Peter Books

The Kin is a fabulous book for those who wish to better understand prehistory. It follows a group of four children who separate from their Kin because food has run out. They travel to find others. Not only a coming-of-age narrative, but a great insight on how early people lived. The chapters are interspersed with folk stories about the creation of different animals in a storyteller's mode.

The "Reading Level" for this book is listed as Young Adult, but the content, style and level of complexity should not be thought of as aimed at or restricted to teens. This is an outstanding and thoroughly engaging book, carefully thought out and written. If you have an interest in early man - or even if you don't -, you will enjoy it. I am far from being a teen, but I have re-read it several times for pure pleasure.

This was a truly great book, but one thing confused me. I had read the four separate books prior to this one, and in those books, one of the characters was named Po. Now, in this book, his name was somehow changed to Ko. This isn't really a bad thing, and I definitely still rate it 5 stars, but I'm wondering why the character's name was changed.

while looking up information on this series i came across this little tidbit of information and decided to share it here to help a previous person with a question that many seem to have.. why was it po and now ko?

~ cut and pasted ~
There were already five main characters. Four of them would in turn be the viewpoint figure of each of the books. Suth had already emerged as the practical one, and Noli the visionary, so Po was going to be the boy with dreams of glory, which left Mana to be the homebody. Tinu, the fifth, was the shy and inarticulate genius.

(Po, by the way, became Ko in England, to avoid confusion with the Teletubby. Dumb, I thought, but I decided I preferred Ko anyway.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

so there ya have it! hope that clears things up for some of you (as it did for me).

I read a lot of books but, this was the first book I had pulled out of the "Teen" section at my local bookstore. I just have to say I wasn't disappointed it's a great book but, it could be improved(oh so now I'm the expert).

Lets start with Book 1 "Suth's Story". Peter Dickinson did a superior job in devoloping the character of Suth because he shows three sides to this teenage kin the first is his fatherly side the side that helps him raise Ko and Mana. He shows an adventurous side the one that makes him run away from his kin tribe and start his own life. The final side is that of a warrior this is shown when Suth kills the leopard and also when he attacks the cliff hawk in the very beginning! The main thing about "Suth's Story" is the Monkey kin and what goes on in the valley. I think this because that particular part shows the fatherly side of Suth when he is desperate to save his family.

Now for Book 2 "Noli's Story". This time Dickinson gives the main character (Noli) two sides and they are the "Day Noli" and the "Night Noli". The "Day Noli" is a regular kin woman she feeds Otan (her baby brother) she gathers crops and she cooks (not much more to be said about that). The "Night Noli" is the one that has visions of the "First Ones" like Moonhawk and Goma's "First One" I think this side is shown everytime Noli gets that spaced out look on her face. I think Noli is the most important character in the book.

I can't forget Book 3 and Book 4 which are "Ko's Story" and "Mana's Story". Ko and Mana are the exact oposites from ko's rambunctious ways to Mana's shy attitude.Ko has two sides and they are "Normal Ko" and "Dreaming Ko", the Ko that dreams is the central comedie of the story and normal ko is the perfect mirror of a young sugar-high boy. Mana on the other hand is "Shy Mana" and "Brave Mana", "Brave Mana" is the one at the end of the story who defeats the demon-man and that adds a nice twist to the ending.

There is one thing missing, another book, "Tinu's Story"

Our young daughter asks us to read this book on a daily basis. So, although this book has been around for decades, it seems to transcend time.

There is something so warm and comforting about the illustrations and the gentle, fun dialog. Somehow the pictures give a sense of stability and safety. It is a brilliant marriage of text and illustration.

The understanding and humor that passes between the three generations speaks to the intricacy of relationships and the intelligence that young children possess. The author knew how to communicate her story without being condescending to children or adults.

I highly recommend this book. It is especially effective as a bedtime book because it has such a calming effect.

Another fun, sweet story about little bear and his family. My son (almost 3 years old) and I have been reading this book every night since I gave it to him.

