Pigs Books

This story was hilarious. I began reading it to my second graders and they didn't want to leave when the bell rang. They wanted to stay for the finish. The curiosity of the prairie dogs was believable and as always, Janet Stevens' illustrations were wonderful. It was very creative to see the ways the little guys could use the "fuzz". Loved it.

This wonderfully rendered book won the 2007 Colorado Children's Book Award through the CCIRA, Colorado chapter of the International Reading Association. The coolest part of this award was that the books are nominated AND voted by the children of Colorado. Janet Stevens has an AMAZING talent in this and many other books. She is fabulous in school visits and is an engaging person. Watch her, she will win that coveted Caldecott someday!

As a speech and language expert with Play on Words, I look for great language enhancing books: Violet, the dog, innocently drops her tennis ball down a prairie dog's tunnel, setting off the "fuzz frenzy." "Boink, thump, rumble, and plunk" is just the beginning of this delightful journey of a fuzzy ball through the land of prairie dogs, filling your child with rich vocabulary and delightful drawings. Bossy Big Bark is the control freak who wants everyone to stay away from the questionable object while Pip Squeak ventures forth for a look. The new found fuzz is stretched, tugged, spiked and twirled into creative hats, belts, rabbit ears and Indian headdresses. Children learn that language is fun when combined in tangles like "fuzz fiesta," and "fuzz fandangle." Naturally there is competition over who will get this new green fuzzy treasure and Pip Squeak is mortified that he had started a battle over the fuzz. Big Bark returns, having stolen all the fuzz, only to be plucked up by an eagle in need of a meal. The prairie dogs rally to save one of their own and Big Bark returns in his protective role over the pack.

Children like to match the drawings with the descriptions: "top dog, corny dog and frilly dog." Take some time to make a list of your child's descriptive words for Big Bark (bossy, ornery, inconsiderate, impatient) and Pip Squeak (inquisitive, kind, leader). Building good descriptive words will prepare your child for writing interesting stories. Do they have a friend like Big Bark? Or is their friend more like Pip Squeak? One little girl that I read this book to was having a little trouble with a bossy friend. What an opportunity to work through issues with peers.

Before turning the page of The Great Fuzz Frenzy, make a prediction about what is going to happen. Parents try it too and see what a variety of options you come up with. One little boy saw the sky go black and predicted a storm was coming. All guesses are good and encouraged. This helps your child think creatively, expand on stories, and strengthen his language skills.

I first read this book at a teacher workshop and fell in love with the story and the varied page formats. (Some pages unfold vertically to show the underground tunnels!) This is not only a fun book to look at, the kids giggled all the way through it as the plot unfolded. This could be used in reader's workshop to teach point of view, predicting, inferring, sound effects, or it could also be used to spur a discussion on friendship and cooperation. We did an author study on this sister authir/illustrator pair and the students love how they have a sense of humor and are a bit silly in their stories. I LOVE IT TOO! :O)

One day a dog drops a green, fuzzy tennis ball down a hole which is the home of a group of prairie dogs. The fun then begins. This strange object, with the strage and wonderful fuzzy stuff absolutely fascinates each member of the prairie dog city. The little critters come up with some rather unique uses for the green stuff. The illustrations are wonderful as is the story. It is actually funny and a joy to read.

I read this one to the younger classes at school and the kids love it. I get quite a number of requests for rereads, which is a pretty good endorsement for any children's book. There are several fold out pages which show various parts of the prairie dog city which makes it ideal for reading to a group. The text is great and holds the interest of the children. The art is colorful, funny and well executed.

This one really should be in your reading library. I use it for kindergarten through third grade, although I suspect that even the ones that are a bit older even enjoy it. I know I do.

My kids love this book! We initially checked it out from the library but we had to renew it so often that I finally bought a copy. It is fun to read because of it's sing-songy rhythm. The story is fun, too. This is a family-favorite.

My daughters love the story. The little mouse is a clever guy who is shows that you don't need to be big and strong to win... but smart. The illustrations are colorful and happy and well done. The sequel "Gruffalo's child" is not as good. But the "Snail and the Whale" and "Room in the Broom" are even better than this one :)

My two year old daughter and I absolutely love to read Julia Donaldson's books. We love the way the book flows it is almost lyrical. The illustrations are beautiful too!

I love reading this book to my 7 month old and just know that she will grow up to adore this book too. Buy it, you will not regret it :)

I cant recommend this book enough. It is truly the best children's book I have read to my two and a half year old son.

