Stone Books

I was delighted to see this book still in print. Totally forgot about it until I saw it at a store recently.. I LOVED it as a kid, and any kid will continue to do so (especially with a well-animated reader)
Grover's begs and pleads for you not to continue will ensure that it gets read to the end.

This is a fun book that I came across at a book fair and recognized as an old childhood favorite. The basic theme is that Grover keeps saying not to turn the page, and then humorously berates you when you do turn the page. So now my niece is getting a copy! If your kid likes Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems, he or she will like this book too.

An excerpt from this book, about African-American characters, was used January 31, 2,000 in a state-wide Illinois third-grade reading standards test. 70,000 Illinois children got this test excerpt, in which the testers reillustrated the story without permission and changed the characters to Causcasians. I wrote the book with great care, and with the hope that many children will identify with my characters who are courageous and successful and well-liked. Over 200,000 copies of the book have been sold. I know from my fan mail that many children of all races do identify with the characters. It must have been painful for many of them to see their heroes turned white on a test--and for others who know the book, it must have been distracting at the least. One of the testers' three new illustrations shows the brothers in the story playing baseball. Eight books about the characters have been published to date (there will be a new one next year)--and in none of them do the characters play baseball. The testers developed their test questions based on a 3-page excerpt from the book; they had never even seen a copy of the entire book (thus the error in race), much less read it. It's quite possible that a child who had read the book would give different answers to the test questions based on his knowledge, and that the testers, in their ignorance, would mark it wrong. In many states, statewide tests are very serious these days--children are stigmatized for low scores, and teachers lose their jobs. But it appears that the tests are hastily and thoughtlessly constructed and penalize good readers. Parents and all of us concerned with education need to know what kind of tests children are being subjected to. --anncameron@guate.net

I think it's a great book. So I want other people to read it. Because Julian tells lots of stories and it's lots of fun reading it.

As we understand and come to address the many ways we have, as a society, excluded groups of people, we begin to include them in subtle ways. For instance, as the women's movement took hold, female metaphors such as "giving birth" began to show up when describing business successes. So too, it's the subtlety of having prayers that deliberately protray inclusiveness that demonstrates society's movement towards inclusiveness. It also allows those that are traditionally excluded to participate in sacred rites and feel a part. The prayers are liturgical and non-liturgical. In phraseology and tone, they draw a great deal of inspiration from the Jerusalem Bible. Both authors have a deep religious life background and the reverence shows in the prayers.

In 'More than Words: Prayer and Ritual for Inclusive Communities', Janet Schaffran and Pat Kozak have put together a wonderful, interesting set of prayer and liturgical resources that can be of use to construct ecumenical, modern services that, I have found, have broad appeal to the college and high school age students who find the traditional liturgies a little too stifling (at least that is the word that was used to describe it when I was soliciting their suggestions!).

'More than Words' begins with an introductory section on what is meant by inclusive language, and the use of this language in symbolic use and ritual, the implications for the images of God, and the use of culturally pluralistic language and symbols as a way of broadening the concept of God.

In truth, God is always larger than any human conception of God. This is not to say that every image is equally valid, important, or true; but it is to recognise the limitations on more traditional ways of thinking about God, and realising the value that can be gained in expanding horizons on the way God is seen in symbol, and referenced in language.

The second section shows various examples of the use in all these ways. Inclusive language need not be overpowering or heavy-hitting. It can be as simple as some of the following suggestions:

If the text reads 'God...he made the heavens', it could be changed to 'God...you made the heavens'.

If the text reads 'We have known his mercy', it could be changed to 'We have known God's mercy'.

The words 'mankind' can be changed to 'humanity', 'humankind', or even 'family' without too much of an alteration in cadence or meaning. Inclusive language can be a subtle change, unobtrusive yet meaningful.

The ideas of images of God include God as the Gentle One, the Justice Seeker, the Builder, the Giver of Hope, the Compassionate One, the Forgiving One, the Healer, the Gracious, the Present, and literally infinitely more -- 'More than Words' goes through an interesting parallel of themes and symbols to combine for comparative and contrasting images of God.

The book also gives general guidelines for preparing a service, making this a useful text for those without formal liturgical training. From small gathering prayer services to larger liturgies which include music and 'props', this book works through the construction of a useful and meaningful ritual with a special eye toward being inclusive toward the entire community.

