Kites Books

This looked like a beautiful book but it didn't keep my 4 year old daughter's interest. I could barely stay awake through it. The story is good and I like the illustrations but, unlike with some dramatic tales of adventure, my interest slowly waned with each twist and turn of the plot. I understand Mercer Mayer took a hiatus from writing children's books -- I'm glad he's back and look forward to his next one. But I wouldn't buy this book.

In this tale of ancient Japan the Emperor has made life perfect for the daughter he loves. Sadly, or not, depending on your point of view, she is living in a walled garden. Then one day she climbs a tree and sees over the wall. Now she knows the truth and she wants to do something about it. So she has the Royal Kite Maker build a giant kite that carries her aloft. She refused to come down until her father makes the world outside her garden is as beautiful as her garden.

And, of course, the girl's father will try and make things right, but it will not be so easy. It will, however, be easy for you to order this better than excellent book. Even though my almost three-year-old son is too young to understand it, he loves looking at the pictures as him mom or I read along, making up words as we go, so that he can (we think) understand. He'll be reading soon and this is certainly going to be a book he grows with. It is just simply extraordinary.

Jack Priest, Dad in Training

Even though I love the Little Critter series, my favorite book of Mercer Mayer's has always been East of the Sun, West of the Moon with it's colorful and detialed illustrations. With this new book, Mercer Mayer worked with a Mac computer and I am AMAZED with the rich textures and warm realistic quality. No cool technical stuff here...this story too is from the heart and magical!

I highly recommend this book to any fan of Mercer Mayer's work or to a fan of Japanese culture. Although Mayer admits in the note in the book that this story is not based on any known Japanese folklore, it reads just like a folktale should and has enough of a Japanese flavor to make it acceptable to at least Western readers. (I wonder what a Japanese reader would think.) However, the real star of the book is the illustrating. Mayer is excellent at capturing moments from the story in a single illustration, incorporating many elements into a composite that is itself a story. I would recommend his rendition of "Beauty and the Beast" as a further example of this. The style is rich with color and texture, and each illustration has balance and dynamic symmetry. He pays as much attention to the background and the borders as he does the foreground and the main action. You can delight in a small detail like the pattern of the emperor's kimono, or how each of the many kites flying at the end of the book is different.

Mayer also dared to do all the illustrations for this book on a computer, using Adobe Illustrator and a variety of other software. I am impressed with the result, although a few minor things bug me about some of the illustrations. For instance, in a few spots, objects in the distance appear to be sharper, more in focus, then objects in the foreground. It seems to me that this should have been addressed before publishing the book as it goes against our normal way of seeing. But that aside, I commend Mayer for trying his illustration skills in a new medium, and admit that Mayer on a bad day is still wonderful to look at.

The minor glitches with the illustrations, and the fact that the story could have been a bit more poetic, keep this book from getting five stars. Still, it is worth buying. It is a beautiful book.

My 8 year old and I read it together and it was a moving experience for both of us. She is reading chapter books now and we both miss the kind of picture book stories that we had enjoyed so much. At any age, it's nice to sit down with a good story. The combination of the gorgeous illustrations and the thoughts about family and devotion in this story was magic.

As a bonus, Mercer Mayer talks about his childhood growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii and how he learned about race and "melting pots" as a child. Congratulations on a wonderful book, Mr. Mayer!

Get the book and read it with a child.

Like every other genius, Guthrie had hard times all his life. But that may be why he wrote so many great songs of people's lives. The world needs not superficial love songs but real love songs.

I have not read other books about Woody, but I don't feel I have to, to get an appreciation of who he was and where he came from. Until I read this book, I really had no idea what a great musician he was. I'm a fan of Arlo, but knew very little about Woody.
Woody's parents didn't have it easy - his father, Charley didn't like to face the reality of what was happening to his wife, he would drink so he didn't have to face it.
Woody explored just about every belief looking for answers, answers to life and how to live his life. He was mostly interested in the Communist Party and their beleifs.
At times Woody was a counselor to those who were lost, sick, hungry, wanting work and he would give them "commonsense answers", the people would go away satisfied with what Woody had to say to them.
Woody would quite frequently sing his songs to down and out families in migrant camps, always identifying with the workers.
Woody began to suspect the same illness that haunted his mother was effecting him also, he knew that Huntington's disease could be passed along generation to generation.
My heart breaks for all the people who loved Woody and for Woody himself. It's a tragic story, but one worth reading.