My kids have been captivated by this book from the time they were barely old enough to look at the pictures. My oldest is almost five, and she still asks me to read this book, even though she has it memorized! It is a charming tale of Little Bear's visit to his grandparents' house. The love in this bear family is so heartwarming, and the sense of fun so nicely realized that adults will love it too. Maurice Sendak's illustrations, which have a 19th Century feel, are the perfect complement to this story. My only complaint is I can't find this book in hardback, and our paperback version is worn out! Two other books in this series - Little Bear and Little Bear's Friend are also great for kids from age 2 to around 7.

There are four separate but related stories in this "I CAN READ Book" and they are all delightful. They flow from one to the other so that first story has Little Bear visiting his grandparents, while the second and third stories are tales that Little Bear's grandmother and then grandfather tell him. And the final story has Little Bear's parents coming to take him home after a wonderful, but tiring day of fun.

To parents and other caregivers this structure means is that we can read/or be read to big chunks or small.

Contents:

Grandmother and Grandfather Bear
Mother Bear's Robin
Goblin Story
Not Tired

Now my children like all these stories but there favorite is the one about the goblin who jumps out of his shoes. It never fails to get a howls of laughter from them.

Five Stars. Great artwork by Maurice Sendak. The stories are heart touching and humorous. The book is a Great Read-aloud and a more challenging reader for young children.

The reading level on this book is higher than some of the other Little Bear books and it is listed as 2.3 or suitable for a child reading at the second grade level. There is more vocabulary, more dialog, and more text per page.

~a review by Pam T.~

Our 3-year-old granddaughter just spent almost two weeks with us. Reading to her has been both a daily (several times a day!) ritual since she was a baby...as well as a source of delight for both her and us. Her favorite story is still the "Goblin Story," which appears in this book. You can easily read it to your young one so that he or she is excited, giggling, and having a wonderful experience with you!

Great book! Well-written tales of growing up Irish American; NYC based, but rang lots of Boston bells too.

Peter Quinn is a master storyteller and with his prose he tries to keep alive the enduring and rich legacy of Irish-American contributions to the history and foundations of American life.

The great Irish labor leader and 1916 rebel James Connally once said,"It's easier to explain socialism to the Irish than to explain the Irish to the socialists." I've always found depictions of Irish Americans--even more that the Irish in Ireland--to be riddled with stereotypes, both favorable and unfavorable. Why, I've wondered, couldn't anybody "explain" Irish Americans to their fellow Americans--i.e., capture all the confouding complexity of this people in their long day's journey from famine and rural serfdom to the top of the New World? Maybe no one story can ever capture the whole journey, but for me "Looking for Jimmy" comes as close as anyone will ever manage. I was deeply moved by this book, and though, unlike the author, I no longer have any association with organized religion (I describe myself as a "disorganized Christian"),I found his observations on faith to be filled with truth. If you're not Irish American but want to find out about them, read this book. If you are Irish American and want to find out about yourself, do the same.

A big fan of Quinn's historical fiction novels "Banished Children of
Eve" and "Hour of the Cat," I knew I was in the hands of an expert
author and historian in "Looking for Jimmy." Quinn gets personal in
this collection of essays about the Irish in America. As he shares
stories of his family, I'm reminded of my own, or the lack thereof.
The older generations didn't speak much about Ireland or the trials
and harsh tales of their immigration and integration into the new
world. Quinn notes the silence and dearth of artifacts. The phrase
"Watch the quiet ones" comes to mind. May as well say, watch the
Irish ones. Thankfully, Quinn is not quiet. He watches them all,
researches, studies and considers, takes account and conveys the story
and motivation of a people across generations.

It's all too common for modern society to neglect its ancestry. The
melting pot warrants, yet makes it harder to figure identity. Quinn
bravely and enthusiastically explores one important and special
ingredient in that pot, the Irish. He takes us to the movies with
James Cagney, to the legendary story of hero Michael Corcoran, to many
places the Irish permeated and permeate. What it means to be
American, has a lot to do with what it means to be every other
culture. Quinn's "Looking For Jimmy" helps us find him and appreciate
the Irish element in the fabric of America. If we're lucky, there's a
little bit of Jimmy in all of us.

