Children's Books

I have a number of Ramona CD's so thought I'd venture out into Henry Huggins. As much as I love Ramona, this Henry CD is the best, due in part to the voice of Neil Patrick Harris. My son loves to listen to a CD every night before going to bed, and he requests this one more often than any other. It's amazing to think that Beverly Cleary's book, written 50 years ago, can still appeal to youngsters today. It's timeless. Thank you Beverly Cleary!

I started reading the Henry Huggins books to my son when he was 5 years old. We read a chapter every night and my husband would come in to see what was going on because we were laughing so much! When Henry's mom gave him a home haircut, we cried we laughed so hard. My son is now 22 years old, and he still has his Henry Huggins books. He is saving them for when he has children of his own. I highly recommed these books and anything by Beverly Cleary. Reading with your children is such a joy and these books bring back the wonderful memories that my son and I made while hanging out with Henry and Ribsy.

I read this book when I was a child and I truly enjoyed it. I am now home schooling my son and we are going to read the entire series together. I think that any child from the age of 7-12 would enjoy this series. Especially little boys. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Happy reading. Carol Salyer from the great state of Tennessee....

Henry Huggins is a boy that lives with his mom and dad in a house on a street called Klickitat Street.Henry is a ordinary boy that nothing excited ever happens to him except when he was 6 years old he broke his arm by falling out of the cherry tree. When Henry goes downtown to swim at the Y.M.C.A he finds a dog thta he wants to keep and then his life changes when he has that dog as his pet. He relizes how pet are important and hard to takt care of.He needs full responsibilities to take care of his dog named Ribsy.

Henry Huggins wasn't the best book that I have ever read, but I did enjoy it. One of my favorite parts is when Ribsy, Henry's dog, rolled in the mud right before the dog show. Henry saw another boy putting white powder on his dog to make him look whiter, so he tried it also. He was surprised that the powder was not white, but PINK! Since Ribsy was wet from the mud, Henry could not rub the powder off of him, so he decided to cover him completely in pink. At the end of this chapter Ribsy won a silver cup for being the most unusual dog at the show.
I would read Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary again, and I think that boys would like it even better.

(Note from mom: I read chapter one aloud to my first grade daughter whom decided to read the rest to herself. This is a good read for a child who is ready to go beyond simple chapter books, but is not yet ready for something too long and thick.)

With hearts and eyes focused on God's plan for them, Christy and Todd endured much: separation,decisions to give up plans and dreams and wait for God's plan.Heartbrek, tears, but always trying to seek and abide in God's will. Christy returned Todd's "Forever" bracelet, knew she wouldn't see him again;released Todd to follow what he felt was God's call on his life.
In her beautiful and tender words,Robin Jones Gunn brought the story of God's love and fulfillment to Todd and Christy's hopes and dreams.

A story of friendship, hope, love, trust and fiath. don't miss it!

This one is so sweet! I LOVE the Christy and Sierra series, they're my favorite! I could read until my eyes fall out. I cried over this one, and because it was the last Christy book. Robin Jones MUST write more! There needs to be more, we need to know about the box of letters, the honeymoon, whether they had kids, and whether or not Aunt Marti surrendered her life to Jesus! We need more! Keep on writing Robin Jones! And this one was so sweet, Christy and Todd are so perfect for each other. Their wedding sounded so beautiful. This one especially made me want to hold out for a hero like Todd.

The book I Promise by Robin Jones Gunn was published by the Bethany House Publishers in 2001. There are 285 pages and it is a fiction book. In those 285 pages you'll read through happy moments, sad moments, love, disaster and matrimony.

In I Promise, Christy Miller and Todd Spencer are nearing the point of wanting to permanently dedicate themselves to each other. A wedding proposal leads them on their way to a long road of ups and downs of planning a wedding. Throughout, their differences clash making you wonder, will they make it down the aisle to promise themselves to each other forever? This story is told in 3rd person omniscient and is set in Escondido, California. Many changes will take place with some tragedy, but that's for you to find out.

While reading I Promise I came to find that I really liked this book. There were happy moments that made you feel warm inside, funny moments, and even some that make you want to cry. I loved how it would incorporate every girls' dream of the perfect guy (Todd), and also having the cutest things happen between them that make you want it someday too. The way this story is written with such incredible descriptions makes you want know what they feel. Even though this story doesn't relate to me now, I hope someday it will because this has exactly what I want for me one day.

