Park Books

If you value the power of the mind, then this book is many many times more valuable than a DVD player or iPod or game console. Either indoors or even for keeping the kids occupied in a car on trips.

This book is a good tool for kids to practice or learn critical thinking skills.

My whole family loved this book. I had as much fun as my 5-year-old. It was easy enough for my youngest while still challenging my oldest(8). I love these books and will be purchasing the whole set.

This is an excellent series of books that are great for children and adults. My newly 4 year old daughter is able to do many of the problems and enjoys the focus and accomplishment of doing them.

Sylvan Learning Center uses it, that should be enough of a testimony right there!

Outstanding book.

The book was far more than expected. Delivery was prompt. Good Service.

Thank you.

I just received this book after ordering it here on Amazon (super fast shipping, by the way) and I was immediately impressed with just how comprehensive the entire manual is, how easy the instructions within are implemented, and the way in which everything is explained so even an idiot such as myself can follow along without stumbling. This is the book which SHOULD HAVE come with the Camtasia Studio v4 software when I purchased it just a few months ago.

Of course, TechSmith has just released v5, but I've not seen enough reason to upgrade this time around (I previously owned v3). I highly recommend that you purchase this book.

I would also recommend purchasing Bill Myers' DVD video training on Camtasia which you can find here on Amazon or at his website www(dot)bmyers(dot)com.

Daryl Wilson
Founder, Aladdin Studios

A valuable book for those interested in getting the most out of Camtasia 4. The author culls from his extensive Camtasia experience as he walks the reader through various exercises, expertly weaving in tips and tricks along the way. While the book could do with a heavy copyedit (experienced writers will cringe at the author's frequent use of unnecessary words), the book's substance is well worth the cover price.

I have literally shelves full of computer books.
This is one of very few I've actually read cover-to-cover.

But the book is structured so that for the most part you can read any one chapter without missing out on information that depends on a previous chapter.

I've even wound up taking some of his hardware advice. Otherwise, I never would have thought to purchase a preamp with as dorky a name as "Audio Buddy"...LOL...

If you're using Camtasia Studio to produce instructional or sales videos - or considering using it - this is the book you need.

I fall into the newbie category and had to come up to speed very quickly, using Camtasia Studio 4 to record and produce several video podcasts of PowerPoint presentations for my company. I bought several books and read "how-to's" on the internet, but this book turned out to be my savior. If you buy only one book, this one should be the one.

Ms. Kerins is a well known herbalist. Her book is informative, with easy herbal recipes & marvelous historical herbal prints.
For those interested in useing herbs, knowing where to purchase reputable seeds & plants this book is a winner !

Featuring more than 200 recipes, A Celebration Of Herbs: Recipes From The Huntington Herb Garden is the culinary collaboration of Huntington Library volunteers, staff, and scholars under the skillful editorship of herb expert Shirley Kerins and Peggy Park Bernal. Featuring a full range of dishes from appetizers, salads, side dishes, soups and breads, to entrees, preserves, desserts, and beverages, A Celebration Of Herbs is enhanced with excerpts and illustrations drawn from the Huntington Library's collection of rare herbals and botanical books from the 15th to the 18th century. A Celebration Of Herbs is an elegant, unique, and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Cookbook Collections.

So much more than a cook's tool, this treasury is a welcome delight --- a well conceived, beautifully illustrated resoruce that's part cookbook, part history book. We thought we knew all there was to know about herbs: rosemary, dill, sage and sometimes tarragon. What we learned will serve us well, especially in those things we serve up in the kitchen. Released by the folks at the Huntington Library and Art Gallery in California, the book includes information on growing herbs, mail sources on where to buy fresh and dried herbs, and, of course, recipes --- brpken down by type, such as appetizers, main courses, jams and jellies, breads, beverages --- that will send you zooming to the nearest [store]. The stunning color illustrations are from Elizabeth Blackwell's 1737 book, "A Curious Herbal," a gem that's housed in the Huntington's rare book department. A celebration, indeed!

A Celebration of Herbs is a cookbook that pairs herbs with the right foods in the most tantalizing ways. Compiled by long-time herb enthusiast Shirley Kerins from recipes submitted by the staff of the world-famous Huntington Gardens, this high-quality book enriches our souls as well as our palates by offering us interesting and pertinent information on the herbs we are cooking with.

Especially helpful for beginning herb users is the chapter on "Learning to Use Herbs in Cooking." In this chapter, Ms. Kerins has outlined her "Eight-Step Program for Learning to Cook With Herbs" that is sure to make cooking with herbs a snap!

