Woods Books

My daughter is one and a half years old. She loves this little book. It's a clever little story about parrots who fly off to exotic places. As I almost sing the refrain about the parrots "sitting in a tree spreading their wings..." a big smile creeps over her face and she starts to bob her head from side to side to the rhythm of the rhymes. The artwork is vibrant, engrossing. All in all, a good find. One potential con: the book's physical construction is more for a mature reader-- a minute of inattention with a one year old and the book might drastically change states as children that age bring new meaning to the term "voracious reader."

My toddler and I enjoy reading this interactive book on a regular basis.
She likes to identify colors, various objects and count along. At the end of the story she regularly says "mas" more in Spanish. This book is a must for any child's library!

We have this book and it is a bedtime favorite! My children love it! The rhymes are catchy and fun, they even end up singing parts of it as I read. The pictures are bright and colorful with a lot to look at. I have four kids ages 2-7 and they all love this book, I would definately recommend it.

For perfectly good reasons, we tend to associate Cajun and Zydeco music with Louisiana, but for much of the 20th century, Cajun and Creole people moved West into Texas, usually for straightforward economic advantage - the towns and cities of Texas offered more employment and better living conditions - and they took their music with them. You are at least as likely to find people playing Zydeco in Texas as in Louisiana. In the introduction to this stunningly handsome book, the author makes the point that it was in Houston, not in New Orleans or any other Louisiana city, that `the folk music of black Creoles from southwest Louisiana first (underwent) a major synthesis with urban influences to create, document and codify that sound'. He goes on to make the claim (and as the book progresses, to substantiate it) that `several key innovations in the evolution of this music - concerning not only its name, but also its instruments, recording history, leading figures, and stylistic twists and turns - occurred initially in Texas'. He uses the phrase `Louisiana Lapland' to describe where `a large part of south Louisiana seems to have "lapped over" into Texas, and quotes John Minton to the effect that the music `first made its mark' in Texas, before becoming popular back in Louisiana. Later, he asserts that `Zydeco is a doubly syncretized musical phenomenon, a hybrid that required transplantation and cross-pollination to come into existence' - saying in effect that Zydeco, as we know it could only really have happened in Texas.
The book is a celebration of this music and its associated culture, marrying Roger Wood's text and James Fraher's photography. It is a marvellously successful combination. The photographs, of which there are a great many - on average, every other page seems to be given over to one - are beautifully reproduced in a monochrome of outstanding depth and clarity. Fraher is evidently as much an artist as he is a Zydeco fan, and he has captured the people, the instruments, the atmosphere and the context of the music with great skill, sensitivity and style. Almost any photograph could be singled out for special mention, but for just a few examples - Leroy Thomas with his stars and stripes accordion, Raymond Chavis almost in silhouette, the proud determination on the face of Sherman Robertson, Zydeco dancers at the Silver Slipper, Dora Jenkins in seductive pose and Vanessa David in action at a festival. There's an especially poignant portrait of L.C. Donatto Jnr, holding a photograph of his father and a rubboard that has been played so hard it has a gaping hole in the middle. This is black music, but Fraher's scope extends also to the white people who are and have been players in the scene, as club owners, collectors (including a fine shot of Mack McCormick), fans, dancers and even occasionally as executants.
The illustrations are so striking, and you could spend so long admiring them, that you might almost forget to read the text, but that would be a bad move. Wood's account of the music has to be the most definitive yet published. He is well informed and lucid on the subject of the music's history - the chapter `Chank-A-Chank and Social Change' tells the story of how the music came to be, and it is a measure of the thorough job he has done that it begins by noting a French presence in Texas documented as far back as 1682. A couple of pages on, he points out that Amadie Ardoin recorded in San Antonio in 1934, and that just over a decade or later, it was at sessions in Houston that the first two recordings were made whose lyrics included the word `zydeco' (or a variant of the word - the book goes into some detail on the etymology, variation and development of the term), by Lightnin' Hopkins and Clarence Garlow respectively. The music's history is thoroughly rehearsed, supported by what looks like meticulous research and plenty of fine oral history - an appendix giving the list of interviews carried out takes up more than three pages. There is a chapter devoted to Clifton Chenier, covering the introduction of the piano-key accordion and the invention of the rubboard (the first one was made by a Cajun welder by the name of Willie Landry, based on a design drawn in the sand by Clifton himself). This must be one of the fullest accounts of Chenier's life and music yet published, and it ends by quoting Wilbert Thibodeaux - `Clifton Chenier is the only zydeco man who ever really deserved to call himself the king'. Amen to that, but we're still only a little over halfway into the book.
The remainder covers the wide range of other Zydeco men and women - not kings or queens perhaps, but plenty with claims to the aristocracy. It also tells the story of how Zydeco's popularity grew and grew in the years following the king's death - he had benefited from the wider interest in the music, nationally and internationally, but it has been the last twenty-odd years (Chenier died in 1987) that has seen the music's greatest popularity. It has also been a time when, as Moore states, it: `went through a process of radically redefining itself according to a multitude of contemporary realities and new possibilities'. These change factors are covered here, and the story is brought right up to date, not only with the work of young radicals and experimenters like Li'l Brian Terry, but also with the reach back into the music's roots represented by Les Amis Creole (a recent Arhoolie CD). The story covers not only the musicians themselves, but also the role of the venue owners, the musical instrument makers, the recording companies and so on.
This book is a beautiful object to own for its own sake, but it is also of major significance in the documentation of Zydeco, and is highly recommended to anyone interested in learning more about this most extraordinary of music. (this review, by Ray Templeton, first appeared in Blues & Rhythm magazine, used by permission)

