Minnesota Books

In Comeuppance, author Martin A. Greis harks back to the great police procedurals of the past,but with a twist--his good-cop protagonists are given a fair share of both personality and humanity. From experienced cop Morten Hopkins, with his own share of problems and an uncanny intuition in solving crimes--to novice Danny Hicks, who retains a certain innocence and altruism in spite of the harshness of his job, readers will find a number of enjoyable characters in this book, and Greis's accessible style entertains to the very end. Aficionados of the genre will enjoy this close-up look at the Twin Cities crime scene.

This fast-moving yarn really defines the term "page turner." A truly superior book in its genre. Realistic, moving, detailed but not over-detailed. If you like to read murder mysteries, this is THE book for you!

I rubbed my eyes all night, but had to finish this book in one sitting. Greis grabs your attention and makes it all but impossible to put aside until the end. Greis lives in the St Paul area and it is a delight to read about places and roads I am familiar with. Refreshingly, nobody in this book is an "angel", altho there is a devil. The characters are allowed to be human, to screw up, to mean well. As a Minnesotan, I had to chuckle about the ice-house villages that spring up around here every winter. Placing some of the action on the frozen lake rings true in prose.

Irene S., A reviewer, March 11, 2004,
A WICKED MYSTERY!
From the opening page, this is an engaging read: colorful characters, convincing details, and lots of intriguing development. I got so immersed that I think there really is a Detective Mort Hopkins out there on the streets of St. Paul!

I enjoyed it a great deal. It is one of those books that is once started, is hard to put down. A local audience will enjoy not only the story line, but also all the local geographic references, plus the wonderful Minnesota mannerisms that we are also so familiar with. All in all, a very fun read!

Kevin Donovan
Grant MN

"The Haymakers" is beautifully written. Hoffbeck begins with the story of his own family and engages the emotions of his readers from the start. The experiences of the five families are intricately woven together and create an accurate picture of haymaking in Minnesota. "The Haymakers" explores the technical aspects of making hay and also the sweat and tears that went into the process. It provides a look into the lives of several haymaking families in different regions and different time periods. The stories of the five families are gripping and Hoffbeck's personal story is tragic. "The Haymakers" is captivating and tells a historical story well worth reading.

I have read this book twice. The first time was for Dr. Hoffbecks American History class and the 2nd time was for my American Studies class on the Midwest. Dr. Hoffbeck is a wonderful professor and the way he writes is as if you are in the classroom with him. I've done the very laberous job of making hay. When I read this book only someone who has done it like Dr. Hoffbeck while growing up can capture what it is like to have done this work. If anyone out there is enrolled at MSU Moorhead I urge you to take a history class with Dr, Hoffbeck.

This is a wonderful and well written book that will capitivate and hold your attention to the very last page. Readers of all generations would enjoy this book. The book is about haymaking, but also so much more. The illustrations and pictures help you to envision life on the farm. I will anxiously await his next book.

Dr. Steven Hoffbeck's fast-moving book is about haying, or the process of putting up of hay, to feed farm animals through the long winter months. This is an unusual topic and if the book were only about haying techniques, it would have little interest except to farming historians, but the book is more than haying, much more. "The Haymakers" is about the struggles and triumphs of real people dealing with the joys and many heartrendering difficulties of farm life. Dr. Hoffbeck takes the reader through 100 years of haymaking by describing and telling us the personal chronicles of 5 farm families.

Haymaking methods are described, from the simple yet laborious scythe-harvest method through the making of large round and small square bales by machine. I found the evolution of haymaking facinating in itself, and it gave me an appreciaton of what farm familes have to go through to "get in the hay". For without hay, there is no winter feed for the many farm animals; and without farm animals, there is no farm.

As any farmer will tell you, close calls and accidents are unfortunately all too frequent on the farm. Dr. Hoffbeck shares his experiences of losing his own father, and then tragically his brother, all due to accidents on the home farm. I was touched by the way Dr. Hoffbeck writes about these tremendous losses, and one can feel his pain, anguish, and loss through his words.

