Animal Books

As others have already reviewed, I am a fly fisherman who purchased this book to get a better understanding of freshwater invertebrates other than mayfly and caddis species. (For a highly detailed description of mayflies and caddis for the fly-fisherman, I would recommend the titles "Nymphs, volumes I and II".)

This guide is well-written and not too difficult to follow, even for the beginner. There is a focus on stream ecology and some tips on how to collect and identify various species. Be clear - the focus of this book is not specifically on fly-fishing, but more of a biological guide to aquatic invertebrates.

For a beginner, this book is a great place to start, but is also a nice reference for those with a little more experience. The color drawings are detailed enough to help determine the differences in various species. All in all - Excellent Book.

This books is easy to comprehend, and the plates are well defined. Extremely useful for ID'ing aquatic creatures.

My teaching partner and I will use this in our Freshwater Ecology class at the secondary level. It is a great basic guide that will be used as a reference tool and identification resource at an introductory level. Excellent for the money.

This book contains easy to understand pictographs for beginners, plus distinguishing characteristics for experienced entomologists. A major plus to any and every watershed association out there, and every limnology, water pollution biology, fisheries, etc. class offered at the collegiate level.

A definate must have for nymph fishermen as well!

Well done for a price that doesn't take a bite out of the pocketbook!

This book is great for beginners or someone who wants to brush up on invertebrates. The descriptions are wonderful, as are the pictures. Highly recommended!

I highy recommend this book. This book is a must have for the Hartland and model horse collector. It is very thorough. Easy to read for younger collectors, too. A lot of work went into this book. The pictures and information are just wonderful. It has helped me with identifying and catloging my own collection.. I take it with me when I going antiquing. I would highly also recommend her other book: Hartland Horses and Dogs.

Thanks to author Gail Fitch to one of the most comprehensive guides to Hartland collectibles I have every seen..WOW... > Her expertise and careful research is abundant in this guide... models, dates, pictures and company history of Hartland Plastics.. A MUST HAVE for all model horse collectors!

I have always enjoyed collecting western characters and their horses, dogs, etc. This book finally puts it all together. The book also allows me to look at pictures of pieces I can only dream about. The information is terrific and the photos are superb. If you are an "old cowboy" like me, you need at least one copy of this book!

I love this book! I don't know what else the author could have included -- it is so complete. I especially like the fact that the book is broken into sections, i.e. the horses and riders, the standing gunfighters, the riders and the horses shown separately in other sections. I also enjoy the history section in the back, and the detailed written descriptions about the models and their variations. The quality of the color photos is superb and I would highly recommend this book to any Hartland collector. I can't wait till her book on the breed horses comes out!

Gail Fitch has done a superb job of putting together extrememly detailed and accurate information about all of Hartland's horse and rider figures, with lots of very nice pictures showing details that complement the text. This book has gotten rave reviews from non-Hartland collectors as well as all kinds of horse collectors, and they are well deserved! This is a book that can keep you happily absorbed for long periods of time and it's an essential reference for collectors. Hartland Horsemen is an excellent book, very professionally done, and I love it! Like someone else said, I can't wait until the Hartland horse book is done so I can buy it!

The first time I read this book, I was a young teenager. I thought the author really captured the essence of a teenager and what kind of pressures they face. I highly recomend this book... It was very well written.

Great book for early teens, even pre-teens. Kids at risk identify with the main charactor, love the animals, wish for someone like the old man to be there for them.

Imagine having a mother who doesn't seem to know you exist. Unless she needs money or someone to take her frustrations out on. Imagine having a father who hasn't had contact with you in two years, even though he lives only a couple of hours away. A father who kept taking you back to an abusive mother until he became too busy to even come see you at all.

Sean just plain doesn't care anymore. So he's been suspended yet again for fighting - big deal. It'll be just another vacation. That is, until he's assigned community service at a local ranch. Starting immediately.

Mr. Hassler, the old geezer ranch owner, puts Sean to work cleaning out stalls, spreading manure, and unloading feed. Things change when he helps deliver a colt that imprints Sean, instead of its mother. Their bond helps him explore his tangle of emotions about his parents and Mr. Hassler.

HERO is a heartwarming story about a young man in search of someone to love and respect, including himself. Rottman leaves the reader wanting more as Sean faces a new future with his dad and the ranch.