I could hear the Zydeco music playing as I read this book. Roots, if you want to know how Zydeco orginated, who played or stills plays Zydeco music and where to go to listen to this music, this is the book. Being a Zydeco music fan and actually attending zydeco events that are mentioned made this a very exciting book.

James Fraher's black and white photos highlight a solid story of the most influential players and history in Zydeco music past and present, and while the survey focuses on the genre's rise in Texas, any with an interest in Cajun or Zydeco music will find it incorporates facts and history from other states as well. Chapters chart the movement of black Creoles from Louisiana into Texas and the cross-influence of their music with other Texas forms. The seven-year collaboration between writer Wood and photographer Fraher provides powerful visual embellishment to the facts and biographies within.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

THIS IS AN EXCLLENTLY WRITTEN BOOK,THE FOMAT IS VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND ,IT HOLDS YOUR INTEREST FROPM BEGINING TO THE END.

Dr.Wood, M.D. gives hope to those who enter therapy with the idea that spirituality and hope is there for us to be found with the help of the counselor/therapist. I especially liked the idea that one should as the patient get in touch with the feelings I am feeling rather than have a negative or flat affect on my face. Or like smiling while inside I am crying my mind out. The pages in her book which list many emotions brought tears to my eyes. I had never got into touch with the real me before reading this book and discussing it with my psychotherapist/psychologist. I have already ordered both of Dr.Wood's upcoming new books. (And one is even in May 2007 due to be out!)

Excellent, hopeful book: very easy to read and clear. Written with compassion and dedication. Carefully examines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic influences, medication, and spirituality making a cogent case for an integrative approach.
Highly recommend to therapists and clients.

I had the opportunity to hear Trapper speak at the Boise Power series in SLC a few months ago. He is a tremendous speaker!! Tick Tock is an excellent book in solving the challenge of creating balance. The exercises are great and the stories are truly engaging. I would recommend this to anyone.

I had the opportunity to hear Trapper speak at the Boise Power Series in SLC. He was superb! By far the most engaging speaker in the group - and I received a copy of this wonderful book. After having worked through it....I am online to buy some for gifts! Don't miss out on this!

I've had the good fortune of attending a seminar by Trapper Woods in the late 90's and have waited for several years for him to write a book. He was by far the most gifted speaker I'd ever heard and his message was one that helped me immeasurably in my professional and personal life.

The message in this book is profound. Regardless of how much "stuff" we've accumulated in our lives, regardless of how much money we earn, the real key to happiness and productivity is to live in accordance with our values. What is most beneficial about "Tick Tock, Who Broke the Clock", are the exercises that force us to look deep inside and (sometimes painfully) grade ourselves on how we're measuring up. Based upon our deepest core values, we then establish activities that help us bridge the gap between where we are and where we need to be in order to live a life of congruency.

Thank you Trapper and Bill for this gem of a book. Your message is powerful and deep. Very very well done!