The story is wonderful. The phrasing and rhythm of the dialog is fantastic and what really sets it apart form other children's books is the cunning nature of the story.

The illustrations are great as well.

My only disappointment is that the author or publisher decided to change some of the text when the second edition was published. Which in my opinion took away some of the charm. I am still trying to find a copy of the book with the original text but can only find the book with the revised dialog. In the mean time I simply read it to my son using the original dialog from memory.

Overall a wonderful book!!

This is an excellent book for guinea pig lovers ages 3-8. It gives information on guinea pigs while entertaining and enjoyable.

A cute story of how someone likes their guinea pigs and alot of pictures that children can look at, pictures are drawn very accurately.

I love this book!
It is a favorite for me.
first because I love cavia porcellus. My children learned those words from the book.
second the art work is beautiful, inspiring, and acurate to the experiences of having guinea pigs. I did my own artful representations of my guinea pigs after getting this book.
third each time i look at this book my heart warms over thinking of my dear guinea pigs. one lived 10 years, what a great gal she was.
fourth the content is accurate, and helpful.
I would suggest leaving a copy near your guinea pig home, cage, whatever you call your cavy space, for reference that is visually engaging, basic in content, and motivating, for self and especially children, in caring for your bouncy cavy companion.

I am sure that this is an excellent book, but I bought it for my great-grandson for his birthday at the suggestion of his mother. However, his guinea pig died before he received it.

I'm not sure if you don't have a guinea pig or your child doesn't have one at school but my son was very excited because it talks about types of guinea pigs and we enjoy it as we can compare it to ours behavior. The author clearly likes and has owned many and it gives advice about care without it just being a manual.

Another great story about Lilly! This book tells about her wish to be the flower girl in her teacher's wedding and how Lilly must be satisfied to be the flower girl's ASSISTANT. That is until the "real" flower girl freezes and is unable to walk down the aisle.

My daughter loves this book and Lilly's purple purse. However I did buy the collection last year and was much cheaper than what they are charging now. It is definitely a must have.

Children's Book

Lilly's Big Day is not only a wonderful book but also a god-send for a little girl about to be a flower girl. I bought it for my granddaughter when we learned she was to be in a big wedding as a flower girl. At the time she was just 3. She loved the book and understood the story and understood the importance of being a good flower girl and practiced every day and when the time came she enjoyed the wedding hugely and helped another little girl who did not quite know what was expected. She has been in three weddings since the first and we call her the "professional". I send the book to anyone who is about to be a flower girl.

Tonight my daughter and I were out looking for a perfect gift for a party tomorrow (gift for child required) and found this book and a doll to match sitting front and center and maybe a bit sideways at the local booksellers shop.

So we opened it up to see what adventure Miss Lilly was finding herself in this time. I'm a 1st grade teacher and Lilly and her purple purse have been very important parts of my shared readings for ...ummm...more years than I think Lilly has. My daughter Syl even had a purple purse just to act out her precious purple purse story and now with her at 17 we look at these books with longing...

Lilly's a mouse for me, living life with everything she's got, not afraid of feeling and more than a little mystified by other's inability to walk in her shoes...

Henkes always takes a good look at children with their very real life...and spins a story that just has it all. And...it has everything I don't have presently in my NCLB afflicted life in an Under performing school forced into proscribed scripted curriculum teaching so presently devoid of story...I'm Sarah "one note" on this but when you read a book like this one you realize how much a book can bring to a classroom and children.

Lilly is so charming and here she is completely with her whole soul determined to be the flower girl at her teacher's wedding, but relegated by her very favorite teacher, to watch another get the honors. Just looking at the note she writes alone to convince her teacher of her worthiness is so wonderful,it's an appeal that just should have done the trick. Henkes must someday come to my Room 10 and meet my student Gabby la la . They are somehow related, Lilly and Gab. I, too, got a note mine on Friday, "Why I am the best person to be the Class Pezidents" a new position she decided to open.

There are from time to time children who are just so invigorated, alive, so vestily in this life, so carpe diem you gotta just stand away and say..."May I assist you Madame Pezident?". Such is Lilly who doesn't immediately get the flower girl position but does through the storyline save the day....and in the end doesn't it always fall to the Lilly's of the world to sweep in graciously(even when doing so after having been second placed right in front of everyone when they knew who was supposed to be in the position of flower girl) and put it all to rights and give life a kind of warmth and zest that makes us realize that sometimes you have to live and love, they come into your life and turn it all upsideover as my Gabby La La says.