An always interesting and well presented recap of an astonishing
life. This book has stayed on my nightstand to be picked up again and again at all hours.

I really enjoyed this book.A longtime fan of Woody and have the bulk of his music that has been published.I have other books of Guthrie;namely, Woody,Cisco,&Me by Jim Longhi,Pastures of Heaven by Woody,edited by Marsh and Leventhal,Woody Guthrie-a life by Joe Klein and this is a very good addition.Though it is a quick read, there is a lot of fresh stuff;plus a lot of really good pictures I've not seen before.
If Pete Seeger says "The best book about Woody ever written", it's got to be good. Can you imagine Pete saying something he didn't believe? Get it,it's a keeper and enjoy it.

Elizabeth Partridge set herself up with a monumentally difficult task when she decided to write an authoritative juvenile biography of the great Woody Guthrie. How to write a story about a man that was simultaneously brilliant and woebegotten? Who spoke out for racial equality, strength among the masses, and freedom while also leaving every family who ever loved him? Partridge has done as good a job as could be done, considering her circumstances. The result is a meticulously researched labor of love that is just as much tribute as it is tell-all. As Pete Seeger himself has said about the work, "The best book about Woody ever written".

Woody Guthrie was born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma to a mother with Huntington's Disease and a father who joined lynch mobs and Klu Klux Klans. Talking about this point in Woody's life, Partridge simultaneously displays all the harsh horrible things Woody had to deal with growing up without actually condemning anyone. In fact, the portions of the text that talk about Charley Guthrie (Woody's father) joining in the persecution of African-Americans aren't related with any commentary at all. It's as if Partridge is working on the assumption that the readers will be able to process these facts and come to their own conclusions, rather than have interpretations rammed down their throat. It is also the first moment the author gives the audience the benefit of the doubt. It is not the last.

Moving on through Woody's life, we see him grow up, loose his parents (one way or another), and join various bands. We also see him beginning to travel all across the country on his own. At last, Woody marries and it becomes clear that he is not exactly prime husband material. Abandoning his wife regularly to travel (sometimes when she's just about to give birth), Woody joins various causes around the country. When Woody and his wife finally break up, her narrative abruptly ends. Patridge has a habit of following the people in Woody's life meticulously right up until the moment Woody breaks off all contact with them. Then, their story ends immediately. We never really learn how Woody's father ended his life. Or what became of Woody's children by his first wife (though an afterword in the back of the text explaining Huntington's Disease explains that all but three of his children died either of the disease or of car accidents). Do we criticize Partridge for her choice or narratives? Or do we accept that she really couldn't continually follow Woody's friends and relatives because of space and narrative issues? I'm inclined towards the latter, though it would have been nice to see a little afterword that explains what became of everyone.

Moving towards Woody's second wife, the war, and his battle with Huntington's, Partridge nicely melds text with social commentary. Woody's acceptance of all people, regardless of color, is especially well done. As he sinks further into Huntington's, and has an affair with a pretty young folk singer, the reader sees how Woody finally loses control. A little more information about the talented Arlo Guthrie (his son) would not be out of place at this point, but this is Woody's story, I suppose. Finally, we read Woody's death. The story ends.

Partridge is to be commended for how interesting this book is. As I read it, my husband continually asked me why this was considered a juvenile book. Apart from being published by a press for young readers, I have to assume it's considered a youth text because its so doggone interesting. The words are a little larger than you'd find in an adult biography. The pictures a little more interesting and consistent. On the whole it's a great read. Most wonderful of all is how well the book has been researched. Partridge includes an Afterword about her own personal connection to the subject, a tribute to the Woody Guthrie Foundation, information on Huntington's Disease, Acknowledgements (in which she mentions her interviews with Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seegar), Source Notes, a Bibliography, an Index, Picture Credits, and Permissions. She is nothing if not extensive.

"This Land Was Made For You and Me" is not the world's most definitive biography written with youth in mind, but it comes pretty darn close. But don't limit it to the kids. Read it yourself. Learn a little more about what made the great man tick. Though it's over-quoted, here's what Woody himself had to say about his music:

"I hate a song that makes you think that you're not any good. I hate a song that makes you think you are just born to lose. I am out to fight those kind of songs to my very last breath of air and my last drop of blood".