I thought this was an excellent book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good love story that puts your imagination to work.

I was very happy with the shipping time and condition of the book. It actually arrived before the date given to me, so I was very pleased. I would definitely buy again.

Ever since I began to read Christy, from where it all began in Newport Beach, from under the trellis, I've become addicted to these series. These books are very special to me. Christy has become a part of me, and I hold the books in my heart. I love these books so much.
In this book, Christy and Todd try to plan their wedding, and they try (and succeed!) to get over their differences in order to become a couple. They go through ups and downs, highs and lows, in order to get to say their promises to each other for the rest of their lives.
Their wedding is beautiful, sweet, and romantic. It paints a stunning picture, and you can just imagine it, and want to be there. I cried quite a bit at the end from the beauty of the wedding, and Christy and Todd's romance, and because this was the last Christy book. I feel as if I lost a friend. And there are so many unanswered questions! Like, does Marti become a Christian? How does Todd react to the box of letters? How does their honeymoon go? What about them having kids? RJB, please write more Christy.
I loved the book and all, but I felt as if the very very last part could be better, and a little more romantic. Everything is all beautiful, but it ends with "It is my privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Todd Spencer" It's sweet and all, but you want it to be a little more romantic.
I'll miss you dearly Christy, but I know you'll always be tucked into a little corner of my heart. Forever and ever.

Jamie Lee is very clever with her wordings and rhymes. The illustrations are very eye-catching. Always looking for a new way to challenge and stimulate children's minds....this is it!

Jamie Lee Curtis, Is There Really a Human Race? (Joanna Cotler Books, 2006)

Man, this book started off so well. Of its thirty-two pages, fully twenty-six of them are great stuff. Playing on the multiple meanings of the word "race", Curtis asks all sorts of amusing questions about humanity. While it does get a tad overbearing at times with the moralizing ("If the race is unfair, will I succeed?" comes flying out of nowhere, for example), it's quick, funny, and wonderfully illustrated by Laura Cornell. Unfortunately, then come the last six pages, where Curtis tosses away the metaphor and dives straight into the moralizing. Show Don't Tell is gasping by the wayside, obviously not having the lung capacity to finish. Sense of Subtlety got knocked over the head by an unscrupulous racer and is lying in the gutter, quietly sobbing. Not Talking Down to Kids lost his jockey and bolted for the track bar. Moralizing and Sanctimoniousness hit the wire in a dead heat.

Still, the first bit's worth it. **

I love reading this book to my son. It not only gets him thinking about the human race, but me as well. Jamie Lee Curtis did a fantastic job with this one.

This is a lovely little book for both children and adults alike. Three weeks before christmas I picked it up in the bookstore and couldn't put it down. I bought that copy right there then went home and bought ten more off Amazon and sent them to all my close friends for Christmas. For me it ranks right up there with the Lorax by Dr. Suess as a children's story with heart and wisdom. Read it to your children, read it for yourself.

While I don't usually review picture books, I highly recommend this charming book for adults who need to be reminded to slow down. I bought a copy to purchase for a youngster -- but was so moved by the message that I plan to keep it myself and will have to buy another. Curtis's important message is sure to strike a chord with over-scheduled adults who happen to be reading the book aloud to children. Cornell's whimsical illustrations (I loved the girl who's got the biggest hair "without product") make you pause for a closer look as you follow the text, which is exactly what a good picture book should do. This book makes a great gift for anyone -- regardless of age. -- Cindy La Ferle [...]

A good book on an important subject-worth picking up. The illustrations are superbly done.

I teach 5th grade...in NC. Keith Odom, the author ANDillustrator of MERVIN THE PURPLE SCHMOO is my cousin...I would lovethe book if I was not related. The story is sweet and the artwork is beautiful. I read it to my students and then they wanted to re-read it individually. (I can't read it with the expression Keith can.) My co-workers love the book too and want personal copies AND copies for their classrooms. Keith is a very talented person and a fine author/illustrator. I am completing my 27th year of Elementary School teaching and I've never seen such a good book. MERVIN and KEITH are great...Keep it up Keith.

My girlfriend has been trying to get me to read the Bible. I told her it was to long so she borrowed the book about the schmoo from her sister and asked me was this one to long. I thought she was just being sarcastic because it's a kid book. At least I thought it was when I started reading it. I'm 22 and I really enjoyed it. My girlfriend must have pretty good taste in books. I might start the Bible now. I can trust her not to have me read stuff that will be a waste of time.

