Brooks Books

Definately an essential resource for any fan or artist involved with the fantasy genre. Also look for his more recent book, Kingsgate. His work is in a class of it's own.

_Knightsbridge_ by Keith Parkinson is a book of his fantasy art. It contains 51 plates of his paintings. Of those, most were used as fantasy novel covers or game covers. There are also some smaller miscellaneous plates of paintings & sketches, and a couple of paintings that were done just for fun.

I have a number of fantasy art books, and if I could keep only one, it would be this one. Parkinson's art is very detailed & realistic. His facial expressions & body language are quite good. As evidenced both by the paintings themselves and his commentary, he goes out of his way to get good visual references. Technically, he is very adept and uses value control, rhythm, diagonal lines, forced perspective, and a number of other visual tricks to make sure the viewer's eye is directed where it needs to be.

His commentary about how he goes about his paintings is worth the price of the book alone. The section at the beginning about compositional thumbnails was very intriguing and thought-provoking. For book covers, he almost always reads the manuscripts before beginning his drawing. This results in a very good match between his cover art and the book itself, both in subject & tone. He was the cover artist for the Elenium trilogy by David Eddings, and his comment about the themes on the cover of the middle book ("There are three things pictured here that have returned after once being banished.") demonstrates how thoroughly he understood the book itself.

Parkinson also states that he likes drawing and painting dragons, armor, architecture, and wooded scenes (among other things). In all these cases, his enjoyment shows and the subject matter is done both beautifully and realistically.

If you like fantasy art, get this book. You won't be disappointed.

This book is incredible. Keith Parkinson is a master with capturing both action scenes and poses. The flow of movement and expressive faces in his art are some of the best. His images are very creative and inspiring. Anyone who loves art and fantasy should definately own one of these books.

Any artist interested in the Fantasy genre needs to have this book in their resource library. Keith's solutions to common problems are amazing.

Keith Parkinson is perhaps one of the handful of fantasy artists on par with the legendary Jeff Easley, and his art is easily the most realistic and visually enthralling of all that have been recently created by other artists. Knightsbridge does complete justice to the incredible abilities demonstrated by K. Parkinson, including his mastery with fantasy creatures that appear completely cliche in the work of others: dragons, werebeasts, elves, etc.

A "perfect" cold weather story. What better way to start a unit or theme on polar bears with the reading of this great Erin Brooks book. You can expand in many directions: cold weather, artic regions, problem solving and friendship. I'm in the process of exploring the cold weather theme with my first graders now. Thank you and I hope to see more Percy stories in the future. This would be good author studies group.

Brooks's brilliantly illustrated story about Percy, a polar bear, and his colorful pajamas provides a clear and persuasive ethical lesson for young readers. Resisting peer pressure, Percy discovers what it takes to be an individual, and in the process of establishing his own identity, he gains the respect of others, too. Brooks's true-to-life arctic saga, with its detailed and colorful pictures, gives good pleasure and important moral insight. Very highly recommended for readers of all ages.

I was a substitute librarian at an elementary school and read this book to a class of second graders. They were mesmerized by the story and actually cheered at the end. I'm ordering a copy for myself for my own library and to carry along with me as I substitute teach.

Ever since I first saw the pictures hanging in our 8th grade classroom I knew that someone with a lot of talent would be showing us a book. I never thought you could have great pictures and storyline in the same book. This is a great book for everyone who like polar bears w/ funky pj's or not. I thought it was very interesting and you should try reading this book.

This author's first book is perfect for reading aloud to children of all ages. My 4 year old loves it as much as my 9 year old. The illustrations are so captivating that a nonreader will enjoy 'reading' this book as much as a reader. The plot is creative and entertaining. Its gentle message is a lesson everyone needs to learn.

We heard that one of the pajamas pictured in the book actually belongs to the author's wife. Which pair do you think are hers? We'll never tell!

Message to the author; more Percy stories please.

