People Books

Farmer McPeeper and his Missing Cows

By: Karly Bellanger.


One morning farmer Mcpeeper's cows took his glasses. So he could not see the cows. The cows ran away, so Farmer McPeeper went looking for his cows. The cows go all over, like to a park. No matter where they went farmer McPeeper couldn't see them because he didn't have his glasses. The cows also went swimming, to a baseball game, and to the movies.
I like the book because I think the cows are funny. I didn't know that cows could skateboard. The book was silly to read.

We purchased this book because it was recommended reading over the summer for my child. What a delight! The illustrations of the 'missing cows' were terrific and quite amusing to my 7 year old. We got a kick out of the part about Thunderbolt, Mr. McPeepers horse.

This book caught my eye the first time I picked it up. The illustrations are the best I've seen, and my kids just adore it! On each page they look for the Farmer's missing glasses (one of the cows has them in each scene). It's like "Where's Waldo" only better! The story is engaging and the illustrations eye catching. You can't miss with buying this book.

This cute story fits nicely with our Northern California Sonoma County Agricultural heritage. The errant cows cavort in the most un-cow like fashion that captivate the reader, much in the same fashion as the Click Clack Moo books. This book was selected by the California Teachers Association as the theme book for the 2006 Read Across America activities celebrating the birth of Dr. Seuss. The illustrator created special bookmarks, bookplates, posters and certificates for the occasion. They can be viewed at cta.org. Our union purchased copies for each of our k-5 school libraries. Got Books?

There are few more appealing characters than milk cows who are up to no good! Farmer McPeepers, who leaves his glasses behind, cannot find his milk cows. From the moment the cows tip-toe away (on their hind legs) until the end, you will find plenty to amuse you on each page. And your child will LOVE finding the milk cows in all the hilarious illustrations. The comical cows are fishing, waiting in line at the movie theater, jumping rope, climbing monkey bars, etc.

The text and illustration complement each other beautifully. Kids will scream with delight.

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, Florrie Binford-Kichler
Founder of Patria Press, Inc. - an award-winning independent publisher, President of PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and Member of The Children's Book Council; 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 is an honored recipient of this distinguished award.

Finders Keepers? is an excellently written book aimed at children of all ages. Its illustrations are top-quality, very colorful and go along very well with the story. The book carries a deep message about what is the correct and most spiritual way to act according to one's conscience. If everybody would be acting according to the principles exposed in this book, we would definitely be living in a better world. I recommend this book to anyone.

My mom got this book for me and I love it.I shared with whole class and my teacher read the book to us. They liked the meaning of NAMASTE and the colourful pictures.
My favorite part is the honest boy who teaches you honesty in a very simple way.

"Finders Keepers?" by Robert Arnett has been honored with the Benjamin Franklin Silver Award of the Publishers Marketing Association for Best Multicultural Book of the Year, the Independent Publisher Outstanding Book of the Year, and the Seal of Approval of the National Parenting Center. This book is better for school-age children, as it really provides a geography lesson, a study in ethics and a brief insight into Indian culture.

The book tells the true story of an experience the author had while traveling through India. He had just bought some postcards when a young Indian boy tapped him on the elbow and held out Arnett's wallet, which the boy had picked up when the author accidentally dropped it. The man thanked him and offered him a reward, but the boy refused to take any money, insisting that he should not be rewarded just for doing the right thing.

I'm in LOVE with the brightly colored illustrations by Indian-born Smita Turakhia, who said she was inspired by memories of the place where she spent her childhood. In fact, even the youngest kids enjoy looking at the pictures, so I skip some of the more technical stuff when I read it to them.

I got this book as a gift. As an Indian-American it helped me learn more about my culture. I took this book to school for "show and share". All my friends and teachers enjoyed the stories and the nice pictures. Especially the picture with differnt kids holding hands around the world. my teachers also liked that theme. Thank you.

The combination of colours and language throughout this book creates an effect missing from many on the children's market. This sort of promotion of cultural diversity is needed in the West.

I thought this story was very intresting,It used a lot of adjectives,which would help children a lot with thier school work.I liked the part when the rich man was insulted and was shouting"How dare any-one in my village isult me!".But I didn't like the beging because it didn't catch my attention that much!