Read MERVIN at my Sister's house yesterday. She had recently purchased one from the author at a local book signing. She said Mr. Odom was a joy to talk to. She, my nephew, and I are all mezmorized by the story and the pictures. Mr. Odom had enclosed a book mark with your address on it to write a review. I don't really know how to write a review but his book is G-R-E-A-T. My sister said he's almost finished with a sequel. We can't wait to get one. Make that two. Hope he has another local signing. I'll be there and I'll bring some friends with children. There are none at my house unless you count ME.

I bought a copy of Mervin the Purple Three-Toed Schmoo at abook signing last week. It was intended for my 8 year old Grandson,who I haven't seen since, so he may never get this book because I love it so much. Mr. Odom was very personable and is obviously a brilliant writer as well as artist. He told me he was almost finished with his second book. He promised that the second would be better, especially artistically, than Mervin because he had been a little "rusty" doing the artwork for the first book. I can't conceive of anything surpassing Mervin. I can hardly wait to get a copy of the second book.

The theme of this book - that we are truly happiest when we give away that which we value most in order to help others, and that we get back what we give away ten times over - touches me each time I read this!

This is an adorable book that is a must for every little girl. It is my daughter's favorite. We have given it as a gift several times. The story is so personal and beautiful. We love to give voices to all the people which makes it even more real. The story is so lovely and the ending is a delight that makes us smile and cry with joy everytime we read it. A perfect story. Thank you!

My granddaughter loved the story and especially following it up with the reuseable stickers and storyboard. She still talks about Miss Fanny every time she puts on a hat for dress-ups.

My grandkids love this book. It teaches the spirit of giving.

this is a sweet story but more religious than I feel comfortable with for a public school audience

This cleverly written concept (counting and poetry) book combined with the most beautiful illustrations makes this a must have for any home library. Before they can even read, children will enjoy have this story read to them while they look at the vivid pictures and try to count all the bugs to match the story. Opportunities to increase vocabulary are bountiful with the creative and broad use of vocabulary within the rhyming plot. The ending shows a great character building lesson to get to know someone before making a judgement. Just perfect!

Very cute story. I bought my niece the Fisher-Price tea party set and bought this book to go with it. The story is short but the pictures are adorable and very colorful. I would recommend this book. My niece is 1 1/2, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone over 3.

We've been reading this to our little guy since he was three months old, if even that, and he was glued to it from the start, easily his favorite book, still, at nearly 13 months. Great color, great rhythm, and lots of fun bugs! :)

The "Miss Spider" books are pretty easy reads. Nice stories, wonderfully bright, and imaginatively styled illustrations!

My 3 year old is a little concerned with spiders in general and I think by giving a sweet personality to a spider, it helps to take the edge off of the spiders we may find in the house and in nature.

The artwork in this book will keep any child interested. It took my daughter a few reads to get into the story and she still prefers Miss Spider's New Car, but we read this book often.

I have looked for this wonderful book for over 20 years. I wanted to read it to my children when they were younger. I will have to read it to my future grandchildren. I remember sitting on my mothers lap as she read this book to me and my little brothers. She would sometimes try to skip a page to get us to bed a little earlier but, we always would correct her because we all had it memorized. I can't wait to have it in my library.

"Miss Twiggley's Tree" is an adorable story. It's opened my child's mind to the idea of living in a tree with animal friends. It's also a sweet story about not judging people by their covers. It's become a family favorite and I've given copies to friends. The illustrations are fun.

This is a classic children's book. It was a well worn favorite of mine when I was a child and now enjoy it with my great neice! I have been told that my generosity and love to entertain resembles that of Miss Twiggley, so it must have made a great impression! The pictures keep the chilren's attention and allows for lots of interaction. The story flows easily with its sing-song rhythm. I can assure you if this is on your children's bookshelf it won't go untouched!

This is a book that I remembered from my childhood, and it was one of my favorites!!!! My parents had given away the book and have wanted to find it for years. I am so happy to have found and purchased this book again so I can share what a great book it is with my two daughters. I even bought 3 copies (one for me and one for each of my daughters). They love the book as much as I did at their age!!! :-)

This was one of the books I read over and over as a child. I loved the story of Miss Twiggley and her friends, the bears. She was different and shy. That was wrong, according to the towns people. Yet, when the storms came, she found the courage to do what was right and forgive. I learned lessons from this story that I still remember as an adult. There is something wonderfully unique about each person you meet. You just have to take the time to find it.

