Educational Books

This is not a book about Waldorf education per se, but rather an inspiring look into the dedication of a master teacher. The author's depth of understanding of every one of his students is simply amazing. As an experienced, sometimes discouraged preschool teacher, I found hope and affirmation in this book.

This book gives outstanding detail and theories behind classroom instruction in a Waldorf School. He includes actual stories, poems, and math exercises used in class - and shows which elements appealed to various temperaments. Have you ever thought about adding somber details to a math problem to appeal to a melancholic temperament? How brilliant! All through the book I kept finding myself saying, "Yes! This is what school should be like!" If you've wondered what's wrong with schools today... when you read this book you'll know... and you may find yourself wishing you could go back to school and be in his class even if just for one day.

A teacher's synopsis of teaching his class from grade 1 through 8 in a Waldorf school. Mr. Finser is enthusiastic and motivated and it is clear that he loves teaching and loves his students. This was a wonderful introduction to what a Waldorf education is all about. I recommend it for as the first read for parents interested in learning what Waldorf education for grades 1-8 is about. (If one is interested in Waldorf Kindergarten, I suggest "Work and Play in Early Childhood" instead.) This book is easy to read. I found just the notion of the same group of students staying together for so many years, and keeping one teacher as the main lesson teacher throughout was fascinating. Mr. Finser explains what is taught during each year and goes into detail about the unconventional methods used. One example is using motion-exercises to teach multiplication. We are introduced to the Waldorf-approach to artwork, circle time, music making and songs, eurhythmy (a movement exercise), and how and why myths, legends, and fairy tales are used as teaching tools. The author includes the applicable poems, myths, and fairy tales rather than simply stating that they are used in the classroom. One of my favorite sections was a collection of poems written by the students. Mr. Finser states in the preface that he will not attempt to give a lengthy description and explanation "of all the dimensions of the Waldorf curriculum and the stages of child development as seen from the Waldorf point of view, or of Anthroposophy, the spiritual orientation that underlies it" and he remains true to that statement. For example, a lengthy description for what eurhythmy is and why it is important is not discussed. For further information or explanation, both the author and I urge the reader to further explore the writings of Rudolph Steiner (the founder of Waldorf education) or other writings... The book closes with an essay written by Joan Almon on the subject of Waldorf education as a method of teaching creative thinking and the goals of Waldorf education.

As the other reviews explain....this is a teacher's story of his unique journey with the same group of students from their entry into school as first graders through eighth grade. What an interesting idea....for the teacher and student. The consistency of teaching from one year to the next, ties in perfectly with the developmental model of the Waldorf curriculum. And with the right teacher, the students much derive a great deal of support and nurturance.

I picked up this book because I was interested in learning about the Waldorf system. This book accomplished that goal. Now, I'd love to read a book by an adult/student who has gone through the Waldorf system, on to college, and their perspective.

Parents who are contemplating or have enrolled their students in a Waldorf school will benefit from this book, and be reassured by the teacher's dedication. Other teachers will gather new ideas for presenting material and be inspired by this teacher's love of his work and his students. A win-win situation.

I bought this book because of my interest in Waldorf education and it does a superb job of demonstrating the practical application of this rich curriculum. But it is much more than a book about a Waldorf school. It is the warm, human story of a teacher who himself struggles to do the best for the children under his care. An inspiration to all teachers (I have purchased 6 copies to give away !) and a very approachable introduction to Waldorf education.

School Hazard Zone: Beyond the Silence/Finding a Voice brilliantly exposes structural forces--which stem from self, school, and society--that have contributed to the persisting "achievement gap." Through Joyce's own critical reflection as a teacher who is concerned with culturally responsive education, the perspective she presents in her book allows for an inside view into daily pedagogical experiences of minority students, the ways in which the system perpetuates minority academic underachievement through practices that silence students and teachers, forms of agency that students and teachers do and can enact to resist systemic prejudice, and possibilities for alternatives that promote a democratic education for all students to close the racial achievement gap. Joyce's scholarship and creativity offer parents, educators, and concerned individuals a path for advancing an agenda of educational transformation, rather than simply superficial change that fails to address deep-rooted inequities. As a literacy specialist and education consultant, myself, I found Joyce's detailed analysis profoundly informative about the "what is" in contemporary education and inspiring as to the "what can be." I highly recommend this book for all those interested in the state of education today and the potential for how it can evolve for the future.

