Boyd Books

Taking kids out into the wilds to write about what they see is often overwhelming to them. This fine book takes each element of the ecosystem of the ocean's edge and illustrates it, then succinctly in two or three sentences tells about it. A great model for kids, whether the ecosystem is mountains, forest, desert or lake.

This is one of those magical books that will inspire, excite and inform. Through his usual deft handling of poetic language and crisp images, Laurence Pringle has, once again, provided young readers with a sensory journey through a valued ecosystem. Coupled with Michael Chesworth's captivating illustrations, this is a book that will be read and re-read many times. Run and get a copy for your classroom or home and be prepared for many fantastic adventures!

Most of my recipe books I use for one or two recipes at most, but this book is an exception. I've cooked about 20-30 recipes from here and now there are 15 that I cook monthly, some even weekly. Although it's titled a low fat cookbook, you just don't notice that the food is healthy as it's all hearty and full of flavours. My favourites are italian bean stew, bacon broad bean potato supper, creamy pork with peppers, courgette and bean soup, falafel patties, mediterranean baked chicken and rice and chicken chow mien. The book is divided into chapters on snacks and starters; soups; grills; casseroles, braises and stews; roasts and bakes; quick hob suppers; pasta, rice and grains; salads; desserts and bakes; dressings sauces and stocks. I could easily throw away every other cook book I have and live only with this one.

This relatively unsung book is the kind of thing you need to help you loose weight. There are recipes for all seasons and occasions. Portions from for one person to dinner parties and even food for celebrations and festivals.
In winter I stuck with the soup menu and moved on to salads in summer, there are even recipes for what would ordinarily be very naughty puddings, even a Christmas cake recipe!
The book is also well produced, sturdy, with lovely photography and enough to prevent repitition and prevent menu boredom. It even has meat recipes which I was not expecting!

This book is a true look into the masterful writing style of Boyd. The sheer poetry expressed in this book about Aquariams truly moved me when I sought guidance for repairing the aquariam for my pet goldfish. It was a pleasure to read this book. I am a lifelong fan of aquariam books after reading this.

I keep searching for more books by Kevin Boyd. Both this guidebook, and the "complete Aquarium Problem Solver" book together give you the tools to learning what proper fishkeeping is all about. The cartoons are humorous and entertaining as well. I often dig these two books up ALWAYS putting aside my other 15 books of fishkeeping. I prefer Boyd's style and easy to understand explanations. These chapters are also organized for easy reference.

I found this a great book as a guide to solve problems with my tropical fish. It is easy to read and easy to understand. I love the pictures, they are very helpful. For the price this book should be a part of every persons' library who is serious about having tropical fish as a pet. Buy it, you'll love it.

This book is very good for the freshwater fish keeper or the beginner / intermediate marine hobbyist. The book contains very easy to read and useful flow charts to analyze fish and tank problems. The text is also very good and useful. It gives treatments for many diseases (including color photographs), as well as advice on keeping a healthy tank. I enjoyed the funny artwork as well! A great reference. Advanced marine reef keepers may find the book a little basic.

Connecting Dots is a wonderful addition to any public or school library. If you are looking for a special program for national poetry month or just a solid idea for a family literacy night, Connecting Dots is a great title to build a program around. I have used this successfully in a program for ages 10-15 to inspire kids to write about events in their life! The fun format with a picture and a sentence describing the "real" event before the poem is one that the kids can duplicate with their own artwork or old family photo's, Couple this with interviews of family members and it becomes an intergenerational program. David Harrison is a solid author with many wonderful titles out there and a great champion of literacy in his own state.

Teachers:
If you are looking for a way to enourage your children to write memoir poetry, read with them CONNECTING DOTS: POEMS OF MY JOURNEY by David L. Harrison. Harrison says, "The poems in this book are "dots" of my life-----from early times to now. When you read them, they turn into a picture of me." Webster defines a memoir as a biography or biographical sketch. That is what David Harrison has written with his collection of poems ranging from age four to recent poems written at age sixty-five. The personal and tender poems capture the joy of everyday moments. The funny poems evoke a chuckle and an "I've been there" smile. As David Harrison reveals his doubts and fears, but also claims his gifts, he encourages his reader to do the same. This collection of poems is a delightful "read" as well as a tool that can be used to encourage memoir writing. It will be a valuable addition to any classroom library.
Julie Poole
Media Specialist

Fine's language is magical. She's included sensory details, universal feelings, humor, and strong characterization in the form of her cranky cricket in the stable that night. Her unique rendition of this age-old story is a "must" for holiday gifts for children; adults will love it, too. Winslow Pels's illustrations are stunning, right down to the donkey's eyelashes.

