Poison Ivy Books

This book has to be one of the funniest children's books we have ever read. We originally checked it out from the library and loved it so much we had to buy our own copy. It provides tons of giggles. It is perfect for our 5 year old's silly sense of humor.

Hog-Eye is one of my children's (6 and 8) all-time favorite books. (It's one of my favorites as well!) The little pig's creative explanation of how she missed the bus is humorous, but her family's sideline responses to the story are what make this book really wonderful. Hog-Eye demonstrates just how important a little ingenuity and the ability to read can be.

My six year old daughter and I have read this book over thirty times, and we're still laughing! A little pig, trying to explain why she missed school, invents a tall tale about a hungry wolf, a soup recipe, and her own ingenious efforts to escape the wolf's clutches. Don't miss this book!

If you're looking for a children's book that reflects the attitude of today's kids, read Hog Eye. With an unique dual storyline, the main character is telling about her adventure and dubiously clever escape, and her large family is reacting and commenting. You enjoy a delightful blend of interactions. And when you get the the punchline of the story, your kids will remember it FOREVER. A real keeper. A regular read for our three kids

Hog-eye is one of those books that elementary librarians like myself search for. It is a wonderful excellent read aloud that the children enjoy especially the "underwear" part. It is also a wonderful book about the importance of reading without hitting the children over the head. Also I could really get into reading aloud this book. It was such a fun experience for students and I. Thank you Susan Meddaugh.

Have you ever agonized over what you should have, could have, would have said at those times when your speech just seemed to dry up and disappear? In your mind, have you prepared all the right come backs and congratulated yourself on your witty sarcasm after the fact? Meet Ivy Morris - proprietress and budding sleuth, and definitely not your run-of-the-mill size two heroine. She is a modern, flawed, insecure, funny gal trying to run a business inherited from her great aunt, solve a mystery and get her man all at the same time.

A cross between a train wreak waiting to happen and a plus-size wonder woman, you cannot help but smile at Ivy's antics and adventures. The first in a series of three Ivy Morris mysteries, "Poison Ivy" is perfect for a fun, light read with a heroine who does not take herself too seriously. Readers will find themselves connecting with and laughing at the "every woman" inside of them. If you're looking for a pick-me-up on one of those hum-drum kind of days, author Misty Simon's witty repertoire is sure to delight.

Ivy must move to Marth's Point Virginia to claim her inherited costume shop and the home Aunt Gertie left her in the will. Ivy would be completely surprised to find out that costumes were not the only things sold in The Masked Shoppe.

Along her journey of proprietress, Ivy meets a good friend who pulls her out of her brown fashion stylings, a hunky man that she can't seem to get off of her mind, and an old bitty that is sour because the shoppe was not left to her.

After Ivy's underwear was stolen and a murder was committed at the Halloween Ball. Ivy decided to do a little investigating on her own. Although Ben Fallon would not have her slinking around getting into trouble so they formed a partnership; which by the way would have gotten really steamy if things didn't keep interrupting them.

In the end all seems to have worked out....but who wanted revenge so badly on Ivy that they would go so far as to poison her? You'll just have to pick up a copy for yourself to find out.

Ms. Simon has written a humorous story that will keep you guessing. The characters personalities were very likable, and I thought this book was very smooth to read. I only wished there were more drama; like more threats to Ivy. It seemed like the person wanted her gone but never really did anything to threaten her much besides a robbery and a couple of phone calls. Ms. Simon gets 4 hearts for Poison Ivy, I can't wait to read the next book to see what kind of trouble Ivy gets herself into.

Ivy lived in Southern California all her life and had never left her parents home, and when her mother died, she cared for her father. Her sister's Daisy, Rose and Magnolia had long since flown the nest for marriage and a life of their own. She longed to get out into the world herself, but could not afford it, - until one day a letter came from an attorney in Martha's Point Virginia. It seemed that her Aunt Gertie had passed and in her will she left Ivy the two things in the world that she valued the most; her business, a costume shop and her home which just happened to be all the way on the other side of the continent from her parents sunny home in Southern California where she had been raised and never ventured out from to a sleepy little town called Martha's Point in Virginia.

Ivy had no clue that a business that she presumed only made money at Halloween was actually the home to a much frequented erotic lingerie shop where wives, mothers and some fetishist went to reinvent themselves. The back room held attire that unleashed the undercover freak that was so well hidden in these upstanding citizens.