I thought this story was very intresting,It used a lot of adjectives,which would help children a lot with thier school work.I liked the part when the rich man was insulted and was shouting"How dare any-one in my village isult me!".But I didn't like the beging because it didn't catch my attention that much!

I think Mamo on the mountain was a good story because the rich man learned his lesson and there were lots of detail in it and finally it was a happy ending and I love happy endings. In school we have been doing some work on Mamo on the mountain and I have enjoyed it. We have been writing stories and been doing differences and similarities. Example in Ethiopia they have the same animals that we do like cows and sheep. Ethiopia is the place where they lived. Well anyway the story is brilliant.

I think Mamo on the mountain was a good story because the rich man learned his lesson and there were lots of detail in it and finally it was a happy ending and I love happy endings. In school we have been doing some work on Mamo on the mountain and I have enjoyed it. We have been writing stories and been doing differences and similarities. Example in Ethiopia they have the same animals that we do like cows and sheep. Ethiopia is the place where they lived. Well anyway the story is brilliant.

I love this book! If you're a fool in love and searching for Mr/Mrs Right, this book will do it for you. Read it, I'll betcha you enjoy it! It's funny, witty and romantic and it will give you some interesting ideals for your next date!

I didn't want to put this book down! I appreciate the nostalgia found in Mr. Ivory's descriptive childhood stories. Each about his mother and friends were particularly endearing.
I expected his adult romantic recollections to be graphic, but was pleased that he was able to convey his memories without the use of totally explicit language. At times, however, I needed to skim a paragraph to avoid feeling uncomfortable. I recommend this book for it's humor and good-natured stories, but would discourage anyone offended by occasional explicit language.

Admittedly I'm a Steven Ivory fan. I've read his column in Electronic Urban Report from the beginning. This book exceeded even my expectations and leaves me looking forward to the next one......

Steven Ivory took me on a journey that satisfied my hunger for intellect and served me humor for dessert! What a joy to read such an honest and poignant work on love and relationships from the male point of view. A secret window through which to gaze upon the masculine spirit, Ivory offers a rare treasure for a women everywhere; as well as a "What, you too?!" for the men. Write on my brother, write on.

My husband gave me this thing for my birthday and I have to say it is one of the best gifts he ever gave me. I have always been a Steve Ivory fan. I read his weekly column every week on the EUR website. However, recently, I had a bad experience with laser eye surgery and I haven't been able to see clearly let alone read for the past four months. My doctor gave me the okay to read again after my last visit and Mr. Ivory's Fool in Love was just what a girl needed to welcome sight back in her life. I love this book, it is so funny, and every story is about him, something he should write about more in his weekly column.

Having experienced the power and wisdom of traditional African healers, I was glad to see that Yaya took great efforts to convey the potency derived from following ancient traditions. His life story, like many other traditionalists living in the west, is one that is inspiring given all the efforts he and his tribal elders make to keep their old ways alive in the face of pressures to modernize.

As a student of cross-cultural and shamanic traditions I found this book provides clarity into the use of music and sound for enhancing and stimulating healing, as well as the need to gain sufficient mastery before using this healing modality.