A grumpy little cricket just wants to sleep but there is no peace in the stable and the bright star is shinning in his eyes. "Such light. Such Noise. Is there no peace?" Just when he thinks he has found some quiet, Mary and Joseph arrive with a noisy donkey and then visitors arrive.

A shepherd girl scoops up the cricket and holds him high above the crowd so he can see the baby in the manger. Once he has a view he becomes interested in the angels and manger scene. He is so impressed that he decides to sing a song for the baby Jesus, only he can't quite manage more than a "Gar-Reech" because that has been his tune for so long.

Finally he manages to create a "Chirrr-rup Chirrr-rup" and feels he has
become part of the celebration.

Winslow Pels' illustrations fill each page with seasonal beauty in subtle shades of blues, reds and brown with sand-tone backgrounds. Edith Hope Fine's words dance and jump from the page in cricket sounds mingling with the tale of Jesus' birth.

A memorable story with a change in perspective near the end. It shows children that things are not always as they appear and miracles can even be found in seeming chaos.

~The Rebecca Review

Bob Marstall illustrates a picture book coverage of a creature well-known to most US kids: what will be less known is the intriguing facts herein; from the fact that crows have over twenty distinct communication sounds to how they deal with danger. An intriguing coverage helps kids take a second look at the crow.

When I ordered this book I did not realize it was for children. I was attracted by the wonderful cover picture of a crow. Discovering that it is for children didn't bother me at all, since I love children's books as much as I love crows. This one is delightful in it's description of the intelligence, personality and habits of crows. Children will enjoy learning about their playful antics and their ability to solve problems, use tools and adapt to a variety of environments. I highly recommend this book to parents, children and anyone who loves birds.

I used this book in my classroom to teach about Lewis and Clarks journey. My students loved reading from the point of view of the dog, Seaman. This is a great book to use with kids who enjoy animal stories.

The Dog of Discovery was an exciting book to read. The main characters are Lewis, Clark and Lewis' dog Seamen. The main idea of the story is how Seamen helps Lewis and Clark on their expedition on the Missouri River. I think this book is exciting in parts. Some of the other parts were a little bit dull. One of the exciting parts was when seamen warned Lewis about a bear that was snooping around the camp. There are a lot of Indians involved in this story. One of the dull parts of the story was when they were going through the mountains. It was dull because the crew pulled the boat up the river day after day. There are not a lot of sad parts in this book. That is why The Dog of Discovery is an exciting book to read.

This is english humour at its best! Dr Xargle is quite an affectionately, fluffy green Alien who teaches other aliens all about earth and the beings. While your children might not get the humour immediately, it is wonderful watching them slowly understand the humour. For instance earth grannys making wrappers for babies from the 'hairdo of a sheep'.

the illustrations are gorgeous with lots of little features going on in the background - they are richly coloured watercolours.

Sweet, fun, while your children might not understand immediately they know there is something more to it and really enjoy going back and looking at it to understand. EXCELLENT BOOK - in fact I would highly recommend all the Xargle books!

I had never heard of this book until it was given as a gift for my son. I have since shared it with every member of my family. It is a truly delightful book that is very well written. This story of an alien professor teaching his class about the strange lives of "earthlets" (human babies) must be at the top of anyone's list of children's books. (Although I have yet to find an adult who doesn't laugh outloud while reading it.)

I first saw the Scribner Illustrated Classics series in a Museum in Chicago. I believe Treasure Island was the first that I purchased. The Wyeth paintings were reproduced for this book and many others. The artwork is fabulous. I visited the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA to see many of the original Wyeth illustrations. The titles in this series are still classics and every bit as riviting as when I first read them. I have read some to children and they are great fun for all. I have collected the whole series, they will be passed on to children and grandchldren.

Drums by Boyd has been called the best novel ever written about the Revolutionary War. Narrated from the viewpoint of a North Carolina Tory gentleman's adolescent son, it's unique outlook soon draws the reader into the drama of colonial unrest and the emotional battle men fought within themselves whether to cede from England or not. However, this is no psychological melodrama. Some of the most superb scenes in the novel are the depictions of a local horse race and a John Paul Jones sea battle. So why isn't Drums read more widely? It would seem Boyd's own excellent writing has gotten him into trouble for today's reader. Not only are his fight scenes realistic, but his cooly penetrating description of the early entrenchment of southern slavery, with all crudities of language and social class structure, is too graphic for our modern tastes. In short, he uses the "N" word too liberally. Reading this novel reminded me of reading HUCKLEBERRY FINN. It also reminded me of Olasky's FIGHTING FOR LIBERTY AND VIRTUE. Personally, I think it should be put back on high school reading lists. I think it would help in revealing why slavery was not addressed at the time of the Revolution as well as why it took a war to settle the matter.