This little store aptly named `The Masked Shoppe' is the catalyst that gave Ivy the courage to step out of her boring brown wardrobe and undertake the quest to solve the quiet town's first murder in over ten years.

While the murder mystery takes a number of twist and turns, our plump heroine becomes involved in a love affair with one of the towns must scrumptious available hunks (Ben), who just happens to be a culinary reporter, moonlighting as a P.I. And boy do they make great partners, despite the fact that Ben feels he must always have the upper hand and must call all the shots. Ben soon realizes that not only in regard to this case but his future, Ivy has the reins, something she has never been able or confident enough to take in her capable hands before.

This story will leave your mouth hanging open for more reasons than one. Misty Simon has a way of making me burst out in laughter one moment and tears in the next. The only complaint that I have about this book is that I was left wanting more. I sincerely hope that Ms. Simon brings Ivy back in a sequel, it is just like chocolate for me; I have got to have more.

Reviewed by Kim Robinson
For BBW Reviews

Ivy Morris inherits her great aunt's house and business. She is thrilled as she was still living with her father in the room her mother decorated over a decade ago.

She is quite surprised when she arrives at her new business. It's not only a costume shop. Plus the assistant doesn't seem too pleased to have her there. Ivy's not used to being assertive and finds it difficult dealing with her. But with the Harvest Ball looming so close, she needs the help. So, she puts up with her planning to talk to her later.

Ivy decides to try to solve the mystery of the missing lingerie from the side business, but is soon sidetracked when her new friend is found murdered at the ball. Ivy had just given her a matching costume to hers right before the ball. Who could have murdered such a nice woman?

Ivy's new friend Bella, and Ben, a local journalist and probably the hottest single male in town, help Ivy try to uncover the killer without being the next victims. There are some hot scenes with Ivy and Ben that almost distract them from their quest.

I thoroughly loved this book. I can't wait to read the next in the series. Ivy is such a hoot! Misty has such a wonderful way of telling a story through Ivy's eyes. I feel as if I know her. I found myself laughing out loud quite often while reading this book. I also found it difficult to put down and read it in 1 day.

I highly recommend this book.

William Reid is a scientist, has taught biology in the academic venue, and has taught in Israel. Like any academic, writing was probably something he did in the course of his duties, but he is now going at it full-tilt. His prior offerings include: Eagles Watch and North of Nowhere.

Mike Thatcher is a art graduate of Fields University. He works on the local police force, when he is not taking care of his two children and mother. But when an anatomy professor at Fields is found disemboweled, Mike springs into action as the acute investigator that he is. The faculty are an argumentative and petty lot, but one of them brings back upsetting memories for Mike. The murders continue to pile up, in a disconcertingly personal way as several professors are killed in ways which relate to their fields of research:

"'The important thing is that three of four people have been murdered in a way that, well, fits. The anatomist gets gutted, the aquatic biologist is drowned, and a very big snake catches the herpetologist by the nose.' Derek nodded. 'Three out of four is a relationship, yes.' 'Even Joe's murder was appropriate to his life.'"

The Poison Ivy Murders is written with wit and insight. Mr. Reid presents the academic community as the ivory tower that it is, with some care taken for the jealousies and divisions that spring up between people who are forced to work together for decades. Using his knowledge of various branches of biology, Mr. Reid presents the reader with a Mel Gibson type of hero in Mike Thatcher (square jaw line; great bod) who is struggling to come to terms with his own past, even as he has to face some very unpleasant truths. Mike solves the murder, of course, and the reader is treated to a plot with enough biological twists and turns to resemble some of the best horror and mystery writers of our time. It's also really funny!

Mr. Reid's character portraits are fresh and lovingly drawn. His plot sizzles and keeps the reader on edge. He knows his subject and treats the reader to the world of academic and biology. The ending is somewhat of a surprise, and the denouement is right on the money. All in all, The Poison Ivy Murders is a wonderful effort that contributes much to the mystery genre.

Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer

Poison Ivy Murders proves that William H. Reid has mastered the tools of a good writer. His total concept of writing is second to none.