Dr. Jeffrey Lee has two daughters who have been granted the benefit of his youthful interest in being, as he puts it, an "all-American boy". Dr. Lee's Chinese born father had no way of knowing how to, say, throw a baseball but in the face of his four sons' interests read up on the subject and gamefully worked his way through. Lee thought he'd have it easier the first time he set out to teach his daughter something and he made her cry. But she eventually learned and they had fun together, but that beginning wasn't terribly auspicious. And so Lee wrote this book, so that we wouldn't repeat his mistakes but rather could have fun from the start.

In this volume that Dr. Lee offers step by step and well-illustrated instructions on how to make and fly a kite, bake bread, catch a fish, build a fire, make a pie, juggle, skip a rock and more. He notes early on that one doesn't need to be an expert to be a good teacher, a comment designed to calm adult fears of not being "good enough". Each chapter includes a briefing on what to know before you start, what equipment/materia is needed, a section on troubleshooting and even some jokes or theme-related funny stories and trivia.

This is a wonderful book for any adult who wants to enjoy the company of a child while relearning and/or teaching these ever so critical "life skills". Your kids already think you know everything, why not have a little fun?

This book is great- filled with 21 things that in the "old days" were just assumed everyone learned and knew. Now, this book is teaching my husband a few things HE didn't even know how to do, and he's showing them all to our daughter.
It's great for those old fashioned parents where XBOX & GameBoy do not rule your household.
Made a great Father's day gift (even though my husband hasn't even opened a book since College!).

I was so excited as I read through the pages of Catch a Fish. My boys and I are going to have so much fun together in the years to come. But it will take a village to teach my boys all the activities in this book! I read the exhaustive instructions on fishing. It was obvious Lee loves it, but I never will. So call all your village people to pony up and promise to teach the kids something! The memories made while learning are worth more than the skills themselves.

I have a 4 year old. My father never spent much time with us doing stuff. Only around holidays. I learned to ride a bike by falling down. This guy actually found out there is a good way to teach kids to ride in one day! And he breaks down how to teach a scared kid how to throw a ball into managable steps. A MUST have for every parent. Most of the activities are suited for 5-8 year olds though, so my daughter is still a bit young. But I keep it near the front door for reference on the outside activity days. I will let you all know how the bike riding training goes.

I rate this a 5 out of 5. Very useful, easy to read, and a good reference that I will pick up again and again.

This is a wonderful little guide, including not only the basics of 21 great things to do with children of various ages, but an important perspective on how to teach those things.

I really liked this book.I liked the fact that the main chacter wean through some of the same things I did, also she is my age.Her family was kind of like mine in the way of not leting me date boy and not leting me do much of any thing.

I think the best part of the book was when she just let it all out. She told her uncle how felt about him because of what happend to her befor she came to America.

The most remberabel of all the story elements were the conflict and the climax.She felt as if it was her v. the whole world, she had Santos (the boy she liked)/, her uncle her friends, and herself. The other element I rember was the climax was when told her uncle and her aunt what had happend to her befor she came to New York to live.

Fresh Girl by Jaira Placide is a wonderful book that has opened my eyes to the struggles many people face when they are torn between two cultures. This book gives the reader great insight into the life of a young adult who is trying to forget her terrible past and struggling to live her life in a new and different culture. Fresh Girl allows the reader to understand the pain, hate, and saddness that the main character, Mardi, experiences when she moves from Haiti to live in the United States. She left Haiti due to violence and corruption. Her new life in America was supposed to give her a safe and peaceful home to live in. Unfortunatly, her horrific experiences in Haiti and her racist peers will not allow her to have peace in her mind or heart. In order for Mardi to move on in her life she must learn to face her fears and tear down the walls she has built around herself.

Fresh Girl by Jaira Placide is a wonderful book that has opened my eyes to the struggles many people face when they are torn between two cultures. This book gives the reader great insight into the life of a young adult who is trying to forget her terrible past and struggling to live her life in a new and different culture. Fresh Girl allows the reader to understand the pain, hate, and saddness that the main character, Mardi, experiences when she moves from Haiti to live in the United States. She left Haiti due to violence and corruption. Her new life in America was supposed to give her a safe and peaceful home to live in. Unfortunatly, her horrific experiences in Haiti and her racist peers will not allow her to have peace in her mind or heart. In order for Mardi to move on in her life she must learn to face her fears and tear down the walls she has built around herself.

