Communications Books

101 Words You'll Probably Never Need to Know But Can Use to Impress People is a great book to own. Borrowing it from the library or skimming it in the bookstore (you cheapskates!!) is not enough. You must own it to, as my high school English teacher used to say, "Chew, Digest and Assimilate" every savory bite!

I write and do public speaking, and I can tell you it's LOTS of fun to toss in one of these words without missing a beat, while studying group reactions on the sly!

I do love this book!

As a long time subscriber to the author's "Word of the Day" website, I looked forward to the publication of this book. I was not disappointed. The book contains the definitions of a diverse array of interesting-although often little used-words, together with very clever illustrations to illuminate each definition. I found the book to be highly imaginative and a fun read. I would recommend it to any reader age 10 and above who is looking for a fun vocabulary building tool.

Steven Fantina is the webmaster and editor of "Word of the Day" online website (www.wordofthedaywebsite.com) which is devoted to expanding the vocabulary of its visitors. Now he has gleaned 101 of the most audacious attempts to help the non-specialist general reader to build and employ a truly sophisticated vocabulary. The cartoon illustrations of Joel Barbee wonderfully showcase Fantina's word choice selections making learning these new (and very unusual) words quite "student friendly". From Pneumatology (the study, theories, and/or doctrine of the spiritual world or theologically the study of the Holy Spirit); to Griffonage (illegible handwriting); to Vaticinate (predict or prophesy), 101 Words You'll Probably Never Need To Know But Can Use To Impress People will easily prove to be as fun as it is informative.

I am the author of this work and just wish to clarify the comments of one reviewer below. His reference to "the F word" included in my book corresponds to the word "floccinaucinihilipilification" (not a typo or misspelling). which means "the estimation of having no value." Rest assured that 101 Words You'll Probably Never Need To Know But Can Use To Impress People is a family friendly work.

Every entry is accompanied by a cartoon-style drawing that accentuates its definition and helps readers to retain its meaning.

After the first reading I found some highly useable words for use in e-mail and have been amusing myself by using some rather tasty words. Not only did this book assist in my own amusement, I also had some conversations in which a few words were quite useful.

The humorous cartoons throughout the book really do help you remember the words. Then, each word has been used in a sentence. The word is in bold and is followed by a description.

For Example:

10) DIPTEROUS (dip ter es) - having two wings

....claimed that their dipterous contraption would actually become airborne.

Picture: Dragon flying across opposite page with a smile on his face and the word "DIPTEROUS" beneath the picture.

Now if someone is going on and on about something, you could always tell them that they are only presenting a psittacism to you and then you should absquatulate before they find a dictionary. There are all sorts of ways to amuse yourself with this book. I'm going to try to remember one word a week and in that way increase my vocabulary. Whether you impress people or confuse them silly might depend on how much they love words.

If you are like me, you will be reading the back cover of this book and want to look up a few words. Of course the index makes no sense "at first" because the listings don't correspond to the page numbers. Well, I guess this is a chronological index (When looking up DIPTERIOUS you will be sent to listing 10, not page 10) and you might not read the sentence at the start of the Index if you are looking up "Stultiloquence" instead of "Aquiline." If the author wants to make the index more usable, he might want to put that "warning sentence" on every index page.

After figuring out how to use the index, I did go through a bit of a tergiversation myself and realized that the book is easy to use when you can look up the words in chronological order. Still, I would like to see page numbers too. Maybe the author could put two headings, "Chronological Listing and Page Number" and make everyone happy.

If you love words, this will be highly entertained and personally (not to be a philodox or anything), I loved the picture of the Bandersnatch and Dragon the best and all the pictures add a does of humor to a list of seriously difficult words. I hope this will not be the last book because I could see an entire series of these books for word hungry readers.

This book is dedicated to all the Word of the Day subscribers.

