Seasons Books

Short and sweet, yes, funny ending, and still enjoyed by my first-grader and will likely be appreciated for a while longer. The drawings are similar in style to those of the immensely talented Jan Brett: full of detail and grace. The little bear, Alfie, is like any normal kid at bedtime (made me think of the Frances books illustrated by Garth Williams), and the images of butterflies versus bats/snow, and birds versus ice, and so on, are clever without being contrived. Highly recommended, a keeper.

One of our favorite kids' books yet. Story is charming, but not "cutesie"; reflects some real knowledge of natural history on the part of the author, and the illustrations are exquisite - make me want to crawl right into the book - especially the final one of Alfie asleep in a sea of spring flowers surrounded by mountain peaks. This is one of a handful of children's book illustrators whose work I would like to have framed on my walls.

This is a well written story that doesn't even need the writing -- the illustrations themselves suffice to transport a child and its parent to a beautiful world of misty mountains and autumn leaves, winter's first snow in a peaceful pine forrest, spring flowers along the shores of a glassy alpine lake. And the bears are cute too. My daughter is only 19 months old, but the pictures are enough to captivate her almost as much as they captivate me. If you want to show your child the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone without actually taking the long drive to Wyoming, this is one way to do so.

When Will It Be Spring? was first published in 1997 as a standard picture book before being released as a board book. This may explain why the story and art seem especially well done. Mother Bear and little Alfie need to sleep through the winter, but Alfie keeps misjudging clues and time and again wakes his mother long before spring has arrived. This theme will work well, I'd think, with toddlers because bedtime and restlessness are important themes to them. Alfie's eagerness and his mother's patience are shown in the beautiful illustrations as well as the text, and will make young children feel good about, not just sleeping and waking, but also about the unconditional support of their parents.

One of the sweetest books I have ever read, this story about a little bear cub who is too excited to sleep during the winter is a real charmer. Well written and illustrated in a way that makes you fall in love with the little guy right away (my personal favorites: one with the mother looking at her seated cub as snow falls and the other being a tiny pair of eyes peeking out of the top of a pile of leaves), parents with kids who are excited by life around them will identify with this story. Even if you are not a parent, anyone reading this terrific little story will see themselves in this little bear. I loved this book.

If I had a list of my top ten favorite reads, something I find impossible to create, as I like so many different books, I would probably put this one right at the top of that list. I first read this one when it was first published around 1967 or 1968. I, like another reviewer, have read this one each spring since that first read. It has become sort of a reading tradition for me. It never seems to get old.

The entire work covers the thirty one days of May. It consists of some of the best nature writing I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The author takes a very small geographical area, centered in the woods, around a pond and stream, and examines just what happens during this brief but explosive time of year. Eckert goes from animal to animal, insect to insect, plant to plant, critter to critter and gives us a wonderful story of the life cycle of these creatures and plants during these thirty one days. His writing is quite blunt and to the point. This is not a Disney Bambi book! Nature is revealed in all of its fascinating glory which includes birth, life and very sudden death. The author does a wonderful job of showing us how the death of one creature, gives live to another and on how all life is so closely interwoven. He examines the habits and habitat of each of his subjects and explains how one cannot survive without the other. There are no anthropomorphisms here, and rabbit is a rabbit and a blot fly is a blot fly. Yet, you find yourself pulling for the survival of this creature or that, even a wayward seed of wheat that is sprouting in the forest via bird droppings being deposited there.

The book takes us on a day by day journey through surroundings that are all around us but few of us actually take the time to see. It becomes very apparent and vary obvious that there are entire micro-worlds around us, so much is happening, so much living and so much dying...all for a purpose though. The author's writing style is almost flawless. This is one of those rare works that a rather young girl or boy can read and thoroughly enjoy and at the same time can be just as enjoyable to geezers like myself!

Now I have always been fascinated by the outdoors and nature, even as a very, very small child. This book though, started me on a life long hobby. As an example; we have lived in our present location in the Missouri Ozarks for almost twenty five years. We live in the woods. My wife and I have left over two acres of our property as it was and is. We do not mow, or disturb it in any way. It is wooded, full of brush, has a small water source and can best be described as a rain forest. I have spent all these years since we began living here, studying this small patch of "wilderness." This has not been a casual study, to be quite frank, I get pretty intense about it, observing, writing, drawing, painting, photographing and watching. The neat thing about this is that after all these years; I still keep finding and observing new species and events. Love it!

