Literature in Art Books

I bought this book for my 4 1/2 year old but really for myself since I'm a horrible artist! This book allowed us to draw the animals together and he was able to follow the steps easily. If you can write the letter "D", "C" and stright and squiggly lines you can duplicate any animal is this book. Pretty cool since my son used to not like art of any sort but now he is in this drawing phase. I'm going to buy some other of these books in the series.

I love this book. I had this book as a child (in the 80's) and I was so excited to see that I could purchase one for my daughter. My child is in pre-school and has been practicing drawing basic shapes. Ed Emberley's book teaches children (and adults) how to draw animals by piecing together basic shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, etc. The directions are easy to follow, and show you step-by-step how to combine different shapes into a final product. I would recommend this book for any age group, from a child who is just learning to draw to an adult who loves to doodle.

I had this when I was growing up and wanted to share it with my toddler. It is great because although he is too young to draw these things, he recognizes them in the book (and when I draw them) and we can make up our own stories together. When he gets a better handle on drawing for himself, the book will grow into that role. Yay!

Ed Emberley has a wonderful way of teaching not only children but artistically challenged adults (like myself) how to produce simple, but adorable drawings of animals. Personally, I can barely draw stick figures, but I was actually able to follow Emberley's easy instructions and ended up producing drawings that actually looked like the instructional examples in the book! Both of my children loved this book and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to learn the basics of drawing.

This book is great! My older daughter loves to doodle and this has been fun for her. My younger daughter (almost 4) can even draw a few of the animals!

The Mitford Cookbook is a delightful and beautiful addition to my cookbook collection. The foods described in all the Mitford books always made my mouth water and here they are, every one, ready for me to try out. I had purchased two of the cookbooks for gifts before I decided to get one for myself. What a treat!

I always thought the recipes in the Mitford books sounded so mouthwatering and It's nice to have them now. The cookbook has the stories about each recipe and which book it came from. It's like going right back into Mitford. It's also a beautiful book. I'm glad that I bought it.

You probably read the whole Mitford Series before thinking of buying this book. Well, this book is a treasure. It is beautifully written and beautifully edited and illustrated. The recipes are good too! But somehow not the focal point of the book. The focus is still on the many varied characters Jan Karon created in her Mitford Series. I didn't put this book in my bookcase with all my other cookbooks. No, I keep it on my coffeetable where I can pick it up and read a favorite tale, or espiode in the characters lives that have grown dear to me. This book has a warm place in my heart, and as a Southern woman, these recipes are very familiar to me. Like I'm reading my grandmother's cookbook.

If you love easy, flavorful cooking, this is your book! I've had so much fun reading and cooking. This is a treasure I'll pass down to my daughter and a great gift for others!

Having read all of Jan Karon's Mitford books except her cookbook, I borrowed it from our public library. I was so impressed that I purchased five copies of the book from "Amazon" for myself and family members. Needless to say, they were all delighted. Not only does it have good recipes, but it is interesting reading while you are waiting for your recipe to finish cooking. If you have read Karon's books, I feel sure you will enjoy this book. If you haven't read them, you are in for a great treat. Do yourself a favor and start looking for the "Mitford Series" today.

This is a really sweet book! My 9 year old daughter really enjoys it. My 6 year old son could care less right now. But if I talk to him about the meaning, he then understands it more and asks some really smart questions!

The story is about how we (the children) are a big part of earth. How everything is a part of us. Everywhere we look on earth and above is what we are made up of... kinda cool. I really liked it!

If you have a universal outlook on spirituality- you will love this book! My children beam after we read it. They feel special, loved, secure... all the things we want for our kids. There is not ONE THING scary or negative in this book. It voids the polarity idea. It is fantastic.

This is a wonderful book. I have a four year old son who has owned this book since before he was three. He loves and understands it, probably more so than many adults. It is the favorite book for my husband and son to read together.

If you like this book you will love "Child of Fairy, Child of Earth". Both books have beautiful verse, illustrations and messages.

