Publishing Books

I've never read this book , but I'll be buying it. Many , many years ago I had my purse stolen and in my wallet was a snippet of poetry I'd found , somewhere , that I've never been able to find since. It was the poetry written by this author , in this book , held in the hearts of the other reviewers here. It was certainly held in mine all these years. I can't believe it's been so hard to find , or that I finally have.

As many of the other reviewers have said, this book is very special. I first read it as a beginning teacher many years ago (bless my children's lit teacher for recommending it). My only question is...why isn't this book better known?

I found this book in the 5th grade, as a very troubled child living in a very troubled home. Reading it was like being in an extended dream from which one has a hard time waking. I found it difficult to get through - almost painful, for some reason. But it seemed to me - even at that age - necessary to get through the book. I felt there was something to be gained at the end. And there was: wisdom.

In the decades since, I have occasionally asked friends if they'd ever heard of this book. They invariably responded with a blank look. I searched once or twice for it only to come up empty-handed.

"Knee Deep in Thunder" has haunted me all my life. I don't know why. Any book that makes this kind of impact on a person is a very powerful work.

Please - read this book and be changed.

I read this book as a 12-year old and 25 years later am still impressed by its universal message. Overcoming adversity, making well-thought-out decisions, facing fear and danger, all call to the insecure adolescent in us all. The two human characters are a young girl and boy who are accompanied on their journey by a cast of bugs and animals who have amazing human-like traits and are completely believable. The reason for the journey is a mystery to them, and as they travel and overcome odds, they are all blessed with increased wisdom and depth of character. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in otherwordly fantasy, or to anyone facing an arduous journey of one's own, whether it's facing growing up or facing unbearable odds. A great book.

Like the first reviewer for this book, I first read "Knee Deep In Thunder" in 5th grade. I've read it several times since after purchasing it from an online "out of print" bookseller. I cherish my copy although last night after pulling it from my daughter's bookshelf I was sad to see that the front cover is ripping off. The idea of finding the book dawned on me and I searched the house for it (even moaning loudly at one point thinking I may have let someone borrow it who did not return) because I'm bringing it with me to Alaska tomorrow to hopefully read to my dying mother who cannot read any more. Just like Maris's adventure, the story has come full circle because it was my mother, an elementary school librarian, who first introduced it to me. The poem on the front pages, "The Timid Folk Beseech Me..." was something that adorned our bathroom wall. I memorized it then, and I love it still. My mother is just about to walk the fields of clouds and follow vanished lighting and she'll be standing knee deep in thunder with her head against the sky.

Sigh... It's just another one of those "must read" books.

This book is such a comfort for anyone who has lost a loved one. I'd recommend it to anyone grieving and their close friends and relatives. The theology and prayer in this book is uplifting.

I have not lost a child. In fact, I'm not a parent. So, admittedly, much of the power of this book, as expressed by other reviewers, is simply lost on me. I cannot empathize with the author's experience in any way.

However, I am still glad to have read this compact book. Though one reviewer suggests that it is too academic, it is no such thing. Intelligently written? Yes. Academic? No. Instead, it is a strikingly authentic expression of the pain and suffering that the author experienced immediately after and further past the event of losing his 25-year-old son to a mountain climbing accident.

The greatest asset of this book is the author's brutal honesty. All Christians would do well to follow his example of opening our emotional landscape for God and others to see, rather than somehow trying to stuff our most "unChristian" feelings behind some facade of strength. When things hurt, I am confident that God allows His people to hurt. In fact, Wolterstorff suggests that God hurts with us.

This book is not filled with Christians platitudes, so spiritual sounding but ultimately so silly, that we often offer to each other to try to help with despair. Instead, it sits in that grief, analyzes that grief, admits the brokenness, and still reaches for the comforting hand of a loving God. Especially for those who have lost a child but even for any Christian who wants to learn how to honestly grieve, I recommend this book as worthwhile.

My son died from injuries suffered in a fall while serving in the Peace Corps in Zambia in 2005. This book has put words to many of my own feelings. It is raw and heart wrenching. I have quoted many of the passages in this book. I highly recommend it for any grieving parent. We have a copy in our Compassionate Friends library, where it will serve as a comfort to many others.

Having lost our son last year, this book was recommended to us. You think you understand what a loss means, but you really don't until you are there. This book identified so many emotions I have been through and touched my heart at the love and compassion shared. If you know anyone who has lost a child, read this book and then you will have a better understanding to walk with them through this journey of grief.