Growing tips abound and one would expect no less, since Ms. Kerins was the curator of the Huntington Herb Gardens for over 20 years. The traditional recipe categories are there, of course, but they are generously salted with helpful tidbits and historical information as one would expect from someone who has lovingly tended herbs for so many years. 

A real treat is the reproduction of 24 color drawings from Elizabeth Blackwell's A Curious Herbal, published in 1737. One of the 60 known copies of this two-volume gem is housed in the Huntington's rare book room. 

This book is sure to become a classic worthy of the world class traditions of the Huntington.

Anyone interested in herbs and their uses for cooking will find "A Celebration of Herbs" a welcome addition to their personal library. The book opens with a short history of the Huntington Herb Garden. A section follows this on learning how to use herbs when cooking and includes a specific eight-step program. In addition to specific recipes, part of the point of the book is to teach the reader how to use herbs to enhance their own recipes.

Some of the divisions in the book include herb butters, sauces, pestos, salsas, marinades, appetizers, salads, salad dressings, soups, breads, pasta, pizza, vegetables, side dishes, main courses, desserts, jams, jellies, and beverages. Near the end is a table of herb names, descriptions, cultivation notes, culinary uses and comments that is extremely helpful when looking for something specific. The last piece of the book contains information on herb sources. For those interested in using various herbs to spice up, add zest, or otherwise improve their recipes this is an excellent book.

Each wilderness area includes a high quality, full color picture, one page of background information, a list of applicable topo maps, and several hikes with route details. Whether you're planning a trip or dreaming about getting out, this book is excellent!

A good reference providing an overview of gorgeous Colorado. The book includes a description of each wilderness area and then lists 4 hikes; a day hike, an overnight, a loop and a shuttle hike (2 cars). My complaints are that the maps are poor, and there is no mention of where to camp (for backpackers this is not a problem). There is a beautiful Fielder color photo for each wilderness area providing a glimpse of where you're heading. Overall a very good book, but you'll need a campsite guide book and a good topo map ("The Roads of Colorado" from Shearer is very good) to properly plan a trip.

This book has become my "bible" for exploring the most beautiful and wild areas in Colorado from my home in Colorado Springs. My original copy of the book was destroyed when it was left in a soft-top jeep with the windows off, during a rain storm (while hiking one of the trails in the book, nonetheless). That is why I am back here to purchase another! One word of warning: the author seems to underestimate, vs. overestimate, the trail distances. Be prepared to hike an extra mile or two! This book is great!

I'm a native Coloradan. No matter what I want to do, be it a quick day hike up to a 4 day backpacking trip, this book has it. I own other hiking books, but this one gets by far the most use. I love the historical descriptions of each wilderness area. The maps are good enough to get your bearings and find the trailhead. Plus each Wilderness Area has a "John Fielder's Favorite" hike which always spectacular.

One thing, though. A reviewer below said the maps are inadequate... If you plan on anything more than a day hike, you should have topographical anyway. This is true for most if not all guide books.

As one of the few Colorado Natives, I have seen much of the state. But our local boy John Fielder has seen much more. His ratings, descriptions and maps have been 'right-on' with what I have seen thus far and with the Fielder photography, it provides a great additional perspective on the already detailed descriptions. I 've gotten lost in the book a few times just dreaming of my next outing!

My ten year old loved this book. He asked me to write this:

"This book is the funniest dog book I've ever read, and the photos are GREAT! All the dogs are very cute, and the story is funny. Mark, age 10."

It's hardly high society, but don't tell the dogs at Goody Beagle's favorite venue that their dog park is anything but THE place to go for socializing and maybe a treat or two. "Dog Park Diary: The social round of Goody Beagle" chronicles a week at the Robinswood Dog Park in Bellevue, Wash., as told through the eyes of ... you guessed it, Goody Beagle.

A keen observer and somewhat opinionated hound, Goody introduces the reader to his many friends. She also offers commentary on other dogs at the park and explains proper dog park etiquette, including the all-important meet-and-greet. Of course, doggie greetings involve a bit of sniffing, but as Goody explains, it's important to know who is friendly and who is not. It's also a great way to size up new visitors or find out what kind of mood regulars might be in that day.

Goody's owner and the author of the book, Kim Pearson, has successfully found the voice of her canine companion, which makes this 60-page book entertaining and an easy read. Readers who love dogs will enjoy hearing what Goody REALLY thinks about the park and its frequent visitors. The book also includes photographs by award-winning photographer, Anne Lindsay. No dog diary is complete without a pictorial romp in the park with Goody and her friends.

