Stevens Books

Thanks goes to Steve Martin for bringing to light a significant, and nearly forgotten, history. Through artifacts (Steve's impressive and beautiful collection of opium paraphernalia, and period photographs) and down to earth story telling, I found myself transported to opium dens in the East and West, and imagined the lives and circumstances of those who were entranced and enveloped by the narcotic.

The pictures are gorgeous, the writing evocative, and the topic and the objects themselves provide a fascinating portal for history.

When the paraphernalia associated with opiates comes to mind what do you picture? Syringes? Drippy candles? Bent spoons? These are the gear of the heroin user but what about heroin's long dead uncle, opium? The paraphernalia of the two drugs couldn't be more different. This book will take you back in time when drug use was at least practised with style and flair. The opium pipes, lamps and other accouterments illustrated in this book are gem-like works or art made from rare and precious materials such as silver, ivory and jade. It's a world long lost but the author manages to bring it back to life for a brief moment and dazzle us with the promises of chemical bliss that tempted our ancestors. Getting addicted back then was no doubt as painful and ruinous as it is today, but they sure knew how to do it in style!

The Art of Opium Antiques is one of the most artfully illustrated and artistically written books on the subject. Throughout its pages Steven Martin traces the cultural use in China alongside the artistry and astounding craftmanship of the time, from the low and common to the truly decedent. Photos of amazingly ornate apparatus are peppered throughout alongside diagrams depicting the main components of a typical pipe or lamp. Historical photos help put one in the mind frame of the times, allowing one to contemplate how this blissful habit, aided by dedicated artisans progressed up until its zenith during the nineteenth century. Martin's vast collection and grasp of the subject are equally great, allowing one to walk away with a greater appreciation for opium related antiquities. There is no doubt this book will help spawn new collectors as well as reconfirm the addiction of the collector aficionado, for this book is a grand spring board for newbies and opium-porn for the serious collector.

Such a great book! Instead of just relating the well-known disastrous effects of opium, the author of this book brings new insight into the history of the drug by exploring Opium paraphernalia as an art form. It works!

We are brought into the mythical Opium dens of a not so distant past, with the rich illustrations of this text. A rare photo of an 1880 Butte, Montana bunkhouse "opium den" is particularly amusing. However, it is the lush photographs of the drug paraphernalia that make this work so worthwhile. The extensive captions that accompany each photograph have enabled the author to not only inform the reader about the use and artistic achievement of these artifacts, but entertain as well.

The result is a more humanizing view of the addiction itself. Knowing that these beautiful instruments were the tools in which to feed a deadly addiction gives us another vantage point to view this era of history.

Anyone with the an interest in the history of China, the Chinese Diaspora living in the USA in the late 18th/19th century or the history of Southeast Asia will find this book particularly fascinating. The Art of Opium Antiques will be an essential addition to your bookshelf.

This book is really helpful to identify antique opium art. I work for Asia Galleries in San Francisco where we sell a lot of antique opium artifacts. I had hard time to find a book that helps me to study about details of opium art, but in this book I see many dampers, pipes, lamps, and opium scrapers are similar to the ones Asia Galleries have; therefore, I was able to gain some knowledge through this book. Now, I am confident to explain details of our antique opium art to customers. I would like to say thank you to Steven Martin.

i thought this book was going to be good, but i didn't know it would be this good. each well-known childrens' book writer/illustrator writes about their lives, influences and inspirations.

included are ealry photos, first drawings and a full page self-portrait.

so thoughtfully put together. a beautiful book to browse through and inspire you and your children to pick up a tool and draw, paint and create.

I think this is a wonderful book for children to understand that art is really an emotional, personal thing. I think it's a book EVERY teacher in the elementary should have.

This is a charming book to be enjoyed by all;young children, who will enjoy having this read to them, to aspiring artists, to older fans. Early work of these illustrators and pictures of some of them as children along with their stories give a picture of their development.This may also offer an introduction to new books and illustrators. Great for teachers and librarians when presenting a story.

This a wonderful book for inspiring budding young artists. Wonderfully illustrated with examples from all the artists (including fold-outs). A great way to learn about their lives and work.

I love this book. I had gotten it with my children in mind but being an artist myself, found great joy in reading it.

this book goes through the stuff every girl needs to know to take care of their bodies.

The beauty book teach's girls about god stuff and it gives you great beauty tips about nials breast and other stufflike hair, faces, zits, and how to get rid of them.

This is the best book...Ever. Period. End of Discussion. This book includes the REAL secrets to beauty. It's an awesome book because it gives you cool information on beauty but at the same time it encourages you to share your inner beauty through your outer features.

Concider this Idea- If you've read "Here's Lily!" maybe you remember she was a model? Well, you can start your own modeling class with your friends! Try it!

