Media Books

Sealed
Tony Choufati
ISBN 1-931633-64-9
285 pages at [cost of item] paperback
Washington House Publishing
[website]

Reviewed by Melissa Brown - 04/03

John Staff was living a comfortable life as a professor at the
University of the Divine when he began receiving visions. Fired from his position at the university due to rumors that the dean of his department has joined a cult, John decides to examine the visions.
Instructed to find three mysterious people to help him fight the
forces of evil, John embarks on a journey that will take him across the world to the United Holy States. A noted religious scholar, John encounters various religious scholars-many with ulterior motives and thinly veiled distaste for him. In his struggle to combat the evil invading the world, John attempts to unite the followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to aid him in his fight. As natural disasters and the Third World War threaten the peace-and survival-of man, will John be able to unravel the mystery of his identity and end the suffering? Or will the ambassadors of Satan finally defeat organized
religion? Both historical and futuristic, Sealed is a fantastic
exploration of the various world religions and the faults within them.

Written by Tony Choufati, who admits to questioning religious creeds and concepts, this book offers the reader a truly unique experience.
Choufati has obviously done his research, as he quotes the Bible, the Qur'an, and various religious and philosophical scholars throughout the novel. His fresh ideas and wonderful storytelling make Sealed a great book for anyone who questions religion. A fast-paced mystery, this is an excellent first book and a great example of what religious fiction should be. After reading Sealed, you'll be looking forward to Choufati's second book, due out Summer 2003.

Disclaimer: Because of its religious nature, Sealed may arouse anger in the hearts of the faithful, but doesn't quite cross the line into heresy. Apocalyptic, controversial, and positively delightful!

I bought the book on January second and it took me only one day to read it because when I started it I could not put it down. I had to find out the end. I will quote this if I may: 'I have also been critical of the Imams of Islam, Shiites and Sunnites becasue they turned into fanatic fundamentalists thriving from wars, as they are hungry for power' YOU HAVE TO READ IT buy it from amazon.

WOW!!! That's all I can say about this book. So captivating that it makes you wonder. If this book isn't a bestseller, i'll be surprised. I couldnt put it down. Buy this book if you want suspense, intrigue, and if you want something to make you think about religion and the world today...

I read the book and it felt like reading one of Nostradamus's books. This book though, was much more descriptive than simple predictions. I also liked the religious flavor of the book. Two thumbs up to the author!

Hi, just wanted you all to know that sealed is the best book I have ever read from Los Angeles to New York. I started the book at the airport in LA and finished it six minutes before landing. Am I a fast reader? NO,,, the book is just very captivating that you do not want to lay it down! READ IT!

Speaker and writer Zig Ziglar makes the most of being endearingly cornball. He straightforwardly writes, "I plead guilty to loving the Lord, my wife, my family [and] my fellow man." He proudly wears his heart on his sleeve, dedicating this book to his beloved spouse of more than half a century, "Sugar Baby." He is sentimental to the extreme, writing across from the title page: "You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." Well, people obviously love Ziglar's schmaltzy wisdom. For almost four decades, he has been a hugely popular motivational speaker and writer. This book, a classic from 1975, has been published in 12 languages, including Korean, Serbian, Turkish and Slovenian. Unlike many motivational, self-help authors who serve up insipid clichés and warmed-over mush, Ziglar offers worthy, inspiring - if simplistic - ideas on improving your life and achieving your goals. Some of his message stems from his cited Christian beliefs, but his focus is on boosting your morale, not your morals. getAbstract thinks he'll make you feel good about yourself, the people around you and life in general, if you can just accept that corniness is part of the package.

It's a great book to motivate yourself and others. Now I also bought the cassettes. I wish everyone(family) has one like this. Then we will have a better society. I like the stories in the book. I have already used one in my toastmaster speech.
Buy it, Read it, own it, I bet you won't regret your time.

