Interactive Books

I'm not new to the Mac, but am new to iMovie and was struggling with some basics. I recently purchased Missing Manual and am glad that I did. Well written, complete and easy to read. My iMovie editing productivity has skyrocketed and would strongly recommend this book

I bought this book because I wanted to use I-movie to help me put together a short film in short order. It is quite simply the best computer book I have ever purchased. It is a very straightforward, lucid, step by step explanation of how to get the most out of this program specifically, and digital video in general. It seemed like every time a question or would pop up he would have a special box on the next page explaining how to solve it. Mr. Pogue appears to have thought of everything and then some. He presents a number of excellent "work-arounds" for the limitations of I-Movie and lays them out in step by step fashion. Using this book is like having an I-Movie Guru sitting next to you, helping you along. If you use I-Movie, you need this book.

I have used the iMovie application since March 2000 to create over a hundred hours of edited footage for my video production company. Before reading "iMovie: The Missing Manual, I concluded that I had learned all their was to know about this program. I previously considered it a limited program that was most effective when production time was critical and expectations were relaxed. However, I was astonished to learn of techniques and shortcuts that greatly expanded my knowledge of iMovie and radically refined my approach in it's use. The concise layout and effective index of this manual has kept it within arm's length whenever I launch iMovie. Few computer manuals are "page turners", but if you use iMovie the information that is contained in "iMovie: The Missing Manual" will surely excite and inspire you. The software that is made available is alone worth the purchase price of this excellent manual.

This book answers every question I have had since I started using iMovie in January. It is not only very complete and extremely easy to follow, it also includes some unexpected surprises such as a very comprehensive explanation of film basics such as lighting, camera angles and sound. Before reading the book, I thought that iMovie was a great program but had some severe limitations - that was not the case after reading the book. Any limitations I had come across were covered in the book and Pogue provided excellent and simple workarounds for most difficulties I have had. I would highly recommend this book as a starting point to any person- skilled or novice - interested in creating video productions for personal or public use.

David Pogue's long-awaited iMovie manual is a terrific intro to digital movie making using the incredibly popular and now FREE iMovie for Mac.

Now there's no excuse for not making that little movie that's been rattling around in your head. Pogue's guide is logically laid out with numerous easy to understand graphics that take you step by baby step through painless editing of your video footage.

This is the finest of the iMovie guides and equal to Pogue's best past efforts. He's a master of technical explanations and has a deservedly large and devoutly grateful following.

If you are considering buying an iMac or have ever thought about making a simple movie, this stimulating book would be an smart, inexspensive first step -- even before forking over a dime on any software, hardware or a DV cam.

The digital revolution has begun and this is the manual that is entry level. The initiation rites happen when you first plug in that firewire, batch capture and string some selected scenes in a new creative order.

For someone with a strong visual sense and some basic story skills and with careful pre-planning and this manual, it is possible for a first time filmmaker to make a high quality mini masterpiece. Or better yet, a product to enter in one of the red hot film competitions like the Palm Springs Short Film Festival.

Pogue even promises a (free?) download or revision for the inevitable iMovie version 2.

This book covers all bases and FAQ's regarding iMovie and iMac configurations.

Now stop reading this review, buy Pogue's book and commit to making that life-altering little film that's still screening in your head. Isn't that why you're reading this? Now you can be empowered to create that film that comes out of nowhere and charms the world (to say nothing of making millions). Step aside BLAIR WITCH. I know what you're thinking!

Every man, woman and now child can be a studio unto him and her self. No middleman. Peasants, raise your no longer missing manuals. Share the vision.

In other words, I am saying David Pogue's iMOVIE THE MISSING MANUAL is highly recommended.

And, hey, don't be ashamed if all you want to do is edit some vacation video or the kid's recital or some hanky panky with the spouse. But the potential for something far more creative is definitely available to anyone now. My guess is THAT is the drawing power of iMAC, iMOVIE and the terrific MISSING MANUAL.

A suggestion for future editions: include a simple appendix of film language and story structure basics. Maybe a CD-ROM for an on screen guide that includes filmmaking and digital film internet links.

And then, Mr Pogue, a clear guide to Final Cut Pro.

Quiet on the set. Action!

"In My Daughter's Eyes" is such a beautiful song with such a wonderful message. Looking through the book and reading the text reminds me so much of my daughter and her daughter (my grand daughter). It is inspirational and thoughtful and a celebration of women. My only criticism is that the illustrations are a bit ameuterish; nevertheless, the message is priceless. I bought the book for my daughter for Christmas, and I'm sure she's going to love it.