It you have the slightest interest in the world around us, the outdoors, and the life we share this planet with, then this is one of the most enjoyable books you will ever read. Recommend it highly.

Don Blankenship

I read this book as a youngster, and have reread it several times since. I would recommend it to anyone who wishes to explore a world that most don't take the time to notice. The author is most descriptive in explaining the how and why of all that happens in a very interesting ecosystem.

I had to read this book as a school assignment (I'm in 7thgrade), and enjoyed it immensely! Mr. Eckert presented the nature ina clear, understandable way without twisting the facts. The story flows well from one animal to the next. Wild Season is definitely one of the best books I've read. I'd recommend it to anyone!

Though written to more of a junior high reading level, this book has been a favorite of mine for many years. It chronicles the events surrounding a pond in the midwest from the early spring through the fall. It is more of a rambling journey up and down the food chain more than a scientific text. The book can make you realize just how important every part of nature can be in "the big picture". I highly recommend it to all readers interested in nature.

I read this book many years ago and have read it every Spring since. It never gets stagnant. It moves along with a flow that could be compared to Nature. I recommend that anyone with the least bit of interest in nature and wildlife, should read this book.It will remain in your memories for a long time to come.

Unlike many babies' book today, this book consists of real photographs of a variety of animals. These happen to be in a snow setting. With few words and beautiful pictures, a baby will get a good introduction to the world of winter nature, where the snowman will share his gifts of seeds and carrots. It is a board book, so it is safe to read and then hand to the baby. The pictures are taken from, without the longer story, the book by these authors, Stranger in the Woods. The birds and squirrels will likely look just like the ones the baby can see in his own backyard, and who doesn't love a beautiful deer? If you live with no snow, you get a good demonstration of what a snowman is. A delightful book all around!

My small kids (4 and 2) love this book. They really like looking at the pictures of animals outside in winter. Last Christmas this book inspired me to re-use old or unmatched mittens and hats for a Snow Man kit. I wrapped them up and bought some carrots and bird seed so the kids to could feed the animals just like in the book. They loved looking out the window to see if anyone had come to eat the seeds/carrots we left on our snowman!

I got this for my 9 month old daughter, and she loves the photographs. I want to expose her to "real" nature; not just drawings or silly sketches of animals. The book is endearing and we both just love it. I am going to order the other books by the same photographic team as well as the DVD's, and I'm sure we will love those, too.

The focus of this board book is the wonderful nature photos. Snowflake-dusted birds, squirrels, and a deer all acquaint themselves with snowmen to share a snack. The pictures will capture the attention of babies and toddlers, and the verse is short and sweet. A simple and beautiful little book.

This is a board book and the shortened dialoge from "Stranger in the Woods" by the same author/photographer. The pictures are real photographs of wildlife and are beautiful. This is a nice change from other snowmen books. I would recommend any books by this author.

Here's a stunning collection of dramatic and magical quilts teaching about winter holidays of various cultures and describing winter sights such as a million-colored aurora borealis and a glowing wash of sunset against darkening snow. Swirling lights and crackling flames flicker bright against deep darkness, and there is a clever depiction of reading by flashlight. An extra treat for adults is the brief explanations of how the quilts were made. "Winter Lights" will warm the senses of young and old. See the author's first quilt book Pieces: A Year in Poems & Quilts

This is a poem book about things that happen in the winter. Each poem is pair with a quilt that was made by the author. The poems are about the quilt that is pictured such as snow themes and holidays that are celebrated in winter time.

All sorts of holidays are featured such as Kwanza and Hanukkah. Christmas was mentioned in one poem but Jesus was not.



This would be great for kids and grandmothers who enjoy quilting to enjoy together.