This book was recommended to me by a wonderful lady by the name of Mary who owns a bookstore in Sandwich, MA on the Cape. I was curious as to how it would fare due to how thin it was but I began reading it immediately. I could NOT put it down. I read it in one sitting as it's very easy to read due to it's journal style. Nicholas Wolterstorff is a master at writing about all the feelings one goes through after a loss. Feelings that leave you scratching your head and wondering how you arrived at them and yet mange to still function as part of society. Feelings that leave you numb and wounded from the heavy burden and pain. Feelings that if you wanted to capture you would struggle to form concise sentences from the sheer overwhelming nature of them. Nicholas manages all of the above and more. He will touch you with his heart-wrenching understanding of grief. I cried, I nodded my head, I marveled at just how much my pain was not only recognized but acknowledged and validated. My pain is still with me, you will never be rid of it nor should you want to be (a notion mentioned in the book) but I have a feeling of peace more so than before I read it. This peace I think comes from not being alone in my pain. And while I wouldn't wish the loss of a child on anyone, I'm so blessed to have had the chance to read Lament for a Son because it has allowed me to feel part of a community of mourners. A community where I am allowed to suffer and grieve, but also clearly be aware of why I suffer and that is because I LOVE. Sadly in the real world we are made to feel we must 'get over' our loss and as a result are outcast in society. Through his words Nicholas Wolterstorff shows just how much of a force death and grief affect the loved ones left on earth. This book is a gift for those in pain from loss and is also a gift for those who want to help family or friends but don't know what to say. My son was stillborn and while this loss is diffeent from losing a 25 year old child, it is still a loss that has forever changed me. Lament for a Son has helped me in my grief, and I hope it helps your pain too.

This review is only four years late. I was given a copy of Dr. Haley's book as a thank you gift stemming from a business relationship with the sole task of thanks that I would write a short review.

I just finished reading this book for the second time - and it was just as good the second as it was the first - possibly even better.

Dr. Haley caputures quite a bit of the charm of living in the Pacific Northwest (so many accurate quotes about the heat waves of Washington,) and then you factor in a cast of characters that seem familiar at first glance, but have the power to totally surprise you the next page over.

Full of humor and an egaging story, this book is perfect for fans of science fiction, without the snooty science fiction, and of amazing adventures. Sort of like a combination of Good Omens, Indiana Jones and Cheers.

Doc, You overdid yourself. I am hooked. Already have the second book, and can't wait to get started. You are one of the great minds of this day. Loved reading your book...multiple times...and surely again real soon. Looking forward to the sequel and hopefully a trilogy!!!!

Great book! How can I add anything to that? Best thing is that I can read it again and again but I need more. Yo! Mr. Haley, we need another book real soon. I have worn this one out reading it for the tenth time. Talking with a friend in LA and the rumor is that the big boys have been looking this over for either a movie or TV sitcom. Hope both are true! More rumors are that you have at least six more books coming out. When will they be here? Please hurry! Harry O

It was one of those books that once I started reading it was difficult to put down. I enjoyed the characters that Wayne created and how they functioned together. Enjoyable content, I recommend it for fun reading great entertainment.

The entire family loved this book. It kept you captive from start to end. I didn't want to put it down (just had to know what was going to happen next). I'm only sorry it took me so long to place my review because I truelly enjoyed this book. I am anticipating the release of the next book.

Saadia Aschemann's poetry is direct and earthy, the product of an artist who has clearly studied her craft and then gone on to push the envelope and create a delightful writing personality of her own. There is no hasty `free verse' tossed in to fill pages--no, Aschemann obviously crafts her work as a painter fills his canvas or a sculptor works her stone. Each poem is a musical accomplishment that reflects the best of her when she turns it over to her audience--and each deserves a `Bravo!'

As has been noted by other reviewers, "lavish Lines/luscious lies" provides the reader with tantalizing clues on the historical background of many styles used by the author, such as the dreamy poem, "Sestina," after which she draws us back to its origins in the twelfth century.

I enjoyed how Aschemann conspires with the reader to enhance their enjoyment of her work, such as with the poem, "Hush." "Read in a Whisper," she insists and, if you haven't, you look around in hopes you haven't given something away.

For anyone wanting something new and dynamic in the world of poetry, poet Saadia Aschemann is just the thing for you.