~The Rebecca Review

This book is clear, concise and easy to follow, whether you are starting from nothing or you are bringing your current policies and procedures up to standard. This book is the second book in the series and should be used with "Establishng a System of Policies and Procures". It takes you through the steps of bringing your policies and procedures into compliance and into the Process and Procedure Improvement Cycle, based on Deming's PCDA cycle. This is a must read for the procedures analyst and for the CEO who believe in continual improvement.

For optimal result buy the set of 4 books:
1. Establishing a System of Policies and Procedures
2. Achieving 100$ Compliance of Policies and Procedures
3. 7 Steps to better Written Policies and Procedures
4. Best Practices in Policies and Procedures

You will not be disappointed. This set is well worth your time and money.

I bought and used all four of Stephen Page's policy and procedure books. From the very first day, I was able to get up and running on a project that was very demanding and challenging. Not only did he provide examples, but he was always there for advice when I hit a rough spot.

I HIGHLY recommend these books!

Dana Rosenboom

Of the three books that the author has published on policies and procedures this one is a masterpiece, and is essential to anyone who works for a company that employ TQM, ISO 9000 or FDA GMP.

Where his first book, Establishing a System of Policies and Procedures, provides a roadmap for new policy writers, this book takes the subject to a much higher level by providing a process that encompasses communications and training strategies, a compliance plan, and continuous improvement. These align seamlessly with ISO 9000, as well as FDA GMPs, and is consistent with the TQM Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. In addition, the self-assessment and auditing approaches set forth will assure policies and procedures that reflect a mature organization that is focused on quality and continuous improvement.

Among the highlights of the book are the numerous checklists, real-life examples, and an underlying strategy for the development of a comprehensive and complete system of policies and procedures, and a means to assure compliance. I particularly liked Appendix C, Cost of Quality, and the succinct description of tools and techniques in chapter 11.

Another strong point is the complexities of marrying policies and procedures writing with a continuous improvement cycle and auditing are handled in a structured, logical sequence. This is no small feat for a writer, and it is one of the reasons this book is so valuable. This book sets a standard in the field and is one that I'll always recommend to colleagues and clients.

I was impressed with the amount of useful information included in this book; everything seems to have been well thought out. It would appear that the author has "lived" his words and this is what makes this make book so useful to me. Because I know that when I implement his ideas that they will probably work. His case study is also very meaningful as he very carefully explains how to go from a labor-intensive procedure and go through process improvement, metrics, and arrive at a streamlined, high cost saving, new procedure.

I have bought all four of his books on procedures and this book is what makes it all worthwhile. Though I found that each book is unique in its own way and that you really need all four to write a good system of policies and procedures.

I would definitely recommend this book. He has a 40-step plan of action at the front of the book that gives you an A to Z approach to the development of any policy or procedure or process. I have printed this list and I keep it tacked on my walls.

Jim T. Armstrong

Of Steve Page's 4 recent books, I found this one to be the most interesting. It contains all kinds of ideas for projects.

A communication strategy is obviously Steve's speciality. He knows how to use the various methods to the most advantage.

His idea for a compliance plan is a clever take-off on process control plans. He also adapts other quality tools, such as scatter and pareto diagrams to use with documentation. However, you would need another book for more details on the tools themselves.

Auditing is another of Steve's specialties which he shares with his readers.

I wish he had gone into more detail on determining the cost of documentation. He no doubt knows how to calculate it, as best as one can. He gives a detailed example on how a new (purchasing) procedure saved a company money, but not enough on the cost of producing the document itself.

I would definitely recommend this book to all who work with ISO 9000 compliance.

This is going to be short because english is not my first language.

This is an excellent study on the action genre. I never thought somebody could analize action movies like this.