This book has a lot of very good material on enthusiasm and goal-setting and attitude. I highly recommend it for that. However, Zig gets a little preachy when he starts telling us we should spank children to discipline them, as well as his religious views. The final chapter is basically just thrown in to tell you his views. The main problem I have with the book is how Zig refers to homosexuality as a "bad habit" and how he equates "homosexual" literature with pornography. If you can overlook his homophobia, you will probably enjoy the book and get a lot out of it.

In this classic book, Zig Ziglar present 9 principles that will get you to the top. It is written in an optimistic upbeat manner that will truly inspire you and Mr. Ziglar is always mindful of a holistic, balanced way of living that serves your real purposes. For example, at one point he says, "before you climb the ladder of success, make sure it is leaning up against the right wall." These are the kinds of pearls of wisdom this book contains.

There are many people who have written good reviews on the contents of this book, there is no need for me to repeat all of this hear. However, I want to comment on the spirit and style of how this great information is presented. Simply put, Zig Ziglar is a master story teller that walks his talk. He is one of the only people I knew who got the best of the "Sixty Minutes" team!

If you are interested in making it to the top while preserving your values and not selling your soul, this could be a good roadmap for you. I discovered Zig Ziglar in my twenties, saw him speak and had a personal conversation with him.

In my twenties when there was a recession and I was feeling despondent because I didn't have a lot of job experience and I couldn't get a job, Mr. Ziglar listened empathetically to me and that suggested that the recession is not out there. It's between your ears and he said, "let's you and I make an agreement not to participate in this recession. I know that I'm still making lots of money." This really landed deeply and when I protested that I didn't have a lot of experience, he looked me in the eye and said, "you have twenty three years of experience being honest, open, communicating directly, keeping your agreements, etc." If your lack of experience comes up in an interview, tell them this and add that anything else you need to learn is easy compared to building good character. I never forgot that moment and in my next interview I tried it and I landed a good job with Pharmakon Research International as an Associate Scientist. I credit Mr. Ziglar with having the empathy to really see me and tell me just the right thing that restored my confidence. This is the space this book is written from and if this sounds good to you, I think you will get a lot out of it.

Some of the language of this book is old fashioned. However, the principles are really timeless and now that I am older, I realize he was right and that much of my success is the result of internalizing these principles and the principles of other good men that I have had the good fortune to know and be touched by.

When I first heard Zig Ziglar, I was not a fan. To me, he came across more like a carnival barker. I really preferred Jim Rohn, Brian Tracy, Denis Waitley, Earl Nightingale and so on.

But the more I listened to Zig Ziglar tapes and read his material, the more I liked him. The message was clear and he is very motivating.

To some people, this is just plain old common sense. Perhaps. But is it common knowledge or better yet common practice?

I heard recently that Zig Ziglar gets paid over $50,000 per appearance. That is a lot of money and after having heard Zig, he is worth every penny of it. And it helps make up for those thousands of speeches that Zig Ziglar made for FREE! And it is a small price to pay for the service he provides, empowering people to become all they can be.

Thank you Zig, we needed this!

This book is very in depth and easy to read. I have done lots of lighting for theater and concert, but not film or video. This book taught me a lot. It is specific to lighting for film and video so if you are looking for more information on theater lighting or automated lights for concerts, this book only has a few pages on that. But for film and video it Rocks! I would even recommend this book to anyone interested in lighting.

I gleaned a lot of information from this book. There is not a ligting, electrical connection that is not explained to my satisfaction. Take the time to read all then keep this book handy as a reference. Just showing that you have the book, proves that you know what you are talking about.

Great book, lots of detail for any working Lighting tech, or aspiring tech. Great for a indi-film makers library.

A MUST HAVE for the inside scoop into the Industry.

If your planing a career in the motion picture or television business than this book will greatly advance your technical knowledge of the business. If your an old pro at the business the book is great for a quick reference to prepare you for a shoot.

