Educational Books

I decided to pick up War Horse after the nice, new cover caught my eye in a local bookstore and immediately brought it home, cracked open the cover, and allowed myself to be swept off into Joey's story.
I love the fact that this book comes directly from the "horses point of view," which is similar strikingly familiar to Black Beauty by Anna Sewell as to compared to Michael Morpurgo's War Horse.
The story starts out with the description of a painting of a horse, and than jumps into the horse painted in the picture, Joey, who is bought by a farmer and brought home to Albert, who loves and cares for him similar to Joe Green did in Black Beauty. The stories end similar, with different twist. But we aren't focusing on Black Beauty here...
Joey ends up being sold into war, where he learns the task of bearing men through the machine fire of war, dragging the dead away in carts and even being used to pull the cannons to the front lines. His life is hard, but he does the best he can under many different owners, the majority of them kind and caring, from going to the English to the Germans themselves, we see the innocence of the Deutschlanders struggle to fight the war against the British and the French. Joey also makes close friends with a fellow war horse called Topthorn, a tall, black stallion that seems a lot like Ginger. The two remain together for a long time, always partnered up and never too far away from the other.
All the while Joey wonders about Albert.
This is a nice story to read to anyone whom loves horses and there point of view on things. The war that Joey took part in was a frightening one and isn't for young children. I found this a nice read and a nice companion to Black Beauty. So if you love World War I, and horses, try picking up and reading War Horse.

a simple short and well written story which is appealing to any age reader, if you enjoyed books like "all creatures great and small" or "charlottes web" you might enjoy it. Contrast to "I am the Great Horse" another horse story but written creatively from Alexander the Great's Bucephelus' point of view, which is more child like.

Michael Morpurgo's WAR HORSE tells of war horse Joey, who began life as a farm horse with a gentle boy master and was sold into the army during World War I. Fans of Black Beauty and other classic animal stories will find this first-person horse's eye story of war and change brings to dramatic life all the conflicts and struggles of battle.

I recommend War Horse because it is a story about dealing with death, and growing up.
Joey is a horse that is taken by a farmer. Then he is sent off to war.
This book will interest many people especially people who like horses. You never really know what will happen next.
When I read War Horse it was like I was there, and I felt like I knew him all my life.
The characters are explained so well that I could see all of them perfectly in my head.
This book only has 21 short chapters, but they have so much information in such small chapters. My favorite part is when...never mind, it will give it away. To find out what my favorite part is you have to read it your self. It might be your favorite part too!
I enjoyed War Horse, I hope you do to.

Wow! What a thrill to find this book still available after over 40 years! I read it repeatedly when I was in about 4th grade. It says a lot about the quality of the story that it has stuck with me all these years. It really showed me at a young age the suffering that some animals must endure, and the quiet patience and courage with which they endure it. I can still picture Joey struggling in thick mud to pull his load. And even as young as I was, it made me understand more what my older uncles had experienced in WW1. I am definitely getting this for the kiddies, but before I give it to them, I am going to read it again myself!

This is a cute story about whiteblack the penguin, a curious and optimistic fellow that sets out to wander the world in search of stories for his radio show for Penguinlands radio station W.O.N.S. He gets into trouble a few times but manages to keep his optimism through out his trip.

There is publishers note at the end of the story that explains this was actually an uncompleted work that the Reys carried out of Paris when the fled from the Germans in 1940. For some reason it was sent back for revision and it was forgotten probably due to the other Curious George stories. After Margret had passed, the manuscript and drawings were found and it was decided to publish the story 63 years after it was written.

Overall the story is on par with Curious George and it passed muster with my little girl.

A worthwhile addition to any child's library!

...YES, THAT'S ALL THE "EXCITEMENT" THERE IS TO THIS ONE. IT'S A CUTE BOOK, BUT NOT ONE I'D WANT TO READ MORE THAN ONCE. 'SPOTTY' & 'PRETZEL' ARE MUCH BETTER.

