Kites Books

Bought this book as a present to give with one of AA's photographs to a friend in Europe that is not familiar with AA's work. Haven't read the book myself but chose this book because it had both text about him and his life as well as photograhps of his work and really good reviews

Even though this is sold as a children's book, it is beautifully produced with the full approval of the Ansel Adams Trust, and it provides an excellent introduction to this fascinating man who once thought he would become a classical pianist. Ms. Gherman discusses not only the events, people, and surroundings that influenced Ansel Adams's work but also his incredible impact on the art of photography and the places he photographed. This book is perfect for budding photographers and long-time admirers of Ansel Adams, especially those who might be a bit daunted by his very dense autobiography or his complex technical manuals. An insightful and interesting read about his life and art, full of wonderful photographs of and by Ansel.

Masterful use of metaphor from a childhood tale makes this book both engaging and enlightening. We all hold an "ugly duckling" inside us. Mr. Vecchio shows us how to grow from the duckling into the swan we wish to be, by balancing the light and shadow within us.

In reading Mr. Vecchio's concepts, I am awestruck at his multidimensional awareness of humanity. He is truly making his mark with this book. The insight that he shares will reckon him as a psychological giant along with Jung and Rogers. One can extract from this book a life's guide where one can truly see one's footprints in the snow. I anxiously await new titles from this author.

First in a series by the excellent Richard Woodman that never quite took off in the same way that the Nathaniel Drinkwater series has.
Kite is a man on the run from a false charge of murder, who ships aboard a guineaman - a slave ship bound for the west coast of Africa as surgeon. What he witnesses during the voyage shocks him so much that he develops a conscience that doesn't allow the use of slaves in his business - to the extent that he marries a black princess, much to the horror and censure of his friends and colleagues.
Setting up shop in the W Indies on the fringes of the 7 Year's War, Kite weathers intolerance and nature's forces in a fast-paced, rollicking tale that continues in 'Privateersman'.
As always with Mr Woodman, a worthwhile read from a man who is steeped in the romance of the sea. ****

This book starts out on the dead run and doesn't let up until the last page. A series of very believable situations (as in Before the Wind by Charles Tyng) woven through by some serious "in your face" action (reminiscent of Thomas Lord Cochrane), this could be three or four novels but printed as one. I was concerned that all of the adventure would be used up in this book, but as we near the end, well.... you have to read it to really find out what happens. Seems, this is only the beginning of what may surely be a powerful series of novels. Richard Woodman bows to no man.

This is a really cute book. Heather and Avery and two young children who, while flying a kite, are transported back in time to witness Ben Franklin's famous discovery of electricity with his own kite. (Through Avery and Heather, the author is careful to point out that you shouldn't actually fly kites in the rain -- a good safety tip.)

The book provides a very nice introduction to American history and the last page provides a timeline of Ben Franklin's life which can serve as a starting point for further discovery.

My wife and I plan to use this book in a homeschool curriculum to get our kids interested in history and science. However, it is also suitable for early readers or bedtime reading.

Highly recommended.

I work in the library at Longfellow Elementary school. This book is very educational and informative, yet it holds the interest of an elementary school aged child. The illustrations are bright, colorful and visually narate to the reader what is happening throughout the story. The story relates a historical event in time while keeping it simple for younger children to understand as well. Overall, I would highly recommend "Heather & Avery and the Magic Kite" for a childs continuing education!

As long as I am allowed to walk this good green earth, I shall never fail to be continually, constantly amazed at how fond little children are of train books. What is to account for this? Can television shows like, "Thomas the Tank Engine" really sway such vast chunks of the child population, or are shows of that type simply made in response to kids' demands for more train-based entertainment? I have no idea. In any case, as a children's librarian I get so many requests for train books that I've gone so far as to type out a list of all the train-related materials my library currently owns. And on that list is Angela Johnson's, "I Dream of Trains". A classier offering than your usual engine fare, Johnson's book gives us a bit of historical fiction couched in a believable, well-written story. Such attention gives this book an edge over the mindless choo-choo books already out there.