Lichtenfeld has worked both in making films and as a film critic and commentator, including doing extra features for DVDs of several action films. He sees this popular film genre as "derived from the Western, film noir, and the police procedural (with special guest appearances made by the disaster film and others [with an evolution] quite analogous to the horror film." Though many films depict violence and mayhem, the action film is distinguished in that it ushered in a "new violence [which] would be deployed more to pleasure audiences than to jar them." This "new violence" came about from a shift in standards marking a "New Hollywood" and related changes in structures and pacing of films and cinematographic techniques such as lingering on the violence by slow-motion and close-ups. It is these and other elements, not merely the violence and plotting, which account for the new genre of the action film. The cluster of elements reflected changes in the culture's psychic relationship with violence and what it looked for in entertainment. Bonnie and Clyde is pointed to as a seminal action film, with the films Billy Jack, Shaft, and The French Connection closely related to it in paving the way for the action film by demonstrating its popularity and giving guidance for filmmakers. Advertising, publicity, and marketing of action films has as much a part in the author's multifaceted study of this major contemporary film genre as film history, film editing, and cinematography. References to numerous action films over the past couple of decades make for enjoyable as well as engaging and stimulating reading.

Useful because it shows there is a deeper level of impact than just the shoot 'em up bang-bang to the typical action picture.

Lichtenfeld's book is required reading for anyone interested in the contemporary action film. Beyond its obvious merit as the best book available on the genre, I can recommend it as a model of genre criticism. I've used this as a text in my course on action cinema at Wesleyan where I teach it as an exemplar of genre studies. Lichtenfeld offers a compelling thesis about the genre's popular/cultural appeal without losing sight of industrial imperatives. This book does much to balance to often overly theoretical writing on the subject by offering a grounded, historically-minded account. Moreover, Lichtenfeld's critical observations are spot on, and his descriptions of scenes and sequences will send you back to the films again and again. The additions to the new edition further shore up his argument and expand the scope of films. It is also a fun read!

Being both a lover of film and a student of history, you can imagine my interest in this book. Who can deny the impact movies have had on the 20th (and now 21st) century? And what type of film most exemplifies what movies are capable of? Action, brother. Action.

I was introduced to this book and this author through a radio talk show I heard recently. Mr. Lichtenfeld came across as extremely intelligent, likeable and very knowledgeable about his subject matter. I immediately ordered the book from Amazon.

I read it through in one weekend (it's so accessible to even non-film students) and I couldn't believe how much I learned about movies that I had watched over and over again all my life. Mr. Lichtenfeld treats the topic with reverence without once losing the joy of what makes these movies great: the characters, the chases, the explosions and, of course, the lines. His breakdowns of each landmark film and his separation of them into specific categories makes it so easy to follow the development of the action genre over the last half century.

Even the bad films (my apologies, Mr. Seagal), of which there are many, are used as examples of the importance and social influence this genre has had on recent generations. They're all in here: science fiction, superhero actioners and even westerns, of which I have a particular fondness, are discussed.

I will pass this book on to my other film-loving friends with my highest recommendation. And now I'm off to watch 'Lethal Weapon' for the 56th time, albeit with a new outlook.

Finally action movies get their due! It's about time.

With inimitable wit and clarity, Lou captures the true essence of Alan Siegel - and his role in helping make modern business communications simple for readers. From reducing mundane statements and contracts to paragraphs of plain English to inspiring breakthrough corporate and brand identities, Alan Siegel's vision and successes have compelled companies everywhere to rethink and retool how they market to and connect with customers.

Thanks in large part to Alan, companies today get the need to satisfy customers as well as the benefits from streamlined processes and communications designed to achieve this goal. It's a mission companies like mine, Ohlin Associates (www.ohlinassociates.com), which grew out of my time with Siegel & Gale, continue to promote.

Lou deserves much credit for writing such a user-friendly and compelling narrative. It reminds newly indoctrinated readers as well as us protégés of Alan Siegel (and Siegel & Gale) that business-speak creates barriers to customer satisfaction and commercial success.

