Clubs Books

Many Americans know Washington Irving as the author of "the Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle". Few realize that he was also a world traveler, scholarly fluent in Arabic and Spanish and something of an Hispanophile, to the say least.
Irving's book is largely responsible for the widespread romantic image of Spain. It is a collection of observation, history, fairy tale, written in Irving's unique blend of romanticism and healthy skepticism. It is roughly framed by his journey to the Alhambra and his departure from it, an in between we are given a tour of the grounds and hear a few tales (including tales of Moorish ghosts on headless horses) which are roughly intertwined as in the Arabian Nights. Indeed, this little book is the 'Arabian Nights' of the west.
Before visit the Alhambra read this book. If you are not planning on going, read it and you'll probably change your mind.

I am a Moor and I relate to the stories well. The stories reminded me of the things to avoid for the things that will come. A Moorish Empire will rise again.
Irving starts with his personal journey then he has several stories of gallant and modest characters which makes you feel your in the garden or the palace. It brings back what love was and how it should be. I really like the story of the Father striving to keep his son from learning about love. I know no matter what you do you can never lock love away because of its power and its vast estate one would have to know it is impossible. This is a worth while reader for anyone who knows and wants the best from humanity for it is the Moors who created civilization and it is their station to restore it.

On 7/24/04 through Amazon Marketplace I purchased this used book.
It arrived within the week and was excellently packed and shipped by bea4books@yahoo.com. A lovely "Thanks for Buying!" note was included with the invoice. The book is in very good condition with wonderful pictures. A surprise was that it had belonged to the Austin Public Library - a favorite city of mine. I'll be ordering more through you! Thank you.

Washington Irving is credited with bringing the glorious history and unbelievable beauty of the Alhambra, in the city of Granada, (the last stronghold of the Moors in the South of Spain) to Western conciousness.

After spending a day at the Alhambra last Summer, and passing by the closed apartments that he occupied, I decided to listen to his book while driving one hour each way to work. (any short trips won't work because all of the 'tales' are lengthy)

My title says it all. If you are a student of dry history this book is not for you. Only about 20-30 minutes will satisfy your curiosity for the facts. If you enjoy legend and lore this book is it. The bulk of the book tells numerous stories of princes and princeses, kings and soldiers, common laborers such as mule drivers and water carriers, loves found and loves lost, and especially the perrenial human lust for long lost and buried treasure, etc., all told with a wonderous style and feel for southern Spain of the 13-th to 15-th centuries.

The factual account of how Columbus finally came to agreement with Isabella and Ferdinand to sign the contract for the three ships, almost by chance in 1492, while the two sovereigns were outside Granada laying the final siege of the Alhambra fortress, is mind blowing. History came 'that close' to having Columbus sail three French ships instead of the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.

If you want just the facts, look elsewhere. But if you are planning a trip to Granada and the Alhambra, definitely pick up this book, along with a second, more fact based, and give a read or listen. I wish I had done that before my trip. It would have given much more life and enjoyment to the place as I walked through the various rooms and towers and gardens that Irving so lovingly describes.

This wonderful book written by a well-loved American author details his travels in Spain, and more specifically in the Castle Alhambra. These tales are delightful, and seemlessly weave from fact to fiction to history to folklore. It is a true travel log, done oh so many years ago, and done with Irving's whimcical and enchanting style. The sketches give a good description of Spain and travel in the early 1800's. Older children and adolescents would probably enjoy these sketches.

WOW! Now this is the book to read! With all the facts & fun you get to know the BSC real good. I just say : READ IT! =)

This book tells you all that you need to now about the babysitters club. It brings back good memorys about ther other books and gives info from ther other books you didn't read. I recomend this book to all of the readers of the babysitters club SO READ IT!!!!!!

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Baby-Sitters Club is in this book. It is very detailed.For example:One of the facts is that Kristy's little sister's worst enemy in her class, Bobby Gianalli, his father's occupation is working for an insurance company.

This is the book for you! It has everything you need to know about the BSC and all of Stoneybrook. Find all there clients, friends out of the club, and Beyond Stoneybrook. Read it!