This was excellent, the song matched the book and I will buy all the others when I can

This book/CD is absolutely amazing!! Even though my two daughters are grown, this is so appropriate and can be passed on to their children if they wish. This was not a gift for a specific event, just to show them how much they mean to me and what a blessing they are. Truly a wonderful gift for any mom to give to her daughter(s). Thank you.

This is the perfect gift to give your daughter for any special occassion: Sweet 16, her wedding day, when she has your grandchild, or just to say I love you! It is a touching little book with a CD of the song she can listen to over and over.

What an absolutely delightful gift for my daughter! I gave it to her for Valentine's Day and she loves it. I couldn't resist, even though she's 28 now! Every time I hear Martina's song, In My Daughter's Eyes, tears fill my eyes so I had to share it with my girl and she thought it was the neatest gift. There is a place in the beginning of the book to put your daughter's photo and when my daughter saw the one I chose, her eyes filled with tears along with mine. A perfect way to share that mother-daughter bond no matter how old either of you are! I think this book/cd set is a terrific idea!

I love this book! It is probally the best Goosebump book I ever read. But remember there is more than 20 endings in this book and only 1 WAY OUT!!!

I love this book! It is probally the best Goosebump book I ever read. But remember there is more than 20 endings in this book and only 1 WAY OUT!!!

I think this book was a real TWIST. I mean when you choose something something may seem like the best one while it could be the worst one. Like the elevator for an example if you go in it, it will go up so much it will give you a:"or mayby--SPLAT! I like this book it took me probaly about 7-9 months to figure out this book. the main plot was a evil super computer taking over the hall of science. I love GOOSEBUMPS BOOKS. I had had the biggest goosebumps collection in my 3rd grade class.

and thats why I would give it five stars --from Corey Johns

my mom bought this for me on my 9th birthday, along with alot of other goosebump books. I really liked the cover, aolt will the dinsaur. the story made me laugh a little . it took us 2 days read it, but that is good time for us. you will really like this book, i did.

This book is like a hard maze. Exept beware! If you make 1 mistake you're doomed. I would say anyone 6 or up will love it.

Saw this in our school library and read it to kindergarden children.
Library had a hard cover version which is no longer available. Was pleased that I could order it even though it is soft cover. The children loved the 3 D effect of the star on every page especially with the band aid. The story is very sweet and I wish there were more books like this for children.

Seldom do you find a book which appeals to children, yet, it also gives adults something to think about. That is exactly what this story does. A lonely little girl named Laura has no friends, no one she can share her secrets with. Until one night, when Laura is looking out her window, she sees a silver light crash to the pavement outside her house. It turns out it is a little star, which Laura can tell all her secrets to. This story is wonderful, and should not be overlooked.

This is a touching, subtle story about feelings, mainly loneliness, love and loss. Because the storyline regarding the star is intriguing to kids, and the text also had a deeper meaning, this book has the ability to appeal to a wide range of ages.

This book is a wonderful story about a girl who befriends and unselfishly cares for an injured star. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful, and will attract and hold even the youngest eyes (I bought it for my daughter when she was 14 months old and it was an instant favorite). Each depiction of the star is rendered in a holographic image a la The Rainbow Fish. The story, about loneliness and caring, is appropriate for all ages. This is the author's first US-published book but he teaches children's book illustration at the university level in his native Germany. I highly recommend this book.

Laura spots a streak of silver shooting past her window and discovers a sparkly star nearby. She has always wanted someone to share her secrets with, and so she takes the little star home and makes it her friend. But when she wakes up the next morning, Laura discovers that the little star has disappeared. She searches everwhere, but it's no use. She thinks that her special friend may have been a dream. In this magical story a lonesome girl learns that friendshop sometimes means giving away the brightest treasures. I think that this would be a great story to teach character education. It faces the issues of depression, loneliness, friendliness, caring, sharing, and giving. It is a precious story that would be delightful to children of most any age.

Orberg has given us a priceless gift that will have a prominent place in the annals of language learning for many years to come. Revised and improved over the course of many years, I suspect this series was what began convincing language scholars that immersion, or as Orberg calls it, "the natural method," is the logical way -- and by far the best way -- to learn a language.