I am an avid cyclist and have ridden across the US. Many chapters were excellent and the book is full of quotable quotes. The book is a little uneven in the level of interest it generates from one chapter to the next and I could have done with less of the Metal Cowboy's political views. Overall, I would recommend it to friends and family.

This book is about cycling, raising kids, and finding out after you're an adult that there is more growing up to do--things I've done recently.
I laughed harder and cried harder. I wanted badly to hop on my bike and ride off into the night--but I couldn't put the book down long enough to get on my bike.
Most importantly, after reading this, you will learn the answer to the question: What bike would Jesus ride?

If you are not familiar with the Metal Cowboy, I encourage you to read this book. If you're tired of all the negativity the daily news lays in your lap, then read "Momentum..." to reinforce your belief in the goodness of most people and the joy they can bring into your life.

The Metal Cowboy and his posse of two (his very young sons) ride their bicycles across the country seeing important national sites such as the world's largest ball of twine; and, more importantly, meeting and introducing you to real characters who will make you smile at the things they do and say, and who will renew your faith in America and her people. Two people I met in the book, Stacy and Benny, helped me close a tragic chapter in my life with a smile instead of a tear. And two others, Joe's young sons, renewed my faith in the future of our country.

I recommend you visit the Metal Cowboy on the Internet. He's every bit as fascinating as the real people he introduces you to in his books. And if you're looking for adventure, travel, interesting characters (who are real people), and good writing read this book.

This is easily one of the best books I have read in years. As the father of two young boys, I am amazed that Joe even entertained the idea of riding cross country with his sons, much less actually doing it.

One of the few books that have actually made me laugh out loud. Momentum is Your Friend is typically catagorized under the "Sports" section but would be just as comfortable resting in the "Humor", "Travel", "Self-help", or "Parenting" sections. If you are a parent, cyclist, adventurer, or just somebody looking for some great writing, you will love this book!!!!!

Young father pedals across America with his two sons. It sounds grueling. It was, but the way Joe writes, we get to experience both the exhaustion and the pleasures of the ride. With his 250 pounds of "dead weight" in back, he goes up and over mountains, and battles winds and storms, and manages to keep his sense of humor.

His parenting from the front of the caravan (Joe pedaling in front, kid sort of pedaling behind him, kid riding in trailer) makes me wish I'd read this much earlier in my life.

He's a great writer with a fascinating topic.

Martha Stout goes into case studies of patients who had a lot of dissociation, but this book also applies to everyone. We all dissociate, it can be simple as going to the movies and getting engrossed in the movie without realizing that 2 hours have flew by. It can also be subtle, like when someone has selective hearing. Stout offers advice and ideas on how to integrate the dissociated parts of ourselves. This is one book of a few that will help you grow!

This book was recommended to me, and I have never heard of dissociative states until I read this book. It is indeed an eye-opener for me.

"The Myth of Sanity" is one of the best analysis on dissociated mental states, forgotten memories of childhood or adult trauma, and multiple personality disorders. She brings the tales of dissociated states or multiple personality from her patients and her experiences with them, and how these states are often common in everyday life. This book is truly inspiring and an eye-opener.

In Stout's words, a dissociation is "the universal human reaction to extreme fear or pain...in traumatic situations, [it] mercifully allows us to disconnect emotional content - the feeling part of our 'selves' - from our conscious awareness" (p. 8). This term is important for everyone as it should be applied to our understanding of being self-aware, of being self-conscious. Self-awareness is extremely important because, without it, we would not have known ourselves to exist or having a sense of self-identity. It is part of who we are. When we are in a dissociated state, our self-awareness had left our bodies and is elsewhere, and our bodies are either in trance or doing what they normally do. Much like a machine, now is it not?

To put it in another way as Stout pointed it out: "As the result of a daydream, this mental compartmentalization is called distraction. As the result of an involving movie, it is often called escape. As the result of trauma, physical or psychological, it is called a dissociative state" (p. 27). Whenever we are distracted, we are in a mildly dissociative state. Distraction and escape are quite familiar to everyone because they live these states almost constantly and every single day. When we are driving and thinking about something else while our automatic bodies do the driving, we are in a dissociative state. How is this so? Because our minds are away from our bodies and not focusing on the driving as we should have. We would forget our surroundings and our bodies' reactions to those surroundings. Whenever we are distracted, our minds are detached from our bodies' sensation to whatever object was touched. Has anyone ever noticed how they got the cut on their leg or arm and not having remembered where they have gotten it? This is one of the consequences of being in a dissociated state.

