Schools Books

Political intrigue and moral questions are explored in The Kestrel, the second in Lloyd Alexander's Westmark trilogy.

The long-lost heir to the throne, the orphan Mickle, has been reinstated. The evil chief minister Cabbarus has been exiled from Westmark. Things seem, on the surface, to be going smoothly. But the untimely death of the king of Westmark sparks the flame of unrest in the country.

The nobility is unhappy with their "beggar queen." The commoners want a government in which they have more of a say - they would be happy to do away with a monarchy altogether. Thrown into this mix is Mickle, now the ruling queen upon her father's death, and Theo, who finds his loyalty tested and divided between his friends in the anti-monarchy movement and his love for Mickle, which causes him to want to protect the crown. When a neighboring kingdom invades Westmark, Theo sets out to prove himself by aiding his friends, while Mickle rises to become an unlikely war leader.

The Kestrel continues to explore the hard questions introduced in the first book of the trilogy. The main characters wrestle with wondering when violence is acceptable, and for what reasons. They also have to deal with issues of stealing (when you're hungry, is it okay to be taking from your own side?), honor, and how far you can make personal compromises before you become someone you don't want to be. Alexander does a commendable job in presenting these issues with no pat answers or preachiness. In the book, as in real life, there are no easy solutions and people have to deal with the consequences of their choices.

The political issues are also brought into play in The Kestrel. The ideals of the peasantry, the long-standing aristocracy, and everything in between are represented by most of the main characters. Each idea has merit, and yet they are hard pressed to find the right balance. While the war is brought to a satisfying conclusion, the book itself ends on an unclear note, hinting that the problems of Westmark government will be concluded in the final book of the trilogy.

Regia is invading Westmark. King Constantine IX of Regia and his uncle, Duke Conrad, have already paid off the corrupt General Erzcour, who is the commander of all of Westmark’s forces. Erzcour has ordered all of his men on the Regian border to surrender to Regia. However, many of his soldiers and officers disobey his orders, to stand and fight for their country in the mountains that separate Regia from Westmark. Unfortunately, the valiant fighters are leaderless and low on ammunition. They beat a hasty retreat. Queen Augusta of Westmark, who was formerly a street urchin because the corrupt chief minister, Cabbarus (now affiliated with Regia), threw her out on the streets before she knew she was a princess, orders a carriage to carry her to the border. She then rallies the remains of the army to the nearest city and resupplies there. She is eventually forced to fall further and further back. Meanwhile, revolutionaries who wish to overthrow the monarchy must for the time being support it because if Westmark is defeated, then they will be also. One group is lead by Florian, a very well respected anti-monarchist. He begins to organize militias and to support the Queen’s army as well as he can. Justin, a far more radical revolutionary who will stop at nothing to establish a republic, leads the second group. Theo, Queen Augusta’s boyfriend, becomes second in command of Justin’s group, and assumes the name “Colonel Kestrel”.

I would recommend The Kestrel to anyone who has already read the book that comes first in the trilogy, Westmark, because The Kestrel is the second book. Westmark helps give you more background information on most of the characters, particularly Queen Augusta and Theo (Colonel Kestrel), and the setting. This book is excellent. It combines war, romance, and comedy (in subplots) into one very pleasurable story.

If you've read the other glowing reviews for this book, and for the other books in the same series, then you'll probably understand why I decided to purchase this whole series all at once, without reading even one of them first. According to absolutely everyone else, these books are brilliant, and I fell for the hype. I was looking forward to reading them like a starving man looks forward to eating a three course dinner.

But having now read the first two books, I beg to differ from the other reviewers. I read the first one, 'Westmark', over a year ago. It was okay, I suppose, but I was so nonplussed by it that I waited until now to read this second book in the series. And I have to say, I am just as unimpressed with this one.

This book does have some good points...there are the poignant observations on the brutality of war, the inequality of the feudal system, and the corruption of the power of officials and the ruling class. That's all well and good, and done with some finesse.