The poems are lovely, the quilts are spectacular. Yes, the book is great for four and five and ten year olds (I am mother of the latter two ages!) and, pleasing too for 43 and 45 year olds, as well! (the parents of said five and ten year olds) Poetry comes in many forms: letters and words, yes, but also in these fabulous textiles. What a wonderful antidote to a cold, dark grey winter. Check this out; you can't possibly be disappointed, esp. if you notice the figure who looks like he is out of E.J. Keats "The Snowy Day".

i bought this book to read to my daughter who is four. it instantly became her favorite bedtime book. i love the illustrations and the poems -- we savor each page, taking it slowly. The page with the faralitos is incredible. I've never quilted, but this book makes my fingers itch!

This book is absolutely SPECTACULAR! It's hard to believe the immaculate art and intricacies that went into the making of these breathtaking quilts. Coupled with the well-crafted and delightful poetry, this is a great book for kids and adults alike. No wonder it's received so many starred reviews.

I enjoyed this book. It was an absorbing, eye-opening look into the world of the ballet written by an insider - a young, intense and highly intelligent young woman, a dancer with the NYC Ballet, who exposes life in this elite and unique world.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave a wonderful glimpse into the real world of professional dancing. Miss Bentley told this story with beautiful language, her words flowed like water. I found it wonderful to know what it was like to live the life of a dancer, to know the struggles and the victories, the fantasies and the realities. I recommend this book for all who love dance and for anyone interested in show business or simply anyone who enjoys a good read.

With "Winter Season," Toni Bentley allows her audience to see a real picture of the incredibly tough, demanding and creative world of professional ballet. We see George Balanchine at the end of the career, and such greats as Suzanne Farrell and Peter Martins. The incredible, difficult, almost insane demands put on the dancers are clearly drawn, as is Ms. Bentley's love for her art. Especially evocative is her struggle with reconciling art with her demanding profession.

Often, artistic memoirs focus on the superstars, the Tallchiefs and Nureyevs, for instance. The view from the corps de ballet is all the more interesting for being so rare. This book is beautiful, wry, humorous and exquisitely-written. I wish Ms. Bentley had written several other volumes.

Winter Season: A Dancer's Journal is the exquisite chronicle of a ballet dancer's experiences with the New York City Ballet. The dancer, Toni Bentley, claims a certain naivetee, but I don't believe it's innocent ignorance as much as it is simple yearning for experiences she rarely has.

She has a delicate flair for words, and her prose couldn't be any less lovely than her pliees and tondus.

Dancing with a world-famous ballet company is gruelling. The dancers are overworked, underfed, and have little understanding of how the "real world" works, yet it would seem they like it that way. Ballet companies thusly have much in common with military outfits: soldiers and dancers work brutally hard, but have their concerns looked after by the higher-ups. Balanchine is the dancers' general.

With the incredibly long hours and the accompanying mental and physical exhaustion, how did Toni get the time to write this book?

She writes,

"We are hairless. We have no leg hairs, no pubic hair, no armpit hair, no facial hair, no neck hair and only a solid little lump at the top of our heads. Any sign of stubble must be closely watched out for and removed.

"That is not all. We don't eat food, we eat music. We need artistic sustenance only. Emotional, inspiring sustenance. Al our physical energy is the overflow of spiritual feelings. We live on faith, belief, love, inspiration, vitamins and Tab."

Toni eventually does break free of the NYC Ballet machine, but she's drawn inexorably back. After all, as she says, "We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain."

This is a beautifully written very open look at the world of a professional dancer. The difficulties and joys of life in a world class ballet company are clearly and thoughtfully laid out by Bentley. The pride she had for her place in NYCB, and the sadness of standing in the background while others danced in the spotlight in front of her. But ultimately we are allowed to see the great joy finds in her dancing, and the struggle and work it took to get her there, as well as the struggle and hard work it took to keep her there. Overall I thought that Bentley was very candid and very honest about her life in NYCB. Every dance student planning a life as a professional dancer should read this book.

This wonderful picture book takes you through a year at a farm (great for us city dwellers who have never step foot on a farm). It is very informative and interesting. The pictures and the story are enjoyed by my children. We are very pleased to have this book in our collection.

We got this book as a companion to 'Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm'. I have to say, I love 'Our Animal Friends' best, but this is also a great book. I like it as a companion to Our Animal Friends. The book goes through the months of the year, and what happens with the animals in each month. Humorous and interresting for our 3 and 7 year olds.