A gruesome campus murder opens a keg of worms in this small New Hampshire town. Reid's book moves fast as Mike Thatcher goes about in his quest to bring the murderer to justice. His investigation instills fear into the entire University faculty, staff, professors, and several Petersborough citizens. What are they hiding?

Two decades ago, Thatcher himself attended Fields University. His love life is on hold but his detective work has now turned up skeletons from his own past.

Mr. Reid's first hand knowledge of Universities gave him an edge on Poison Ivy Murders. This book is exciting, thrilling, and keeps the reader in suspense. It is well written by a master and suggested for adult reading.

Poison Ivy Murders proves that William H. Reid has mastered the tools of a good writer. His total concept of writing is second to none.

A gruesome campus murder opens a keg of worms in this small New Hampshire town. Reid's book moves fast as Mike Thatcher goes about in his quest to get the murderer brought to justice. His investigation instills fear into the entire University faculty, staff, professors, and several Petersborough citizens. Many have multiple sins to hide.

Two decades ago, Thatcher himself attended Fields University. His love life is on hold but his work has now turned up skeletons from his own past.

Mr. Reid's first hand knowledge of Universities gave him an edge on Poison Ivy Murders. This book is exciting, thrilling, and keeps the reader in suspense. It is well written by a master and suggested for adult reading.

As one might suppose there is more meaning in the title of this book than meets the eye. However, the very real suffering caused by the ever changing ivy plant is not negated or over looked to merely make a psychological point. Ulanov gives careful attention to the physical reality of somatic illnesses while offering up the idea that perhaps it is possible to learn more about our selves and the Ultimate through such illnesses.
Ulanov begins her book by tying together two events in her life. The first is a serious attack of poison ivy at the age of 50. The second is the worst attack of poison ivy she has ever suffered in her life at the age of 10. Making a connection between these two points in time lays the foundation for the book. These two attacks are interwoven throughout the book as Ulanov reveals that both are signals from her body that something needs to be acknowledged and expressed which is being denied. For Ulanov this `unthinkable thought' (to quote both Ulanov and Bion) is the level of sadness, which permeated her family life as a child and the benign neglect that accompanied that sadness.
This book is not a book about blaming one's family of origin but rather one of hope in which Ulanov, at the inquiry of a client, brings into consciousness the body's ability to absorb content from our living environment and then manifest it in such a way that we can learn about ourselves and the Divine. Although Ulanov never clearly states this idea it becomes clear to the reader that the body, much like Kohut's image of the mother or therapist as mother, takes in that which is offered by the environment that the conscious mind is unable to manage, contains it, metabolizes it and offers it back to the conscious mind in another manner so that it can be tolerated and integrated into conscious knowing. This is the lesson of poison ivy.
Ulanov underscores out the importance of witnessing. She refers to, not only the witnessing done within the therapeutic relationship, but also, the witnessing we must each do for our selves. She makes the point that her late husband, Barry, brought a sense of `realness' to her suffering when her pain powerfully moved him. This witness to the condition of physical pain opened up the possibility for Ulanov to explore the emotional pain, which was being manifested in the hard but weeping skin created by poison ivy. Having become her own witness to her personal pain and her family's pain she then realizes that the Self, which mediates the Divine, is also witnessing her.
Ulanov candidly illustrates how a child can grow up and visit on itself the same benign neglect that it experiences as a child. She admits to the reader that she has not always taken the proper precautions when she is about to engage the poison ivy plant even though she is aware of its effects on her body. She argues eloquently that the skin represents the act of containment and protection. Thus, disorders of the skin can point to our feelings about our own ability to contain things or manifest our understanding of the holding/containment we have been offered in our lifetime. She argues that there is much that our bodies try to communicate to us and urges the reader to listen. It is in the listening, she proposes, and the acknowledging that we find liberation not only from the physical symptoms but also our emotional and spiritual wounds.
Ulanov draws heavily on the works of Jung and Bion for understanding of the body-mind connection. She easily integrates the Indian understandings of chakras with various ancient traditions about snakes and the meaning of the shedding of skin. She also weaves in an understanding of bathing as a ritual of purity and returning to the warm, bath-like fluid and containment of the mother's womb. Most importantly, Ulanov offers herself as an example of how healing can occur when that which is negated and denied is finally acknowledged, named, and integrated into our conscious history. Since she began this journey to greater self- knowledge at the age of 50 (she is now in her early 60's) she has had several minor attacks but only one major attack which came shortly after the death of her husband Barry. She attributes this attack to her grief over losing the containment and nurture, which their relationship provided. She claims that the truth of what she has said about her family's sadness and the power of denial was made evident as she was writing this book. She would suffer minor outbreaks of poison ivy as she wrestled with expressing the sadness of unmet dependency needs. She encourages the reader to make the journey personally while warning it will not be an easy one. The reward will be the ability to live life more fully.