But there are some big problems, too, with this book. The storyline moves quickly, often too quickly, and glosses over too many things. There is a lack of detail and world building, the things that help make scenes real for a reader. Also, it lacks warmth, and fails to make the reader feel happy. Sorry, but I like books that give me a happy, warm feeling at least ONCE in the narrative. This book was never really uplifting. But the biggest problem was with the characters. I just never really felt empathy for them, or cared too much what happened to them. I did warm slightly to the street urchins, the elderly castle advisor, and 'The Monkey', whose military experience was admirable. And Mickle, the Queen, was at least a strong female character. But everyone else was just sort of dull, flat, or even annoying. I should have liked the Poet, but he just went on and on about his Muse, to the point where I wondered, doesn't he do anything else? Is he completely one dimensional? Where are the intelligent, poetic insights that such a character should have brought to the story?

I know war is dark and horrible. But there's still room for warmth and even humour in a war story. Australian comedian John Doyle proved that when he wrote the brilliant and evocative tv series 'Changi', which showed how a group of young Australian men dealt with the horrors of life in a WWII Japanese POW camp, by keeping a sense of humour, and holding on to their basic humanity. That show was realistic, gritty, and so sad I cried in EVERY episode, yet it was still uplifting and inspirational...not like this book!!!

I also know this book was written a few decades ago, and the standards for writing were often lower back then, in the age before modern word processors, when it was much harder to do rewrites. But I still think this book should have been much better. And I am worried by the fact that it has been given so much acclaim by so many reviewers. Are literary standards really so low that we'll proclaim any middle-of-the-road work a literary masterpiece?

I don't know if I'll ever get around to reading the third book in the series. Even if someone told me there was my favourite chocolate and a $50 note tucked inside its covers, I'd still be a little reluctant to open it up.

But hey, what do I know? I'm the only person who doesn't think this series is the most brilliant thing ever! I suppose you'll just have to make up your own mind. But don't make my mistake -- don't go buying the whole series of books until after you've read the first one. Then, if that first book leaves you feeling like I did, as flat as a pancake and as bored as someone watching a 24 hour marathon of documentaries on how to watch housepaint drying, then at least you'll know you haven't wasted too much of your money!

While "Westmark" (the previous book) and "The Beggar Queen" (the final book in this trilogy) are excellent books, this is the best, because -- well, because it's the one that has the power to hurt the most as you see what characters you care for are forced into by circumstance, the twists of fate and their own sense of duty.

Former Chief Minister Cabbarus, forced into exile in "Westmark" plots with the uncle of the King of neighbouring Regia to invade Westmark and re-establish a "proper" society. Theo wanders the country, trying to get a grip on how he feels about the thought of Mickle, the street urchin he fell in love with in "Westmark" becoming Queen... with himself intended as Prince Consort.

When the invasion begins, Mickle finds herself forced to become a military commander, and Theo finds himself among Florian's "children" again, fighting the Regians as an irregular, eventually rising to the rank of colonel among Florian's forces.

And Alexamder takes the chance -- without seeming preachy or heavy-handed -- to present us with just a bit (PG13 rating or so) of the horror of war and what it does to even good people.

Because "Colonel Kestrel", the brilliant and ruthless revolutionary/guerrilla leader is, also, the gentle Theo, who has never believed in violence as a solution to anything.

Someone has said, more or less, that Alexander is here presenting a parable on the uses and effects of violence, in causes good and not-so-good. He proposes (by example) the question "When -- if ever -- is violence justified in a 'good cause'?", and proceeds to show us (again by example) the answers to that question arrived at by various people of greater or lesser good-will.

And then he hands the reader an even hotter potato to examine than that -- he asks us to consider the after-effects of violence (even "in a good cause") on the people who have found themselves forced into it.

And it hurts -- in a good way -- to see what some people must give up so that others may still have it.

(David Drake presents a much more violent -- and most *definitely* adult -- look at much the same questions in his military SF novel "Redliners".)

In the end, everyone is forced to compromise somewhat, and all *appears* to be well.

On the other hand, this *is* the second olume of a trilogy.

The second book of the Westmark Trilogy, the adventures of Westmark continues in "The Kestrel". Theo is now traveling through Westmark to learn more about the country. He and Mickle, now known as Princess Augusta, are hoping to be married after he returns. But suddenly and without warning, Westmark is thrown into turmoil as the neighboring country of Regia has declared war on Westmark. Theo is once again forced into making a hard decision, will he stay in the sidelines or fight for his country? Eventually, he joins under the command of Florian and his people to fight a guerrilla war against the troops of Regia. As he sees brave and honorable men die one by one, Theo finds himself changing into a merciless commander and a stranger to himself...