Dr. Hoffbeck also clearly explains the farm crisis American farmers face today, that of debt, the trend to larger and larger farms, and the slow but steady passing of the small American homestead farm. Not having been raised, or even associated with the travails of farming life, I found his explanation quite enlightening. When he describes the crushing debt load that farmers take on to survive and modernize their farms, I can almost feel the weight of that debt on my shoulders as well. It is easy to understand the economic problems farmers face after reading this book.

If you are looking for fast adventure, high suspense, or international intrigue, this is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a book that delves into the farming lives of our pioneers, our grandfathers and grandmothers, and our uncles and aunts, then this book will touch your mind and your heart. It will give you an everlasting appreciation of the hard toil that our independent and strong-willed ancestors faced on a daily basis. I highly recommend it.

The previous readers already praised this book so beautifully in their reviews that I don't know if I can improve on what has already been said, other than to say that I found this to be a very moving and lyrical testament to a vanishing way of life--the family farm. I loved Hoffbeck's detailed descriptions of the five farm families, ranging from early settlers to his own experience, and I thought he very masterfully combined factual details with personal revelations and insight. Extremely illuminating.

Joan Graham grandly succeeded with her sequel to Vol. I of Minnesota Memories. She remembered her first ski lesson so vividly that I laughed until I cried as she related the frozen tundra on which she stood, her attempt to be "cool," and shopping for that perfect outfit that would make her ski as well as Billy Kidd. Her book also includes memories by 34 others whose lives have been impacted by living or working in the North Star State. Let's hope Joan has the stamina and sales to continue collecting even more Minnesota Memories--it'll become a state treasure!

Minnesota Memories includes stories for all of us. Some are funny and some are inspiring. Although the author/editor wrote several of the most pleasurable stories, the most interesting aspect of the book is that she has encouraged average people to write stories about their own lives. Some of the stories are autobiography and some are history. Many of the stories took me back to experiences in my own life. Some made me cry. Most are of universal interest. These are real people.

A charming look at growing up in the midwest - nostalgia with heart.

The Minnesota Memories series reminds me of the old PeeWee's Playhouse TV show. In every episode of PWP, the eponymous host would announce the word of the day, then instruct viewers to "scream real loud" whenever they heard the chosen word. Viewers would be amazed (and possibly irked) at how many times common words like "door", "more" or even "like" would crop up in the course of the show. It sometimes seemed that cosmic forces aligned to push the word of the day to the forefront. But what in heck does this all have to do with Minnesota Memories? Let me explain.

In MM1, the word "kickerino" appeared in more than one essay, written by more than one author. Why? Cosmic forces? Who knows? In MM2, the word of the day is "Odin". Odin, a tiny town by anyone's reckoning, accounts for more than its share of ink in this edition of Minnesota Memories. The Odin stories are not only compelling, but they allude to other, equally compelling tales. We all have stories, and publications like Minnesota Memories allow them to be heard and celebrated. Who knows? Perhaps something near and dear to you will be the "word of the day" in Minnesota Memories 3. If it is, you can count on me to scream real loud!

Minnesota Memories 2 was delightful! It holds your interest thoughout and each story is a special experience in itself.

As one who grew up in the midwest, I can relate so very well to everything expressed by those who contributed to its writing. It makes one realize, even after so many years, that what you experienced as a child perhaps more than a half century ago,was also shared by so many others. It brings the past so much closer than it has ever been before and you know there are many people out there who feel as you do. Thank you Joan Graham, for making it all possible!

I agree with the other reviewers that Graham has produced an excellent reference, but add the caveat that there is little difference between the previous (third) edition and this volume to justify re-purchase.

This book is the Bible of MMPI-2 interpretation. Dr. Graham does an amazing job presenting the information in an intelligent and understandable manner. There's a new chapter on the RC scales and the PSY-5 scales which will be incredibly important for people to learn about as these scales are going to be getting a lot of attention. The RC scales are the centerpiece of the new MMPI-2-RF, and the PSY-5 scales are on the new RF and involve individual difference personality trait theory. Plus, Graham includes cases and a interpretation strategies. Very helpful.

the book was delivered fast and in good condition when it arrived

I am a licensed psychologist who is currently taking a doctoral level course in Tests and Measurement. This book has been an invaluable resource in class and also in my practice. I use it to brush up on my psychometrics for my term paper and as a refresher when using it professionally with my clients. I had Graham's fiorst book, on the MMPI, but never bout this edition. I am happy to have this in my library.