My student listens with great quiet to Lilly stories and always dramatically raises her arms and says at the end, "Oh...it's so cuuttee..that's a good story teacher." Dramatic falling to the floor in giggling ball. If read with charm this story of the wedding of Lilly's teacher is guaranteed to be a hit with all children.
The book did not need another endorsement here but after reading it and picking it up tonight for our children's gift exchange I have to say it'll be read on my apple carpet in the classroom Monday with lots of fun because I'm taking in a basket of flower petals left over from a bouquet of roses from my anniversary which is rapidly fading and I saved , perfect for reenactment purposes. Enjoy a really wonderful read and you must, must get it with the Lilly doll." Too cutes" from Gab..And may I say...you only live once, so with Lilly, its wonderful to feel with every cell you have heads to toes...throw a few petals all over and practice the day you'll be called forth to walk down your aisle.

An instant classic!

Henke does it again, great book. Henke creates very real characters who grapple with emotions about as intense as I've seen for this format. In Lilly's perfect day, her teacher, Mr. Slinger, in an act of naked nepotism, elevates his own niece to the role of flower girl. This despite the inordinate amount of energy Lilly has put towards practicing for the event, the proficiency with which she has rehearsed every precocious countenance, the inestimable classroom bragging rights with which she fixates her anticipation. This mouse is due her fate, and only the venal world of adult institutions could deny her.

No one can quite bring themselves to be direct her Lilly. "Do you understand what we are trying to tell you?" they ask. How can a child honestly answer that question? How can a parent honestly interpret a child's answer to that question. My stomach was in a knot for Lilly. I knew this was a Henke book, I knew it had to have a happy ending. But how could Lilly's youthful, brittle narcissism possibly absorb the onslaught of such a sleight? I wouldn't dream of ruining the ending here, but I will provide a little hint by saying that a baby mouse dose of propanolol would have gone a long way. But even the villainous niece's feelings are spared, as Henke ties up all the strands as only he can. Thumbs up for Henkes! And go Bears!

this is a great book and i received it just like i expectd to receive it.

We have read this book repeatedly, and my first-grader enjoys it every time. Now he enjoys reading it to me. Great for beginning readers.

WHAT A JOY THIS BOOK IS. THE STORY IS FUN AND SO CUTE. ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES TO READ TO THE CHILDREN.

This is one of those that is an absolute delight to read to and with kids. A mouse, minding his own business is caught by a weasel who of coure plans to whip up a batch of Mouse Soup. Our fast talking little mouse simply talks his way out of the dinner by telling the weasel four delightful stories, thereby distracting the weasle and at the same time, teaching the weasle a good lesson. The illustrations are great the the story telling is of the highest quality. Cute is a word that is over used, but in this case I have to use it because it fits so well. This work is almost along the same lines as the famous Uncle Remus tales, but in many ways is more appealing. I liked this one and do highly recommend it. The art work alone is worth the price of the book.

I have to bow to a superior opinion in rating this book. After reading it to my 5 y.o. son, I had come to the conclusion that the subset of stories were pretty lame and uninteresting. I mean one of them is about two rocks that get lied to by a bird (or so the rocks think). And another is about a rose bush growing out of a comfy chair.

But my 5 y.o. informs me that I don't know what I am talking about. This book is great, he told me. And he convinced me that this was true by doing something his active little self seldom does: he went and got the book off his shelf and dragged his father over to the couch so that dad could listen to him read the stories. [Could have knocked me over with bookmark.]

The AR Reading level for this book is 2.4 which means that the Accelerated Reading committee, and it's software, suggests this book for Second Graders in their fourth month of school.

[The AR designation is a general "guide" that rates books on a relative scale of difficulty. Children can certainly read at levels above or below their group range, so that this number should only be used as a aid to help choose books that are appropriate and not frustrating.]

Four Stars. This book has a mouse cum Scheherazade premise: A weasel captures a poor little mouse and the mouse plots to get out of being eaten by telling stories. The stories the mouse tells didn't appeal to me, but my five y.o. son sure liked them. The AR reading level indicates the book is suitable for Second Graders.

