Festivals Books

Benny's Pets is my two year old daughters favorite book. The vibrant pictures and well thought out rhyming allow us to enter Billionaire Benny's imaginary world. His rare and exotic animals explore far off lands. Mom and Dad will never grow bored of reading this book. One will try to master reading each verse to perfection stressing different words. My daughters favorite characters are Attila Gorilla, Zebra Dinah and Lilly the Filly. This book is fabulous for all ages and makes a wonderful gift.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

I love this book! It so imaginative and wonderful. Every child who sees it wants one for their very own. Very positive messages boost the child into believing in themselves. And the artwork? No words to describe the whimsical pictures, on every page. Thank you, Mr Whimsy!

Wow! What an awesome book! It is a breath of fresh air to find something so creative and witty! My daughter loves this book... she loves the animals, their names, the stickers, and the map! I love that it teaches her to be rich in imagination, just like Benny! Way to go Mr. Whimsy! Everyone should have a copy of this book!

The familiar text is augmented by brightly colored illustrations reminiscent of modern stained glass windows. This is an outstanding holiday book to add to collections in church and public libraries or for personal giving to Christians of any age.

The familiar text is augmented by brightly colored illustrations reminiscent of modern stained glass windows.This is an outstanding holiday book to add to collections in church and public libraries or for personal giving to Christians of any age.

The glorious stained-glass cathedral windows of England inspired Fiona French to create this wonderful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The words, directly from the book of Luke from the King James Bible, are brought to life with bright beautiful designs. Although the traditional words may be too advanced for very young readers, they will be drawn to the book for the illustrations. This concise version of the Nativity would be an asset for personal collections.

The familiar text is augmented by brightly colored illustrations reminiscent of modern stained glass windows.This is an outstanding holiday book to add to collections in church and public libraries or for personal giving to Christians of any age.

What kid doesn't like R.L. Stine? My boy read it a couple of times and will probably read it more. It's a hard cover - it'll last forever! Really happy with this purchase.

The perfect collection of scary stories. My grandson and I cuddle in a large chair with the lights turned down. I read each story with character voices which he loves. There's not a boring story in the bunch. We have a wonderful time.

I would also recommend Scary Stories: The complete 3-Book Collection by Alvin Schwartz.

This is a really good book. It gives you a full picture in your head about what each author is talking about. I recommend this book for you.

On the threshold of R.L. Stine's favorite holiday, Halloween, he's come out with a wonderful new book that is like a witches brew with multiple ingredients. The main ingredient in BEWARE is 'scary'. Added to the mix of scary stories, are some funny ones, tantalizing poems, a horror-comic, spooky illustrations, and like a cherry-on-top of an ice cream sundae, are R.L. Stine's intriguing introductions. I really liked reading an assortment of thrilling stories, R.L. Stine's favorites by different authors,the two he wrote himself, and two he retold. The scary ones definitely gave me chills. I now have a new appreciation for rats, ferris wheels, halloween costumes, elevators, witches, ghosts, and all kinds of creatures that can surface from one's imagination. Everyone will have their own favorites...Another cool thing are the spiders and cobwebs that trickle down each page while you read...This is a great book for both children and adults who like twists and thrills.

Beyond Peanut Butter & Jelly is a unique cookbook that is a necessity for any caregiver's library. Complete with kids' favorite recipes, crafts, theme party ideas and childcare tips INA has produced an attractive, high quality book. Making meals fun, creating crafty artwork and nurturing nanny tips contribute to this one of a kind cookbook.

If you have children this cookbook is a must have. The book is filled with recipes from nannies, and who knows children better then them. Along with being an excellant cookbook it is also filled with tips and ideas parents and caregivers will find very usefull.

There is a birthday party chapter, a craft chapter and a section for educaters, agencies, and nannies. Even if you're not a cook this is a wonderful resource to have. Need to know how to remove gum from hair or ink from clothing - see page 50.

This wonderful book also helps to support the International Nanny Association (INA). INA is a non-profit educational association for nannies and those who educate, place, employ, and support professional in-home child care providers.