You will enjoy this book, we did !

I started the book and couldn't put it down!!! I thought to myself, "John O'hara
you've been left in the dust!" This was a story that touched me on so many levels,
and I was honored to have personally knew the author of such a magnificent piece
of literature. All I can say is that I wish I could write like this.
Aside from the captivating story, the subtle one liners that reached deep into
the heart, the depth, beauty and tenderness with which the characters were presented, the subtle way in which the author's personal message to the business community is conveyed, there was, for me, the ever present, bitter sweet feeling that all of it is only a passing mirage.

Written by one of the world's leading shareholder activists, Reel And Rout is a novel is a story of shady business dealings, boundless greed, ineptitude, and scandals such as those that have plastered all-too-real daily newspaper headlines in the public consciousness. But in addition to the corruption, abuse of the legal system, sex scandals, and ruthless scheming, there are a few public servants who retain their principles and scruples. Reel And Rout pants a vivid picture of the war between those intoxicated by lust for money and those struggling to uphold standards in a tense, unforgettably sharp and real narrative style.

"Reel and Rout" is a rollicking good corporate takeover yarn by an author who is both authoritative -- he's been there in real life -- and captivating. The characters are vividly drawn. We understand, sometimes at quite a deep level, why they are driven to do what they do. And while there is sex and money, as you would expect in a book about mergers, acquisitions, and Wall Street bankers, these are realized as integral parts of a rich, fast moving, life-like narrative. Imagine a page-turner about a corporate takeover! This is it.

Part Balzac, part Tom Wolfe, and part tomorrow's headlines about the next Enron, this book is both a delicious skewering of the rich, powerful, and oh-so-deserving and an absorbing, can't-put-it-down story of vital and engaging characters. Well done!

Here is an exciting novel of corporate intrique. Did it happen? Probably. But not all at the same time (like Stephen Wright's restaurant that is "open 24 hours" -- but not all at the same time).

I'd love to teach from this book sometime, as it beats even "Barbarians at the Gate" in its detailed discussion of backroom business. Of course, Reel and Route is fiction. Did Barbarians have beautiful women?

Reading Bob Monks' background (banker, director, athlete, investment banker, activist, government executive), I am tempted to think that most of the story must have happened sometime, somewhere. Names changed, of course.

The bright, beautiful and richly influential Molly Munro is head of an agency inside the U.S. Department of Labor, just as Monks was in an earlier period. From that position, they (Molly and also Monks) can do a little to save the U.S. economic/political system as we know it and to encourage employee ownership of U.S. corporations.

I found this book to be a wonderful read and Brooks is to be commended! It is not often that African-American children can pick up a book and read about themselves, especially as told by an African-American male. Talk To The Hands: Anthony's Days Shopping With Mom and Dad, is an excellent teaching tool. I would suggest that all households with small children obtain a copy of this book. Children can learn about expression and creativity, just by reading "Talk To The Hands: Anthony's Days Shopping With Mom and Dad."

I especially liked the way Anthony named his hands "Righty" and "Lefty."

This story was cute, funny and whimsically clever. It is best read to children while using the reader's hands when 'Lefty' and 'Righty' voice their opinions on various matters pertaining to Anthony's wanderings.

The author made me chuckle time and again and I could not put it down.

A very touching, loving story written by a father about his son. This book shows the love that parents have for their child in an honest, realistic manner. A functional family at last! There are a few minor mistakes in the editing of this book, but this is to be expected as it is a first book published without an editor. It is so refreshing to read a happy family story. I recommend this book for readers of all ages. I think that adults, as well as children, can learn much from the Brooks family!