Reviewed by: Cana Rensberger

Now here's a book that clearly defines the meaning of "hero". Rottman's books always have a good message for us. They often deal with mature subjects, drugs and alcohol, but never glorified. His books are great for mature readers. A clear look into what life is like for many young adults today.

I think this is a good book. I like all the characters and I like how this book is setup. This book is good for all ages. Good classroom book for teachers. I read this book in my reading class. I got into the book really fast and I couldn't put the book down. My favorite character in this book was Sean. He was a nice kid inside and it shows you in the book. At first he seemed like a trouble maker and later he shows you the real him. With a farmers help (Mr. Hassler). I really don't read books. It's not my thing but when I read this one it had me going for another one.

Ashleigh found Lightning and she was thin and sick,but now she is a beautiful and healthy mare.Ashleigh starts riding Lightning with her friend Mona and each day she starts to grow a stronger bond with the horse.Then one day her parents take her to a children's hospital and Ashleigh has to make the biggest decision of her life....keep Lightning or give her to the sick children in need of a friend.

The Thoroughbred Series is the best series of books for any young girl who is in love with horses just as I am. I am a teenager and I still love these books. Read them! They are exciting as well as dramatic!

Ligthning, the white mare that Ashleigh rescued is doing a lot better and is even ready to be ridden, but the Humane Society found another home for Lightning. The Hopewell Center that treats kids with cancer wants Lightning, but tells Ashleigh that she doesn't have to give her up. It was sad that Ashleigh had to make such a decision. When the kids from Hopewell visit Edgardale, Ashleigh makes up her mind. What will she do? Read it and find out. The book was great!

Ashleigh Griffen found an incredibly starved and abused horse when she got lost in the woods on a trail ride with her friend, mona gardner. They decided to call her lightning, for her brillant white coat. Now, almost 5 months later, lightning is a beautiful and healthy horse. Ashleigh assumes that Lightning will live at Edgardale, her family's breeding farm in Kentucky. After all, it was her hard work and loving care that saved lightning from a terrible death. But the humane society has other plans. They picked a home for lightning to live at. Ashleigh wants to say no, but when she sees what type of home they picked for lightning, she starts to wonder if Lightning really needs her. Ash has a big decision to make! Will she give up her first horse to someone else or will she and mona both have their horses for christmas? read to find out. (By the way this book was very good! its worth every penny).

This book is just so great! I loved it from the start to the end! I got it for Christmas and I thought that title was very fitting, "A Horse for Christmas". :)

Lightning, the poor abused horse Ashleigh and her friend Mona had rescued, had gradually become back to normal again. She's beautiful and Ashleigh took it for granted that Lightning was hers. After all, she was the one who took care of it and rescued it from "Mr. Nasty". Naturally, she is shocked when she hears that the Humane Society had found another home for Lightning. She also finds out that that home was a cancer treatment center for children who were recovering from cancer. When Ashleigh goes to Hopewell(The hospital), she meets a girl same as her age who was still recovering from cancer and loved horses. Ashleigh then has to choose whether she will give Lightning for Christmas to the sick children at Hopewells as a healing treatment...or keep Lightning.

Very interesting! I liked it alot! You have to read the next book after you're done with this one!

Carole,Stevie,and Lisa go to the track, and to see some of Mr.Mcleod's horses race.the trainer,Garvey ,is involved in a bribery with another jockey,so Mr.leod's horse will win....

I like most of the Saddle Club books, but I found this one D-U-L-L and B-O-R-I-N-G. Ms.Bryant did really well with #69 Endurence Ride and excitement picks right up in #71 Horse Talk but I don't know what happened with this book! After reading the other horse racing books,#43 Photo Finish and #21 Racehorse, I thought this would be great, but I was wrong. I mean three boys named Josh and they ALL like Carole! Yeah right! The part with the trainer,Garvey, and the Jockey was NOT that great. The whole book was unrelistic! Carole should have told a grownup after Garvey threatened her! The Saddle Club should give up Mysteries and leave the detecting to Nancy Drew.

The three Saddle Club girls, Lisa Atwood, Stevie Lake, and Carole Hanson find out about a bribery at the race track about how a jockey will make sure his own horse won't win and that another will so that he gets money...before they know it, the Saddle Club isn't at the track for horse races anymore. They're in on another race...for their own lives!