"The Healing Drum: African Wisdom teachings" by YaYa Diallo and Mitchell Hall offers an introspective view into the Minianka culture of Mali. As an African-American student, this book helped me to understand a lot about myself. For example, YaYa explains that in his culture, musicians have a responsibility for the affect that the music has on it's listeners. "In my culture, art is allied with morality." (94)We in the West have debated the issue of the artist's responsibility for some time now. As an aspiring actress and writer, my belief has always been that we have are responsible for the messages we send through our art. YaYa explains that music can not only heal, but also can hurt. This is evident in the complacent attitude of many of today's rap artists and it's consumers. YaYa also expounds on some of the differences between the value of time and structure in Minanka culture vs. the same concept in the West. Understanding this element of an African culture allowed me to realize that I am not as crazy as many of my peers and professsors would have me to believe. YaYa's description of the late-night festivals helped me to understand why I can stay up all night and sleep all day sometimes.
I was offended by one review which stated that YaYa's book describes Minankas as drug addicts. His description of the Minianka's use of herbs and medicines to heal is no different or worse than the Western philosophy of popping pills to make troubles disappear, i.e, prozac, ridalin, sleeping pills, etc. YaYa also emphasizes the importance of music in the healing process, and his descriptions of instances in which music was used to heal in his culture are both moving and sincere.
In light of American's recent "liberation" of Iraq, it was also interesting to read YaYa's description of the French colonization of Mali. "The French glorified their colonization of large parts of Africa as a 'mission civilsatirce', a civilizing mission...The textbooks spoke of Africa rarely enough and then only referred pejoratively to the 'natives', not the human beings who belonged to our continent." (120)
It has been long understood in the elevated members of my own culture, that Africa and America are inextricably connected. I believe a closer look at the statement above could easily be related to the reluctance of many Black youth in America to take an interest in formal education. The teachings in this book are, in many cases, universal and, in most cases, interesting and inspirational. YaYa Diallo tells his story with simplicistic eloquence,humor, and wisdom. The book offers much in the way of history and parables, without beating you over the head. Mitchell Hall has done an excellent job of translation.
I was required to read this book for an African Dance class I was taking at the University of Louisville. For any person who is interested in learning more about music, Minianka culture, or the world, I would highly recommend YaYa Diallo and Mitchell Hall's "The Healing Drumm", and for anyone in Louisville, I encourage you to take Harlina Churn Diallo's African Dance class. Bring out the Drums!

Over the years of owning this book I have returned to "The Healing Drum: African Wisdom Teachings" again and again. As a person of African descent I find it incredibly enriching to read the stories of Yaya Diallo as retold by Mitch Hall regarding his upbringing in the musical culture of the Miniaka (Bamana) people. We are all lucky that Diallo's words are preserved by Hall in "The Healing Drum" because a great deal of healing wisdom of Africa is oral, passed through families, thus it remains secretative. I welcome this open-hearted effort and openminded collaborative work seeking to contribute to international healing through authentic sound, as such I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking knowledge of alternate ways of healing inspired by West African spirituality.

I wanted to read this book because I have recently started learning African drumming and I wished to find out more about West African culture and how traditional music is used to heal. This was the perfect book for both aspects.

The author helps us to appreciate the culture of his village through his own experiences. We read about his struggles to follow the customs and teachings of his village as he is educated in French culture and taught to embrace the Western way of life.

We also gain an insight into the secret societies and social aspects of life in his village. Suspend disbelief at some of the awesome sights that he relates, I only wish that I could see them for myself! The sociological, psychological and religious knowledge that he reveals about his community is fascinating.

Yaya shows us that a musician in this culture does not just "play" music, music is a vital aspect of life which sustains the society and heals lost souls. The musician is a healer and a protector of the people. Each piece of music has implications, positive or negative, and the musician has a responsibility to the community to play well and appropriately.

This book has helped me to gain an insight into African culture and music; from now on my djembe playing will have more significance for me and I feel inspired by the healing potential that I now hold in my hands.

This book is about music, healing, indigenous view of life and above all, it is about harmony, which is achieved when life is lived with respect and with generosity.

Diallo is a member of the mainly agricultural Minianka/Senufo tribe living in what today is Mali. The Minianka have been able to resist the depredations which occur when Islam or X-ianity enters African societies; they are animist, that is, they still observe and follow ancient laws that emphsize the interdependence between humans, nature and the transcendent realms. Music to the Minianka music is much more than entertainment. It is used for work, celebration, ritual, inititations, funerals and healing; each activity (as well as each profession and each person) has its own special rhythms and harmonies. The MInianka understand music as a bridge between the visible and invisible. As such, it is used to establish harmonious relationships between an individual, his community, his ancestors and the Creator. Every night there is dancing at the village square - and EVERYBODY dances. Minianka musicians learn to transpose the essence of their fellow men's characters into music, so that when a villager gets to dance, he is greated by rhythms which match his/her character and emotional configuration. By observing closely, the musicians can adapt the music to the needs of the listener and thereby lead them to health. In Minianka villages, says Diallo, "musicians are healers, the healers musicians.... Music...amplifies to our sense the unheard tones and unseen waves that weave together the matter of existence. The beat, the rhythm, the timing, the orchestration, the flow, the balance between action and rest must all be within well-defined limits...and the music becomes a healing art that helps restore emotionally and psychologically disturbed people to harmonious human functioning. "