Margaret and H. A. Rey wrote the children's book, Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World. They are known for their famous series Curious George. Their works are very distinct because of the illustrations. In Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World, H. A. Rey uses bright vivid colors and black outlines to express emotions. The color yellow signifies safety and comfort while darker colors signifies lack of security. In the beginning and end of Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World, the color yellow signifies a sense of comfort and security. In the beginning, Whiteblack is at home, Penguinland, and the color yellow is very prominent. H. A. Rey also includes deep blues for a sense of comfort. This is a home-away-home story; and children consider home to be a safe place. Therefore, the color yellow signifies comfort and security. For example, when Whiteblack is leaving Penguinland, the color yellow was illustrated. Also, when Whiteblack arrived at the desert and was accompanied by the camel, there is a sense of safety and comfort, and yellow is illustrated throughout this page. The end of the story is illustrated with yellow, because Whiteblack has returned home. While Whiteblack is on his adventures throughout the story, the colors change because he is either in danger or sad. When Whiteblack first left, his boat hit an iceberg and wrecked and he was in the ocean alone. The color of the ocean is now a shady green and looks scary, therefore giving a feeling of helplessness. There is a huge cruiser heading his way and you think it might hit him, but he climbs aboard. H. A. Rey illustrates the color yellow because he is rescued. When Whiteblack is on his way home, he is riding on the top of an airplane and tumbles off and dives into the sea. There the colors are darker and yellow is hardly seen. Near the end, Whiteblack is in the ocean by himself pulling a net of fish for his friends in Penguinland. Whiteblack is struggling and his strength is almost gone. Here the colors are dark and yellow is not shown clearly, but on the next page, his friend, Seal, is coming to his rescue. The color yellow is being restored but still a little shaded, this gives some foreshadowing to what might happen next. When Whiteblack and Seal reach Penguinland, they both jump for joy. Obviously there are feelings of happiness, comfort, and security and the color yellow is very vivid. In the article, "Laughter in Literature", Lonsdale states "Curious George's creator...combines text and illustration to make George a lively and likeable little monkey. The illustration in strong, dark colors, full of action, on white paper mirror the agility of Curious George. The text and the illustrations move at a breathless pace"(77-106). The color yellow in Curious George signifies a sense of comfort and safety. The man with the yellow hat is always there to keep Curious George safe. The color yellow is the same dynamic in Whiteblack the Penguin Sees the World. Both of the Rey's works illustrate the color yellow and it always gives a sense of safety and comfort.

Whiteblack the Penguin, Chief Storyteller on W-O-N-S, the Penguinland radio station has run out of stories. So he decides to take a vacation and see some of the world, because "travelers always have lots of stories." Off he goes in a little boat, on the adventure of a lifetime. And what adventures he has. First his boat sinks after hitting an iceberg. Then, after being rescued by a large cruiser, he decides to take a nap in one of their cannons and is accidently shot out the next morning. After soaring through the air for miles, he lands in the water and swims to shore where he meets ostriches, crosses the desert on a camel, rides in an airplane and unfortunately, falls out over the ocean. Each time he faces adversity and the unknown, he happily looks at the new situation as a learning experience and wonderful tale to share. At last he is rescued by a fishing boat and finally makes his way back home to a hero's welcome with lots of new stories for his radio show..... Who would have thought that after their deaths, an unpublished, completed manuscript, by Margret and H.A. Rey, would be found? This delightful story about a brave and always optimistic little penguin, will charm and amuse young children, just as their Curious George books have done all these many years. Mr Rey's wonderful and expressive watercolor illustrations, compliment his wife's text perfectly and together, they've created a treasure that's sure to become a classic. Whiteblack the Penguin is a timeless, enchanting story that your kids will want to read over and over again and a MUST for all home libraries.