I am not a psychologist, and was not formally trained in the use of the MMPI-2, but my work brings me in contact with it very frequently. This book served as a perfect introduction to my self-study, and I refer to it frequently in trying to more fully understand the MMPI-2 interpretations provided by psychologists. I have searched for a comparable introductory text, and cannot find one nearly as good.

This book is wonderful, I can pick plants for my garden in northern Minnesota with ease. It tells me when to plant, where to plant, it has wonderful pictures, easy to read, I would recommend it to any gardener, but really good for the beginner. I bought one for my friend.

This is a good guide to perennials to grow in Minnesota. My only issue is that it is too predictable. There are many more perennials that are native to the Minnesota/Wisconsin area and are not as well known. A little more research on the part of the authors would have been appreciated. There are many beautiful plants that need to be discovered. I suggest visiting a couple of web site that sell native plants. (My own favorite is Prairie Moon Nursery.)

I got into flower gardening three years ago and got this book. I barely knew the difference between a perennial and an annual at the time. It has been invaluable in helping me choose perennials for certain sites in my yard, as well as suggesting particular cultivars based on color, growth habit, etc. I also appreciate the extra information on continuing to care for the plants I choose, particularly about pruning, dead heading, and dividing.

I liked this book more than several others I have because there are no illustrations--only beautiful, full-color photos. I don't think an illustration is very helpful when trying to picture a new plant in my yard.

One criticism I have is that there are very few pictures that show the entire plant. Usually there is a close up of the leaves or blooms. I would appreciate being able to see what the plant would look like from farther away. I have the same complaint about perennial catalogs and websites, though, too.

My yard looks beautiful and I have gained a lot of confidence as a new flower gardener thanks in large part to this book. I would purchase an updated version should the author write one in the future.

Not as good as Melinda Meyers book, but a good resource for backyard gardeners nonetheless.

This book is very user-friendly and full of helpful information for the amateur gardener, which I am. It is laid out in a very helpful manner and gives much information about each plant discussed, including personal experiences of the author with various perennials. It is filled with lovely color photographs of all the plants, as well as text about each one in alphabetical order. I would recommend it for anyone interested in learning about perennials that work in the climates of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Paulsen types his thoughts to create a story to make the reader think about their life.Paulsen uses short and descriptive sentences to create his fantasy life over again.

Paulsen has written one of the funniest books we've ever read, about preparing for and racing in the Iditarod. Like all the best humorists, his humor comes from the heart. This book is much more serious but it still comes from the heart and succeeds for that reason.

Here he is writing about his dogs and in particular a dog named Cookie, a female who served as his lead dog in the Iditarod and also was mother to many of his other dogs. He starts with the birth of her last litter of pups and goes on from there. Some of the most striking anecdotes show just how intelligent and sensitive these animals are: one of the other dogs teaching the puppies how to get all of the meat out of the skull, and Cookie herself seemingly forcing a pack of dogs to go back and help her owner when he has to let all of them go in order to extricate himself from a predicament.

In the end, they both have to give up running, and of course humans live longer than dogs, so we know how it ends: sadly but poignantly, as the author says goodbye to someone he obviously considers a friend.

My eight year old son has a passion for the Iditarod, and is just starting to read chapter books. This book was perfect for him, and he finished it crying he was so attached to Cookie, the main dog. Paulsen writes beautifully about dogs, appealing to all ages. This is a wonderful book, beautifully illustrated, for all ages of dog lovers.

I read this to my nine year old last week. Before I knew it, my wife and twelve year old were rivited. It is beautiful and touching. Most books you put down and forget a day later. The images from this book stay with me and my family. We are going to run out and buy some more stories by this author. You do not have to love dogs or dogsledding to truly enjoy his writing. Suggestion: Read aloud by the fire.