These passionate words float over the lips, dance on the tongue and caress and warm the inside. This book paints 21st century color into the character, zest, and rich beauty of wine, woman, song and much, much more.

Cleverly set in vibrant poetic forms, every syllable has deliberate purpose, meaning, and punch; like a great bass player setting the groove in a hot band. Lavish Lines certainly grooves word for word.

The book's virtue lies in the intoxicating rhythm of those beautiful words; weaving life equally into the precious and mundane moments of life. Sex, wine and passion share the stage with family, boredom and neurosis. Their interplay makes for magic days and nights that lift the human spirit and make them interesting and lovely and so damn worth living.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/REYMYLJ29TSR5 lavish Lines/luscious Lies[[ASIN:B000XEBVXS

Flirtations and Booze - A Short Collection of Poems]]

Saadia's flowing verse is like a viking ship of Valkyries coming to take you away. You know they're going to rough you up, but you can't stop staring at their shiny metal bikinis and hoping they'll kiss you first. She is a talented writer and poet who paints pictures of experience and emotion with her words. Her writings keep you thinking and feeling all the way through. I loved this.

I found Saadia's clever poetic word play a pleasure to read. Her inner-voice is playful, flirtatious and sensuous. I enjoyed these short works as they each left me with a pleasant vibe, I looked forward to her next piece. Saadia's muse often eminates from "spirits" she befriends. At the end of her book, you find yourself likewise wishing to share a drink with this new friend you have met.

This book changed my life! I've been a cronic dieter my whole life. After gaining over 50 pounds with my daughter's pregnancy...and still having 20 to lose at her first birthday, I decided to do something about it. This book was the answer to my prayers. I thought that I had to starve myself to lose...and even that wasn't working any more! After ONLY Eight Weeks on the diet all 20 of my extra pounds are off and I'm working on those extra 10 that I thought would always be a part of me! I'm happy, healthy, THIN and EATING! You can be too! I hope that you buy this book and stick to the plan. It really does work!

Lean for life is the best diet book i have ever read. I have been over weight my entire life. I have lost 107lbs in 7 months. I continue to lose the weight and feel wonderful. I have energy and now i have the key to live my life with success. Anyone who states this diet does not work has not given it a chance.

I cannot even start to describe how wonderful it feel to look at myself in the mirror and see a new me..... After struggling for years to lose weight, I finally found my answers on April 2001 when my husband's best friend introduced me to the Lindora Diet. He had lost 85 Ibs in 10 months and I was truly amazed. I ordered the book and started the diet on April 7, 2001. The first week I lost 10 Ibs. I never felt better in my whole life. As of today, January 9, 2002, I am now 145 Ibs for 68 inches. I have lost altogether 80 Ibs and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT !.
Nothing comes easy but Lean for Life is worth a try.

I have been following this diet since my mom joined the lindora program in our town. I have lost almost 30 pounds in about 6 weeks and I feel great. I do not get tired and actually feel more energized. I do crave breads and sweets but I have a big sweet tooth. This is an easy way to lose weight and keep it off. Definately recommended.

Over the years I have written a number of diet book reviews ... I am happy to say that LEAN FOR LIFE is the last diet book I will need to review. LEAN FOR LIFE WORKS and I don't need to read anymore diet books!

The book "Lean For Life" has since been updated and retitled. It's now called "Lean For Life Phase One" and is available ... and at leanforlife.com. I would advise purchasing the new version instead of shelling out the extra money for an out of print copy of the original Lean for Life.

Lean for Life Phase One is a book that you do. Each day you are given step by step directions to follow to mentally and physically achieve your weight loss goals.
The program begins with a "prep" period where you buy the items you need for the diet and prepare yourself mentally.

The next 3 days are protein days. You select protein choices from a given list. I was shocked to find that it was easy. I ate cheese, yogurt, drank milk, protein bars, nibbled on chicken, eggs and more.

This is followed by a period where you add vegetables, grains and fruit from a list. The program is designed to get your body in a state of ketosis so you do not experience cravings, mood problems etc. AND IT WORKS!

On previous programs I had cravings for sweets and could not stick with the plan. But with LFL your cravings (if any) are very manageable and you eat so you are not hungry!

Each day adds in new mental concepts to work on to learn to become LEAN FOR LIFE. Exercise is also included - how much to do and when to do it for best effect.