Whiteblack the penguin hosts a radio program for everyone in Penguinland. He's the resident storyteller and is well liked and admired because of his marvelous stories. However, eventually he runs out of stories to tell!! Thinking that an adventure would give him new ideas, he and his friends construct a boat, give him some rope, and send him on his way to adventure. What adventures he has! His boat is struck by an iceberg, he hitches a ride on a Navy warship, manages to get shot from one of it's cannons, helps baby ostriches to hatch and even crosses the desert on a roller skate! Whiteblack is delightfully cheery at every turn, changing what otherwise might be a total disaster into yet another tale for his radio show. "Besides," he says as his boat sinks down out of sight, "I've always wanted to be in an accident!" Talk about the power of positive thinking!! The Rey's are, of course, most famous for their creation of the Curious George books. This work was originally written in 1937 when Mr. Hans Rey was working at a Paris World Fair booth across from a penguin exhibit. Somehow, though, it never made publication and was merely mothballed in a trunk before the Rey's left Paris. Discovered 63 years later and published in the year 2000, Whiteblack is immediately identifiable as a work of the Rey's. The yellows of the book are the exact same as those we're used to in the Curious George series. The same thick outlines and comfortable, fun illustrations are here as well, including what looks very much like a cameo appearance by the Man in the Yellow Hat!! The book concludes with a brief history of the Rey's and the fortuitous discovery of the long-forgotten Whiteblack manuscript. The book is wonderful fun in both it's text and illustrations. The crazy adventures Whiteblack gets himself into and his cheerful outlook on life ("besides, I've always wanted to fly" he says to himself after being shot out of the Navy cannon) will delight children of all ages. Whether you're a fan of Curious George or merely love fun children's stories, "Whiteblack the Penguin..." is an excellent story and a definite to add to your collection!!

This is an oversized paperback that would work superbly in front of a classroom. The text is very simple, calling the reader to search for the body parts of a tiger: eyes, whiskers, tracks, etc. It also serves as a
fine introduction to art. The illustrations are richly stylized with
color, mood, texture and pattern.

As a parent of ten children (now grown) and a first grade teacher of 7 years now, I love this book-as do my students. It is colorful,encourages imaginative thinking and easy to follow. I use it for our animal unit as well as discussing story elements.

A tiger wonders why everything avoids him, and compares his body
to other creatures. We love this book for the extraordinary artwork, full of detail.

I have no children of my own but have been a nanny for 6 years. Of all the stories I've read . . . this is by far the best! I give it to every person I know with children! Thank you for such a wonderful story, such beautiful artwork and such wonderful sounds!

This is a true picture book-as the pictures tell the story beyond the words. The illustrations go the distance for story time reading, as well as working for up close inspection (be sure to look for that unconcerned snail on every page!). I just never tire of this book and its illustrations, and I have been a fan of it for six years. The illustration of carp, tiger, and jungle folliage provide visual saturation satisfaction. The simple repetitious rhymes are fun to say, they roll off the lips in a way not always found in rhyming text, with wonderful repeating sounds. The story message is sweet, loud and clear, yet subtle at the same time. Thank you for this gem, Mr. Baker!

With solid insight, Pat Sikora will show you how to solve some of the key difficulties of a small group. Leaders need help to steer through the landmines of small groups. Each of these 18 problems can derail your discussion unless the leader knows about them and prepares for them ahead of time. Whether you are looking to solve a problem like gossip or simply doing preventative maintenance, this book will be a huge help to any small group leader.

Pat Sikora has facilitated and participated in numerous small groups over the years. Now she's written a book in order to share some of this expertise. The primary focus of Why Didn't You Warn Me is to coach group leaders on how to deal with specific group members' hang ups, using hypothetical character sketches to pose problems they may present.

Sikora believes there are seven key principles for group leaders and they are as follows:

1) The purpose of any small group should be to grow its members to maturity in Christ

2) People grow when they interact with God's Word

3) People grow and heal best in community

4) A small group must be small

5) Minister to the Spirit rather than the soul

6) The group is more important than the individual

7) Love covers a multitude of challenges

Sikora looks at each of these principles in depth while providing leaders tips for interacting with members. If you've ever been caught in the situation of dealing with difficult group members, this book will prove invaluable. You'll definitely want to include it in your arsenal of resources for training group leaders.