My wife and I received "Shalamazoo" as a gift while my wife was 37 weeks pregnant. When we read it to her that night she kicked over and over again. I can't wait for her to see the beautiful artwork and giggle at the engaging rhymes. "Shalamazoo" contains a timeless message: laugh when times are good and laugh when things go wrong. Great book, Joe and Jessica. We look forward to another!

This book entails all that is wonderful about literature.........the drawings, the words, the story, and the message are all touching for children of any age. A happy book for happy people!!!

I was introduced to this book via a friend and I have since bought 15 copies for various people. THis is a must have not only for children but for anyone. I think all should have a copy of shalamazoo!!!

This book is an absolute marvel! I've read it to many of my classes and they were delighted to say the least. The illustrations are simply fantastic and the wonderfully written tale holds a moral that is important for children of all ages. I can't recommend this highly enough and only wish I could award it more than 5-stars. My students and I anxiously await the next installment from Mr. Shaboo and Ms. Churchill.

This book is a must for both child and adult. I bought the book for my 7 year old nephew and he loves it. Excellent story. Beautiful illustrations. An all around pleasure. Thank you Mr. Joe Shaboo and I look forward to your next book.

This story is about a mouse who wants to go to a far off land. While he is traveling , he is named jumping mouse, he gets better legs to jump with, he stays with an old mouse,he gives a buffalo his sight,and he gives a fox his smell. Jumping Mouse gets to the far off land and is named Eagle by Magic Frog.Jumping Mouse then turns into an eagle.
I loved this book!

This lovely Caldecott honoree related the Native American legend of a mouse that morphed into an eagle by magic, determination, and force of character. A mouse listens to tales told by older mice that include visions of a far off land. He determines to visit the far off land even though he doesn't know much about traveling and is sure to encounter dangers. Shortly after setting out he meets the Magic Frog, who kindly transports him across the river. The Magic Frog also confers the gift of jumping legs on the mouse, which will serve him well the rest of the journey.

Along the way he meets an Old Mouse, whose pessimistic attitude of ever reaching the far off land is rewarded when the Snake comes along and eats him. "Poor old friend," thought Jumping Mouse. "He lost hope of finding his dream and now his life is over." Subtle this tale is not.

After giving up his sight for a blind bison and his sense of smell to a smell-disabled wolf, Jumping Mouse proves that he is unselfish and worthy of good things. Magic Frog turns up when Jumping Mouse's hope of seeing the far off land is fading. He magically turns Jumping Mouse into an eagle.

The illustrations are more compelling than the story, drawn with charcoal pencil (I am guessing). They are lifelike and vivid, adding charm to the simple tale. The standard animal figures of buffalo, wolf, and eagle seem to turn up in most Native American literature.

This is a great book. THe artwork is worth the Caldacott medal and the story is a good one for all ages. It is about a mouse trying to reach a far land which is supposed to be beautiful and about learning to keep hope and selfishness alive in you and you will be rewarded. It is a great story that people now a days need to consider more often the world would be a better place.

John Steptoe's 40-page illustrated version of The Story of Jumping Mouse is a Native American legend of a Magic Frog who gives his jumping legs to a discouraged young mouse that had recently set out on a quest -- a journey to a far-off land. The frog also tells Jumping Mouse to remember three words -- "never lose hope." Rejuvenated and able to travel much more quickly, Jumping Mouse continues on his journey. On the way he encounters a fat mouse who invites him to stay with him the rest of his life in a safe haven. But Jumping Mouse is determined to continue his quest and later discovers his acquaintance is eaten by a snake. When his journey brings him to a vast prairie Jumping Mouse is surprised to meet a lonely buffalo just standing there. Upon inquiry, he learns that the buffalo is blind, so Jumping Mouse imitates Magic Frog by giving his eyes sight to a blind buffalo and the buffalo leads him across the prairie on his back. At the end of the prairie the buffalo can go no further and Jumping Mouse recalls Magic Frog's words, "never lose hope" and thus journeys animal that identifies himself as a fox that can't smell. Jumping Mouse tries his magic once more and is able to give the fox his nose. The fox, delighted at his cure, accompanies Jumping Mouse through the forest. But as the forest ends at the foot of a mountain and the fox can not go any further, Jumping Mouse goes to sleep in despair in the face of this seemingly hopeless barrier to his goal. Suddenly Magic Frog appears again and tells Jumping Mouse to jump as high as he can and remember his words, "never lose hope." He gathers his courage, leaps as high as he can, and discovers himself soaring over the mountain as Magic Frog below shouts out Jumping Mouse's new name -- "Eagle." This is a wonderful story to teach children about Hope, Determination, Sacrifice, Hardship, and Compassion.