This book answers the question once and for all; Are all the NY Irish dead and buried in Calvary Cemetary??? Not so.....Quinn's book riveted me from the first word written. So many of the reflections were identical to my own family and their experience in New York. The silence of our past, the quest for respectability, the fierce fidelity to the faith. I was torn between laughing and crying at the similarities.

Besides the magnificent analysis and brilliant prose, I appreciate Quinn's indebtedness to the parochial school system; I too am a product of a Christian Brothers high school, then Fordham (much to the dismay of my high school teachers, no Manhattan College in my future...my father had the Jesuits at Xavier and Georgetown)

If you are a New Yorker of Irish descent, this is a must read. Too few of my generation appreciate the sufferings and sacrifices of our ancestors; we have succeeded upon their shoulders. This book crystalizes that fact, and challenges us to keep faith with that past as we look to the future

Now Los Gatos in Spanish means The Cats. I just would like to say Waaaaasssssssssssuuuuuuppppppp to all my homedoggs. EEEYA I have learned a lot from the grate scool district. It is absolootey the best in the wurld. YA! I go to highschool and I is gettin the beest education that this here town can offer. bi guyz

I live in Los Gatos and this is the most fun I have had looking at a book in a long time. I wish there was such a book for everywhere that I have lived. The research that went into it is incredible. The detail and the photos are great. People interested in writing a book about someplace should use this as a model. I learned a lot about many places that I have wondered about for a long time. Great fun!

I moved to Los Gatos in 1996. Before I read this book I had virtually no idea of the town I lived in. Now I understand it very well. It's actually interesting! By the way, this book was obviously created as a labor of love by someone with a genuine interest in their community.

This book displays a wonderfully compiled history of Los Gatos. The photography is beautiful, and just about every fact is historically accurate. A good section of the book is where the buildings are shown today downtown, and then their original use is displayed below the photo. Anywone who lives in Los Gatos or anywone who loves Santa Clara County history will love this book!

I also live in Los Gatos,and was surprised and pleased to see my house pictured, and written about in the book! I have always wondered about many of the homes shown in the book, and especially about where I actually live. This book has sparked my curiosity even more, and I am looking forward to having more detailed conversations with the owner of the house, to get additional information! A must have book for anyone who lives in Los Gatos, or has visited and enjoyed the town. Also a great book for California history buffs! My only suggestion would be to possibly print some in hard back!

Mike Carey, Lucifer: Inferno (Vertigo, 2003)

The battle between Lucifer and Amanadiel is finally here, but, of course, nothing is what it seems. Lucifer's power is still tied up in the feathers held by Susanoo-no-Mikoto. Makizeen and the Lilim are off hunting for Susanoo, but there are more than enough enemies-- and allies-- in Hell to make Lucifer wonder if their power will be necessary. Wheels within wheels within wheels, as usual, and Carey pulls it off with aplomb. ****

With the four part story arc titled Inferno, ends one of the most ambitious and extraordinary dark fantasy sagas of modern fantasy.
Comprising of about thirty two numbers that began on the first trade The Devil in the Gateway, Carey's epic of power and ambition ranks among the best theological/urban/dark fantasies ever written.
Carey is a master of continuity, allusion, indirectness and oblique multilayered narrative, metaphor and arcane religious symbolism.
Like the majority of comic book writers, Carey's visual imagination(sometimes disturbingly surreal) and plotting are strong, unlike them his attention for style, characterization, tone and atmosphere is remarkable.He is a literate who chose the comic book medium to express his vison about power, arrogance and ambition.
It's the many levels of significance that puts Lucifer apart of other comics books.
I wouldn`t do the book justice if I didn`t mention the excellent artwork and coloring of the artistic team.Regular artists Peter Gross (story arcs) and Dean Ormston (single issues)did an excellent job; the equally excellent artist Chris Weston left the book early.
Gross` drawings on the first issues seems to me rather crude and sketchy but in later issues gets much better.Ormston's disturbingly creepy gothic drawings gives the perfect mood for the single issues, I love his work.The colour pallete is rich; sometimes dark and moddy, sometimes bright and colourful.
For the true conoissieurs Lucifer is an indipensable comic book.

