels the American military should always have a "world presence" in the various political quagmires. Both young & old & in-between will benefit from a book that can make you laugh & cry often within the same paragraph.

Very Dry humour... I LOVE IT

This has to be one of the funniest, well-written, smartest books I've ever read. You can find the time to cry and laugh at the same time - it is an example of others in a horrible situation that can find some security in laughing and making their experiences funny to a certain point. I love this book and I intend on having my friends read it.

I was given this book by a friend who raved about it. I expected yet another terrible "Vietnam was hell-don't you feel sorry for me" books. Instead I got to read a book that transcends that conflict and all others. The story and mood could easily be transplanted to any other conflict in history and thats what makes this book so compelling. As a former enlisted infantryman, I rarely read any accounts that accurately portray the bizzare and often irrational logic that one has to adopt to deal with the situations faced by a soldier. Most stories and recollections make soldiers clear-thinking and rational and are usually from the perspective of an officer or high ranking NCO who seem almost to enjoy the experience. Any bad decisions are made "out-of scene" by politcally motivated officers or out-of-touch politicians. They imply that things would be fine without these busybodies. McAfee throws away these stereotypical conventions and gives us the hazy and almost absurdist reasoning that governs a man in times of unrelenting stress and deprevation. Each character in this story clings to each other, and in one case a mortar, to try and ground themselves in an environment of chaos and incoherence. This book should be a classic and the fact that it is out-of-print is a disgrace considering how much junk out there should never have been printed in the first place. However you can swing it, get this book. You will not be disapointed.

Dear Mr. McAfee,

I read your book. I have sent copies to friends. I never understood why it did not become an American classic. Finally, I saw your on-line comments and I understood.

You have done a marvellous thing for veterans and civilians alike. You have captured the essence of the Vietnam conflict. You "Get" it. You also made me weep for the first time in thirty years.

Thank you

I am fifteen years old, and this is my ultimate favorite book!The characters are believable, and the plot is fascinating. It is a mystery/adventure/romance book that, without being preachy, teaches strong morals and christian virtues. I find it refreshing to read a book that has the courage to do all that.

After reading this excellent book a few times each year since it has come out, I have finally decided to read the Grimm's version and may I say that Ms. Doman is one really acurate writer. I really hope she DOES continue the story of Blanche, Bear, Rose and Fish as she mentioned at the end of her book. Also, after reading a book like this, I feel so lucky to be a homeschooling Catholic, Ms. Doman makes every reader feel proud of her religion and so VERY proud of Bear and Fish for their courage. I hope everyone who reads any of these reviews will find the hear(and the time!)to pick up this book and read it and read it and read it, over and over and over and over....

I love reading fairy tale novelizations, because I'm the one who always wants to know the why behind characters' actions. Novels offer a much better glimpse into fairy tales than a simple story book. This novel knows what it's doing.

The main characters, Blanche and Rose, are well-drawn and believable; their personalities are distinct but both likable. Doman also does a good job drawing Bear as a sensitive hulk. The swing dancing scene is one of my favorites! The plot flows smoothly and quickly, with heroic adventures along the way, but nothing that a real person couldn't handle. Sometimes, even if you like a fantasy book, the characters seem superhuman (well, I suppose they occasionally are!). But in this real-world adventure, all characters are true to life.

My one complaint is that Doman resorts to the Nancy Drew technique of having the villain explain his plot to his victim, so that the reader figures out what's going on. Still, it's only her first book (written at age 23 or so), and it's remarkable! I can't wait to see what else Regina Doman has for us.

AKA Shadow of the Bear.

Some books just fall into your hands, and instantly become treasures you want to share with all you know. This is one of those books. It is a modern retelling of the story from the Brothers Grimm, of Snow White and Rose Red. It is the story of two brothers and two sisters, all of whom have lost much in life and are not fully what they at first appear. The sisters have lost their father and had to move back into New York City. The brothers have lost their mother and have both been convicted of drug charges. Then one fateful night their fates become somehow intertwined.

The sisters are Blanch and Rose, two girls who grew up in the countryside, and who now reside in the city. They live with their mother and attend secondary school. The first of the brothers we meet is named Bear; he has dreadlocks, is big and tough, yet upon spending an evening with the Brier sisters and their mother he reveals different parts of his past. He has a passion for life, loves poetry and takes the girls on outings. But there is always a dark side to a Bear and this one is no different. He has secrets and his story and journey are still unfolding. The mystery revolves around a murdered priest, an abandoned church and the school the sisters are attending.

This story is wonderfully told. The author draws you in and keeps you captivated from first page to last. Each chapter begins with a quote from the original fairy tale, and foreshadows what is coming, yet in New York the mysteries and magic of a fairy tale are very different from the German countryside. Regina Doman is a true storyteller, not just an author. His skill with the pen makes you see the action as it is taking place, and you feel so drawn into the story that you feel like a character sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what will happen next.

This is the first book in a trilogy and I cannot wait to lay my hands on books two and three. This story was so captivating that it left me wanting more immediately. If you are looking for some great summer reading this term, give this book a try.

The book is about two sisters, Blanche & Rose, who live in N.Y.C. They are new to the city, and they do not have to many friends. They are well read in poetry and other peices of liturature, they are also christian. They meet a boy, who calls himself "Bear", and then there adventures begin. I won't go into detail, because that might spoil it, but I will say that it is loosly based on Grimn's fairy tale, of the same name. I hope that everyone who reads it will love it as much as I did, (all 7 times) but I don't think it's a book that guys would get into. Regina Doman, where ever you are, thank you for writing a book with intelligent, christen characters, that's still exciting.

I knew exactly what I was getting. This is a very touching story, with illustrations that match the images in my mind. I've known the tale by heart since first I read it. It's nice to hold it in my hands, to share with others, too.

This is a quiet little Christmas story, subtle, a fable for adults and older children. I first purchased a copy 30 years ago and was delighted to see it was being re-released. I sent 17 copies to friends and sharing this little story was a highlight of the holiday for me.

It has wonderful dense illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman, an illustrator of hundreds of books, and also a founder and frequent contributor to "Cricket", a quality magazine for children.

The story tells of a lonely woman who is unexpectedly visited by an "ugly child" and how that experience slowly opens her heart. Who hasn't felt a bit grumpy, been cheered by a visit from a friend, or longed for the feeling of "enough"? Really, you must read it!!

This is a timeless tale that transcends the hype and materialistic madness that have ruined Christmas. The gentle and simple message of this story can be read and heard over and over again with fresh delight each time. I'm so very happy that this book is still in print. It is my all time favorite holiday read-aloud. I have given the book to everyone in my family and many close friends as well.

For as long as I can remember, every Christmas Eve my family would gather around my dad as he read this story to us. Although we are all adults now, and two spouses have entered the family, we all still look forward to hearing this story read aloud. We practically know it by heart. It captures the warmth and beauty of the simplicity of sharing, with humorous characters and perfect illustrations to match. And I know the tradition will continue on in our own families.

If you want to start a Christmas tradition for your children, their children and following generations...this is THE book to have. It's a story about giving, sharing and all those important ideals we want our children to carry with them into adulthood.