Enchanted Forest Books

I enjoyed this story, and the sequels, as a young girl. Wrede creates a magical world that has a unique feel while incorporating common elements from fairytales. I've read in several times since and still enjoy it. Dealing with Dragons is very much a girl power book - almost all of the good main characters are female, Princess Cimerone rejects the staid life society thrusts upon her and charts her own course, and the King of the Dragons ends up being a female (King is just the title of the job, designating nothing about gender). It is well written, something that can certainly not be said of all fantasy novels written for this age group, and the story is fun and engaging.

An excellent book for young children that enjoy fantasy with an odd twist. Highly recommended.

I loved this series in middle school and would highly recommend it as a fun leisure read for children in that age bracket.

Princess Cimorene is tired of embroidery, etiquette, and protocol classes. She wants to take Latin, fencing, magic, and cooking lessons instead. But, that's just "not done." So to avoid a betrothal to a handsome and charming (but not particularly bright) prince, she runs away to become housekeeper for a dragon. As a dragon's princess, Cimorene gets the freedom to cook and clean and to organize libraries and treasure rooms. She also has to fend off persistent knights who come to rescue her, and investigate the actions of a couple of sneaky wizards.

Patricia C. Wrede's Dealing with Dragons is a refreshing change from some of the more recent fantasy epics aimed at teenage girls. It's light, fun, and often hilarious as it pokes fun at several fairy tales and fantasy clichés. The plot moves rapidly and the writing is clear and precise. The dialogue is particularly good.

I listened to Dealing With Dragons on audiobook. Listening Library does an excellent job recording this with a full cast of actors; I highly recommend this format. --FanLit.net

The book is extremely entertaining. Cimorene is certainly the kind of princess you don't often see in fantasy. And Kazul is not the typical dragon either. The book is really funny and is guaranteed to make you laugh

I loved this series in middle school and would highly recommend it as a fun leisure read for children in that age bracket.

The last book of the enchanted forest chronicles, it is as funny. It is a sequel to Calling on Dragons and the end of the story is a happily ever after for a lot of characters and a not so happy ending for others. It is a book that should not be missed.

My daughters often read the four books from the Enchanted Forest series by Patricia C. Wrede. They came across the books a couple years back. They seem to check out the books and audio tapes every couple months. Over the last year I have listened to bits and pieces of the series.

Talking to Dragons is was the first book published, but it is really the fourth in the series. The hero of the story is a 16 year old boy by the name of Daystar. For the first 16 years of his life he lived on the edge of the Enchanted Forest with his mother. Then one day his mother gives him a sword and sends him out into Enchanted Forest. His mother tells him he has a mission, but won't tell him what the mission is.

Fairly quickly Daystar bumps into a fire-witch. They are both in trouble with wizards, and decide to stick together. Daystar was taught to always be polite to dragons. They come across a young dragon. Daystar is very polite and the dragon joins the group. Near the end of the book Daystar finally figures out his mission and helps save the day.

This is a fun book. It moves along well. I stayed up till midnight to finish it. If your children like fantasy, you might have them try this book.

Talking To Dragons Jane Yolen Books,
Patricia C. Wrede ISBN 0-15-284247-0

Talking to Dragons is a great book about kings, princes, princesses, dragons, and wizards by Patricia C. Wrede. It takes place in Enchanted Forest. The narrator of the book is the main character, Daystar.
One day Daystar's mom tells him to go on a quest that he knows nothing about. He started out on a quest and meets new creatures and people, some of them become his companions and some his enemies.
His companions, a young fire witch named Shiara and a young dragon, become really good friends with him. They help him on his quest. After a while he started to figure out that the sword his mom gave him was important because everybody wanted it. People called it "The Sword of the Sleeping King." All he knew is that he needed to go through a cave to be where he was supposed to.
At the end he found the Sleeping King and everybody was reunited. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and also a happy ending. I recommend reading the first three books Dealing With Dragons, Searching For Dragons and Calling for Dragons.