Dr. Joyce's conception of "spherical learning environments" (SLE) was even more fascinating than I had imagined (Joyce, 2008, p. 178). The multitude of ideas presented in this book for expanding learning environments is impressive, and I am in the process of incorporating some of them into my online teaching practice and course designs to create meaningful learning experiences for the students - and, ultimately, to promote positive change. I was at a loss for devising more than just a few instructional activities that would be applicable to the online setting until reading this book. The dozens and dozens of ideas have opened my eyes to the enormous number of possibilities, even given the space constraints online learning presents.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in supporting high quality learning experiences that will help students reach their potential. Teachers, parents, counselors, administrators, instructional designers, or anyone who wants to make a difference in students' lives and education should read Dr. Joyce's book. As she asserts, "The old African phrase `It takes a village to raise a child' is pertinent..." (p. 79), and she shows, by citing her own experience during her many years as a teacher, how anyone who wants to make a difference can do so. Education need not be restricted to the four walls of a classroom. This book will open minds to the many possibilities, as well as provide practical guidance for planning and implementing some of the successful programs she has used during her teaching practice.

Wow. Dr. Joyce really hits home with this one. A practical and introspective look at the state of education in today's society, it is a must-read for every educator dedicated to student achievement. This is a powerful text from a woman whose voice needs to be heard.

This book gives a broad aspect of information from research about the continuous achievement gap, how and why it exists, and the many possiblities in closing it. Throughout this book, I read about student concerns, the faculty/staff concerns, and what seemed to be the hidden lack of concern and support from the administration, as well as things that have been done and can be done to change that. Dr. Joyce expresses deep concerns for the future of our children if we continue on the "norm" of the educational path we are currently on. One of my favorite excerpts from this book was on pg.216, where she stated," Acceptance of the norm is a disservice to the self, school, and society. Ultimately, we deny ourselves exposure to the untapped energies and abilities of these students and deprive the world of possible greatness." This book had a lot of interesting insight to the resolution of the achievement gap. Part of Dr. Joyce's main goal is to find results by ackowledging the complexities, forming positive outlooks, and reducing negative influences. In my opinion the bottom line was that there are a number of things you can do to help close the achievement gap and if we all work together, "proactive behavior is contagious," this change can be a reality. Her passion for resolving the achievemet gap was touching and informative. She states that her motivation comes from,"the realization that broken-spirited students are a part of the universe and within my power to heal." This was truely an unforgetable book. Thanks

This book is a must-have for teachers, administrators, college faculty, and anyone who has a vested interest in the public education system. Dr. Pamela Joyce is speaking from the inside on two fronts--both her classroom and her heart. When woven together with a strong theoretical grounding, this book provides a clear sense as to why we need to think differently about the minority achievement gap and the students who are stigmatized by this label. Not only does Dr. Joyce provide keen insights based on years of working with students, but she provokes the reader to ponder questions that they will be considering long after they finish her book. If you don't already own it, don't hesitate to buy it now!

Buy and read everything Ms. Kephart writes. No disappointments, EVER!!

Although cast more as an encouraging model for adults involved in nurturing and shaping children's lives and their imaginations, this is a delightful read for any age. We can all remember our childhoods. We all have imaginations that still need nurturing in a fast-forward world. And, we can all enjoy beautiful writing wherever we find it.

I especially enjoyed her chapter, "The Stuff of Memory," which reads smoothly like a personal essay that reveals hints to twitch our memories and the telling detail.