Carole,Stevie,and Lisa go to the track, and to see some of Mr.Mcleod's horses race.the trainer,Garvey ,is involved in a bribery with another jockey,so Mr.leod's horse will win....

Well written book! It gives information about racing and what goes on at the racetrack. At the climax, it leaves the reader on the end of there chair wondering "What's happening next! " Stevie, Lisa, and Carole go on a lot of adventures together and victory or failure, they pretty much always have horses on there mind. Bonnie Bryant writes great horse books and if you like the Saddle Club series, you'll love the Pine Hollow series! I recomend this book to anyone who loves horses and racing.

This is an excellent book for guinea pig lovers ages 3-8. It gives information on guinea pigs while entertaining and enjoyable.

A cute story of how someone likes their guinea pigs and alot of pictures that children can look at, pictures are drawn very accurately.

I love this book!
It is a favorite for me.
first because I love cavia porcellus. My children learned those words from the book.
second the art work is beautiful, inspiring, and acurate to the experiences of having guinea pigs. I did my own artful representations of my guinea pigs after getting this book.
third each time i look at this book my heart warms over thinking of my dear guinea pigs. one lived 10 years, what a great gal she was.
fourth the content is accurate, and helpful.
I would suggest leaving a copy near your guinea pig home, cage, whatever you call your cavy space, for reference that is visually engaging, basic in content, and motivating, for self and especially children, in caring for your bouncy cavy companion.

I am sure that this is an excellent book, but I bought it for my great-grandson for his birthday at the suggestion of his mother. However, his guinea pig died before he received it.

I'm not sure if you don't have a guinea pig or your child doesn't have one at school but my son was very excited because it talks about types of guinea pigs and we enjoy it as we can compare it to ours behavior. The author clearly likes and has owned many and it gives advice about care without it just being a manual.

This is the only book our 13 month old son will let us read to him at night. He wants to read it over and over again. It is an adorable story with very vivid colors and pictures. He loves to point at the ant on all the pages. It's one of the few books that I don't mind reading over and over again.

We borrowed this book from the library for my 3 year old son. We had to check it out 2 months in a row because he couldn't part with it. So I am buying one of his very own. He loves the rhyme and you will too! It is one you will find yourself saying over and over in your head so beware. But everytime we see a railroad track he begins reciting it...."I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track". Very cute book!

My three year old son is a train fanatic. We found this book at the library, and he loved it so much we had to buy it. The story is actually really sweet in that it supports that all things in nature are important-even a little ant. The story has a nice rhyme to it and the vocabulary used is great. Your little one will definitely requeset this one over and over.

Love this little book. We received it as a gift from a crazy aunt (ant/aunt...). My 3 year old practically has it memorized. To hear him quote the book ("oh ruin to wrack" whenever he drops a toy or doesn't get what he wants) is just hillarious.

I teach 4-5 year olds and this is their favorite book! They pretty much know all the words to the book and love telling it with me. Highly recommended!! I also own the Ant in the Parking Lot book and prefer this one to it. I feel the rhyming flows better in this one.

This is a great book for cat lovers, or animal lovers.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

Our daughter begins every day saying "I'm not going to chase the cat today!" Jessica Harper's books --- and every single one of her CDs -- just couldn't be more popular around our house. This story is delightful, the rhymes clever, the whole cast ebullient and full of spirit. Jessica H. has created a universe where tolerance, good will and great fun reign-- what more could you ask? Linsday Harper Dupont's illustrations are lively, marvelously quirky, gorgeously colored. Couldn't recommend this book more highly.

I'm Not Going To Chase The Cat Today is a fabulous choice for those who pride themselves in discovering new & different choices for kids! Not only is the chasing theme adorable, but the illustrations of the animals in their "people" garb are hilarious and imaginative and just great, silly fun! I also wholeheartedly suggest that you check out Ms. Harper's CDs for children---she is a terrific songwriter with a GLORIOUS voice. Her lyrics range from funny to funky to sweet & cosy. Her style is classy, smart, stylish and diverse--truly different than any other artist out there. I promise you'll find yourself slipping her CDs into your player--even when the kids are outside chasing each other!

