Howard Books

As I read through it, I kept thinking that this would have been a great gift to give to my mother on my own wedding day so many years ago. Written straight from the heart with a transparency that is unmistakeable, this book is a window into the indescribable love that a mother has for her children and how it manifests itself through the lives of those children. While the words may not be our very own, I think mothers and daughters alike can identify with the unique bond they share, regardless of their current stage in life.

As a mom to two young kids, I found this book to be full of inspiration for the road ahead. It's warm and encouraging, and there is some real wisdom here. I highly recommend it to other mothers or moms-to-be.

THE MIRACLE IN A MOTHER'S HUG BY HELEN BURNS is the perfect Mother's Day or anytime gift for any mother you know! Written from the very personal point of view of a world-renowned female preacher and teacher, it is very touching. Helen tells of rearing her three girls and the importance of giving love and hugs. Her writing will touch your heart and spark yhour memories of experiences as a mother or with your own mother. She makes us aware of how important a mother's presence is instead of presents. When a child's need for love and appropriate loving touch is met, the child grows up loving and self confident and carries the legacy into the next generation. If you as a mother ever feel unappreciated pick up this little treasure of a book and see how very important your role is, not only when your child is young but also all through his or her life. This book is a selection of the new Mothehood Club "Making a Difference One Kiss at a Time" an innovation of Howard Publishing Co.

I am a huge fan of Teresa Kindred's books. For her vast knowledge and inspiration lifts me up when I need it. What mother out there doesn't need a little unplifting every now and then. For you try to be the caregiver; the conflict resolver; the gourmet chef; the "limo" driver; and a the perfect wife! "Mom PHD" shows how juggling all these tasks can be better done. Ms. Kindred's uses her experience as a mother, teacher, and an inspirational author to help other moms. A must read for expecting mothers!
Teresa Phillips
Business Owner and Author

Mom PhD: 6 Steps To Mastering Leadership Skills For Mom by Teresa Bell Kindred (Christian author, public speaker, high-school teacher, monthly "Kindred Spirits" columnist for Kentucky Living magazine, wife and mother of five) is written to assist other wives and mothers to create a vision for themselves and their families that will inspire to faith by knowing when and how to ask for help, being consistent in decisions and behavior, dealing with teens, requiring respect from others, setting clear boundaries for family members, instilling courtesy and manners, "catching children at being good", debunking the "supermom" myth, and tapping into the power of prayer for life guidance and family problem solving. Wonderfully readable and of immense, immediate, and practical value, Mom PhD is enthusiastically recommended reading!

Teresa Bell Kindred uses her lifelong interest in leadership, and 24 years of experience as a wife and mother to five children to create a simple plan for success--incorporating biblical wisdom, common sense and recognized leadership skills.

An easy and entertaining read, Mom PhD puts forth a simple six-step plan to managing your family in a positive and creative way. Each step outlines a characteristic Teresa consider scritical in leading your family--including integrity, love, diligence, wisdom, vigor and faith.

Every chapter includes an applicable "case study" from the Bible showing the value of each characteristic in regard to family development. And each chapter ends with a section asking pertinent questions about your own development in each of the steps and space to journal your answers.

This would be a great study for small groups comprised of young mothers who seek to lead their family in a positive and biblical way!

What a great find, a book written about the life of an animal and all the people and things that have touched him,and make him the great horse that he was. Howard Small must be a great man I would love to meet a man that has done so much in his life .His family has a lot to live up to.The stories he must be able to tell. I work in a store that sells Monty's Pal and it is a great gift for people to get for loved ones .And they usally .come back for a second copy because they couldn't give the first one away. I'm looking forward to reading it to my five year old daughter as her first chapter book and she hopefully will love it as much as I

If this doesn,t fit into the word classic i wouldn,tknow what does. I couldn,t put it down when I got into it. I have researched and find that the author is famous in all phases of horses. great redingfor all ages. Set in the days before TV when Western movie stars were the idols of the day Montyand Pal were engaged by show that had previously used Tex Ritter and Ken Maynard as teir headliners.

