Titles Books

The book was in excellent condition and received quickly in the mail. I was very pleased!

Set in New York City, Richard Egielski's version of The Gingerbread Boy is a treat for the eyes. The illustrations are richly detailed and colorful, and my 3 year old son loves this modern version. He and I talk about the characters and details, telling stories within the story. Our favorite illustration shows of a group of construction workers who pause in their work to chase that irresistible gingerbread boy. My son really loves the chase scenes, but the picture of the fox eating the gingerbread boy is a little scary. We highly recommend this version to readers 3 and up.

this true work of art--along with "Pat the Bunny" !--should be in every house, whether you have children or not.

This book is wonderful. I have designed a whole week's lesson plan around this book. It's great for kids to learn to read because of the repetitiveness on the story. Your kids will be able to memorize this story in no time at all. I't also just a wonderful edition to any collector's home. Definately worth it.

This children's book is the only version of this 12th century Japanese fairy tale I could find in English in the US. The bold, courageous heroine of the story is charming and delightful, and the illustrations are beautiful. The original story was supposed to have informed Miyazaki's lovely animated film "Nausicaa and the Valley of the Wind," which I also highly recommend.

This is a marvellous presentation of the traditional Japanese tale ``The lady who loved insects''. It has an admirable protagonist in the title character who is sensible and strong, able to think for herself, who resists the pressures to conform.

I checked out this book from our public library as it was on my daughter's summer reading list from school (for 1st grade). Well, let me tell you she LOVED this story! She wanted me to read it to her over and over and over again. It has lovely illustrations and of course a happily ever after ending. I was considering buying for my daughter, but the $30 price tag was a bit shocking. Maybe if I had more than one daughter it would be worth the investment.

This fairy tale like story is a must read. I have this book at the day-care that I work with it and children absolutely love it. The language in the book is beautiful and helps the story flow. Although it is a longer story it engages children's attention through the colorful illustrations and interesting story.

The year is 1868, but in the back woods of Tennessee, the Civil War is still brewing. Twelve-year-old Gnat Stokes, whose mother abandoned her at birth and whose "no-good pappy" is a "thieving Rebel," lives with her grandfather in Mary's Cove. Gnat has a reputation as a troublemaker, but secretly she just wants to learn about the world --- she loves reading, and desperately wants to go to school.

Mary's Cove is surrounded by misty, creepy swamplands, presided over by the evil Foggy Bottom Swamp Queen, Zelda, and her army of bogie monsters known as Swamp Knights. Seven years earlier, Zelda, who often takes the form of a panther, kidnapped the handsome youth Goodlow Pryce. Since then, Goodlow's sweetheart, Penelope Drinkwater, has pined over her lost love.

Gnat wants to like Penelope, but when a talking cat (soon named Eatmore Beans) delivers an enchanted locket with a cryptic message from Goodlow, Gnat intercepts it and finds herself head over heels in love with Goodlow. Soon Gnat and her three friends are on a quest to rescue Goodlow so that Gnat can become a town hero and find true love.

GNAT STOKES AND THE FOGGY BOTTOM SWAMP QUEEN is written from Gnat's perspective, in a folksy, down-home tone that lends ambience to this Appalachian tale. Inspired by the old Scottish ballad "Tam Lin," GNAT STOKES draws on many folk traditions, but also includes more modern touches such as Gnat's infatuation with LITTLE WOMEN and a running joke about the adverse effects of eating too many beans.

With its Southern tone, dramatic and humorous scenes, and unforgettable heroine, GNAT STOKES AND THE FOGGY BOTTOM SWAMP QUEEN feels like an old-fashioned yarn people used to tell around the camp fire, making it an ideal story for families to read aloud together.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

Gnat Stokes And The Foggy Bottom Swamp Queen is a keeper-- touching, funny, and full of faith in the healing power of love. Sally Keehn has given us a memorable fantasy adventure told in vivid language rich with the tone of the Smoky Mountains and delivered in a fresh, authentic voice. I loved every word and the spaces in between.

The characters, even minor ones, are colorful and well-drawn. Granny Hart, collector of stories, catcher of babies, with second sight, who delivers sermons with every bath, and explains the different kinds of love with the metaphor of a many-sided love-crystal. Grandpa, with his steadfast presence, his wisdom about the importance of properly naming people and animals, and his three Idas. The newly arrived teacher, Miss Hope, with her gold tooth, her love of books, and three magic Latin words, "Amor Vincit Omnia," to be spoken as talisman when facing danger--"Love Conquers All." Eatmore Beans, a talking cat with a Scottish accent who delivers to Gnat a gold locket containing an urgent message, and then befriends wordless Baby Earl. And Gnat herself--a bona fide original, self-described as "twelve and running amok," motherless, a plucky mountain gal hungry for books and learning, an open-hearted scallywag determined to redeem herself and be a hero.