This book tells a Native American story about a small mouse who must endure great hardships in order to reach his dreams. I purchase it over and over to give to children experiencing grief and loss in my work as a school social worker. The ending has a "never give up" message for the reader and the animals (mouse, frog, buffalo, wolf, eagle) are especially meaningful to Indian children. The black and white illustrations are beautiful. Written for elementary aged children, but a book to be cherished by teens and adults, too.

I loved this book!It is a beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations. Having kept pet rats for years, I was thrilled to find such a lovely tale with a rat as an endearing creature.So often they are portrayed as evil,dirty animals. Refreshing and brilliant!

Long before a gourmet rodent named Remy stole our hearts in "Ratatouille", a bookish rat named Walter scampered into existence courtesy of author Barbara Wersba and Donna Diamond. Walter is special because - unlike any of his friends or relatives - he discovered at a young age that he knows how to read. And as any of us who truly love books can easily attest, once you start reading, it is impossible to ever stop. Fortunately, Walter has taken up residence in the Long Island house of Miss Pomeroy, a lonely woman who just happens to be an author. Over the course of 60 pages - combined with a smattering of priceless pen and ink drawings - the author weaves a gentle tale of friendship in which these two unique souls come to be aware of one another. I started reading this enchanting tale myself one evening at the dining room table while my husband was cooking dinner and I kept interrupting him so often with the charming turns of phrase that he finally suggested I read it out loud to him. To date, it remains a favorite story to both of us and I have subsequently bought many copies for young people - and adults! - who would appreciate Walter's honesty, simplicity, curiosity and kindness.

Christina Hamlett
Author of "Movie Girl"

This book is lovely and deeper then one would think for such a small book. I find that I would like to know more about their relationship and wished that this sweet tale would continue...

So simple, yet not. This lovely story presents a one of a kind opportunity to share many important topics with a child in an way that he/she can be easily relate. There are so many themes and underlying nuances. What a wonderful way to explore the fragile nature of human insecurities and prejudices - this book should be on every 5th grade teacher's reading list. I can't wait to share it with my niece Allison.

A beautifully written story about a very special friendship between two lonely souls that will touch your heart. Barbara Wersba proves little words can express deep emotions.
Wonderful illustrations!

This is an excellent and much needed book. Gray Lynch courageaously takes on the JFK apologists and lays it all out so folks can see what really happened at the Bay of Pigs. His front-line service with the Brigade during the invasion gives the account credibility. As a CIA operative attached to the exiles he had first-hand knowledge of the planning and decison making that led to its failure. Lynch doesn't mince words either, he clearly articulates where the blame lies - at the feet of JFK and his administration. The account is from his actions during the initial landings and later while running operations from one of the transport ships that made up the exile force. Consequently, you won't get much coverage of the battles on the ground. However, he does an excellent job of giving the reader the overall picture and all the events that led to the failure. He also provides some interesting observations about the battle and some of its participants that I had not seen before. In the final couple of chapters he superbly blows away all the people that cast the blame on the CIA or the exiles in an attempt to cover up the true culprits. You'll come to realize how politicized the whole project became once Kennedy and the Democrats took over in 1960 and how their cowardly approach to foreign policy finally led to the betrayal of Brigade 2506. This is a quick, easy, yet powerful read that helps to dispel the conventional wisdom that has been developed about the incident. Basically, a well-planned opportunity to remove Castro from power was squandered due to politics, cowardice, and betrayal.

Grayston Lynch was one of two American "advisors" who stormed the Bay of Pigs with the 2506 Assault Brigade on April 17, 1961. In Decision for Disaster, Lynch attempts to set the record straight on what caused the mission to fail. He offers a unique perspective in that his position privileged him to the inner happenings of CIA and White House planning, yet he can also give a firsthand account of the battle itself, having fired the first shots of the invasion himself. Lynch is clearly not content in the contemporary historical account of the Bay of Pigs, proclaiming in the preface that "the true story has never been told, until now." Lynch goes on to tell his story with reasoned contempt for Castro and Camelot, and a deep reverence for the 2506 Assault Brigade.