This book was a find at a yard sale and is a joy for both my husband and I as well as my daughter since she was 2. It introduces all kinds of subjects like veterinarian medicine, not to mention the obvious seasons cycle and life on a farm activities. The illustrations are simple and detailed enough to even keep an older childs attention.

I just bought this book for a gift, and seeing it on Amazon's website makes me want to go find it on my daughter's bookshelf, and read it myself. And I'm 43!

What a sweet, beautiful, educational, pleasure of a book. It's a great size with gorgeous illustrations. The text is fun to read and fun for a child to listen to, and the whole book is non-fiction and very educational. The perfect combination of a book. I just love it and love to give it! It just bounces and is very engaging. You'll want to read it every season for years.

Enjoy!

This has been a favorite book of ours for years and years and years. "The Year at Maple Hill Farm" is written and illustrated by Alice and Martin Provenson. It documents, from January through December, the hard tasks and simple pleasures inherent in life on a farm--everything from bird migrations to the foaling of the horses to lazy summer days spent doing nothing more important swatting flies.

Humans and animals co-exist peacefully here. The illustrations are simple and gently colored, with subtle detail sprinkled throughout. The animals are given a great deal of personality (see especially the cats, who are wonderfully quirky) and the story itself, while utterly basic and free of frills, has an undertow of narrative propulsion that makes each page seem a natural outgrowth of the previous page.

I can't recommend the book highly enough. If you live in the country, you will recognize so much of what is here. If you live in the city, you will welcome the peaceful rhythms of this charming book.

It's too bad that since the last Boston World Series Championship, the New York Yankees have only won about 22. (Heh Ty - who won the CDE Championship in 1961? Give up? - The Yankees!!!)

Nothing but the pain and despair of being a true Bosox fan could ever prepare an author like it must have for Mr. Waterman. The book was a bright read about a very different game in a very different America. As much a chronicle of the era as baseball and the Red Sox themselves. A first class study of the despair of every Red Six fan!

I beleieve the Braves won the 1960 CDE Title!

No team in professional sports offers a full scale opera with each game more than my beloved Boston Red Sox. All Red Sox and baseball fans know the trials, tribulations, and horror that surrounds this team, and with it Boston, and all of New England. Buckner in '86, Torrez in '78, Bill Lee's junk pitch to Tony Perez in game 7 of '75, the collapse in 72, the could have been of '67, the should have been of '48, Enos Slaughter in '45...the Red Sox have sustained their share of horrific luck since Harry Frazee dealt the Babe to New York in 1919...

Few fans remember, or realize, that the Red Sox dominated baseball for the first 20 years of the past century. They had great pitchers from Cy Young to "Smoky" Joe Wood, to the Babe, and hall of famers Harry Hooper, Tris Speaker, Young, the Babe... yes, the Sox had it all, and it all culminated in 1918, the last time the Babe-led Sox won the World Series.

Waterman's book is a delightful piece of Americana, complete with old tyme sketches, photos, box scores, standings, and everything else that made 1918 what it was- a simpler time in baseball. The stories, from the trade of Speaker to the Indians to the many showcasing the Babe's probelms but undeniable charisma and popularity, to that of Harry Hooper's fight against MLB that lasted all of his life, are fascinating and riviting. The newspaper writers were more than that in those days- they became part of the saga, as well.

This book is a remarkable historical document that fans of baseball, no less those of the Red Sox, will appreciate. Many of the day's brightest stars are mentioned, and it hearkens back to a day when to play baseball was a privledge, not a job. ..and while the 1918 Red Sox were a dysfunctional lot, they played the game hard, and loved what they did. The book, cartoons, and stories from the writers clearly show this. Baseball today can learn more than a thing or 2 from the 1918 Red Sox and baseball of that era. A delightful and informative read.

But in 1918, the Sox won. They really, really won. This well researched book makes me fell like I was there, 83 years ago, following the REd Sox daily, the same way I do now. Difference is, they win it and this is not good fiction, it is great non-fiction. What Ken Burns did for baseball history, Ty Waterman does for the 1918 Red Sox.

