Brooks Reviews

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath (Bad Kitty)

Published in Hardcover by Roaring Brook Press (2008-08-19)

Author: Nick Bruel

List price: $13.95

New price: $8.01
Used price: $7.70

Average review score:

What a fantastic chapter book!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-28

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath is just what we have been waiting for! My eight year old has loved Bad Kitty for quite some time now so when we heard that a new book was out, we ordered it right away. We were not disappointed! From the pictures (my son was amazed that chapter books can have cool pictures) to the text, we were laughing and enjoying every minute of Bad Kitty!
I was surprised to see that Amazon has Bad Kitty Gets a Bath for younger readers because, although younger readers will enjoy the story, older readers will LOVE this book and will be thrilled to share this book with you!
We recently traveled to Grandma's house and due to space issues we told our son something had to be left behind. His solution was to unpack the Nintendo DS and leave Bad Kitty Gets a Bath right where it was, mixed with all his other 'treasures' to show Grandma. That is the best recommendation that a child can give! Two thumbs way up for Bad Kitty Gets a Bath!

A wonderful giftbook for cat owners of all ages!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-12

Written by the author of the "Bad Kitty" children's books, Bad Kitty Gets a Bath is a storybook about the trials and tribulations of giving a dirty black kitty a bath! Expressive black-and-white illustrations on almost every page are sure to bring a smile to the faces of cat lovers young and old. Beyond the humorous insights into the near-futility of getting a cat to do anything it doesn't want to do, Bad Kitty Gets a Bath also offers gentle, practical advice for bathing a cat: "Try not to pour water directly onto Kitty's head. Instead, use a soft, moist towel and gently wipe her face and head." Though over one hundred and twenty pages in length, Bad Kitty Gets a Bath is more of a visual storybook than a text novel, and is well suited to young picturebook readers who are just about ready to start reading slightly more complex fare. Bad Kitty Gets a Bath is also a wonderful giftbook for cat owners of all ages!

Bad Kitty gets a bath is really funny !

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-10-31

I really enjoyed this book although I believe it's for an older crowd than his previous books about Bad Kitty....the humor is more mature...really funny !

Hilarious!!!!

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-12

Bad Kitty Gets a Bath by Nick Bruel is the funniest book I have read probably since Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. I could not put the book down until I finished it and I then gave it to anyone and everyone I could. Bruel's humor is appropriate for children but there is also tongue in cheek humor for adults. The wonderful surprise is you also get illustrations! You know exactly what Kitty is feeling on every page. While I find it extremely difficult to select a favorite part of the book, I would have to say Chapter Four: Getting Kitty into the Water may be the funniest. "Now that you've regained consciousness, you probably remember what happened when... you took her to the vet. You made her brush her teeth. You made her take her medicine. You clipped her nails. You made her finish her vegetables." I especially love the illustrations and text that can't be viewed because the publisher is afraid of scaring the reader. While all this fun ensues, you actually learn about cats. What a concept, teach and lesson and have fun. Bad Kitty Gets a Bath has a permanent place on my desk and anytime I am having a bad day I pick it up, randomly open it, read it and without fail I am laughing. Pick up a copy of Bad Kitty Gets a Bath for everyone you know. They will thank you for it.

"Bad Kitty" is so GOOD!!!

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-23

I can't say enough about how much our family loves this and all of Mr. Bruel's books. The illustrations are fantastic and convey such wonderful emotions and humor. As for the story, it is simply hilarious. It appeals to both children and adults; in fact, anyone who has ever tried to bathe a cat or simply owned a cat and/or dog will really get a kick out of it. With "Uncle Murray's Fun Facts" sprinkled throughout, children--and adults, for that matter--will also learn a few tidbits they may not have known.

"Bad Kitty" is certainly my favorite children's book character and "Bad Kitty Gets a Bath" definitely does not disappoint. Overall a great book and one I very, very highly recommend!!

Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc

Published in Library Binding by (2008-06-26)

Author: Polly Schoyer Brooks

List price: $17.95

New price: $17.48
Used price: $21.89

Average review score:

Book review

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-19

I have already read the book and it was great! I found it very intersting and not wanting to put the book down until I finished it!