--Janet Grace Riehl, author Sightlines: A Poet's Diary

Given the title of Beth Kephart's new book, SEEING PAST Z: Nurturing the Imagination in a Fast-Forward World, I was prepared for a straightforward analysis of the very real challenges facing parents trying to raise imaginative, creative children in a culture that seems to eschew imagination and creativity. I expected a well-reasoned and well-researched argument, perhaps with specific suggestions for fostering young people's creative processes.

Instead, much to my surprise (and eventual delight), what I found in SEEING PAST Z was something quite different, and no less valuable. In this slender volume, Kephart strings together a series of personal essays and anecdotes, some of which focus on her own childhood, but most of which center on her fourteen-year-old son, Jeremy, and his development from a reluctant reader into a passionate storyteller, comic strip artist, and aspiring filmmaker.

Kephart primarily lets her stories speak for themselves, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions about her parenting approach --- discouraging competition and adult-oriented achievements in favor of pursuits whose rewards are not so easily quantified. Her stories are told with a quiet, lyrical grace rarely found in nonfiction.

Kephart makes the argument that kids' imaginations are vital, not only during childhood but for their whole adult lives: "I am hoping that the time we've spent on the imagination will enable him to foresee the consequences of actions not yet taken. I am hoping that it will reinforce a compassionate heart. I am hoping that it will steel him for the hardest times, by giving him faith in another, better day .... I am hoping, a mother's simple dream, that it deepens his happiness."

The author's success with her approach, not only with her own son but with the reading and writing workshops she conducts for other children, will certainly be an inspiration for other parents and professionals who work with children. She provides some practical suggestions for implementation in the several appendices at the end of the book, and includes many of the workshop exercises she used with her own son and other children. Parents and teachers will find many worthwhile writing prompts and reading suggestions here. More important than these practical guides, though, is what Kephart quietly suggests throughout her thought-provoking essays: a profound philosophical shift in how we think about children, imagination, and the definition of success.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

I read Seeing Past Z with excitement and envy. Finally, a book that puts words to so many of the feelings I have as a mother, aunt, and teacher. Beth Kephart reminded me how important imagination is to every day life, and she's given me a book I can share with friends as we struggle to raise our sons and daughters with care. We're always complaining about how competitive everything has gotten in our kids' lives. Seeing Past Z has given me a way to do something about that. Thank you, Beth Kephart.

I'm not a teacher, or a parent--but I loved this book, and consider it extremely important.
Disguised as a collection of some of the most lyrical and evocative essays you will ever read, this book is really the operating manual for a child's imagination. How to nuture it, challenge it, and importantly, give it space to flourish--how to let the life of the mind grow into a garden, and not a parking lot. Yet this is not a book full of instructions (although there are excellent and very specific guidelines you can use to start a reading and writing group for kids on your own)--this book is an open door. Read it, give it to every parent, librarian and educator you know--and next thing you know, we might have kids who will be brave enough and free enough to imagine our world into new wholeness.

I am trying to be cute with my title. Maybe it didn't work. But what did work for me was how informative and all-around helpful this book was for me. A former Shar-pei "co-habitant" (at a home I lived at in the 90's), I had a birds-eye view of this breed, but couldn't quite remember all the details of what to expect. This cleared it all up for me. I recommend this book for people who are trying to learn about these wonderful dogs.

I have previously owned a shar pei before, but when my husband and I started planning on getting a new puppy I thought I would find a good book on shar pei. I bought three books originally but came to find that I like this one the best. Its simple and not very big, but is filled with lots of information. Info ranges from caring for you puppy or adult dog, health concerns, nutrition, obedience training and information about the shar pei breed. I would reccommend this book to anyone who has or is getting a shar pei.

I am brand new to the breed Shar Pei's and recently bought 2 puppies for my husband for Christmas (now 3 1/2 months old). I knew that the breed was an excellent temperment for families and small children (they met my niece who is 1 1/2 yrs old and they ignored her for the most part, but played well with her, and she liked them).

I wanted a book that would tell me about the breed, possible health problems that they may have, and general living and training tips. This book absolutley fit the bill. It's the square deal.