For those familiar with Lloyd Alexander's award winning series, "The Prydain Chronicles", I can honestly and truly recommend this other series written by the 'grand master of fantasy'. A bit more serious with dark overtones, "The Westmark Trilogy" deals with realistic events that can almost convince you that the series is based on true historical events. Through the series you will be given a chance to explore the characters as they struggle with forces beyond their control. Lloyd Alexander gives a realistically accurate study of human nature and psychology of war. I must say, after reading this book, I was left in thoughtful silence, musing over what I had just finished reading. It is not very often we Young Adults are given books which leaves you in a state of contemplation

As I said, I can highly recommend the thrilling and psychologically filling "Westmark Trilogy". Best to read in order. But the faint-hearted be warned, this book and the next one in the series are somewhat violent and gritty since the main theme is about war. But nothing too bad to turn away lovers of a good series! Pick these series up!

I remember these books from when I was a kid, and when I read them now I still conjure up the same not-quite-right images. The fun illustrations and simple text remind us all what it's like to be a kid in a grown-up world. My toddler loves these books because they're silly, and I love them because they give me a chance to be silly, too.

This is a very fun book for children of all ages. It is fun for teens! Enjoy reading it together, over and over and enjoy the laughs.

I knew about Fred Gwynnes'writing and artwork in children's books. This was the first one I bought, what a delight!.. I'll be back for more!

Yet another fine book of play-on-words from Fred Gwynne. Kids love the pictures that literally illustrate the text, and these books usually have us a giggling hysterically. I'm on the lookout for "A Little Pigeon-Toad" and "The Sixteen Hand Horse".

Excellent book for young students who are exploring language and homonyms. Colorful illustrations grab attention and nearly every page gets a reaction.

I love the selections from Ovid in this book! I like the slow start, using words very similar to their English equivalents, and the series of exercises that follow the selection. I even enjoy the discussion of etymology at the ends of the chapters.
My only complaint is the lack of answers at the back for the exercises. I'm trying to learn Latin on my own, and having the help of seeing answers would make my task somewhat less daunting. Still, taking enough care, and looking back at the examples and reading excerpt, I think I'll learn Latin well enough to read it on my own. Eventually.

I learned Latin using Wheelock's textbook, studying with an engaging instructor. That is an excellent text but, as many have noted, it is very dry. This book is more entertaining: less philosophy and more blood, sex, and other agreeable topics. Can't recommend it highly enough.

This is a great book to learn latin at your own pace. I have been studying it for almost a month now. The explanations are clear, and the examples meaningful. I highly recommended it for anyone who wants to learn some latin.

I found this book very useful and, if I were learning Latin from scratch as a youngster I expect it would have proved more interesting than the volumes I did work with. Of course, being American, the declensions are in the "wrong order" but this is a minor nuisance. Interesting exercises and additional information on Roman life and mores, mythology and magic.

Goldman's text is wonderful for someone desiring to learn Latin on their own. From the second chapter onwards, all the readings consist of revised excerpts from Ovid's Metamorphoses. As you are taught more grammar and vocabulary, she gradually introduces more and more of the original into the readings until you are reading what Ovid actually wrote. And although there is no answer key, the excercises (of which there are plenty) are usually of just the right difficulty: just hard enough to help you in learning Latin, but not so hard that you can't figure them out on your own.
I would also recommend the accompanying workbook, which is a little more difficult, but does include an answer key.

I think that this is a major breakthrough for learning and should be used in all school curiculums.

I would recommend this book to all parents. Any kid who is struggling in school can learn and apply the techniques of finding "barriers" in his/her study and overcome such barriers. My kids are applying what they have learnt in this book. Now when they read their school material they understand what they study. Thanks LRH.

I bought this book for my 13 year old who has always stuggled academically and socially. However, now that she's in middle school it bothers her more and more.

One of the issues I've noticed is that she doesn't have a good understanding of what she reads or hears. Miscommunication, social mis-steps and frustration typify the way she interacts with the world.