THIS IS AN EXCITING BOOK FOR CHILDREN, THEIR PARENTS, THEIR CAREGIVERS AND THE DIRECTORS AND TEACHERS AT CHILDCARE CENTERS OR PRESCHOOLS. THERE ARE MANY KID FRIENDLY RECIPES, CREATIVE CRAFT IDEAS AND SOME VERY ORIGINAL PARTY THEMES. I HAVE GIVEN THIS BOOK TO SEVERAL FRIENDS KNOWING THAT THEY AND THEIR CHILDREN WOULD HAVE A LOT OF FUN WITH IT.

The recipes are great! My charges and I are having so much fun making the recipes!!! Today we made "Painted Cookies". Very creative!

SpongeBob finds a perfect way to celebrate Halloween. As usual, SpongeBob finds a way to amaze everyone, including the reader, and offer a funny, scary Halloween tale for us all to enjoy. My 6 yr old is a big SpongeBob fan, as is my 10 year old. They both have enjoyed this book over and over, even past the holiday.

My son LOVES this book. He had me read it to him several times in a row the first day then just about every night for weeks now. My son is at a level 2 reading & this is a good fit for him to read alone. Of course he still loves for me to read it to him.

I'm sharing this with my students. They will think it is great fun and will probably remember the cartoon.

Any kid will love this book. This book is so funny that you should not even think twice about buying it- it is a guaranteed hit! There is no doubt that you would not like this book.

I got a number of these books for my 4-year old nephew for his birthday, and he has absolutely loved reading them.

I purchased this book for my son (almost 4) and he loves it. He asks me to read this every night and also requested that I prepare the snacks from the book (they're actually healthy snacks and could help to influence picky eaters). This was a very good choice.

My son is 2 1/2 and love Blues Clues, so this book was a win. It is interactive: lifts & flaps, and searches for "blues clues." Very colorful and exciting for a young child.

Blue is having a snack party. All her friends are bringing snacks. We discover what each is by lifting flaps that show the ingredients and recipe with the finished dish underneath. These are healthy snacks made by Steve, Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, Mailbox, Tickety Tock, Shovel & Pail, and Magenta. In the meantime we help Steve solve Blue's Clues to discover what snack Blue will bring. A final picture of everyone with their snacks suggests the upcoming party will be festive indeed.

A nice addition to the Blue's books.

I really enjoyed this video. Having viewed the VHS performance "Rich At The Top", I eagerly awaited to view this version of West Side Story & Time Check. I wasn't disappointed.

What really got me was the solos by alto saxophonist, Andy Fusco. I had seen him with Buddy in the early eighties, "Live" in San Francisco and never really paid much attention to his blowing talents. Very impressive & imaginative on "Hookin' It" & Bob Mintzer's "Good News".

Steve Marcus gives his usual fluid sax solos. Check out his "note-slashing" solo on "Time Check" (although I've always considered Pat Labarbera's solos more fiery on this chart). The sax section really cooks on the soli!

Buddy is amazing on all charts (whether with brushes or sticks). Just effortlessly tearing those skins on all numbers. Great live performance with the usual strong brass section and admirable support from the bass and piano. I Highly Recommend this taped concert to any Buddy Rich Big Band fan.

If you like Buddy (who wouldn't) you have to see him in this video. He is at the prime of his career and he burns. My favorite part is the blinding fast single stroke roll that starts soft and low, and then builds to a feverish pace that only Buddy could acheive. Ive watched it 3 times since Christmas and I am in amazment every time. No wonder the audience gives him a standing "O" after every piece. They were witnessing a drum god at work!

The box say's "Buddy and his Band at the height of their popularity" This is a MUST see video for fans of Buddy and jazz. The sound on this is top notch and of course Buddy is at his best, he wouldn't allow any less. The highlight {if you can get any better than the best} has to be the extended solo in Buddy's signature piece "West Side Story " medly. Again the sound is right on, you can almost feel his intensity, and at the same time his grace.
This tape is flawless, almost 60 minutes of perfection
There is and was only one Buddy.

If you're a Buddy Rich fan, this video is a must-have. Not only do you get to witness his unbelieveable drumming, but there's a short episode of his temper as well. At the end of Bob Mintzer's "Good News", there is one short instant where the brass didn't quite play a note exactly together. Buddy smirks for a second, pauses before the last chord, and clearly says "what happened? ". He then cues the last chord, after which he continues to humiliate the trumpet section with more words and gestures. Aside from that distraction, the band is smokin' and the soloists (including saxists Andy Fusco, Walt Weiskopf, Steve Marcus) are especially strong.