First off, the author recognizes that this breed does have health issues, and lists those off. For a new owner, or possible owner, this lets you know what happens SPECIFIC to the Shar Pei. I have read other Shar Pei books and found them to be very general to dogs, and not just to Shar Peis.

Surfing the net, it seems hard to find specific information that you want to know before going to the vet. We live in a rural area, so our vet has not dealt with many Shar Pei's, so as the owner, I want to be as knowlegeable as possible when discussing possible problems. I found this book to help out with learning those aspects.

Overall, I fully recommend you to buy this book. Buy this book if you are considering buying a Shar Pei, and it will let you know what you are getting into.

After 4 litters, I have decided to give one of these books to each of our new owners. It is a down to earth, easy read. Anyone who reads this book should feel comfortable with the contents. They will come to know that the Shar-pei is one of the best breeds around. That is why I breed them and would recommend this book to all.

This book tell you everything you want to know about the sharpei,even how to train and educate your dog,everything about health, behavior, etc... You won't need any other book.

Ed Prichard was called "the brightest of our generation" by no less than Katherine Graham. He was Felix Frankfurer's first law clerk, and served ably and brilliantly in the Roosevelt and Truman administrations.

Then came 1948. In Texas, Lyndon Johnson won a Senatorial election, as the saying goes, by the votes of 49 dead Mexicans. That same year, Prichard helped stuff ballot boxes in his home county, Bourbon County, Kentucky, for a forgettable Senate candidate who had the election locked up anyway. But, hounded by J. Edgar Hoover for his "socialist" views (such as championing civil rights for blacks and an eight hour work day, with a decent minimum wage), Prichard, not Johnson, went to prison and was disbarred.

This short, but imminently well researched book is his story, recounting all his sparkling brilliance, the arrogance that helped bring him down, and his ultimate redemption as the father of the education reform movement in Kentucky. This is an elegantly written and masterfully documented history from a first rate young historian. The biggest revelation is the story of J. Edgar Hoover's targeting of Prichard, which was gleaned from declassified documents, and never previously reported.

If this book teaches us that we are all flawed, it also teaches that we are all capable of redemption. This is one of the finest biographies I have ever read.

Edward F. Prichard, Jr.'s life makes for high drama; this excellent biography makes for engrossing and informative reading. "Prich" was yet another of the terribly bright Frankfurter students at Harvard Law School in the late 1930's who gravitated to Washington, first as a Supreme Court clerk to Frankfurter, and later with involvement in New Deal and wartime public service. The Greek chorus appears when Prichard returns to his home state of Kentucky to practice law. The book superbly recounts his conviction in connection with a 1948 vote-tampering scandal, his incarceration, and his eventual return to the practice of law and a role as respected educational reformer in Kentucky. Unfortunately, serious illness inflicted near blindness and other frailties which ultimately caused an early death at the age of 69. The reader can only sit back and wonder as to why one with such unlimited promise and talents chose the course he did. Nonetheless, as the book traces Prich's life, it provides an fascinating perspective on Harvard Law, Frankfurter, the wartime FDR administration, the early presidency of Truman, and the rise of the super lawyer-lobbyists such as Thomas Corcoran. One's time is well invested in reading this volume.

This book tells well of a brilliant student, high in the ranks of his class at harvard Law, law clerk to Justice Frankfurter, holding responsible positions in the Government in wartime Washington, who by an unbelievably reckless and stupid act destroyed his career, then , after years of struggle redeemed himself before his death in 1984. This is a most worthwhile read for anyone interested in the law or in Kentucky politics,or in the shakers and movers in Washington in the 1940s.

Who would of thought that here in the third millennium we would still take time to read about Ed Prichard, whose life story will be linked through eternity with a third rate felony-and a blundering, ham-handed felony at that? Prichard is dead more than 20 years now, as are almost all those who loved and hated him. He never held public office-indeed, more generally, never came close to fulfilling the promise of his admirers. Why would anyone care?