A dog's life may not be laced with as much drama as those of their human counterparts, but they love life and their human companions. And when they interact, they can be very much like humans as well. On second thought, perhaps there is a place where the "Dogs of Society" howl. There's no better way to find out than to pick up a copy of "Dog Park Diary" and settle back for a look at Goody's world through her soulful eyes. Maybe you'll find out just why dogs enjoy being dogs. One good sniff goes a long, long way!

How refreshing. Try to pick your favorite day in the diary, they are all great. Going to the dog park with my dogs has increased our bond even though I still can't speak dog. The lessons in manners from Goody and her friends will give you some idea of what your dog is trying to tell you. The photography couldn't be better. Everyone should enjoy Dog Park Diary.

Dog Park Diary is entertaining on several levels. Adult dog owners will concur that the human attributes ascribed to the various breeds are very perceptive (trust me, I once owned a beagle!). Kids will enjoy the dog interaction through the text and photographs. Additionally, Dog Park Diary serves as a great guide for potential dog owners as to general breed characteristics, especially charm and temperment. A very original book!

Follow Goodie the beagle on a weeks worth of visits to her local dog park in Kim Pearson's new book
"DOG PARK DIARY the social round of Goody Beagle"
Goody shares her experiences and insights as she sniffs snacks and socializes her week away. She introduces us to her friends and enlightens us to the ways of the different "clans" as she describes them. The photographs beautifully bring Goody's story to life. This book will make you want to get in on the fun so grab a leash and your dog and read it at the nearest dog park!

Looking for a book about "coming out" as a lesbian, as an artist?
"Egret" cuts between the competitive art worlds of Manhattan and the Hamptons. The undercurrent of sensitivity to "East End" environmental issues adds to the reader's enjoyment. This is one good read -- for the beach, or for all year 'round!

This is an excellent book. It has well drawn characters who draw you into the story. It tells a different kind of story that keeps you reading until the end. The end is a little rushed, but the book overall is a terrific read.

Do you want to be titilated; do you want to be turned on; do you want to read a book you can't put down? Read Egret! Imagin being a young niave midwesterner. Image you're lovely , you're talented, and you're a lesbian! Than you're Jodi.

Jodi moves to NYC to find a place in the art world. What she finds are passions both painful and wonderful. She experiences conflect and acceptance in the gay world. And what about her art? You absolutely must read to find out.

I enjoyed all the desciptions of the Hamptons. I felt like I'd really been there. Also I felt like I was living in New York City, but away from the glamor that tourists know. I could really sympathize with Jodi as she was trying to find her true feelings personally and professionally. Having suffered so much as an artist, it was interesting to follow her journey.

Do you want to be titilated; do you want to be turned on; do you want to read a book you can't put down? Read Egret! Imagin being a young niave midwesterner. Image you're lovely , you're talented, and you're a lesbian! Than you're Jodi.

Jodi moves to NYC to find a place in the art world. What she finds are passions both painful and wonderful. She experiences conflect and acceptance in the gay world. And what about her art? You absolutely must read to find out.

I am really glad I bought this book. I also purchased The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 and Beyond Disney. The latter 2 are Huge books (one of them being over 800 pages of info) full of more info than I can possibly dig into.
This book is great because it is short and to the point telling you the top 10 attractions in many different catergories. I suggest getting this book on top of your Frommers or Unofficial guide as it will help you know what you want to research in the other books.
While there is not a lot of details in this book about each place, it is best used as a guide to figure out what you want to research more into. It also has some really nice fold out laminated maps on the cover which will be so helpful to bring with on our vacation.

This travel guide combines the right amount of Theme parks with classic Orlando. The top 10 attractions covered are primarily theme parks but then when region by region is broken down you can really see the various areas to explore in Orlando. From downtown Orlando to Cape Canaveral there are lots of fun and cheap things that can be done outside of Disney and Universal. This is a great start to planning any trip. If you are just going for the theme parks than I would use a different book but if you want to see it all this is the one to get.

You will love the precise but beautifully informative ideas in this particular edition on Orlando.

DK is noted for it's thorough and colorful books.
This book catagorizes the sights and gives the top 10 for each. Categories include: golf courses, places to cool off, festivals, high end restaurants, dinner shows, hip clubs, ways to have fun on the cheap, family restaurants, etc.
Each listing has a short description plus the address, phone and sometimes the hours. I do recommend getting a basic Fodor's or Frommer's for your trip and supplement it with Top 10 Orlando.
Within the theme parks, it lists the top ten attractions so you can make the most of your time. Really a handy little book (fits easily into a purse or camera bag).
With so much to see in the Orlando/Kissimmee area, this helps you prioritize your visit.