The COMPLETE guide to the Baby-Sitters Club. It's an excellent book, it tells you all the baby-sitters clients, about their family, friends out of the club. There's a lot more to it. But I won't llist all of them, if you want to know, than read the book and find out! GET IT OR GET OUT!!!!!!

This is one of my favorites of the entire S&A series. It is one of the most sailing intensive books providing great details about sailing through tidal river regions. The Norfolk Broads region described is sort of a sailing paradise. Like all of these books, the adventure is very lightweight, and only really suitable for a child with some degree of patience. Part of the appeal is how realistic the books are. I think children enjoy reading stories in which child characters are doing so many fun things on their own with very minimal adult intervention. In my experience these books appeal most to children in the 9-11 age bracket. The book's theme of nature preservation and activism is one that also is fairly relevant even today.

If you have read any of the Swallows and Amazons books and liked them you will love this one too. In my opinion they are all good, but this is definitely one of his best!

This is the fifth of Arthur Ransome's "Swallows and Amazons" tales, although, in fact, it features not a single member of either the Swallows or the Amazons. Nor, indeed, is it set anywhere near the English Lake District. Instead, it describes the Norfolk Broads boating adventures of the two D's (first introduced to the reader in the previous book, "Winter Holiday").

The tale is set in the children's Easter holidays, just a few months after the events of the preceding book. In it, Dick and Dorothea are anxious to learn the rudiments of sailing so that they can take a more active part in the fun when they next meet up with the Swallows and Amazons. Dick is also keen to do some bird watching. It is almost inevitable, therefore, that soon after arriving in Norfolk, they find therefore themselves tangled in up in (and helping out with) the troubles of the Coot Club - a group of local (boat-mad) children dedicated to the protection of the Broads' unique bird population.

Ransome loved the Norfolk Broads with a passion that possibly even exceeded his love of the Lake District. In this book, he paints a portrait of Norfolk, its waterways and the people who live on or by them, making plain his love for this unique environment and its way of life. The story centres on his concerns over their continuing destruction through ever-increasing tourism (and the increasingly thoughtless actions of its visitors), a major problem even 65 years ago. (It is far worse now, of course!) Unlike his Lake District stories, this one uses the real names of the places that feature in it and revels in describing them. Indeed, the book reads almost like a guidebook at times, although you barely notice this, for it is never anything less that engaging in its content. As always, Ransome combines both narrative and instructive content with consummate ease, tempered here with an excitement to the events that unfold. He weaves a tale that is as enthralling and captivating as ever, that will appeal to lovers of good tales whatever their age. The author's own pen-and-ink drawings are as charming as ever, too.

This is one of the few Swallows and Amazons books that can be read earlier in the sequence than it appears (if you really must) without major detriment to either itself or the earlier stories (except, perhaps "Winter Holiday"). You do need to have read it before most of the ones that follow it, however, as the events described here feature heavily in later ones.

After being introduced in the last book, WINTER HOLIDAY, the D's (aka Dick and Dorothea Callum), have their own adventure.

It's the Easter holiday following their winter adventure, and they're going to the Norfolk Broads to stay with a friend of their mother, Mrs. Barrable, to stay on a boat. The D's are eager to learn some sailing but are desolated to find out that they can't. But soon they're involved with the Coot Club: leader Tom Dudgeon, twins Port and Starboard, and the Death-and-Glories, a trio of youngsters who play at piracy. The Coot Club watches over the waterbirds nesting in the Broads, and after a boatload of crass tourists anchors near an important nest and refuses to move, Tom sets them adrift and ends up being hunted. The D's and Mrs. Barrable come to the rescue, hiding him on their boat and using him to teach sailing.

Ransome's fondness for the Norfolk Broads shines through. I didn't get into it as much as some of the other books, mainly because I miss the Swallows and Amazons as well as the lake setting. But this book is interesting for some of the more serious themes that creep in. This is the first S&A book that takes a strong environmental theme, and it's great to see that in something from the 30s. It also explores the theme of sometimes you have to take a stand for what you believe in, even if it gets you in trouble. We also see the tension between residents of the broads and noisy vacationers who don't respect them or the rules of the area. There are also elegiac glimmers of the passage of time, of how the Broads aren't quite what they used to be, although that might not necessarily be bad. It's also fun to see Mrs. Barrable referred to as "The Admiral" by the crew.