This book is beautifully inspiring and a needed aid in nuturing spirituality in children, I love it as much as my 3-year-old.

This is by far one of my most favorite children's books. "I am part of all I see, and all I see is part of me." Those first two pages sum it up.

The illustrations are warm, gentle, and beautiful. If you look closely you can see little elves and fairies hiding in the forest. My girls love to try and find them while we are reading.

I have given this book as a gift many times and it is always well received.

Thank you Chara for creating such a wonderful book for our evolving little ones (and their parents)!

Writing about writing is wrought with woe, because a clever few words gathered by one writer may become muck in the minds of some readers.

However, here goes. Good conversation is based on a genuine interest in others. But, the key to good writing is a genuine interest in good ideas. Bradbury loves ideas, he is a master of wonderful "what if?" flights of fancy. For example, who else could see a fallen harbour pier and imagine it into a lovelorn dinosaur?

Bradbury uses words and ideas the way Thomas Edison used science and ideas. But what launches such talent? In Bradbury's case, a wondrous magician with a seedy two-bit carnival who took time to listen to the great ideas of a 12-year-old boy.

Complicated? Stephen Leacock once said about writing, "You just jot down ideas as they occur to you. The jotting is simplicity itself -- it is the occurring which is difficult."

So, how does Bradbury do it? Basically, his life is a fun adventure; he enjoys life; facing his day's work is not a burden, for him writing is always the fever, the delight, the ardor of life itself. He has the spirit of wonder, adventure and mischief of a seven-year-old. Think 'Calvin' of comic strip fame, and you appreciate the mind of Bradbury. If this seems odd, it is only because 'Calvin' is a cartoon boy instead of a white-haired old sage. Bradbury's ideas underwent a similar evolution from fantasy to relevance in the 1950s, when librarians and scientists awoke to see the genius inherent in science fiction.

A second element, which Bradbury downplays, also relates to Leacock, "I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." Bradbury enjoys his work with the delight 'Calvin' has in playing. If there isn't a 'Hobbes' in Bradbury's life, it's only because he hasn't told us of it yet.

A third element is Bradbury's love of books. In his early career, he wrote in the basement of a library. For a break, he went upstairs to the library and, in his words, "There I strolled, lost in love, down the corridors, and through the stacks, touching books, pulling volumes out, turning pages, thrusting volumes back, drowning in all the good stuffs that are the essence of libraries."

This book is much more than "zen", it celebrates "love" in a way that is almost lost in today's world . . .. . but which nonetheless has profound meaning. Romance novels are about the quest for love; Bradbury is someone who celebrates a love of new ideas every day.

Few books about writing are this good.

This is a keeper. Sometimes as authors we second guess ourselves and this really helps put writing into perspective.

It was fascinating to read here the writing autobiography of one of the favorite authors of my youthful self. Bradbury's reflection on his boyhood literary influences easily triggered my own look back to the time when he was mine. Zen, by the author's admission, was a very new concept for him (just a few weeks old) when he wrote the title essay in this collection. And also, he confesses, used as his title the way a medicine show barker would use "calliope, drum and Blackfoot Indian," to get the audience's attention. As for his actually doing the Zen thing, that would be a longer story, and the subtext of this book. Bradbury recounts the catalytic events of a long literary life, the necessary attention to the memory-material within, the introspective silence and the stepping out of bed onto a fresh metaphorical landmine each morning, the links back through time to smells and sights and fears and loves that shaped the stories he came to tell. Living like a lizard: full tilt boogey or unblinking on a rock. Details of formative events as disparate as the writing of his best known novel, FAHRENHEIT 451, in the basement of the L.A. Public Library or an early encounter with Mr. Electrico, a sideshow performer in a second-rate carnival paint a vivid self-portrait of a writing life. ('451 was written on a pay-per-use public library typewriter which required a dime per half hour, and the finished original manuscript cost Bradbury $9.80. Not a bad investment for a bestseller turned movie script which is still in print forty-five years later. And, of course, 451 tells the tale of a future day when all books are burned by official edict, starting with the libraries... Mr. Electrico zapped him with the news that he had lived before, and was immortal.) As a practical writing guide, ZEN pales compared to "DEEP WRITING, 7 PRINCIPLES THAT BRING IDEAS TO LIFE (Tarcher/Putnam, 1999) by Eric Maisel but this is a far better story: electrified, blazoned with color, and drunk while in charge of its own bicycle. A real treat for current or one-time or future Bradbury fans.