Jungian analyst Ann Ulanov's latest book springs from a question posed to her by an analysand curious about the author's repetitive bouts of poison ivy. "Himself an analyst," she writes, "he wondered if I had ever asked myself what my attacks of poison ivy meant. His question struck me like a wooden mallet on my forehead. I was stunned." Such disquietude at the question, "the startling realization that the question of the psychological and spiritual meaning of this annual physical suffering had never risen to consciousness," begins this insightful and beautifully written account of the author's decade-long journey to uncover the psychogenic origin of, and find meaning and healing from, fifty years of suffering from chronic poison ivy allergy.

By raising the possibility that poison ivy, a noisome contact allergy,can also be located within psychosomatic phenomena, the author's premis is straightforward: the psyche will often make use of the body in the form of such repetitive poison ivy outbreaks to communicate dissociated emotional experiences that transcend ego awareness. Dialoging with such luminaries as Winnicott, Bion, and Jung, and piecing together a poignant narrative of familial and personal neglect - coupled with growing awareness of her own kinship with the poison ivy plant itself, a plant that "blooms in neglect, that is never cared for except to exterminate it," - Ann Ulanov renders bare her own process of discovering and integrating the dissociated, "unmirrored" experiences of her life that had lived itself over and again through painful bodily paroxysms. This was a process, she explains,of rescuing into thought and feeling "what I did not know I had known,but what had known me." Simply put, "what was entombed in repetitive suffering becomes released into living, and the body is right in the center of it."

Those familiar with Ann Ulanov's other books will immediately recognize and appreciate her clarity and ease of expression, as well as her theological thoughtfulness. There is much to chew on here, especially that which concerns the nature of somatic consciousness and the psychological meaning of physical symptoms. Following her own example, Attacked By Poison Ivy is a call to enter into conversation with the deeper parts of ourselves, "the mute parts, the left-out parts," those parts which, like poison ivy, are often untended and rejected. This is work initiated by analysis, and continued through our own dialoging with dreams and imagination, in a way that is profoundly spiritual. We do this, the author writes, in order to build up a sturdiness to receive in ourselves what has been there from the beginning. This work, writes Ulanov, "lies in learning how to take what is offered, to receive what is given, to correspond with luminous grace."

Brian T. Peterson, New York City

One of the best books ever published focusing on Poison Ivy (aka Pamela Eisley), one of the greatest characters in the Batman corner of the DC Universe. Ivy has never been really evil like The Joker or Mr. Zsasz, not even close, but she was at one point a villain, albeit a sympathetic one. This is one of the comics that captures her right at the period of her evolution when she was changing into something more - not a superhero: she'll never be part of The Justice League or anything, nor would she have any interest in it - but she can't be classed as just one of the 'bad guys' anymore. This book shows her passion for her causes and her compassion - for the plant kingdom, for her plant-animal hybrids, even for humanity, as we see in the first few pages with the interaction between Ivy and the young Nicarauguan girl.

Although, ironically, as she becomes less of a villain and more of a crusader herself, this puts her more and more into conflict with human society than she ever was as a 'costumed criminal' robbing Gotham's wealthy elite. She despises the corporate 'slash-and-burn' mentality and the world governments that condone it. She is particularly protective of plants, who seems to feel are sentient and communicate with her. Now, does this make her crazy? Or is she right, or is the truth somewhere in between? I don't think DC's ever definitively said, and hopefully it never will. Some questions are better left to interpretation and ponderings. But one certainly knows where she's coming from.

For double irony, as she's becoming less of a villain but more into conflict with human society as a whole, she's also becoming more of a benefactor of and champion of humanity itself. There's the aforementioned scene with the Nicarauguan girl (which I won't elaborate on to avoid any spoilers); see also her role in the year-long "Batman: No Man's Land" saga - most of which is available in the trade paperbacks here on Amazon, I believe - and her related appearances in "Detective Comics" #s 751 and 752, just for starters.