It's a fun book, and easy for me to visualize after visiting places like Chincoteague and the eastern shore of Maryland. It's nice spending time with the D's and seeing some of the new characters, who will make a return appearance later in the series. Next book: PIGEON POST, in which the D's reunite with the S&As and return to the lake.

In this book Ransome focuses on the two most recently introduced members of his juvenile cast, Dick and Dorothea Callum, who are sent to spend part of their Easter holidays with Mrs. Barrable, their mother's old schoolmistress, along the rivers of the Norfolk wetlands. Eager to learn to sail so they can take part in the adventures planned for the lake next summer, their spirits plummet when they learn that Mrs. Barrable "can't sail her boat by herself" and plans to use it only as a houseboat. Unexpected salvation occurs in the form of Tom Dudgeon, son of a local doctor, who finds himself a fugitive after setting a motor-cruiser adrift to protect a coot's nest being observed by himself and his five friends (Port and Starboard, the twin girls who live near the Dudgeons, and the Death and Glories, Joe, Pete, and Bill). Seeking shelter from the outraged motorboaters aboard Mrs. Barrable's rented craft, he meets the trio and finds instant common ground, and quickly agrees to serve as Captain and teach the Callums "the ropes." Though there's less imaginative play in this book than in the rest of the series, it still features Ransome's splendid insight into juvenile minds and character, plus loving description of the countryside and a strong consciousness of the environment that must have been unusual in the 1930's. Though this volume will never be my favorite of the series--somehow things are never so lively without Captain Nancy Blackett on board!--it succeeds on its own terms and will be a pleasant change of pace for families reading aloud in sequence.

My toddler has been reading this book for 2 years and now we need a new copy for his little sister (the first being quite worn out by now). He loves to count the objects on each page, especially the 4 trucks. The bear and other characters are charmingly illustrated and fun for young children.

Cute little book of just 12 pages, with colorful illustrations by Lisa McCue. Board book pages are always great for the not-yet-reading set to the beginner-reader, who will do unspeakable things to books - and board books can handle it!

Corduroy counts his way through his day, from 1 bear to 10 bubbles. Little kids will quickly learn to count along, because the text is simple and the story is laid out in illustrations they can relate to easily. The text mentions 6 cupcakes, and there they are - to be counted! And, of course, one of the bonuses of Corduroy is that there are other books he stars in, and your kids will want those, too. Hooked on reading before they know what's happening!

This book is a fun way to teach young children how to count. The pictures are very cute and colorful to hold ones interest. And the large print is a lot easier to read. The board cover is a very good idea also since children are often messy.

The colors and pictures of Corduroy are beautiful in this book. My daughter loves it! Other than Dr. Seuss books, this is one that she really loves and always wants to read.

This is a good book to be reading to the really young ones (under 3 years old). It is very colorful and cute. The children really enjoy looking at the book and counting along. I bought it a little bit too late for my son (though he loved the other Corduroy books) but I co-own a day-care and the other children just love this book. And since it is a board-book, it can withstand the abuse young children tend do dish out to books.

A word of advice, don't buy this book used. The proceeds from the sale of this book go to help cancer children.