Fresh Girl by Jaira Placide is a great debut. The book is about a girl named Mardi Desravines who was born in America, but was raised in Haiti. Mardi comes to America at the height of the Haitian Revolution. Mardi has problems adjusting to the abrupt changes in her once happy and serene life. She is the American who has to learn English. The daughter who doesn't really know her parents. She also holds inside the atrocities she witnessed before coming to America. Jaira's story telling hold its own with the immigrants stories of Edwidge Danticat, Julia Alvarez and Amy Tan. I really enjoyed entering Mardi's world and I think you will too.

I hope you give this young and daring writer a chance.

Mardi is quietly determined to do well in America, even though she is resentful about having to come. The arrival of a "lost" uncle and a boy he is taking care of sets off a string of events that break through the icy core of reserve she has been harboring since her arrival.

This is another book that gives you a better understanding of another culture - or perhaps a deeper understanding of your own. The complex lives of people who have come to America and left their own country are sensitively portrayed here. The central story, although a bit predictable, is told so sympathetically that you can practically feel the individual and separate joys and pains of each person.

Obviously not the most realistic of books and more fun for the adult than the child, but an excellent reminder for me to make sure that I let my sons have the fun and not underestimate their abilities.

I loved this book. I got it recently from the library for my daughter and upon reading it, she loved it and I did too. The pictures are colorful, cheerful, and well-done. The rhyming verse is fun to read but not overly simplistic. Most of all, it has a great message: sometimes parents need to step aside and let kids experience things for themselves.

After we return this book to the library, I think I'll turn around and buy it from Amazon, so that we can revisit it often!

My all time favorite storyhour book, fun to read to little kids ages PreK-1st.

If your little one is chafing at your rules and restrictions, this book is well suited for you (or if your child likes kites or is names "Sam"). Illustrations are accessible and cheerful, rhymes well. I like the large size of the book and the illustrator's use of perspective. Best of all, the take-home message is very clear -- sometimes kids are the best candidates for the job.

Sam and his father build a kite. Sam can't wait to fly it but his dad says that he's too small. All of a sudden the wind gets up and carries the father and the kite up into the sky. Several people try to stop it such as the postman, a bank robber, policeman and others. Sam proves that little guys can do do big things as he reaches for the string and saves them all!


The book was easy to read aloud. It was written in singsong verse.

I would recommed this book to the preschool age group for storytimes. I fell like they can realte to the main character in the book.

I love this author by any name! This is the first of a trilogy, three bastard males raised by a teacher father figure are left with a 20,000 pounds bequest each upon his death. The three men, raised as brothers, set out to find their fathers and learn why the fathers would have paid so much money to the teacher to raise the boys.

I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. No surprise with this author. They are believable, the drama, humor, romance and mystery all pull you into the story. I cannot wait for the next two. I only wish this author would write a lot faster under this name and Alexandra Ivy! Not only does she write well and intelligently, she also has good editors. I will buy whatever she writes!

Ms. Raleigh's first few books were extremely sensual and enjoyable. This reviewer always felt that her talent was held back by the publisher with a limited number of pages to the stories leaving readers with abrupt endings wanting more, but overall, due to the talent of the writer, every story was still a joy to read. In the first of this new trilogy, Ms. Raleigh does not disappoint from the beginning and all the way to the end. She only gets better, and this particular romance trilogy appears to be one of those where readers will patiently be waiting for the next two books.

Mr. Drummond has had the pleasure of many years of tutoring and caring for three important, handsome and educated young men left bastards by important noblemen in London. He has been the one proud and stable force in the lives of these three gentlemen. Upon Mr. Drummond's death, each discovers they have questions about the large amount of money left them and the unique stipulations regarding the wills. They are left wondering not only about their true fathers, but the dear Mr. Drummond who took them in and molded them into the fine gentlemen they have become.