I am not a big reader but this true story is almost beyond belief. I even contacted the author. He told me that from the time he bought Pal it was. It may start out like a book for the young reader but it gets anyones attention and keeps it.

This is a well-written, important book that addresses an issue that is often discussed but rarely truly understood. While the scholarship is impressive, the authors work their way through case studies and examples so well that the reader is drawn in and engaged in their arguments on an almost experiential level. Their powerful insights on moral aspects of modern education stand in stark contrast to the platitudes we hear from politicians and policymakers. Now if only we could get our leaders to read the book...

Character education has received a good deal of national attention during the most recent presidential campaign. Two professors from the University of Pennsylvania - Joan Goodman, a professor of education, and Howard Lesnick, a law professor, have teamed up to write a useful, thought-provoking book about moral education which brings even more attention to this crucial issue.

Each chapter contains three parts: "at school," where several teachers, with different political beliefs and different experience levels discuss issues that arise within their classroom; "at the university," where theories related to that issue are discussed; and "at the library," which includes excerpts from other works on character education and resources.

Overall I think the book would be an excellent resource for teachers, social workers, and anyone who works with children at a professional level. It can be read individually or provide an excellent jumping-off point for discussions of these crucial issues within schools.

Within "Moral Stake," the important issues of moral education are discussed in an academic, captivating, and sincere manner. The most appealing asset of the book is that each chapter is divided into three separate sections: the first, an easy-to-read story section that weaves the chapter's topic into the ongoings of a fictional school, second, a section with the authors' perspectives and analysis of the topic, and finally, a section including relevant exerpts from primary researchers and thinkers in the field. These three levels of analysis allow the reader ample opportunity to evaluate and examine the underlying questions facing moral education in today's schools, making this book an invaluable resource for all educators. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and studying from this book, and highly recommend it.

What a delightful read. Although I am not a hiker, I enjoy being an armchair explorer and Smith's book brings nature close to hand. The unique and insightful perspectives on hiking makes one believe they are also experiencing his awe of the wilderness. Although many books have been written about nature, Smith is able to see and share the unique in what others would describe as common. His encounters with wild animals are related to the reader in such a way as to impact on all your senses. His book also exposes the reader to the Native American culture in the Southwest, including new vocabulary and traditions. One of the most interesting aspects of Smith's book, for an armchair explorer, is the accessibility of his experiences rather than the exotic, available to the few. It feels as though I could experience everything he has by following in his footsteps.

Throughout Smith's book, there is an underlying theme of camaraderie, showing nature can be shared with others and yet he is able find moments of solitude at the same time. If you wish to explore nature in the Southwest, there is no better guide than Smith. His writing style is very conversational and filled with images you can recreate very easily in your own mind. For those of us who are not ardent hikers, this is a great way to have a very memorable vicarious experience with nature. Do yourself a favor, take some time from your busy schedule and enjoy the outdoors through the eyes of a marvelous writer.

Growing up I traveled frequently to the West and Southwest with my parents (a geologist and an anthropologist) on trips to complete field work. Mountain Harmonies captures the wonderful spirit of the West that I came to know on those many forays. The many fine stories in this book brought back fond memories of those trips with my parents. Of all the rales I really enjoyed the encounters with grizzly and black bears because for me they symbolize natures purity. This is an engaging and enjoyable book.

A sunset, moonrise, early morning at Pine River, a snow-covered
trail to Summerland, rambling along rainforest paths, view
Emerald Lake, places with a magic all their own.
These are true adventures, unforgettable beauty, nature.
Follow as Smith travles the seldon-used trails, experience
Mountain Harmonies.

This was one of the first books I read that actually made me laugh outloud while reading. It has suspense, romance and humor. And I wish I had a neighbor like Jaine's (main character).