While the Body Book talks about some of the physical changes girls will go through during adolescence, this one discusses beauty, inside and out. Ms. Rue and the girls from the Lily series ask questions and talk about what real beauty is (having God!) and how to bring out your beauty on the outside, too. But it's not makeup stuff: more along the lines of hair care, face care, manicures and pedicures, etc. It also includes spaces to write prayers to God. I recommend it for girls ages 8-14.

This book is awesome. I love the Lily books and the companion books. I think it would be cool to use this information and start my own "junior models" club with my friends. I especially like the "gum in hair, peanut butter trick". This book is the best book in the Lily Library advice section other than The Body Book, The Best Bash Book, The It's MY Life Book and The Year 'Round Holidays book! I really like this book a lot. Buy it today and make your bible study time a lot of fun.

I am building a new house and wanted some detailed information on materials that would assist in all the choices I will be making. This book is so much better than the infomation you find that is intended for consumers, which is very lacking in details and substance. For example, you will find good information on the different types of construction for kitchen cabinets. This is of great assistance when having to choose a cabinet manufacturer. Instead of blindly comparing cabinets you can actually understand the quality you are getting. I would recommend this book to builders, homeowners who will build or renovate, and architects.
You are much better off spending on this book than most of the home maganzines, with the exception of Fine Homebuilding which is the best I have found for real infomation.

It's exactly what the title promises without the useless filler of many books. I recommend it.

this is a really excellent book. It is one of those books that every craftsman or serious DIYer should have. I promise u this book is worth every penny. Its got every answer to every question you have. Buy it right now. You will thank me.

Steven Bliss has done a fabulous job culling material from many references which are found on nearly everyone's bookshelf! Bliss puts all the information into an easily understood and clearly illustrated medium. I particularly appreciate the product comparisons for various materials. This book is a must have for every residential architect!

I think this is an excellent book! The material is very thoroughly researched and well presented with many illustrations. I was very please to discover that it even includes a chapter on kitchen and bath design. I would highly recommend this anyone involved in residential construction; carpenters, contractors, designers, architects and homeowners.

Christopher Kiley
(carpenter, woodworker and architect)

This book "Proves that good things come in small packages." This book has "emotion and the unexpected turns will put tears in your eyes". Buy it today!

A Better Place Literary Fiction/Short Stories written by K.J. Stevens These thoughtfully written and arranged stories have a tough, no non-sense feel to them. At the same time they present beautifully sad revelations that are easy to identify with. The stories carry the reader up then bring the reader down with care and intelligence rarely found in young writers (at 29 Stevens is younger than most of his contemporaries). A good, solid read.

KJ Stevens very ambititious work, loved the spirited characters, and how all the stories are brought together. This book stays with you long after you turn the final page.

K.J. Stevens sets himself apart from other modern day writers with this collection of short stories that shows the deeper meaning of the little things in life. His superb prose and intense descriptions puts you in the life of his characters and reminds you that being alive is a wonderful thing. With this kind of brilliant storytelling capability, we are sure to see more of K.J. Stevens in the future.

Written in simple, evocative prose, I was reminded of my youth growing up in Vermont. Steven's examines, love, family, and life in his collection of short stories. Perhaps the worst part of living, is knowing you cannot retrace the past. Once a moment passes, it is gone - whether good or bad, that moment will never occur again. Steven's looks beyond the sophisticated life dwellers with a telling eye of detail, and captures those moments in time that should be appreciated. Unlike David Sedaris, who likes to laugh at life, this author embraces life and spiritiality. A must read for those of us wandering through life worshiping the wrong things.

Blue Eagle Meets Double Trouble
By
Steven E. Jones

Steven E. Jones introduces young children to light suspense in this second addition to his popular Blue Eagle series.
Blue Eagle leaves Peaceful Valley for the day and the animals encounter two wolves who try to eat them. The small community of characters come together to defeat the hungry wolves. Blue Eagle comes back and takes the wolves away from his friends.
A fun to read book that teaches children the values of teamwork, determination, pride in oneself and that we are all unique and should be proud of our accomplishments.
The beautiful, vivid, water color illustrations guide you through this tale and bring the animals in Peaceful Valley to life. Steven E. Jones Jr. is a very talented illustrator who has captured the essence of the characters whose lives we are allowed to share.
The Blue Eagle books will have long life on the shelves in children's libraries teaching them moral values for our time. This is a book that parents will also love to read with their children. Another great, must have book.

This author, Steven E. Jones, has done it again!! His Blue Eagle series is absolutely one of the best I have read. His second book,Blue Eagle Meets Double Trouble, is a wonderful story of the animals in Peaceful Valley and Blue Eagle who watches over them. The story is written in rhyme and the vocabulary is excellent. There is so much in this book to use in the classroom! I have taken this book and made a number of lessons from it. I expecially like the moral of the story. I can use the story line to bring up all kinds of discussions of the right and wrong things to do and the trouble you can get into if you do not work together. The characters all work together when there is trouble and Blue Eagle is always there to help them. I use this book in my classroom library and I had read it to my grandchildren. I brings me great satisfaction to know we have such a good author of children's books. I look forward to the next book in the Blue Eagle series. My students continue to look for blue feathers on their desks when they do a good deed.