THe book is well written and brings us a close -up of Fienso, the village of Diallo's childhood. I found the descriptions of initiation ceremonies, daily work, secret societies very interesting. It made me see the Minianka society as an extremely sophisticated - where there is place for everyone and where everybody is interconnected in a web of mutual obligations between people, spirits and God. Unfortunately, the interdependence on mutual obligations makes the African society also fragile; when reciprocity inherent in such webs is interrupted, as during incursions of oil and diamond money, radical X-ianity or Islam, the African society collapses and we get what we see today in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia or Sudan - lack of harmony and lack of peace.

Still, we would be fools to pass the opportunity to learn what Africans have to teach us. Music is one of the keys that can open the door of the gilded cage in which the giant of industrial nihilism has imprisoned us and Yaya Diallo shows us in this wonderful book, that it is possible to open one's body, spirit and destiny to the amazing world of harmony and beauty where true healing occurs.

Holes is an easily readable, thrilling, and well-written novel about a teenage boy, Stanley Yelnats, who is sent to a juvenile center called Camp Green Lake. The campers are required to dig holes five feet wide and five feet deep every day. Stanley becomes friends with Zero. His new friend loves to dig holes. Zero does not know how to read so he and Stanley make a deal in which Zero helps Stanley dig in exchange for Stanley teaching Zero to read. Stanley's family seems to have bad luck which is the result of a curse upon his great-great grandfather. Since the adventures of the present day characters are related to events which happened to their ancestors there is much mystery and more than a few "holes." The story's climax takes place when Zero runs away and Stanley goes in search of him.

Holes is a book you cannot miss this winding tale of survival and friendship that never ends. The book is about a normal boy named Stanley yelnats. Who is walking down the road and then suddelnly a pair of Clyde Livingston shoes fall on his head. He thinks this is from his dad who is finding a way to recycle used shoes. So he hurrys home happy but to find cops chasing after him... I can't tell you any more you have to read the book your self and i gurentee you will really enjoy this book also if you are looking for another good book to read I reccomed you ginger pye. Hope you liked this review.

By elven year old Mohmad sabha.

Very clever, funny and entertaining story. It manages to tell stories within stories to explain how a generations old curse is finally lifted - all without losing the reader. The movie was great, but the book was better. A MUST READ for all kids and adults!

I read hundreds of bedtime books to my kids and I would have to put this one in the top 5 of all time.

HOLES

The story holes is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats and a boy name zero well zero walks into a homeless shelter and a famous baseball player has famous shoes called sweet feet and zero is a poor person that lives on the street he stills the shoes and starts running well after he's running the cops are too close he knows there coming so he's on a bridge and throws them off the bridge and Stanley's neck and the cops see Stanley with them around his neck so the cops say put your hands up and he dose and he goes to court and the judge say's you have two choices Stanley camp green lake or jail and Stanley says I never been too camp before and he thinks that his great great grandfather was the one who gave them a curse and when he goes to camp green lake he meets a lot of people even Zero and they tell everybody u have to dig holes it teaches you a lessen well they say that if you find something in the ground you get one day off well one day Stanley finds something that say KKB and his friend said let me have it and says he found it and got the day off and Stanley thinks that's enisoal of Kissing Kate Barlow and Stanley's says his grandpa tells him story's about his great great grandpa and how he had a treasure that Kissing Kate Barlow stole and left his grandfather in the desert and he found a mountain that they say is god's thumb and zero runs away after he runs away Stanley steals Mr.Sur's truck the wardens assistant and try's too drive the truck but runs it into a hole and got out of the truck and started running and goes far and finds a boat and sees zeros legs sticking out says zero! zero! he says what very slowly as he was dehydrated Stanley say we need to go back too camp and he say no we can't said zero and they started walking and seen a mountain he looks at it and says that looks like a thumb it was god's thumb they started climbing as zero passed out and Stanley carried up zero to the top of the mountain and he started feeling bugs fly on them and he say wherever there's bugs there water or a pond and he seen a stream of water and some onions' and they start talking about going back at night and stealing a shovel and digging more in that hole were they found that lipstick that had the KKB on it and they might find the treasure there grandfather had stolen from him so they do all that and they fell a hard object in the hole they get it and they bring it out and the warden and Mr.sur come's out there and they say thank you for finding my treasure and Stanley say no this is mine and yellow spotted lizards climb on the treasure and one bite will give you a slow and painful death so they didn't move and Stanley's layer came out there and said get them out of there and they say no and the warden says it's her treasure and Stanley say that is a lie and gets out of the hole and zero comes to and he says yea it is his name is on it and it was they left and took zero with them and zero hires takers too track down his mom and they find there mom and they open the treasure and split it with Zero and they lived right by each other and camp green lake closed and the cures of his great grandfather broke and they lived happily ever after