This is a great book. It's about a man who owns a dog kennel. He loves the dogs more than life itself. But, he gets heart disese. He may have to give up the kennel. This is a drama that kept me interested. I don't usually read this type of book, so it had to be very good to interest me. I hope you like it.

This was a very professionally written account of the lives of 15 very diverse people who also happen to be professional lacrosse players. The book really makes you view these athletes as interested in their sport, valued members of their community, and very different from the multi-million dollar primma donnas who play other professional sports. I definitely recommend this book.

This book is filled with stories of professional lacrosse players. The players are atypical from other professional sports players, who are often filled with self-admiration and greed. Yet, they are not exactly everyday people either. The players do have full time jobs and families, but many of them are in noble fields such as teaching, law enforcement, the armed forces, fire fighting... Of course, it takes a noble character to be devoted to such an underpaid and under-appreciated sport. The players sacrifice their bodies, time, and some family commitments for the love of their sport. The writing is clever, and the author gives good insight about the players' individuality, achievements, reminiscences, and dedication.

After the Duke Lacrosse scandal, it was refreshing to see an upbeat well-written book about lacrosse. These players truly honor their sport, and make the casual observer want to learn more. The stories were interesting, and it was a good overview of the NLL, and the players who make the league work. I really enjoyed it, and hope to see more books like it.

This book was interesting, insightful, and sometimes even funny when explaining the lives of 15 "ordinary" people who have jobs, wives, kids, and play professional lacrosse on the weekends. It makes you realize how different pro lacrosse is from other pro sports. (And I mean that in a good way.) The writing was clear and engaging, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

It was great to finally read a good book on professional lacrosse. The writing was interesting and insightful, and provided a good mix of lacrosse history combined with people who play the game. I would definitely recommend this book for the lacrosse fanatic, or even the casual observer. I enjoyed it!

In this volume, including many photographs and artwork, Martin Gilbert charts the Nazi mass murder scheme, which they called the Final Solution,
which remains one of history's most despicable acts of inhumanity, callousness, murder and sadism. A new word had to be coined in the English language to describe it- genocide.
Gilbert begins by charting the background of European Jewry and the persecution they suffered.
Gilbert includes a chart of the pre-Second World War Jewish population of the countries in Europe from which Jews were to be murdered during the Holocaust.
They add up to almost 8 million.

Chapter Two charts the rise of Nazi Germany, and the pre-war persecution of the Jews by the Nazis.
It includes an analysis of the Nazi programme concerning the Jews which openly declared the aim of genocide against the Jews of Europe.
In September 1930, as German parliamentarians walked to the Reichstag for it's first session, in which the Nazi Party had it's first significant representation- 107 seats- crowds of Nazi youths cried out as the parliamentarians passed" "Germany wake. Death to the Jews".
This can easily be compared to the declaration of ""Jews! We have already dug your graves," by Hamas official Mushir al-Masri at a half-million strong rally of support for Hamas in Gaza's central square on Saturday, 15 December 2007.
Gilbert discusses the boycott of Jewish businesses by the Nazis, which one is chillingly reminded of when we see anti-Israel pressure groups launching boycotts of Israeli products and concerns today.
He charts the persecution, expulsion and book burning, the anti-Jewish laws passed at Nuremberg in 1935, and Jewish emigration from Germany, the four biggest destinations of refugees from Nazism before World War II, were the United States, Argentina, Britain and Palestine. The chapter covers the German annexation of Austria in 1938 and the 1938 pogroms against Jews across Germany and Austria, on 18 October 1938, known as Kristallnacht.
He also charts the Kindertransport, which one can study in detail in the following book: I came alone: The stories of the Kindertransports wherein more than nine thousand German and Austrian Jewish children- between the ages of three months and seventeen years- were brought to Britain after the Kristallknacht; the voyage of the St Louis, the ship carrying Jewish refugees from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, which was turned back by the United States. An estimated 660 of the 930 Jewish refugees who were forced to return to Europe on the St Louis were murdered in the Holocaust; an article on those who helped Jews to escape Europe such as the Dutch woman Gertrude Wijsmuller and Portuguese diplomat Dr Aristides De Sousa Mendes.