As the three handsome noble bastards get over the shock and loss, Ian Breckford and Raoul Charlebois are delighted with the funds left them and feel no need at the time to consider their fathers who deserted them, only to mourn the loss of their dear friend and continue to enjoy their rogue lives in London. But Fredrick Smith decides he definitely needs answers, not just about his father, but about Mr. Drummond as well. He has spent years of unique, strange, and well-hidden visits with his true father, visits that left him more angry than secure. He became an extremely successful businessman in his own right, without the help of his father and certainly feels no joy for the funds now left him as Ian and Raoul do. He has always wanted to confront his father for answers, not money. Now that Mr. Drummond is gone, and he is successful in his own right, he takes off on a quest to obtain these answers, and discovers much more than expected while staying at a local inn near his father's estate, run by the charming, beautiful, but shabbily dressed widow, Mrs. Portia Walker. Both Fredrick and Portia are lost and wandering souls with broken hearts and deep hidden miseries and secrets and are immediately drawn to each other. Soon desire and passion bloom and both realize that until their unsuspecting meeting, they were extremely lost and troubled with their past, but have begun finding a special joy and sensuality together in the present. Long hidden secrets that were never to be discovered, soon surface. Will the answers that Fredrick at long last found, threaten the true love and passion that he and Portia held back for years or will it grow with Fredrick's shocking discoveries?

The storyline is extremely interesting and the characters have a depth that leaves the reader enthralled with secrets, answers, desires and the eventual outcome of all involved. Bedding the Baron is enjoyable from front to back, leaving the reader absorbed with a story very difficult to put down. I certainly am looking forward to the next two books!

Overall, this was a very nice story. A fresh approach with the three bastard friends raised and educated as brothers and their benefactor with a hidden agenda. The descriptions of the three men (two who will have follow up stories) seems to be the making for irresistable leading men. As Frederick begins his journey to his father's home to confront his past and future, things started to unravel for me. Maybe I'm a stickler for details but some things -- like inaccuracies or subtle lapses -- bother me. Example: In Frederick's mind, he's comparing Portia to a work of art and references Michelangelo's Mona Lisa !! ???? How did the proof reader miss this? You don't need to be an art scholar to know that DaVinci is the famous artist here. (this is even more common knowledge since the wild success of the DaVinci Code book and film) That glaring error stood out so blatantly to me; I almost put the book down then and there. Also, little things like: the main reason Frederick stopped at the inn was to protect the safety of his prized horses and not risk injury on the treacherous rainy roads. So much that there are several pages dedicated to the inter-change with the stable caretaker. Then, in all subsequent outings Frederick makes, he is always riding astride only one horse; no further mention of his prized team. And other small issues like there: Portia's past, her marriage and her reasons for swearing off men (I won't ruin the story because the reasons - once revealed- provide another "neat" resolution) Then there is the explanation that Portia's staff is a collection of would-be outcasts: former prostitutes, shady characters, etc. Obviously, there is a point to stating this (to add depth to the minor characters of the story) yet, none of them are fully developed.

All indicators seem to point to a dramatic build-up to uncovering "the secret" and, while there are clever plot-twists (rather original, I might add), the resolution came about all too neatly. I'm all for happy endings but I felt this book fell short of really being a "keeper." I wanted so much more because it started out so strongly. I've read other books by this author and was hoping to see a maturation process. I'm a little let-down. She has a terrific potential. I would like to see a more well-rounded story; especially when there are more books to follow in the series. It needs to be stronger.

Despite the shortcomings that I found, I will probably read the other two stories as Frederick's commrades seem to be very interesting. I would have given this an extra star rating if some of the loose ends were tightened up and if somebody would have caught the Mona Lisa faux pas!

When I ordered Emperor and the Kite, I already knew I loved the folktale. I saw it first as a teacher in the reading text, and knew I wanted it as a book on its own. I looked forward to that story every time we came to it in the text, and it was a favorite with my second and third grade students as well.
It is a classic tale of strength, courage and loyalty in a small girl, which enpowers children and assures them that there is a little bit of hero in all of us. She remains loyal to her father, even when her other larger and stronger siblings desert him, fleeing in the face of evil. Her father had always favored the others, so this was particularly noteworthy. In the end, he rewards her loyalty and learns that even if you are big and strong, without strength of character, you are useless.
The story reminds me of Mulan in the way that the main female characters basically save China. Ed Young's illustrations are awesome as always.

I thought that this book was excelent. The artwork was wonderful, and the storyline was entertaining. What I liked most about the book though is the hero of the story. She is a tiny, little girl. This book provides a great role model for children in its hero. I highly recommend this book, as well as many of the authors other books, to anyone, child or adult. It's a great read.