Simple is Smart.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (4/07)

Alan Siegel is one of the best-known gurus in the industry as far as knowledge and experience in the business/corporate world. He dedicates his time as a consultant to large corporations such as Xerox, American Express, the National Basketball Association, the Girl Scouts, plus creates guides to the Wall Street Journal on how to understand the financial market. Actually, these are just a few of the effects in Siegel's repertoire.

Louis J. Slovinsky created what is called the "working biography" on Siegel. In his book "Alan Siegel: On Branding and Clear Communication" Slovinsky produced not only a biography of a man that became successful and a leader in the industry, but also included the deeper side of Siegel so that readers would understand why he is so successful. The book delves into the Siegel's innate abilities and consciousness.

But, there is more. Slovinsky qualifies Siegel's expertise on branding by saying "Competition is more aggressive and the stakes higher than they were a couple of decades ago. Moreover, clients want to confirm that their investment in identity supports their business results." Siegel's expertise in branding model does just that.

Slovinsky also focuses on many of Siegel's successful programs he advised for implementation or research -- one being the Document Design Project, funded by the Department of Education. Slovinsky says "Siegel's role in promoting the Plain Language movement was seminal."

"Alan Siegel: On Branding and Clear Communication" is an inspiration to all interested in establishing a brand for their company. Reading Siegel's story not only teaches us how to be successful and a leader in the industry but inspires us, as entrepreneurs, to look at our own branding and communication strategies. After reading Slovinsky's account of Siegel's successes I am inspired to implement some of the ideas in my own business.

Being consistent with the title, Clear Communication, the author, Louis Slovinsky, writes without jargon but with humor and simplicity. For those who are concerned with building a consistent image for a non-profit or a small business, this book will give you tools to help define the methods to find your singular voice. Alan Siegel's innovative ideas are not just for the large coorporations that can afford his services, but are also appropriate for smaller entities who want to impact their customers with a clear, consistent message.

Louis J. Slovinsky's superb book captures the essence of its subjects, the field of corporate branding and one its leading figures, Alan Siegel, whose work and ideas have been hugely influential in the growth and evolution of this emerging field.

Since founding Siegel & Gale in 1969, Alan Siegel has worked with many of the most recognizable names in the corporate, non-profit, educational and governmental worlds to create or refine their images. You may not have heard of Alan Siegel, but you certainly know his work. MasterCard's now ubiquitous logo and new global corporate identity and the memorable Dell logo with the "E" standing on its edge - reflecting how Dell made the PC industry stand on its ear - are but two notable examples. However Siegel did much more than create catchy new logos or slogans for companies and graft them onto companies that needed to retool their images. These highly visible creations were the merely end-products of what Siegel calls defining the "corporate voice." Slovinsky brings to light the processes Siegel used to define this "voice." Working with a corporate client, Siegel & Gale creates a project team to examine the history, culture, values and vision of the company and examine how the company differentiates itself from their competition. The team then distills the essence of its findings into a concise "big idea" and elaborates a strategy to express this new positioning. Siegel believes that corporations must speak with a "clear, coherent and distinctive voice", a voice that should resonate at all levels of the organization from the bottom to the top. We the consumer may only see a new logo, but, as Slovinsky demonstrates, Siegel's work involves bringing about significant changes in the internal workings of the company to achieve a coherent corporate voice. Siegel's success with high-profile clients speaks volumes for the effectiveness of this holistic approach.

Clarity, simplicity and comprehensibility in communication are hallmarks of Siegel's work, therefore it makes sense that Siegel's most enduring legacy may be his concept of "language simplification." In short, this means simplifying and putting into plain English, documents, forms and fine print that companies and governmental bodies use when dealing with the public. I was fascinated by the book's description of Siegel's groundbreaking work in this field and the resistance that had to be overcome to accomplish these worthy aims. In Siegel's view, by being simple and clear in their forms and fine print, companies can enhance their image and improve customer loyalty. Amen. Now, if only you can get those ideas past those pesky lawyers!

