Home and Family Books

This Bible is beautiful. I always loved Thomas Kincade Paintings and if you do as well you will definately not be dissapointed. I bought this Bible for my husband and I for our anniversary and were very delighted. I would definately buy it again and would recommend. Well worth the money!

This bible is more beautiful than the pictures give it credit for. It is a real keepsake and a perfect present for someone special. Well worth the money. I am seriously thinking about buying one for myself (bought this one as a gift)

I got two of these and gave them as gifts to my mother and mother in law for Christmas. Both of them were thrilled. The book is beautiful and still easy to read, even with all of the illustrations, most of which are in the middle of it.

The cover is a simple white leather & not illustrated like I expected. The inside pictures are quite beautiful. A perfect wedding gift.

This is a wonderful family bible! What a value! It is beautifully constructed and the pages have gorgeous artwork by Thomas Kincaid. The style of the writing is easily understandable, even by children. There are special "family memory" sections on special events and even difficult ones, and how the family got through them together. I gave one of these bibles to my daughter and son-in-law as part of their wedding presents, and when my other daughter saw the bible, she asked for one too. I would
unequivocally recommend this bible to anyone as a gift that will be treasured for many years.

Fantastic artistry to go with one of the classic songs, especially for those of us in West Virginia. Can't help but sing as you read. Great fun for the whole family.

I am from West Virginia so Country Roads has always been dear to my heart, especially being a WVU grad where it is blasting all over town on football Saturdays! I bought this for my nephew and I'm sure he will love all of the illustrations as much as I do. Lots to look at on each page and I love how the illustrations are done as if it has been quilted.

My son received this book as a gift for his first birthday. He loves it (and he has no clue who John Denver is)! We've read/sang it a hundred + times. He loves looking at the illustrations, as do I. My husband & I graduated from WVU, so this song is near & dear to our hearts. We hope to make a little Mountaineer out of our son too....this is a good start.

A great song with amazing illustrations. All the pictures look like quilt pieces. This song is timeless and kids love it. I've got kindergarteners who can belt this out and they never get tired of reading/singing it over and over. Very well done. Can't wait for more John Denver songs to come out.

John Denver's music paints a beautiful picture in your mind, but this book brings it to life even more! Book is very animated---almost seems like the pictures move as the vehicles go up and down the rolling hill. Great quilted-look art that covers almost every space in this book. LOTS of things going on (you could look at this book all day long and still find something new the next day) Well worth the money!!! Get is for all your John Denver fans :)

I love how this is personalized for MOM'S! It has stickers and grocery lists and had a Mom tab and a family tab for things to do! It helps keep your things yours. LOVE IT.

I used to jot notes and appointments down on a calendar. This book is much better. I can keep track of who has an event, apointment or birthday. I close the book and everything remains private, in case I want to surprise someone.

enough space for writing. Two columns - one for my stuff and one for everyone else's - good for keeping my head on straight. The lists in the back are nice, but not really big enough - I am not sure how they could be made bigger, when I have more, I just use two! The stickers are fun, I like to use them to give me a smile. Lots of places to write telephone numbers and kid information. Overall, a great calendar.

I LOVE the format--Mom's schedule in one column, the family's in another! Plus the perforated grocery lists in the back are great! I only wish they were bigger ( I buy a LOT more than 20 items, so I end up using more than one list)! There are lost of useful "extras" (telephone lists, etc), and the stickers are really cute!
My only criticism is that it is bound in paper. I take it everywhere I go and I'm afraid it might not hold up. A "hardback" would be so great!

This is a real find. I love the pockets on the front and back covers. (very handy for stray $100 bills.) I love the detachable grocery/to do lists in the back. I love that I can put my things in one box and family things in another box for each day. It reminds me that I do exist outside of my family functions (chauffeur, cook, bum-wiper, etc.). The artwork is super cute and as a bonus, the cartoon page gives me space to doodle or write notes to myself. My kids love the stickers but I am guarding them fiercely. ANyway, I love this calendar. NOw I just have to find her Mombag - I saw a friend who had it, and now I want one.

