Studios Books

I would have to agree with another reviewer, the art is definitley amazing. It almost makes the entire manga worth it, alone. That was one of the main reasons I bought this manga, because I flipped through it and was immediatley drawn to the beautiful illustrations.
The main character is different than most manga's. She's not set out to change the world or doesn't change anyone at all. In fact she's pretty lazy and is always being scolded. At first I had to admit I didn't like her, but then she grew on me, she has her own sort-of charm.
Another thing that sets it apart from a lot of manga is it isn't all about romance, it has a mysterious plot.
After reading the first, I bought the second and am patiently waiting for the third. I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates wonderful art or shoujos, or are simply looking for a good read.

This has a good story line so far. I am looking foward to volume 2. The girl cracks me up with her antics in trying to get a prince so she doesn't have to do anymore house work for this rich lady. So I would recommend reading it. So please help support the book so more volumes will be published. I very curious to know what happened to the girls family.

With Volume 3 due out in October of 2007 for us Americans, I simply cannot wait to read on! Hee-Eun Kim has become my favorite manga-ka. From the most minor detail of lace on a maid's dress to her sweeping two-page portraits of the three princes, the whole tale is just exquisite.

Sei-Ann is living at the palace with the three princes, all of whom I adore as each prince has his own issues. There is a mystery story told in this second volume, about Sei-Ann's past, but that sort of takes a back seat in my mind to the antics of the palace, waiting on princes, and even cross-dressing lovers.

Again, I cannot wait for the 3rd installment. This is WELL worth your time.

I loved Liberty Meadows when it was a daily newspaper strip, and while i still enjoy it in its current incarnation as a bimonthly comic book, it is just not the same. Big Book of Love is a great trip down memory lane for me. A combination of funny material and a sympathetic "hero" in a hidden love with a dream girl make for fun reading and can be related to.

Before its voluntary departure from the Washington Post, "Liberty Meadows" had gained a loyal following that brought it back from possible cancellation more than once. Now this kooky strip and its bizarre characters are back in this book, "Liberty Meadows: Big Book of Love."

Welcome to Liberty Meadows, an animal preserve overseen by timid vet Frank and beautiful animal shrink Brandy. As Frank tries to muster the courage to ask Brandy out, the two of them also have to deal with the nutty animals there: a crazed Cow, Leslie the hypochondriac bullfrog, Ralph the tiny belligerant bear, Truman the water-fearing duck, and Dean the chauvinist pig in rehab.

This loony crew tries to deal with dates (where Brandy's crazed ex tries to kill Frank), the evil catfish Khan, camping trips with psychedelic mushrooms, falls into mine shafts, severed noses, truck-sized ticks, the insane stalker Cow kidnapping a celebrity and -- worst of all -- Dean's trip through the land of Cold Turkey.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a weirder comic strip than Liberty Meadows. Frank Cho combines the realistic drawing style (Frank and Brandy) with more traditional cartoon styles (the animals, and supporting humans like the handyman). Filled with wry pokes at pop culture and political correctness, it's refreshing and amusing in a sea of stale comics.

What sets this apart from "Liberty Meadows: Eden"? Despite the fact that the comics included are the same, there are also full-color Sunday strips. Not to mention a funny "framing" story: on the 100th anniversary of the Liberty Meadows sanctuary, a reporter is interviewing Ralph and Leslie (much older, but as crazed as ever).

If you weren't lucky enough to read "Liberty Meadows" during its stint in the papers, check out "Liberty Meadows: Big Book of Love." Silly, weird, bizarre, and immensely entertaining, this is definitely worth a read.

Frank Cho is a great comic artist. His style juxtaposes the detail and realism of the old adventure comic strips with the simpler lines of the best funnies. His strips contain some raw humor inspired by the physical violence in Warner Bros. cartoons, pop culture references, and too many years in a fraternity. Watch out for the great dinosaurs and cameos by Tarzan and Prince Valium.