by Alex

This is a story about a boy named Stanley who has a mysterious curse that was placed on his family for generations, but now he has to go to Camp Green Lake or jail. Then he meets a mysterious kid named Zero. Then their mysterious past comes together. Maybe they both will die...

I think people who like adventures and comedy, together are good for this book!!!! It got 5 stars from me!!!!!!!!

Gave out many copies of this book through the years and the response has almost always been the same - an even deeper hunger for more of Jesus!

This was life changing for me the first time I read it. Have in fact read it several times already but the message remain fresh and challenging. Read this and you'll never be the same.

Pastor David says it all here. What more could I be hungry for? Give me Jesus. That's what I desire.

books, that actually brought me to my knees in tears.
Asking God for forgiveness.
I borrowed it out, and never got it back.
I think it's time I picked up a new copy.

This is a MUST read!!!

David Wilkerson writes like he preaches, tough. This book is written for those who are hungry for more of Jesus in their lives (which should be all disciples; John 14:15). The book is at once tough but also encouraging to the disciple. It will challenge you to stop living for the present, dying world and start becoming focused on what is truly valuable, Jesus. Some might say that Wilkerson needs more grace but remember that God's grace teaches us to say no to sin (Titus 2:11-12).

David Wilkerson haS ALWAYS been a great man of God and he has insights that are uplifting and that bring great understanding
all throughout this book.Each chapter is like a new Bible study !
It will bring you great encouragement along with new knowledge!!I bought at least 4, 1 for me , the others for gifts.

From the day my 5year old daughter got hold of this book and "I can draw animals" she is stuck with these. She completed 4 drawings at one sitting and always wants to do more. The best part is the simple visual instruction that shows the way without any adult supervision. Great book!

I bought this book for my six year old daughter. The book has simple steps for drawing that were easy for my daughter to make. My daughter has gained confidence and feels great when she has to make drawings for her book report. I also enjoy these drawings. We recommend the book.

..but don't know what to draw. It is full of ideas involving people and is easy to follow for children who cannot read.

Hours and hours of fun! My 4 year old daughter and my 4 year old nephew received these for Christmas. They both use these books for hours and we also do it as a family. These (I Can Draw Animals, I Can Draw People, What Shall I Draw Today) are the only ones we have so far, but they are super. Not only are these books teaching my little girl how to draw, but reinforcing time alone drawing, group activity, sharing and "Please pass the yellow", etc... Every child should have these books.

I Can Draw People is an excellent teaching book for young children. It teaches them how to draw in simple steps. It is easy to follow with pictures kids love. This book and series helps children gain confidence in their art skills.

It's an excellent book, full of wits and inspirations. Love it.

I found this book to be very helpful and knowledgeable but most importantly I gained a lot of inspiration from this and have already begun selling more of my product!

Why did Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ignite a worldwide movement with his "I Have a Dream" speech? The answer is simple: because we all have dreams, aspirations, inner sparks yearning to become flames.

Sometimes these dreams are private. We may not even admit them fully to ourselves. Traditionally, these are our "pipe dreams," our Walter Mitty fantasies.