This book may be more for the word than the Zen practitioner, but it is for anyone wanting affirmation and inspiration for the craft of writing. Herein Bradbury provides us with the techniques and processes he used since the age of 12 to bring life to words; his deep love of writing and incredible memory, pour from each page making the reader almost drunk (on Dandelion Wine.) After reading this book you too will feel like you can and should write anything albeit with patience and practice.

Whether Bradbury realizes it or not, the discipline of writing is akin to the discipline of Zen as seen in consistent practice of that which we want to achieve, be it a novel or enlightenment. He shows us his method of confronting his childhood fears and shadows while also recommending that not thinking is essential to the creative flow of words that becomes a written product and how wonderful to read of his experiencing the sacred muse.

This book seemed like it would make great high school reading material to encourage young people who so need to express themselves, and it made me feel like using an old fashioned typewriter again, his pre-word-processing tool of hand to paper. It is short and easy to read, full of zest for life and of course the thrill of writing!

Zen. The practice of living fully in the now, paying full attention to being, and to doing.

Is this possible with writing? It is if you follow Bradbury's lead, and immerse yourself first in what he tells you about how HE writes, and then, put the book aside, and immerse yourself in your own daily writing practice.

Do it fearlessly, consistently, and mindfully, and allow your best to surface. You'll stop being so quick to judge what you write, and just let the writing flow (editing and rewriting come later)!

So go ahead, pick up the book and read a little. Then, pick up the pen, and follow your Zen.

"Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide" is a must-have book for all the wall-crawler's fan! It has information about lots of characters and a fantastic spidey's time-line! The illustrations are as good as well, and you can even find information on alternative Spider-Man series, like Spider-Girl, and Spidey 2099. Although the book is very nicely done i still missed more detailed profiles, anyway you will sure not regret for buying this one!

I never read a Spider-man comic book, but I wanted to know all about Spidey, his allies, and his enemies. This ended my search!

We bought this book for our five year old who loves Spiderman, but our whole family has enjoyed learning more about the villains and other characters in Spidey's world. It is fun to learn the origin of characters we are familiar with and some we had never heard of before. There are lots and lots of illustrations to keep the kids' attention, and the stories and bios are interesting enough for adults as well. The binding has fallen apart on our book- which may have survived better under normal wear and tear- but that is mostly because my son takes it to bed with him since he loves this book so much. Overall, a great book for kids and adults too.

Tom De Falco's comprehensive SPIDER-MAN guide is one of my favourite spidey books, covering everything from the comic's origins in the 60s to the recent movies. With some great insight into the characters in the world of comics and good layout, this guide tells you all you need to know about Peter Parker, Mary Jane and assotment of villians (Green Goblin, Doc Ock, Venom et all). DeFalco's extensive research has paid off, making this an essential addition to the already bookshelf-breaking collection of comic book guides. This is a must-have book for any SPIDER-MAN enthusiast.

I have been a rabid Spider-Man fan, reader, and collector for the past 13 years. In that time, I've seen some of the best (1980's to 1993) and worst (Clone Saga) this hero has to offer. IN addition, I have collected every issue ever published. So, I'm very knowledgable about SPider-Man and his world. Still, this book is a delight to read. I didn't learn anything new, but it is well written, spectacularly illustrated with original comic art from some of Spidey's most legendary artists (Ditko, Romita Sr., Romita Jr., Frenz, Andru, Sal Buscema, Gil Kane, McFarlane, Bagley, Larsen). New fans will learn a lot from this book, but no matter how long you've been a fan of Spidey, this book is a treasure trove for you!!

i am enjoying this book . it has given great spiritual in sight to my broken heart. it also has help me to see my self as i really am. i recommend this book with great plus plus status.