Even if you have Eden, his first book published by Image, you will also want to pick up this volume for its fantastic Sunday color strips. These strips must have been re-colored and look great.

The Golden Sleepy Book and I are the same age. My Mom read it to me when I was little and I read it to my two children at bedtime; so now, having just bought a copy for my two-year-old grandson, I read it again to myself and relived some very precious memories. My mother always called me "Bunny No Good" after the bunny who saved the day in one of Margaret Wise Brown's lovely stories. I was a thoughtful, dreamy child just like Bunny No Good, who had to withstand comparison to the industrious and energetic Bunny Bun Bun (my sister). Children, even those we think of in this day and age as being too sophisticated for Golden Book stories, will surprise you with how quietly they will listen to and absorb every word of the deceptively simple and entertaining stories that actually instruct them on many levels. Margaret Wise Brown was a master at creating these stories - and the Golden Sleepy Book is a shining example of her mastery.

This is a reprint of a book first published in 1948. It is a collection of bedtime stories to read to very young children. It has large, full-color illustrations by Garth Williams, a well known illustrator of children's books. I gave the book to a very young daughter of a friend for Christmas, and the child was entranced by the illustrations and stories.

I am so excited that this book has been reissued! I used to read this book at bedtime to my 2 oldest children when they were preschoolers and it was bedtime magic. Its a soothing collection of short stories and poems best read in a soft, whispering voice that never failed to put my children to sleep. Now I have another preschooler at home, but my older children's copy of this book is long gone. I've watched used book sales for several years now, trying to find another copy so that my youngest can enjoy it. I was thrilled to find the new edition available on Amazon tonight! After my youngest out grows it, this copy will be tucked away for future grandchildren.

I bought this book for my 10 year old daughter & she loves it. Fast shipping - so we didn't have to wait to long.

My nine-year-old daughter loves this book, but I just want people to be aware that this book is a "specially adapted version by Lucia Monfried." It has 238 pages of fairly large type with illustrations added. I just saw that another version of the book (most likely the original) has 464 pages! Just wanted you to be aware and purchase the book that's right for you.

Louisa May Alcott wrote many books, but "Little Women" retains a special place in the heart of American literature. Her warmly realistic stories, sense of comedy and tragedy, and insights into human nature make the romance, humor and sweet stories of "Little Women" come alive.

The four March girls -- practical Meg, rambunctious Jo, sweet Beth and childish artist Amy -- live in genteel poverty with their mother Marmee; their father is away in the Civil War. Despite having little money, the girls keep their spirits up with writing, gardening, homemade plays, and the occasional romp with wealthier pals. Their pal, "poor little rich boy" Laurie, joins in and becomes their adoptive brother, as the girls deal with Meg's first romance, Beth's life-threatening illness, and fears for their father's safety.

The second half of the book opens with Meg's wedding (if not to the man of her dreams, then to the man she loves). Things rapidly go awry after the wedding, when Laurie admits his true feelings to Jo -- only to be rejected. Distraught, he leaves; Amy also leaves on a trip to Europe with a picky old relative. Despite the deterioration of Beth's health, Jo makes her way into a job as a governess, seeking to put her treasured writing into print -- and finds her destiny as well.

There's a clearly autobiographical tone to "Little Women." Not surprising -- the March girls really are like the girls next door. Alcott wrote them with flaws and strengths, and their misadventures -- like Amy's embarrassing problem with her huge lobster -- have the feeling of authenticity. How much of it is real? A passage late in the book portrays Alcott -- in the form of Jo -- "scribbling" down the book itself, and getting it published because it feels so real and true.

Sure, usually classics are hard to read. But "Little Women" is mainly daunting because of its length; the actual stories flow nicely and smoothly. Don't think it's just a book for teenage girls, either -- adults and boys can appreciate it as well. There's something for everyone: drama, romance, humor, sad and happy endings alike.