I don't mean to ignore Batman, who's depicted great in here, as he generally is, but Batman gets a chance to shine in hundreds and hundreds of issues of various titles; it's okay that here he's not even a co-star but a supporting player to Ivy. This is Ivy's spotlight all the way through, and is the story of the actions she takes after the violence-free tropical utopia she's created from dust is annihilated by some of the poorer examples of the human race.

If you're a comic fan, you probably love Batman. If you are a comic-art fan, you probably have heard of Brian Apthorp. But if your a fan of incredibley well written books, I bet you have never heard of this special. It came out to promote the last Batman movie, and was just a marketing gimmik. It turned out to be an extemely human comic book, though. This graphic novel shows the reason why the villianess Poisen Ivy acts upon her love for plants, and it's more simple than you think. Poisen Ivy and Batman seem very alike, and really just want to preserve life. After haveing her private island firebombed, Ivy snaps, and goes looking for who did it. Batman must find her, and finds out that Ivy doesn't want to commit crimes, she just wants to be left alone. But when people don't respect the earth, she doesn't respect people. Truley a powerful book. Recommended to everyone from the casual reader to the biggest fan. At only five dollars, it's a steal.

I live in the woodsier part of suburban NY, and while I've always known about poison ivy and its cousins, I'm constantly surprised by how many of my neighbors and acquaintances can't recognize it on sight. It's become a sort of part-time mission to point it out to people, and show them its different guises and seasonal looks. I stumbled across this book in the library, and it's really marvellous. It might be more information than some people need, who just want to be able to get a basic ID of the stuff, and go buy something for the itch -- but once you get interested, it's like any other gory subject, you find yourself wanting to know more.

I'm only partway through this book, and I think I will be browsing it for a while and then ordering my own copy. I've just learned that there is a town in California that has an annual Poison Ivy festival (with lots of warning signs lol).

This book has lots of detailed line illustrations, and a number of interesting photos. I haven't gotten to the first aid section yet, if there is one -- but if you are still reading, and you are itching, go with your favorite anti-itch cream or spray, but if you are oozing, or red, or feverish, you might want to see a doctor. You can get some pretty serious secondary infections, just as with anything else. If it's just a oozy weepy nasty nuisance, try Domeboro, or another brand of astringent compress (Domeboro is Bayer brand of powder that mixes up to aluminum acetate). Also, if you are working with concrete, mixing it like, that will dry it out as well. I'm no doctor, just a person with some experience and interest in the subject. I hope to update this review as I read more.

Good luck, and if you got anything out of this review please tick the box. (Ticks, now they are another matter entirely...)

I was weed whacking poison ivy and throwing the oil onto myself, mainly my legs. I was out in Kansas City MO at the time and found this book at the Public Library and ordered it as soon as i moved back to Cincinnati, Ohio. This book is the best out of many poison ivy books because it really goes into lots of details and facts about not only poison ivy,oak and sumac but into other plants and trees such as the Cashew Tree and it's effects on the skin. Get this one, you will love it. I learned so much from it. Top Notch work.

Buildings cast literal shadows, creating real darkness that many people cannot bear. People cast figurative shadows, creating unreal expectations that many people cannot bear. One particular building and a certain Batman are casting huge shadows over Gotham City, especially to the discomfort of one Poison Ivy, who at the moment cannot bear either one. Ann Nocenti's cautionary and metaphorical tale about casting shadows explores the highs and lows of reaching for the stars, again both literally and figuratively, mostly through the eyes of our lovely yet lethal Ms. Ivy. The highs and lows are both exemplified by one particular skyscraper that is blocking the sun from entering Ivy's plant adorned cell at Arkham, while at the same time contrasted against Batman's tireless and noble yet arguably fruitless and detrimental mission in life. Poison Ivy's multi-faceted character with its' many different shades of gray, or in this case green, ideally befits this style of story, where things and people are not as simple and straightforward as they appear. Nocenti succeeds at producing a story that makes one ruminate afterwards, and kudos to her for accomplishing that rare and laudable feat.