I found this book to be both practical and inspiring. The journal in the back of the book gave me additional references to look up and a space to record my thoughts. This is a book that can be read by an individual or enjoyed in a group. It offers the reader something to reflect on and grow from each time you pick it up.

Stormie Omartain has long been one of my favorite authors. She shares her personal experiences with her readers. She reminds us that when God called Abram, He did not hand him a detailed map. He called Abram (Abraham) to follow. God still calls us to follow. We are to follow Him through faith. We are to live for Him day by day. He gives us strength and grace for each day and faith to face tomorrow. "Regardless of what your situation is at this moment, God has an abundance of blessings for you."
We want to see what tomorrow will bring, but that is not God's way. Stormie Omartain's style is simple and easy-to-understand. She shares her story and faith in a manner that keeps the reader reading. Each chapter contains supporting scripture and prayer. There is a Prayer and Study Guide included. Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On would make a very good group study. Ms. Omartian and I share beliefs.. As my faith has matured, I have learned to depend on God. He has never let me down. Storms of life strike all of us; if we would only turn to Him in prayer before, during, and after the storm, we would have the assurance that He is with us. Ms. Omartian is a prolific author. She sheds light on how to experience the joy of living a life walking with God. I strongly recommend Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On to all.
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com

This book was a lifesaver for me. It put light into my dark, dim world. When I found this book, I was in a severe depression, going through a most difficult time in my life. I credit it with saving me. And I give glory to God for putting it in my hands.

No matter where you are in your life, this book will benefit you. You don't have to be as low as I was for this book to bless you. It is a must read for everyone!!

It is worth every dime that it cost and then some. Once you read it, you will want to put it next to your bible and keep it forever.

It means so much to me that I purchase it for everyone that I cross paths with, who seems to be in need of faith, love, comfort, and/or support. I use it as a way to minister to those in need.

You will LOVE it!

It is because of Stormie that I have grown much closer to our LORD. She has a way of just talking to you and you feel like she is your friend. I have read most of her books and passed them on!

Don't put her books away, share them with your friends and family! They will enrich their lives as well!

I love her books and recommend her HIGHLY!

Begin with Hero Archetypes and learn about the Chief or the Lost Soul or the Warrior. See what might make them tick.

Move to your Heroine Archetypes to visit with the Free Spirit, the Nurturer or my favorite the Spunky Kid. Learn how they got to be who they are.

Then you will learn how to use the Archetypes to Create Characters. As most writers understand, great characters are not one-dimensional and flawless. It is their layers that make them truly intriguing. Indiana Jones' fear of snakes made him believable.

Finally play with Archetype Interactions and see how the Waif might react to the Professor type. What if the Waif were layered with the Librarian and the Professor had a bit of the Swashbuckler in him. What would these two encounter? Where would they take your story?

Tami et al's book is invaluable to me. If I had no other book on characterization, I would be fine. My only quibble is that we didn't get the Villains, but Tami teaches a Villains Archetype class online as well as face-to-face. I just recently had the pleasure of taking that class with From The Heart Romance Writers.

Put this on your "must have" list if you want rich, complex characters.

In the quest of refining character, I have devoured a number of psychology texts and writer's guides, and I do believe that this one may be the best book on that topic I have ever discovered. I would quibble with Cowden, LaFever and Viders in their assertion that the 16 Master Archetypes are the only archetypes, but it's such a small point that it doesn't detract from what they present. Peppered with easily accessible examples, their book breaks down character into strong, clearly sketched components and then discusses how the palates may be blended--in individual character development and interpersonal relationships. I don't know if I would ever use any guide to create a character from scratch, but I'm always happy to find something to help me ensure that my characters behave consistently once they've been created. I expect this book to prove valuable for that, and I highly recommend it.