Every chapter was very interesting and Funny as little Anthony grudgingly went to the mall with his parents as they shopped for clothes. Not too amusing too a little boy full of energy and so he'd sometimes use his hands as though they were answering back to him with their own little personalities. Very cute! He also becomes a hero, with the help of a security guard who happens to love publicity, while at the mall and wins his parents a shopping spree. Oh how I wish that for me! The touch of adding an over zealous security guard in the story adds extra flavor to the story as well. He challenges Anthony to a video game match...guess who won that? I found it astoundingly neat how Anthony made time to watch his favorite cartoon while at the mall that showed five sock puppets saving the planet and had the ability to unite and call on a giant sock puppet to get rid of an invading alien from outer space. Great illustrations even if they were in black and white. You owe it to yourselves, this is a must buy! I can read any of the 26 chapters to my three children and they enjoy them all.

The premise of a little boy talking to his hands and pretending that they respond back isn't entirely unique but the story picks up enough to keep you interested in the antics of little Anthony as he shops at the mall with his parents. Each chapter flawlessly connects well to the next so that you don't get lost in any translations. The characters in this story are added in well and are believeable...in a zany sort of way. Anthony's parents are very patient with him because they are well aware of his tendancy to conjure up his sidekick buddies, Lefty and Righty, at a moments notice. The author has even added Anthony's favorite cartoon within the story...very innovative.

I recommend this book, it's charmingly humorous and shows the patience one must have with children.

This is a very entertaining book, which oddly enough has very little to do with Vermeer and if you are trying to comprehend a certain transcendental quality in Vermeer's love of light and silence, you will find nothing here. The author uses some of the items in Vermeer's paintings as jumping off points, he calls them portals, for discussing what was going on in the world. So the weighing of silver coins leads us to a very interesting discourse on the effect vast quantities of silver had on the world. Nor is it told in boring generalizations. We learn in that chapter for instance that during a stoppage of silver into the Chinese economy, a week's worth of rice could be had for two children, i.e. in exchange for two children.

In fact, the author is an expert on China and that's where the primary interest in the book lies. Other reviewers have mentioned the superb chapter on tobacco, and I agree, and that was nearly all about how tobacco came into Chinese life in a very big way. The heavy use of tobacco prepared the Chinese for opium, which was certainly one of the factors in that civilization's downfall.

The Dutch as global merchants and sometimes pirates are far less appealing historically than Vermeer and the other great Dutch masters, and I think you come away with more knowledge of the merchants than the masters, but don't let that deter you. The hat in the title is the "portal" for a very interesting digression into French Canada in Champlain's time (where the beavers were from whose pelts the bet felt for hats was made). There is really no discussion about the painting as a painting. All of which is to say again: it's not an art historical book, but is nevertheless very good and very interesting.

Much more of a book on the economics and cultural impacts of global commercial trade as it developed in the 17th century, than one on the great artist Vermeer.

It contains highly interesting and instructive stories focused on items common to the Dutch experience of Vermeer's day, such as tobacco, silver, and beaver pelts (for hats). Current day trade protectionists should read this intelligent effort by the scholar, Timothy Brook, and reflect.

Vermeer's Hat is a wonderfully creative book that delves into the broader picture of global trade in the seventeenth century through Johannes Vermeer's paintings. I had some introduction to Vermeer in art appreciation classes, but Brook effectively uses the objects seen in some of his well known paintings to enlighten us about the goings and comings in a world being transformed by trade. Even the effects of climate change figure into his painting of the city of Delft, as revealed by the fishing vessels seen. From the Turkish rugs, Chinese porcelain, and silver seen in some of Vermeer's work, we begin to see the evidence of the effects of global trade with other countries, most notably China, as the author gives great attention to.

Brook uses the city of Delft, Vermeer's residence, as a starting point for understanding global trade at that time. Through the paintings of that art master we see the signs of a world that stretched far beyond Vermeer's native soil. We learn of The Dutch East India Company's role in the local economy and the transporting of thousands of Holland's citizens to far off lands in their efforts to make a better living for themselves and to bring back goods that were in demand in their native land.