After a cycle of weight loss you go into a period of metabolic adjustment adding in yet more food. Then you can repeat the cycle of weight loss if you need to lose more or you can go on to the carefully designed maintenance plan. Everything is planned out so you will become LEAN FOR LIFE and not gain the weigh back!

I have lost weight quickly, safely and with ease. It's a wonderful program and I highly recommend it! I am finally achieving my weight loss goals thanks to LEAN FOR LIFE!

Kindergarten readiness isn't about age, it's about readiness to learn in a formal setting with a group of children and from an authority figure. Taking that into account, and reading together Let's Get Ready for Kindergarten!, you will set up your child for an enjoyable and successful experience. Remember, this book is recommended for ages 2 - 6, so don't expect a 2 - 3 y/o to know all this stuff, but for those on the cusp of Kindergarten, I highly recomend this comprehensive book. And be sure to read the Parent and caregiver tips on the back cover.

Birth to Five Book, The: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start

This is an easy way to review material your child should know for Kindergarten. It's a good addition to our other educational materials we use.

I've been using this book everyday for months trying to prepare my son for kindergarten, making sure he has all the needed skills to begin school and this book has been WONDERFUL. However, the only complaint I have is that I would prefer to have it in Hardback Cover because this one has been torn apart easily and falls apart with just regular usage. Would love to see on the market in hardback soon for my other children in the future.

This is a wonderful little book that informs you of what you specifically need to teach your child before Kindergarten. It is beautifully illustrated and has all the concepts your child will need to know in a single book. As an added bonus, 10% of the profits are donated to literacy programs.

This is truly a great tool for parents and children. With my first child entering kindergarten, I really did not know what was expected. This book outlines all the things that most schools work on during the kindergarten year and it's in a format ready to sit down and work on with my daughter. It even has helpful tips for the parents throughout the pages. The wipe off pages are wonderful as this book will outlast her and probably end up being used by her brother as well. Many of the other books I looked at have rip out pages so you get one use for the same money. This book is high quality and a great deal. I'm still going to check with the school program to see what exactly their focuses are, but I'm sure that whatever they are is covered in this book.

Mike has a way of expressing lifes trials and tribulations. His book is very thought provoking in thinking about ones own spirituality...The land and ones connection to family. I highly recommend reading his book...it will help you gain insight on all levels of life. I have given his book as gifts to my friends and they too enjoyed it. The book was so good that I was disapointed when I came to the last page.

When you going to wright the next one Mike?

I read Mike Hurley's quarterly journal as long as it was published and was very disappointed when he discontinued it. This book has helped me forgive him. My favorite outdoor activity is wilderness canoeing and I have many, many books on this subject and the otdoor life in general. Mike combines a love for woods and waters with a love for the God who created it for us to enjoy. He is very strong on family and his writings weave together this love with the spiritual and outdoor aspects of his obvious interest. This book is absolutely a must read for those who love the things of creation.

I have long enjoyed Michael Hurley's quarterly journal, and I have always found his essays on life, family and faith particularly poignant. This is indeed a book that caries you to quiet places in your soul, to reflect upon the blesings of nature and our places in God's world. As a father, I found his essay "A Boy's Life" incredibly moving and meaningful. A highly recommended read for anyone who enjoys wilderness travel, but also for the serious and thoughtful reader who seeks to explore the deeper significance of our places, our legacies and our lives. I gave a copy to my pastor as a Christmas gift, and he loved it! This book is a quiet and peaceful place that you will want to visit again and again....

As a long times recipient of Michael Hurley's quarterly journal, I have taken great pleasure in revisiting the essays he has compiled in this book. His prose flows like the waters that pass beneath my own canoe. Anyone who escapes the stress of modern life by pointing the bow of a canoe toward the wilderness will also be overcome with a relaxing feeling while reading these essays.

Letters from the Woods: Looking at Life through the Window of Wilderness is a memoir consisting of thirty-one vignettes about life, faith, family, and the joy of experiencing the wilds. Written in the tradition of Thoreau's reflections, Letters from the Woods contemplates loving and obeying God as purpose of one's existence; the splendor of solitude; and the joy that comes from simplicity. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs, Letters from the Woods is a restful and inspirational insight into the beauty and wonder that is life itself.

Read this book while its still available! Its language is so simple yet it touches you with a ferocity thats unthinkable!
I could relate to every charecter and that was the most freaky part!