This book should be in the personal library of every language student in the western world. It has been refined to the point of grammatical precision. I have never seen anything like it.

As if that were not enough, it is also highly entertaining. After learning simple geography about the Roman empire in the first chapter, you immediately become acquainted with an endearing second-century family. Soon you are hooked and learning Latin naturally as the story unfolds.

Of the ten to fifteen series of Latin Primers I've looked at and taught from, this is the best. The next best is probably Oxford or Cambridge. The problem with Henle and Wheelock is that although one can thoroughly understand grammar, one does not acquire the idiom. I mean idiom as Cardinal Newman in Elementary Education (in Idea of University) describes it. Oerberg best gives you a knack for "how the Latin sentence is thought" or put together (not merely idiomatic expression). It is harder to teach, but much more enjoyable. My students love learning. It also has rave reviews from teachers at the publishers' forum for Oerberg. There is also a brand new companion book that is supplement to the grammar.

It is a "natural" approach. Everything is in Latin. My students learn to recite the Latin in 2 months of 6th grade, and learn about 4 times the vocabulary without ever using a dictionary (and I only give them a few difficult words, in particular some prepositions and conjunctions).

It is difficult on your own I imagine, but there are additional resources. It's by far the best approach, the closest to actually acquiring the language by immersion. Suitable for adults and used in colleges. (Oerberg has a very subtle and also not so subtle humor, making it suitable for all ages.)I studied Latin formally for ten years and never acquired a knack for the idiom. Teaching from Oerberg has actually improved my Latin. It is, I think, an answer to Dorothy Sayers who said her biggest complaint was that after 20 years of study, she never really acquired Latin -- she started when seven.

Vive, Hans! He's done a great service for Latin pedagogy. It's really a brilliant little work as are the best Latin text books -- the difference is, this works. Latin is the toughest elementary "subject" there is -- I've taught almost all of them including AP Calc. It's also the most beneficial. I'm grateful to the Oerberg for having made it a little easier.

FINALLY, if I haven't yet convinced you, I suggest that you get it as a supplemental reader. Just read it in the Latin and try not to translate. Read and reread until you master the first book. It will help all future Latin reading. (BTW the second book is helpful too, and Hans is attempting to make an intro. to the Aeneid.)

I am doing my MFA in English at UC Irvine, where I'm also taking a Latin reading course. Reading courses usually amount to, more or less, a student standing in place while an instructor tries to throw a grammar at the student's head, hoping for a direct hit. The student is then handed some passages to translate, along with a healthy pat on the back and some words of encouragement: "Figure it out! It's really hard, isn't it? Learning Latin can sure suck! Have a great weekend!"

Okay, there's a little more academic structure than that and some courses are undoubtedly better than others. But the traditional approach to learning Latin has been, seemingly to me, a rough road. This book comes to the rescue. It's amazing. The only English in the entire book appears to be on the publisher's page and the back cover. The rest is all Latin -- you pick it up and start reading. You don't even have to pick it up. You could prop it up against something and start reading that way.

The experience isn't quite magic. You need to pay careful attention to what is happening in each and every paragraph. Concepts in this book come at you fast, and while they are reinforced, it helps to pick them up clearly the first time around. For example, some distinctions of case are very subtle, as with the genitive which is, at times, indicated by a mere long vowel mark. Because Latin is inflected, it can be very compact. But if you're astute and not in a big rush, learning is accelerated by this text's approach.

I am in love with this book. It's a revelation and a lot of fun. But I don't recommend it to anyone who prefers their learning to be painful, frustrating, or unpleasant. I also don't recommend it to anyone who believes that the acquisition of a language should exclusively be a slow, classroom process punctuated by nights of stressful cramming for the next morning's test. For those people, definitely go with Wheelock and enjoy the pain.

But if you want to work toward reading Virgil and Cicero in the most pleasant way available today, this book is the way to go. I also recommend the supplementary materials, especially the grammar, the student's guide (which is very useful), and the Exercitia Latina (which really works concepts well).