At other times we describe our dreams to family and friends. Yet we don't go beyond that. We simply talk, get mired in "what if" and count time until the weekend and the monthly paycheck.

Stacey Mayo's excellent book helps readers move beyond daydreaming, helping them fashion a plan that takes them from speculation to success.

This book is very interesting. Mayo's interviews read like conversation at a mid morning coffee break.

Fortunately, after each interview she helps you take specific steps to apply the action principles that she has uncovered.

As an entrepreneur who took the big leap to fulfill his dream eight years ago, I can report that Stacey Mayo offers practical guidelines for venturesome spirits. At the end of the book, you will declare, "They all got their dream life. Following their advice, I can too."

Does this sound familiar? You have a dream but are afraid if you pursue it you will risk losing what you have now?

In Stacey Mayor's book, seven very successful people overcome obstacles to turn those dreams into reality, each sharing three Key Success Principles:

1. Stacey Allison, the first American woman to successfully climb Mt. Everest. She turned her passion into money and tell tells how she balances the life lessons from her climb and her abusive first marriage.

2. Mary Youngblood went from a being a welfare mom to being a Grammy Award winner with her music.

3. Loral Langemeier, single mom who became a millionaire -- and teaches others to do the same.

4. Baseball's Tom Glavine overcame multiple roadblocks and became a pro ballplayer and a World Series' MVP.

5. John Dessauer went from a corporate job and an almost-failed married to a multi-millionaire in just over two years in real estate.

6. Lisa Earle McLeod left a lucrative position at Procter & Gamble (against everyone's advice) to help other women with her talent for humor. She authored Forget Perfect and is now a professional speaker and comedian.

7. Stephen Pierce is the final person. I have had the privilege to meet him at a major Internet marketing seminar. His story is inspirational. A tenth grade dropout, Pierce hit bottom before earning his first million "on line" using the Internet to sell product and intellectual property to traders. He stressed the value of joint alliances to help him succeed.

The stories are all inspirational, each with a good lesson for us on overcoming the fear of working toward our dreams.

The coach/author interviews these life experts, followed by sound advice they learned at the school of hard knocks. You will find many favorites in the 26 strategies. Mine was: To streamline your efforts with your natural talents with your goal.

If you are searching for more fullfillment in your present occupation or yearning to reach for different dreams and create a new and more successful and joyful career, this is the book for you. Not only does the author provide you with real life examples of successful individuals living their dreams, but she breaks down the process for reaching your dreams in a practical and inspiring way. Her skills as a life coach are shared with the reader as she coaches you carefully through each of the proven strategies so they can be tailored to meet your specific needs and circumstances. If living your dream AND getting paid for it is something you are interested in, then I highly recommend you get this book right away and start creating your dream today!! I know I am.

"While nothing prepares us for what marriage is going to be like, the same can be said of divorce with children." ~ Joshua Coleman

How do you let go of your fairy-tale idea of marriage, maintain harmony and also take care of your children in a nurturing environment...when you no longer feel "in love" with your partner? This brings out a variety of complex issues that create waves of emotional response even for those who have yet to consider their options. When you decide to enter into a long-term relationship, you may not be aware of the challenges ahead.

"..the heady phase of newfound romance doesn't last, and that's often a disappointment, no matter how seasoned we are in relationships. It's disheartening because it means that we have to either break up or start dealing with our expectations of what a real relationship is going to be like with this person. This means moving into the uncomfortable realm of facing the imperfections of our partner and ourselves."

In the throws of initial infatuation and limerence, the future seems perfectly ordered and you can't imagine ever wanting to be apart from the person you imagine is your soul mate. Then the chemicals wear off and you start to experience the roller coaster ride of marriage that has highs and lows and various stages where we enter challenges that require personal growth. This is the time where either your heart takes over or your mind kicks into high gear and you start to solve problems with creative flair or a determination to save your marriage "no matter what."

Joshua Coleman provides a wise and compassionate view of marriage. He understands the dangers the dissolution of the family presents. He understands how parents worry about their children when they are away from home and why providing a caring and nurturing environment is better for the long-term emotional stability of children. As parents move through stages of denial, anger and bargaining they may come to a moment of acceptance and then find the required compassion to forgive and then move forward into a new stage of the relationship.