PR28

All the Enchanted Forest Chronicles are so much fun! Definitely at my top of Harry Potter fan recommendations. They're just such an amusing read; I even teach with them. Don't forget to read "The Frying Pan of Doom."

this is about a princess who's captured by a dragon, and then chooses to stay with the dragon rather than wait to get rescued by a prince. in fact when a prince comes to rescue her in the first book she turns him away, all of them. the series follows the pattern of a typical 'princess story' and the princess is put in a bunch of stereotypical princess situations, but then she defies the stereotype and takes charge of her own life and makes things happen for herself. basically she beats up her own bad guys, with her brain. there are boys in the series, but she isn't waiting for them to save the day, she takes them along for the ride. the dragon who kidnapped her ends up being one of her good friends.

it's a fun series i really enjoyed in elementary school, but it an appropriate read for anyone interested in the plot (as are all stories... age ranges close your mind). a light fun read, i recommend.

This is one of favorite series. After lending this book out and never getting it back, I was recently able to order it again and it is still great 15 years after I read it the first time. Would definetley recommend to anyone who likes fantasy with humor.

m.a.c

This is such a lovely series. Miss Wrede has a great talent for creating fun, witty characters that are instantly likeable. Humor is abundant and the story is delightful!

I loved this set. It wasn't like I thought it would be from what I read about it, it was better! This is a very unique set and I must say that if all of Patricia Wrede's books are as surprising as this one, I would love to get more of her books. This is definitely a fairy tale, but it has so much comedy mixed in with it, plus there's the romance and all the other good stuff you want in a book. Buy this set, and you won't be sorry. Unless, of course you're the type of person that just wants the same boring fairy tale stuff.

This series is one of my oldest favorites. I first read them in elementary school and now in college I still love them. They are classics that you will go back to again and again. Short and sweet I turn to them if I need that fantastical escape.

When this book arrived in my mailbox and I read the back cover, I added it to my "to read pile" without a whole lot of enthusiasm. According to the back cover, this one was about a divorce lawyer in Dallas who is faced with someone from his past who makes things in his present day life get a little disconcerting. Nothing I read on that back cover excited me or made me think, "wow, this one sounds good.."

Domestic Relations begins in a suburb of Dallas, as we follow the main character, Norman, through much of his childhood. He lives within a community of like minded families in a housing development, complete with its own cul-de-sac. Throughout the first part of the novel, we come to know not only Norman, but also his family, his friends and their families. Included in these folks is Norman's closest childhood friend, Lisa.

Soon Norman is all grown up and a law school graduate. He gets married, has a daughter and leads a content and happy life. Next, Lisa re-enters his life after a many year absence and things in Norman's world quickly start to change. Boundaries become foggy, relationships become strained, and morals become questionable.

The story itself is nothing earth shatteringly new, but at the same time, i really did enjoy it. The author writes with an almost sarcastic, borderline cynical wit that really appealed to my sense of humor. I've heard it said that sarcasm is the lowest form of humor. My theory on that is that whomever said that, wasn't intelligent enough to understand, or "get" the point of the sarcasm. The use of humor in this book, albeit sarcasm, is often used to drive home Norman's thoughts and feelings -- and it works well. The humor in the story was what made it for me. While the plot wasn't mind blowing, the style was rather engaging, and as a result, I enjoyed the story I read.

Before picking up this book, I can honestly say I knew a grand total of nothing about the lives of divorce lawyers; especially divorce lawyers of the upscale, wealthy members of society. In reading Domestic Relations, I was transported into their lives for a while, right into the middle of the scandals and deceit. While I wouldn't call it a soap opera, it did present me with that same feeling of guilty pleasure as I read through. Beyond that though, there is more to the book-- the questions of values, ethics and morals that are posed to the reader being one of the primary aspects here.

Overall, its a good read. Will it become a classic piece of literature? Probably not. Would I recommend you read it? Absolutely...its a good way to escape from reality for a while, and you'll probably laugh out loud a few dozen times while you're doing it.

I am really enjoying this book. Geilich has a unique writing style that keeps the reader entertained. Intriguing and humorous all in one. Can't put it down!

Domestic Relations is a great read! Norman is fascinating, real, funny, sweet, sarcastic and most of all - engaging. This book is an easy read, yet it is deep in content and absolutely will make you smile, chuckle, and at times, even laugh that good, down to your soul, outloud laugh that makes you feel really good all over. It's the perfect book to always have with you .....on the plane, on the beach, in the Big Apple or simply on your bed stand to pick up every night. I would highly recommend it and can't wait to see where Norman goes from here....