The charecters in this book are rich and full of life. The plot is very engaging and what more can one say about a book thats so beautiful it makes you weep with joy!

Bravo Leavitt and the rest of you read it!

While not as good as his short stories, and awkward and somewhat amateurish in a few places, this is a good, strong first novel. Ideally I would give this one a 3.5, but since that's not an option, I'll err on the side of generosity. This novel explores coming out, family dynamics, and the selfish yuppie attitudes of the 80s.

Author David Leavit writes a brillant novel that I had a hard time putting down. While Phillip is confronting his changing relationship with his lover, Elliot, his father Owen is finally, confronting his homosexuality. Highly recommended. Each character is richly developed and textured, they feel like real people that you know. While the film is good, it uses London as a backdrop rather than the book's all-to-real-modern-urban life set in New York and in the transistion looses something.

I read this book for a class, and enjoyed it much more than I ever expected, especially in retrospect. I think it takes a little time to really get into, especially because Leavitt jumps back and forth between the three main characters and storylines, but once you get into the rhythm of the story, you are drawn in. Leavitt does a great character study of Owen, Rose, and Philip, and by the end of the novel, I felt like I knew them. Leavitt has an accessible wrting style, but the book itself is very literary and complex. For a first novel, especially, I think it's exceptional.

Fair warning: I'm going to reference the end, or rather lack of ending in this review.

Leavitt is noted for his short stories, so it isn't much of a surprise that "The Lost Language of Cranes" is a short story padded into a novel that in sort of an ironic twist winds up being too short, ending before any of the issues put forth are resolved.

The gist of the story is that Owen and Rose have been married for 27 years, but now they're facing a crisis. Their Manhattan apartment is going co-op forcing them to either buy or move, a predicament I think few outside of New York City really understand. At the same time, Owen has been disappearing for long stretches of some days, especially Sundays. We soon learn he's going to certain X-rated theaters for a little homosexual hanky-panky. Owen is homosexual--always has been--but is trying to keep it from Rose and his son Philip. Although it turns out Philip is also gay, but has been keeping it from Mom and Dad. He gets involved in a serious relationship with Eliot, adopted son of a writer Philip admired. Before long, Philip is "coming out" to his parents, which inadvertantly causes Owen to come out. Mayhem ensues.

When I mentioned this book is padded, in particular is the sidebar story of Eliot's roommate Jerene. She came out to her adopted parents years ago and they soon disowned her. Since then she's been working on a never-ending dissertation until she decides to say the heck with it and work first as a bouncer at a lesbian club and then as a counselor on a gay helpline, which Owen later calls. While her life may serve as comparison or contrast to Philip and Owen, it doesn't contribute a whole lot to the story of Philip, Owen, and Rose.

Most of the writing is good, but some of the dialogue is clumsy. My belief is if anyone in a book or movie says, "I feel..." without being in the presence of a therapist, it's a red flag for poor dialogue. It's not natural for people to say, "I feel like..." in my experience. At other times the characters spouted dialogue that seemed too melodramatic. But with a first novel you can't expect absolute perfection.

Now what really annoyed me about the book is the lack of a decent ending. The book ends with Philip and Owen being outed, but everything is up in the air. We don't know what's going to happen between Owen and Rose; will they stay together? Eliot breaks up with Philip, who soon is spending a lot of time with his friend Brad; are they going to become serious? Not even the issue of the apartment, mentioned so prominently throughout the book is resolved. What good is an ending that doesn't end anything? It feels arbitrary to me. Maybe with a little less padding there would have been more space to focus on more important issues.

Except for some insights into the gay nightlife scene of 1980s New York City, I didn't think this book told me a lot I didn't already know. Mostly I thought it was a bland novel, but a worthy first effort.

I have actually used this reference for years as needed for ActionScript. I still had a good use for this text in ensuring compatibility with Flash MX until the lack of features became too overwhelming. This is in the face of newer versions of Flash such as CS3 (9.0) that use ActionScript 2.0/3.0. All in all, this book was wonderful until the release of Flash 8.

Because of the new Filters that have come out with Flash 8.0 and the features of ActionScript 2.0 to support these and other enhancements, I would instead recommend Flash 8 ActionScript Bible if one is concerned with cross-compatibility in their ActionScript code and wishes to still be able to use AS with newer features such as Filters (but not as new as Transitions or other CS3 exclusive features - for that, I'd recommend ActionScript 3.0 Bible or something similar).