Teena Stewart, Author, Successful Small Groups: From Concept to Practice

Over the past thirty years, I've become convinced that effective small groups are essential to healthy churches and organizations, no matter what their size. Effective small groups depend on effective leaders. And effective small group leaders are continually learning how to treat relational and interpersonal problems in ways that foster healthy groups and individuals

This is a practical, helpful book from an experienced small group leader. After describing several principles that form the foundation for small group ministry, the author introduces a host of relational and interpersonal challenges that can emerge in any small group. Especially important is her challenge for leaders to deal with "unhealed areas in our lives or habits that are unpleasing to God, ourselves, and others" (19). As we do that, we are able to objectively and redemptively handle the discussion and character challenges we face. Those challenges include chronic talkers, quiet individuals and groups, those who use overly religious jargon, those who are dogmatic or overly argumentative, and those with significant emotional difficulties.

If you're a small group leader, you will find this short book full of practical wisdom. If you train small group leaders, you will discover a well-written book that you can use for leadership training.

Gossip, rabbit trails, discussion domination, control freaks, mental and emotional problems, people who don't want to pray...who wants to lead a small group?

Small group leadership is extremely messy, but there is absolutely no way to adequately prepare a person for the surprises of leadership; we can only coach them through it. Why Didn't You Warn Me? is a great resource for that type of coaching.

Why Didn't You Warn Me? is a short but information-packed, practical book. In fewer than 90 pages, Pat introduces us to 18 challenging personalities that are sometimes encountered in small group ministry, and she gives step-by-step ideas and advice on how to pray for, approach, and tackle each one. From the ubiquitous discussion challenges like Mona Monopoly and Rhonda Rabbitrail to more difficult character challenges like Griselda Gossip and Travis Troubled, Pat succinctly outlines both the proper approach and-- perhaps more importantly-- the Biblically appropriate attitude for dealing with each.

Here are some of the strengths I found in the book:

Starts with Self-Examination. I really liked the fact that the book started out with self-examination. All good leadership begins by being a leader worth following, and you can't surgically remove sawdust from the eyes of others until you deal with the log in your own. Pat devotes the first two chapters of the book to helping leaders "deal with their own stuff" and become leaders worth following.

Prioritizes Prayer. Pat also does a fantastic job of establishing the priority of prayer in the process of working through difficult people and situations. Sometimes, we can get so caught up with trying to clean up, work around, hide, or ignore the mess that we forget about the power of prayer.

Emerges from Experience. The book obviously emerges from a place of experience. Pat has been involved in small group ministry for more than 30 years, and it is evident from her writing. This is not just theory, it's coming from the place of a practitioner. As you read about each challenging personality, you know that Pat actually knows these people by name and face. She has walked through these messes and emerged on the other side with hope and Biblical principles for leading through them.

The only criticism I would offer is related to the layout. I loved the pull quotes and statistic boxes, but the book looked extremely busy to me. It was distracting. Some of the pictures of people tossed randomly throughout the pages were just odd or goofy looking. It felt like it was trying too hard to be cool, hip, and relevant. But that is a publishing problem and not a content problem.

For future editions of the book, I would offer a new personality: Robbie Relativist or Polly Pluralist. One of the new challenges in groups, especially among younger Christians, is the postmodern approach to Scripture: "this is what it means to me; what does it mean to you?," "this is what is true for me," "I don't think that's what God would want for us," etc. Rhetoric that exposes our pluralistic, relative, or non-absolute truth tendencies. I think it would be helpful to have a chapter on how to keep groups and discussion rooted Biblically and under the authority of Scripture when people are more likely to drift into "this is what it means for me" kinda discussion.