As an old-time radio fan who has just recently discovered the magic of Don McNeill's "Breakfast Club" program (and WHY aren't there more surviving recordings of this series currently in circulation among collectors?), I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Doolittle's new book. I found it to give fascinating and in-depth looks into the "behind-the-scenes" workings of the show, the network and sponsor difficulties with the TV version, and the careers and private lives of the McNeill family and the various cast members. I found the section regarding Kay McNeill's (Don's wife) mental and physical decline from Altzheimer's Disease to be particularly poignant and heartbreaking...especially considering what a vibrant person she seemed to be prior to her illness. In a previous review, Mr. Slobb criticizes the book for treating Don McNeill as if he were God...I respectfully disagree. The book deals with the two personas of Mr. McNeill....How he could seem outgoing on the program and be quite introverted, even sullen, in real life. However, after reading the book one gets the impression that Don McNeill was basically a fine person. After working with Mr. McNeill for a number of years and numerous broadcasts, Mr. Slobb's complaints are that Don McNeill never spoke to him, or that Don gave Mr. Slobb "cheap" Christmas presents....I don't think that those issues really put Don McNeill into the "ruthless S.O.B" category. Unlike fellow "morning man" Arthur Godfrey, who truly alienated his cast members and had some very ugly parting of the ways, most of Don McNeill's regulars stayed with him for YEARS. There were male and female singers who would leave the show to get married and raise families, tour on club dates, go into the service, etc. Don had a friendly "open-door" policy with these departed singers.....Most of them would return to fill in when their replacements would be out sick, on vacation, etc., and these "pinch-hitting" former regulars were always made to feel welcome. I'm sorry to digress from the book itself, but I felt that the preceding needed to be said. I found this book to be enlightening, interesting, inspiring and a LOT of fun...sort of like an actual "Breakfast Club" broadcast! I recommend it highly!

The Don McNeill Breakfast Club was a comfort of home, a memory of cherished moments sitting by the radio with my family. When I heard that a book had been written about the program I had high expectations. I was more impressed than I could have imagined. Not only did I feel a stronger sense of who Don McNeill was, I also gained perspective on American History through radio, which was so perfectly encompassed in The Breakfast Club. For anyone who remembers the lazy mornings by the radio, or for anyone who is interested in American culture and history, this book is a must!

Although I am old enough to have been able to remember Don McNeill's Breakfast Club I have only heard of him, and wanted to learn more about this popular radio show. Author John Doolittle has done an excellent job in bringing out the personality of Don McNeill. Don was a devoted family man who, despite an extroverted personality when interviewing people, was more of an introvert away from the show. Don was devoted to the midwest and chose to keep his show in Chicago from various downtown locations. I would say the primary reason for the success of the show was his sincere interest in people in addition to his willingness to pay the price in preparation time. Those who filled in for him found out there is more involved than chatting with members of the studio audience. The silent prayer and the march around the breakfast table were interesting staples of this show that I wasn't aware of. Don McNeill was a sincere man both on the show and in his private life. The CD that came with the book I bought provides interesting snippets on some of his shows and was especially interesting to listen to after having read the book. Don McNeill was a giant of radio who had a lot to contribute to other people and did.

This is a fascinating journey back through radio and american history.

The "Breakfast Club" was a morning radio program staple in hundreds of thousands of homes across America beginning in 1933 until its final broadcast in December of 1968. Don McNeill hosted this program which was completely unscripted and involved a lot of studio audience participation. Now John Doolittle has memorialized that unique and beloved radio show host and his program in Don McNeill And His Breakfast Club. Here is the history of a man and a program that developed an enormous and loyal listenership in an era when broadcast radio was the major daily mass media for information and culture in the country. Doolittle's informative, enthusiastically recommended history is enriched with the inclusion of an accompanying CD with sample clips from the show to give the reader an authentic flavor of what the program was like and why it became (and stayed) one of the most popular components of morning radio.

Ms. Farrow held my interest in this book from beginning to end. The suspence and intrigue of the characters was well written; and the love story part was outstanding. She knows her stuff. Hope Ms. Farrow writes another soon!

Julie has certainly explained her characters and made them very believable. I rarely read love stories because they are so much the same but this had a really human interest story with it and was described very well. She kept my interest up throughout the book. I look forward to her sequel, Shelley's Promise and will certainly pass this on to my friends. Continue the story, Julie.

WOW! Faith's Desire hooked me in the beginning, carried me along with fast-paced drama, and swung me into a page-turning dynamite ending. Titilating romance scenes added another dimension to the already powerful action sequences and kept me glued to the book. The author obviously has had extensive experience in a trauma center, or did an amazing job of research, because the Emergency room segments of the story were very realistic and had a ring of professionalism.