How would an understanding of "dissociation" from this book be helpful for the readers? It is a powerful understanding or clue for one to be engaged in a self-observation, which requires one to be fully conscious of one's being and one's surroundings. Distraction actually can hinder us to be engaged in self-observation or being self-conscious. We would lose ourselves, letting our sense of self be far away from our bodies. What if you are not in control of your bodies and your bodies are being influenced to do things that you yourself would never do? This brought us to the question of our minds being controlled or influenced without our being aware of it. But, this should not be a scary notion on the readers' mind. We do have a choice to make: to be or not to be.

Stout has given us the list of signs of dissociates states in ourselves in her book and we can identify which one we would fall under. And, these includes a brief phasing out, habitual dissociative reaction, a dissociation from feeling states, intrusion of dissociated ego state, demifugue, and fugue. These signs are extremely helpful to discover the clues about ourselves and compel us to be more aware of our actions and reactions in everyday life. In order to be self-observant, one would need to develop an observing ego, as suggested by the author in this book.

If we choose to do so, we can look at ourselves and find one or more of these signs in ourselves. Once we do find these dissociative states in ourselves, we can choose not to be associated with them and to keep our self-aware active. Stout's "Myth of Sanity" is a highly important study in one's need to be engaged in self-observation or being self-conscious. Increased self-observation will help one to become more self-conscious of one's surrounding and become more attentive to people's action as well as one's own. It also a great book for one to seek a personal growth or search for one's identity.

I would strongly recommended this book for the readers. It is one of the most treasures that one can ever ask for.

Very interesting read and very informative on how we all disassociate. Really shows we all need to learn about ourselves.

Her case studies I found very fascinating and Martha Stout has a very nice writing style that kept me interested to the end.

Martha stout has produced an essential piece of psychology that everyone should read. For those unfortunate enough to have experienced trauma in early childhood and have kept those events locked away in their subconscious many case studies are presented to assist in how to go about repairing the damage caused. Even if you have survived childhood relatively unscathed, it really highlights just how much of our time is spent in a dissasociative state and what we can do to wake up and take a far more proactive part in our life decisions.

As i try to write this review, it's as if i have to clean out my mind to focus so that what i want to express comes out clear and uninterrupted. You know what i talk about, right? That sea of different voices in our minds, and those behaviors of ours that sometimes shock us, those moments when we are so lost in our world that we did not notice how we drove, cooked, walked, lived the day, and many many more, are our little (and bigger) dissociation moments. And unless we are fully there ALL (the whole) of us in every moment, life slips by and we get to actually live only a portion of it. So read this excellent book, that Martha Stout so well put together, and thank her and her clients, for teaching us how to reclaim back our true Self.

Those who appreciate the work of Gurdjief and Mouravief (4th way teachings), you will see the practical aspect of the little i's theory in a down to earth way, in Stout's book.

*Keep It Short and Simple.

If you doubt that technical information can be short and simple, read this book. It was written for anyone old enough to read well, and especially designed for those who find technology intimidating. It not only provides comprehensive descriptions of the way hundreds of machines and devices work, but also gives explanations of the scientific principles behind each. The book makes liberal, effective use of graphic diagrams, and describes most of the machines and devices in 200 to 300 words on 1 or 2 pages.

This is a great book. It breaks down complicated concepts into simple principles that a child can understand. A good start for budding engineers.

This is a fabulous book! I like all of David Macaulay's books because they have so many details of how things are made. This is my favorite, though, because it answers questions about objects and technology for budding engineers and architects or just anyone who is curious! My son has loved his and I just bought one for my nephew.

My son (10) had borrowed the older edition from the library several times. So I got him this one for his birthday. He sneaks this book into his bed at night. If that's not an excellent testemony I don't know what is.

Informative and entertaining. I wonder how many engineers out there first got their interest in the way things work from this book.... In Fall 2008 Macaulay will have a new book out entitled "The Way We Work", which will explain the workings of the human body in similar fashion to this book. Can't wait!