On Branding and Clear Communications is a perfect introduction to the branding field and an excellent tool for all who are interested in creating a simple, clear and resonant voice for a company or organization of any size. I highly recommend it.

Finally, a clear and accesible introduction to the subject of branding!!!

Slovinsky's extensive research, career experience and lucid writing style make this an essential read for practioners as well as students of marketing. I was so impressed by the content -- and context -- of this book that it will be required reading for the grad course I teach in marketing and public relations for libraries.

I have been a preacher for 42 years and have purchased more than 1000 books, When the Call Seems Small is without a doubt the best of all. I have purchased and given 24 copies away already. Recently, one was given to a bi-vocational pastor who had to sell his farm: I knew that this book would greatly encourage him!

When the Call Seems Small will help us all to realize that when we are in God's will our place of assignment is the most important thing in our life. If we take joy in being in God's will we will know that when He leads us, no place, nor position, is unimportant in His plan. You do not need a title, or a degree to be valuable to the Kingdom of God.

When the Call Seems Small will protect you from allowing Satan to make you discontent with your calling.

Read it, and pass it on to others.

Genuine, insightful, and practical, When the Call Seems Small delivers hope for our confused and frustrated souls who search for God's will. With every page we feel accompanied by W. Clayton Scott's upbeat genuine presence and we get the distinct sense that he has been where we are. Most importantly, Jesus' love and concern breaks through in abundance. What a relief and joy to know we can see God's side of our struggling dreams!

As I read Clayton's book I was reminded of each individuals' urgent importance in God's plan. I was inspired to hope hard in Jesus again in every seemingly small way.

As a professional working in a major corporation I am always thrilled when I find a book about living for Christ that is PRACTICAL and APPLICABLE to me. Working in a "cube farm" I really appreciate the message of "When the Call Seems Small." The Illustrations, biblical examples and words of encouragement found in this book have encouraged and strengthened me in my walk with Him.

This is an excellent book and very realistic and practical for use with day-to-day interactions with others.

Great resource. I tend to be overly aggressive, and read this to help me tone it down and just be assertive instead. I'd assume it would work equally as well for a passive or passive-agressive person looking to become more assertive as well. Contains lots of information on related behaviors, even gives some tips on controlling your breathing to calm you down in stressful situations that can lead to less than ideal responses on your behalf. Some chapters were irrelevant to my needs so I just skipped through them, but I'm sure they'd be useful to some.

This book is by far the most helpful book I've ever read. It is very informative, but in plain words that almost anyone can understand. The exercises it suggests really do help. I'm only half-way through it, but I've already made significant changes in my behavior. It really helped me understand the different communication styles and how to tweak my style to make me more satisfied with my communication with others. It's so simple to do! I've always been lazy about change or given up too early, but this truly couldn't be any easier.

If you're reading this review, you probably suspect that you have a problem with assertiveness, so take the first step towards improving your life by purchasing this book. If you have a problem saying no to unreasonable requests, if your legitimate and reasonable requests for what you need are repeatedly denied, ignored, or trivialized, if you feel surrounded by manipulative, controlling people, if you have been in a long-term verbally abusive relationship, if you are easily intimidated by aggressive people, or even if you're just mildly curious, this book will be invaluable to you. It's not just a quick read, though. It has thought-provoking exercises to help you determine why you have difficulty asserting yourself as well as practice exercises to prepare you to be assertive when the need arises. Even if you don't think you need improvement, this book is a great resource on communication.

Excellent resource for how to deal with PA's and others-the book's no nonsense approach (yes, it's hard to change and yes your significants others will resist you), exercises, and examples give you inspiration without alot of nonsense and over the top 'you can do it' every paragraph.
Accessible and easily readable, this practical guide will help you get what you need or establish your personal boundaries without all the new age style rhetoric.