In this tale, a young male sharecropper dreams of trains. Caught in an existence that demands that he break his back picking cotton for hours each day, the boy spends what little free time he has walking the railroad tracks and thinking of the great conductor Casey Jones and his black fireman Sim Webb. For the boy, his imagination allows him to travel with Casey and leave far behind the land of his youth. Then, one day, he hears that Casey was involved in a terrible train accident. His hero collided head on with another train. When the boy asks his father if that means everything is over, the man replies, "No, there'll be other trains and engines", and he tells the boy about the vast nation out there. And his son knows that one day he'll take a train far from here and go out to find his place, "in the big wide world".

In her Afterword, Johnson notes that much of this book is based on historical fact. For many sharecroppers toiling away in the South, trains represented a real escape from a live of drudgery and pain. Perhaps Johnson gives herself a little too much freedom in assuming that the idea of the Great Migration came to them after watching Casey's engine, but you don't really mind it. For many adults reading this note, there's no denying that Ms. Johnson did her homework when she set out to write a meaningful train tale.

The illustrations are something as well. Loren Long, an illustrator who's work tends to grace periodicals mostly, employs some mighty fine acrylics here. The machines drawn are truly the trains of dreams. They're impossibly huge and swift. They move over rich multi-layered landscapes and are truly beautiful. The close-up of the narrator, wiping his neck in the field while his eyes gaze dreamily into the distance, is a wondrous picture in and of itself.

In the end, "I Dream of Trains" is a hopeful book. It could have easily come off as a work in which someone spends all their time dreaming and none of their time doing, but this potential pitfall is easily averted. Lovely to look at with a strong historical background and a noteworthy plot, this book stands apart from many of the usual train-related titles out there. A worthy purchase for any engine-obsessed young 'un.

This story is such a wonderful book for any train-lover. Beautifully written, it is a sad, sweet tale of a boy's dreams of Casey Jones and the railroad. The illustrations are absolutely fantastic. I am a huge fan of Loren Long, the illustrator. His style is dramatic and amazing, and the art work actually makes you feel the words written on the pages. I loved this book.

This is a great book for anyone interested in learning how to make kites. The only downside to the book is that the stunt kite plans are very dated. Since this book was published in 1996, dual line stunt kites have progressed in aerodynamic design and materials. There are plans for kites on the internet that utilize these new sail shapes and framesets that (in my opinion) would allow a person to make a kite that would provide a more enjoyable flying experience.

I think this book is great for people who are interested in stunt kites. It is very detailed and has accurate pictures. This book has pretty good tips. It lists one liners and different gadgets that are perfect for the beach.

This book is a great sequel to "Stunt Kites". It includes detailed plans for a variety of intermediate to advanced stunt and power kites as well as a good beginner's stunt kite, the "Zipp" and an aerial sculpture, the "Pirana" (see cover photo). It also contains building instructions, plans, and instructions on use of two kite buggies (3wheel and 4 wheel). I wholeheartedly recommend this book to stunt kitebuilders and power kite enthusiasts.

This book contains a thorough review of all aspects of stunt kite flying, including construction, materials, theory, flying and application. Absolutely authoratative although it is "of its time". Comprehensive plans included for many different types of stunt kite.

Creative writing fans take heart. Here is a work that successfully integrates humor, imagination, theology and of all things Geometry. Unique and compelling are only two of the many possible adjectives to describe this book. At the very least, it should be requisite reading in college theology classes.

A book about religion and mathematics could be both dull and dry. This one is neither. I guarantee whatever your beliefs you will never look at religion the same again.
The author is witty and unconventional and you will meet some of the strangest characters ever caught between the covers of a book.
If you buy this book you will have a lot of ammunition to confound and amaze your friends.

if you like his show, the book is perfect. it's easy to imagine him living like how he says when you've seen the show. what's even better is that he's put in some material that may have not made it past censorship. there is something to luagh at in every topic that interests him.

Book is very funny has some of the same material from the carnagy hall performance, but this is a classic piece and has a different spin when reading the material rather than hearing it. I want the hard cover addition.

Dry, sarcastic humor abounds...and if that's what you appreciate, then you'll enjoy this read. I didn't need all the swearing and sexual comments though. Still recommendable though.

This is a must read for Men everywhere! The similarities of experiences are incredible. I grew up in North Jersey. I am an Italian American and can relate to all of it. Great stuff.