The stories of shipwreck survivors and victims, Jesuit missionaries in China, the tobacco craze, silver currency extracted from South America bound for China and or Europe, Chinese culture and customs and their own outlook on the rest of the world, all come into focus in this book. Some of the stories are horrific and brutal. The competition between European powers for the Asian market also figures into this story.

Brook is to be commended for offering a fairly unique way of looking at the bigger picture (no pun intended) through the window of Johannes Vermeer's paintings.

Timothy Brook examines some of Vermeer's most well known paintings and discovers the complicated world of the seventeenth century can be reached and revived through them. I have admired Vermeer's paintings for many years, but I never realized how much they reflect the world at the time. Even the simplest objects which to the untrained eye look just randomly placed to frame the main subject of a painting turn out to have a deep meaning. A beaver hat and a porcelain bowl remind us of the world wide trade network, the confident smile on a pretty girl's face demonstrates the rise in European women's status, a map on a wall indicates new political and military power, and so on. This is an excellent work of history, and a reminder of why historians should take even the unlikeliest of objects into account.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that really surprises me with its excellence - Vermeer's Hat is one of those books. What this book is is a look into the seventeenth century, but as a hook, the book uses eight seventeenth century works of art, that each tells us something about the era in which it was created. And, what makes the book so very interesting is that it covers events and phenomenon that are rarely discussed in other books, such the movement of goods between Europe, Spanish America and China, the spread of tobacco, and so much more.

Overall, I found this book to be very entertaining and very interesting - it kept me up reading when I should have been asleep! If you are interested in the seventeenth century, then you will find this to be a very good resource. Heck, even if you are just interested in history, you will find this to be an excellent read, one that will well reward the time you spent reading it. I give this book my highest recommendations!

A must read for any leader. If a leader wants trust, respect and followership this book will enlighten you with the necessary steps to attain that result.

This is only the second book in the Ken Blanchard series that I have read. However in Ken Fishers book "The only three questions that count he says on page 360 " Jim Michaels, then Editor of Forbes and generally the dean of American business journalists, taught me that a column was supposed to be three things - entertaining, educating and profitable. Those are pretty good goals for much of life" I think "Your Leadership Legacy" lacked those three qualities. But the book is rich with metaphors - especially the advise given by the character Adoi on page 13 " What do you notice about the soil and light? Go ahead, touch it. I promise you it is not poisonous." Unfortunately I'm a little too old for that.......I know I know "You're never too old"........but...........

This book takes you through Doug's experience of exploring his Leadership Legacy. The power for me has been in thinking about my own while reading and discussing it with others! Short, easy 7 chapter read with very thought-provoking content!

Your leadership Legacy is a compelling story about serving as a role model and holding a vision of what can inspire people to do their best. The thing I love most about the book is both its simplicity of application as well as its depth about the human relations of leadership. The focus on leadership, character and true intention to serve makes this a winner. Marta Brooks, Julie Stark and Sarah Caverhill had me from the first page.

After reading this book, it is abundantly clear that the authors have captured the essence of true leadership. They have identified simple, down to earth concepts, overlooked by many "leaders" in today's world.

The authors have gone beyond identifying these concepts--they have also provided ways of making these concepts come alive. This book will force you to re-examine your leadership style and more importantly, your motives!

For those who are not done learning, you will find this book extremely beneficial.

This book should be required reading for any leader--coaches, teachers, managers and parents.

Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner are two of the funniest men and have been around for years. This children's book shows that they still have it in 2008! I think this book will be a fine addition to my classroom.

This is truly one of the greatest illustrated books that I have seen in a while. I am a teacher and every year my students love the illustrations in this book. I look forward to reading it each school year because of the wonderful illustrations. Great work, James Bennett!

A great book. Goes back and forward in time in a very funny way. Extremely entertaining and has great illustrations. The author and illustrator did a great job.