Amy Goldman Koss gives us a great story told by eight different points of view. In a government class at school, a group of girls goes on "trial" for their bullying of a classmate they call "Poison Ivy". This story will give you the eight different points of view from each girl on the same event. Very interstingly puts you into the minds and perceptions of each narrator. See how differently these story tellers see things and learn more about human nature with each chapter. For example, Marco beleives if someone gets on your nerves, it is justifiable to be mean to them, it is a reality. Get into the minds of these characters and see just how our schools societies really are.

I think Poison Ivy And Eyebrow Wigs is a great book to read for everybody. I got my evidence that this is just a great book for people to read from the Internet and Library. The story is about a boy that tries to make it in the fourth grade. He wants to be with the cool pack of kids. People are always talking about his bushy eyebrows and one day he decided to trem them. After he cut them they were messed up with bold spots. This story has some very funny situations. I love this book because it is funny , it has a lot of different kids of characters , and I think it is well-paced but the story still goes fast. If you read this book you would have trouble putting it down and to stop laughing.

This book is very hilarious !!! One of the most funny parts is when the main character Martin shaves his eyebrows because they are to bushy. He ends up with bold spotted uneven cut eyebrows and he glues some hair on the top of his eyebrows to patch up his mistake. I couldn't stop laughing. One reader called this book "hilarious". As you know I relay stand by that idea.

This book has a lot of different kinds of characterization. There are a lot of point of views from different characters. One reader said it has dozens of different people. It has a lot of different personalities in it. They have the kind of kids that want to run around with the cool pack. They have the joker kids that do not relay care about any thing. They also have the smart geky kids that don't care to be cool.

I also think the book is good because it goes at a good pace. The book doesn't rush throw the story and leave out details. It also doesn't go throw the book slowly and puts you to sleep. That is why I think this book is well-paced. One reader said "This well-paced , fast-moving story includes some incidents of typical sibling rivalry and is told with sympathetic humor." I agree on everything this reader said. Yes this book has incidents of typical sibling rivalry. The kid has the same problems of an every day kid. Kids could really relate to this book.

Some people think the plot is to superficial. The kid goes out of his way to be with the cool kids. It tries to be a deep story and a funny at the same time. One reader said the plot was very superficial. I think the plot was not superficial , I think it was a very true plot. It also told a lot about what kids have to go throw these days. The book was not very original because it has the same plot as many other books. One reader said this book is not original. I think this book doesn't use a new plot but it takes this kind of plot to a new level by adding humor. In this story they have quick deft characterization of a dozen of different people. Even though they have they quick characterizations of different people if the try to focus on each person in this story we wouldn't have a main character.

These are all my opinions on this book , and I relay think this book is great. These were my reasons for liking this book it was funny , it has a lot of characterization ,and it is very well-paced. I think reading is a big part of life. If we didn't read were would that fun imaginative side of us go. Parents need to influence their kids to read and stop watching all that TV. and listening to music. If they read this book I'm sure they would get in to reading because this book will relate to their every day life and a make them read. This is a great book to get your children reading. If you didn't read this book your life must be dull.

Reviewed by Kim Peterson for Reader Views (1/06)

The Connolly couple's sensitivity to irritating plants like poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac has resulted in a concise book packed with useful information. This volume in the "10 things to know" series dispels the myths and provides the facts on this daunting power-packed trio.

Since the best tactic is prevention, the book provides description for identification as well as demographics of where each plant thrives. A color photo gallery provides visual confirmation in identifying these plants. The authors also enumerate the other ways people "catch" poison ivy like contact with exposed pets and contaminated clothing.

The Connolly's explain how the plant makes humans so uncomfortable, how the potent urushiol oil is spread, and how to gage the severity of the reaction and possible complications. Pictures highlight the blisters and linear pattern of the typical rash. The authors discuss tests and vaccines to combat sensitivity. Several tips cover how to cleanse exposed areas on humans and pets. They also explain the conventional, homeopathic and less traditional methods of treating the misery of a resulting rash.

A segment devoted to elimination of these plants on your own property also is beneficial. Important counsel, like never burning or mowing down poison ivy, warns the reader of the problems with inhaling the oil.

The Connolly's down-to-earth style and touches of humor shine through as they expound on important information and offer interesting tidbits of knowledge for nature lovers who want to avoid harmful encounters. Sensitive to these plants myself, I've already made a home for the book on one of my shelves.