This book could be a great supplement to a small group training program or for use in a coaching environment. It is extremely practical. Be sure to check out Pat's blog- http://whydidntyouwarnme.com/blog/- to continue the discussion or to find ongoing training and discussion about the adventures of small group leadership.

In the interest of full disclosure I will admit to having had Pat in several of my training sessions when we had an Equipping Center in San Mateo, CA. She was an alert and lively learner who eagerly soaked up everything I taught about Christian growth and healing. Pat has taken her insights to a deeper level of practice.

When I was consulting with the Cell group Movement in Singapore church leaders would say, "Small Groups are Powerful! indicating that small groups were effective places to evangelize unbelievers, disciple believers and heal broken believers.

Pat Sikora also believes and states those things nicely but she adds another part to the mantra: "Small groups are powerfully good or powerfully bad". Pat wisely trains her readers how to minister to the "good, the bad and the ugly" in groups.

Many churches start groups with great excitement but close them prematurely because they do not deal well with "Challenging Group Members" who show up. One or two unchallenged member can destroy the group, turning group dynamics on its head. Instead of growth, healing and evangelistic outreach the group chokes on its members' dysfunctions.

As you read Pat's neat little book, you will find that she humorously describes many of the "Characters" who are attracted to our groups and lays out the various ways a lay leader can successfully deal with them in truth and love. Pat is caring but she is also realistic about how much a group leader can do. She shows unusual candor and courage by lovingly addressing chronic problems without stooping to co-dependency.

Pat wisely includes specific hints, proven over the centuries to be growth producing, that leaders can use to calm and motivate members. She shows how one's voice and non-verbals can cover a multitude of sins and problems. If you ever work with Sunday school classes, committees, task forces or Bible studies, get her book and enjoy its useful insights.

White has a good message: Our fear-based, looking-good tendencies are not healthy for us and perpetuate unhealthy behavior in others. He discusses why we become this way, measures he took to lessen this in himself and suggests how we can do likewise.

I did find the book tiresome to follow for a number of reasons including White's wordy, informal writing style, and his frequent reliance on quoting cryptic poetry.

I don't know if this has been recently corrected, but the copy I got looked like a draft: page numbers show as XX in the table of contents; numerous sections of the book simply have a section title and the words [to come] underneath; where graphics are supposed to be has [insert graphic here]; improper margins - the text seems to run off the page in places; and is full of typographic errors.

No matter how many times I read this book, something new always resonates with me. These are life lessons, and a lot of them seem to take a whole lifetime to master...but the pursuit is the worthiest you'll ever embark upon. I strive every day to shake my unhealthy "normal" behaviors and embrace the spirit of this book - one that is laughing, open-hearted, through life.

Bowen White M.D. truly opens your eyes about what's important in life and how the stress that comes from what other people put into your inbox can really take you down. This is an easy to read, step by step eye opener about how the things we accept for normal in our life are slowly killing us and the book gives you significant, solid steps on how to take control over your life back from the world we live in and really learn to live. I loved it.

Bowen White takes you to the ultimate place, your inner self. His insight into the human mind is incredible. If you are seeking to find more about yourself, and why you live the life you do, this is the book for you. I have heard this wonderful man speak live and have read his book twice. It is incredible to walk a trail of the world with him and look at yourself.

I've known Bowen White for many years and so my review could be considered biased........however, I can honestly say that he has always been "out there" i.e., not being so normal, making people laugh all the time, and strikes me as a very healthy person ... he follows his own words and ideas and has written a very honest book. I'd say we can all learn something from him. He spoke to a keen group of university students here on a recent visit and had a great time involving them in taking a different path toward solving life's challenges. His enthusiasm for life and for all people comes through in this book.

This is exactly what we need to think about as we prepare our high school senior for technology at college. In the laptop vs. desktop debate, this handy, informative books lays out the pros and cons. It's perfect for those of us who will either have to transport equipment a few thousand miles or decide to buy it on site. I heartily recommend this book for any parents preparing to buy technology for their collegiate children.