Borrowing the format of the grown-up guest who comes to class to tell you something new and wonderful, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner introduce their 2000 year old man to young students in a free for all Q & A. Actually this 2000 year old man is only 40-something because he dates from 1960's TV, created then by this new picture book's two authors, themselves zany, hilarious performing artists and writers. In this book, set in a classroom, young children ask the old, old, old man wide ranging questions about his experiences at school and at home. The clever, humor comes from unexpected connections or a play on words. Many answers were funny, but it is unclear whether young readers would find them so. Hopefully they will perceive them as silly and lighthearted and will be absorbed into the spirit of crazy fun. The book inspires learning because it shows what imagination can do with common knowledge. Most children studying cave men do not consider playing with the facts; this comedy puts perspective on historical information and contemporary living, the mark of successful satire. The final question slips in moral advice about not cheating. The tone is gentle and silly; it proves you can have fun and still be a mensch. The color illustrations capture the modern classroom and the ancient caveman's milieu. The historical scenes are lively and bursting with action. There is no Jewish content in the words or pictures; it is simply a book by two Jews. However, the book includes a CD (differing marginally from the text, but is essentially the same thing), that is funnier. It delivers not only the words, but also their timing and inflection, and herein lies its Jewish value. This CD captures the rhythms and Yiddishkeit accent of the famous Jewish standup comics whose style entered mainstream American humor. This is one of our culture's great gifts to our national arts. Contemporary youngsters who do not know the Jewish origin of this comic delivery can experience it here. The CD is a piece of living history. Recommended for all ages. Reviewed by Ellen G. Cole

This book follows almost word for word the 2000 year old man audio collection. I have been laughing with the 2000 year old man for 25 years and even my 15 year old son loves the Mel Brooks/Carl Reiner comedy exchange. This is a great intro for younger kids. If you like this, try the CD's, you'll laugh for hours (or years).

This is one of my favorite, if not my VERY favorite of Shakespeare's works. It is certainly my favorite of the comedies and I do not hesitate to rank this as one of the greatest works of literature of all-time. By the way, I LOVE this play. Oh yeah, have I mentioned that...well enough of that. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is one of the funniest plays of all-time. I was literally laughing out loud during the performance of "The Most Lamentable Comedy..." at the play's end. The "dream" world within the forest is a magical fantasy world in which the humans are manipulated by faries to fall in or out of love. Within this world, in which most of the play occurs, the powers of the imagination are heightened and the characters are helpless against their imaginations, which guide everything they do and say. This is one of the play's major themes: the imagination. Even out of the "dream world" the characters are guided by their imaginations. Duke Theseus (the plays strongest critic of such a notion) even admits that in order to enjoy such a performance (as the one put on by the unforgettable Bottom, and his comrades-in-folly), one must use one's imagination. I honestly believe that this is Shakespeare at his best. I would recommend this work to anyone!

Probably, the only reason I can not give this 5 stars is because I was spoiled by Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors." This is a sparkling piece of art. It is easy to see how Greek Mythology inspired Shakespeare. The Greek gods have human desires, impulses, and weaknesses. And often, their people suffer because of them. In this play, several characters are hindered (although unintentionally) by the bickering Oberon and Titania. It is easy to see the similarities between Zeus and Hera. The play also offers situation comedy, young lovers, frustrated parents, sparkling images, and a happy ending. CAUTION-ENTER THIS MYSTICAL WONDERLAND AT YOUR OWN RISK.

This was truely one of Shakespear's best plays. The way it was put into a movie was absolutely brilliant. I've seen few of his plays on film. But I bet even if I saw them all, A Midsummer Nights Dream would be my favorite along with Taming of the Shrew.

Anyone who has read this play will say that it was a riot. What's even better than reading it, though, is seeing it performed live. My face hurt because I was laughing so hard! But if you do read it, and you have that problem about understanding what it's saying, not a big deal! The flavorful but easy to read dialouge makes it simple to understand what's going on. But, you can always get the New Folger edition that has explanations of certain parts on the opposite page (very helpful for when Shakespeare makes a joke that doesn't make any sense to us now). This play is laugh-out-loud funny and almost anyone can enjoy it.