Inferno marks the conclusion of a major story arc: whatever happened to those blasted wings of Lucifer? Last seen in the possession of Susano-O-No-Mikoto, they left the battlefields as the Basanos committed suicide, apparently into the mists of time (or whatever passes for cryptic walking- off- into- the- sunset in Lucifer's world anyway.)

Lucifer duels with Amenadiel - that duel promised in Lucifer #2, Children And Monsters (p.196), but sends his deputy to deal with the wings. Along the way, she meets... someone from her past. A Lilum like herself, which would technically make the union incest, but hey, this is 'Lucifer', after all, and there are no taboos.

The duel fought and won (sort of, on a technicality), Lucifer ends the book by taking on a loan from Loki, setting the stage for Lucifer #6: Mansions of the Silence.

As usual, there's a kooky laugh-at-it story within this collection as well: look out in particular for the bizarre-bittersweet "Bearing Gifts", with Dean Ormston's distinctive art.

This is the end of the first big story arc that has been foreshadowed in the divination of the Tarot deck in part one. And, please note, this part one is not 'Sandman presents: Lucifer' but 'Lucifer: Devil in the gateway'. (That's why the first review by millernw was not helpful, although I fully support his message.)

Well, almost all that has been foreshadowed. Except the divination of the 'innocence' card where Lucifer has been told that he'll have to repay the favour of Elaine Belloc. The last two-parter 'Come to judgement' that nicely ties up loose ends such as the fate of Cestis starts Lucifer's quest to do exactly that.

In the main story arc I particularly liked the re-telling of the old Venus-Vulcanus-Mars story. (The ugly engineer and his pretty wife ...) I know that the originals are Greek gods, not Roman gods, but few readers would know 'Hephaistos' would they?

Also very impressive how the whole story is told by the Duke of Gly. His comments show that Carey has not lost one bit of his ability to surprise the reader with a sentence that you may think about for a long time afterwards. (As you may do about the last words of the inspector at the very end of this book.)

Man, I just stumbled onto this series after getting turned on to the Sandman library, Lucifer is a science fiction fan's dream come true-

Incredible plots, great art, it's the best thing I've seen since, well, Sandman.

I sure hope this series runs for a long time, I'm amazed at the creativity that has gone into this title!

This book is definitely not for beginners, but the art work you can create from paper is beautiful! The illustrations and instructions are easy to follow and the photography georgeous. It's a great book for all those origami creators...

It's a nice book about modular origami, but not so original. I've found some of its diagrams in other books or over the Internet, but here they're detailed and made easy to accomplish. Where the book is original, it's because minimal changes over past work of others. Nonetheless, it's a good compilation, worth buying if you are new to modular origami.
What is a real flaw is that the pics on the book aren't that good. Some are poorly shot. And others have average quality, but the models are badly assembled, greatly because most of the models deal with both sides colored paper, and the author build'em with single side colored ones. That spoils part of the beauty of the origamis.
The good news are that in the coda of the book you can find some mathematical descriptions of paperfolding theory, and some color schemes on how to assemble the polyhedra contained in this book. An overall good book. For the beginner.

Meenakshi has done a great job of explaining in a step-by-step manner how to create many simple to not-so-simple figures in Origami. Being a complete beginner, it has greatly helped me. I am sure the more advanced users will get much more from this book.

Este libro representa una estupenda muestra del ingenio y buen hacer de la autora, que ya nos había adelantado en su maravillosa página Web. Modelos sencillos de plegar y muy espectaculares.

In so many ways, origami is the perfect activity for young children. Using only simple movements that even young ones can master at a high enough level, students can create beautiful things. The pot is made even sweeter by the fact that the cost of the raw materials is so low. By practicing first using printer paper, the students can hone their skills before moving on to the development of the finished product.
This book contains some of the best and most functional origami patterns ever developed. The end results are spectacular and the directions are very easy to follow. I am on good terms with the education department at Mount Mercy College and will be showing them this book when classes start this fall.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.