By nature I am an organized person but for some reason I have had trouble translating that organization to my home and specifically with my children. This book lays out very practical steps in guiding your kids in being a part of keeping your house clean and orderly. There are some excellent lists of 'age appropriate' chore suggestions as well as many ideas for implementing and encouraging your kids to be a part without whining and complaing.

Excellent Book! A lot of great ideas to get the house in order. One of the things I especially like are her suggestions for including kids of all ages in practical matters around the house. Get your two year old to clean?! She offers many idea on how to do it. From that angle, her ideas are rather "Montessoriesque", giving kids a challenge and a sense of accomplishment when their task is acheived.

I do agree, however, that some of her idea will not work with every house and family. (She really does like those disinfectant clothes. Not very economical.) But, if you take what you need and adapt if for your own needs, this book offers much.

Thank you, Tara Aronson! As the mother of a four-year-old, who is on the cusp of being able to do so many things for himself -- but who doesn't -- your book was immensely empowering for me to take control of the situation. It gave me the tools to teach my child how to take reponsibility for himself and help keep this house running smoothly. Your book is so easy to read and spells things out succintly -- and with wit. Your book is now my new gift to all my mommy friends. Thank you!

I'm one of those moms who found it easier and faster to do all the housework myself. Now with teens in the house who won't lift a finger, I wish I'd read this book 10 years ago!
What's best about this book?
* Chore lists broken down by age brackets that make cleaning fun, even for toddlers.
* Surprising storage ideas for my always-cluttered garage.
* Smart ways to reorganize your kitchen to cut cooking time in half.
If you're starting a family, buy this book first. You'll thank yourself some day in the not-too-distant future when your kids not only take part, but have fun, sharing housework.

She has some good chore charts that are organized by the age of the child. Some very good room ideas too, but they're not always easy to find in the chapters.

However, some of her ideas on things other than cleaning are just bizarre.

For instance, she discusses carpools in great detail, even going so far as to say you should inquire about insurance levels of all the drivers. Well, gee, if you're going to do that, shouldn't you go as far as getting driving records from DMV too? And if you're really that worried about it, should you be doing the carpool thing at all?

And, be forewarned, this author has apparently never lived outside of a large metropolitan city, because for her, cell phones are a fact of life--she apparently has never lived nor traveled where there is no coverage. She is so dependent upon them, that when there was a minor injury to a friend's child, had practically a panic attack when she couldn't reach the parents (either didn't have the phone with them or turned it off). Cell phones are not foolproof, folks--they stop working, there are areas with no coverage, people turn them off, people leave them behind in the car or at home, people actually choose to ignore the ring, really! For someone so "organized", in this situation she came across as fairly helpless. Hopefully she learned her lesson and has a signed medical release form for her friend's kids somewhere, or better yet, taken a Red Cross First Aid class.

If she stuck to the cleaning issues only, the book is okay, although she seems very into disposable anti-bacterial wipes. Her other advice, well, it's good for a laugh. Buy used, after checking it out of the library first.

I thought In Between was the best YA novel I'd ever read (other than my own - LOL), but I was wrong. On the Loose, A Katie Parker Production, Act 2, was even better than In Between! Katie really grows a lot over the course of these first two books in this series, and toward the end of On the Loose, I was wiping tears from my eyes. I love Katie as if she was my own daughter (I have a 16-year-old son) and even though she's a fictional character when her heart broke, so did mine.

When I wasn't laughing my head off reading On the Loose, I was wiping tears from my eyes. I drove my husband up the wall by asking him if I could read him just one more page. This story is read-out-loud funny. Seriously. I couldn't help sharing the humor because it was so zany and tongue-in-cheek, yet insightful and deliciously entertaining. I can't say enough great things about this book or this series. Jenny B. Jones is a favorite author, and this book makes me even more sure of my decision to rank her my #1 favorite YA author of all time. I'm reading every book she writes.