Alcott's writing itself is nicely detailed. While certain items are no longer in common use (what IS a charabanc anyway?), Alcott's stories themselves seem very fresh and could easily be seen in a modern home. And as nauseating as "heartwarming" stories sometimes are, these definitely qualify. Sometimes, especially in the beginning, Alcott is a bit too preachy and hamhanded. But her touch becomes defter as she writes on.

Jo is the quintessential tomboy, and the best character in the book: rough, gawky, fun-loving, impulsive, with a love of literature and a mouth that is slightly too big. Meg's love of luxury adds a flaw to the "perfect little homemaker" image, and Beth just avoids being shown as too saintly. Amy is an annoying little brat throughout much of the first half of the book, but by her teens she's almost as good as Jo.

"Little Women" is one of those rare classic novels that is still relevant, funny, fresh and heartbreaking today. Louisa May Alcott's best-known novel is a magnificent achievement.

This is another of those really wonderful books on quilt art that is full of inspiration. I want to warn you that there is not much in the way of teaching in this book, but if you have done sewing of any kind and love to embellish and create, then this is another of those books to have in your library. Material Visions is just what it says it is, a gallery of small art quilts to be inspired by. The book showcases the art quilts of many artists from many disciplines, not just quilters. The book features several quilts for each artist, then tells a little of their history. At the end of each section it does give some tips for quilting and embellishing, so this book is not a teaching book in that sense. That said, this is still a MUST HAVE book for your fiber art library, and for a great deal of inspiration.

I found this book to be a wonderful source of ideas for design and technique. The mini quilts were very well photographed and I found the write-ups to be helpful and informative. As a fiber artist, I no longer want patterns or "projects", I just want inspiration. Perfect!

This is really a beautiful book by those publishers of Somerset Studio (and other magazines). Lots of excellent photos and closeups of art quilts to inspire you to make your own. Okay, okay, just because I AM one of the featured artists in the book (page 44-51), I really do recommend this book for those who enjoy stitching.

I was given a copy of the game by one of the designers, and brought it home and taught it to my boyfriend's kids (ages 5 and 10) that night. They LOVED it. Now every time they come over they want to play "The Spaceship/Rocket Game". It was easy for them to learn and the strategy to win keeps them interested. The fast pace makes it great for adults too, trying to keep your launch on schedule and get to the hub the fastest.

Great game! Very fast to learn. Kids love the idea of political intregue and fast play. You never know who will win till the last card is played. Everyone has a chance.

I like it because the concept is interesting: get your space station modules into orbit and locked on to the hub. Don't suffer booster failure, or loose your launch window.

The graphics are beautiful and very well done, which gives it a more real-world feel to it than other games.

I specially like that it's very easy to teach and learn, so it's easy to get new or younger players involved. The rules are simple and clear.

The rules also make for a fast paced game with many twists and turns. You really have to be on your toes and think on your feet.

Very nice! The Schwartz/Toman team came up with another winner!

Kylie Kwong was born into one of Australia's oldest Chinese families. She is a 29th generation Kwong, and a 4th generation Australian-Chinese. Kylie is known to many Australians through her wonderful television series, as the proprietor of the Billy Kwong restaurant in Sydney and through her magnificent books.

`My China' is the fourth of Kylie's books, and invites the reader to travel with her as she rediscovers her Chinese heritage and explores the history, culture and cuisine of China and Tibet. This book contains magnificent photographs of places, people and food. The book is also a travelogue containing recipes specific to particular regions. There is a map, as well, so the reader can see where these places are.

The recipes themselves are easy to follow, clearly explained and are accompanied by delicious photographs. Ms Kwong provides serving numbers based of shared meals (ie a recipe will serve 4 to 6 as part of a shared meal) thus enabling someone to plan how many dishes they might wish to prepare based on the number of guests and type of gathering. I particularly like her section on ingredients, and found the paragraph on the relative uses of different soy sauces especially helpful.

In summary, `My China' is a delightful addition to the home library for anyone who enjoys Chinese cuisine. Those interested in Chinese culture and history will also enjoy this book. The photographs are simply stunning.