Further enhancing the enjoyment, the settings of Mary's Cove and Foggy Bottom Swamp are vividly imagined and artfully described. And the names of people and places delight: Goodlow Price, Jib Darnell, Hallelujah Pond, Devil's Notch, and my favorite, "The Francis Spittle Home For Wayward Girls." Also, the naming rituals described add an interesting layer of meaning to a story already rich with thoughtful symbols and messages.

I've enjoyed all of Sally Keehn's books, but this one has stolen my heart....

Years ago, when I was little my bought this tape for us to listen to. It has been listen to so much that the tape is worn and in bad shape. You have to have full volume to even hear it sometimes. I remember sitting in the car listening to it rather that going inside some place with my dad. The song playing was about Isabel the pig. "Isabel is a pig with a ring in her snout. You can dress Izzy up, but you can't take her out. She will jump in the middle of a big muddle, because Isabel is pig." All the trappings in the world, don't look pretty when you act like a fool or put on a pouty face.
My favorite song is "The School of the Fool." The guy in the song was "A first class, A+, student in the school of the fool." He was mean, lazy, etc.
"Go to the Ant" is really a well known saying from the Bible. It is also something we should be paying attention to. The ant doesn't have a boss looking over her shoulder. She does the work anyway. She works all day. Not like us. Some do may be, but most work a five, six, seven, eight, nine hour shift. Not from son up 'till sun down. "Are you responcible? Do you ever do a job without being told to? Or are you the lazy kind? And you mother and your father always have to scold you?" "Go to the ant, observe her. See how she works all day. And she doesn't even have a captain to tell her what to do, but she works hard anyway. Go to the ant, and listen. Tell me does she complain. She is God's illustration of organisation. God made her, now you immitate her. Go to the ant." "Well, there was a poor irrisponcible sluggard who slept when there was work to be done. Too late he realized his foolish behavior and poverty struck him like a man with a gun. Go to the ant."
I still find my self singing the song about the seven things God hates. "There are six things, even seven, that the Lord, that he cannot stand: Proud looking eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that thinks of wicked things to do, feet that run to evil do, anyone who loves to lie about others, and one who causes trouble with his brothers." "God hates things that we should hate too."
"From the lips of the little ones, he has ordained his praise." "You made man a little lower than the angels, put things under his feet."
"Talk to me. Show me that you care. Talk to me. Listen to what I say. Talk to me. There's so much we can share. I know you love me when you talk to me." "He always takes the time to talk to me."
I remember times when I didn't care much for Christian music (didn't know much about it either), the music was too dull, but (little children music it may be), music like this appeal to me ten times what the rest did.
The beats great, the words are not only great, but (sorry to about half the bands in the world) they are understandable. The message is clear and it is clearly benificial rather that to your potential downfall as some music now a days is.
I highly recommend this tape, whether you are getting it for a little kid like my mom was, or you're getting it for yourself. You won't regret it.
PS - I'm listening to it as I write this.

This cassette has musically rich tunes with sound, biblical lyrics. Judy Rogers uses mostly guitar with her songs. She has a very pleasant-sounding voice. She comes from a Reformed background - each song is well-written and pure in its doctrine. This tape has songs encouraging children to enjoy their work, to keep their conversation edifying and to listen to the words of their parents. My children have grown up listening to her many tapes - this one is for the younger ones, say ages 3 to 10. I have bought over a dozen copies as birthday gifts for friends of mine. Enjoy!

i love this series of books! (jump at the sun). I recommend you get the whole series. It is very important for african american children to be exposed to reading materials that reflect them.

I like this book and the whole series as that has black faces and a wonderful story.

Dumezil largely founded the discipline of tracing themes and stories across Indo-European traditions. His work was pioneering and often lead to a rough framing of ideas which other scholars would later fill in to some extent. His arguments are sound, and his logic solid.

This does not mean that the book does not contain ideas which may miss the mark (I am somewhat unconvinced of his arguments relating to the murder of Baldr and the parallels in the Mahabharata), but the general theories and framework are still very much accepted.