To this question, it is possible to give an uncharitable reply. Kentucky, one might say, is a place with more past than future. To dwell on a footnote may be read as saying: we almost amounted to something, we could have been a contender.

And yet, and yet. And yet we have the testimony of the best and the brightest that Prich himself was the best and the brightest; if not as an actor, perhaps as a thinker and certainly as a talker.. Indeed, I had the privilege to observe Prich in what might be called his rehabilitation phase: the early 60s when his friends were trying to ease him back from obloquy and exile onto the political stage. I will add my testimony to those of legions who swore that Prichard in full spate was simply the greatest three-ring oratorical circus of which a simple country boy might dream, his whooshes of insight keeping easy company with his flashes of savage wit. No wonder he won the affection of Felix Frankfurter, of Phil Graham, of-good heavens, is this true?-of Sir Isaiah Berlin.

Indeed: Berlin was once his roommate and like so many was stunned and horrified when Prich was convicted by a Kentucky jury The details are there Tracy Campbell's account, along with a great deal else one may have remembered or forgotten about the politics of Kentucky in the last Century. Campbell tells it all earnestly and unflinchingly, and a strangely compelling story it remains.

Is there a larger context for Prich's story? Probably not a great one, but by a stretch, you could fit it into more general story of the history of the New Deal. It was here, after all, that Prich occupied center stage: as the brilliant young scamp who enchanted Felix Frankfurter, and who put himself at the elbow of Robert Jackson, of Fred Vinson, of Jimmie Byrnes (although both Jackson and Byrnes stayed aloof, and even Vinson saw Prich's limits). One can, at least with caution, take Prich as a kind of symbol for what was right and wrong with those years: the brilliance, the optimism, the energy, together with an overlarge dose of self-admiration, bordering on downright narcissism. Prich was, after all, as dazzling as they say he was. But he was an appalling abuser of friendship, a serial shirker of duties, and at best no more than a mediocre husband and father. Even after he started taking fees from the strip miners, he never really paid his taxes. Indeed, one of the remarkable parts of the Prich story is the way so many people were taken in by him-not merely by his skills at rhetoric and dialectic (which were indisputable) but by the notion that these virtues somehow translated into political gravitas.

Campbell does a conscientious job of surveying the evidence surrounding Prichard's pivotal bout with ballot-stuffing in 1948. Laudably, he hesitates to draw any grand conclusions. I will indulge myself a bit more. Prich came back to Kentucky touted as the next governor, senator, president-offices to which (says Campbell), absent his "lapse" he "would certainly" have risen. But by Campell's own testimony, this is nonsense. Campbell himself says that Prich "had not the ambition or the personality for such posts." Quite right: probably nobody knew this better than Prich himself. His friends saw him as the next Roosevelt; he knew he was closer to Peter Pan. By sticking his hand in a ballot box, he relieved himself of all these impositions: he may have left his friends bewildered and disappointed, but he gave himself the freedom to remain forever young.

In this accessible, informative biography, Campbell presents the tragic story of one of the brightest stars on the 20th century American political scene. A man of acknowledged genius, fragile ego, and an almost childlike attitude, Prichard was seen by many as the most gifted and promising of the new generation of liberal politicians that arose out of the New Deal. Though his hopes for political office were ended by J. Edgar Hoover's irrational vendetta against him, Campbell makes it clear that the person who ultimately brought about Prichard's downfall was Prichard himself. This is an excellent book about the lofty heights and tragic depths that a man could sink to, and I highly recommend it to any history buff or political wonk.

Provides excellent background information for any teacher planning on doing a silkworm project. Pictures are excellent and parts of the book can be read to the class.

I bought this book to raise silkworms for my bearded dragon. I had no problems raising silkworms and in fact had way too many since I just had one bearded dragon!! Silkworms are amazing little creatures and I had fun raising them. I no longer do since my dragon is full grown and doesn't need the that much protein.

This book is the best book on teaching both young children and adults about silkworms. The photographs are wonderful!I use this book the most in school. The kids tend to pick this book up the most when I have the display of silkworms in the room.