Gilbert go's on to document the Jews who escaped from the Nazi death machine to fight alongside the Partisans across Eastern Europe.
He also has an article on the 20 to 30 000 survived the war in hiding. These 'hidden children' were those under the age of fourteen, many of them babies, whose parents managed to find someone- a non Jewish person or family, or a Christian institution- with whom they could live, without their Jewishness becoming known.
Books on more about this subject include Hidden Children


The article on 'Righteous Gentiles' is about the many thousand of non-Jews who risked- and in many cases lost- their own lives to save Jewish lives.

Chapter Seven discusses the Last Year of the War, which discusses Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto uprising of 1944, acts of individual defiance, Anne Frank in hiding, rescuers such as Oskar Schindler and Raoul Wallenberg, the Death Marches, the Death Marches and the Fate of non-Jews such as the 231 800 Gypsies murdered by the Nazis between 1939 and 1945.
The article on the deportation centre at Drancy France, shows the identity card of Anny-Yolande Horowitz, together with her signature and fingerprint.
Anny-Yolande was born in Strasbourg on 2 June 1933 and deported to Auschwitz and murdered in September 1942, three months after her ninth birthday. The registration card, issued at Tours on 4 December 1940, notes that she is Jewish (juive) and that she is under police surveillance as a foreigner although Strasbourg, her birthplace was part of France when she was born.

Another photo of one of the 11 400 French Jewish children who were murdered is of Camille Himelfarb-Sarnacka, born in Paris on 10 June, 1940.
In 12942 she was arrested with her mother in front of the Goncourt metro station in Paris.
On 16 September 1942 she was deported to Auschwitz and murdered there on on reaching the camp.
She was two years and three months old.

The last chapter deals with the Liberation of the Death Camps and some of the survivors such as children like Idel Levitan and Renja From, the homes found by survivors, the war crimes trials and holocaust memorials, the second generation and bearing witness, the lives of the children and grandchildren of holocaust survivors (most of whom live in Israel), and bearing witness.

The last article before the chronology and bibliography is the article 'Never Again' describing the meaning of the cry that Never Again would something like this be allowed to happen.

Distinguished historian, Martin Gilbert, one of the world's leading authorities on the Holocaust, culminated three years of extensive pictorial research with this new and important illustrated volume, "Never Again: A History Of The Holocaust." Many of the book's photographs are from the massive permanent exhibit at the Imperial War Museum, London. Owing much to "those who have assembled the basic Documentation," his text is well written, easy to follow, and allows the horror of the events to speak for itself

In this visual chronology, Gilbert's narrative compellingly captures the richness of Jewish life in Europe before the rise of Nazism, the effects of antisemitism, and, ultimately, the destruction of much of European Jewry. Also portrayed is evidence of the desperate search by many Jews for safe haven, after 1933, from the horror which was to come. The knowledge that a multitude believed that such a thing as the systematic mass murder of millions was impossible, and/or that the threat would pass, is what truly consternates and deeply saddens. However, there were few places of safety to accommodate even those who did want to leave their homes.

Gilbert documents German military conquests and the spread of Nazism, beginning with Poland, and ending with Italy, Greece and Hungary; the establishment of Jewish ghettos throughout Europe, and life, (and death), in these walled-in communities from which few could escape; individual acts of defiance and group revolts in these ghettos - most famously the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, led by the Jewish Fighting Organization (ZOB); the stories of "Righteous Gentiles" who risked their lives to save the Jews; the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941; and the death camps. He also writes of the fate of slave laborers and those who were forced to participate in what were, literally, death marches; the liberation of the Jews; the war crimes trials from Nuremberg to Eichman. Interestingly, he addresses questions that are still being asked about the Holocaust today.

Included are individual stories, like those of Anne Frank, the children of Izieu and Otto Schindler. Reflections and testimonies of witnesses and survivors illuminate the period as do the extraordinary moving photographs.