Getting beyond the myths about Joan of Arc

Helpful Votes: 14 out of 14 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-04

In "Beyond the Myth: The Story of Joan of Arc," Polly Schoyer Brooks provides a biography for young adults that makes a point of separating historical facts from popular legends. One of the main strengths of the volume is how Brooks establishes the situation in 15th-century France which involved a king who suffered fits of madness and his weakling son and then tells the story of a peasant girl from the countryside who accomplished what appeared to be miracles in rallying the French to her banner. The result is a book about Joan of Arc that captures her humanity as well as her heroism.

Brooks neatly divides the story of Joan in half, with the first six chapters starting with Joan's life in the village of Domremy and ending with the crowing of Charles the Dauphin as King of France, and the last six depicting Joan's fall from glory, trial, and execution. Brooks emphasizes that the situations that brought about her martyrdom were beyond Joan's control and details the political calculations that ended up putting her in the hands of the English. However, as Brooks emphasizes, though the English burned Joan's body to ashes they could not wipe out the memory of her deeds from the French people. I appreciate that Brooks makes it clear to her readers how the effort's to restore Joan's name and honor after the English left France were just as politically motivated as the trial that condemned her.

This young adult biography is illustrated with historic prints and paintings, including a sketch by a clerk of his idea of Joan drawn in the margin of his report, as well as contemporary photographs of historic sites, such as Joan's stone-and-rubble house in Domremy and the statue on the post were she was burned at the stake in the marketplace at Rouen. Brooks has also written similar biographies of Eleanor of Acquitaine and Cleopatra. However, as Brooks notes, although more books about Joan have been inspired than any other women in history, she remains an enigma. In "Beyond the Myth," Brooks tries to answer the key questions concerning Joan's life and to restore her humanity, which in the final analysis, Brooks sees as being her greatest virtue. For students who are ready to get beyond your basic juvenile biographies of Joan of Arc, this is a thoughtful volume to which to turn next.

Detailed biographical study garnered from intense research.

Helpful Votes: 18 out of 21 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-03

Like many females, I enjoy learning about female historical figures. I want to know as much truth as I can find. The author does exactly that for the reader. This book is a detailed account of the events that triggered Joan d'Arc's dedication to her country and its rightful king. The author traces the history based on documents and other works that have been carefully researched. She provides the reader with the personality traits and beliefs of the time which drove the events that led to Joan's trial and death. Accusations of witchcraft and sorcery were used by church and secular leaders to destroy the young life of a heroic woman because of jealousy, superstition, and shady business surrounding the church and state. In addition, health and medical issues of the times are revealed that are shocking and entertaining. Read this book to learn about Joan, but also about the way people lived. Just learning about the reasons for the need for all those castles made the read worth the time.

An easy to read, concise biography

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-21

While this book is written for the young adult, I read it recently as a "older" adult and loved it. I have limited spare time so it was great to be able to finish this book in a day or 2. It is simply written yet gives the reader a clear, comprehensive guide to the life of a brave, determined peasant girl. All important facts of Joan's life are included, her childhood, her goal to defeat the English and secure the French throne for Charles VII and her capture and death at the hands of the British. After reading this book I now have a clearer insight into the life of this popular heroine, her call from God and her amazing accomplishments.

I'm young again !

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-03

Ms. Brooks concise biography of Joan, marketed toward "young adults," makes me feel sure that I must be young again! It exactly suits me.

The Joan that emerges from these pages is an entirely believable, if extraordinary, human being. It is written at a perfectly intelligent level, is measured in its judgments, provides historical and social context, and is never dogmatic. It seems careful throughout and provides a bibliography. And it is ~very~ engaging. What's not to like?

I proudly place this work for "young adults" on my shelves and will, in the future, look more deliberately for work in this category.

I have an interest in French history but a regular life as well, not endless expanses of time for huge historical tomes. I was extremely pleased with the return this book gave me for a modest investment of time. And nobody has accused me lately of not being a full-fledged adult ;-)

Black? White! Day? Night! - A Book of Opposites (Ala Notable Children's Books (Awards)) (Neal Porter Books)

Published in Hardcover by Roaring Brook Press (2006-10-03)

Author: Laura Vaccaro Seeger

List price: $16.95

New price: $2.29
Used price: $1.27
Collectible price: $16.95

Average review score:

Fabulous!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-29

This book is a great way to look at the world. Kids of all ages really enjoy it. I would highly recommend it.