Katie Parker's still hanging around In Between with her foster parents. She's managed to finally start to settle down and get used to things. However just as she's starting to relax, news comes that her foster mother has cancer. Then she has to deal with the snobby girlfriend of her science partner. Her archenemy has declared war on her and accuses her of stealing. The Scott's daughter returns and tries to reclaim her place at the family home. Then to top it off, Katie hears that her mom wants her back. Will life ever go back to normal?

Just like the first Katie Parker book in the series, I totally had a blast reading this book. It brought me back to my high school days (not necessarily a good thing lol). I think Katie is one of the best characters for teen readers these days. She is going through everything a regular teen faces and she handles them totally realistic. I laughed over the scenes with Charlie and his girlfriend because I know exactly how it feels to be in Katie's situation. I can't stand guys who are blind to their girlfriend's faults and can't see when a girl is using them. Chelsea really got on my nerves because Katie reluctantly did try to befriend her but still got the cold shoulder from her. You can bet I was rooting for Katie at the end of the book. I was really glad to see the Scotts' final reaction to Amy's behavior. If it had been anything less, I would have been severely disappointed in the characters. But I was pleased to read about their decision and I supported them completely. I also understood about how Katie felt during this whole situation. I thought that her foster parents could have been a bit more understanding but it's also easy to see why there was a lack of communication.

This is one of the best YA series out there and I would definately recommend it as an alternative over the highly secular Gossip Girl books. Looking forward to reading my copy of the 3rd book.

What a delightful read! Jenny B. Jones has done it again with her second Katie Parker Production book.

Katie Parker moved in with her foster parents, James and Millie, six months ago and has adjusted well. Life is finally settling for her. Then a tornado hits her town of In Between and leaves more than just debris and broken houses in its wake.

Immediately after the tornado, Katie's world is invaded when Maxine her eccentric foster grandmother, moves in with them temporarily. Maxine's apartment was damaged by the storm. Maxine invades Katie's bedroom, space, privacy and life. As Katie tries to adjust to that, the family finds out Millie has breast cancer. The rattles Katie's already weakened sense of security. Will James and Millie want her around as they deal with this cancer? Or will they send her back to the children's home? Add to these circumstances, relationship issues at school between Katie and her best friends, preparations with her drama classmates for a school show, the school science fair, a bully girl named Angel, her own attraction to the school's version of Prince Charming, and Katie's life becomes worse than the tornado that hit her town. Can Katie find her way through the whirlwind of her life to the things that matter most and realize the love and family she always wanted is truly right at her fingertips?

Jenny Jones wrote a most entertaining book. Katie is a likeable teenage girl and your heart will be drawn to her life. As you read this book you will laugh out loud one minute and wipe away tears the next. I highly recommend this book for teens and up. Wait until the end when you realize you have fallen in love with Charlie Benson, too. I look forward to the next Katie Parker book.

Another great book by Jenny B. Jones. I was so happy for another dose of Katie Parker, whose infectious attitude combines with a heart of gold--a heart that aches for something deeper and more meaningful than the life she'd grown accustomed to. Jones does a masterful job of delving into tough emotions while softening the drama with hilarity. I give this book my top recommendation!

I never thought that as a married, mom-to-be, I'd still love reading YA as much as I do - largely in part to Jenny B. Jones! This Katie Parker series of hers is beyond amazing. It brought back the typical angst of my own teen years, and showed me that some things really don't change regardless of if you're 15, 25, or 55. Each of the extremely witty and realistic characters were relatable in some form or fashion.

In "On The Loose", I found myself laughing out loud and sometimes crying right along with the characters, upset when they were upset, sad when they were sad, and hysterical when they were being silly. I've noticed before that its easy for YA books to all read alike - but this series by Jenny is fresh and fun. DON'T miss out on this novel. It'll encourage, inspire, and challenge you. I ask you to read it, and I DARE you to pass it on to a teen in your life! =)

This book of domestic essays by Michigan journalist Cindy LaFerle is a major delight. The rich topic of LaFerle's family life, from delivering newspapers on dark Sunday mornings with her son to remodeling her historic home and baking bread for peace, is comfort food without the calories. The essays pair especially well with a warm cup of tea on a cold afternoon. LaFerle's calm and compassionate humor will remind readers to be grateful for the many blessings of home.