This is a very nice pop up book with spooky illustrations. My children want it read to them over and over again. Definitely worth the money. However, my toddler has ripped the pop ups several times, probably better for kids over 3.

I love this Halloween pop-up book as well as the other "Bugs In a Box" books. If you don't know what to be for Halloween-buy this book. There are many spooky pop-ups, such as Dracubug, Frankenbug(shouldn't there be a glow-in-the-dark feature in this book?), and for the finale-there's a free surprise on the last page. I won't ruin the surprise for you, but when you get the prize, it will help you decide what to be for Halloween(you'll be able to look "buggy", too!).

My 14 month old loves this book. He is a big fan of other pop up books but these pop ups and moving flaps are creative & new made-up bugs, not the ordinary animals he sees in all his other books. We also like the "spooky" theme.

My 14 month old son loves the book. It has great pop ups and flaps of creative made up bugs. It's great to see funky bugs rather than the usual barn animals etc. The spooky theme is also fun and different.

This book is best for children with 2nd grade or above reading skills, in my opinion. The photographs are wonderful and the information provided is very detailed and helpful for gaining knowledge of this cultural event. A wonderful book!

This is an excellent book for children of all racial descents.
My granddaughter is part-Chinese and while we live in Hawaii rather than in San Francisco where the story takes place, we still follow many of the customs shown in the book. It's important for our children to learn about their cultures and traditions passed down through generations.

This has got to be my favorite books about the Chinese New Year! The book follows a young boy and his family as their prepare for the Chinese New Year. There is so much terrific information, it's simply amazing that the author was able to do this! The photographs are absolutely stunning! A must have book!

I purchased this book when my son's first grade teacher asked me to come and and talk to the class about the Chinese New Year. This book was perfect first of all because of its bright and bold color photos. By following a young Chinese boy living in San Francisco's Chinatown you learn how a typical contemporary Chinese family prepares for and celebrates the Chinese New Year. The topics include the special Chinese foods eaten on this day and their symbolism, paying respect to ancestors, Chinese calligraphic decorations, animals of the Chinese zodiac, and of course the lion dance and New Year parade. Children will be especially fascinated by all the splendid and exotic foods listed in the family's New Year's menu. This is a wonderful book to introduce children and adults alike to the traditions and customs of the Chinese New Year.

Carol Field's Celebrating Italy is as much an Italian cultural reference book as it is a cookbook. I loved reading through all the different holidays celebrated in Italy complete with traditional recipes. Having lived in Italy for 8 years myself, Carol's stories made me long for a return trip.. Being the Italian Cooking Host @ Bella Online I found the recipes true to their cultural origins, but yet given with clear, easy to follow directions. If you are as fascinated with Italian cuisine as I am, you'll love this book!

This book is full of everything that makes being alive(not to mention being ITALIAN) so wonderful...! Traditions, recipes, slices from everyday ife that make you feel the "specialness" of every single day. Carol's research and her love shine through in CELEBRATING ITALY, so much so, be prepared to take a trip to one of the small towns she describes so mouth-wateringly delicious! Carol made me hungry for tradition, hungry to go back to things I always cherished in my heart. Can't wait for your next book, Carol! Con Amore, Terry Stellini

I bought this book from Amazon.com because of its title alone but was so easily assimilated into Carol's amazing talent of recreating events with the written word that I found it difficult to put down. She put me right IN the festival! Because I live in Italy I have been able to visit a good number of the festivals that she describes in this book and have found her descriptions to be so accurate as to be scary. She seems to have found a way to penetrate the soul of these manifestations in a manner that not even many Italians can do.

I praise this not as a cookbook or a collection of recipes, but as a literary work that can be taken seriously as a 'training manual' on the spirit of Italian celebration. I recommend it to anyone who harbors a love of Italy and wants to know more about its inner being...

I highly recommend all Carol Field books, even if you don't cook. She TAKES you to Italy and FEEDS you. She writes engrossing and vividly descriptive literature which also happens to contain really great, authentic Italian recipes. Celebrating Italy will make you want to move to Italy and eat all day and night.