I was surprised our 3 yr old didn't enjoy this book more

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-15

This book is a larger-sized hardback with flaps to open. That alone I thought would pull our 3 yr old son in and make this one of his fave books. But not so. He'll read through it with me, but doesn't pick it on his own. Maybe it's because he already knows many of the concepts and he tends to prefer realistic colorful illustrations. Maybe better for a 2 yr old? Very nicely produced, good quality pages and printing.

I just LOVE this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-02-16

We selected this book to win the Caldecott award in my school because it is beautiful and my whole class can't stop looking at it. Even though we are in fifth grade, this is a picture book for all ages because it has something for everyone. Little kids can learn their opposites and older kids can see how cool it is that the author was able to make each page interesting and fun.

BEST OPPOSITE BOOK I'VE EVER READ!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-29

Just because this book is about opposites, it doesn't mean its just for kids 5 and under. The pictures are creative and colorful, and the way the author describes the opposites in pictures is totally awesome! This book can be a favorite for anyone, any age. If you read this book, you'll see that I'm not kidding about it!

Deceptively simple/delightfully surprising

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-19

Seeger's work looks deceptively simple but is more often than not quite surprising.

Black White Day Night is another lift-the-flap book of opposites that lives up to her other lift-the-flap projects: The Hidden Alphabet and Lemons are Not Red.

Her bright and unfussy illustrations appeal to children and the cleverness of her designs will appeal to adults. I always find myself genuinely surprised when looking through her books which strike me as being very well-thought out and conceptualized.

Contemporary Martyrdom

Published in Paperback by Birch Brook Press (2002-05)

Author: John Popielaski

List price: $14.00

New price: $13.99
Used price: $12.50

Average review score:

Incredible

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-03

This book is quite possibly the funniest poetry book I have ever read. J Pops is one of the coolest men to ever walk the earth.
1)God
2)J Pops
3)Chuck Norris

That's how cool he is.

Considerations

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-10-11

Interesting. . . a long way from Connecticut Avenue to Connecticut State. Not Considerations or the Cockroaches Ball but 3 points none-the-less.

J Pops is the man

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-09

yo i just read Mr. P's book...he is the greatest.... his book is so great.... he is the greatest teacher ever.... he is my idol.... i hope he writes another book real soon

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm good

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2004-02-04

I love this book. It make me feeel warm inside. I want everyone to read this book. I like the poems. I Also like men. And poem about condoms. BOy,that one was great! I liked it becaus it was great. Buy this book

hey P

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-03-26

i read this book over and over again (according to my college english class, thats the best way to understand good poetry)...the best way to describe this is a pulp ficktion type of darkness to the humor...even my english teacher loved this book and is going to have me do a report of a poem (:-( thanks mr. P)...anyone who appreciates poetry, true smokey room, depressed gusy w/ long hair complaining about the world poetry...dont buy this book...but anyone who loves real poetry...the kind thats in-your-face, yet, contains a gentle humor in the end...this short book is perfect. i hope mr. P wrights his short novel next...that would be something even stephen king would be proud of...peace mr. P

Creatures of the Night

Published in Hardcover by Purple Sky Publishing (2005-09-15)

Author: Stephen J. Brooks

List price: $16.95

New price: $10.00
Used price: $5.99
Collectible price: $19.95

Average review score:

Creatures of the night

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-11-03

I volunteer at a nature & wildlife educational museum. Creatures of the Night is the perfect book to read to visiting young children especially during the month of October. The pictures are delightful & inspire discussion in the 3 to 7 yr old age group. (If you order this book be sure it is a Creatures of the Night written for young children not one for adults with the same title but different authors)

Bedtime Favorite

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-03-27

Written in rhyme, this colorful picture book will soon become your child's favorite bedtime story. Creatures of the Night will explain the often scary sounds heard at night, shedding light on the creatures that come out to play.