George Wood describes the strategies he brought to bear, and others which can be brought to bear, in public education high school reform. The result? A school that does not do absurd things to youngsters, which encourages them to become good citizens, and which leaves them opportunity to go to college, or not--but not to fail as persons.

His advantage is that his high school, Federal Hocking, was small; that he was skilled at seeking teacher collaboration; and that he has imagination.

His disadvantage is that he subscribes to some time-worn Essential School maxims. Nevertheless, he is able to do creative things and you get a sense that he, the teachers, and the students are spending more productive times together.

A quick read. Implementation of his ideas takes some real planning and commitment.

George Wood's book is an amazing description of what can happen in a typical public high school, if you organize the school as a learning community, focused upon developing citizens and neighbors. Wood is a high school principal who has written a book about what has been done to improve his high school in rural Ohio. This is a must read book for anyone who is concerned with the deterioration of the public schools in America. Wood, through stories about students, provides helpful suggestions for how to improve schools. His stories will have you crying with joy as you see the impact of a school organized to care for each student as an individual. Read this book, and then, give copies to your school superintendent and school board. After reading his book, you'll want to pack your things and move to his town, just so your kids can go to his school. And the truth of Wood's approach is that it can happen anywhere. What a breath of fresh air and hope for our nation's public schools.

As a member of a school district that was given a huge grant from Bill Gates we were encouraged to read books that would assist in thinking out of the box. This book certainly did that!! The author was able to take you through the necessary steps that worked for his school all the while not telling you that his way was the only way!! What a refreshing thing!! I really enjoyed the specifics that he wrote as well as the unique stories included. This is definately a book that will be used in our district! In fact our Administration has agreed that if not mandatory, it is a book that is recommended for all teachers and parapros. So if you are looking for tips to change, here is a book that has a ton of ideas and a real school that had real change!!

Today I'm ordering a new copy of "The Toy Cupboard", because my grandson Bailey Ryan has loved my original one to pieces! Each time he comes to visit, he can't wait to get his little 4-year old hands on this book. As a result, it's seen better days, so I'm ordering him his very own copy for Christmas!
As a Grandma to nine, all under the age of 12, I have many books at my home for them to enjoy, and "The Toy Cupboard" is among the top few that they prefer. Bailey especially loves the fishing game!
I would recommend this book highly for all little boys and girls, as the different activities never fail stimulate their imaginations.

My daughter received this as an Xmas gift when she was 3. It may be our favorite book--it occupies us for at least 45 minutes each time. Each page has ingenious activities, with pop-ups, mini-book, a puzzle, a fishing game, I Spy, dress-up the paper doll and bear--along with accompanying rhymes for each page and activity--this is a wonderful, educational, well-planned, clever book. I plan on giving it as gifts to all her friends. A wonderful travel book too--pack it in your carry-on as a great surprise on the plane, or unpack it at your destination and your little girl will love it! We have at least 100 books & this is definitely in the top 3. Because it has many features and parts, I would recommend it for girls ages 4+, or mature 3 year-olds, or, if younger, read it only with an adult so the parts won't be lost.

This is a wonderful book that looks through a toy cupboard and has little games and pop-ups along the way. Some of the activities include a mini puzzle, a "fishing" game, a magic trick, a paper doll, and finger puppets. Our 1 year old loves it. He has torn a lot of it up, but that was half the fun.

This book was a favorite of mine growing up and now my three boys love it. It is great for early readers as well as pre-readers who are learning their alphabet. A thoroughly enjoyable book!

If you can find the hardcove of this, buy it for your toddler/crawler. The pictures are great, colorful, full of detail. The expressions on the faces will delight parentes as they read this over and over to their child.

I recommend the hardcover, because both my 1-5 year olds banged this around for nearly 7 years; the softcovers won't hold up to that kind of use. But, if that's all you can find, get it anyway. Both you and your children will love it.

Children learn to read by recognizing (memorizing) increasingly large numbers of words on sight (developing a reading vocabulary). A book like this is one that progresses in a cadence (is singable) and thus, easy to memorize. A great book for new readers, because as they memorize while looking at the book, they begin to recognize and add new words to their reading vocabularies. They don't even realize they are doing it. How do I know this? Well, I am in my mid twenties, and I can remember almost all of this book, though I haven't seen it for about 20 years. I remember reading it over and over. It was one of the first books that I learned to read. Just the other day, I woke up reciting the opening line from the book, and decided to try to find it. I would highly recommend this book for parents trying to interest their kids in reading. It is one that you won't get tired of, even though you might read it about a thousand times!!

