Vans Books

What a wonderful and inspiring story. God does indeed call people from all walks of life into service. You are easily drawn into the heart and mission of Saint Katharine Drexel as you read this book by Mary Van Balen Holt. Mary's writing captures the reader and leads them to a deep understanding of how God called and used this beloved saint to serve Him and His people.

What a wonderful and inspiring story. God does indeed call people from all walks of life into service. You are easily drawn into the heart and mission of Saint Katharine Drexel as you read this book by Mary Van Balen Holt. Mary's writing captures the reader and leads them to a deep undestanding of how God called and used this beloved saint to serve Him and His people.

What an interesting and inspiring book! Woven carefully into Katherine Drexel's biographical information are intimate glimpses into her discernment of the direction her life would take. Through her personal writings and correspondance, and rich stories from her family life, we witness her spiritual growth and celebrate with her the crystalization of her unique call. Mary vanBalen Holt has presented us with a truly accessible saint whose circumstances, though likely quite different from our own, provide us with insight into the choices we all must make in discerning and following our individual roads to holiness. Katharine Drexel's story is fascinating. The breadth of her life experiences, the selflessness of sharing her personal fortune, the extent of her impact on the lives of countless poor and oppressed people in the United States, and the depth of her devotion to her God and to his work on earth, is an inspiration to all of us. It is also an affirmation of that little voice we each hear within ourselves. One life, when lived prayerfully and courageously, can touch countless others. Mary vanBalen Holt's conversational writing style makes this book easy to read and its message easy to take to heart.

What an interesting and inspiring book! Woven carefully into Katherine Drexel's biographical information are intimate glimpses into her discernment of the direction her life would take. Through her personal writings and correspondance, and rich stories from her family life, we witness her spiritual growth and celebrate with her the crystalization of her unique call. Mary vanBalen Holt has presented us with a truly accessible saint whose circumstances, though likely quite different from our own, provide us with insight into the choices we all must make in discerning and following our individual roads to holiness. Katharine Drexel's story is fascinating. The breadth of her life experiences, the selflessness of sharing her personal fortune, the extent of her impact on the lives of countless poor and oppressed people in the United States, and the depth of her devotion to her God and to his work on earth, is an inspiration to all of us. It is also an affirmation of that little voice we each hear within ourselves.
One life, when lived prayerfully and courageously, can touch countless others. Mary vanBalen Holt's conversational writing style makes this book easy to read and its message easy to take to heart.

First let me say I am neither a reader nor a writer, so this review will be plain spoken and direct. Having said that, be aware that this book has lifted me up and sailed me through my troubling times. I read this book in the waiting room while my mother was having open hear surgery. I read this book to my mother during her recovery. What a blessing this book was for the both of us! I read this book while struggling with the news of sexual abuse of boys in the Catholic Church. Again, this book pulled me through. I am so grateful that I can retreat to this book, in that while reading I can be at peace while experiencing the life of such a wonderful SAINT! This book has and continues to remind me that just because I don't see others around me helping those less fortunate than they or I, that is no excuse for me not to do so. Thank you so very much Mary van Balen Holt for this wonderful book!

This is a book you must read. I gave the previous outing of the Moospath league "Cordelia Underwood" a deserved 5 stars but this book is even better. The storyline has more dramatic tension (If Cordelia Underwood had a nod to "The Pickwick Papers" then "Molly Peer" has a sideways glance at "Oliver Twist") but the characters are as delightful and the laughs come just as readily. I was reading it in bed and tried to read the episode with the Blue Hubbard Squash out loud to my wife but was reduced to side-splitting laughter with tears rolling down my cheeks. A great read for anyone who likes good words, good people, and a good laugh.

I sincerely hope Mr. Reid keeps writing more adventures of the Moosepath League. This second novel has a more serious tone than the first, but the same detail of characters and plot, as well as the same likable characters who triumph in the end - which is exactly what we want! A real refreshing change, in this day of skimpy plots and shallow characters, with text filled up by expletitives. Thank you so much Mr. Reid!

As with his first book introducing the Moosepath League, I couldn't put this one down. It is fun and quirky and totally amusing how the Moosepath League can always find trouble but never really seem to grasp the depth of danger they are in. Van Reid has created a wonderful series that is fun to read. I can't wait until he publishes another.