The little "masked bandit" raccoon wears his clever disguise. The cute little field mice run, jump, and play. Perhaps one of the most prominent nighttime noises is the melody chirped by the crickets. They are pictured as happy smiling little critters. The frogs and toads join in the serenade, as the lightening bugs dance along. The coyote calls his friends to come and play. They walk and jump and run. They dance and sing their serenades until the night is done.

Written for children ages three to seven, it is also a book an older child will enjoy reading to a sibling. Creatures of the Night is colorfully illustrated by Rodger B. Wilson, who is the recipient of many awards for graphic design and illustrations. Author, Stephen J. Brooks has written several children's books. He has served as a Federal Agent for over a decade and writes to comfort children.

Mayra Calvani -- TCM REVIEWS

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-12-02

Has your young child ever wondered about those noises in the night, or about those creatures that come out to play only at night?

Creatures of the Night is a lovely rhyming story about those nocturnal creatures that "Come out to run and play," like "The sly and wily old raccoon,/With a mask around its eyes,/Sneaks about in search of food/in his ever so clever disguise."

Other creatures of the night mentioned in the book include the owl, field mice, crickets, frogs, fireflies, coyote, opossum, and muskrats.

The rhymes are delightful and the illustrations beautiful, with a serene, peaceful quality to them, bringing to life the magic of the night and its creatures. It is the kind of book young children will want to listen to in bed at night many times, if only to look at the lovely images of the animals.

A book that both teaches and stimulates young children's imagination, Creatures of the Night is a keeper, and well-worth its hardcover price.

Perfect Bedtime Story!!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-22

This is my daughters favorite night time story. She loves the gentle images of the animals and the wonderful rhyming text.

Creatures of the Night

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-04-08

This is an awesome book for your children to read! It's a fun storyline with cute illustrations of nocturnal animals. It's nice to have a book that exposes kids to animals and a fun outdoor environment.

Eat Smart in Brazil: How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods & Embark on a Tasting Adventure (Eat Smart in Brazil)

Published in Paperback by Ginkgo Press (2006-08-11)

Author: Joan Peterson

List price: $13.95

New price: $8.00
Used price: $7.50

Average review score:

Makes me hungry for Brazilian foods!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-05-01

EAT SMART IN BRAZIL

Reviewed by Sharon Hudgins, author of The Other Side of Russia: A Slice of Life in Siberia and the Russian Far East

Reading "Eat Smart in Brazil" made my mouth water! I'm a big fan of the "Eat Smart" travel guides for food lovers--and I'm always delighted when another book in this series is published. This second edition of Joan Peterson's "Eat Smart in Brazil" certainly lives up to the series' theme, promising to tell you "How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods, & Embark on a Tasting Adventure." And what an adventure this is! After an explanation of the historical, geographical, and ethnic influences on Brazilian foods and a description of five different regional cuisines within that huge country, the author then satisfies your desire to eat by providing nearly two dozen recipes for Brazilian dishes from appetizers to breads to desserts.

You'll also want to carry this book with you on your next trip to Brazil, because it contains a comprehensive glossary of food terms and cooking techniques in Portuguese (the language of Brazil), translated into English, as well as an extensive Menu Guide for translating terms that you'll find on menus and cafe chalkboards throughout Brazil. One of my favorite features of the Menu Guide is the author's marginal comments on many of the dishes listed: National Favorite, Regional Classic, Spectacular, Interesting, A Feast, Not to Be Missed, Excellent, Try Them All. Just reading these menu terms makes you want to book the next flight to Rio de Janeiro! Highly recommended!

Five Stars from BrazilMax

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-04-21

I'd like to see more of this kind of book. Written by experts in a readable style, "Eat Smart in Brazil" provides a succinct but informative overview of the country's culinary culture. It includes historical, ethnic and regional overviews, recipes, shopping tips (both for local markets and for when back home), a culinary phrase guide, and two Portuguese-to-English glossaries - one to help when ordering in restaurants and the other to clarify definitions of food names and cooking terminology. The Eat Smart series is published independently, under the Ginkgo Press imprint. Joan and David Peterson are literally eating their way around the world with Ginkgo. Besides Brazil, they've covered Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, Morocco, and India. Next up, Peru. Unlike the run-of-the-mill globetrotting guidebook writer, this couple knows its stuff - which, of course, would be food. (Bill Hinchberger is the editor of the BrazilMax website.)