I completely loved this book! I read it all in one day. The mix of romance novel and murder mystery with just the right amount of brain-numbing twists makes this a phenomanal book in this "professional" opinion.

In "Mr. Perfect", I was treated to a wonderful thriller chock full of laughs, intrigue, and sex.

While eating a meal, 4 friends come up with a semi-farcical list of what would constitute the perfect man. The problem is, the list gets out of their hands, and into the media, the internet, and beyond. The 4 friends are mortified by their instant celebrity, but that becomes the least of their worries. Soon, one of them is dead, and the thrill ride is on.

Linda Howard's ability to create memorable and fun characters is amazing. The plot is nothing short of fascinating, and while I figured out WHO the killer was, I completely was wrong as to WHY they were the killer. I won't spoil it for you, but that made the story that much better!

If you don't enjoy this one, you may not have a pulse.

Mr. Putter and Tabby take the suggestion of Mrs. Teaberry to rent a boat and cool off. This foursome make for a wonderful afternoon of fun and are just the thing to put a breeze in a hot day. Every book in this series should be on your child's shelf - they are all delightful and fun to read!

I had heard so many good things about the Mr. Putter books that I decided to try them out with my 3-year old daughter, thinking that she may be a bit young for more words and fewer pictures. However, there are pictures on every page and only a few sentences to each. My daughter loves these books, especially this story. Her stuffed cat has been renamed Tabby.

One of the things I love about this book is that it includes silly details that make my child laugh every time - a bird picking fake grapes off of Mrs. Teaberry's hat, pouring water out of her hat onto everyone on a hot day, the "wierd" foods they bring along for the picnic...

I know of children all the way up to 3rd grade who enjoy these books, so I highly recommend them for any kids ages 4 to 8. Or as young as 3 if your child has the attention span.

Mr. Putter is the kind of neighbor every neighborhood needs. Kids as well as adults love Mr. Putter stories. I hope to be like Mr. Putter when I grow up or is it old? All the Mr. Putter books are a hit with my second grade students and with me as well.

My mother-in-law gave my son a Mr. Putter book that was being discarded from her elementary school library, and my soon to be 3-year old loved it so much I've bought almost every Mr. Putter and Tabby book that's out there. We pick out one Mr. Putter book to read each night. All the books have very sweet, enduring stories of friendship, and they've introduced him to what "chapters" are in books.

I have several of Rylant's book in my school library, and this is by far the favorite of the kids. The story is simple enough for the little ones to understand, yet wild enough for the older ones to just laugh out loud.

I can not recommend this entire series enough--they are just too funny and the illustrations just really add so much. They are really and truly great books.

Cynthia Rylant and Arthur Howard have created a winning combination in the Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby along with their quirky neighbors, Ms. Teaberry and her good dog Zeke. This latest offering in the series is laugh out loud funny. Mr. Putter and Tabby try to make soup while they are continually pestered by Zeke in his desire for a little attention. Yes, it is a simple story but it's timing is great and the illustrations as always are great. My four year old daughter loves this book and it leaves her in tears of laughter.

This is about the 6th book we bought in the series and they have all been great. It is nice to see stories that involve older people and have such winning story lines. I cannot recommend these books strongly enough. With the holiday season still in mind, check out Mr Putter and Tabby Bake the Cake - A great Christmas book

The book Murder Aboard the California Girl is a great mystery. It is about these four girls, the Eel Grass Girls, that are a group that loves to solve myterires. They are in a sailing classfor the summer, and while sailing, they see a dead body on the California Girl. They then try to solve the mystery about, but end up with a huge mystery hat was involved in the killing.
I really liked the book because it was very suspenseful and I love mysteries! At times I didn't like it so much because sometimes the author would confuse you with the characters, so it was a little hard to comprehend, but al and all it was a good book. My favorite character was Laura. She had a very good attitude about things, and she would not stop something without finishing it first.
My favorite part was on p. 59 when Laura was a t the Nor' Easter looking for the waitress, but only found Billiy who seemed very suspicious about why she anted the book that will keep you on you feet the whole time you read it.
The one question I have about that boook is: Why did the author write the book? Did she have past experience with this sort of thing or did one day it just pop into her mind? My strongest recommendation for the book is that it is really suspenseful and will keep you awake! I didn't want to put it down when I was reading it.