This is the first book in Terry Pratchett's Bromeliad Trilogy, and it gets the series started well. It is about a group of nomes who live in a department store--but they have lived there so long that they have forgotten there is a world outside. The only problem is that the store will be demolished in 21 days. It's up to a group of just 8 outside nomes to convince thousands of stubborn people to leave a place they think is the entire universe, then hijack a truck and leave. This book has a perfect blend of humor, mystery, and plot, but the in my opinion the greatest element is the characters. The seemingly emotionless yet somehow smug spaceship computer known only as the Thing provides a touch of science in a world whose inhabitants don't even know what the word "thousand" means. Dorcas del Icatessen, the mad scientist of the nomes, who has complete control over the store elevator system. Angalo de Haberdasheri, who is fanatic about the possibility of life outside the store and has a pet rat named Bobo, and finally Grannie Morkie, the annoyingly apocalyptic nome elder. The final scene, in which hundreds of nomes wielding levers, pullies, and wires manages to hijack a truck and drive it on a chaotic romp through the city, might be one of the cleverest and funniest scenes in the history of fiction. One of the greatest quotes: "Give me a big enough lever, and a firm enough place to stand, and I could move the Store." The next two books in the trilogy are even greater, and do a good job of developing the already marvelous characters.

Pratchett is best known for his off-the-world Discworld yarns, but he also has produced a number of highly engaging, wryly funny, and thoroughly humane novels for younger readers. This one, the first of the "Bromeliad" trilogy, introduces the "nomes," four-inch-high people (well, humanoids) who live on highway medians and under the floors of buildings. They live fast (ten years is a very advanced age for a nome) and humans strike them as slow and stupid. Masklin, in escaping danger in the back of a truck with the last remnants of his tribe, finds himself in the Store -- "Arnold Bros. (est. 1905)" -- where there are thousands of nomes. These are divided into contending tribes by store departments, live a good life in the Food Hall, and worship Arnold Bros. And then he becomes aware that the store is about to be demolished. The strength of the story is Masklin's struggle to convince everyone else of the danger when most of them don't even believe in the existence of Outside, and then to organize an exodus by stealing a truck and learning to operate it. (Think lots of long levers, pulleys, and bits of string.) But the nomes turn out not to be "little people" at all. The nomes' interpretation of the signs they see will give you thoughtful pause, as will their unthinking belief in a nome-centered God in the sky. Or on the top floor. Pratchett fans will enjoy this, regardless of their age.

These books (Truckers, Diggers, and Wings) are a fun romp! Well thought out, well told, with a liberal dose of humor. If you have read any of Terry Pratchett's "Disc World" books, you'll love this light hearted series....

Truckers is the first book of the Bromeliad trilogy (followed by Diggers and Wings).

Masklin and his family are the last ten nomes of their warren, devastated by cold, predators and hunger. Desperately, they set out on a last chance journey and climb up on one of the lorries of the humans.

What they'll soon discover is that this lorry has lead them to the Store of Arnold Bros (est. 1905), the home of thousands of other little nomes who, having never left the Store, think of the Outside as of nothing more than just another fairy tale. The coming of Masklin will be a great upheaval in their quiet lives. And as they learn that the Store is to be demolished, they make plans for their escape.

Although Truckers was originally written for a young audience, it's an enthralling adventure but also a story about understanding other people's ways and helping each other, and no doubt grown-ups will love it too. Because Terry Pratchett's unique sense of humour is lurking round every corner, especially when nomes try to interpret our human world... and what's more to make sense of it!

Terry Pratchett's Bromeliad trilogy is a mix of childlike fantasy and offbeat SF. While the opening book, "Truckers" lags in places and takes quite some time to really get moving, it's imaginative and very funny. Certainly it's a good place to start off with Pratchett's fiction.