From the preface: "At a writers' retreat I attended several years ago, author Madeleine L'Engle posed a question, "Why do all of us want to share our stories?" Her answer affirmed what each of us knew but couldn't express as elegantly: "We share our stories because we have faith--faith the universe has meaning and that our little lives are not irrelevant." I found this profound and wanted to read deeper.

Cindy has put together some wonderfully arranged thematic essays. The essays are funny, poignant and show a slice of life. The essays are fun reading them in book sequence or skipping around (Sorry Cindy. You probably wanted them read in the sequence published.). I enjoyed reading them.

Cindy's writing style in this book is like a conversation between friends. There is a sense of humor mixed with plain down to earth speech and common everyday situations that anyone can relate to. Most essays are short, easy and fun to read.

The Christian Science Monitor, Reader's Digest, Country Gardens, Writer's Digest, The Oakland Press and The Royal Oak Daily Tribune have all published Cindy's essays and columns. Cindy lives in her home town, Royal Oak, Michigan, with her family.

I found this book easy and fun to read. I don't know when these essays were first published, but they just a relevant. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone wanting something entertaining to read. Since there a re a series of essays, there is no real need to rush, reading from cover to cover. You can pick up this book at anytime and read one or more of the essays when you have a few minutes to spare while relaxing. I would rate this book as a great read and worthy of consideration by readers.

Bob Medak, Allbooks Reviews

Cracking open Cindy LaFerle's debut collection of columns and essays is the equivalent of chatting with your best friend at a coffeehouse. She talks about everything under the sun -- from the love of her deceased tabby cat to the ubiquitous mean mommy syndrome we all face at the PTA. Her steady, flowing writing lulls you into the comforts of her world. It's not all rosy, however. Her discussion of the Iraqi War or Martha Stewart's decline are timely issues to be taken seriously. Nonetheless, you feel you are in trusted hands with Ms. LaFerle. She won't let you down. In every one of her 294 pages, she never does.



The book is a compilation of over a decade of newspaper columns in The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, Michigan) and essays which have appeared in notable magazines such as Readers' Digest and Better Homes and Gardens. Since her background mirriors that of many work from home mothers, she is a highly relatable writer both in intention and in content. Her tone is never preachy. It is truthful and without pretense.



This nurturing scribe has stopped her column. Her local readers in Michigan must mourn the loss of their regular commentator. As she recently sent her only child off to college, she may have been concerned that her home life would not yield a full column's worth. She quotes Aldous Huxley at one point (page 64):



"Everyone who knows how to read has it in their power to magnify themselves, to multiply the ways in which they exist, to make their life full, significant, and interesting."



Cindy LaFerle does that with her writing. She magnifies her own world to make it our own. We can only hope she will be inspired to continue the quest with her pen. Her obvious talent to weave honest, yet striking tales is definitely something to write home about.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends WRITING HOME as a lovely bouquet of womanly thoughts about things little & big, sad & funny, & topical to today's modern life.

Cindy La Ferle's essays are grouped together by subject rather than eras: first she welcomes us into her House and Garden, & then introduces us to the muggy swamp of Child Care; to her Social Life (such as it is being a work-at-home-parent & spouse); to the philosophies of Kitchen Duty, & to her Creature Comforts.

Then she gets as serious as she can about Work Ethics before opening the Family Album. She also shows us how she's Keeping Up Appearance & Keeping the Seasons, & as with all things, she gets Older and Wiser & into Soul Caring.

Oh, & she's into organic produce, herbs, overnight retreats at a Jesuit monastery, walking with her women friends, & a life of prayer & peace. & she likes to laugh!

WRITING HOME is for everywoman who thinks about her world, & would make a perfect reading group selection, & gift, no matter the season!

"The sacred is in the ordinary. It is found in one's daily life - in friends, family, and neighbors; in one's own backyard."