The series is set in a fictional Cape Cod town, where four feisty preteens have become friends while attending the local yacht club's sailing school. Mollie, Abigail, Laura and Muffy form a secret mystery club, the Eel Grass Girls, whose motto is "do the right thing." They are given ample opportunity when they learn that their quaint seaside communtity has a dark side.
Heather Freckmann, Sailing magazine, November 2003

I have to say that this book is the best. I know the author and she really did a good job on it. It's the type of book you can't put down. The book is about four girls who meet at the Yacht Harbor Sailing School: Muffy, Mollie, Laura and Abigail (The Eel Grass Girls), who find a dead body on an old fishing boat. And then that body disappears before anyone besides them could come and investigate. They decide to team up together and try to find out about this body and prove it was really there to other people, and they do much more than only that..

I will say it again: I LOVED this book. It was absolutly amazing. I couldn't put it down. I literally read it in 2 hours it was so good. I recommend it to every one.

It's said that the Devil can quote Scripture to prove his own point - and something like that has been tried with the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman Conquest of England. The French claim it as French. The English have claimed it as Anglo-Saxon. During World War II, Hitler tried to use it as a kind of Book of Genesis for the Third Reich. William the Conqueror, 7th Duke of Normandy, was the descendant of Vikings. ("Norman" derives from the Latin for "Northmen.") The Scandinavian connection appealed to Hitler's racial, mythic notions. Among the Tapestry's 11th century images of conquering warriors, he sought ancient origins for his supposed Germanic super-race.

In fact, maintains R. Howard Bloch, these competing claims are only possible because the Tapestry itself hardly takes sides between the conquered Anglo-Saxons and the conquering Normans, and seeks to reconcile those whom it portrays. Its point of view is neither clearly Norman nor Anglo-Saxon. Without dwelling on fixing blame, it shows both armies fighting bravely. ("French and English fall together," it says of the battle at Hastings.) All may go on to become King William's peaceful subjects. Bloch finds in the Tapestry's well-recognized ambiguities an intention by its designer to tell the story without maligning either Normans or Anglo-Saxons.


Sterling Professor of French and the Director of the Humanities Division at Yale, as well as author of several books about the Middle Ages, Bloch brings an unusual array of qualifications to this subject. His mother, formally trained as a textile engineer, was a craftswoman who covered the walls of their home with creative needlework; his father an expert in the manufacture of finished cloth. In considering the Tapestry, its purposes and the influences it reflects, especially those found in other woven, painted or embroidered fabrics, Bloch speaks the language of textiles as one born to it.


He points out from the beginning, as all writers on the Bayeux Tapestry must, that it isn't strictly a tapestry at all, but an embroidery, on a long (about 230 feet) linen strip; and that we have no other record like it. Despite the crude medieval drawing, the Tapestry vividly brings alive the sweep of events. The most photorealistic horses, for example, could not pulse with more vitality, or fall in battle more convincingly, than they do in these images. In the Tapestry's unfolding story, we see the Anglo-Saxon Harold Godwineson swear his oath of loyalty to Duke William. It doesn't tell us whether he had a choice, or was tricked. Is King Edward the Confessor of England, on his deathbed, revoking his promise of the crown to his kinsman, Duke William of Normandy? Promising it to Harold? There sits Harold in majesty, crowned -- if it was with indecent haste, the Tapestry doesn't say so -- the day after Edward's death. Duke William "is told of Harold," the Tapestry tells us neutrally, and he prepares to invade. There is the mysterious woman, Aelfgyva. With generations of scholars we wonder who she is, and why she is here. Is that cleric merely touching her head, or slapping her so that she'll never forget something she's witnessing? The images quicken their pace, reaching the bloody clash at Hastings and the Norman victory. Something is missing at the end of the Tapestry; perhaps the lost portion showed King William in majesty, matching the earlier crowned and enthroned Harold.