'Mollie Peer' is the second installment in the adventures of the Moosepath League. If you have not read the first installment, 'Cordelia Underwood', you should do so now.

Once again, Van Reid gives us a charming, funny and altogether delightful romp through historic Maine. This time around the story is a little more tense and fast-paced, but Reid still manages to infuse enough humor and romance to keep the reading light and breezy. Reid also includes a great piece of New England folklore when he recounts the Riddle of the Needle, Rock, and Mirror. This anecdote alone is almost enough to justify reading this book.

The members of the Moosepath League are some of the most enjoyable characters I have ever come across in my reading, and I have complete confidence that you will feel the same.

Another great book by Van Reid. Mollie Pier was even better than Cordelia Underwood, though perhaps not quite as good as the Daniel Plainway book. Let's hope Van Reid continues with more Moosepath books. These novels are absolutely terrific!

I gave this to three sets of grandchildren for Christmas. They just loved it!! It was one of trhe best gifts I could ahve given.

This book and CD are excellent for sharing with your entire family. My children ages 10, 7 and 5, loved the story and its characters. The illustrations are vivid and tell a great deal about the story. We cannot wait to share it together again during the next Fall Giving Season.

For awhile, I was afraid this book wouldn't make it to our house by Christmas, but it came in the nick of time.

The illustrations are perfect, the story is lovely. The bonus CD of Dick Van Dyke reading the story, makes it special.

Featuring a main character, "Mr. Finnegan", based on legendary celebrity Dick Van Dyke, Mr. Finnegan's Giving Chest is a Christmas-themed picturebook about Maggie, a young girl who enjoys bullying others, even during the Christmas season. She unexpectedly meets the mysterious Mr. Finnegan, a toymaker who looks after the Giving Chest. The Giving Chest disburses gifts; its purpose is not to reward oneself, but rather to help others. Mr. Finnegan sends Maggie on an seemingly simple errand with the chest, and in the process, she learns more about holiday cheer and begins to feel the warmth of Christmas spirit. A delightful book about experiencing Christmas through a child's eyes, striking illustrated with smoothly rendered, three-dimensional digital art. Mr. Finegan's Giving Chest has a fair amount of text for a picturebook; an accompanying audio CD offers a read-aloud performance by Dick Van Dyke himself.

Although I love Dick Van Dyke, and he does a wonderful job as he reads the story on the CD, I felt let down when I finished the book.
As I read, I kept waiting for the plot to get better. To me the story line seemed a little sappy and very predictable...like every other tale that tries to tug at your heart strings.
The pictures are beautiful, though!

I have read hundreds of hunting books, and rate this the most useful mule deer hunting book available. This book cotains more practical information that you can (and will) actually use than most hunting books on any species. Many of the techniques described in this book will work on any western or mountain game. The book is written in a very easy to read style and is entertaining as well as informative.

I also particularly enjoyed the photo section in which readers are given an opportunity to practice the "spotting" skills covered in an earlier chapter. I would like to see an entire book devoted to these kinds of "puzzles," as I believe this is a useful way to practice your spotting skill if you don't live where the game lives.

Congratulations to these authors. I hope to see more from them in the future.

I bought this book after reading the other positive reviews.
Now, I am happy to add my compliments to the authors for writing an excellent book.
I am going hunting for the second time this season.
Last season I was completely unsuccessful in locating any deer.
After reading this book now I have a couple of reasons why.
And I am now armed with some great tactics to use while in the field.
Great book, the authors earn every last cent paid for it.
Thanks guys.

Let me start by stating that I am fairly new to big game hunting (deer etc.). I've tried scouting without much succes--until reading this book. THe best part of the book (the main focus) is in helping hunters practice to know how to locate game in the field before spooking them. I've looked at a good amount of books on hunting deer and I this is the best I have seen, hands down. Get it and you won't regret it. P.S. I don't see why this book wouldn't help you in locating other game using similar techniques.

I've been an avid Mule deer hunter for about seven years and I thought that I new how to go about going after the "Gray Ghost". I was wrong, you learn some great techniques on how to look for, find, and stalk the trophy of a lifetime. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves to hunt Mule deer no matter how long they have been hunting.