A very good introduction into astrology, mixed in with alot of humor. This is great for a begginner and just as informative for thoose who have dabbled awhile. Enjoyable to read, as she gently walks you through each understanding, having you laughing all the way.

This book is a nice little addition to my personal library collection.
I found it to be very amusing to read and it taught me some new things as well. You won't regret reading this book.

Astrology for the Light Side of the brain is a great read. Rarely is a book both informative AND fun -- this book is just that. Kim Rogers-Gallagher's writing is colorful and vibrant, and I couldn't put the book down.

i find some of the astrology books which try to take on a playful and funny tone can be dumb, and fall short of the mark in terms of content. not so with Kim Rogers Gallagher! she is the master of "light-hearted" astrology.. this book is informative and very insightful!

there is a part of AFTLSOTB which pops into my head all of the time. Pets.... and where they belong. As both and astrology and pet lover myself,I would like to weigh in on this issue. Intuitively, I'd say the 5th, where loves, children, creativity, and play goes. Pets in my family are like little friends/ family, and my dog definitely sparks my creativity. Also, the after work walk is what breaks up my day -- right in between work (6th house) and home (4th house): the 5th house.
I think the single down-side with pets is that their lives are too short, so we can only have them for a limited number of years. This would also be the down-side of our other 5th house experiences -- childhood, love affairs, play time.

anyway, if you are looking for a fun and funny beginner's astrology book, this one is tops. i also like the sequal, which deals with transits.

This is the best book I have ever read about astrology. It is so interesting I couldn't put it down until I was finished with it. She puts astrology into a language that everyone can relate with and therefore it's fun and easy to understand.

There are a lot of reference books out there but this is one that you can tell has been written not by a sales person but by a user of Avid who knows what to say and how to say it in a language that is easy to understand and with examples that can be followed simply.

When I purchased my Avid Express DV software I had zero video editing experience. I knew the software was fairly complex, had a lot of capabilities, and the learning curve would be steep, so I also purchased the Avid turorial DVDs. However, with no editing background, after viewing these DVDs I just wasn't "getting it."

Kauffmann's book was perfect for me. It starts with the fundamentals (video formats, hooking up the hardware and turning the system on, etc.) and goes on from there to cover everything though fine tuning audio and doing color correction.

By reading the book (mostly) though once then using it as a "cookbook" while editing, in just a few days I was up and running and capturing, editing, and fine tuning my videos. Admittedly, Kauffmann does not go into great depth in some areas (which he acknowledges) but for someone who's just getting started this is an excellent book and will get you well on the road. I would highly recommend it to anyone just getting started and trying to learn Avid.

While this book is an excellent guide to what you can do with Avid, it also takes the time to explain in an understandable way editing techniques. The new chapters on HD and 24p filmaking are excellent! It gives a good base to understand these new additions to the independent movie making world. The only knock I would give it is it's lack of explanation on effects editing and the marquee title tool is completely ignored.

This is a great book. I am doing an educational video and had never used the Avid system before. I have Avid Xpress Studio HD and this book taught me everything I needed to know to get the job done.

Highly recommended.

Avid Editing has been a useful tool for me both as a student and as a professional. As a film student, I first picked up Sam Kauffmann's second edition in a production class. Most of us had never touched an Avid before, and yet by the end of the semester, using Kauffmann's text as a go-to guide, my classmates and I were producing dynamic and adeptly edited pieces. Not only does the book provide simple exercises for the reader to try, it also includes a DVD with actual footage to work with. Avid Editing is carefully organized for the beginning editor, but I also use it as a reference now that I am out of college, working as an assistant editor. This new third edition not only expounds upon all the steps, shortcuts and settings covered in the previous editions, but also dedicates entire chapters to editing with 24p and HD footage, making this book invaluable to editors entering the professional world. I strongly recommend this guide for anyone who seeks to teach, learn, or refresh his or her memory.