The story is riveting and heart-warming. Mr. Geilich puts many of life's indescribable characteristics and thoughts into words. Geilich's thought-provoking style of writing through the characters and events is not only highly entertaining, but intimately powerful on the deepest of human levels. This book is one you will not want to put down. I found myself wanting more and hated for it to end. "Domestic Relations" is one of those rare books - once you have read it, your life will never be the same.

I loved this book...it was laugh-out-loud funny in many parts, yet also had many poignant, thoughtful moments throughout, as well as some very creative phrasing. Throw in some suspense, which Mr. Geilich did, and you have a perfect read! Although I picked up this book hoping for some juicy stories about the seedier side of Dallas divorce law, what I got instead was a novel about Mr. Norman Spiczek and his fascinating struggles with marriage, adultery, parenting, family, work, and childhood issues (with plenty of seedy Dallas divorce law thrown in for good measure). I hope to meet up with Mr. Spiczek again...You would never know that this is Mr. Geilich's first novel!

Our family has enjoyed the journey with Austin to the enchanted forest and discovered with him the value of becoming what you are intended to be. My sons were captivated by the adventure, and now that the second book in the trilogy is available,they have begun anew. This time however my seven year old son has taken the lead in reading the story. We are blessed to have such good literature available for our sons.
Charles, Michelle, Nathanael, and Luke Petit

When twelve-year-old Austin Cook and his family head to visit his Uncle Steve in North Carolina, Austin has no idea that this visit will be any different from any of his other visits. Austin appears to be your typical twelve-year-old boy, bright and inquisitive, and often full of mischief. He has always had a connection with animals, but this visit will illuminate the fact that he has an incredible gift that goes far beyond anything he has ever imagined.

Uncle Steve lives out in the forest, surrounded by wildlife. Austin and his sister Katie love visiting their uncle and exploring the surrounding forest. Uncle Steve always has something new to teach them about the wildlife and nature. When Uncle Steve takes Austin to the Nature Museum where his friend Amy works, Austin suddenly becomes aware that he is communicating with two of the animals that Amy has nursed back to health. It is a strange and somewhat frightening realization for him and initially, Austin tries to suppress the thought that he can actually communicate with animals. As the story progresses, and it becomes more apparent and, more urgent, that Austin listen to the animals, Austin finally begins to accept this most precious gift.

In Chapter 5 of the book, we are told the legend of the Schmooney. The Schmooney, a creature purported to live in the forest, feels that it has no special gifts and is embarrassed to be seen by anyone. Then one day the Schmooney's gift comes to light in a most wonderful and selfless way. In turn, a wonderful gift is bestowed upon the Schmooney. The story of the Schmooney becomes, in a way, a parallel to Austin's story.

The Secret of the Enchanted Forest is a treasure trove of information about animals and nature, doled out in a most enjoyable manner. The story is told in the first person and the author has realistically crept into the mind of a twelve-year-old boy so that no false notes are struck. The story moves along at a rapid pace and excitement, adventure, and courage fill the pages of this book.

The theme of this book, of finding your gift, is a beautiful and compelling one. So many people today feel lost and without purpose. The author wants us to feel that we each have a wonderful gift that needs to be brought to light so that we can find our purpose in the world. While this story is most likely written for the 8-12 age group, it has a universal theme, which can be enjoyed by readers of any age. This is the first book in a trilogy and I very much look forward to reading more works by Mr. Shumaker and following Austin's journey of enlightenment.

Spring break provides the perfect opportunity for twelve-year old Austin Cook and his family to make the trip to the north Georgia mountains to visit Uncle Steve. The two hour trip transports these city dwellers to a very different, forested world where the unexpected becomes possible. While Austin has always had a gift for relating to children and animals, he never suspected that his special gift with small creatures would be cause for an adventure that could save lives.

Author Bob Shumaker is a remarkable new talent in the world of children's books, earning the WordWeaving Award for Excellence. THE SECRET OF THE ENCHANTED FOREST engages young minds with a marvelous story that is at once educational and entertaining. This enchanting story, filled with natural science and imaginative play, overlays a core of emotional truth that encourages children to identify with Austin and explore their own special gifts. Author Bob Shumaker's powerful, timeless storytelling will endure for many generations of readers to come. Fans will be pleased to know that there is a sequel in the making.