I'm a Japanese and my hobby is making flowers from silk cocoon. Even though I deal many cocoons, it was my first time to see silkworms. Even in Japan, there is few opportunity to see real silkworms... This book tells me a lot about silkworms and silk farmers in Japan.

In the 15-30 minutes it takes to read "Silkworms," the reader has a good working knowledge of the life cycle of these silk-making critters. On page one, the introduction, the reader is hooked. In fact, the intro serves as a concise summary. Can I just read the introduction then? Absolutely not. The details are in the book.

Writer Sylvia A. Johnson and photographer Isao Kishida collaborated to produce a fascinating book for students, probably ages 9-13. Why this arbitrary age? Johnson discusses the mating cycle in fairly detailed anatomical terms. Parent, teacher, if this is a problem, you now know it.

The book explains that silkworms are totally at the mercy of humans because they have been farm-raised for centuries. As silkworms go through their various stages, farmers handpick any deformities and discard them. Only perfection is allowed. The final stage before becoming moths is the death knell: pupae are destroyed, leaving only the much desired silk cocoons which are used in making silk. A few moths are left to hatch in order to mate and begin the process anew. Males dies shortly after mating.

This story, well-written and expertly photographed, is an example of a perfect pairing of text and photo to present an informational book for students. If the reader wonders why there is no explanation for making silk into fabric, that is not the focus of this book. The focus is the life cycle of silkworms. Highly recommended for school libraries and nature lovers.

Dr. Gimbell's book is a must read for not only principals, but for educators at every level of academia. What I gleaned from it that should be highlighted is the aspect of an educator's interpersonal skills. Today many school boards hire administrators with the major goal of improving test scores, with little concern about the myriad of issues that face educators in these challenging times. By only looking at this aspect, committees inadvertently hire educators who lack good interpersonal skills, otherwise known as exceptional emotional intelligence;the cornerstone of running a smooth operation. Good interpersonal skills and a common commitment to children's learning are the key to building the trust necessary to create a caring an learning environment,and one geared to acheiving excellence.
Dr. Gimbel's book will assist educators in this pursuit of excellence.

I enjoyed reading Solutions For Promoting Principal-teacher Trust.

I found it so engaging, as I read how you described your personality. Since I know your engaging effervessance, I can imagine how devasted you must have felt to be "shut out" in the teachers lounge.

I am so happy that other principals and administrators will have the opportunity to benefit from your years on both sides of the fence. I am hopeful that you will finally be able to evoke some real school reform.
I am so proud of you, BRAVO!!!
Love,
Harr

Thanks, Phyllis. I'm really enjoying your book!

Marcia Bromfield, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Field Placement and Professional Partnerships
School of Education
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA 02138

I found the excerpts of your book on the website, down to earth,using common sense when working with a staff,to foster communication, shared respect and learning "the ART of listening"...you expressed the painful but necessary lesson for growth, about moving from teacher to principal and how this seperated you from your staff ...You convey that it can be lonely during the transition,as you learned that you cannot be a good manager and a best friend too....You share the message, to be a great manager and principal, you must learn to step back, see the whole picture,be a good listener ,think about the ideas being shared, take the good parts ,fix the bad parts and blow the rest to the winds...You share,to be a success, you do what you must as a principal,to open communications,while fostering mutual respect with your staff, so as a team ,you can meet the challenges of educating our children.. "

The presence of a climate of trust in a school determines the success and efficacy of that school. Dr. Gimbel's book clearly and succinctly describes ways to establish and build trusting relationships between principal and faculty. There exists only a small amount of literature on this important topic. This concept holds the key to real school improvement, affecting teacher satisfaction, retention, creativity, and enthusiasm. I recommend this book wholeheartedly!

Stone Pizza is a great romp with animals and the familiar tale of Stone Soup. Each curious critter shares a bit to create a yummy pizza enjoyed by all. Who knows what's for dessert? They're thinking about it right now!