Now in an updated second edition, B. S. Detecting: The Flip Side of Success-Possible Communicating is a treasury of information everybody needs to know about how language (and other forms of communication, but language in particular) can be abused and misused, whether intentionally or obliviously. A simple color-coding of different types of speech (silver = verifiable facts, black = demands and orders, white = important truths that are left out, red = emotionally angry speech, brown = plain old B.S., etc.) is the precursor to an in-depth, layman's terms guide to language abuses ranging from misunderstandings to manipulations to pathological behavior. B. S. Detecting is more than simply learning to beware the high-pressure salesman threatening to take away the "limited-time" deal or the Isolator who lures new people into his group by excluding and villifying others (the worst Isolators include drug pushers and cult leaders); it also includes ways to focus on communication problems, and know when to make overtures or when to recognize that an individual is simply too disturbed to deal with. B. S. Detecting especially mentions solid advice for discerning whether a person will be a compatible and trustworthy mate (hint: if he won't give you verifiable details about his address, phone number, family, or job he's probably a con man or worse) but also applies to sifting through lies, manipulative dogma, and half-truths in every aspect of life. And when one is dealing with an honest person, B. S. Detecting gives practical tools to mediate disagreements - especially Operational Definitions (clarifying the initial definitions both parties are working from) and Anecdotal Reporting (a meticulous description of a series of actions, comments, and responses in order to discover patterns). B. S. Detecting is quite literally a self-help manual for dealing with the complexities of human beings. In a world where increasingly savvy con artists cannot be identified by their appearance or mannerisms, B. S. Detecting gives the reader need-to-know information to sift the truth from a line, and warns that no one can B. S. you as thoroughly as you can B. S. yourself. Unless you are a hermit with zero contact with any and all other human beings, B. S. Detecting is an absolute "must-read".

This is a defense manual for everyday life! The book's interactive, with each chapter's method of detecting and coping with words clearly and vividly explained. The concepts in it provide skills that empower the reader, and can improve your life!

To get us out of the "error messages and gobbledygook" we so often fall into, this book gives clear, practical, fun-to-read
specific guides to communicating more effectively. Among the 17
chapters, "What do you mean, he loves you?" "Says Who?" and "Who
started the fight?" Valuable reading for everyone! Highly
recommended.
Leon Fletcher, author of How to Speak Like a Pro,and How to Design and Deliver Speeches.

I purchased this book as a graduation gift for my granddaughter. Of course, I had to read it first, just to check it out. ;)

I wish I'd known before what this book reveals. Mz Thompson's behind-the-scenes knowledge of the ad industry, how to use and misuse words to entice us to "buy" what someone is selling, whether it's a product or just some B.S. was enlightening.

I hope she writes another one. I'd purchase that one too.

If you know a parent struggling with communicating with teenagers or preteens, this book would be a real help. And any
married couple would find it helpful in discussing decisions or disagreements without loss of harmony.
The book would also be a boon to a youngster. Remember all the difficult situations when you weren't sure what to say, or what to make of what was said to you? Imagine having a book that could tell you how to use words to help you progress in life, and how to deal with verbal abuse!

I purchased this book based on the reviews of it here, and I'm happy to add my own ringing endorsement. I began reading this book to my three-month old daughter (she is now six months old), and she loves it each time. We read it daily. The rhyming is strong and simple; the repetition makes my little girl laugh. She gets excited and babbles from the first page. It's actually fun to read aloud, since "Moo Moo Moo" and "Caw Caw Caw" and "Squeak Squeak Squeak" are fun sounds to make (along with all the other sounds). What is especially sweet is that Goose -- or some part of her -- is on every panel, and she is chasing a little yellow butterfly throughout the book. The repetition of "But where's Goose?" provides the opportunity to look for her and point out other animals. The artwork is eye-catching, vivid, and sophisticated enough for an adult to appreciate too. This one belongs on every child's bookshelf, and I'll be buying Fleming's other books as well.