My name is Matthew (the name above is my Mom's name), and I am a 16-year old homeschooled highschool student. I just recently started studying this curriculum, and am thrilled! Last year (my freshman year) I struggled through Henle Latin, a terrible curriculum, and had almost given up hope that Latin could ever be rewarding and enjoyable. Then a friend recommended Lingua Latina to my Mom, and we bought it immediately. The moment I opened the book, I knew it was perfect. Instead of bombarding students with conjugation after conjugation, declension after declension, word after word, and rule after rule, all Lingua Latina requires is that students read the fun and interesting stories that are so well presented in this book. Although this sounds too good to be true, it works! Through the use of detailed pictures and clever diagrams, the meaning of each sentence is made clear. Even if students are fuzzy about the translation of a word or phrase, Orberg repeats it plenty of times, so by the end of the chapter nothing is left unclear. The characters: Julius, his wife Aemilia, and their three children - Marcus, Quintus, and Julia (along with a multitude of servants!) The episodes in their lives are often witty and humorous, making the learning of new words and sentence structure easy and enjoyable. Lingua Latina has proved to me that the Latin Lanuage need not be boring and discouraging! I would highly recommend this curriculum!

I take latin, and this is the book we use. I think it is VERY well writen, (all in latin) and very easy to use. I would, though not recomend it as a begining latin book, but as a second year latin course. The many pictures make it fun, and it is exciting to read about the roman family; Mother, Aemilia, Father, Julius, and the three children, Marcus, Quintus and Juila, (who is my favorite!) The story's are progressive, starting with simple introductions to the geography of Italy, then meeting the family, then moving on the more complicated things like runaway slaves. All in all, this is a very well written textbook!

I got this book at a local Linux talk given by the author about a week ago. This book really opens my eyes to see how much resource there is for multimedia on the Linux platform. It's a must-have if you are serious about multimedia, even if you are not a heavy Linux user. As you see, a software dies on Windows PC when the software company (or Microsoft) stops supporting it (or the software company goes under), because you only have the binary code. But the Linux software lives on because you can always pick up the source code from the open source (that is if it's an open source project, of course. Fortunately, most of the Linux software are). Bottom line: this book does what it says ! I am very happy with it !

Kyle Rankin's Linux Multimedia Hacks: Tips & Tools For Taming Images, Audio, And Video covers a program which typically disappoints multimedia fans with what seems like shortcomings in playing DVDs or MP3 files. Overcome these seeming detriments with a book which tells how to tweak and build Linux multimedia entertainment systems. Both newcomers and advanced users of Linux learn how to edit images, audio and video, manage music, burn DVDs and VCDs, and much more. Linux Multimedia Hacks isn't just one developer's knowledge base: it reflects contributions from many Linux experts - even the software creators themselves.

I've spent the last few days going over this book and experimenting with the different hacks on my Fedora Core 4 workstation. I use Fedora Core 4 almost 100% of the time at home, and I've felt the need to manipulate and use multimedia objects for a long time now, but didn't have the practical knowledge at my fingertips to do so. For example, how do I take a screenshot? This book answers this and other questions.

Now I understand how to use ImageMagick, take screenshots, and work with mplayer. I've implemented some hacks with gratifying results and experimented with bits and pieces of other hacks. For example I installed mplayer and the software bits needed to import video from a camcorder with a Firewire (1394) port. Mplayer is now running smoothly, and I'm waiting for a convenient camcorder to come my way so I can plug it into my 1394 port and let it rip. These hacks really seem to work, and they are quickly implemented. The authors of the various hacks give brief explanations that help build multimedia skills. Each hack is written with great clarity.

This book will gently introduce you to the power of scripting in Linux. Simple 1- or 2-line scripts pepper the book, and by using them you can quickly get the effects you want without having to spend long periods of time learning how to do the same thing on a GUI interface. Now, I can dump all 300+ photos from my 1 Gb flash card into a new folder and then use a script to resize them to a size small enough for a web page and for sharing with other folks. Try doing that to hundreds of photos on a GUI interface! With the suggested scripts, you can let the computer do the work, not you, and you can congratulate yourself on your smarts. Each script is carefully explained in plain language. I especially like Rankin's discussion of how to set up a digital camera and download all the photos from it automagically.

Today the Linux desktop is every more GUI-friendly. It is very easy to use; some of my friends have used it without realizing they were on Linux. I can see thumbnails of all my imported photos on Gnome -- it just works. I can expand the thumbnails into new windows with the actual photo. I can plug a compact flash card into my card reader and Gnome will recognize that, too, and offer to download the photos in the card. I can and often do edit photos with the Gimp and email them to my relatives. This books discusses all these things except possibly the emailing bit.

I began to realize that my hard drive is way too small for all the media I hope to work with. I recently ordered a 400 Gb drive to solve this problem.