One of the techniques described in the book teaches kids how to use a dictionary AND find mass for each word. You can see her "lights come on" when she does this. Kinda like, "Oh, that's what it is!" It's funny...she hates reading. But she'll read this book. And when I bought her a picture dictionary she wouldn't put it down! It was as if a whole new world opened up. She walked around reading definitions out loud.

Her grades in English have gone from a D to an A in one school term. So we'll likely use more of LRH's study material.

This book is a must-have for anyone who wants to learn. With the recent lowering of scholastic aptitude tests, over 45% drop-out rate in high school, the wrongful labeling of kids with invented "learning disorders", this is the only book that contains the solution to these problems in our society. This book goes back to the 1950's standards when people were literate and read for entertainment. I've used this book as a former homeschool teacher and currently as a life improvement coach. For over two decades I've followed the children and adults whom I've helped with this book, living the lives they choose to live because they have the tools to learn anything! Learning does not have to be complicated. On the contrary, this book breaks learning down to the simplicities of how to learn by giving one: (1) the ability to recognize what the barriers to study are, and (2) the amazingly simple tools to remove the barriers. This is a "must-have" book for everyone!

My kid loves this book and is a better student becuase of it! I recommend it to anyone that wants to study more effectivly or wants their kids to do better in their education.

We ordered several paper backs of this series and then recieved the hard back in the mail. WE DID NOT ORDER THIS BOOK AND WOULD LIKE YOU TO PICK IT UP FROM OUR HOUSE AND CREDIT OUR CHARGE CARD.
Please let me know what to do #813-835-9192.

I have always enjoyed the adult series of Left Behind books. The kids books are just as good. The kids interact with the characters from the adult series, experience the same events, etc. However, since the main characters are teens, these books can appeal to younger readers. So far, the stories haven't had the ups and downs that the adult series has had. The adult series has books that are a lot more boring than others. The kids series seems to be good in every book. These are not for really young kids, but would be appropriate for young teens. I enjoy them and I am an adult.

My 12-year-old son just devours these books, and I'm so happy about it! There are too many negative influences in today's society, and these books are nothing but a positive influence, in my opinion. My son says that these books are bringing him closer to God. How many people can say that what entertains their child does that? My son actually puts the Game Cube down to read these books..and believe me, that's a miracle!

Yes, these books are from a Christian perspective, but even a non-Christian would enjoy the good reading.

The Underground is yet another perfect continuation of the Left Behind Kids series. Logging in as book #6, The Underground finds our four teen post-Rapture heroes unleashing the power of the printed page by way of an underground newspaper that proclaims the message of God's Word to their peers at a high school named after the Antichrist, Nicolae High, which was established in book #5. The kids encounter trouble at every turn, and as schol authorities and social officers relentlessly hunt them down, they struggle to reveal the Truth of God's message and the Truth behind the global disappearances of millions worldwide in which event each one of the four kids were left orphans. They boldly face one close call after another until one of them is captured by the agents of the Antichrist's newly formed regime . . .

The Underground ends with a cliffhanger, making the reader want to read the next book to see what happens and how or if the characters survive. The story is continued in book #7, in which installment the reader discovers how the character who is caught in #6 fares.

Mark Moore has it wrong. This book may be Christian, but it is not propaganda. It tells about something that I (and many other people) believe will happen.
Mark says that it is "ludicrous" to believe that the world would go into chaos if all the Christians disappeared. Yeah right! Let's see millions around the world disappear at the same time and withount warning and not have chaos.
I think Mark's accusations are what's ludicrous. "An evil religion perpetuated by zealous idiots"?!? Give me a break! Christians are as normal as anyone else.
In the Bible, the book of Revelation takes about "20 pages" because it only gives enough information to understand what is going on. These books are much longer because they put the situation into real life situations.

As for the quality of the book? A different reviewer mentioned this and I feel the same way. The time line is screwed up compared to the adult series. From what I remember, there WAS no Global Community before the treaty signing.
All of the kids series books that I have read are good, but not as good of quality as the adult books. I personally think that the authors lost some of their good writing style by continuing the adult series so long, and it is showing up in the kids series.