Highly recommended.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I have all of Kylie Kwong's books and they are all great but this is her best so far. The stories add to the book but the real stars are the recipes. I've only tried a few so far, but there are so many already on my do list. There is a fabulous rare beef with Ginger sauce which got rave reviews from the family. Last night we tried the Hot and Smoky chicken with Ginger and Chilli - YUM. We do have an industrial strength wok burner which probably helped with the smokiness, but it was very good on all levels. I am a bit of a cookbook collector (500 or thereabouts)and I have a shortlist of books I think are really excellent. This one has already made it to that list - I knew from the moment I opened it!

Having lived in southern China for nearly 3 years, our family had nearly given up on finding authentic Chinese cuisine here in upstate NY. Thankfully, there is this wonderful book. Our daughter made us a holiday feast (including dumplings, yum!) from a few familiar recipes found here and we were almost back in Xiamen! Outstanding photos, stories, and great recipes. If you've ever lived in China, this is for you. If you've ever wanted to visit or live in China, this is for you, too! Try some of these meals and you will understand what real Chinese food is about.

In this richly-detailed, fascinating, inside look at the film industry, Jake Eberts (A River Runs Through It", "Dances- With- Wolves") emerges as the quintessential producer. It details the foundation for his future successes while providing the most detailed account available anywhere of the real machinations of film-financing and development through the eyes of one of the industry's best executive producers.

In this richly-detailed, fascinating, inside look at the film industry, Jake Eberts (A River Runs Through It", "Dances- With- Wolves") emerges as the quintessential producer. It details the foundation for his future successes while providing the most detailed account available anywhere of the real machinations of film-financing and development through the eyes of one of the industry's best executive producers.

This is an excellent and extremely detailed account of an intriguing episode in motion picture history. This is also a great book if you're in the motion picture business or getting into it and are interested in the politics of the industry.

This book is very adorable and follows the movie well. If you like the movie you will like the book.

This book contains the entire storyline of the movie in both text and illustration and hits all the key events with perfect focus. The 'illustrations' are taken directly from the movie but are very crisp and high quality - not like some books that have poor quality movie stills. Our kids love this movie, have a home made soot-sprite mobile in their bedroom, and are crazy about this book. This is a really nice quality hard cover book and is much better than the comic book version in my opinion. Price is very cheap for what you get.

The book pretty much follows the story of the movie and is full of movie photos. It's a bit long for a childs book, but my kid loves it and we read it every night.

So if you're kids love the movie and want to see it over and over again, buy and read them the book instead.

My fascination for Ismail Merchant started when I read an article on him couple of years ago. Since then, my interest in reading about the man and his journey has been immense. Finally I found the right book.

It has the makings of a classic book - Its entertaining, informative, uncomplicated and is about the journey of a man whose dreams came true. I couldn't stop laughing when he mentions about the many incidents and decisions he made. I admire the common sense, persuasive skills and fearlessness of the man. I highly recommend it.

Mr. Merchant is an excellent story teller. If you are looking for light, entertaining read, this book is a good investment. If you expect this book will introduce you to Ismail Merchant, it will not. It will introduce you to Ismail Merchant the producer and director of off-beat films who, with indefatigable zeal for film making, has earned the right to be included in the list of international film makers. An enterprising individual who is a self-made entrepreneur.

A more accurate title would be: An Indian film maker's passage from India. Because there is little that Merchant discloses about himself or even his trade. Living and interacting in a world of glamor and beauties, Merchant is mum about his emotions. If such a lively individual has a romantic side, the book discloses nothing. Except his childhood "innocent" infatuation with India's popular actress Nimmi in the fifties, Merchant displays or at least discloses no other "infatuation." Apparently, he never married. Despite starting his feature film career with the Householder (1962), Merchant never discloses why he himself did not decide to be a householder himself. There is an underlying shyness or uncomfortableness in revealing himself to the reader. Or being so deft and intelligent Merchant is saving his real autobiography for another time. In this book all we are allowed is a glimpse of Merchant the enterprising film producer and his incredible journey..