If you think your childhood is affecting your marriage, there is an entire chapter on the subject. Being neglected as a child is just as painful as being abused and the affects can later appear in your own marriage. This book sheds light on how the neglect or abuse causes you to react in your own marriage and how this can affect your children. With each problem, there is also a solution. The "Path for Change" sections give ideas for how to adapt or reverse situations that are completely in your control. This book will also help you understand why criticism can seem to be an act of betrayal or why self-destructive behaviors can be an attempt to manage fear. This chapter is especially interesting as it explains problems in a marriage from a perspective I had never considered.

"If your parent was depressed or neglectful, there might have been a reversal of roles. Rather than having the experience of being taken care of, you may have had to take care of your parent." ~Joshua Coleman

Imperfect Harmony is a book for anyone who is married, whether they have children or are considering starting a family. Even if you never intend to have children, but you are considering a divorce, this book could explain the real reasons your relationship is falling apart and there may be time to save your marriage. If you are depressed, this book also shows that when you are in a difficult relationship, it can affect your self-esteem. Anxiety, social withdrawal, sleep problems and decreased pleasure are only some of the effects discussed in this brilliant and enlightening book.

What can you do when your partner is depressed?
How do you deal with your own needs in a marriage?
What do you do when a partner withdraws sexually? (The humorous "Eleven Strategies to Guarantee a Bad Sex Life" is rather revealing and gives ideas for change.)
How do you avoid having an affair when your needs are not being met?
What should you do when a partner is verbally abusive?
How can you reduce conflict?

The "Eleven Ways to Work on Yourself" is a good way to balance out your life and create new priorities. The "Different Kinds of Marriage" encourage you to accept the stage your marriage is currently in or is heading towards.

Joshua Coleman presents creative ways to save your marriage that include everything from an "in-house separation" to "planning to separate after the kids are grown."

This is a must-read manual for marriage. This book will give hope to anyone who is married and feels that they are struggling to save a marriage alone. It will also provide a much-needed escape into "someone understands." With this book, you may truly be able to save your marriage and create a situation where you feel comfortable and secure. In this environment, you can then face all the additional challenges of raising children and balancing your career, emotional needs and spiritual goals.

For many, divorce is not an option and this book helps anyone in a situation where they are determined to stay married. Too often people casually advise walking away from a marriage, when truly a marriage is a learning experience and one of the most challenging experiences of your life. They don't seem to understand what you are fighting for and for some people, their marriage is extremely important and not something they casually entered into without consideration.

It is very satisfying to see an author take on this subject and make "staying married" very possible. This book will empower women who want to stay married! It is also a book that will give you deeper insight into the issues facing everyone who is married. We are all on a journey towards balance in our lives and this book is an excellent guide to balancing your needs with the needs of your children.

~The Rebecca Review
10 years and counting...

We have been married for twenty-seven years. Although our children are no longer at home, my husband and I were inspired by Dr. Coleman's book. We thought an alternative title could have been "How to Have a Satisfying Marriage". He recommends taking responsibility for one's own life and not looking to a partner for completion. Although a great read, Dr. Coleman's scholarly work draws on the research of anthropologists, psychologists and scientists. This is a book for all those who wish to be fulfilled in their own lives. We give this book two thumbs up!

In a sea of glib, peppy books that promise to transform a messy marriage into a fairy-tale romance in six (or seven or nine) easy steps, Imperfect Harmony is a bastion of practicality, sanity, and hope. No bogus promises here. If you want to stay together for your kids or just want to have a happier marriage, this smart, no-hype volume gives you a detailed roadmap for navigating your way through complex relationship issues.

Author Joshua Coleman never sugar-coats or flinches from the less-than-glamorous truth. He furnishes a toolbox of practical suggestions and exercises that can help you improve and sweeten your marriage. Real-life examples, drawn from Coleman's psychotherapy practice, illustrate in unvarnished detail exactly how couples can work to resolve specific issues. The outcomes may not always be sprinkled with self-help pixie dust, but they work in the real world.