Even though this is my first dinotopia book I've ever read I'm sure it's one of the best I'll ever read! This book takes place in the magical land of Dinotopia, where talking dinosaurs and humans live. This is about a girl named Gwen who goes on a challenging quest to save her father from a deadly disease. Jason her friend goes along with her. Along the why they also meet a young raptor named Booj. The only hope for Gwen's Father is for the trio to find Odon a great healer. A very long time ago Oden went under ground and dug a maze so no one could find him. Now they must find Oden inside the complicated and dangerous maze. But what if they can't find the way through the maze? And what if Odon isn't there anymore? You'll have to read the book to find out!

Dinotopia The Maze by Peter David

Would you like to go on an adventure with talking dinosaurs? If you like adventures you'll like this book. This book is about a girl trying to save her dad from a deadly disease and a dinosaur can cure it. But will the girl be able to find the dinosaur to cure her father?
This book was amazing! It was full of adventure. If you like adventure this is a book for you.
The author wrote this book to show you that you should care for one another and be brave. The lesson in this book is you should help each other and you shouldn't be mean.

The characters in this book were fun to read about, and the plot itself was interesting. Older readers might enjoy this as a nice quick read, as I did. Younger readers will love this well-written and nicely paced adventure.

THIS IS THE MOST EXCITING BOOK I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME. THE SUSPENSE AND THE THRILLS ARE VERY HARD TO HANDLE IF YOU LIKE EXCITNG, SUSPENSE, AND THRILLING BOOKS. SO IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WATCH OUT IF YOU READ THIS BOOK. YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!

I think that the Maze was a very good book it was one of the best. I really liked the suspense and fun. I really liked the characters Gwen, Jason and Boogie to. I would suggest this book to somebody who enjoys thrills and fun filled adventure. It was a very good book.

The item arrived on time and this web site was the ONLY place I could find this book as my daughter needed it for her English class at school!
Amazon really came through for me when we couldn't find the book anywhere else. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

THIS BOOK IS POWERFUL, ITS SHOCKING, AND IT IS ASPIRING. THERE IS NOTHING ON CHANNEL 11 THAT BRINGS THE HONEST, INSIGHTFUL, VERY REAL ACCOUNT THAT MR.DOUGLASS DOES IN HIS BOOK. FROM SLAVE TO FREE-MAN, THIS IS TRUELY AN AMERICAN SUCCESS. SKIP THE INTRO, AND JUMP INTO IT.

Douglass's second, and lengthier, narrative fills in many of the gaps left in his first autobiography: we learn about his mother, his siblings, and more details about his psychological transformation from brute to man. It's quite insightful, as Douglass is careful to relate each of his personal experiences to the innate evil of the peculiar instituition, for both the slave and the slave holder.

Having read a biography of Douglass many years ago, I thought I knew his story. Hearing through his pen was an entirely different matter. What a master of the language and insighful set of observations on human nature.

I am a man of many words, but words fail me in my endorsement of this book. The letter to his former master in the appendix is worth the price of the book by itself.

Standing in line at the Lincoln Memorial, a book beckoned to me that I previously hadn't seen before. The face of Frederick Douglas grabbed my attention; a man that I've respected for many years, encountering him mainly through my study of Abraham Lincoln. On the spur of the moment, I snatched up a copy of "My Bondage and My Freedom", and within a few days, my admiration in Frederick Douglass was transformed from interest to awe.

Frederick Douglass orginially penned his book as a response to people's accusations that someone as articulate and composed as he couldn't possibly be a former slave. With that goal in mind, Douglass wrote his memoirs, in a straight forward, powerful way. In the book, he painfully and honestly documents the path his early life took; the memories of being owned, how slaves coped during these times, and how he managed to pull himself out of it all.

While Douglass' life in itself is amazing, (as he describes the amazing process he undertook to learn how to read), what amazed me even more are Douglass' discourses that he sprinkles through the book, discussing relevant issues during the time. In one instance, he addresses the concern about why slaves simply didn't run away from their oppressive situations. It's almost as if you can actually hear the people talking to Douglass and he responding to them.