I do recommend getting a basic Fodor's or Frommer's for your trip and supplement it with Top 10 Orlando. This book catagorizes the sights and gives the top 10 for each. Categories include: golf courses, places to cool off, festivals, high end restaurants, dinner shows, hip clubs, ways to have fun on the cheap, family restaurants, etc.
Each listing has a short description plus the address, phone and sometimes the hours.
Within the theme parks, it lists the top ten attractions so you can make the most of your time. Really a handy little book (fits easily into a purse or camera bag).
With so much to see in the Orlando/Kissimmee area, this helps you prioritize your visit.

I don't know why I feel this way, but you'd think there would be a lot of Newbery winning children's authors who'd switch their focus from time to time to picture books. And yet, this is not the case. In fact, it's rather rare for someone of Lunda Sue Park's stature to go about writing for children younger than her usual fare. It's almost as if she's slumming. But Park (who won the Newbery for "A Single Shard") has discovered what most winners fail to realize. That a picture book can be every bit as morally complex and intricate as a 230-some page novel. All it takes is excellent writing and an illustrator who knows their stuff. Which makes, "The Firekeeper's Son" a perfect example of a picture book that does everything right and ends up wowing the reader with its intensity.

Sang-hee lives in a small, unassuming, and peaceful village in Korea. One day, his father informs him that their little space is infinitely important (a fact that Sang-hee has a bit of difficulty believing). But his father is absolutely correct. Located beside the sea and just next to the first of a row of mountains, it understood that in the event of a seaward attack by Korea's enemies, this village is the first line of defense. That is why, every night, Sang-hee's father climbs the nearby mountain and lights a fire that can be seen for miles. Then, someone on the next mountain will see that fire and light their own. This continues all the way to the king's palace where, if the king sees the last mountain lit, he'll know that all is well. Of course, if the fire is not lit, the king would immediately send his soldiers out to battle with the enemy. Now this system has gone on for generations, but Sang-hee is not content. He would love to see the king's glorious soldiers more than anything else in the world. Then, one night, his father hurts his ankle while climbing up the mountain. Sang-hee is given the task of lighting the fire himself, but as he nears the pile of dried twigs he thinks about how much he'd like to see a soldier up close. And the hot coals are slowly burning out...

The book weighs an individual's personal wants and fantasies against the greater good of the whole, and does so beautifully. You completely understand Sang-hee's dilemma. On the one hand, there's the fact that not lighting the fire would be a callous lie. On the other hand, "Maybe there is a soldier who would be glad for a chance to visit the sea". Park's story is based on factual information, as she mentions in her Author's Note. However, the system by which bonfires informed the king of potential attacks was, in real life, far more complex than the one featured here. As Park herself mentions, "additional fires could be lit to convey further information, so the court would know not only which province was facing danger but things like the size of the enemy forces and how well armed they were!". She provides additional resources for further reading.

It was a real stroke of luck that Park was paired with illustrator Julie Downing too. Downing plays with lush watercolors and pastels that perfectly convey not only the cool blue nights Sang-hee must run through, but also the glow of the slowly dying coals and eventual hot orange flames. If you look on the cover of the book, you can see dream soldiers fighting in the fire and the bright orange flickers reflected in the black of Sang-hee's eyes. Downing's images are the perfect compliment to Park's deeply rich story.

As historical fiction picture books go, this one has to be one of the most beautiful on record. If you'd like a picture book that lures those sometimes hard to interest boy readers, but is just as doggone interesting to the girls of the world, this book's a safe bet. It's beautiful to look at and remarkably complex to contemplate. Art in the purest sense.

The book is so interesting, so informative, and so gorgeous. Also, my kids enjoyed comparing the fires on the mountains to their favorite fantasy, LORD OF THE RINGS. The tie-in made it even batter for them.
Well done, Ms. Park, and while I am here, let me say, KEOKO is my other favorite of yours.

Set in Korea, some time in the nineteenth century, a young boy discovers the great responsibility of lighting the bonfires. When Sang Hee and his mother see that his father has not yet lit the bonfire, and see that there is no enemy coming from the sea, the boy takes up a responsibility that has been in the family for generations. He follows the path up the mountain to find his father injured and unable to climb the mountain. His internal conflict is against the temptation of satisfying his curiosity of soldiers versus responsibility. Good judgment outweighs his selfishness and the bonfire is lit. The systematic communication sends the message to the palace that the kingdom is peaceful. Park is an accomplished writer. The narrative is moving and interesting. The radiant colors of Julie Downing are well crafted.