I would highly recommend this work as an introduction to Dumezil's work, as well as an important look into Norse mythology in general.

It's a shame no one else has reviewed this books because it's really a classic. The works of Dumezil are still THE standard in comparative Indo-European religion. I can't even begin to guess how many books I've read that make reference to his works in their footnotes. If you have heard of "trifunctionalism"** it's probably due to the influence of Dumezil. This book is a great read and very informative.

** The theory that Indo-European societies were traditionally structured in a tripartite manner and are patterned after the divine order and the various roles of the gods themselves.

1. Maintenance of Cosmic and Juridical Order. ( Priestly caste and Juridical powers.. Varuna and Mitra or Wotan and Tyr)
2. The exersize of physical prowess ( the warrior caste , Thor or Indra)
3. The promotion of physical well being and producers (farmers, craftsmen.. Frey and Freya.)

Ruth Sanderson is the author and illustrator of this beautiful book. She is a wonderful painter and her talent really shows in this book. The story Ms. Sanderson has retold is actually taken from a few Russian fairy tales. It is a delightful read and young children will be glued to the pictures and the story. I brought Ms. Sanderson to my children's school for an author visit and she shared with the kids the process of how she illustrates her books. There is so much work behind her books, or any book for that matter, and it gave everyone a greater appreciation of the time and talent involved.
A. D. Tarbox, author of ALREADY ASLEEP (Oct. 2006)

This work in a combination of old Russian tales retold by the author. They will be quite familiar to readers of such. They are certainly no worse for the wear in this retelling though as the author has done a wonderful job. The tales are the typical quest type, my favoriet genre. The real magic of this book though are the wonderful illustrations. The detail is almost magical and the colors are absolutely dazzling. I could pontificate somewhat in comparing comparing her work with other authors, but this is an absolute silly excercise as each artist should be judge on their own works and not those of others. I liked this work. The kids I read it to like it. It is informative, fun and a delight to see. What more could you want?

Golden was the first book I read of the Once Upon a Time series. It captured my imagination and now I own all the books of the series. I've always been a sucker for a great fairy tale and Golden did not let me down. The book is mesmerizing right from the first page and character development is remarkable. Cameron Dokey creates a Rapunzel never before seen. She is a stronge heroine and her journey to discover the value of herself is something that we can all learn from. This book is a must read for all ages.

When the sorceress Melisande catches her neighbor stealing the herb known as rapunzel for his pregnant wife, she makes a deal: the wife can have as much rapunzel as she likes, but if she cannot love her baby just as she is, Melisande will take possession of the child. Of course, the vain, selfish mother cannot bring herself to love the baby when it is born completely bald, so Melisande takes the child, who she names Rapunzel. Rapunzel never grows hair and is therefore considered something of an oddity by most people, but she is loved by Melisande and is, for the most part, quite happy. Rapunzel also makes friends with a tinker named Mr. Jones and his handsome adopted son, Harry.

When Rapunzel is sixteen, a heatwave causes a drought and crop failure and Rapunzel is rightly worried that a mob will take its frustration out on the local sorceress and her oddly bald daughter. After abandoning their home, Melisande reveals her secret to Rapunzel: she has a biological daughter named Rue who has been trapped in a tower and Melisande thinks that Rapunzel is the one who can free her. Although Rapunzel agrees to help save Rue, doing so will not be easy. Fear, hurt feelings and jealousy threaten to come between the girls. Both girls are envious that there is another daughter in Melisande's life and Rapunzel fears that Harry, who has come to the tower to watch over her, has fallen in love with the utterly beautiful Rue, whose perfect golden locks contrast sharply with Rapunzel's bare head.

This is definitely one of the best of the Once Upon a Time series, and my favorite after another of Dokey's works, Beauty Sleep: A Retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" (Once Upon a Time). My biggest complaint for this book is the same for most of the Once Upon a Time books: it's too short and needs at least another 50-100 pages to be properly flushed out. However, even given its short length Dokey does an amazing job of bringing the Rapunzel story to life and creating characters to really care about. Melisande is not the wicked witch she is usually portrayed as, but instead is a wise old woman who genuinely cares for both her daughters. Rapunzel is a clever and strong heroine who nonetheless deals with the typical teenage concern that the guy she likes favors the prettier girl. I especially liked Harry, the tinker boy, and his interactions with Rapunzel. GOLDEN is cute, sweet and funny (I laughed out loud at some points) and a great addition to the Once Upon a Time series.