I started using this book for my writing the very day I received it. It's great--I can't recommend it highly enough

The book is a great tool for aspiring writers and screenwriters. It offers great insight into the different archetypes. That information is presented in a dictionary type form. Anyone can look up a personality type and find its virtue, flaws, style and background. I highly recommend the book to all aspiring writers.

I can't say enough good things about this book. Fantastic character profiles. I wish it had been available when I was studying Sociology at university! I own two copies so I can always have it at hand when I need some help. My ONLY complaint are the pop culture references as archetype examples. But, overlook Dr. Spock and Ally McBeal and this book is priceless!

This is one of the greatest kids books ever! Especially for my son, who always thinks he has to be perfect. This book shows kids that everyone has their own talents; it might not be what you thought was perfect, but it can still be beautiful and amazing, unique and yours. I hope this book gives more children the courage to do their own thing and express themselves.

How do you teach a child confidence?
You could put their work on the refrigerator, frame it, or talk about it with others. In this story the teacher frames a small dot drawn by a child who claims she is unable to draw. The little girl is also asked to sign her work, which emphasizes value.

Society values signatures. We want the signed book, the signed football pendant, the autograph, etc. because we perceive it is more valuable. Children can relate to signatures. Children understand signatures mean something (whether it is a report card that needs signing, an illness note for school, or the need to sign a "take home" folder). Thus, immediately the little girl realizes when asked to sign her work that her dot, her creation, is also valuable.

This wonderful story teaches children about trying, about at least starting, at least making an effort, and then seeing where that start can take you... This lesson is taught through art in this storybook but reminded me of what we were always told in writing, "Write, just start.... "

Henry Ford said, "If you think you can... or if you think you can't... you're right." This simple story illustrates a message of positive "can do" type thinking.

I also especially like that the little girl passes on what she learns at the end of the story by asking a little boy to sign his work. Setting a good example and passing on your knowledge to help others is a lesson for all children!

I loved this book and can use it in my library all the time.
Thank You

The Dot is a beautifully illustrated book about a VERY good art teacher. I found it when I was already an adult, but in a way it is written for adults anyway. The book addresses those who are unsure of themselves, which occurs in adults just as often as in children. The message is clear but not didactic, and the illustrations underline the moral.

I'm a middle school art teacher. I read the book to every class on the first day. Then, I gave them a few different media to use, (watercolor, oil pastels, markers) and asked them to "make a dot and see where it takes you" We made two rules, you had to know where your original dot was and you had to work for 15 minutes. The results are great and we are off to a great start. I also own ISH by the same author and use it a little later in the semester.

Great craft ideas for preschoolers through grade school. Make sure to have the washable stamp pads ready for when the book arrives.

We got this for my 6-year-old daughter. She has used it well. There are so many things to do in the book that she hasn't gotten bored. We haven't had much luck finding washable stamp pads that easily wash off her fingers though! Her stained fingers are worth it though!!

As a homeschooling mom of a preschooler and first grader, I am always looking for things that are appropriate for a wide variety of age levels. The Complete Funprint Drawing Book is perfect for homeschool art! The directions are simple enough for my just-turned-four year old to follow, but the endless variety of things to make is interesting enough for my six (and a half) year old. I am looking into more Ed Emberly books to add to our homeschool art resource collection.

I loved Ed Emberley's books so much when I was a kid, I had to share them with my own children and my students.

Lucy Adams, author of If Mama Don't Laugh, It Ain't Funny

These books are great for art projects with kids. My class is making a gift for the school using these art ideas.

This is a delightful living book. An opportunity to learn a lot about Monet, his work and his life while enjoying a beautifully told story.

Fabulous book about places I have visited and loved -- I actually
know Michelle who owns the Hotel Esmerelda (she will autograph my
copy of book), and have spent many happy hours in the bookstore
around the corner (never go to Paris without visiting it), and
of course, Monet's art and home are the pinnacle. A wonderful
and inspirational book for all!

