Shepard Books

Mandy is a young girl who is hearing-impaired. This story tells of things Mandy enjoys in her life and the things she dislikes. It also tells how Mandy uses her other senses. The story is about Mandy going out at night during a storm to look for her beloved grandmother's lost pin. The pin is special to her grandmother because Mandy's grandfather had given it to her on their 25th wedding anniversary. Mandy finds the pin and makes her grandmother very happy.

Teacher Notes: Mandy would be a wonderful book to read to remind students that people are different and that we should respect that diversity. This would be a good read-aloud book for kindergarten and first grade. Second and third graders could read it on their own.

Mandy is a really unique picture book dealing with the issue of deafness. It is a heart warming story about a young deaf girl and her grandmother. It is filled with profound statements expressing Mandy's "Deaf" perspective of the hearing world she lives in. While ending a dance in the kitchen with Grandma, Mandy describes "...one of the silly rules of the Hearing World. It makes more sense to stop dancing when you wanted to stop, instead of letting that box (radio) decide." Later, she wonders how the sunlight sounds as it passes through the trees. She concludes that the woods must be a very loud place to be, which is why she and Grandma never see any other people there! This story really makes you stop and think how a young Deaf child might view pieces of the Hearing world. It also makes you think about different ways Hearing people use auditory cues to perceive their world.

The art work in Mandy is touching and enhances the story with its beauty.

One of the things I enjoy most about this book, is that it exposes the readers to Deaf Culuture while immersing them in a sensitive story about two special people. Mandy and Grandma share such fun together, dancing, cooking walking in the woods. However, when Grandma loses a very special pin that Grandpa gave her before he died, it was Mandy who saved the day!

As a teacher of the Deaf, I read as much literature as possible on this subject to share with students, families, teachers and all interested parties. This book on Deaf Culture is inspiring because of how well it is written and because it is the only piece of literature on this subject that I have read that does NOT focus on what the Deaf can and cannot do, or describe a day in the life of a Deaf person. It tells a heartwarming adventure, weaving into the story inspiring perspectives on Deafness that really make the reader/listener think.

In my mind, this is one of the best children's books I've read about Deafness. It is not one that is well-known, but it is a real treasure!

Foolish Shadusa thinks he's the strongest man in the world and orders his wife to call him "master man". But his wise wife warns him: "Quit your foolish boasting. No matter how strong your are, there will always be someone stronger. And watch out, or someday you may meet him." But Shadusa doesn't listen and when he hears that another man in a nearby village also calls himself "master man", he sets off to confront this imposter and ends up learning his lesson the hard way..... Aaron Shepard and award winning illustrator, David Wisniewski have authored an inspired and creative version of this old Nigerian folktale. The story, told in comic book format, complete with dialogue bubbles, is full of expressive, action packed scenes and colorful, detailed collage artwork that becomes busier and bolder until it almost spills off the pages. The book includes an author's note at the end and youngsters will enjoy learning about the origins and history of this folktale. Perfect for children 4-8, Master Man is a terrific read-aloud story the whole family can share and will make a wonderful addition to all home libraries.

This book was really funny! The illustrations were really creative. The words are put right on the illustrations like a comic book so you feel really involved. I like tall tales, and this one is exceptional. The characters are very entertaining and they reminded me of people I know. Everyone should read Master Man -- even grownups!

The story of Flora McFlimsey, the old doll who travels down from the attic on Christmas Eve, is too precious for words. Flora finds that she has the magic ability to move and goes to look at the Christmas tree. Once there, she finds herself unable to move and is put with the other toys by Santa as a gift for one of the children in the house. She realizes that she is old and shabby, and feels quite worthless when she gets a little angelic help.... and ends up being the most beautiful and beloved of all the Christmas toys. The pictures look water-colored and are so soft-looking and sweet.

My mom got this book at a library sale when we were little and it quickly became a family classic. She still has the book, but I wanted a copy of my own at my house to read to my 3yo daughter. I was pleasantly surprised in that the book I ordered was a reprint and was in PERFECT condition with a dust jacket (I didn't know there was ever a reprint so I just figured it was an old version since it didn't specify). Even though I love old things and old books, I was really glad that this was newer because this way it will last longer for my child, and even her children one day. When I read it to her for the first time I almost could not finish the book because all of my own childhood memories came back and I couldn't believe I was reading the same story to my daughter that my mom read to me so many times. It really got me choked up!