This book created an interest in reading for my 7 year old at that time when reading became more of a struggle than a delight. We stumbled across Little Wolf's Book on the not so exciting weekly trip to the library. My son started reading the book in the car and for once I had to make him put a book down before coming to my dinning room table. My son read the book in four days and even took it to school and told some of his friends about Little Wolf. My son even took his own money and bought himself a journal. This book even encourages other good habits. To this day my son writes daily, sometimes twice a day. I am loving every bit of his enthusiasm toward reading and writing.

For the person who ridicules this book must have been born a reader, born a master of the English language and never had to start at A then make his/her way to Z! From my son's experience with this book I can attest to the knowledge we fail to recognize our children have. My son took the misspelled words and related to them. When he first began writing the words resembled the misspelled words in the book. He wrote the sounds he heard just as he heard them. It's all in the process of learning. It made my son feel better knowing that he is not the only one misspells words while writing. Little did I know this book was made for the 9-12 age groups, not for a seven year old, but it worked wonders. Built his confidence and created a passion for reading and writing. Thank you Ian Whybrow!

I enjoyed this book so much that I took it to college and showed all my friends there. Why do I have the time to waste as such? Because my university is nowhere near as fun as Cunning College. Given the choice between Cunning College and a burger, I would choose C.C. Between C.C. and a reservation in the kingdom of heaven, C.C. wins again. Briefly put, I'd choose hanging out with Little Wolf over just about anything.

As for the reviewer who disapproves of the misspellings: boo shame to you. Teaching kids to recognize misspellings quite obviously improves "correct and standard procedure", and also draws attention to the possibilities of FUN in language. In any case, wolves are the greatest animals on God's earth. If Little Wolf chooses to spell "spoon", for example, as GIRHEIGHAervgori, then I salute him, as one must always salute a wolf.

As Bruce Springsteen once famously sang (and still does to the adoring middle aged inhabitants of New Jersey), "everybody needs a hunting wolf". Possibly the only true thing he ever said.

In my humble opinion, Little Wolf's book of badness rivals Joyce's Ulysses and Dostoyevsky's Brothers Karamazov for the title of finest novel ever.

I loved this book, and i'm in my 40's! Little Wolf's postcards and letters home were so funny, the way he would use a different salutation in every one. I loaned it to a friend at work who is older than i am and she liked it too, so i would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read.

I liked this book because it is soooo hilarious and soooo funny.

How do you become a big, bad wolf? Why, go to Big Bad Wolf College, of course! Our 2nd grade book club thoroughly enjoyed this funny book. It is written entirely in letter form - letters home from Little Wolf - about his adventures going to Cunning College to learn from his Uncle Bigbad. The kids enjoyed finding the misspelled words and the words Little Wolf made up to end his letters, which gave his parents an idea of how his day had gone, e.g. "Yours sorebottomly". Girls & boys liked it equally well - almost all of them gave it 5 stars. Is Little Wolf destined to become a Big Bad Wolf? You'll have to read it to find out!

I have just joined the N.E.D. University of Engineering and Technology, Electronics Eng. dept. (2002-2003 batch). I almost finished the book before the classes started.I just wanted to have a knowhow of what I'd be studying in the next 4 years (B.E.), and picked up the book after having a look at this very page.

I must say that this is a wonderful book. It is very easy to understand b/c it has very basic maths involved (which i knew, even when i was in 10th class). It explains quite a hell lot, and i've increased my knowledge very much. I'm sure I'll be a step ahead of my class mates all year long.

I has the best explanation of A.C. circuits, capacitors, inductors, time contants, Diodes, BJTs, FETs ..... which is helping me very much...

It comes highly recommeded, from me, for the complete newbie (although i skipped the first 7-8 chapters.... b/c i had some knowledge from my 12th Physics). MUST BUY

Basic Electronics, 8th Edition, was a big dispointment. I used an earilier edition of Grob in high school. I hardly recognized the book that I received in the mail. Half of each page is given over to pictures that have little or nothing do with the text, and at more than $80 it is over priced. I would recommend "Practical Electronics of Inventors" by Scherz instead.