This book shows you how to work with your media at no cost to you. It rolls up a lot of useful knowledge right at your fingertips. I can't think of another source of well-thought out media hacks either on the internet or in the documentation that comes with your Linux distribution. Every person wanting to work with media on Linux ought to have this book. Rankin and the other hack contributors have done a superb job.

Do you want to master the entertainment possibilities of Linux? If you do, then this book is for you! Author Kyle Rankin, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that takes the best of Linux's multimedia tools and shows you step by step how to use these tools to do cool things you would not have thought possible with images, audio, and video.

Rankin, begins by defining hacks that are specifically for images. Then, the author describes hacks for all things video. Next, the author shows you how to get the most out of video tools under Linux, which are some of the best in the industry. The author then gives you tips for accessing and creating your own web broadcasts. Finally, he shows you hacks to help you tweak your web browser under Linux so it can get the most out of the multimedia Web.

For the most part, this most excellent book allows you to look for hacks based on the multimedia type. More importantly, with this book, you'll be able to move quickly beyond anything you previously thought was possible, without spending a small fortune on commercial software.

Most versions of Linux have minimal multimedia abilities without the installation of additional software. Of course there is a lot of Linux software out there that can be used to change your Linux installation into a powerful multimedia computer with amazing capabilities. And, since it is Linux, it can be done at minimal or no cost for the software. Author Kyle Rankin details how to install and configure these products in this book. To keep the information organized he breaks it up into chapters on Images, Audio, Video, Broadcast Media, and Web. Working through the hacks you soon discover everything from how to rip a CD, convert file types, and edit a sound file to how to build a MythTV system where you can record television, watch videos, listen to music, and play arcade games from one system. There's even a tip for automatically removing commercials from digitally recorded television shows. When you are trying to figure out how to get your Linux system to do something special in the area of multimedia this is the first book you will want to turn to for answers. Linux Multimedia Hacks is highly recommended.

I bought this for my three-year-old when she was just a baby, and we've both loved it ever since. The deeper meaning is lost on an infant and toddler, but the sweet, playful storyline and pictures are not. This one should be part of every child's book collection.

Our daughter cut her teeth on this book! (-Really, there are tiny teeth marks all along the edges.) So, how could we ever discard such a beloved treasure? Our 'baby' is 5 now, and we STILL love to read this book together at bedtime. She has long memorized the words and can read the book without the book even being present.

Boasting colorful and fun illustrations, the message in this book is: what you give out comes back to you! It begins: 'Blow a kiss and let it go, you never know how love will grow' -the chain reaction of love and kisses get passed along to several animals (a goose, a fish, a fox, a cow and more)and ends up right back where it began, with the girl.

Whenever our daughter catches us saying 'You never know' in our everday conversations, she finishes with 'How love will grow!'

The book is pretty short, so it's good for when you and your little one are too tired to go through 'Green Eggs & Ham.' All you page skippers out there know what I'm talking about!

This book would make a great gift for someone expecting, or for a toddler's birthday. This is a favorite bedtime book in our home!

I have a 4yr old and 2.5yr old and this book is one that endures they still love hearing it over and over even though both of them have parts of it memorized (my 4yr old has memorized the whole book).

My 8 1/2 month old daughter loves this book! I have been reading it to her everyday since she was about 3 months old. Whenever I start the story she gives me big smiles! The words have a nice rhythm and the word choice makes reading this book fun.

My 18 month old just loves this book. As we read along about each animal sharing a kiss we make the noise each animal would make and blow a kiss. We are doing just what the book teachs - Blow A Kiss and Let It Go -- You Never Know How Love Will Grow!

I am a nanny and the 6 year old boy that I take care of loves these books. All the "Mr." books are great. My kids loved these when they were young too and that was 25 years ago!

Mr. Sneeze just keeps giving and giving. This book is amazing; our daughter has heard it over and over and still wants more. It is the perfect length, not too long, not too short (she never looses interest). I would definitely recommend this to everyone who has kids.

I gave this to my 3 year old nephew. After his mother read it to him, he called me on the phone very excited to tell me how much he enjoyed the book.

The electrifying opening of Mr. Sneeze smash-cuts into the Land of Mr. Men.

One of the more harrowing sections is when Mr. Sneeze accepts he will always sneeze.

The rage-fueled memoir is kept in check by Mr. Sneeze's cool, minimalist style. The book could have benefited from being a bit leaner. Nearly 40 pages is a long time to spend under Mr. Sneeze. His style may seem too self-conscious for some readers, but beyond the literary fireworks lurks a fierce debut.