Women should form fan clubs for Pat O'Connell. She answers questions we didn't even know to ask, covers over 80 symptoms we might never have connected to menopause, and demystifies the whole hormone problem.

She offers a complete specific look at her own struggles with the often life-altering changes menopause brings. Working with doctors, she stormed through the treatment possibilities and shares her research with her readers. And she delved deeply into recent medical studies to see what has actually been proved. For instance, she points out, "It takes 7 to 10 years for breast cancer to grow from first cell to detectable tumor. Therefore, anyone diagnosed with breast cancer during the WHI Prempro study's 5.2 years already had it when she joined the study."

O'Connell's skill as a technical writer makes the complex accessible, and thank heaven, since our world is so full of difficult to understand and just plain erroneous research about a condition that is vital for all women to understand. Reading sections of the book, I found myself raising eyebrows in astonishment at information totally new to me or clear for the first time. And I felt some anger at having been misled by many other sources.

Yes, it's a big book. It covers an amazing breadth of material, arranged in easily accessible chapters so you can get to the parts you need quickly.

Don't, however, just use this book as a reference and guide. It's written in a direct and witty style that makes it a darned fun read. If you are a woman, you need this book.

My wife brought this book home a few weeks ago after attending a conference. I was curious about it, so I began to read a few pages at random. It didn't take very long to find a comfortable chair and begin reading in earnest. The author has created an excellent, well-researched collection of vital information, and communicates it in an easy-going, comfortable style. I stayed up very late that first night and read most of the book, not wanting to put it down. I have referred to it quite a few times since. I thought at first that the book was expensive; I have changed my mind and now consider it to be one of the best single sources of factual information to be found on this subject. Virtually every aspect of hormones, hormone replacement, and alternative therapies is covered with enough depth to provide a healthy understanding of the issues and the current state of medical and alternative practices.

While the book's primary audience is peri-menopausal women, the information it contains is very helpful to the men in any woman's life, explaining lots of things about behavioral issues, how to deal with them as a man, and the effects these changes have on the lives of men as well, negatively and positively. I am sure many relationships and marriages have been seriously damaged or destroyed because of a lack of clear and concise information about hormonal changes. The book also contains a full chapter on hormone deficiency in males (caused by aging and other reasons) and how this can affect both partners in a relationship.

As a reference, the book contains, in one place, the most current information available on hormones and hormone therapy, alternatives, and when and why they should be considered (or not). As an advocate for your own health, you owe it to yourself (and the important people in your life) to be as knowledgeable as you can be. This book will give you what you need to find the proper health care provider and discuss the subject knowledgeably. I strongly suggest that you purchase this book, share it with your husband (or wife), and buy a copy for your daughter too. It is one of the best gifts you can give to improve the lives of the people most important to you.

The book is great. $450 is a rip off. Do what I did and go to save our seminary dot org and buy it there. You will be much happier with your purchase.

I read this book as a child and it has had a permanent place n my heart. The story is magical and rivetting and I am going to share it with my daughters as soon as they can appreciate it!!

The use of shadows on a wall to tell a story is as old as storytelling itself. Author Katerine A. Harris and illustrator Steven Mach have collaborated to bring a new twist to an ancient storytelling tradition in "Forest Fairies: An Enchanted Forest Shadow Story". This unique storybook invites children ages 3 and older into an enchanted forest where each animal is watched over by its very own protective fairy. This 8" by 8", 26-page storybook, with its accompanying flashlight, is designed with die-cut fairies that project the shadow of the animal associated with them when the light shines through in a specially crafted 'shadow theatre'. "Forest Fairies" is wonderfully entertaining and a uniquely popular addition to any family library. Also very highly recommended are two other 'shadow story' titles from W. J. Fantasy Inc. which are written by the team of Lisa Allen and Julie Sharp, as well as featuring the lively artwork of Vickie Johnson: "Camping Out: A Shadow Story" (1560213876, $15.00) and "Time For Bed: The Secret Of Shadows" (1560213558, $15.00).

I heard about this children's book from a co-worker that had told me his daughter was glued to it. I bought it for my 9 year old daughter and she read it cover to cover (without putting it down). She can't wait for the next one.