I disagree with the reader who said there is no substance in this play. Certainly, all works of good literature have substance, espcially this one. One of the great aspects of A Midsummer Night's Dream is the fantasy that the characters are led to believe. Compare this to As You Like It, where the only fantasy is the fantasy that characters want to believe.

My son and I were introduced to this book at story time at the local library. My son, 15 months, loves the book and helps me read it. It's very simple and quite captivating for my son who loves books. I only wish I could find it as a board book. Highly recommend.

I bought this book for my grandson when he was a few months old, based on the reviews here. He is now almost a year old and still LOVEs it. When given a choice, he always picks The Baby Goes Beep, and I sometimes have to read it over several times in a row. The down side is that it's not interesting from an adult's point of view. In fact, my daughter refuses to read it to him any more! However, it is a must-have from baby's point of view.

As a children's librarian, I can't say enough about this book. Every three months or so, I read this book in storytime to the toddlers and their reaction is amazing. The children love to sound in for the beeps, las, and smooches. Even the most distracted of the children tends to tune in for this special book. It is now a special treat for me to read this book and it shows on the toddler's faces each time I bring it out.

Bright and lively, bold and colorful, this book immediately caught my eye. Its lovely rhythm and simple, warm sense of humor were delightful to nuzzle in. Both as a parent and as a psychologist who works with young children, I found the book right on in its use of repetition and bright colors, inclusion of a loving family (including the cat!), and the joy the baby takes in sounds and other senses in exploring the world. "Beep" if you love this book! And the baby goes flip, flip, flip, flip through its pages again and again!

The Baby Goes Beep is one of my son's favorites. He's 16 months old and loves the bouncy, rhyming text and sunshine-bright illustrations. Best of all, he loves to give the book a kiss when we get to the "baby goes smooch" page spread. This book is an excellent choice for babies and toddlers.

As a side note, this book was a Charlotte Zolotow honor book for 2004 -- the award given for the best picture book writing of the year (the Caldecott is for illustration). Kudos to O'Connell!

Nick Bruel discover this story after his father, Robert O. Bruel, passed away. Originally titled, "Two Worms," the younger Bruel made slight changes to make it fit as a picture book and added colorful and charming illustrations. He changed the title to "Bob and Otto" because it's not truly about two worms... can't spoil it.

This story could easily turn into a cheesy one by any other author. But the Bruels together create a sweet story about friendship, being apart, and showing how they help each other out. You can draw many lessons from this including science.

My five-year-old loved saying the repetitive phrases and chided us parents whenever we dared read them. The story uses many site words that will help the pre-K and kindergartener with word recognition (without them knowing it).

And of course, being the content maven I am, I like that both names are palindromes. :) This is the first Bruel book I've read and already, I've put in a request at my local library for the others.

I ordered several copies of this book for my grandchildren and other little ones and mailed them to each one for Christmas along with handmde "worm" scarves and puppet mittens. Everyone was thrilled with their gifts.
I recommed this book.

I just finished teaching and read this book on my last day. We talked about how Bob and Otto could be friends even though they're in different places. This poignant piece is appropriate for young children with its repetition and text alignment. It's interesting even for adults with its incredibly deep concept of friendship. I have a lot of books I love...but this is hands down my favorite.

I love this little book for so many reasons. The story is simple, and the illustrations are lovely. The writing helps cement reading concepts for my five year old, and he loves to "read" it to me. I have a background in science, and one of my favorite things is that, anthropomorphic characters aside, this book is accurate. Simple natural history lessons are imbedded in story. And I don't mind reading it over and over again. Now that's an achievment!

My 5yo loves this book! She has memorized it and "reads" it over and over out loud to us. It is a sweet story and has beautiful pictures. Just adorable! We had gotten this from the library but I'm buying a copy because it is definitely a keeper!