Young's The Emperor and the Kite shows us that even (seemingly) small, insignificant individuals can accomplish great deeds and challenges us not to underestimate anyone's capabilities. The story, by Jane Yolen, takes place in ancient China and tells of a tiny princess, not much thought of by her family, who uses her intellect, creativity, and skill to save her father, the emperor, held hostage by kidnappers. The text of the story is lengthy (many pages have ten or more lines of text) and more explanatory than descriptive. The illustrations, done in multi-colored paper cuts, bring the text to life, depicting the most dramatic moments of the story. The illustrations stretch across both pages and often bleed off the edge. Despite their exquisite detail, the illustrations are flat and float in the white space of the page, without any sense of depth or context.

Strangely enough, the words "Book-DVD-Online Certification" led me to believe a DVD was included with the book. The associated DVD is sold separately, making the book/DVD combo cost more than $50.

Excellent Book!!! Clearly written easy to understand. The GLL method is first rate and makes what can be dangerous a SAFE graduated learing experience. John's method of board dragging as a learning tool is also excellent!!! No one else promotes this; most talk only of body dragging. You CAN NOT go wrong with this book!!

This is the bible of Kiteboarding! This book along with the DVD will give any level rider the confidence and more importantly, the common sense to enjoy this sport safely. Great job, John!

When in doubt, check it out!

If you flip to the back of "Pierre in Love", you'll find that the subject headings say a lot:

1. Love-Fiction.

2. Honesty-Fiction.

3. Fishers-Fiction.

Yes, Sara Pennypacker's story is definitely about all of these things. However, throwing all rules and regs about subject headings out the window, I think they should have added the following:

4. Old School Mixup-Fiction.

Similar to every episode of "Three's Company", this story is based around a miscommunication - let me explain. Pierre (a shabby-looking fisherman rat), finds himself too "bloopy and love-swoggled" to speak to his love, a ballet dancing rabbit named Catherine. Instead, he places a new gift on her doorstep each night. When they finally come face to face one evening, an unusually dapper-looking Pierre spills his guts. But Catherine denys him, explaining that she is in love with someone else, someone much more shabby in appearance. Now who could that someone else be?

5. Rarities for a Children's Book-Fiction.

Picture book love stories for are a tricky thing to pull off successfully. In "Pierre", Pennypacker (of "Clementine" fame) and illustrator Petra Mathers successfully capture the feeling of being a nervous wreck when faced with unrequited love.

This title recently won an SCBWI Golden Kite award for picture book text. I can't argue with that - the pace, description, and dialog are all succinct and vivid. After learning that Catherine is in love with someone else...

Pierre staggered. The news socked him hard, like an anchor to the chest.
"Well," he said, struggling to smile, "I'm glad to know you are happy."

The illustrations, done in watercolor, do a good job of mixing the two dimensional with the three. They have an unusual quality of looking simple and very detailed at the same time - a nice combo for the intended audience.

Go ahead and pick this one up. While you're reading, I'll be lobbying the H.W. Wilson Company to add my new subject headings to the list.

Sara Pennypacker's PIERRE IN LOVE features pictures by Petra Mathers as it tells of an ordinary fisherman and a ballet teacher he secretly loves. Pierre can't get the courage to tell her how he really feels - and PIERRE IN LOVE involves kids in a gentle romance and friendship between a mouse and a bunny.

It's not the first time a mouse has fallen for a cat. This seemingly mismatched pair recalls the roughened edges of Tracy as sportswriter to Hepburn as Hepburn, particularly in "The Philadelphia Story." While Pierre the fisher-mouse IS French, he's more Marseilles than Paree, more accustomed to life at sea than the haberdashery. The object of his affection--in fact, his intense l'amour--is Catherine, the elegant artiste equally at home in the ballet studio or a painter's studio. When Pierre "steams out" by the coast he hears Catherine's voice, "Plie, mes enfants, plie! floating like a silver ribbon over the harbor."