Perhaps for centuries, the royal court of Korea kept infomred of invading forces and problems in it eight provinces through a series of bonfires lit from one hilltop to the next. In this story, a young boy and his father live in a seacoast village on the first line of defense for the bonfires. Each night, the boy's father lights a bonfire which is seen by hilltop after hilltop all the way back to the king. But when he in injured, his son must light the fire. But would it not be better to not light it, so that some excitement and soldiers will come to the village? Or does reponsibility win out?

Linda Sue Park's The Firekeeper's Son is a picture book that tells of life in a Korean village several hundred years ago. At that time fires were lit as signals that all was well. It is an exciting story the pits a young boys dreams for excitement against his duty and responsibility. Julie Downing's illustrations showing traditional Korean village life really bring the past alive.

Have browsed a number of books that say they cover this information, but none do it as well as this one. Everything you need is there. A wonderful resourse for anyone camping/RVing in Florida.
Scotty

I sell rv's and give this book as a gift. I hear how great it is all of the time. I have used books like this for years, they are very accurate.

I was pleased to find this book which gives quite a bit more detail than the huge regional campground books (Woodall's, etc.). Looking up some campgrounds that we'd already tried (Lazy Days and St. Augustine), I could see it captures the character of the place and lets you know what to expect.
This will be invaluable for us as we explore Florida with our motorhome.

Please be sure to look and ask for the fourth edition of the book, released in fall 2007. The book has been completely updated and revised. Look for the blue cover and the Moon imprint!

All best,
Marilyn A. Moore
author
Florida Camping

As indicated by other reviewers, the Foghorn series of campground guides is not without flaws. Even so, we know of no directories which do a better job of addressing campground aesthetics than these wonderful guides. In our experience, the look and feel of a campground is often the single greatest factor influencing the quality of a camping experience . . . and the factor totally ignored by nearly all other campground guides.

There are a number of directories which rate facilities, provide directions, tell you how to make reservations and give you an idea of the cost for a night's stay in a specific campground. This series gives similar basic information and then goes beyond that. The Foghorn guides actually give you a feel of what it is like to stay in a specific campground - a bit of a narrative description and a "scenic beauty rating" for each campground plus information about nearby recreation opportunities. We like that a lot.

Have we found instances where we liked a campground more or less than the book's author? Of course. Tastes differ and things change over time. Even so, we would rather have an admittedly subjective rating of a campground's intangibles than to have nothing to go on but a recitation of facts and figures.

Are the Foghorn Outdoors guides the only ones we use? No. But they are ALWAYS the first place we turn when selecting a destination campground.

This is a wonderful book, chock full of amazing photos and lots of interesting information. If you remember the Highlands, then don't hesitate to buy this volume. It's informative, entertaining, and will bring back tons of memories. Kudos to Mr. Garner for this labor of love!

Doug Garner really knows his history of this amusement park. His photos and artifacts
are amazing! A true believer in the joy of the amusement park! Highly recommend.
tons of photos!
Debra

This book was fantastic. It brought back so many memories of spending fun times in the 1960's at the Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park in St. Louis, Mo. I highley recommend it for anyone who was lucky enough to experience the rides at this great park.

What a delightful read! Doug Garner takes us on a nostalgic ride through Forest Park Highlands' by-gone days as page after page explodes with amusement park Americana. Doug's vivid descriptions and extraordinary photographs bring back the wonderfully delicious smell of cotton candy, french fries, and hot dogs; the piercing shrieks of pure joy; and the thrilling roar of the roller coasters which permeated the air on those memorable hot summer days in St. Louis. Amusement park aficionados everywhere will relive the excitement of yesteryear in this informative and entertaining depiction of the birth and death of one of America's great parks. Kudos to Doug Garner for this comprehensive tribute to St. Louis' most famous park!

A lot of us familiar with Doug Garner's expertise have been waiting for years and years for him to finally get to do the book he wanted to do on the Highlands. As expected, he's produced a simply terrific photo book packed with information and details only he would know and that rarity--captions which go beyond just describing the photos to bring them to life and offer rich background information. It's all done with style and verve and for dessert he throws in West End Heights, Suburban Garden, Westlake Park and Chain of Rocks Fun Fair. I have waited all my life to see photos of Suburban Garden, as I grew up a five minute walk from the place, or what little was left of it. Arcadia has come a long way from its early efforts and this book will sell big with anyone who loves St. Louis history, amusement parks, roller coasters or quality bookmaking. Congratulations, Doug!