Lynch became a player in the Bay of Pigs in December 1960. The Texan had just retired from a 22 year career with the US Army, most recently as the captain of a US Army Special Forces A-Team in Laos. He had seen combat and was wounded at Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and Heartbreak Ridge in Korea. He was awarded two Silver Stars and a Bronze Star with Valor. The Cuban cause was something that Lynch took to heart; even after the Bay of Pigs he continued to play a major role in anti-Castro commando raids. His decision to write this book now came from the recent passing away of his fellow "advisor" William "Rip" Robertson and the declassification of items essential to the telling of the story. Besides using his first-hand account, Lynch enlisted the knowledge of commanding officers and 2506 Assault Brigade survivors in writing this book.

Lynch had his book published by Potomac Books which was founded in 1983 as a part of British publishing house Brassey's. Since this books publishing, Potomac was purchased by American book distributor Books International. Potomac has strong roots in military history, but has broadened its range to include general history, world affairs, foreign policy, intelligence, memoirs, biographies, and even sports. Its most successful book to date was Michael Scheuer's American Hubris. Potomac's usual offerings come with a strong dose of realism backed with a healthy dose of knowledge and first hand experience; Decision for Disaster is no exception.

Lynch gets off to a rough start in his account. He attempts to weave together several concurrent stories that will eventually lead to the invasion. A difficult enough task by itself, he attempts to do it as a flashback story while on his voyage to invade Cuba. This continued flashback-fastforward-recollection-juxtaposition can give the reader a mild case of mental whiplash. His constant foreshadowing and alluding to the invasion gave me a strong case of deja vu by the time he was invading in real time. However, whatever Lynch lacks in authorship, he makes up for in laying out an intriguing fact-laden journey through all relevant events leading up to the invasion.

One of the stories Lynch tells exceedingly well in the build up to the invasion is Castro's initial revolutionary undertakings in Cuba. Lynch robs any Bolivarian Romanticism from Castro's invasion, likening him and his cohorts more to a buffoonish F-Troop, who shortly after arriving are gunned down from eighty-three men to twelve. What is especially amazing is that through some perfect storm of idiot journalism, Congressional nativity, and Batista's yellow belliedness, Castro still somehow manages to seize power in two years time. This is something that the US backed 2506 Assault Brigade would fail to do.

When all members of the invasion force meet in Nicaragua, Decision for Disaster takes off. From here Lynch takes command of the story and tells it with an earnestness and humorous wit that allows the reader to experience a real empathy for him and the 2506 Assault Brigade. The story that follows is so outlandish and multi-dimensional that it left me wondering why fictional war stories exist. The politicking, bravery, cowardice, mutiny, and chance that make up the Bay of Pigs invasion is mind numbing. There is no way an academic or bureaucrat could deliver a better synopsis of the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

All good stories have a villain, and Decision for Disaster's is not who you might think. Though Lynch makes no doubt about his contempt of Castro, he dismisses him as a thuggish opportunist who only reigns due to the failing of our true villain: JFK. Lynch begins his case against Kennedy during his presidential race with Nixon. He quotes Kennedy arguing with Nixon, "If you can't stand up to Castro, how can you stand up to Khrushchev?" Kennedy played this weakness card throughout the election, and was befuddled to learn of the extensive invasion plan already in place when he arrived in office. From here, Lynch documents action after action that Kennedy takes to push the project closer and closer to failure. Against the heeds of all military advisors, Kennedy relocates the invasion spot, restricts Air Force use, and delays the project enough to allow Castro to receive his first shipment of Soviet tanks and arms.

What is especially frustrating about Kennedy's actions is that not only did they doom the invasion, but they did absolutely nothing to meet his misguided intention of hiding the obvious US involvement. Kennedy's inexcusable pussyfooting around the invasion offers a case example of what happens when the US tries to placate international concerns. A more Machiavellian approach, using overwhelming power to achieve decisive victory, would have brought success and avoided the missile crises that followed due to its failure. Lynch succeeds in painting Kennedy as an incompetent boob, who should be held ultimately responsible for the deaths and loss of American respect that resulted from the Bay of Pigs fiasco. For those who would like to place blame elsewhere, Lynch starts his book with the following quote, "For the greatest enemy of truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, pervasive, and unrealistic". This is quoted from none other than JFK himself.

Decision for Disaster is an excellent book that succeeds in telling the story in a believable manner. There is no circular logic or excuses made in Lynch's book. His humbleness while telling the story makes it clear that he has no agenda outside of relating the story as it should be told. Though Lynch occasionally stumbles to tell his story coherently in the beginning, he builds enough momentum through humor and insightfulness that it is easily overlooked. With Decision for Disaster, Lynch offers a great opportunity to relive the macrocosm of the Bay of Pigs with a genuine and witty tour guide, highly recommended.