Great book! Great story! Great read!

I'm not one to read most romance novels, but this one caught my attention because of the subject matter. The author knows her stuff. That's obvious from the detailed descriptions of life in an urban ER facility. This is no television script. It's fast paced, exciting, lots of intrigue and action. Like I said, it's not a typical romance. You guys out there will like it too. Give this one a read. You'll never think of ER's the same again!

EMERGENCY! Faith's Desire is a wonderful romantic adventure told by an expert who knows what it's like to live a life or death, no mistakes career of a hospital emergency room. Love, romance, danger and mystery are all woven expertly in a thrilling epic by this dynamic author! Non-stop action and romantic adventure from start to finish!

Three rather adventurous frogs find an egg. Is it a chicken egg? Is it, as they first think, a pebble? Well no, it is an alligater egg. this is a wonderful little tale right out of the swamp. The simple illustrations fit quite well with the story line and are quite eye catching. Kids seem to love this one and even like it read to the over and over and over again. The story does bring home the good lesson that is is just fine to be different, as the three frog find. This is one of those books that is nice to have in your book stack for something quick to read or for a quick bed time read for the little one. Like all of Leo Lionni's work, the quality is high, the story good and the art work interesting. It would be hard to go wrong with this one.

Jessica declares they've discovered a chicken egg. She helps the youngster find her mother and Jessica is astonished when the mother calls her baby an alligator. Simply loveable and laughable. An excellent read-aloud. See Lionni's imagery of Rodin's Thinker when Jessica visits her quiet place.

I always love to find a story that teaches important lessons with plenty of fun and humor. Jessica the frog and her friends are certain that the egg Jessica found one day is a chicken egg. One day, the egg hatches, and the "chicken" is born...a long, scaly green creature who crawls out searching for the water.

Despite the frogs' misinformation and their obvious differences, Jessica and the "chicken" become great friends. When they discover the chicken's mother at last, the frogs think it is the funniest thing in the world that she refers to her baby as an "alligator."

Both my 2 year old and 4 year old appreciate the humor in this story. I was worried that my 2-yr. old might become confused, but she just laughed and said, "Alligator, Mommy. No chicken!" This is a wonderful book for learning about friendship despite differences. It was also a nice introduction to alligators, including the fact that they hatch from eggs!

"An Extraordinary Egg" is a beginning reader picture book about three sister frogs that live on an island. One of the frogs, Jessica, finds an egg in some stones and brings it home. The three sister frogs believe it is a chicken egg, even though none of them has ever seen a chicken. The egg hatches, and it is an alligator but the frogs still think it is a chicken. They all become good friends, and "the chicken" even saves Jessica's life one day when she falls into the water. Soon though, the chicken's mother and the "chicken" are fatefully reunited. Jessica goes back and tells her sisters that it was very funny that the chicken's mother should call it "my sweet alligator." After all, their chicken couldn't have been an alligator!
I found this picture book by Leo Lionni particularly appropriate for children 4-5 years old, especially kindergarteners. I absolutely loved this humorous tale of three frogs who adopt an alligator they call "chicken" as their friend. Numerous lesson plans for teachers be drawn from its text, including concepts such as friendship, nature, and differences among animals. As part of my author study for World Literature for Children, I compiled a lesson plan about the many differences between chickens, frogs, and alligators. I had students make a chart listing the differences among each. They also explored new vocabulary, like the word "extraordinary," and each child was able to name something they thought was extraordinary. At the end of the lesson, students could write a follow-up story to "An Extraordinary Egg" and illustrate it with some of the same materials that Leo Lionni used to make the pictures for the book.
The illustrations in "An Extraordinary Egg" are nothing short of amazing and beautiful. With each turn of the page, a colorful double page spread is a feast for the eyes. Pen and ink, pastels, and collage were used to create the setting, three frogs, and the alligator. By doing this, Lionni creates a fun and entertaining world that kids won't hesitate to fall into. His illustrations match the age and reading level of the kids who will read the book because Jessica and her sisters are simply illustrated with materials and colors that four and five year olds like to see and use.
The overall quality of this book is outstanding. The text can certainly stand on its own without the illustrations, although the illustrations bring out a humorous element that is key to the storyline (i.e. the chicken is really an alligator). Both text and illustration complement each other in a way that makes the story funny and enjoyable. Other books by Leo Lionni that are similar to this one are: "Cornelius," "It's Mine!," and "Fish Is Fish." These have similar characters and themes (i.e. friendship) that go along with "An Extraordinary Egg." Ruth Heller also has a book called "Chickens Aren't The Only Ones: World of Nature Series" which is pictoral introduction to most animals that lay eggs.
In short, I think this book is a quality picture book, most appropriate for those who can't read yet or are beginning readers. You won't be disappointed with it, because it is simple, funny, beautifully illustrated, and has lessons about friendship and differences, especially qualities that make us unique. It also comes in a Big Book, so teachers can read it to their class without worrying if students can see or not.