I have 2 girls 2 and 3 years and they both LOVE this book! Its a perfect gift for any toddler!!!

Erika just turned 3, we have to read this book again and again every bed time. She likes it so much. She is now able to tell the rhyme as we turn the pages. Wow... I never thought memory could be so sharp at 3! The story is cute and the mouse expressions are funny. And Erika is building vocabulary.

These books are great for teaching children about language.

Just as the man, the presentation is understated and matter-of-fact. Uncle Buddy relates stories from his childhood and his days on the mission field that leave you in laughter and tears. In each circumstance, he points to God's provision and care. A refreshing testimony of God's faithfulness over a lifetime of service. Well worth the price, it's a book I'll be glad to pass on to my children as an inspiration and a reminder of why we are here.

I thought the book was very well written. Shows us how our missionaries suffer through their trials, but remain devoted to their God. Had feelings of joy and pain, I felt their pain and sadness. Told me more what real life as a missionary is like.

I met the real Uncle Buddy this weekend. This man is amazing. He tells stories that leave children begging for more. God has truly blessed Uncle Buddy with a unique voice who uses stories to teach lessons in life. Visit Africa and other countries with the missionary.

We enjoyed the story within the story of this book. It tells why some huts are round and some are square to this day in a small African village. This story is of men's & women's strengths & differences, the celebration of family and of the tradition of storytelling. The artwork adds to the quality of this book.

This is a wonderful book to share with children. Children need to know that different cultures do things differently. Culture is a big part of people and how they live their lives. This book was awarded a Caldecott Honor in 1987 for the wonderful pastel pictures. I, myself, loved this book and so did my children in the classroom.

The Village of Round and Square Houses, is a story told byalittle girl, Osa, about how the people in her Central African villageof Tos ended up having the men live in square houses and the women in round ones. Osa's story begins with vivid descriptions and pictures of day to day life including their eating rituals in which the men come to eat with the women and children in the round house. Grifalconi uses bright, beautiful colors and illustrations, which help set the happy and peaceful mood. As Osa's grandmother tells her the story of how the great Naka Mountain burst open sending lava, ashes and smoke everywhere, Grifalconi does a good job of depicting the eruption. She contrasts the color orange on black and later shows the village and people all covered with ashes, with only two houses left standing. Since Naka had spared them and these two houses, the men and women split up and have been living this way ever since. The language and descriptions that she uses to tell the story are unique and informative; she keeps the reader wanting to know more. Grifalconi also does a good job of portraying the culture and tradition in the small village. In a note to the reader at the beginning of the book, she states that this village of Tos really does exist but that it is almost entirely isolated which makes its culture unique with different traditions from other African villages. The story, The Village of the Round and Square Houses, tells of the importance of family and the respect given to the elders. For the eldest in this family has the wooden stool to sit on and the next eldest has the grass mat. The children help the women cook, and everyone eats supper taking turns in order, starting with the eldest right down to the youngest child. Osa's grandmother tells the story of how their village ended up the way it is now. All members of the village respect her grandmother, and she is known as the best storyteller in the village. By telling stories she is able to pass on the culture of their village. In their 1988 Children's Literature Association Quarterly article, "Sharon Bell Mathis: Features of a Culture," Darwin L. Henderson and Arlene Harris Mitchell examine Mathis's work. Sharon Bell Mathis's works and Grifalconi's, The Village of Round and Square Houses, are similar because they both deal with celebrating life, children, family, survival, spiritual strength and culture. The oral tradition of story-telling is important to Mathis, and Grifalconi has the grandmother orally pass on the story of Naka. For me, this story by the grandmother is one of the most important things in the book because it gives the reason for having the women live in round houses and the men live in square ones, and it gives insight into part of their culture. This shows that oral tradition and culture are important aspects to both authors when writing children's books. I found this book stimulating to look at and interesting to read. The illustrations are great and add a lot to the story though it was a great story in itself. I definitely want to check out more of Ann Grifalconi's work.