I absolutely LOVED this book when I was younger. So, if you're having doubts about your child liking it, I wouldn't...I had the doll of Linnea and I carried it around with me everywhere...and I also brought the book everywhere I could as well.

Linnea, a young Swedish girl has developed quite a friendship with the elderly Mr. Bloom, her upstairs neighbor. Mr. Bloom is a retired gardener who is the proud owner of a lovely book about the great French artist, Claude Monet. After hours and hours of studying Monet and his life, the pair begin the ultimate adventure: a trip to Paris, and where it all began! Linnea and Mr. Bloom visit the Marmottan museum to observe the many paintings of Monet. They study his artwork and how the genius painted. They learn about other Impressionist artists--many who were great friends of Monet. Eventually the young child and elderly gentleman make the ultimate trek to Giverny, where Monet lived and painted.
This book could almost be a 'fun' textbook. The artwork, both of the author's and of Monet's is absolutely exquisite. Becoming familiar with Monet's life and his paintings become a marvelous art history lesson. As an adult, I not enjoyed reading this lovely book but I learned a lot. In fact, a few days after reading LINNEA in Monet's Garden I was watching a Sex in the City episode where Charlotte was showing a group of people one of Monet's 'lily' murals. Being familiar with that painting because of this book was an exciting moment for me!

In 1988 I begged my Principal(I was a teacher in the Salinas valley) to purchase a set of this book.I taught in the "middle of nowhere " that now holds a good chunk of my heart. This was the time of teaching through literature sets, wholly in love with language, and inspiring children by creating together environments to make meaning and to find "context" for learning.It was a time to motivate lives. Toni Ungs, my then Principal, turned to me and replied, no, that I would be the "only teacher" on site who would use the set. And so it goes in teaching, yet another opportunity denied by those thinking within their prodigious logic systems.
So... I bought the set out of pocket as I do most everything, a teacher tale for another time I spend thousands each year to do what matters. This book is just a delight for students. A young, girl, Linnea and her elder neighbor embark on a trip together to see Monet's Gardens.They live in Europe and this book offers a glimpse into another world for the children. Both share a love of the actual plants/flowers/gardens Monet painted, the artist, the paintings and after planning their trip together we in turn share their gentle journey as they go see the L'Orangrie/Paris and head to the gardens. Since I've had the pleasure of those places and share the love of Monet...it's a book that I share every spring with my classes. I choose to teach Monet in the spring when "what so soon will wake and grow , utterly unlike the snow" thoughts crowd my imagination. I am fortunate in that we have a TV and I bought a DVD player to share the DVD of this book.(among other things) The DVD's as good if not better than the book. I have a pop out book of his garden and a book from a Monet Retrospective I went to in New York in my teens to supplement the images and students seem as captivated as the rest of us in these experiments in light. The notion of a "series", of the way light, time, weather affect the same image are very fascinating things for my students.Then we paint. Of course I embed this in my talking of Paris, reading Madeline, trying to teach a bit of the French, and our sharing baguettes, cheese, Napoleons and a petit four or two. My first grade enjoys my attempts at cultural contexts and bringing into their lives a notion of great artists. I can confess here on this site, I suppose, that it's heady stuff to bring Monet, Picasso and the world of art to students.First grade allows you the kind of "you heard it here first" honor. I'm all the more brilliant in their eyes for it. Of course it connects them to much larger contexts and from time to time these are revealed in the year when my class screams out "Monet" at an assembly or "Beethoven, "Ode to Joy" "or somehow lets the school collective know we are up to something in room 10. And that something includes learning about a little girl that ventures to a hotel with her neighbor and picnics on the grounds of Monet's gardens and sees for herself the beauty of his creation from the world of nature. Now that's a sweet confession to share with Amazon readers. Choose this book for a child, you'll be glad you did.