Professor Bloch understands the Tapestry with an appreciation of what may be called the southern angle: that the Normans who had campaigned in or been to the Italian peninsula, Sicily, the Holy Land, Constantinople, brought back with them both novel combat tactics and a network of cultural threads that linked their northern homeland with Byzantium and with the whole Mediterranean world. He points out not only the famly Scandinavian links of style and motif with the Tapestry, but those found in sumptuous Byzantine silks, proposing lights for what have been obscure corners of Tapestry interpretation. In so doing, he gives greater attention to the enigmatic borders of the Tapestry -- those often-cryptic passages above and below the main narrative -- than do some other commentators.


He argues that the Tapestry deliberately leaves crucial questions unanswered. It means to withhold one-sided judgments. The Tapestry does NOT tell us whether Harold swore fealty to William willingly, or whether he knew he was holding his hands outstretched over sacred relics, making the oath a much more serious matter. It leaves unstated, not alone what King Edward intended at the last, but what it was in his power to do. Though the evidence suggests that English hands made the Tapestry, it is NOT clear whose voice, so to speak, tells the story. The Tapestry, Bloch maintains, is not a work of partisan propaganda. King William, he says, wanted Anglo-Saxons and Normans reconciled under his unifying rule -- and wanted the wider world to acquiesce in his dreams of even wider empire. Without knowing for sure when or where the Tapestry was made, or by whom ordered, or where it was designed to be displayed, Bloch says, we can find all this on its face. It's an argument that anyone interested in the Norman Conquest, the events surrounding it and those that flowed from it, should want to consider; and it is engagingly written. I couldn't put it down. Its story is, of course, still relevant -- to, among much else, the fact that Prince William of England will someday be King William V because he'll be counting from King William I, the Conqueror.

Of all the great historical and artistic sites in the world, the Bayeux Tapestry is perhaps second on my list of places I would like to visit (Troy comes first). Actually not a "tapestry" (it is technically an embroidery) the Bayeux Tapestry, dating from the Eleventh century pictorially tells the story of William the Conqueror's invasion of England and victorious battle at Hastings. Exactly who sponsored its creation, designed it, and embroidered it remain mysteries, as does its ultimate purpose. Bloch's new book does not seek to supply sensational answers to these continuing controversies (as did, for example, Andrew Bridgeford's "1066: The Hidden History of the Bayeux Tapestry"), nor even to solve the perplexing mystery of the identity of the woman "Aelfgyva" who appears in the Tapestry. Instead, Bloch provides a fast-reading discussion of the historical and artistic context for understanding the Tapestry. He concludes that there are many Scandinavian/Norman elements incorporated into the the design (and Scandinavian textiles are the most closely related art works known), but that Anglo-Saxon illuminated manuscripts appear to supply the models for the style of illustration. And the author traces back important design elements to Byzantine silk weavings.

Bloch contends that the Tapestry was consciously created as a way to bring together the Anglo-Saxon and Norman peoples on both sides of the English Channel (although it seems to me that this view is suspiciously congruent with modern notions of multiculturism rather than Eleventh century realities). Regardless whether one accepts or rejects this viewpoint, the book's narrative provides an informative examination of the Norman and Anglo-Saxon worlds which gave birth to this unique artistic treasure.

Dr Bloch explains the tale of the Tapestry in a very clear and appealing manner. In particular, he describes the sequence of events depicted by the Tapestry itself as well as the political environment of early 11th century Europe that led to the pivotal Battle of Hastings. His insights are cogent and sound. I highly recommend this brief but thorough work.