It's that time of year again when many are looking forward to Easter and Easter Egg Hunts. But, what if someone found a really unusual egg, and to make it even more unique there's not a chicken inside but an alligator?

That's the proposition the irrepressible Leo Lionni puts forth in this delightful yarn about three frogs who find the surprise of their lives.

As always his illustrations capture the eye as his mind captures imaginations.

Lawd, Lawd, Lawd and yes I said Lawd.. What a great book for the GROWN & MATURE! G.L.Henderson has so much fantasy for one to vision, however, reality and a spiritual message was soon to follow.

G.L.H. = Good Looking Handsome 1 is definitely about to wake up the favor for ADULTS and bring back the ROMANCE in a couples' RELATIONSHIP! One can't get mad for a MAN TELLING IT LIKE IT IS!

Keep up the GREATNESS!

My co-worker bought this book to work with her and told me to read it. I went to the hairdresser that day and finished the book in 3 1/2 hours, no lie. I couldn't put the book down. A definite page turner. It had everything love, lust, dishonesty and spirtuality. You must read this book. I'm looking forward to his next book.

I felt as if you had looked into my life and wrote about it. You seemed to have gotten into my mind and knew all of my thoughts and feelings... And the part where Jasmine is in the bathroom... Now I know why you are the "Fantasy Master"!:) I know a part of me wished it was me in the tub and a bigger part of me wished that it was me that was blind folded and whose body was being rubbed. When you read this book I feel everyone will be able to relate wheither you are a man or a woman. If you have ever loved or gave love you will find a part of you. And if you have ever fantasized about what good love feels like then this will help you. I know some men who could use some lessons from G.L. the REAL "Fantasy Master."

well i can say that this book is not just for older poeple but it's also for the younger ones. I am 18 years old and i find this book to be very real. It help you to walk in your fantasy and also walk into reality at the same time. Although G.L is my god-father i never seen this side before. He is a very deep person. And i have to say that this book shows just what kind of man he is. This is not just a regular book this help you in many ways then one. If you have not read this book please make it you business to do so. Trust me it is something you will love. This book shows you how to love , pray, romance,and most of all trust in God so that you can later trust yourself. But if i could rate this book a 100 that's what it will be! If you have read this book pass it on and tell someone about it. Help support! Love you dad From Your Baby Girls! Kema and CAM

This book held my interest from beginnig to end, I have never read a book that made all my emotions come alive. I cried, laughed and sympathized with the characters. I would have purchased the book for the prayer alone. It has a powerful message, my husband enjoyed reading it also. It gave us something to conversate about and he's not a reader. So Mr. G.L we look forward to reading your next book. Keep up the good work and may God bless you.

Charles Mully had no opportunities given to him by his family or country, only hardships which he did not forget and developed a passion to improve the life of those in similar circumstances. His life is an an amazing and inspiring story of what can be accomplished in life by first an experience with God then having the faith and courage to follow your heart, trusting God to accomplish your dreams. The best part is he continues living his dream today and has made and continues to make a significant impact on the lives of thousands as he continues to trust God to provide for the neeeds of othes.