Masklin and the other nomes are tiny people who scavenge on the streets, and now there are only a handful of them left. In an act of desperation, they climb into a lorry and ride to... The Store. Also known as Arnold Bros (est. 1905), where a complex civilization of nomes (about two thousand) live in semi-peace and prosperity. They either are dazzled by the idea of "Outside," or insist that the whole world is in Arnold Bros (est. 1905).

Seemingly, everything is fine for Masklin and his friends, especially when the mysterious Thing (a black box that is a spaceship's flight computer) comes to life and tells them more about their history. But suddenly their world is disrupted by the news of "All Things Must Go -- Final Sales." Now the nomes must escape the Store and find yet another place to live.

Tiny people living in a department store? Who are from another planet? That is something that could have bombed easily and hideously. But it doesn't, at least not in "Truckers." Clever plot elements like the sign-based religion (they take "everything under one roof" seriously!) and the department-based clans (Stationari, Corsetri) keep this unlikely plot afloat.

While "Truckers" is a self-contained story in itself, it has plenty of loose threads (mostly involving the Thing and the origins of the nomes) at the end, for the second and third books of the trilogy. The writing has Pratchett's usual sparseness and wit; the only problem is that it takes forever for the nomes to do anything. At least it's a fun slow ride. The wacky truck drive near the end is one of the best parts of the book.

Masklin and his nome band (especially the indefatigable, vaguely frightening Granny) serve as a good window into the nome civilization, since they're learning about it too. The better-off nomes are a bit snottier but eager to explore the Outside. But the Thing steals the show; despite being just a computer, it has a better idea than the nomes what is going on.

"Truckers" will delight fans of Pratchett, but you don't need to be a fan already to enjoy this story. While the plot takes awhile to go anywhere, the quirky characters and wonderful worldbuilding make it worthwhile.

Great illustrations, characters and an amazing setting make Tut, Tut (Time Warp Trio) a fabulous find for young readers. There's plenty of laughs here for parents as well in this very well written novel.

Join Joe, Fred, Sam and Anna (Joe's sister) as they travel back to ancient Egypt through a book that lands them in quite a situation. The problem is that they need that same book to get back home, and they lost it!

There's non-stop adventure and some wonderful history that may well encourage young readers to seek out more information about this period of Egyptian history.

Recommended!

Time-traveling is not as cool as you think. Being mummified, being trapped in a secret room and having your friend almost eaten by a crocodile is not cool. But what is cool is being treated as a royal guest in Thutmose III's palace, sailing in his boat and teaching him basketball. So, if you like things that are cool and not, you should read this hilariously funny book.

The book was about three boys and a girl who go to Egypt through a book that one of the boys uncles gave him. They have to travel through Egypt and find the book to get back home and meet a little challenge along the way named Hatsnat. I liked this book because we had just learned about Egypt so that made it better to understand.

This book is exciting. You always want to turn the page. It is funny and interesting.It takes place in ancient Egypt.In Tut Tut there is a girl named Annie. She is 6 and two brothers. I would tell you to read it.The name is Tut Tut.

I give this book five stars because it is very funny. It is also adveturous. The characters in this story (Joe, Fred, Sam) get in a lot of trouble and Sam almost gets eaten by a crocodile. I don't want to say more because I want you to read it for your self. I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Steven Augarde's trilogy, beginning with The Various and now complete after this years publication of Winter Wood, is a must for every child's collection of 'Most Loved Books'. No spoliers here....just buy them all. You'll be reading them to your own kids, and their kids too.

'I don't make a practice of reviewing complete trilogies. However, once in a while a reviewer finds something so wonderful that he/she must read them all. That is the case with The Various Trilogy. I simply could not resist them. Creativity, fast pace, unexpected plot twists and a surprise ending make this first installment and the others very good reading.
I declare that someday this trilogy will be recognized as a classic for young adult readers. I give this installment high marks, and recommend it to readers young and old. Dan Shade, Young Adult SF Reviewer, Orson Scott Cards' Intergalactic Medicine Show.