I liked this book. It delt with "hunting" something that is lost, with todays "buying" a deer. the guide does the "hunting" and the "hunter" does the shouting. The authors did a good job of explaining, through pictures,what it is to "hunt" deer. This is a book that you will review every year!

I am a children's pastor and I highly reccommend this book. I use it for my lessons and also in class.

The NIV Study Bible is very popular with adult readers because of its easy readability and the excellent study notes on every page. This wonderful New Adventure Kid's NIV Study Bible is a colorful, involving study Bible with many inserted pages that are personal to young kids, relating to their lives and families. There are question pages, lists of facts interesting to kids by category, and a page in the front where the child can write his or her name, who gave him/her the Bible, and for what occasion. I found this Bible for my youngest godson (age 9), and his mother tells me he is reading it often! I'm getting it for my daughter who turns eight this summer, and I'm certain she will love it! Your kids 8-12 will also, whether they are already Christians, simply interested, curious, or actively seeking to learn more about God's word. God Bless anyone reading my review- hope it helps you made a decision!

You can call me StoryMaker. The New Adventure Bible is a great Bible for kids. The features help kids like me understand the Bible! It also has just-plan-interesting features. They also explain each book of the Bible, witch helps you learn too. Plus, just plain Bible text is good. Bibles are good books, even without a bunch of features. The features really help me understand and the features are just plain fun! Overall, if you are/have a kid who wants to understand the Bible, this is a great choice. Signed, StoryMaker. "Gotta trust the kid's review!"

This Bible is great for young readers and will keep them going well in to High School. There are many graphics throughout this Bible and special interest comments that explain why people did things the way they did or why they wore a particular type of clothing. Our church gave this New Adventure Bible to all children graduating into the third grade. The NIV translation is pretty understandable to young readers. Each book has an introduction that is designed towards the young reader. There are also special pages to enhance a childs understanding: for example in addition to the actual text of the ten commandments - is a special page with pretty graphics that re-word the commandments in language for youth. A special page explains "How to pray" - another summarizes Old Testament Prophets, and yet another page called "Getting to know Jesus" helps kids understand what it means to be a Christian. Just like the 'grown up' Bible - this book is a Red Letter edition. My fifteen year old still loves this Bible.

The one and only King James Version. This Bible has everything that a growing child needs. There is the original text combined with easy to follow descriptions and explanations to help your child understand the ideas that are presented. There are special sections such as "Words to Remember", "Let's Live It", "Life in Bible Times", and trivia in the "Did You Know". This is a must have for yout child if you are concerned about what text your child is reading.

This book is not only educational for children but an entrancingly visual experience for anyone. My just-turned two-year old granddaughter loved it and had no trouble opening the shapes. Definitely another Van Fleet classic!

All of this author's books are great fun. Check out "Tails" and "Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings"-- my favorites.

The illustrations are warm, funny, friendly, and interesting. What a great way to introduce help your kids learn to love and treasure books! :)

My son calls it the sticky tongue book. I like to call it a wonderfully illustrated and educational book for young children. 3d shapes are shown in different colors and patterns and then open up to show a scene of different creatures underneath. A red zig zag ball turns to a family of red zig zag beetles tickling each other and playing, one is eating and one is sleeping. My 2 year old loves the humor in the pictures. He asks to read this book every day.

It's a good thing I love this book, because I've had to read it every day for the past two weeks and there is no end in sight to my son's enthusiasm. Not only is it a good introduction to complex shapes, but the illustrations are phenomenal. The animals are drawn with complex emotions on their faces that are fun to discuss with my child. From bored to exhausted to annoyed to surprised to delighted to perplexed and on and on, with small details in the background that my son loves to look for over and over. This one will be a gift to other children from now on.

We got this book with a bunch of other hand-me-downs, and now I'm planning on getting the others from this author. My daughter is almost a year, and she gets squirmy every time we try to read any book but this one. With this book, she sits still, and looks so intently at the pages, laughing as we open each flap. Every time I say "the end", she signs "more". She could sit and read it over and over. While the shapes are more advanced than a baby will understand, I highly recommend this book for little ones, as well as preschoolers!