Martin Gilbert's work provides an eloquent record which, at times, overwhelms us with the truth. Now, more than ever, as the survivors and perpetrators grow old and die, it is paramount to understand and give meaning to the grim record of human destruction. "Never Again" powerfully counteracts the dehumanizing nature of Nazi extermination. As the statistics "represent real people," names are put to faces in photographs and the stories of individuals are told. With the publication of this work Eli Wiesel said, "This book must be read and reread. It will be painful to you, but you must read it anyway. To know? No. To understand? No, not that either. But simply to remember all those whom the world, once upon a time, tried to forget."
JANA

An excellant companion and suppliment to Martin Gilbert's early work The Holocaust which I have read many times. Well written with many pictures that only reenforce the words.

I peticulary feel great admiration for the author by the fact that he does not waste the reader's time by adding politcally correct 'victims' to the list of the persecuted as most writers on this subject have done to history's detriment. Though Gypsies are entitled to have the extent of their suffering at the hands of the nazis known. They too were forced into the ghetos and were often shoved onto the same trains and the same gas chambers with the Jews, though occasionally on thier own.

Martin Gilbert, better known for extremely detailed, research-heavy histories and biographies, has chosen to work from established primary and secondary sources in this history of the Holocaust. As a result, the reader with a strong background in this history will not find much new. However, the book is extremely well-written and very accessible--I read it in two sittings, and my 12-year-old brother has just started it.

In addition to effective writing, Gilbert includes some chilling photographs and reproductions of other primary sources. Especially disturbing are German documents cold-bloodedly noting that so many Jews arrived at such-and-such a camp, of whom X were killed immediately, and Y put to work.

Parents who believe their children are of an appropriate age might consider reading this book together as a way of introducing the most important, and most horrific, crime of this century. It is important.

I have been interested in the Holocaust for some time, and picked up this book because it seemed like it would be a good overview, and still give me the human side of the story. I was happy to find out that it was very well presented--every two pages is a new topic, and it is laid out with pictures, graphs, and personal recollections which make it easy to grasp. The book is laid out chronologically, which makes it easy to follow, and the language isn't difficult to understand.

Mr. Gilbert's grasp of history and what makes history accessible is discovered during the reading of this book. He seems to know that, with this topic especially, the use of personal stories personifies the experience for the reader.

A very good book, and I would recommend it to anyone.

I picked up Dinomummy up from the public library for my son to enjoy. My son just finished reading it to me and then got out his dinosaur card game out to find all the dino's listed in the book. I enjoyed the book as much as he did!

At the age of sixteen, Tyler Lyson made one of perhaps the most amazing discoveries when it comes to dinosaurs: a highly intact and detailed dinomummy. Not just a fossil as many discoveries of dinosaurs are, this one came complete with actual dinosaur skin and possible organs! Although he had always been fascinated with dinosaurs, Tyler hardly knew at the age of six, when he discovered the fossilized jaw of a duck-billed hadrosaur along with his brother, that one day his persistence and dedication would lead to such an amazing find.

Tyler Lyson grew up in Marmarth, South Dakota, and spent a large amount of his time exploring the grounds of Hell Creek, a remote, huge area of badlands not far from where he lived. At sixteen, he discovered the dinomummy, who was eventually named "Dakota" for the state where it was found. He contacted Dr. Phillip Lars Manning, a paleontologist at the University of Manchester in the U.K., and the real fun -- and work -- began.

Together with a large group of scientists from numerous fields and eager volunteers, Tyler and Dr. Manning set about uncovering this enormous and amazing dinomummy. We can follow their journey from head to tail through stunning full-color photographs included within the pages of DINOMUMMY. Dr. Manning also describes the techniques and equipment used to unearth, protect, and transport Dakota back to his lab for further study.

For anyone who loves dinosaurs, DINOMUMMY is a must-read! This is a fascinating look into a truly important discovery, and its easy-to-read language and helpful illustrations and captions make it perfect for even the youngest reader.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

My son loves this book. He carried it around on Christmas day like a trophy,and read it to his siblings right away. Now he wants the adult version to learn more.