I first found this book in my daughter's room as we were preparing to take a stack of books back to the library. It looked interesting so I kept it and shared it with my wife, who read it with vigor first then passed it on to me. We both found it to be an enchanting and engaging fantasy that adults and young adults can enjoy equally. We're no starting on the sequel.

I am a sixth grader. The book is about a girl of age twelve named Midge. Midge is not too happy with her mom. She has to go live with her uncle while her mom goes to a concert. When Midge arrives she decides she likes the place, it feels like home. She also has a strange feeling, like she has been there before. Not long after she arrives she discovers a tiny, wounded, winged horse trapped under a machine in an old shed on her uncle's property. She helps the horse in every way she can and it grows better. The Horse soon asks to be brought to the forest that is surrounded by impenetrable thorns that her uncle says he is going to sell. The horse brings her before the Various to tell them they are in grave danger because there home is going to be cut down by the people her uncle sells the house to. Midge is confused and afraid and cannot believe her eyes when she sees the tiny thing called the Various. When she tries to warn them of the coming danger some of them turn on her and Midge is now faced with real danger. She is frightened and has no idea what to do. This book was one of the best I've ever read! I liked this book because I love books about the "little people". This book was well written and was very descriptive which made it all the better.

A previous reviewer commented that the ending of this book was flat, but had he/she done research it would've been clear that The Various will be a trilogy series, the next installment coming out in November. I found the story engaging and hard to put down. I constantly wanted to know what would happen to Midge and her enchanting friends and enemies. The plot was suspenseful, gripping, and action packed. I think that this would be a great read for junior high and high school students. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for Celandine to be released in the U.S.

I want to thank Stephen Ashley for writing a book through the eyes of the disabled so that we can finally enjoy going to walt disney world with our families. The time taken by the author, obviously alot of time, actual experiences and accurate accounts of the different aspects of the park make this book a must have for anyone with a disability or going with a family member, friend or someone with a disability. This wonderful book will make walt disney world a wonderful trip which could not have happened otherwise.

Loved this book. Having Fibromialgia myself and with the back pain both of us suffer this book is just what we needed to plan for our trip.
We now have both ordered ECV's from one of the offsite rentals as recommended in the book. This is not only saving us money but lots of problems trying to get them from the limited supply at Disney.
Even changed the resort we planned to stay at and took their suggestions regarding room placement and calling ahead.
Also helped us determine which rides we can enjoy.
Highly recommend this book for anyone with physical issues that's planning a trip to Disney World.

I discovered this great book last Spring, and I love it so much I'm ordering the revised edition! Mr. Ashley does a wonderful job in explaining what to expect. On our last visit to Disney World, my sister, who has Down's Syndrome and isn't able to walk long distances, came along. This was our first experience dealing with a wheelchair at Disney. While it is very true that Disney World is probably the best place to vacation if you or a family member has disabilities, the amount of knowledge needed to easily navigate all the parks, shops, restaurants, and attractions is immense. Other guide books were helpful, but oh how I wish I had had this one then! It literally takes you through each attraction and park and tells you how to manage, not only with a wheelchair, but with other health issues also. We go back in January, and I'm looking forward to a much more relaxed and fun trip this time! Thank you Stephen and Sarah for sharing your experiences!

This book has lots of good suggestions for visiting Disney World with a disability. I liked that they had good descriptions of the rides so you can judge for yourself if the ride will be appropriate for certain disabilities. We had a great trip and used a lot of the tips in this book.

I book a lot of Disney World vacations for clients and bought this book as a resource that I figured I would use occasionally. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and scope of issues addressed within the book. The authors did a really good job of listing every attractions and describing elements that might create an issues for guests with various needs.

For example - you expect a book specializing in disabilities to address wheelchair access and loading proceedures. You don't automatically assume that it will mention that a musty smell might be an issue for someone with respiratory issues or that a strobe light might be an issue for an epileptic or a migrain sufferer.