I loved reading this book to my five year old grandson who was already familiar with Blue Eagle(we have the FIRST Blue Eagle book!) The book flows smoothly, the colors are vivid and beautiful and the story itself keeps a youngster completely interested. The characters all have their own personalities which makes them likeable. The Blue Eagle books are not only amusing but educational with a wonderful message for people of all ages!

As the BLUE EAGLE series continues we begin to see how the environment of Peaceful Valley is very much like the communities that we all live in. We can feel peaceful and protected by those who watch over us, but there are times when that peace can be shaken.

Blue Eagle is a friend to all and when his help is needed farther up the valley he gives his Peaceful Valley friends a few words of wisdom and then heads off. He secretly knows that they will do fine without him but he probably never suspects he'll come home to find a turple has saved the day!

Now coyotes have their place in the world as we all do, but they have a way of being mischievous and causing havoc and harm at times. And as they approach the valley a meeting is called and it's suggested that everyone should find safe places to retreat until peace returns.

Three residents decide that their built-in protection systems might help when their unwelcome visitors show up. Picking their spots they patiently wait and what happens next turns the tide in the valley's favor.

Blue Eagle returns to help clean up and hear the tale that has all his friends laughing and dancing while one resident learns the value of standing up for others even if it involves a little turpleization!

Blue Eagle meets Double Trouble gives us another treasure of family folklore. Once again this talented father-son team provide children ages four to eight with an engaging tale of suspense that in the end teaches values we hope to instill in our children. The virtue of community and teamwork, determination and willpower, and taking pride in one's own uniqueness shine through in the actions of the animals in Peaceful Valley. You and your children will love the bright watercolor drawings and the fun-to-read-aloud rhyming text. Bravo, the originator of these tales has to be smiling down on you two!

How smart this dynamic author/illustrator duo was to disguise learning as pure reading fun. Love the story, wish I'd written it myself!

This is a remarkably original and highly educational book. Kids will greatly enjoy the witty dialogue, and learn new vocabulary.

Boris Ate a Thesaurus is so cute my 9 month old laughed out loud when I read him all of the synonyms in the book. The story is fun, the illustrations simple and engaging and overall the story is educational while being entertaining to read. It is a witty approach to children's books that is entertaining for parents too. I bought one for all of my nieces and nephews and highly recommend it!

Boris Ate a Thesaurus is a children's picturebook about a young boy who happens to eat a thesaurus - and suddenly starts talking in synonyms! His fame and popularity increase, and he is even invited to meet the President and deliver a big, giant, huge speech to all of America. But is one boy up to giving a great speech, or will his grand words suddenly disappear, evaporate, vanish? He discovers the answer in the Library of Congress: "All the words in the world are right here in these books. The secret to remember is that books are for reading, not for eating. Every time you read, you discover new words that last a lifetime." Playful illustrations by artists Barry M. Chung round out this friendly picturebook ideal for encouraging young people to read more.

This is one of the most original stories I have read in a long time (and I have read alot of stories!) My boys were so captivated by the exciting adventure that they didn't even realize that they were learning an important lesson regarding synonyms at the same time. In addition to the clever story the illustrations are superb! I would highly recommend this book for all 1st-4th graders. This book would make a great birthday and/or holiday gift. It is sure to become an all time classic!

When I first took it out from the library, I thought that it would be a stupid story. Boy, was I ever wrong! It's really, really good. Nikki is a wonderful character, and so are Tori, Jill, and Danielle. As Nikki tries to juggle being popular at her new school, four hours of skating a day, mastering a double flip and making new friends, readers will laugh and sympathize with her ups and downs. A great beginning to a great series. And it really focuses on skating, and is very clear with the skating lingo. This book persuaded me to take up figure skating!

I have an 8-year-old "future Olympian" (just ask her) and this series has given her a broader look at what a committment serious skating takes. Although a bit superficial, the plots are realistic to younger children and cover some great topics (i.e. anorexia, time committment, losing touch with school friends, etc.) We are only a few books into the series, but it is really opening her eyes as to what it will take to "make it."

As a parent, I usually try to pre-read one book from a series before introducing it to my daughters. These days, you just can't trust everything. If this book is any indication of the rest of the series, I would heartily recommend it to anyone without reservations.

A little like the Babysitters Club, The Gymnasts, etc., this is a "club series" that focuses on serious ice skating. Children unfamiliar with ice skating terms will find them easily explained. The reality of the situation that Nikki found herself in with Tori is typical of the ice rink, but the subplots will be very familiar to those readers of Babysitters Club and The Gymnasts books - they're very predictable, as one other review said.