This is a classic for giving the basics of electronics to anyone interested in entering the field. I would classify it as a college level freshman or sophomore level introduction. It is simply one of the best! I personally purchased a new/old book, 4th edition. While some might think this means the material is dated, they would be wrong. The basics of electronics remain the same. A great supplement to Grob is the Tony R. Kuphaldt free e-book. The basics are what these books teach. If you want something shallow then get a book like "Horn's Basic Electronics Theory!" If you really want to learn something, get Grob.

This text leads into Malvino's "Electronic Principles." In this case, I would suggest you get the most recent edition of Malvino's book, which is what I did. If you go through both of these books, you will be more than ready for practical application knowledge.

Lou

You don't need to go further than this book for a thorough introduction into electronics. The table of contents says it all. It's a must read for anyone needing an understanding of electronics and it serves as a good refrence as well. The presentation is excellent, with the copious use of colour, diagrams and photos. I especially like the little side bars highlighting some of the people whose names are used for units of measurement like Ampere, Marconi, Joule etc. and those whose pioneering work made our current understanding of electronics possible - Millikan etc.

If your're a newbie in the electronics world, this is the book you need to begin with, trust me. One can only go so far without a solid foundation and this is just what this book will help you master! I am a college physics major and I will start my BE in september 2007. The thing is that I allready write electronic articles and I feel very confident about my abilities. Again, a solid foundation is paramount and if you buy this book, you will need to buy Dr. Malvino's Electronic Principles after. This book is more about bridging the gap between electricity and electronics wheras Malvino's book is more about electronics (i.e. talks mainly about semiconductors). But i'm amazed at how these two books complement each other as they weren't written by the same author. With these two books you will have all the confidence in the world about the subject!

I was getting to know a song by Charles Trenet, one about a rained-out fairground populated by semi-human monsters, and it flashed on me that it reminded me of one of the Moomintroll stories that had made a fine, somewhat creepy, impression in childhood. Turned out I was remembering "The Hemulen Who Loved Silence" from "Tales from Moomin Valley". That story, proved to have indeed featured a rained-out fairground -- well, not just rained out but spectacularly destroyed by flooding, something that happens frequently in Tove Jansson's books. that story proved to be just as great as I'd remembered, and maybe better as it had psychological insight and satirical wit that I suspect I didn't entirely grasp as a kid. I soon found myself reading one Moomin book after another.

They all have wickedly funny moments, they're all fanciful, they're all subtle in some way. But some of them are really aimed at kids and, despite their considerable charms, can wear thin at times.

Moominpappa at Sea is a really great one for the adult reader. Yes, it has all the fancy and fun of a children's book, but....good lord! it is wonderfully complex. very funny, psychologically perceptive, at times very creepy. Where, say, Moominvalley Midwinter is a series of loosely connected episodes, everything in Moominpappa at Sea fits together very cleverly, from the first sentence to the last.

the plot hinges on Moominpappa's vain, poignant quest to have his family feel like they still need him. Moomintroll on the other hand is making some kind of adolescent transition, getting away from the family, bonding in the dark on the beach with a strange creature.

Jansson is one of the only authors I've ever read, for either child or adult, who can so deftly put her fingers on life as we experience it - the mood shifts, the disappointments and inner worlds and longings, the quirks and kindnesses, the tangible atmosphere of the seasons and the weather and the seaside... by God, she's got it, and with a few flicks of the pen, she can realize them fully and make us feel them too (even when her protagonists are fictional, round little "Moomintrolls" off for a month on a mysterious windswept lighthouse island.) Astonishing. A book to read and reread by anyone in grade 4 and up, especially in August and September (though anytime will do.)

My parents used to read the Moominbooks when to us when we were young, and they made a lasting impression on me. For me, Moominpappa at Sea was probably my favourite, along with Comet in Moominland.

Given that the books were originally written in Finnish the translator has done a fantastic job to make the stories incredibly readable and finely nuanced in English. It's possible that the books appealed to us kids so much because they come out of a European culture quite distinctly different from most of the English and American stories we were used to.

The chapters are the right length to read aloud one at a time to kids. (Good for bedtime stories in the summer holidays, I seem to recall!)

I was fortunate enough a couple of years ago to take a ferry across the Gulf of Finland from Stockholm in Sweden to Turku in Finland, and the little rocky islands in the Gulf are almost exactly as I imagined them from the book...