Instead of using the book from time-to-time, I've found myself flipping through it regularly to help clients address a wide spectrum of issues - both mild and serious - and even to warn parents about frightening componants of various attractions. The book also has a lot of information for guests with food allergies.

This book will be a fantastic resource for the individual traveler but it is also a great ready reference for travel agents who really try to go the extra mile to insure a good experience for their clients.

My younger sister is 7 years old. When she started reading the book,outloud, I was interested. The book was a little bit hard for her,but she loved it. Later, I read it. It meant a lot to me and now it is one of me and my sister's favorite books.

after reading one page, you're hooked. makes you feel lucky to live in a home. children ages 8 to 18 will definitely enjoy this book. definitely best children's book material. frances o'roark dowell did an awesome job. i give it two thumbs up!

Where I'd Like To Be is a great book by Frances O'Roark Dowell. It is about a girl named Maddie who lives in an orphange and keeps to herself. She hardly tells anyone her secrets especially about her scrapbook of dreams. Her scrapbook contains magazine clippings of things she wishes she had like a big house, dogs,etc. One day her scrapbook is revealed.One of the boys at the orphange becomes friends with Maddie. Eventually she trusts him enough to tell him about the scrapbook and dreams. This is a heart-warming book that you should read. To find out what happens to Maddie read this book.

What if when you were a baby, a ghost saved your life? Well, according to Granny Lane, that's what happened to 11 year old Maddie. She longs for a family and a place to call home and feels that it's hopeless. After all, who adopts an 11 year old? But maybe it wasn't as hopeless as she thought.
Maddie may seem a normal kid to you, she goes to school, has great friends, is in after-school activities, but then you go to her home. She has shared a room with people who come and go as often, it seems, as the seasons. Maddie lives at the East Tennessee Children's Home. She wants a home so badly she has a "book of houses" and a "book of people." Throughout the book she and her friends find that they are all a family, a strange one, but a family none the less.
Where I'd Like To Be, is a book that all people should read for a heart warming tale. I think what I liked best is that you can almost feel each character's emotions as they change. I think anyone who likes a story that makes you glad for what you've got, should read this book.

Great book, especially for young girls in their search for self. This book surely must be based, at least in part, on some observations from East Tennessee Christian Home in Elizabethton, Tennessee because the author has cited several times East Tennessee Children's Home (where the novel is set), as well as Allen Avenue (the actual location of The Home), and Elizabethton, Tennessee (the city in which the novel is set). I certainly encourage young girls to read the book, as well as their parents. I think it will lead to more understanding on both sides.

This book is called Wrong Number 2 by R.L.Stine. I'm 11 years old in the 6th grade. I think people ages 11-13 would like this book. The book is about 3 kids going into a house looking for some money. But they find themselves downstairs in the basement. A man came in and lit a candle. Will they ever get out? I guess you will have to read the book to find out. I like scary stories. I liked the part when they were in the house in the basement. And when the man tried to run them over but they got away.

I loved the book Wrong Number#2. I am in the 6th grade and 11 years old. I think people ages 9-15 should read it. It is about two girls, Jade and Deena and these two boys Chuck and Farberson. Farberson got out of jail and went to go look for his hidden money. When he went to find it wasn't there. I love the book, it is a good book and at the end it is sad because someone dies. If you want to know how and who you will have to reed the book. And there is something scary. I did not like that part, you might. But the book was good. I hope you have fun with it.

The part of the book i read from Wrong Number Two was very good. The kids I think would like this book are 10-14 years old. Also kids who like mystery And suspense stories would like this book. I am in 7th grade when I read this book.This book was about 3 kids who get trapped in a killers world. Then after a year the killer got out of jail. One of the kids went back to find money the killer had hidden. Then the other two kids go to the killers house to go and get him but the killer is on his way. So, after they get there and get him they go to leave but the killer is standing in the doorway. I don't want to give too much away so read the book to find out what happens. I liked this book because it was a mystery and suspense book. That is what wrong number 2 is about.