What?

Helpful Votes: 10 out of 51 total.
Review Date: 2001-10-09

Brazil IS NOT made of Indian, Portuguese and African people descent. Brazil was colonized by Portuguese, African, French, Italian, German, and Duth people. Other people that were very expressive in Brazilian history were Chinese, Jewish, Arabic, Spanish..I'm sorry if I'm leaving some nations out of this equation (Brazilian people are a union of many people and cultures!!), but I've never read something SO absurd as this review.
Thanks

Delicious!

Helpful Votes: 11 out of 12 total.
Review Date: 2000-05-25

From the authors of Eat Smart in Mexico, comes this new title, an easy-to-use menu guide for travelers to Brazil. It contains useful phrases in Portuguese when ordering and a collection of recipes for chefs who want to cook Brazilian fare at home.

Best Book I Took to Brazil

Helpful Votes: 9 out of 9 total.
Review Date: 2003-02-26

Just got back from the trip of a lifetime to Brazil. We visited our former exchange student and his family. We used this book to find out what we were eating (wonderful food!) at every resturant. Even though we were with native Brazilians who spoke English, they often did not know the English words for food.
We used it in Campinas, Paraty, Rio, and Santa Rita (MG). Near the end of our trip we went through the book and marked which foods were our favorites. I recommend this book to anyone taking their first trip to Brazil

Eat Smart in Mexico: How to Decipher the Menu, Know the Market Foods & Embark on a Tasting Adventure (Eat Smart in Mexico)

Published in Paperback by Ginkgo Press (2008-06-24)

Author: Joan Peterson

List price: $13.95

New price: $8.09
Used price: $7.49

Average review score:

eat smart in mexico

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-09-15

the book was very informative on general information about the tastes and variety of food in mexico. i will carry the book to mexico the next time that i go.

We find much to learn from this book.

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1998-12-25

In spite of our having traveled in Mexico many years, and having prepared its cuisine at home as well, we find much to learn from this book. And the authors strike us as folks we would like to meet, and even travel with. Carla and Herb Felsted, co-editors, Mexican Meanderings, A Newsletter of Explorations in an Enchanted Land

Take this book with you!

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 1998-12-08

Besides containing a brief culinary history of ancient and contemporary Mexico, this very intelligent guide has two sections that are of incredible use to the traveller. "Menu guide" is an encyclopedic translation of hundreds of dishes one will encounter in the menus of Mexican cuisine annotated with phrases such as Regional Classic, National Favorite, etc. "Food and Flavors guide" goes from A la Albanil to Zempasuchil. Take this book with you and you will never be lost in the marketplace or restaurant.

Ron Cooper, President, Del Maguey, Ltd. Co., maker of Single Village Mezcal.

Eat well with savvy

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 1998-09-30

Anyone sensible enough to buy a copy before taking off for Mexico will be able to eat really well and even more importantly, to understand what they are eating.-Elisabeth Lambert Ortiz, Author of "The Complete Book of Mexican Cooking"

EAT SMART IN MEXICO with this essential new guidebook!

Helpful Votes: 8 out of 8 total.
Review Date: 1999-02-16

While most Mexico guides devote a section to eating, authors Joan and David Peterson see food as an integral part of the journey, the very basis of travel, and their new guide "Eat Smart in Mexico" (1998, Ginkgo Press, $12.95) reflects that sensibility. One of a series that includes Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey, Eat Smart gives a historical survey of Mexican cuisine followed by an overview of each Mexican region, describing its most representative foods, from the North to the Yucatán. We learn, for example, that Michoacan residents eat churipo, a stew made with potatoes and corn and flavored with the sour cactus fruit xoconostle.

A recipe section presents essentials like birria, mole poblano and chiles rellenos, as well as more exotic offerings like cheese-stuffed squash blossoms and mezcal sea bass with black bean sauce. The recipes have been provided by a number of restaurant owners, cookbook authors and culinary experts.