As far as who I could possibly recommend this book for: It's good for somebody who is still working with Flash MX 2004 and below to Flash 5 (much of the text is compatible with Flash 5), however, I don't know that there are many of those sorts of individuals.

This book is a great resource for when you're looking for that specific line of code. Its terrible to read from front to back, but its an excellent way to find exactly what you're looking for. Its so much code, it'll make your eyes bleed.

One of the few comprehensive actionsctipt titles on the market. The first half of the book boasts a large variety of tutorials and examples that skillfully lead the reader through both the syntax and use of actionscript. Personally I found the text clear and practical. The chapters on OOP were of particular value as they went beyond actionscript basics into application, bordering on philosophical.

The second half is an invaluable reference of the entire actionscript dictionary with a comprehensive CD full of .fla example files and bonus chapters on the XML Object. As a qualified teacher I found it hard to fault the methodology employed by the various authors.

Well worth the purchase.

I am a former programming teacher and I have a style to teach my students the most UNDERSTANDABLE way to do something not just how to do it. This text/reference achieves that purpose. If you have an understanding of Flash (which you should have before getting into scripting see Weinman books) then this book will serve you well. There are other books on scripting - great books - such as Moock's books but they are more so for the programmer. This book is for the novelist programmer that desires to learn about action scripting.

5 stars if you know Flash well.
1 star if you haven't had any experience with it at all.

I was a beginner once, who couldn't figure out Flash at all. I'd like to help you build a bridge between where you may be now, as a beginner, to where you may find yourself aspiring to go.

If your only experience with Flash is to have seen the many wonderful and breathtaking Flash movies on the Internet and just had a look at the authoring tool, I strongly recommend that you leave this book until much later. It has its place in the learning curve but it isn't, in my opinion, the first book to see.

There are understandings to possess that this book doesn't cover sufficiently well enough for those whose minds work in particular ways. This is a programming book, for using the phenomenon of programming to create great design and animations. Whilst the focus is on design, you aren't using the design tools on the interface. With this book, you are using the Actionscript language and you have to have a logical mind for this activity (as well as keeping your strong creative one).

I began my steep learning curve with Flash by watching others and watching video tutorials, especially those by George Pierson. In this way, I can ask questions that are tailored for me and I get tailored responses. Books aren't always able to do so well here.

What is great about this book is the MX Actionscript reference in it and the seemingly well designed theory tutorials. I can't find a fault with the reference. The theory is quite good. In the reference, all Flash MX commands are covered. There are examples of how to use them, but the coverage may not be enough for some. Brill. Just BRILL. I can be excited but because I can follow Actionscript.

Approach this book when you are successfully making Flash movies on your own. Yes, on your own. For me, this book is an aid for when I am going to where I haven't gone to before. It helps me make judgements on ideas I get.

This book is as wonderful today as it was years ago! I agree about the missing Burpers - I want them back! But still a wonderful and fun way to instill principles of courtesy in the reader. A wonderful reminder of years gone by and if we are lucky a promise of what we can be in the years ahead. Just be nice to one another! Ann Clarke, author of People Are So Different! based on tolerance and understanding.

Two boys, 5 & 7 can often forget the importance of manners. Being tired of preaching and threatening, I saw this book and thought I'd try it. While they sipped hot chocolate, I read this to them. Neither of them said a word, but were paying complete attention! I couldn't believe it! I wasn't sure my kids would be able to enjoy and/or process this. They did, and I am very pleased with this book. Looking forward to buying all the other editions.

I wish this book had been around for my children when they were little. Their great grandmother had told them about it, but it was no longer in print. I bought six copies... so they could read it to their chilren when the time comes AND one for my class of kindergartners. My K kids LOVE it!

I had Munro Leaf books when I was achild (I am 61 now) and loved them. This is a fabulous book. All kindergarten and first grade classrooms should have this book. It explains why manners are important in a way that children will understand that their life will be better if they use good manners.

I picked up my copy of this book at a yard sale. Many of the line drawings have been colored in, and in a few places someone is practicing her letters. It's that sort of ownership this book invites, with its childlike drawings and simple lessons on getting along with others, table manners, sharing, and cleaning up. Halfway through we also meet the Whiny, the Noisie, the Me First, the Bragger, the Sulker, the Bathroom Wrecker and many other undesirables. A great book for 3-7s.