This book does not only tell the tale of a truly amazing American, but gives us a unique insight to the times. This book should be required reading in every high school in this country.

I bought this book during Parents Weekend at Bowdoin College. Slovenski is my freshman son's track coach. I was delighted to see traditional, time-tested values presented in an entertaining way. My son and a college friend read through the book over dinner, and it prompted some interesting comments and discussion, such as "Why is Frank Sinatra 'faux' old school?" I'm glad my son will have a college mentor who espouses these values with wit and humor!

In a time where much of our traditional values are being eroded by moral relativism and political correctness, OLD SCHOOL AMERICA is a breath of fresh air. Reading this book made me nostalgic for times past, and fostered an appreciation for the old school. I think all students in this nation, whether in secondary school or higher education should read this book.

Old School America is truely a great book. Being only sixteen years old, I don't know what it was like to live "the old school." But Mr. Slovenski's amazing depiction of "the old school" makes even the most liberal person want to live during that time. He reminds us that traditional values are what will give America strength through the coming years.

Old School America

Peter Slovenski is an outstanding coach and a true gentleman.
His co-authors are typical of the top-notch student/athletes
that Peter works with at Bowdoin College.
Reading "Old School America" brought back so many wonderful memories. It also reminded me of how much I have had to adjust and change as a parent, teacher and coach these past 35
years. The picture and caption on page 78 really hit home. I taught World Geography for 33 years and then it was taken out of our curriculum.
There are so many terrific quotes from our former leaders. It certainly makes those of us from the "Old School " think about what the future might bring.
This book is a refreshing look at where we came from.
Peter, Patrick and Rich have provided a very interesting look
into the past for our future generations to enjoy and reflect upon.

Old School America is great!!! For those of us who are old school (even if we didn't necessarily grow up in that generation), I think that every word rang true. I thoroughly enjoyed all of the Old School examples - some of which I never really thought about but realize I do everyday! It's great to see all these examples compiled in one book that I will go back to time & time again.

this is a very nice book for the money, for those interested in unusual photography

Somewhat a photographic collection of the "best of Jerry Uelsmann" -the intricate, fantasy-like surrealist photographer. Works almost solely in the darkroom - not digitally. The book does not really mention Uelsmann's pristine practice in the darkroom, however provides quotations from the artist.

Had this book delivered just in time before the artist came recently to Pittsburgh. The 70 year old charismatic artist was kind enough to sign my book. Very entertaining, down to earth modern artist.

A beautifully produced book of gelatin silver photographs to be looked at and
savored. Uelsmann's photographs question our world of physical realities
and introduce us to his world of visual realities. His photographs mystify
and question. They are of things that don't exist, yet do exist.

All of Uelsmann's books reflect a poetic irrationalism, and this book is no exception. The images evoke a strange and surreal eloquence. Technically, like all of his work, the prints are tonally rich even as reproductions.

There are numurous photgraphers who currently utilize digital tools in the creation of similar collage/montage work, yet they rarely achieve the same formal elegance as Uelsmann - and he has been doing this for years - long before Adobe Photophop became a tool in the photographers arsenal. He's the photgraphic collage master - Version 1.0.

I first saw Jerry Uelsmann's work in the sixties when we were stranded in a Chicago Airport by a snowstorm, waiting for the same commuter plane. He was in his late twenties then and carrying a portfolio of his work. As we talked, he shared it with me. I knew I was in the presence of artistic genius immediately. Already, I discovered, he was well known in the art work with major exhibits in known galleries. Not only did the content of his montages excite me but, but, being an amateur darkroom photographer at the time, I had some vague sense of the skill involved in his final productions. We were friends for a number of years and lost touch, but I've kept up with his work because I still admire it so deeply. This book is a treasure and I recognize some montages from the sixties in it, as well. Jerry is not only creative, but he's an interesting lecturer and funny, besides. The child in him will never die. I suspect that's one big reason he's so good. I would highly recommend any of his books, and this is one!