The story I read was Wrong Number 2. It was about three teenag kids, Deena, Jade and Chuck.They had an enemy, Stanley Farberson. Farberson was a murderer and he killed his wife. Now he was put in jail and Deena and Jade are in school. Chuck is in college. One night Deena and Jade came home from school the phone rang Jade asked if she could answer it. Deena picked up the phone 'Hello' she said no reply. 'Hello' she said again. Then a low voice answered 'Is jade there' a man with a scary said.Then he hung up the phone. As soon as Jade walked in the room Deena said ' A man was looking for you' .'Then he hung up' Deena said. 'Oh well'. So all night Deena and Jade were talking about the basketball game they were going to on Friday. At one thirty a.m. Deena went up to here room and went straight to bed. At three a.m the phone rang 'Hello' Deena said. The same man called and he said 'I already called your friend'. This Review Was Written By Ashley Estrada

Can it really be Mr Farberson on the line? He has to still be locked up after trying to kill Jade and Deena last year. Maybe the calls are just someone's idea of a sick joke. But who else could possibly know the things the caller knows?

Then they realize that someone is nearby, watching them, close enough to know their every move. Someone who desperately wants revenge. Someone who wants to reach out... and kill them..

Even if I didn't have 3 of my own jouranl quilts in this book I would still give it a 5 star rating! I see something new every time I pick it up. It's been a huge inspiration to me and my on-line yahoo group, Fiber Art Traders, [...]. Bravo Dawn for a job well done!
Normajean Brevik, Fiber Artist and Writer

I've really enjoyed this book so far, and will be using it for the examples when I teach a Art Journaling workshop coming up. It's mostly pages straight out of artist's journals, but at the beginning has a few pages of questions and inspirations to get you started in your journaling process.

...and you will see different things in the pages each time. I am one of the lucky artists in this book and I am amazed at the results. To put this much work together from so many artists had to be tough. My favorite aspect is the fact that there is so much diversity. Each artist bring their own voice to their work and it bounces off the other artist's work to create a harmony of color, shapes, images and words. ... Wow maybe that was a little too tooooo....but I want to convey that this lively book is a real treat to look at and a good source of inspiration for what ever art you do or enjoy. Great job Dawn. Thanks for including my work.

I teach art journaling to middle school children of many abilities. I cannot tell you how wonderful this book is, so delicious with the variety of entries. They were so excited to see it.... I found each group gathered around me to get a better look.

I know the artwork, writings, styles of presentation, colors, and excitement from this book have influenced the young writers/artists I teach.

The children love it.

How does a reviewer "Rate" or "Review" another artists' ART?
This was a difficult task for me, because as my 1st sentence stated, it's quite difficult to rate an Artists' personal Art.
Basically, it's like trying to evaluate a person's inner soul!

This book is so well photographed & so detailed and colorful! Dawn DeVries Sokol has done a beautiful job at displaying all the entries that she received while organizing this book of 1000 Journal entries.

The other amazing thing is that the entries that Dawn received were from all over the World! Therefore, it is so interesting to see how a journal writer is different from all others, and yet also the same, in that "we" (as a community of human beings) express ourselves in common ways as people! This book expresses this point very well---the soul of a person.

Dawn stated in her Preface that she chose not to categorize each Chapter by theme. But rather, Dawn chose to show the Journal entries as a continuum. In this way, Dawn has displayed the worldwide entries in a spiral fashion, rather than in a linear fashion...thus, each entry spiraled from one to the other.

Some Journal entries are sometimes "dark", sometimes sad, and sometimes happy. Such is life.
All are introspective.

When I read this book, I first of all went through each entry to look at the colors and artistic points. Then, the second time I went through this book, I looked at each Journal entry more specifically (often with a magnifying glass) in order to absorb the pages more thoroughly.

All in all, this was a very insightful experience, not only into the souls of the Artists and writers, but also into my own soul.