My 5 year old says: "I love it!" She wants it read over and over. The characters developed by artist, McNevin Hayes and writer, Susan Michell, tickle her and make her laugh. We love them all, especially the doubting Horned Toad. We can't wait to see more books from both Mr. Hayes and Ms. Michell.

My three children ages 6,4, and 2 all LOVE this book. GREAT find!!

"Stone Pizza" is a children's picture book for children ages 4 to 12. A hardback book with a cover that is beautifully illustrated with a coyote on the cover wearing a purple bandanna with yellow polka-dots, a pair of green sunglasses and holding a stone pizza.

A delightful tale involving the critters of the desert where food is hard to find. Coyote finds no hospitality when he wanders into that stretch of the highway in the desert. The story of Stone Pizza focuses on team work and sharing. The book is engaging and a pure delight and offers a wonderful cast of characters.

The pages are filled with bold and vibrant imaginative illustrations, the art work is superb to ignite the child's imagination. I highly recommend this children's book, both you and your children will enjoy reading this story together time and time again all while delivering a great lesson of sharing and team work.

This a an excellent book with very unique illustrations. Hopefully they'll be more!

I love this book. I think it has beautiful illustrations and a sweet story line for younger children.

This is a great book for children. The story is wonderful. I will definitely use it is my Kindergarten classroom.

I loved the beautiful illustrations that are sure to be bright enough to catch even a young child's eye. I liked the simplicity and rythm of the text. I especially liked the child's viewpoint narrative and the cycle of life science that is woven into the story and the pictures. Above all I liked that the story celebrates one of life's simplest but grander pleasures.

Beautiful pictures. I read this book to my 3 & 4 year old sons.
They thought it was really neat so we planted a sunflower house that spring. Even my 9 yr old son wanted in on the project. It was a great way to introduce not only the wonders of the plant growth process but also the responsibilty of caring for things that grow.

I absolutely love this concept book. My preschool children love it too. I have 4 & 5 year olds and this book is a great jumping off point to all sorts of Springtime themes! I have read many of Eve Bunting's books and all are wonderful; I highly recommend them all.

This book opens a door to a world I never knew, or if I did, I chose to ignore it, hoping that it would go away. I will never look at inner-city children, the same way I did before. Their loss of innocence is an American tragedy...Oglesby actions as a teacher, as a humanitarian and a courageous woman, is a triumph over a seemingly hopless situation.
I am most interested in reading more books by this author.
Jorge Nuñez.

It should be required reading for all teachers and those who are planning to be teachers, social workers, law enforcement, and anyone who works with inner city kids. Margot Gillin, Waukegan, IL

Fun! I couldn't put it down. This book gave me a greater respect and understanding for children who live in the ghettos and for teachers who work with them. Karen Helman, Charlotte, N.C.

I found this book to be fascinating and informative. Its strength lies not in the fact that it pushes an agenda effectively, but that it doesn't have an agenda. Most books of this genre are written to try to convince the reader of their opinion, but this one isn't. Lightly edited, you get to see the way that things actually are instead of the way that an author WANTS you to see it. There are things here to encourage and infuriate both ends of the political spectrum. This actually makes sense, as both sides have valid points but carry them too far. It is often difficult (make that nearly impossible) to convey life in the projects in a way that enables people who are from a more normal environment to understand it. This book does so in a way that I have never seen before.

Teachah don't know nothin...and neither do we that grew up in a sheltered system until it's cracked open. This book cracked open a lot of beliefs that were rumored to have been true, but were too ugly to face. Dee Oglesby faced them squarely as a naive outsider-then as an insider that slowly gained the confidences of ostracized and oppressed individuals. And it's real. The freshness is amazing. The language is frank, sometimes jolting like a shot of harsh reality. The writing at first appeared simplistic, but in short it came out to be simple truth-as it really occurred. This is not about artifice, it's about actuality. And that's incredible. She weaved her way into their hearts and minds with time and honesty. She shed light in the dim arena of inner-city schooling and created bright spots in blemished futures. In short, she managed to 'educate' students despite an institution that rewards grades above learning. It's a good read. And a great education!