Gerald van Belle is a biostatistician and professor at the University of Washington. He has coauthored an excellent text on biostatistics with Lloyd Fisher. In this delightful and clearly written text van Belle provides 99 rules of thumb based on his vast experience as a consultant and researcher in statistics and biostatistics. For a statistician or a student of statistics along with the term "rule of thumb" one thinks of the three sigma rule or the use of range divided by sample size as a quick estimate of standard error of the mean. But this text is much more than a compilation of such simple rules. Professor van Belle organizes the book into topical chapters on sample size determination, covariation, epidemiology, environmental studies, design, conduct and analysis of experiments, tables and graphics, and consulting. Each rule is put into proper context and is justified with mathemetical theorems or empirical evidence.
Some of the rules are more like guidance for proper approaches to problems. For example in reviewing the basics in chapter 1 van Belle discusses the linear model in terms of the key assumptions of independence, equal variance and normality. The rule of thumb in section 1.4 states that assumptions should be considered in the order (1) independence, (2) equal variance and (3) normality. Van Belle explains this order by showing that the inferences are far more sensitive to violations in the independence assumption than in either the assumption of equal variance or the assumption of normality. As a statistician, I am aware of the sensitivity to correlation and the fact that variances need to differ by a factor of nearly four before results are seriously affected. Also when the data do not fit the normal distribution we have the nonparametric alternatives based on ranks. Nevertheless,in practice it is easiest and routine to test normality first, variances second and correlation becomes an afterthought. In some situations this may be okay since we may have good reason to believe that the observations were generated independently. But the rule is a good practical guidance. If you question all three assumptions it makes sense to test them in the order van Belle is suggesting.

Other practical advice of this type include the following rules of thumb:
1. Start with the Poisson to model incidence or prevalence.
2. Begin with the exponential model for time to event data.
3. Begin with two exponentials to compare two survival distributions.
4. Begin with the lognormal distribution in environmental studies.

These rules are not meant to suggest that simple models always work or even that they work in the majority of case. It is just that it is best to start simple and let the analysis and diagnostics tell you when more complicated models are needed.

This book will be a great guide for statistical practitioners and a terrific reference for professional and consulting statisticians. The references suppoting the rules are as valuable as the rules themselves.

This is a useful book for the working statistician or consultant. Many questions arise in practice that are never covered in traditional textbooks, and with experience an applied statistician learns "rules of thumb". Here is a text that nicely organizes some of the most common questions and problems and design considerations, with solid practical advice. This is not a text for a course (unless a course in consulting), but would serve an applied researcher or statistician well.

Excellent reference for statisticians. Only two complaints:
1) In many instances, wording is not clear - you have to really pick sentences apart to figure out what the author meant.
2) Reasons for a particular rule sometimes leave you wanting. But at least you're introduced to the concept and can look elsewhere for assistance in understanding.

Also, the title might lead some non-statisticans to think that they can pick this book up and learn how to plug and chug in all sorts of situations. This is not the case.

Sometimes you don't want to see a lot of "scary math notation" -- you just want to know what a concept is and how to apply it. This book meets that desire. It takes all the theoretical math concepts and explains them in very readable and accessible language so that you won't have post-traumatic flashbacks to your college statistics days.

This book provides concrete and practical advice on how to use statistical methods and how to make sure that you are using them correctly. The very first chapter (which you can read online) talks about sample size and provides simple and equations to use to design an experiment that will give you statistically valid results. That chapter is worth the purchase price itself.

Between the quality of the information, and the ease of reading, this book has got to be one of the best books out there for those who shudder at the mere mention of statistics.

A very welcome book. Packed full of useful information in a very readable form. I ordered it for the one and half page about "Overlapping confidence intervals do not imply nonsignificance". Have been overjoyed discovering the rest.

I was very delighted with this book. The pictures are very fine quality and I was especially excited with the references and pictures of the 10 Chimneys property. I recently visited that property and one could not take pictures of the interiors so this book is a great reference. I only wish there would have been pictures of the master bedroom in the guest house that Alfred had made for his new bride.