I share the author Lynch's disgust for the attitude of John F. Kennedy and how he treated the Cuban exiles. In his campaign, Kennedy stated he would pay any price for freedom. He also chided Nixon about being tough on Castro. When it gets his turn to decide, he waffles on how to deal with Castro. He dumps the 2506 brigade on the beach and then refuses them air support either from the exile aircraft or U.S. aircraft. He states it would give a bad impression in the world.

Fortunately Kennedy toughened up in a year and faced down the Soviets and Cubans. He would not have had to if he would have supported the Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs. Lynch details his work in the Cuban exiles training. He also details the exploits of the brave 2506 Brigade and their heroic defense. The U.S. should have supported these people more forcefully.

This book is definitely an eye opener. I remember as a child my father telling me of the cover-ups and distortions created by the Kennedy administration. The real truth about what happened at the Bay of Pigs is finally out. JFK's mistake caused untold missery to millions of people. Not just Cubans, but also Nicaraguans, Guatemalans, Colombians, and now Venezuelans. Cubans, and Americans as a whole, should be extemely grateful to Mr. Grayston Lynch for writing this book. I know I am. Thank you, thank you Mr. Lynch.

This is an excellent book. Finally an author speaks out against "Camelot." America's love affair with the Kennedys is sickening. The CIA has gotten a bum rep because of the Bay of Pigs and this book finally points the finger in the right direction

The previous reviewer provides a great overview of this book. What I can say is that this book had my entire family on the edge of its seat. We truly had no idea what was coming next, and simply found it nearly impossible to put down. Alan Snow has created a wonderful, imaginative, and witty cast of characters that are simply amazing. The story takes us in places that even those well-versed in childrens literature will find unusual and delightful. If you are looking for the unexpected and imaginative, I highly recommend this book.

This book is not targeted for my age range (adult), but it is excellent! So very imaginative!! I can't wait to see how it ends, or how the "Volume 2" will be!!

Illustrations by the author are excellent also, the scenes are just as he describes them.

This should hold any kids attention, even ones who don't like to read...

I love this book because every little part of it is very interesting and you are hooked to it the whole time. It has a little mystery, some action, and the author is good at descriptions. This book reminds me of the books by Roald Dahl. I recommend this book to people of all ages.

Monsters are not monsters at all in this great read. I enjoyed reading this as a bedtime story. It was a little tough to stop and display the illustrations to kids on a bunk bed, but the pictures are just too good and meant to be shared.

If you ask me, HERE BE MONSTERS! is no classic, not even a keeper. I tried reading this book to some kids, and they weren't even interested an iota. Even some English children visiting San Francisco turned their nose up at it, seeing it for what it is, a goodhumored attempt to capture some of the late Roald Dahl's popularity by marrying his "children come first" philosophy to the epic fantasy saga plot of Philip Pullman or whoever the latest upstart is. That's where the big money is, you see. I will say that three of the children (ages 4-7) enjoyed Snow's cross hatched drawings of the many inventivce creatures who populate his underground kingdom. Where I see sloppy sub-par Tenniel drawings, children see the many-shadowed intimations of adulthood drawing around them like night shades. I expect that Snow will bewitch some readers, especially those with visual acuity, while turning off some with his witless puns ("I'm a BIG CHEESE") and the incredibly longwinded storytelling--five hundred pages, and this is just volume one! Does he farm out the drawings to others? How does he get all his work done?

As for little Arthur, he was okay, with gumption to spare--but I hate gumption. Long ago there was a great novel for young people called THE GAMMAGE CUP by Carol Kendall--anyone remember this book? It had everything that HERE BE MONSTERS has and more (well, it didn't have MONSTERS' exclamation point, but it didn't need one) (indeed Grandma always said, never trust a book that tries to excite you with an exclamation mark)--only THE GAMMAGE CUP was a shapely 160 pages, so wouldn't make much of a splash in today's steroid driven market where the longer the better. In the meantime, I know a few kids who will be looking forward to the next installment of RATBRIDGE, and one of them has taken up drawing all by himself, after Snow, saying, "Kevin, look at Snow's people, the way they start out by being tic tac toe puzzles, then next time you look they have arms and legs and faces."