This book offers great tips and advice on technology all those going away to college will need. As one reads it, one will definitely learn something new whether it's about computers, laptops, desktops or handhelds.

Not all those going away to college can afford to buy a laptop or a desktop. Hence, this book suggests ways one could get best offers in technology. Did you know some colleges and universities rent computers? I didn't know until I read this book. Now that's a good catch for those who are not willing to buy a computer.

Wish I'd Known That is something I would recommend to everyone going off to college. It's a great book everyone will find helpful. I did. You will not know how useful it is until you buy it.

This new book makes technology decisions easy for students as they prepare for their adventure in college education. It provides knowlegeable help in selecting the correct hardware, software and add ons for a student's technology package.
The authors have a great feel for the questions and difficulties encountered by students and their parents as they begin the collegiate journey.
Parents will be reassured as they read the comments and suggestions presented to the students - good sound technology advice. In fact, as a school administrator, I plan to share many of the helpful ideas with my faculty and students.
This book will guide even inexperienced users on their way to success with technology in their college careers. I plan to give this book as a gift to several students embarking on their college journey in the fall.

"Wish I'd Known That" by Diane S. Kendall and Dr. Merle Marsh thoroughly covers all aspects of taking technology to college. Everything is covered from determining what systems a school platfrom will support, to choosing a computer, to providing advice on what to do when everything goes wrong, all in a well organized easy to find and use format. The authors have also done an excellent job providing advice and support for both MAC and PC users.
One of the best features of this book is the list of "Universal Truths of College Computing." This list can serve as a veritable Bible for computing anywhere but especially on the college campus. Whether the reader is an incoming college freshman or a newcomer to technology, this book provides a full range of tips and guidelines to assist in making a wise technology choice, that is hard to find anywhere else. This book is Highly recommended.

As an advanced user considering majoring in Computer Science, having just graduated from a high school where laptops are required for all students, I was initially doubtful that I needed any technology advice. As I read this book, however, I did indeed find myself taking note of many useful suggestions that I simply hadn't thought of. Even if you've been using computers at school for as long as you can remember, the college environment presents its own new set of challenges and obstacles to overcome and avoid. What better way to prepare yourself than with a guide based on input from current college students who are just like you except that they've "been there, done that." This book is so comprehensive that I would recommend it for absolutely anyone entering college: technophobes and technophiles, History majors and Computer Science majors alike.
Best of luck at college!

This book was extremely helpful when I was preparing for my child's annual IEP meeting. I was able to support all my requests for my child's education with the law and received all the support and services needed and appropriate for my child to succeed. It was a pleasant meeting because I was knowledgeable.

this is a very well written and easy to read.it has been very helpful for me in implimenting my childrens IEP's.

Special Education Law is an excellent resource for teachers and parents. It is well organized, and written to be understandable and useful. I will definitely order other material by the same author.

I found this book very helpful and consider it a necessity for anyone dealing with the special education system.

Now in a newly updated and significantly expanded second edition, "Wrightslaw: Special Education Law" provides parents, educators, child service advocates, and family attorneys with a clear and superbly organized introduction to the federal laws affecting the education of children with disabilities. An invaluable guide to special education rights and responsibilities, co-authors Pete Wright (who has represented children with disabilities for more than 30 years including appearing before the U. S. Supreme Court in 'Florence County School District IV v. Shannon Carter, 510 U.S. 7 - 1993 in which he won a landmark victory for all children with disabilities) and Pam Wright (a psychotherapist who has worked with children since the 1970s and is the Editor of 'The Special ed Advocate' newsletter), "Wrightslaw: Special Education Law" addresses the issues of a child's right to a free and appropriate education; individualized education programs, IEP teams, transition and progress; evaluations, re-evaluations, consent and independent educational evaluations; eligibility and placement decisions; least restrictive environment, mainstreaming and inclusion; research based instruction, discrepancy formulas and response to intervention; discipline, suspensions and expulsions; safeguards; mediation, confidentiality, new procedures and timelines for due process hearings. A critically important addition to school district and community library Educational Laws & Guidelines reference shelves, "Wrightslaw: Special Education Law" should be considered 'must reading' for anyone (but most especially by parents and school authorities) charged with the responsibility for educating a disabled child regardless of the nature or degree of the disability.