The most useful section of Eat Smart is its extensive glossary, which is broken down into a menu guide and an ingredients guide. The definitions, written with the gusto of those who are passionate about what they eat, should help readers decipher menus just about anywhere in Mexico. It includes obscure items like codillo enchilmole-pig's knuckles in a black spice paste made of burned chiles, roasted onion and garlic, and juice from the bitter Seville orange, and ayocotes en coloradito-large broad beans in a rich, red, complex sauce of ancho and guajillo chiles, spices, nuts, seeds, raisins and chocolate. Browsing this glossary is certain to whet your appetite to seek out these dishes in the places where they're prepared. -Daniel C. Schecter, Business Mexico

Freddy Goes Camping

Published in Paperback by Knopf Books for Young Readers (1986-03-12)

Author: Walter R. Brooks

List price: $4.95

Used price: $0.01
Collectible price: $41.00

Average review score:

Freddy is superb!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2006-10-16

Freddy is helping his old friend, Mr. Camphor, with a couple of problems. One of them is his aunts; one is too gloomy and another is just plain mean. In addition, Mr. EHA and the rats are planning to take the old hotel. Can Freddy help? This book is great and uses lots of humor. You must read this book!

greatest book of the greatest series

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-01-31

Freddy is back and going camping! This cute pig always makes every exciting now he is back and flipping flap jacks and solving the crime about the ghosts!!!

Freddy is back and just as ornery

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2002-05-12

Probably before you were born, the bookmobile would stop off at our school and I looked forward to reading "Freddy" books. I enjoyed all of his adventures and friends (Jinx had a few adventures of his own). Now those books are collector's items and rarely show up in used book stores. As much as I miss the originals he is back and just as ornery as ever. One Day I hope the earlier one will get republished. In the mean time Even thought these books are geared towards young ones, they still can hold the attention of old codgers.

Kurt wise does a good job of illustrating and for those that have never reads Freddy you have a great mystery ahead of you.

Wow, wow,wow,wow,wow. Need I say more?

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 1998-10-10

My first encouner with Freddy the pig left me feeling like I had just found Tut's tomb. His stories are loaded with treasures-wit, well-developed characters, and clear evidence that Brooks understood and RESPECTED children's intellect and character. Two foretrotters Up!!

Freddy and the ghosts

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2001-05-12

This may well be the best of the Freddy books written by Walter R. Brooks (its only competition is Freddy the Magician). Children and adults alike will find this one of the most fun books they've ever read. I can still remember the delicious chills I felt when reading this book at twelve, and still enjoy reading it today. As usual, Freddy gets into trouble trying to help friends -- Mr. Camphor to get rid of his aunts and an innkeeper whose hotel is haunted.

Group Leadership Skills: Interpersonal Process in Group Counseling and Therapy

Published in Paperback by Brooks Cole (2003-09-19)

Authors: Mei-whei Chen and Christopher J. Rybak

List price: $96.95

New price: $45.05
Used price: $36.25

Average review score:

A must have for the group counselor

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-03

If you are a counselor and would like to expand into group counseling this book provides everything you need. The book takes you step by step on how to start and execute a counseling group. The case samples paint a clear picture of the group counseling process and the job of the counselor. The self reflection questions at the end of each chapter help the reader process the material and reflect on your own personal experiences. The book helps you fine tune your counseling skills and give you the confidence to know what to do to promote growth to the group members. I know I will use this book as a reference throughout my career. This book offers you all the tools you will need to run your own group effectively.

The book to read for group therapy

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-23

I will keep this book as an extremely important reference in forming and leading counseling groups. It is such a practical guide. Certainly, it's based on theory and provides research on the theoretical foundation of group therapy, but the part I like most is the step-by-step guide on creating, leading, and facilitating groups. In addition, there are several chapters devoted to helping you deal with conflict in the group, as well as challenging groups that avoid risks and confrontations. Some very useful techniques discussed in the book are the Hot Seat Method and Stir the Pot. Also valuable are assumptions you must consider when leading groups. I'm beginning to put together a group at my high school on stress management. I can't imagine not using this book in planning and executing the curriculum. I know I will need Chen and Rybak's book often as a reference while leading the group. Every counselor who plans to facilitate a group should buy this book.