Imperfect Harmony is radical in its perspective, compassionate in its tone, and rare in its honesty. Its no-bull quality is refreshing and somehow reassuring. This is a generous book, and the author seems to genuinely care about his readers. If you're looking for a quick fix (hey, let me know if you find one) or don't want to work on your marriage, this book isn't for you. But if you want to build a more loving, lasting relationship, this book could make all the difference.

Dr. Coleman's work is surely to raise an eyebrow or two for its novel approach to resolving marital discord and dissatisfaction. His premise that the adults in the relationship should work for a rapproachment (if total peace is not possible) for the sake of the children will not be popular in a culture where no-fault divorce is the preferred solution.

What I love about this book is the way Dr. Coleman approaches marriage; realistically. You may have started out with what you felt was a "match made in heaven," or you may have been under an illusion that yours was a match made in heaven, but when things look like they are going south, this does not mean you bail.

Can you accept half a loaf (half a loaf is better than none)? How about a quarter or even an eighth of a loaf to ensure that your child's life is disrupted as little as possible? After all, it is all about the kids.

This book has a number of vignettes where Dr. Coleman is working with clients to change their expectations, or at the least help them to establish realistic expectations. He even goes so far to instruct partners how to live separate lives within their own home if getting along is no longer an option.

Imperfect Harmony takes a look at marriage unlike any book I have ever read on the subject. Sometimes things happen and things don't work out, but this is not to mean that everyone (especially the children) cannot live happily ever after.

If your marriage is in trouble, if you know someone with marital problems, or if you are interested in the topic of marriage as a counseling profession, this is a wonderful book to have. As a soon-to-be counselor I can actually envision myself using this book in couples and family therapy; assigning parts of the book for the clients to read for discussion in therapy.

Five plus stars for Imperfect Harmony.

As a pastor, I have read many books on the subject of helping marriages because that is an important part of my ministry. However, this is the most radical, realistic and useful book I have ever seen. It is applicable not only to the average marriage but also to the more challenging ones like depression, personality disorders, alcoholism, and addictions.

I am very disappointed with many Christian authors of books on marriage who are so unreal and with many authors of books for family members of the mentally ill who don't say enough. Here is a book I can use in counseling others

After 10 years of marriage, a man's wife was diagnosed as a high functioning person with borderline personality disorder. Afterwards, she did not function on the same level as before.

For three and a half years, her husband did about everything Dr. Coleman says not to do in his chapter on depression in marriage. As a result, he ended up depressed himself after giving too much of himself away trying to hold the family together.

With the help of therapists and reading books like Imperfect Harmony, Wild at Heart, and No More Mr. Nice Guy, he found help to grow a long way from where he was a year and a half ago.

Marriage to anyone with a mental illness or addiction is under extreme pressure. Staying married for the children's sake and still be happy or wondering if you should stay married in such an imperfect harmony is the theme of this book.

Coleman writes of the various parts of a hoped for marriage that must be let go of. He writes about getting your focus off the spouse and onto what in your childhood attracted you to such a needy person. The author's definition of "toxic chemistry" is a helpful insight.

He challenges readers to work through their toxic brooding, despair, and chronic feelings of resentment. Then we can develop empathy and emotional seperatedness.

It is crucial to answer his question from chapter 3. How much meaning do you have in your life apart from your marriage?

Contrary to many other authors, he says that communication is not enough. Just because one has imperfect harmony in one's marriage does not mean you should leave.

He proposes good reasons for staying married with children present, even if your spouse is difficult or not fulfilling. Staying in such a marriage need not destroy you to be loved by them. However, he honestly states that in the case of physical abuse and extreme mental health issues the need to leave is very clear.

The major intent of this book is to help readers to see if it possible and necessary to stay in an imperfect harmony with one?s spouse without loosing themselves or their good impact as parents. His chapters on "Depression in Marriage", "The High-Conflict Marriage," and "Is Change Possible" are worth the price of the whole book.

One cannot and must not read this book at supersonic speed. It is a rich book to read, reflect upon, and dwell upon its searching questions. Reading it in conjunction with one's therapist will bring you the most benefits from this book.

Thank you Dr. Coleman for writing this book. I hope seminaries use your book in their marriage and family counseling courses for future pastors.