I'm glad a friend gave me *Father to the Fatherless: The Charles Mulli Story* and I'm glad I read it.

I think that the author, Peter Boge, must have listened well to Charles because Peter writes about the Mullis' life and ministry---its tragic experiences and miraculous interventions---with vivid, fast-paced, what's-going-to-happen-next intensity. (I read the book in a day.) If you wonder if the supernatural, "power-encounter" presence of the Spirit is still operative today, the Charles Mulli story is for you.

Orphans in Africa, particularly Kenya, and what can be done and what is being done about and for them is the passion and burden of the book. Charles Mulli is one man, chosen by God, to bring "the kingdom of God" to the orphans. Out of the most desperate beginnings of a young boy's life, God shapes a man with a fierce vision and fiery compassion for "the street children" of Kenya. You will be intrigued by MCF--Mulli Children's Family, the name of Charles' multi-faceted ministry.

Charles Mulli's definition of "prosperity" is worth the price of the book and the time it takes you to read it. It's like no definition you've ever read.

This book was outstanding, and i was unable to put it down! God is amazing, that he took a young helpless boy, rejected by people, by his own family and yet was able to empathise with street children and give them the love and encouragment that God had given him. I pray that God will continue to use Charles Mully and his family to reach out and touch the lives of children who feel unloved and rejected. I recommend this book to anyone who needs encouragement themself as this book will inspire a reader to know God at a deeper level.

Charles Mulli is a man with a mission and with a vision. Understanding what it is to grow up with nothing and then through hard work to create a successful life for himself and his family, he has chosen to help the helpless, to devote his life to rescuing children from the streets of Kenya's cities. After reading "Father to the Fatherless" we can understand what an impact one person can have who chooses the unfailing riches in heaven over temporal wealth on this earth. To have over 700 children calling you "Father", now that is amazing! Mulli's story is told in a captivating way, and I'm sure will be an inspiration and challenge to all readers of this book.

I could not put this book down. I recommend it to anyone struggling with personal adversity and questioning the faithfulness of God. No rational person would have given Charles Mulli a chance of surviving on the streets of Kenya after abandonment at 6 years old. Empowered by an unshakeable faith and obedient heart, he rose up from the depths of poverty and despair to the heights of leadership and prosperity. More importantly, he never stopped listening to God's call. Once on top of the world, he sacrificed everything he had to bring love and hope to the forgotten. Throw out your self-help books and make room for this one...it is certain to humble and inspire you.

I especially like this book as it can be read on at least two levels. The initial story is catchy with the rhyming words and plot. The older child can also enjoy learning about the various types of birds depicted in the story. It gives a mother or a teacher much to discuss with the child.

This book, along with TOP CAT by the same author, are my kids' favorite books (ages 6,4 and 2). And I love them, too! I never tire of reading them out loud, although both of my older children can recite the book and "read" it themselves now. We checked it out from the library and kept renewing it over and over because the kids loved it so much. We finally bought our own copy and I know the kids are going to fight over who gets to take it with them when they move out 15 or so years from now. :) It is a delightful story and I love how Ms. Ehlert labels everything. I especially like the details provided at the end regarding the birds shown throughout the book.

Entertaining, colorful, informative --- what's not to like? I have to admit, however, that I feel sorry for the cat.

Another favorite of my 3 1/2 year-old daughter, along with "Top Cat" by the same author. Hmmm...is it possible that Top Cat or his little brother is the cat in "Feathers for Lunch"?

That aside, the pictures in this wonderful book allow a child a good first look at several North American birds, and the text introduces your child to their birdsong. All the birds are "drawn" (I believe they are actually designed by paper cut), to actual life-size.

This is a wonderful little book for children to learn some common American birds and their calls. The story is about a cat trying to catch a bird for lunch but the bell on the collar keeps giving him away, hence "feathers for lunch" but the illustrations are almost all birds such as the Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Morning Dove, House Wren, Northern Flicker, etc... My little boy actually likes Ehlert's "Top Cat" better, but this story has seen many readings. My boy can tell the difference between several birds that he sees in his backyard. Recommended for the little birders.