Virginia Books

It's going to be hard to peg this but small but elegant picturebook, which looks like a child's reader but contains an all-Latin version of Church's story, translated by Walter Sauer and Hermann Wiegand and illustrated by Matthias Kringe. Suffice it to say that students of Latin - of all ages - will find Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus - In Latin! both whimsical and a challenge to a student's elementary-level Latin knowledge. A fun little book.

At times, we all need to remember the magic of wonder and faith in what we cannot see. Even the Classical authors contemplated the truth of the unknown. This Christmas classic translated into Latin combines a beautiful story with the language of ancient philosophers. And, it's a perfect introduction to abstract ideas-love, generosity, truth, beauty, transcendental reality-that are the basis of human interaction.

Complete with a full glossary of words, the book is approachable to any past, present, or future student of Latin. For those who are not familiar with the language at all, the Latin text is followed by the English translation side-by-side with the Latin reproduced. Moreover, the book encourages its readers to recall their own special Christmas memories on blank pages left especially for this purpose at the end of the book. Perfect as a gift for any loved one, Yes, Virginia is beautifully illustrated, wonderfully told, and lovingly shared.

This was a delightful book. Experiencing every type of human emotion, I know I will read this book over and over again. I truly believe all people would relate to the individual stories. Most definately, this book should be on the Oprah show - it is a 'feel good' book, we certainly need more of those. I have purchased three more of "You Can't Smell the Roses When You're Pushing Up Daisies" for my three Daughters to keep and pass on to their children. I loved this book!!!

After you have laughed and cried with the author you will want to give this wonderful book to everyone you love. It's sort of a reminder of everything you already knew about living a great life, but forgot. Read the book and you will smell the roses.

You Wouldn't Want to Be an American Colonist: A Settlement You'd Rather Not Start (You Wouldn't Want to...)
I'm a university professor of colonial American history. If more kids had books like this, my colleagues and I would not be saddled with the job of jumpstarting enthusiasm for our subject among our college students... My son is a huge fan of the entire series (which I'm buying for him as fast as is reasonable), and also of Terry Deary's Horrible Histories. They appeal to an eight-year-old's (and a forty-three-year-old's) sense of humor, and they make the reader THINK. Children are far brighter (and more thoughtful) than they are generally given credit for: Until the education system is forced to recognize this, books like this one will help parents and teachers everywhere supplement the dry-as-dust curriculum. See my Amazon list for more ideas.
Dr. Annette Laing
Historian & author of
Don't Know Where, Don't Know When (The Snipesville Chronicles, Book 1)

Got Reluctant Readers? Or 4-8 year-olds? _You Wouldn't Want to be an American Colonist : A Settlement You'd Rather Not Start_ should get the Younger Generation Hooked-on-History as it recounts the history of the first English colony, Jamestown, in North America.

Why should the Spanish have all the gold and silver in the New World (the Americas)? The Virgin Queen, Elizabeth, wanted to get in on the good times, too. She appointed Walter Raleigh (soon to be "Sir") to look into it for her.

Wally was no fool, so he sent his half-brother off to the New World to
find the perfect paradise, preferably loaded with the aforementioned goodies. David Antram's snapshot-sized, comically irreverant illustration shows what happened to Wally's good ole brother, but others must have made it through in better shape.

The establishment of that colony (ever wonder why it's called "Jamestown" and not "Elizabethtown"?), and the messes they got themselves into until they finally got it right (it took three tries over twenty-two years), are recounted in somewhat tongue-in-cheek detail by Jacqueline Morley. Even the chapter titles give you a hint of the humor that's coming:

* Introduction
* Virginia - A Bit of History
* The Lost Colony
* Third Time Is a Charm?
* Settling In
* The Algonquins - Friends or Foes?
* Exploring the Territory
* Supply Ships - A Blessing or a Curse?
* Famine and Starvation
* The Colony Grows
* Success!
* Glossary (2 pages)
* Index (1 page)

This book is only one in the "You Wouldn't Want To..." historical series created by David Salariya, a freelance illustrator and designer. He founded The Salariya Book Company in 1989, in England, to "...create and design children's non-fiction books that combined very high educational and editorial standards."

Jacqueline Morley is the author of a number of the books in this series. She's taught English and History, "...and has a special interest in the history of everyday life...." She's also authored non-fiction books for Peter Bedrick Books.

David Antram's whimsical artwork is a major reason the books in this series are so funny. His cartoon-style caricatures are deliberately outrageous. Their company says, "Salariya Books...designed to stimulate, entertain and inform."

Take advantage of David Salariya's creations to let your youngsters have an opportunity to give History a second chance. _You Wouldn't Want to be an American Colonist : A Settlement You'd Rather Not Start_ is definitely worth 5 stars from gobbysreviews.

gobby
Book Reviewer at Marathon Library

I have read a number of these Cavalry histories. They are very thorough and offer information not found in books that just cover the main battles.
These tell you situations involving skirmishes and and exactly who and what troop is involved. If you are a intermediate Civil War buff or expert you will enjoy being able to take in more information than most on the subject.

A definite must have for the Civil War fanatic! I love them.

I have read a number of these Cavalry histories. They are very thorough and offer information not found in books that just cover the main battles.
These tell you situations involving skirmishes and and exactly who and what troop is involved. If you are a intermediate Civil War buff or expert you will enjoy being able to take in more information than most on the subject.

A definite must have for the Civil War fanatic! I love them.

Well written and provided with lots of pictures, Cowles paints a vivid and entertaining picture of the last year before the outbreak of the Great War. While the focus of the book is of course, the year 1913, its concerns and fads can cover nearly the entire fifteen years before WWI. Readable and enthusiastic--I highly recommend this book.

This book begins about where the first book left off but then picks up more info left out of the first book. This book is hilarious, informative, entertaining and overall enjoyable if you are a J.C. fan or a St. Louis area resident. This guy's radio show or showgram as it is known should be carried nationally although I like the local flavor. Really a good read.

I have read a number of these Cavalry histories. They are very thorough and offer information not found in books that just cover the main battles.
These tell you situations involving skirmishes and and exactly who and what troop is involved. If you are a intermediate Civil War buff or expert you will enjoy being able to take in more information than most on the subject.

A definite must have for the Civil War fanatic! I love them.

Dennis Frye put together a very concise and well researched book on this unit. The chapters are well laid out and to the point, finished off by "Lost and Not Heard from Since", the real 'Meat and Potatoes' of the book.

It's here that the roster of the 2nd Va. Cav. is meticulously listed and greatly appreciated. Several of the men listed within these final pages now call Elmwood Cemetery home. A quiet little cemetery just three miles from where I now live. I often use this book to better understand what drove the men who now lie beneath the many headstones in the Confederate part of Elmwood cemetery.

This book truly puts into context the struggles the 2nd Virginia Cavalry went through during the war. Thanks for all your efforts Dennis!

I have read a number of these Cavalry histories. They are very thorough and offer information not found in books that just cover the main battles.
These tell you situations involving skirmishes and and exactly who and what troop is involved. If you are a intermediate Civil War buff or expert you will enjoy being able to take in more information than most on the subject.

A definite must have for the Civil War fanatic! I love them.