I first discovered this book at the age of about 12 or 13, already older than the average moomin reader, but having read most of the others. It was obvious that this was no ordinary moomin book, and neither was it strictly a children's book. In fact it is a masterly observation of family dynamics, mid life crises and the human condition, but mixed with a mysterious and fantastic magic that leads to spine tingling excitement and making one question how we know what is real.

Every psychology student has something to analyse in every character, and anyone who ever had a moment of doubt about the meaning of their life has something to ponder. What father with a teenage family would not relate to Moominpappa's melancholy, feeling that his life is without purpose now his family appear to be independent, his urge to be needed, to be able to protect them? What homesick traveller could not understand Moominmamma's longing for her garden, (and its magical transformation which you will have to read for yourselves). The description of her homesickness brings tears to the eyes. And what put-upon mother could not identify with her delight in being able to disappear from her family just long enough to stop them taking her for granted? The glimpses of the fond, but no longer passionate relationship between Moominmamma and Moominpappa, and Moominmamma's endless patience for Pappa's foibles, their need for their own roles, and his inability to understand her own needs says more about the maried state than plenty of far more learned texts. We will all be able to identify the same dynamics in our own families and relationships.

Meanwhile Moomintroll's adolescent emotional awakening must bring nostalgic memories of first love to we adult readers, but must surely mystify the average 8 year old. Younger children do not usually have a developed enough sense of other people's individuality to understand the complexities of what is driving the Moomin family to their peculiar dispersal.

The allegory of the frozen Groke could represent so much - I feel a thesis coming on - but I think represents how people get into a vicious cycle;cut off emotionally because no one interacts with them, and becoming ever more reclusive and antisocialin a vicious cycle. She makes us think about how we subconciously excuse ourselves for avoiding the lonely, scared, mentally ill, etc among us, for fear we may be "tainted" them.

Although I'm sure children will enjoy it at one level I recommend it highly to everyone, particularly if you are in a life crisis. I have lent it to nearly all my close friends and no one has yet not enjoyed it thoroughly.

Anyone who enjoyed this book should also enjoy Moominvalley in November with a similar selection of odd characters who we will all recognize among our own aquaintance.

The good news is you don't have to be a child to be enchanted by the Moomins. The bad news (for me) is missing out on these delightful stories when a child. I always try to begin the Moomin tales in the middle of the day because I know I won't stop until the end of the story.

Moominpappa decides they all need an adventure, and he is most desirous of "taking care" of everyone so Moominmamma can rest and all can be safe and protected. They set sail on an evening in late August to a small island in the Gulf of Finland planning to live in a wonderful lighthouse. The island is strange, bleak and barren. The lighthouse appears abandoned and is locked. The Moomin family consisting of Mamma, Papa, little son Troll, and Little My all go about practical tasks of settling in, first a search to locate a key. The living quarters in the lighthouse are at the very top only to be reached by a rickety spiral staircase. Much to Pappa's dismay, the light is out, and he cannot make it work. The fall storms begin (Pappa never explains why he didn't begin his adventure in the spring) and the life on the island becomes terrifying as well as bleak.

Though the Moomins get angry at one another, they are unfailingly polite and cooperative with the exception of Little My who is a cheerful, cynical pragmatist. Mamma & Pappa are very permissive parents, but always interested in what Troll and Little My are thinking and doing. The author very gently shows how perhaps there is a downside to sleeping and eating when you want, sleeping where your fancy takes you, and going on any adventure that occurs to you. There is delightful comedy where the Moomins throw a birthday party for The Fisherman, and he discovers all his "presents" belonged to him in the first place.

Come, enter the world of the Moomins! You might want to stay!

This book is fantastic. Not only is the story itself great, but it is also great for bringing up a multitude of topics for discussion with your child; bullying, prejudice, intolerance, low self esteem, fairness, etc...

My children both loved this book. While the book carries a message, it is not dry or hard to read. On the contrary, the book flows beautifully and whether or not you choose to make the book a discussion piece, it is well worth reading just for the wonderful book that it is.

This book is about a bad kid and he is a bulie and a teacher whow show's him
to be a good person. This book is realy amosama it will keep you thinking
all day will that really hapen to me or someone ellsa.