Unlike many Merchant-Ivory early art films, Merchant's book is entertaining and written in a vivid, uncomplicated style. If like me you are familiar with the terrain (India) and time (60s the pre-inflation golden age of India), Merchant can transport you back to those giddy times. With a touch of a maestro, he brings vivid recollections of the golden age of Indian cinema of which the West knows very little. He weaves exotic connections between India's art directors (Satyajit Ray and himself), Bombay film world and Hollywood. Surprisingly, except for Bombay Talkie and a documentary, his interactions with Bombay are very limited.. It was Bombay that triggered his love of the cinema.

Do not expect to get philosophical definitions of anything from this versatile man. He sets out to make films on Indian themes. Yet, what is "Indianness" is never commented upon let alone any attempts toward defining. Ironically, Merchant's first feature film (Householder) meets with limited success in New York, not because of any unique "Indianness" but because of universal human qualities and situations it depicts: An intrusive mother-in-law, compliant Son, a stubborn, independent daughter-in-.law and falling in love all over with spouse in her absence. Indians are not that different after all!

Many readers will not pay much attention let alone be bothered. What did bother me was the apolitical nature of Mr. Merchant. With the exception of his boyhood partition memories, no political events on any continent, including those that effect him are mentioned. Maybe art films can be separated from politics. But why is his book so apolitical is beyond me. Ironically, to this day Mr. Merchant is harassed by the corruption that pervades India's governments. Still he has very little to say about politics and its effects on people. When Utpal Dutt (actor with a leading role in his film The Guru) is arrested, Merchant approaches the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. With some manuevering Dutt is conditionally released by the West Bengal communist government. The film is made. Merchant, however, does not question the arrest. Individual rights, rule of law, abuse of government powers are never mentioned let alone questioned. (No mention of Nehru's death or Indira Gandhi's murder. No mention of the deteriorating conditions in India-- the mismanagement of public resources and the duping of the public, mobsters , the Hindu-Muslim riots taking of innocent life--all the unpleasant realities of India are meticulously avoided. Maybe it is bad marketing to expose the underbelly of India.

Yet Merchant is exposed to this underbelly in his own account while filming the Courtesans of Bombay, in the red light district of Bombay. He, first hand, encounters the exploitation of woman by hands of criminals. He witnesses switchblade fights but does nothing to expose the sad plight of the dancing women. The dance of life must go on. That the government has failed is not obvious to Merchant (I told you he was very apolitical) Is there honor in receiving the Padma Bhushan from such a failed establishment?

Okay, when it comes to socio-political realities, Mr. Merchant is neither a Charles Dickens or Mark Twain. What Merchant lacks in political depth he makes up in an effusive sense of humor which can compete with either Dickens or Twain. My Passage From India, is a great, true short story that will enthrall, in particular people familiar with the terrain and time. There is a joke or a quip embedded in every page. Like all great men Mr. Merchant undoubtedly has a great sense of humor, passion for life which, of course, includes food . I can go on and on (like Aan, Nimmi's great Hindi film which made an impression on young Merchant and goaded him to follow his calling.) But in deference to short artistic film I must stop.

I do not know Mr. Merchant personally nor am I connected in any way with Merchant-Ivory company. Nor am I am being paid to write this. Therefore, my advice is unbiased. Go ahead and buy My Passage From India Especially those who love Indian literature in English. As with the legendary Merchant cuisine (I trust his judgment on that) this book shall not disappoint.

My fascination for Ismail Merchant started when I read an article on him couple of years ago. Since then, my interest in reading about the man and his journey has been immense. Finally I found the right book.

It has the makings of a classic book - Its entertaining, informative, uncomplicated and is about the journey of a man whose dreams came true. I couldn't stop laughing when he mentions about the many incidents and decisions he made. I admire the common sense, persuasive skills and fearlessness of the man. I highly recommend it.