This book has the most beautiful pictures of all kinds of Swedish furniture. Lots of information but most importantly fabulous pictures so you can see how it was used and in what settings. Great if you are adding a few pieces or a lot of pieces to your home. Great resourse for Designers also.

In my opinion, this is the best book that I have found on the SWEDISH STYLE of home decorating.

This is a large hardback book, with wonderful photos of homes decorated in the "modern" Swedish style.

If you love the Swedish style decorating, then you will refer to this book quite often---as I have.

This book is truly inspiring. Before reading Swedish Interiors I associated the concept of Swedish design with either the washed-out dull colors of bygone years or the garish modern patterns of Ikea. Rhonda and Edie's book has shown me that the Swedes can wield a full color palette with grace and elegance. The best part is that all the intriguing design concepts of the Swedes are illustrated by American homes. Anyone will be able to draw inspiration form this book and apply it to their own dwellings.

This is a monumental book for both the general public with an interest in the nuances associated with interior design and the seasoned interior design professional who is seeking a guide book to Swedish style. Not only are you rewarded with lush pictography throughout the book but the corresponding discourse is informative and inspiring on numerous levels. This book will take pride of place within my expansive collection and I am sure that I will be referring to it for years to come

When I first went to camp back when I was 11 I loved hearing the Tajar Tales. They are campfire classics. Sadly now that I work at the same Girl Scout Camp I first heard the story's the Tajar Tales are banned there. The story's a great when told around a campfire and even though the Tajar can no longer roam the woods where I work, he will always roam the imagination. I strongly reccomend this book.

This story was first read to me when I was a child at camp. The Tajar is such a fascinating character. I even named my own dog after him!!! After 15 years, my dog has passed but I still have Tajar Tales to read again & again!

I received a copy of Tajar Tales in 1967 when I was 9 years old. It was, and continues to be my favorite kids' book. I've read it to my own childrens' classes over the years. I am tickled to find that it is back in print!! Now MY copy (a first edition) can have a rest!!

When I was a camper, my counselor would read Tajar tales to me at night. I loved to hear about the misadventures of Tajar and when I was very young and had a very huge imagination, I swear I really did see Tajar right before I left camp! Now that I am a Girl Scout counselor (at the same camp I went to as a child) I continue the tradition and read Tajar Tales to my campers every night!

This is a classic camp tale told each summer throughout the USA. At Clearwater Camp... it continues to be an annual event that campers and counselors looked forward to. Flying teacups and that wicked Tajar offer opportunities for the imagination to run wild and campers still initiate their own stories upon hearing the wonderful tale of this mythical animal. A story that can be enjoyed by one and all - this edition has wonderful illustrations that should not be missed.

This book is a must have for all wetland researchers, managers, scientists, and anyone with a general interest in wetland ecosystems. If I had to choose 1 wetland book, this is it. It is one of THE most popular textbooks for university wetland courses and workshops. I have been a wetland scientist for almost 15 years, and this is one of the books I use on a regular basis, and recommend to all my assistants and students. Wetland researchers will also want to keep in mind that with the release of the 4th edition, this 3rd edition is still a must have in your wetland library. The 4th edition removed all the wetland ecosystem specific chapters that are in this edition, so this edition is far from outdated. Don't choose one over the other! Buy them both :).

The Mitsch & Gosselink Wetlands 4th edition arrived promptly and in very good condition as was claimed it would by the seller.

This book is very helpful in understanding the various aspects and dynamics relating to wetlands. It includes management, legal, and various other topics of importance to wetland biologists, wildlife students or researchers working in wetland delineation or consultation.

Overall, this is a very good text on wetlands (for students and professionals both). However, I personally feel that a entire chapter could be devoted to wetland soils and wish that this book gave a better presentation of wetland soils. Furthermore, a great deal of research has been performed in Boreal wetlands and Boreal Prairie wetlands of Canada yet the Canadian literature is somewhat lacking in this text. Its still the best option out there for professors.

There is no better book for learning about wetlands that I have found. Many students find hydrology difficult, but this book lays this critical process out clearly, with excellent illustrations and diagrams.

This book helps the biotic oriented student understand the abiotic processes in clear and simple language.

I will never part with my copy, and reference it often!