Another interesting thing about this book is the news clips which is how you, as a reader, follow along with the season. The interesting part is not just the information from long ago, but how a ball club is written about back in 1918, and how it differs today. Sure the players had "issues" back then, but now days we can get bogged down on the importance of player's personal problems and the effect that has on the team. Looking foward to digesting the next Ty Waterman fact filled book.

Great reading !! The book takes you back to that glorious Sox summer of 1918, and as ALL Sox fans are aware of, the last World Championship season. It chronicles the entire season from start to finish. You can also see how the writing style of the sportswriters was quite different than it is nowadays. Also captured in the book are various cartoon illustrations that are no longer a part of the current day sports page, but quite popular back then. This book should be must reading for all Sox fans.

This was the December pick at Wiccans.com and it truly was the perfect 2002 calendar complete with all things Wicca. Blessed Be and enjoy!

This is a very well put together date book- not only is there plenty of room for jotting down appointments as well as notes on the daily calendar pages, but it also includes a 'month at a glance' section for each month. Also included are major and minor 'power days' for working certain spells, AND shaded areas on the 'month at a glance' so one can see AT A GLANCE the waxing/waning phases of the moon. I must add, the art is lovely and all the little extras make it worth EVERY penny.

I thought this planner couldn't get any better and then I got my 2002! Every witch should have one.

The 2002 Seasons is just gorgeous! Love the art, poetry and all the useful information, but I couldn't get by without the powercasting dates. This is my second year to work with the planner anbd I swear I'll never be without one.

I purchased this cookbook when it first was released and have been cooking from it ever since. Perhaps the most favorite thing from it is the apple spice cake with the carmel frosting. It is something my family looks forward to every autumn. I have found nothing in this book that is not simply wonderful. I read it and use it for inspiration every month of the year. Thank you for such a delightful, useful and delicious book.

This cookbook contains a wide range of recipes, and gives you ideas to compliment the weather that comes with the seasons. Many have become staples in our house. They have the aroma, to enhance your appetite, as well as good taste.

I've found that every recipe I've tried in this cookbook has turned out delicious! One of my favorites is a chocolate mocha cake - it's a birthday party favorite, just as the book suggests! I like the seasonal breakdown as a way to take advantage of seasonal foods. This is my favorite cookbook...and I have lots!

I am a self proclaimed bad cook, but every thing I've made out of this cookbook has impressed everyone that had it! Some recipes are a little complex, but all in all, the instructions are well written and easy to follow and the end results are fabulous! I recommend the Texas Chowder (Chili) - best chili I've ever had!

I bought this book several years ago because I'm a member of the Junior League of SLC, but it has some of the best recipes of any cookbook I own (>20). All of the recipes I've made from this cookbook recently have elicited "Wows" and "Yums" from my husband. We especially enjoyed the lamb chops and the pacific rim flank steak. The lemon thyme cookies are very unique and "grown-up" tasting. Old favorites include the spinach and apple salad and the cranberry glazed brie.

Always In Season: A Collection Of Recipes From The Junior League Of Salt Lake City, Utah showcases over 200 favorite seasonal recipes from Utah, as well as eight season oriented menus. Contributions from award-winning chefs are combined with scenes of gorgeous full-color Utah landscape photography to make Always In Season an excellent souvenir and cultural celebration as well as a just plain tasty cookbook. From Cache Valley Cheese Souffle; Picture Perfect Macaroons; and Great Salt Lake Caesar Salad; to Cafe Diablo Pumpkin Seed Crusted Trout; Deep Creek Ranch Fajitas; and Cranberry Eggnog Cheesecake, Always In Season will enable even the most novice kitchen cook to prepare gourmet quality dishes that enhance any truly special meal time occasion.

This recipe book is one of the best I have ever seen!

...she bought it for the Cowboy Caviar recipe alone (Cowboy Caviar is a recipe for a salsa type dish - no real caviar - just SOOOO GOOD)! Also, the Chili Blanco is TO DIE FOR! I love the way the recipes are grouped into seasons, but any of the recipes could be used any time of year. This book has everything from the recipes mentioned above to flavored butters, delicious margaritas and roasted chicken with rosemary. This is the best cookbook I have ever seen.