Anyway, like you wanted to hear my personal story.... But you will love this book and it is a great tradition to start reading it at Christmas time (especially on Christmas Eve)!!!

What a wonderful suprise! At last I have found Miss Flora McFlimsey, a special doll, after nearly forty years. This was a book that I checked out of our library until if finally fell apart, it was passed amongst the three families on our street with little girls and we all loved Miss Flora's adventures with Santa Claus and how she was rediscovered after being "lost" in the attic! Well, Miss Flora McFlimsey, there's a new generation out there just waiting to rediscover you again, and I plan to start with my nieces. That is, after I have bought copies for my sisters and all our middle-aged friends!! A definite recommendation for any little girl, no matter how young or old

This is a story about a monkey who was born from a magic boulder, that was bathed in the energies of Earth and Heaven, quickened by the light of the Sun and Moon. He became known as the Monkey King when he wandered into the midst of other monkey's and found them a safe home in a cave behind a waterfall. The other monkey's made him their King, which is the highest honor they could bestow on him.

It was on the Monkey King's four hundred birthday that he sat complaining that he had reached the heights of greatness. "What is left to hope and strive for he asked?" The Monkey King was told that above them are Gods, who dwell in Heaven and Earth. Then there are Immortals, who have gained great powers and live forever. And finally there are Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, who have conquered illusion and escaped rebirth.

That information was enough for the Monkey King to set off on his own course of action. To become not just a God or Immortal, but to become a Buddhas. He wanted it all. Nothing would stop him until he could attained what he wanted.

Even though the Monkey King studied hard he would always manage to get himself into trouble time and time again. At the end of this book we find the Monkey King pinned between stone walls. His head and arms are out, but the rest of his body was hopelessly trapped.

What kind of trouble did the Monkey King get into to find himself trapped? Was it his faith to be pinned between the stone walls forever? I can only say you must read this book for yourself to find the answers.

Monkey, is the most popular figure in all Chinese literature, loved for centuries by both young and old. Even in todays world Monkey is still cherished in the Chinese culture.

What a wonderful way to expose and broaden the minds of our young people and adults. To be transported to another place and time. To experience stories that have lasted for centuries.

Sandra Heptinstall, LA

I loved "Monkey: A Superhero Tale of China"! Although Monkey steals the show, the supporting characters are terrific and round out the story nicely. We tend to read aloud, with sound effects, and the kids had a blast trying to make the sounds of the Dragons!

It is about a boy how is afraid of animais .One day he saw a rabbit in the torn bushes.He get the rabbit out and the rabbit gave him a wish to have courage to fight a dargon. And he is not afraid anymore. It was a nice book.And I like dargons that y I piked it .And the boy wont to be brave huter like his uncle.

All the therapists out there plunking down $18 dollars for a "therapeutic book for children" should hold out for a copy of this book instead. It more beautifully and seductively illustrates a young child's triumph against a fearful monster than any other book in the professional field.

The illustrations are magickal. The text accessible to young children and adults alike. Remember ordering books purporting to be the top of the line in bibliotherapy -- and then when you got them in the mail they were black and white drawings with strained paragraphs about "coping skills" for kids? This book is a "corrective emotional experience" for those seeking a book that teaches without the use of a sledgehammer.

We need more books like these -- folklore as therapy, illustrated by non-Ph.D-ed artists!

Jan is an angel. If her personal life contains even 1/10th of the positivity that permeates her books for children, you would wish her to babysit your dearest, most protected children. Nice alter-egos of Jan's books are attractive to adults, including an amazing illustrative storytelling skil and, perhaps, easy status as conversation pieces for their lack of words.

My daughter loves these books. I love reading them to her. Every day, I wonder why great authors like Jan aren't in print for easy access by today's children.

What a shame this delightful book is out of print - do try to get a copy if you can!

This is a sequel to 'Sunshine' by the same author. It is a picture book without any words, so the story can change slightly, be built with the words of your child and yourself. The small girl lives with her parents, has dinner, "helps" with the washing up, has a bath and gets ready for bed. Dad tucks her in and reads a book, then goes into the living room with Mum. The little girl, however, cannot settle to sleep, and there are a few things going "bump" in the night, and a need for a last minute glass of water!

The illustrations in this book are PERFECT. The expressions and physical attitudes, as well as the events are easily recognised by anyone with kids.

At time the sequences are like a comic strip - conveying small shifts in the narrative. This illustrator has observed young children I am sure....