This review owes a great deal to Amazon's review of James Frey's debut memoir, A Million Little Pieces,

The children in my family have recycled and shared many of the Little Miss and Mr. books by Roger Hargreave for the past several years. But the favorite seems to be Mr. Sneeze.I recently found an old copy of Little Miss Trouble that belonged to my youngest child who is now a junior in college. He was excited but said " I'd give $100.00 for Mr. Sneeze". It is still out of print, but amazingly his cousin still had my son's original copy! He was estatic to find it under the Christmas tree this past Christmas! So... Mr. Sneeze never grows old!

With the progression of human culture in the digital age developing as it is, it's intriguing to look back at even the recent past and see where we've been and where we were thought to be going. The collection of writings in this volume are invaluable and often shockingly ahead of their time. Anyone who expects to be successful in the future - in this ever-evolving digital world - would benefit by reading this book, and sooner rather than later.

I had to get this book for a class, but am very happy I was introduced to these theories. I'd recommend it for anyone interested in the topic of where online media is going.

From Futurist Cinema, to artificial intelligence, to cyberspace, this collection highlights the origins of multimedia, its influences, its directions, and its future possibilities. It includes an insightful and comprehensive introduction by Packer and Jordan themselves, and the authors they have chosen to include in this work reflect the vast landscape of multimedia in its many iterations: Vannevar Bush, William Gibson, Norbert Wiener, John Cage, and Janet Murray, just to mention a few. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in peeking below the surface of multimedia evolution.

Reading this collection of articles gave me a better understanding of the people and ideas that helped shape computer-based communication. The contributors are for the most part well chosen; a few that I might well have done without, I must admit -- but far more excellent choices than "questionable" ones. The organization of the book is interesting as well. I was reminded of the magazine "Mondo 2000" that I subscribed to in the early '90's (multimedia/geek chic).

This book is a must read for anyone interested in modern art and culture, and where its going. The companion web site on www.artmuseum.net is a brilliant compliment to the book, with 50 video clips, rare photos and other treats. Finally, a publishing project that "gets it" how to use the web + printed book in a way where the sum is greater than the parts. Its amazing to see how long artists and scientists have been working (alone, and in some cases together) towards this goal. Prehaps the following decade will witness a true "waking up" by the mass culture to this new syntax, new reading-practice, of multi-media hyper-texted information. This book may mark a point in time where we started acknowledging the depth and extent of our post-Guttenburg world. Bravo to Randall Packer and Ken Jordon for pulling this project off.

This is a book we use throughout the year. Every month we get it out and do several activities. I have had this book for several years and my children still do not tire if it. It is full of fun activities to do out of doors any time of the year. It also encourages children to protect nature. There are so many fun activities to do, that the book never tires. I like teaching children the science concepts to. I am going to look for more books by Ms. Potter.

My kids are always looking for something interesting to do, so when I saw this book on line. I decided to get it with the hopes that it would keep my kids out of trouble while teaching them! THIE BOOK SURPASSES all of my expectations. I have copied one activity per week and let them go outside and explore. They have learned so much!The one activity that they really liked was the sanil one. They studied the snail for hours! Then my youngest one was thrilled with being able to identify the sounds of different birds...that lead us on a further exploration of birds. I higghly recommend the book....and did so to our school. They now have three copies that are dog eared! The kids love the book!

I am a Home Educating mother of two. We have gone through literally dozens of Science books, some with sensational full color. However, this black and white back-to-basics book "Nature in a Nutshell for Kids" has been a knock-out with my kids! It's simple and the experiments/projects use things you already have in your home. The activities require that the kids get in touch with the world around them by getting outside and getting their hands dirty, so to speak. We checked it out at our local library, but now I'm purchasing one for our home library.

Jean has a nice touch of reality...she has triplets, so maybe that's why!!

The book is full of short activities that answer some natural questions that youth often ask. The activities tell information with wonderful graphic sense. Good for scout leaders, teachers, home school parents, camp counselors and outdoors families. Preparation and materials may take ten minutes to gather. Reading the activity can use up five to ten minutes. Yet, with such a wide variety of activities, each tuned to a particular season of the year, there are lots of options to do or not do. Very pleased with the thoughtful and "hands on" aspects of these activities. A motivated reading student can do most of them with out supervision.