The above quote comes from a thank-you note Cindy La Ferle keeps in an "altar" above her kitchen sink. Its simple observation pretty much sums up the philosophy expounded in her book, Writing Home. A columnist for a Detroit area paper and freelance article writer, La Ferle writes about what she knows best - home - and how our home life shapes and colors who we are.

My personal favorite essay is "Quit Picking on Barbie." The big-breasted fashion doll has been getting a bum rap for years... Most little girls just enjoy dressing her up and designing homes and careers for her. She doesn't scar our sense of femininity at all. Another column, "Recovering Perfectionist," stirs up many familiar emotions as well. Women do seem especially susceptible to perfectionistic behavior, La Ferle observes. Our "people-pleasing" impulses prevent us from attempting many worthwhile endeavors because we're afraid we won't be able to do them perfectly. We need to let go of this need to "be right or look good" all the time. In the humorous "Seeing Red" we learn about the pros and cons of being a redhead - or at least the Miss Clairol version of it.

From "Baghdad and Banana Bread"- finding security from the horrors of the world in simple baking - to "The Lost Art of Loafing"- an art I really need to take advantage of this summer- Writing Home wisely reminds us that truly there is no place like home. -- Cindy Appel for the FEARLESS REVIEWS

This book is adorable, smart, and cleverly photographed. This has proved helpful to friends whose little ones are about to become big brothers or sisters. And it was even entertaining to me as an adult! I highly recommend it!

What is it about golden retrievers that makes a dog lover, young or old, go wild?

In Baby Dog Beans Comes Home, author Jennie Hale captures the sweet "magic" of these gentle, devoted, intelligent dogs while offering young children an important message they can identify with.

The story is seen from the perspective of Paul, the older dog who until now has been the only "child" in the family, and Beans, the new baby brother. More than anything, Beans wishes to be accepted by his older brother, but Paul is not ready to be friends, play catch, or share any of his toys. As a matter of fact, Paul liked it a lot better when it was just him. All this changes when Beans runs into serious trouble and Paul rescues him.

As Paul realizes in the end, "It's not always easy when a new brother or sister comes into the family. But even if you're not best friends right away... give them a chance and you'll have someone who'll be there for you your whole life. And that's pretty great."

This is a book that can be read to a very young child, and one that early readers will relish on their own. The large, adorable photographs are sure to delight people of all ages.

***This review was originally published in The Bloomsbury Review

I loved this book.
It's got great pictures, and my kids loved it.
Great book!

This is a wonderful book for children whether or not they're experiencing the event of a new baby in the family, The photographs amazingly fit the text. In a very few pages we are captivated by these lovely pups, and come away with a smile in our hearts.

Thinking that I was about to read a nice children's story about two Golden Retrievers, I was surprised and delighted to find that, as I continued reading, this little book has a huge heart. Jennie Hale has captured the magic and wonder of two siblings who realize how much they care for and love one another. Children who read this story, or have it read to them, will certainly hear its heartfelt whisper of kindness and feel its joy. Great job.

How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs by Gabriel Heiser is a terrific book. It clarified for me the issues surrounding Medicaid and asset preservation in a straight forward and easy to understand way. It provided me insights into complexities that are necessary for anyone who might be venturing down this path to be aware of and understand. It put into perspective the options that are available and perhaps most important of all, provided me with the background I needed to have a productive meeting with an elder attorney and to ask them the appropriate questions.

In particular, the book was written in a way that could be understood by a layman. It was presented in a very organized fashion and clearly went through the Medicaid process, a necessary pre-requisite for the subsequent chapters. The appendix was particularly useful in that it provided ways to find a qualified elder lawyer and other related resources as well as information on state Medicaid offices. But perhaps most interesting and helpful of all were the case studies. They provided a multitude of practical strategies, comparing and contrasting them throughout the book.

After reading this book, the bits and pieces of information I was able to discern from other books and from several lawyers I previously met with came together to form a clear picture like pieces of a puzzle. Armed with information and the possibilities presented and with an understanding of the implications of our decisions, we are now ready to move forward with plans for our parents with the confidence that we are prepared now to go down this very difficult road.