My son is interested in archaeology,and dinosaurs especially, and so is really enjoying this book. It's very well written and illustrated.

My 9 year old granddaughter, interested in dinosaurs since she could walk, received Dinomummy for Xmas. Our Santa handed it out---about the 3rd present she received. When she opened it, we lost her! She read the entire book as fast as she could, loved it and lost interest in other presents for a while. The pictures are stunning, as is indicated just looking at the cover. Wonderful book. Hallett Luscombe

This is a great story, strangely and gorgeously illustrated. It is the story of Bobo, a man who makes food for all the animals - only one day a 'funny thing' comes along. It is not an animal, it insists it is an aMinal.

The funny thing won't eat any of the food Bobo has for the animals, but says he loves eating dolls, not just any dolls, the dolls of very good children. Bobo doesn't like this, so he says he has something much better than dolls, and goes to make it. Something which will make the aMinals tail grow longer, and his beautiful blue points on his back get bluer and more beautiful. The aminal likes the sound of htis and waits happily. Bobo goes back to his house and mixes all the animals food in together and makes a jim jill which he gives to the aminal - which loves it. His tail does grow longer - and his points more beautiful.

A wonderful story of goodness, patience and distraction. Nice lessons for children (and adults!) here. Loved the illustrations - from the same author as Too many cats!

When my children were small they got this book from the library every other time we went, and I just ordered it for my grandchildren. Great to read together - ages maybe 4-7.

A delightful dragon with an apetite for "jum-jills" sits on top of a mountain devouring them. The drawings beautifully show his tail growing longer and longer as it curls around the peak. I must have a copy for my grandchildren!

At a local used bookstore, while walking along the picture books aisle, I spotted a text that looked like it had at six to seven decades on it's shoulders. The book was The Funny Thing (a first library edition, too), one that I'd heard of, and even more important, one by Wanda Gag. For those of you who don't know, Wanda Gag is perhaps the best picture book author/illustrator of the 20's and 30's. Ms. Gag was the recipient of two Newbery Honor awards (for writting) and two Caldecott Honor awards (for her beautifully-detailed pen-and-ink drawings). And though Ms. Gag wrote only a handful of books, her illustrations were some of the first in picture book history to be recognized as 'real' art. That's what makes each of them special.

Now onto the review. Within the first page of the story, we are introduced to Bobo, a baby-faced man who lives in a cave on top of the mountains all by his lonesome. Well, except for the animals, which Bobo takes time out to feed every day. He even has a stand where animals can feast on an assortment of dainties including, "nut cakes for the fuzzy-tailed squirrels" and "seed puddings for the pretty fluttering birds". Everything goes well for Bobo until on a beautiful day, he encounters an animal that looks like a cross between a dog and a dragon. This 'funny thing', as he calls it, talks, insisting that it is an aMinal, rather than an animal. The funny thing then asks what Bobo has for him to eat. After showing the funny thing all the different types of food he has to offer, and the funny thing rejecting each food, Bobo learns of what The Funny Thing loves to eat. Dolls. Yes, dolls. Bobo is terribly upset that The Funny Thing eats dolls, thinking of all the small children left doll-less by the aminals appetite. So Bobo decides to combine all the foods he has to make something The Funny Thing might actually like. And it works. But there's one problem: The Funny Things tails keeps growing longer and nothing can seem to stop it.

Wanda Gags creativity cannot be matched, and her books are some of the few that are just as good as they were the day they were published. The text in the story, as you may have noticed are hand-lettered. And, like always, the pictures are amazing. I'm tellin' you guys, Wanda Gag's work is some of the best out there.

R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer

Imagine my feelings when I couldn't locate my "over 50" years old copy of The Funny Thing! Not only can I repeat the whole story but also my children and their children. Problem is I can't find my copy and without the pictures, I feel a little lost. This book is a tradition in our family and the uncountable times I have served the children "jumjills" has become a family joke. An invaluable book - wonderful story, but then I've always been a Wanda Gag fan - and so are my children and grandchildren.