That's just one of many beautifully written sentences in this story of love, mistaken identity, and fish. The book's insightful take on love is astonishingly on target, adults will recognize the peaks and valleys of love's early course. For kids not averse to non-familial love, romance will never seem so appealing, so....romantic! Sara Pennypacker can also make them laugh tool; for example, when she describes how Pierre's obsessive longing for Catherine manifests itself with the day's catch:
"Some clams three lobsters, a single bass. The blue scales reminded him of how much he wanted to speak to Catherine. Of course, everything reminded him of this," incliding "empty potato chip bags." There's even a fantasy sequence in which Pierre saves his beloved from a toothy shark. Catherine would exclaim, "'Oh, how can I ever thank you?' Then Pierre would shrug modestly--he practiced his shrug so e would be ready--and brush off her gratitude. 'Not at all,' he would say in a voice quite a bit deeper than his regular one'"

Pierre vows that his daydreams will become reality, but because he has dressed up so much (even dying his moustache blacker with some squid ink), Catherine does not recognize him. She loves another, she tells him, crushing Pierre, and reminding Catherine that her love remains unrequited too, after all her intended is "an adventurer, bold and brave, and I'm only an ordinary ballet teacher. All I can do is paint pictures of him, and so I do, night after night." THe next morning, before returning to the sea, Pierre yells towards Catherine'sstudio what he himself has realized, that keeping your love a secret makes you miserable: "Tell him," he yells, "feelings are like tides, you can't hold them back!"

Cupid finally prevails, and the two meet on shore in one of the most quietly but deeply ROMANTIC scenes I can recall in books for kids. Pennypacker again combines love and wit in her singular way: As they fly into each other's arms for an embrace, "Her heart gave a grand jete and his cueged as wild as a hurricane sea...or was it the other way around?"
"It was impossible to say because their two hearts had become one." Petra Mathers, a four-time winner of the New YOrk Times prize Best Illustrated Children's Book, draws sumptious, enchanting sea- and landscapes, and her picture of Pierre's boat coming towards the docks is sumptuous and evocative. The ultra-talented Pennypacker could not have asked for a better partner, and neither could Pierre or Catherine.

The more cynical among us might ask whether the unwritten aftermath includes the eventual disintegration of this union of sole mates (double pun with a triple axel!). Fortunately, "Pierre in Love" shows kids and adults alike that true love can last until the cows come home, and that no matter what, there's always at least one cowbell ringing in the pasture. One of the best books for kids I've read this year!

I am just learning how to knit and borrowed a number of books from the library. This was the one I went back to again and again to look up a stitch or technique, so this is the one I bought.

I didn't find the patterns very enticing (for that, I'd recommend The Knitter's Stash), but it's a great book to keep handy when a pattern calls for something I haven't done in a while.

My main gripe is the gimmicky split-page design. This would be very handy if I was working the patterns in the book, but the bottom pages tend to pull down from the spiral binding and stick out of the cover. On the other hand, the one-technique-per-page format and color-coded sections make it very easy to thumb to the specific technique I want.

The sweater designs are exclusively Rowan, from back issues that you may have missed. There are a few for children and several pullovers/cardigans for women, most in classic, wearable styles. The book is an unusual design. The cover is normal, but inside are two sections, split horizontally, that are independently spiral ring bound. The intent is for you to page in the upper section to the sweater you want to knit. Just underneath, you page in the bottom section to the techniques you need to know to knit the sweater, like casting on or making a buttonhole. Then the sweater pattern and the technique are both shown at the same time, making it easier than paging through several books to find what you need. The technique instructions are very good, with lots of photos to guide you along, but they mainly cover fundamentals, making this a nice book for a beginning knitter. Only Rowan patterns aren't written for beginners, so there might be some frustration unless you are at the intermediate level or just plain daring in learning to knit. The book is high quality, with very good photography and printing. I found it clumsy, though, since the two spiral bound sections tended to sag and it was hard to turn the pages without tearing them. Still, the major benefit is that these are Rowan patterns, long out of print. They are not repeats from the recent Best of Rowan book and they are practical styles that are wearable everyday, making it well-worth adding to your library if you like Rowan.

I have been knitting for over 10 years and yet the hints and format of this book is probably the best I have ever laid my hands on. The split page format was strange to me at first but once I was actually working the patterns I realised how useful it was to actually be able to flip to the technique section while still seeing the pattern. Also, everytime the patterns asks for a change in technique it has a small side note telling you which page detailed instructions can be found. So, while the pages might be compromised over the years,(I'm not big on spiral bound books) the patterns and usefullness of the book are worth it. I know I am buying my own copy asap!