My son loves mysteries and we have been delighted with the Cam Jansen books. In this one she must not only use her great photographic memory but also a little deducing to figure out the culprit that took the cookie. Recommended for ages 5-8 years.

My daughter is 5 (almost 6) and in kindergarten. She progressed very quickly this year from sounding out words, to reading simple picture books to needing something at the next level - easy enough that she could read it on her own but more challenging, with a real plot. I went to the library and read and looked at a lot of books with her - Magic Treehouse, Cam Jansen (the older version), Junie B. Jones - and found that Young Cam Jensen was just right (as they say!) - it captured her interest, she can read one in one or two sittings, and she has a great feeling of acocmplishment since it's a "big-kid" chapter book. Once she's read through this series I think she'll be ready for the others I mentioned, which are just a bit too hard for her to read on her own now. (Personally I find the writing flat and dull - I prefer the books we read together, like Roald Dahl - but she's happy!)

I have a 2nd grader who is an average reader. We have a great time readying these together. It's fun but also gives her a bit of a challenge. She feels great as she can now read "Chapter" books! LOVE THE SERIES!

You have to love Cam Jansen. When you're a kid, you read all of these stories about magic powers, mystery, and adventure. But everyone tells you magic can't exist. Cam Jansen manages to solve every case without the use of magic... she's a real girl. That's what makes her special and what makes you want to red more and more. Cam Jansen is a real kid superhero, and the thought that a person like her could actually exist... makes her the best kid detective ever!

Cam is a woderful girl, helps people uncover mysteries and finding things.Cam's amazing memory clicks into action"Cam jansen can find mysteries everywhere even in the store, inside a classroom or in a house.In young Cam Jansen and the missing cookie Cam is finding out who stoled Jasons with what? if you know if you want to know who stoled Jason's cookie read this Cam Jansen book.Who do you think is going to be? I like this book so much that I didn't want to put it down because Cam Jansen are my favorite books.I love Cam Jansen books and I want to read them all beacause I only read 3 books so far.I recomend this book to everyone and anyone who likes to read Cam Jansen books and the people who likes mysteries.

This is an excellent book that highlights the role of identifying early strenghts in children for future academic/professional success.

The author suggests that all parents should be the first to seek those natural abilities in their child and look for ways to enrich their development.

This book also inspired me to start an educational consulting business that specializes in assessing for early strengths/talents in children.

Just do a search for 'brightdvp' to see some of the articles we've published regarding this topic.

I originally borrowed this book from the library. I fell in love with it, so I bought a copy. This is a great book for adults and Children alike who are wondering what their specific strengths are and how to find them.

This is by far the best parenting book I have ever read, and I thank Jennifer Fox over and over for writing it! I am not often moved by an author, and I have never been inspired by a parenting book like I have been with this one. This book speaks directly to my heart and every story brings tears to my eyes and gives me hope for being a better mom. I'm glad I bought the hardcover because I will read this book again and again as my children grow.

This book by Jenifer Fox offers a unique view on the development and education of your children. Rather than depending on a rigid school curriculum and then using test results to pinpoint weaknesses, she advocates finding the child's strengths and interests and building upon these to improve their overall academic performance.

The book provides a guide to finding a child's main strengths - Activity Strengths (tasks that a child is good at, and enjoys doing); Relationship Strengths (things a child does for or with others that strengthens a relationship) and Learning Strengths (the way a child approaches and assimilates information)

The first part of the book provides a background to the strengths-based curriculum developed by the author, with real life examples, suggestions, and advice on how a parent can help a child to identify individual strengths through a series of simple non-invasive questions.