Thanks Mr. Heiser for all of your help!

I work in an industry where we have a need for such timely, topical and extensive information in the special needs planning area. I found Gabriel Heiser's book to be well written, easy to read, and very comprehensive. I have used it as a resource many times when I am questioned by one of our financial planners or attorneys in our network throughout the country. I have recommended his book to many who are struggling with the complexity of the medicaid system and how best to provide for a disabled individual. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a complete understanding of the rules and regulations pertaining to the special needs or elder law planning arenas.

Geri N. McHam
The Estate Plan

The System makes it hard to get accurate information about Medicaid coverage of long-term care--even for a former reference librarian like me. I'm recommending this book to Amazon customers and to my local library.

Attorney Heiser's book on protecting assets from nursing home costs is an invaluable and terrific read. For those of us unaware of the financial devastation a nursing home stay can do to a family it is a must read. It gives the reader a chance to ask important questions of attorneys and financial planners to get the most out of their advice and to get through the many different state and federal laws that vary from state to state. Don't see an attorney without reading this first.

This book provides valuable information on a complex subject. Although it may not answer your specific questions, the information given allows you to make informed decision when consulting an estate planner or attorney. Informative easy to read book on a complex subject.

My daughter has been somewhat obsessed with the Little Bear tv show on Noggin for almost a year now. It's all she watches so when I saw these books I was really excited. We got them for her for Christmas and she just loves them.
I reccommend the books cuz they are sweet stories about Little Bear and his friends and family.

The little bear stories are one of my son's absolute favorites. It is a shame the cartoon is no longer on the air, as I'm sure he'd love that too, but the books are adorable and heartwarming as well. My son loves reading these books, and its really a joy to read this to him and see the expression of delight on his face. Really a great book for your kids.

I bought these books for my 4 month old daughter. We've already read them (just before bedtime) more than once. I grew up with these books and they bring back great memories of when I was younger. These books are great for bedtime with the real little ones, and perfect starters when they first start to read on their own. Every child should be familiar with these books. They are classics.

This is a set of books that is perfect for children to read. Innocent, heart warming, and charming, Little Bear is a series that your young child will love to read again and again. Also, if your child loves the Little Bear series as much as mine do, there are dvds of episodes from the tv show based on these books that they would love as well.

As far as good, clean, books for kids 2-6, thre are none better than the Little Bear series.

Can't put down the book. Every part is so wonderful. A lot of wisdom at the same time. Need time to chew it down.

I love Karla's style of writing - the color and emphasis of detail in her books. I've recently purchased some of her personal checks and have gotten many compliments from them.

I first picked up this book at a friends house. Our family stayed the night and forgot to pack books to read to our children. The hostess left this treasure on the night stand and I couldn't put it down. It is so beautifully worded and illustrated. I had to order it as soon as we got back. It seems as though many have forgotten that when we get back to the basics, life is much more simple. I found this book to be charming in every way.

I first saw these books (Love in Every Room, Down a Garden Path, and The Blessing of Friendship)in our church's bookstore several weeks ago. Every time I turned the pages it was like watching Anne of Green Gables or seeing pictures of Tasha Tudor's homestead--a treat for the eyes and the soul. The Scripture and symbolism contained within the pages creates, with the pictures and cute handwriting, some very beautiful and inspiring books.

For a birthday gift or even a Christmas gift--for ANY woman, young or old, single, married, whatever--Karla's books are a blessing. I'm a young single woman who just received the three books mentioned above as a Christmas gift. Talk about a surprise blessing!

I was just introduced to Karla's books this weekend and I'm hooked! The message she protrays is so needed in our day and age...she encourages us to focus on Jesus. Her illustrations are so beautiful, they take me away for the while I'm reading the book. The ideas that she uses,such as leaving room for the reader to pen her thoughts, the envelopes for notes to the reader, and the personal welcome from Karla, all make for a wonderful, uplifting experience! She is truly God inspired! Keep up the good work, Karla!