This book was for a very long time a bedtime favourite with my son, from about age 2 on.

Excellent story for children. Just enough excitement, great storyline, lots of laughter and all round a good buy. Worth all of the 5 star rating I gave it.

This is an absolutely enchanting book! Ms. Primavera's rich, glowing illustrations are the perfect compliment to the warm tale woven by Ms. Buckley. The story centers around three monks who have taken a vow of silence and who live together in an old monastery by the sea. One night they find a kite a local child has left in their tree. The three monks fly the kite in the moonlight, and each man silently reminisces about his own happy childhood, long since past. This is a sweet, simple story, one that sparks the imagination and offers the comforting notion that some of childhood's pleasures need never end

Awsome! This book is a riviting read...the first and the second time through. Beautiful use of the english language notably the metaphors. A great bedtime story reader. A must read for children of all ages.

I know the author and have read a lot of her work. She is far from ordinary in her books and Moosedreams is only a glance at her wide scope of writing. Read it and ask for more!

The cover of this book is awesome. I had some trouble pronoucing the names of the people in this book even though the book showed us how to do it. I have to tell you this book is super cool. I liked it when Rhiannon was riding her horse and King Pwyll saw her and rode to meet her. Her horse just walked along slowly. No matter how fast Pwyll pushed his horse to ride faster he could not catch her. She was riding slow but kept getting further ahead of him.

I love the whole medieval period and the spells that were cast in this story. I am going to give this book a five star rating. I like reading story's from other countries. We do not have story's like this here in the U.S.A.

I just turned eleven today. I think this book would be good for kids eleven and up. I am on honor roll all the time so this story was not really hard for me to read and understand. It might be harder for younger kids to understand.

Thank you for writing this book and showing kids a different kind of story and time frame from another country.

Brandon Heptinstall 11
My grandma (Sandra Heptinstall) for helping me to type this. Don't ask my grandma her age. She will only tell you that she is older than dirt.

American Folklore Society award-winner Aaron Shepard launches a new "Ancient Fantasy" series with The Mountain of Marvels: A Celtic Tale of Magic, a chapter book retelling of medieval Welsh legends from "The Mabinogion." Narrated in simple, vivid prose for readers age ten and up, The Mountain of Marvels is a brief yet exciting and exotic fable of heroes striving to make their mark and protect those most dear to them in a fantastic world. Highly recommended especially for grade school library collections and public library children's collections. In addition to the sturdy hardcover edition, The Mountain of Marvels is also available in paperback.

Gogol's The Nose took its place in my list as I finished Amos Oz's The Story Begins - Essays on Literature where Oz mentions some points of logic distortions in The Nose in quite an interest-growing manner. It wasn't, however, until when I came across the product details here listing it as for ages 4-8 that the story itself became a question mark to be read and answered immediately... Although in the story Kovaliov's nose is touring around in St. Petersburg which alone is quite satisfactory as an absurdity, the author mainly underlines why the nose arises stress, anger, horror, curiosity and astonishment in various characters, and how they think, judge and react in return. I don't think ages 4-8 should nonetheless be classified as the very specific time in life that Gogol could be valued enough.

Best known for the mainstream Taras Bulba, The Inspector General, and Dead Souls, the Ukrainian Gogol wrote some excellent early absurdist stories including "The Nose," "The Carriage", and the seminal "Diary of a Madman". Another well-known story, "The Overcoat", considered one of Gogol's best works, also has several distinctively absurdist characteristics, including: the antinomy of outward appearance and inner reality, the related issue of questioning socially established values, and a fantastic ending. "The Nose" by Nikolai Gogol is more a reflection of the technique of story telling than any attempt to create a narrative. Indeed, Gogol purposely mangles form and content, breaking all conventions of traditional writing. The plot and more importantly, the way he presents it is a nonsensical jumble full of gaps, contradictions, interruptions and extraneous information. The piece is only unified through its attempt to betray the reader's assumptions of how a story should be told. Gogol opens strongly, establishing the normal foundation for a coherent plot to develop. "On 25 March a most extraordinary occurrence took place in St. Petersburg." (Gogol) A man named Kovalyov wakes up that morning to discover his nose is missing, in its place nothing but smooth skin. "The Nose" spends many pages following Kovalyov through futile attempts to recover his nose. Like the narrator, Kovalyov is often distracted from his mission by random thoughts and events.