Once more, Jessica Harper hits a home run with my two young boys. As devoted fans of her music and previous book, I Forgot My Shoes, my sons giggled with delight while reading her latest work aloud together. The words are lyrical, the illustrations vibrant and the joyful spontaneity of the content is infectious. Our entire family wholeheartedly recommends I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today, and urges newcomers to Ms. Harper's work to jump right in and enjoy!

After reading and thoroughly enjoying the high-spirited book, I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today,I began using it as part of my book list to teach English as a second language to 4 to 7 year-old children with whom I work. The book, along with its delightful and humorous illustrations, is a wonderful tool for introducing children to the joys and engery of the American language. The book has many common expressions in it, which are repeated so they can be learned not to mention reinforced by the colorful pages filled with animal and human antics. Word and phrase repetition helps children become comfortable with language - strong illustrations give language life and clarity. My young pupils clearly enjoy the book each time I use it, and ask for it over and over. It provides a story whose actions and attitudes they can understand, with a meaningful and gratifying ending. I'm sure other teachers and parents will find the strengths and delights of this book to their liking, and certainly in line with their children's tastes and emotions.

I always know it's a good book when I can't help but stop continuously to say to my husband, "Greg you have to hear this." I did that a lot with this book. Thor may be a scientist but he writes clearly, engagingly and with lots of humor, not always common with scientists. His interactions with the gorillas were very interesting, but what I found most fascinating were the interactions with the people of Uganda. Thor has a good eye for interesting (some poignant, some funny) similarities and differences between our cultures. Whether you ever plan to travel to Uganda or explore gorilla eco-tourism, or not, this is a worthwhile read.
---Kathie Hightower, co-author of Help! I'm a Military Spouse -- I Get a Life Too! 2d Edition

I liked this one. I hope to travel to Bwindi in the next few years and this book is giving me the incentive to keep my dream alive. I can't wait to see in person the places the author describes. And I can't wait to see the gorillas in their native habitat. What a story.

I chose this book after seeing recent television shows about mountain gorillas. This author is sensitive to the people of Bwindi and the mountain gorillas and the issues of ecotourism, conservation and the effects these programs have on the local communities. While I hope that the mountain gorillas survive and thrive it is just as important that prosperity does not destroy this corner of the world for the farmers and other people who live there.

Excellent view of Uganda and the culture of both the people and wildlife in existence at the start of the eco-tourism movement in that part of the world. The ability to experience the world of Thor as he was experiencing the joys and hardships as he co-existed with the people and animals of Uganda was fascinating.

I really "felt" as though I was right there with him as he became accustomed to the new way of life - intertwined with his new culture, gaining acceptance with the natives.

An excellent read!

Jim Sandler
Vernon, N.J.

Most Americans wouldn't be able to cut it in a small rural village in Africa. "The Impenetrable Forest: My Gorilla Years in Uganda" is Thor Hanson's reflections on his suffering for his craft as he stayed in such a village in order to further his studies on the endangered species of the Mountain Gorilla. A candid and vivid account about all the difficulties he had to face, "The Impenetrable Forest" is a riveting tale that will please primate lovers seeking a story of a man's dedication to science.

This is a great book for kids as well as parents. The story, along with the rhyming, keeps our toddler wanting to read it over and over again.

We have this book as well as "Where's My Teddy" and my son LOVES these books. They are super cute and fun to read. Highly recommend.

Our 2.5 year old adores this and other books by Jez Alborough. "It's the Bear" has lovely rhyming language, great illustrations and is a sure winner at bedtime.

The story itself provides opportunities for little ones to participate in punch lines and share their thoughts on what is going on in the pictures.

It's the bear is a frequent read in my home. All my children, ages 7 to 2, love the bear who is just as afraid of little Eddie as Eddie is of him. Infact, my (almost) 4 year old chose a teddy bear picnic theme for his birthday based on this book. A copy for each child attending made a wonderful gift.

"It's the Bear" is a fun book to read aloud to young children. It's simply written, in near-rhyme, with lots of opportunity for the reader to whimper, yell, growl, and sniff. My son loves to holler some of the lines along with me. The drawings are great, with an absolutely oversized bear grasping a huge teddy bear of his own, and eating a bite-sized picnic that he stumbles upon.

Very enjoyable, a great bedtime read. I'll be getting more by this author.