Ms. Spinger's Fourth Grade Class

Mr. Lincoln is a nice and playful principal. There is a bully in the school who doesn't like the principal, children and teachers. Eugene is the bully; he likes birds. If you read this book, you won't end up like Eugene. Mr. Lincoln was helpful to Eugene by helping him be nice to other people.

Mr. Lincoln was the greatest principle ever. He dressed cool and he acted cool. He would do all sorts of things with his students. He seemed to really light up his school. Well not so much to mean gene. Gene is mean and he is not afraid to show it. He doesn't like people that are different from him. He picks on them and even calls them mean names. All the teachers felt as if they have had enough of old gene. Well Mr Lincoln thinks different of this kid. He brings him under his wing and soon Gene is a normal nice kid again. He introduces him to the atruim that needed new birds in it and it opens up a new world for Gene. He just needed to be shown that all people are different but we all share many things also.
WOW!! I have never read a book like this. Race was a big issue to this kid Gene. He went home and his father would tell him mean things about other races and he would come back to school and say them out loud to all his fellow classmates. I was so amazed at the way Mr. Lincoln handeled this situation. He slowly turned Gene onto other things that he liked and got away from the race issue. Gene was not a bad kid he just was copying what his parent told him. All kids do this everyday. I was so shocked to read this book. I have never read a book like this in elementary school. I feel left out in a way. Like my teachers tried to shield me from the bad books and give me only the good ones. I really liked this book a lot. It was GREAT!! It told the truth, made the characters come to life and had it's own twist. This book had great qualities that make up a GREAT book. There are many ways that you could use this book. If you wanted to talk about discrimination you could use this book. You could bring up many topics on discrimination with this book. If you wanted to talk about differences you could use this book also.You could have your whole class draw or paint somebody of a different race that they really admire. You could have you students come up with all the mean words that they have heard from other people and put them on a big piece of paper in front of the room. Then you could tell them that these words will no longer be used in my classroom or by any of my students. This book had it all lessons, great pictures, and a great read. Mrs. Polacco just like Eleanora Tate, and Christopher Paul Curtis, and Mildred Taylor all write books about change and people's differences. This book was great and it will help all students to see race and people in a new light.

My teacher read this book to us in class. It was the usual case of a white person disrespecting people of color and the people of color being peaceful and understanding. I'm so sick of reading books about how mean white people still can receive love and understanding. Why aren't white people nice to blacks if they're mean. It's just one more book telling people of color to continue to let whites walk all over them.

This is one of my all time favorite picture books for all ages. Peter Spiers beautiful illustrations need no words to tell this story. The possibilities for interacting with a child are endless as you wander through the familiar and find the surprising! My granddaughter is 2 years old and loves animals. What could be a better birthday gift?

The happy and humorous tone of this book will make it appealing to any child, whatever the family's religion.

The only text is at the beginning and it is a charming translation of a poem that summarizes the story of Noah. The poem is delightful in and of itself- Spier did a great job of translating.

The illustrations are then left without text, which is very refreshing, since there are so few picture books nowadays. I enjoy leisurely paging through this book with my young daughter, talking about the pictures in and of themselves, as pieces of art and as pictures that tell a story. I feel that the pressure is off in terms of trying to finish a sentence or a story when there is no text there.

In addition, this book is appropriate for Muslim families as well, since the illustrations (and beginning poem) are sufficiently vague as to accommodate for the small differences in the telling of the story in the Qu'ran and the Bible.

My first Peter Spier book. Not saccharine, wonderful details (including Noah mucking out the ark). Great to have a child read to YOU.

This is an excellent picture book - my three year old really loves it. My only "complaint" is that it takes a long time to go through all the pictures and talk about each one making it less than ideal right before bed unless you want to spend 20 minutes on just one book! Seriously though - the book is just wonderful and allows parents to go into whatever level of detail regarding the Noah story as they feel is appropriate for the age of their child. It is a softcover and the pages and cover are not of the highest quality - it would be lovely to have in hardcover with larger pages.

This book really does not need any words. It is so well illustrated that you can understand every part of the story. His detailing is stunning. Every time we read this book, we find new details. This is the best book of Noah's ark story!