An Invaluable Group Counseling Textbook

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-09

Group Leadership Skills: Interpersonal Process in Group Counseling and Therapy is a textbook designed to be an aide beyond learning the pertinent material for a particular course. As a new and practicing school counselor working with groups, my familiarity for the group process is a skill that I credit to the thorough nature of the text. Each chapter builds upon the last and by using real life examples; the content is as practical as it is engaging. Group Leadership Skills is a perfect blend of theory and application and I would highly recommend adding it to your collection of counseling texts for use in graduate courses and future professional pursuits.

Very Engaging & Informative Group Counseling Text

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-01-09

As a school counseling graduate student, I appreciate the wealth of insightful information this textbook has to offer about the group counseling process. It vividly describes the stages a leader and clients will progress through when participating in a group setting, while offering helpful suggestions for eliciting group cohesion, heightened awareness, increased disclosure by all members, and promoting positive group interactions. The text nicely balances between theoretical considerations to the group setting and real life examples and scenarios. The skills introduced in this text come to life as the authors provide the reader with multiple examples and ways to apply the techniques in many different settings. The cases at the end of the chapters helped me to conceptualize all the skills addressed and how a typical group member would perceive the group process. There are also scenarios for practice at the end of each chapter which allow for further analysis and self-reflection. I feel that this book has truly laid the foundation in me to be a confident, capable group leader and I am very happy to have it in my collection of counseling books.

Excellent book a must read for group counseling

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-26

Through group counseling and the use of Dr. Chen's book I am able to communicate my feelings more openly in my relationships with significant others in my life. This has helped me to be more sensitive to the feelings of others and also to ask for help from others when I need it. I have learned a lot about my way of interacting with others and I have been able to see that I have connections to other people rather than focusing on differences. I am making more connections to other people and I have been able to make positive changes to the way I initiate interactions with others. This has helped to expand and strengthen my support system as well as strengthen my family unit.

I Bought a Baby Chicken

Published in Hardcover by Boyds Mills Press (2000-04)

Author: Kelly Milner Halls

List price: $14.95

New price: $9.82
Used price: $0.93
Collectible price: $14.95

Average review score:

A hit, a palpable hit!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2000-06-16

This is the book to buy for little kids of all ages. The story is so sweet, the words so engaging, the illustrations and the colors so vivid and soothing at the same time. I'm delivering yet another copy to the smartest three-year-old I know in just a little while, and I can already imagine Nick holding this book and reading it to one of his kids. It's a classic, it's a work of art, it's a very wonderful teaching tool, but, best of all, it's got heart, and what more can you hope to show kids? Take a bow, Kel.

Clever and Good Humored Kelly

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-08

This little counting book in charming verse by Kelly Milner Halls is exactly the sort of thing to brighten up a child's day or your own. Kelly gives the little story gentle excitement which will stimulate a child and charm an adult. It is the kind of little morsel I would want to grace a coffee table forever. I also thought the illustrations unusual and darling.

Many will ask just what can one do with a counting book, but Kelly has managed to do something new while staying within comfortable and familiar bounds.

From the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-03

"There are far too many counting books, but this one delights and does the job. With Halls' crisp, peppy rhymes and adorable illustrations by an Atlanta artist, children will be counting before it even dawns on them." Julie Bookman, Atlanta Journal Constitution, April 1, 2000

A fellow mom pipes up

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2000-03-24

Just add sound effects of your own (and get your child doing the same) and you'll get an idea of the delight on tap in this terrific read-aloud. Charming and childlike with the kind of warmth that'll have kids begging for re-reads.

From the Denver Post

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2000-04-09

"I Bought a Baby Chicken" is a cute story and a subtle counting book. During a family trip to the general store, the narrator sees a little chick and decides to buy it. Her sister picks up two black chicks, her dad likes three striped ones, and before you know it, the whole family - cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents - has gone cuckoo for chickens. "I guess my family's lucky that I didn't want a cow," concludes the narrator, who'd better hope her family doesn't suddenly develop a hankering for friend chicken or buffalo wings. Karen Stormer Brooks' google-eyed illustrations are as silly as the story. (by Claire Martin).

Brooks Books