I enjoyed this book partly because I happen to enjoy Ray Romano's comedic style. If you like the TV show then you will probably like this book.

I'd definitely recommend the audiobook over the paper version b/c it's all about the delivery! Do be forewarned though that there is so profanity in the book. It's not used flagrantly but if that sort of stuff offends you, you may want to take heed. If you buy the audioversion then just don't listen to it with the kids in the car unless you want them to repeat the bad language - it's promient enough for them to pick up on it. This is a very quick read and if you have kids you will certainly appreciate many of the stories that Ray shares with his audience. They are very funny. Worth purchasing.

I love the patterns in the MinnowKnits series and have made several of them but was disappointed with this book.

I own all of Jil Eaton's books. I consider this one a particularly good collection for those looking for basic children's and adult pattterns, such as socks, mitterns, (fabulous) hats, neck warmers, vests (v-neck or zippered), or plain crew neck sweaters. Plus, most (maybe all) of the patterns can be done in worsted weight yarn. Unlike Minnies, which uses many expensive designer yarn (to be dry-clean no less) for baby outfits, Big Fish Little Fish patterns can be done with any worsted yarn. So while I enjoyed making outfits from Jil Eaton's previous Minnowknits books, I like Big Fish Little Fish for its "wholesomeness". After you buy this book, you no longer need to buy individual patterns for socks, mitterns, basic sweaters and vests. I highly recommend this book.

Jil Eaton has a way of making knitting seem even more fun. She is, without a doubt, a sensible knitter for people running on a time deficit. How often do you see a lovely aran knit sweater and see hour after hour ticking away when you know you need to grocery shop, bathe the kids, pay bills? Well, then Jil Eaton is an answer to your prayers. Her projecst truly are QuickKnits.

Big Fish, Little Fish is chock full of attractive sweaters and accessories that won't suck all your time away. Cable knit sweaters and vests, cardigans, pull-overs, hats, mittens, socks, it has it all. I found several items to knit in the book (and did so with no problems pattern-wise). And, the huge size range really makes this book worth the money.

She gives you measurements for peices and yardage so you can use just about any fiber and weight you want if you're willing to do a little math.

It's not for a true beginner as she doesn't give specific directions for the details (decreasing for necklines, picking up and knitting stitches, seaming). But, used in conjunctions with a "knitting bible" it's a great way to whip up some really nice sweaters traditionally designed, made better by interesting color combinations and notions.

Big Fish, Little Fish starts with basic How-to-Knit instructions, moves on to some well-designed basic sweaters, adds some specialty designs with things like peplums and assymetrical necklines, and finishes up with hats, socks, and mittens. The yarns suggested are specialty yarns, but the gauges are fairly standard so you can easily substitute (assuming you understand how to use gauge information). All the patterns are designed with simple basic shapes, so there is limited shaping, but there are clever little details that make the designs a little more stylish.
There are good patterns for men, women, and children. I have made several without any difficulties, and been pleased by the fit and the ease of working. Since they are simple, changing a cable or adding a pattern stitch is easy. While I have a number of knitting pattern books, I didn't find that there was too much overlap. For example, the sock pattern is done with bulky yarn, while most of the sock patterns you already have are probably made with fine yarns. Mittens with a cable, a fleecy zippered vest, and a hat with an unusual crown design are more examples of traditional patterns with a twist.

I chose this as my first knitting book because the patterns look stylish yet quick and easy enough for a beginner. I did find it difficult to gauge stitches based on the information in the book. (The needle sizes seemed to be off for me.)

Most of the patterns in the book are of sweaters. There are also several of mittens, a hat, socks, and a chin warmer. One of the things I liked was that there are a couple of patterns suitable for guys -- simple, non-fussy things that even my husband said he wouldn't mind wearing!

Eaton does include how to knit some basic stitches and laundering information; however, if you're a beginner, you definitely need to get another how-to book. Something that describes how to fix dropped stitches or other problems that inevitably creep up.

Although I imagine one could probably find such easy patterns elsewhere, I think that the appeal of this book is that it has great color pictures of finished products that inspire rather than intimidate the beginner.