I got this book for my daughter when she was a newborn, and she started reacting to it when she was only 2 months old. She smiles at the rhymes and at the brightly colored illustrations. It is also fun for the parent b/c you can embellish the story in so many ways while reading it--talking about the colors, counting animals, finding the goose & the butterfly on each page, etc. I'm sure there are several years of wondeerful readings ahead of us yet!

This is one of my toddlers favorite books. She loves the rhyming and the colors on the book and will ask us to read it over and over to her. Simply one of the best books to teach barnyard animals and their sounds to your children. I can't say enough praise about this book and how much my daughter loves it!!

This book is simple yet fantastically fun and educational. My 7 month old loves to hear it and smiles as soon as I begin the first page. He can be in the throws of whaling anytime, anywhere and I begin to recite the rhyming animal noises and he just giggles! It is amazing how such a simple idea, so well written, can bring so much fun! You have to get this one!

It's a back-handed compliment, to say the least, to mention that every time I read a new Denise Fleming book I'm shocked by how much I enjoy reading it. When I haven't perused a Fleming creation in a while, I have a nasty tendency to lump her in with fellow author/illustrators Lois Ehlert or Eric Carle. But Fleming has something those two will never have. A keen sense of what makes a colored cotton pulp illustration funny. Ever since I first laid eyes on her clever "Lunch" (a title I highly recommend) I became a real fan. And with "Barnyard Banter", I can clearly state that this is a children's picture book writer with a highly entertaining gaggle of tricks up her sleeve.

This is a book that initially seems to be best categorized as one of those baryard sound titles. The first two-page spread shows a three cow herd of red-eyed (some might say demonic) heifers accompanied by the words, "Cows in the pasture, moo, moo, moo". On the next page are two strutting birds with a, "Roosters in the barnyard, cocka-doodle-doo". You get the idea. Each two-page spread rhymes with the next, which makes for some creative stretches on the part of the author (apparently frogs say "burp burp burp"). As this jouncy book continues, once in a while the words, "But where's Goose?" appear in a corner. The goose, for its part, actually appears in every single animal's spotlight in some way. When we're viewing pigeons in the rafters, goose is far below perpetually chasing an elusive butterfly. When we're amidst the crows of the cornfield, the goose's beak peeks out from the lower right-hand side, stretching towards the flutterby above. This means that kids can have a lot of fun going through the book and finding that semi-obsessive goosey.

The words of the book are catchy, especially in a section that is simply every three-letter animal cry we've read combined into a bouncy rhythmic poem. So points should be given for the kind of text that gets little pre-schoolers involved (any book you can sing to usually falls into that category). But many a slap-happy sing-n-dance text has been brought low by dull colorless or otherwise blah illustrations. Not so here. Using her customary technique of (and I'm quoting the book jacket here), "pouring colored cotton pulp through hand-cut stencils" in a method described as "pulp painting", this book's a ribald explosion of color and form. Though you'd swear, just glancing at it, that this was yet another cut paper picture book, closer inspection reveals the complicated process that "Barnyard Banter" required. You've got coffee grounds for soil! You've got kernels of oats for grain bins! You've even got portions of burlap sacks disguised as chicken-wire fences. And the colors... oh the colors. Part of my love for Fleming's other book, "Lunch" was due to her firm grasp of the primaries. That love can now be transferred to this book as well. The whole tale's awash in bright clear-cut images that could easily leave you blinking your eyes from sunspots.

Whether you're searching for a book that follows the whole "the says" genre, or you want a book that uses rhythm in a novel way, or even if you just want a story where kids can locate an elusive naughty animal, "Barnyard Banter" fulfills all these needs and more. I tip my hat to Denise Fleming and promise her that I will never ever ever confuse her again with Lois Ehlert. Ever. In fact I'll do more than that. I'll remember how much I like Fleming's books and recommend them to all I see. That, I feel, is a perfectly appropriate penance. And one that I am not the least bit reluctant about carrying out.