THIS DESERVES BETTER THAN TEN!!!! IT'S GREAT!!! IT TELLS ABOUT THE HARD TIMES AND THE FUN TIMES OF WORKING TOWARDS BEING AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION. I ADVICE ANYONE WHO LOVES TO SKATE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi as someone who has watched and followed iceskating ever since she was born, so much so that I know the rules the moves read mags and stuff so much so as to accompany my friend to her skating sessions (even though I am desabled my self) I can safely tell you that this is one of the best books on iceskating that I have read.... I FINISHED IT IN HALF A DAY!!!!And a work day too... Enough said... BUY IT!!!!!I cannt wait till I read the rest of the series..

I just want to thank Mr. Van Patten for introducing me to his world. I'm a newbie when it comes down to reading vampire novels. I've never been one to sit still long enough to actually finish one but once I started to read his, it peaked my interest and made me want to read more. I found it very hard to put it down. From the opening sequence right through to the very end, I was hooked. Christian Brookwater's character is captivating. Following along with his journey is one that just has to be experienced and I would hope that others climb on board and join Christian in his travels.

Brookwater's Curse is a riveting, and truly fascinating journey into history from the 1800's during the slave trade to the present with a flare that is spellbinding to its readers. A story that must and should be read by and told to young and old alike. While reading the story of Christian, I was enraged, exhilarated, and enthralled with the turn of each page (to put it simply--I didn't want to put the book down). The book's cover, is very deceiving, the content of the book goes way beyond the injustice of slavery; it also brings out the "dark" side or practices from other cultures that need some rectifying. All in all, this was a delightful book and a must read for everyone. Kudos SVP, you have a gift of writing and I look forward to your next work of art. Please visit [...] (you won't be disappointed!)

Mr. Van Patten has taken a new twist to Vampires and given the world a true literary gem. The main character Christian Brookwater has so many struggles that one can relate to. You find yourself intertwined in his adventures and unable to put this book down. I read the book non-stop and finished in under a day. Mr. Van Patten delivers just enough action and eroticism to keep the reader wanting more. The writing sytle is so visual and real that you experience everything that Christian Brookwater experiences.

I am anxiously waiting for Volume II and hopefully this will spawn a movie in the future.

I couldn't put it down. Brookwater's Curse Volume I is very visual, action packed, and even erotic at times, with an uncommon delivery of the necessary details for character development, that keep the reader enthralled as you get to know the characters better. Steven Van Patten has somehow mastered the paintbrush of the human mind, and in full color you are enveloped in the neck snapping twists of his never predictable plot.

Mr. Van Patten spins Vampire lore in a way that I have not seen before. I can't remember when I fell in love with my first vampire tale as I probably hadn't yet learned to talk, that said I know of what I speak in this matter. I highly recommend this rare and intelligent novel to anyone that shares a love for this kind of reading. Brookwater's Curse Volume I is a dark epic for the new age. I eagerly await the release of Volume II and all that follow.

Ms. Melinda Stidwell

For those who love Vampire novels, historical fiction, and a great story you are in for a treat. Mr. Van Patten's work transcends the typical duplicitous vampire genre with realistic and harrowing action scenes that bounce off the page. His characters are complex, troubled, and endearing, urging you to cheer them on while they're fighting the good fight. A must-buy.

This book is a very good book, but I think it is better suited to the more experienced tanner. I think Matt Richard's book is better suited for beginners, but I did learn some new things from this book.

This is the a very good job of writing on the topic. It's easy for the reader to know what it is all about.

This new reprint edition keeps in print all the great information found in the previous edition "Wet-Scrape Braintanned Buckskin", but adds some new minor revision, some new illustrations, and a new more attractive title and cover. We hope you will like it, we do!

This book is not really "out of print", but has been reissued under a different title and ISBN #. The new title is "Buckskin: The Ancient Art of Braintanning" ISBN# 0-9654965-5-4 and is available on Amazon.com. This new reprint edition features a more attractive title & cover and some minor revisions, but is essentially still the same great book. Thanks for your interest.

There is a lot of information contained within these pages...written by two excellent brain tanners and experienced teachers. It is the kind of book that you can go back to time and time again and find new and valuable information that you missed the first time. I do think its a little hard for the beginner to find the simple and straightforward how-to do it information in, but it is there, and it will teach you what you need to know, and then some.

"Wetscrape Braintanned Buckskin" has a particularly good bibliography, section on tool sharpening, troubleshooting, museum quality illustrations, good humor and a whole lot of excellent information. I've been brain tanning for a living for 11 years, teach it regularly and have written a book on it myself, and all I can say is that if you are considering getting this book, just do it!