The second part is a comprehensive workbook for educators and parents, with a series of exercises to be completed with children and young adults of ages from four to eighteen. Though time consuming, a little daunting, and requiring a lot of input, there are some exercises that can be easily adopted to fit your personal family schedule. It is recommended that the exercises be done in the order laid out in the book, but you don't have to complete every single one before moving on to the next.

If used properly, this book could be the key to improving your child's all around performance, but be warned that it will take a lot of time and commitment on both sides.





Amanda Richards, August 24, 2008

The older we get, the more we realize that life is a journey of discover into who we are; and those who help guide us along that path are called our most honored teachers. In this easy to read tutorial, educator Jenifer Fox relies on stories from her life and her life's work with children to demonstrate the importance of integrating that process into your child's education and then provides the how-to-do manual.

Arguing persuasively against systems that place all comers into a common box and then looks to identify failure (weakness) as the path to growth, Fox reminds us that we are all unique, individual beings with both weaknesses and strengths. Recognizing that our weaknesses are most often the underside of a powerful strength, educator Fox shows us how to use this strength base as a foundation for growth and learning - starting not when we are adults, but starting from an early age by incorporating this concept into our educational institutions. Recognizing that this strength positioning applies not just to students, but also to the teachers, Fox created an Affinities Program as an alternative to standardized teaching and testing methodologies.

Applying the well accepted "Head, Heart, & Hands" framework to strength understanding, Fox categorizes children's (adults too, for that matter) strengths as Learning, Relational, or Activity based, and provides examples and discovery techniques for each. If you have done any introspective analysis yourself, you will appreciate that a book cannot give the answers to your child's strengths, but this one will surely help you start them on that journey and integrate it into their educational development.

Do not be off-put by the nearly 350 pages. The book takes only 160 pages to present the usual problem/solution argument - an easy two sitting read. The next 75 pages are the how-to-do application piece for working with the child - a worthwhile book in its own right. By including the Affinities curriculum as an appendix to the book, Fox expanded the book beyond the usual < 250 page limit for the easy read designation - consider this your free gift when you buy the book.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who loves a child.

Dennis DeWilde, Author of "The Performance Connection"

It's not often you find a book that will become an heirloom - but this one will. It is an amazing combination of entertainment and education that you and your child will enjoy for many years. The way that it explains the fundamental qualitites that make us human in a continuous rhyme that's fun to read is extraordinary. Kids and the adults that read it with them will forever be enriched by this book. I would recommend it for kids of all ages.

Theresa McKeown has so beautifully written a book for children to let THEM know just how special they are.
As an adult, I was immediately taken back to my childhood. I so wish this book had been available to me
when I was a child. The twenty-six illustrations which accompany each letter of the alphabet are just
exceptional. "The ABC's of Being Me" may be for children -- however, parents and adults will enjoy reading
this book as well.

I thought this was going to just be a book about learning the ABC's and was thrilled to discover it's so much more! It's really about celebrating how wonderful it is to be who you and all the great qualities that are a part of every person. You will never get tired of reading this.

A beautiful and inspiring book that teaches children the magic of who they are and the wonders of the world that they live in. Full of great teachings and written with pizazz and joy. A real keeper!

Patrice

I think that this book perfectly balances what I need to teach along with what keeps children involved and stimulated in the classroom. The beautiful illustrations alongside of the exceptional writing is exactly the kind of literature I look forward to sharing with my students. It is a perfect book to use for a drama type reading, especially for ESL (English as a Second Language)students. Teachers can use this as a great tool for such a purpose. This book does not take the reader for granted, choosing instead to respect their innate intelligence. I look forward to more of the same from the author. I hope that she'll touch on some new subjects in the future such as science, math or even social studies. Either way, I look forward to including this great book in my everyday curriculum.