The final sections include looking at particular prayers for inclusion in more formal liturgies (invitatory prayers, gathering and concluding prayers, prayers of reconciliation, psalm prayers, and bread-breaking prayers), as well as fully-fledged prayer services, each with particular focus on a theme (such as seasonal services, peace and community services, memorial services, transitional and rites of passage services). An addendum with additional resources is helpful, including prayer, theological, and musical resources.

The prayers reach deep into the soul, being both timeless and contemporary. The rituals might seem unfamiliar, but it is sometimes in this unfamiliarity that new insights are gained.

We give you thanks,
Gentle One who has touched our soul.
You have loved us from the moment of our first waking
and have held us in joy and in grief.
Stay with us, we pray.
Grace us with your presence
and with it, the fullness of our own humanity.
Help us claim our strength and need,
our awesomeness and fragile beauty,
that encouraged by the truth
we might work to restore
compassion to the human family
and renew the face of the earth.
Amen.

May the fragile beauty of these prayers and services speak to you, too.

I read this book slowly, for I'm 80 years old. The plight of the young boy raised by relatives and mistreated is a heartbreaking fact of life. I felt his rejection, for the author has a way with words, creating such a connection to her characters, I could not put it down. The end was amazing and rewarding, confirming that with God, all things are possible. I would recommend this book, for it is inspiring, touching. The beautiful poems only added to my enjoyment, for I could plainly see what it cost the author emotionally to write such words. Only someone who had been there could possibly describe such feelings of pain as Mrs. Lewis has done. I loved it! Wish she would write a sequel!

Although newly published, the author exhibits amazing skill in her ability to involve the reader in the passions and pain of her characters. The young boy, Matthew Carlisle, portrayed as a victim of his environment, seems unable to understand his own anger and hatred. Does a child necessarily exhibit such ingrained hostilities as an adult due to influences from childhood? Is it possible for the dark side of a personality to be affected by prayer and faith in God? The reader must decide this for himself, for the theme of this book points to that conclusion. As a man, I enjoyed the smooth, flowing, poetry of this book. Possibly considered a woman's preferred reading, based on the author's personal experiences as the wife of the character of Matthew Carlisle, I nevertheless was caught up in the struggle between the dark side of his character and the light. This is a book of fiction, but the events are true to life. There is a message of determined comittment to marriage, which is not too popular today. Also, the character of Amelia, the long suffering wife, could be labeled a fool by feminists. Its all in the perspective of the reader's view of God, faith, prayer, and real, tough, love. I rated this book five stars because I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Whether as fiction or fact, it is deeply moving, invoking sympathy and empathy.All in all, a good read.

It is a powerful and enriching story about human relations.
It shows how important it is to keep your word. When you make a promise how much people depend upon your word.

It teaches so many lessons but, one in partifcular about forgiveness. Especially when The Mountain Man forgave the men that killed his father.

Once you start to read it you won't be able to put it down.
I LOVE IT.

This is truly the most entertaining and relaxing story book I have ever read. The author was right, once you start reading this book, you can't put it down and it leaves you wanting more after you are done. I really believe that this book will soon be the number one best seller and a number one block buster movie. I only wish volume two and more were ready for me to read right now. I recommend this book for all ages, all schools and all churches and certainly politicians and lawyers could learn a thing or two from it.

A captivating read of a vanished Rocky Mountain culture who "bucked the trend" of normal society by retreating to the high mountainous regions of the Yellowstone environs.

The authors have carefully pieced together significant evidence and documentation to impart the reader with a respected awe into the lives of the Sheep Eater Indians.
From archeological digs, petroglyphic sites, stone and animal tools, etc. to discussions with contemporary day descendants, this study covers it all in general terminology.

Having visited a few of these sites myself, it never ceases to amaze what had once occured in these landscapes so long ago.

The Sheep Eaters were an amazing people that flourished in the majestic, alpine environments of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, including areas that are now part of Yellowstone National Park. They lived entirely by gathering the natural plant foods of their environment in addition to hunting Big Horn Sheep, which was their primary source of protein. They were renown as a peaceful, highly-skilled, and even industrious people who so thoroughly mastered their rugged alpine environment, they opted to continue living in the mountains even after others in the region adopted the horse, the tipi, and the buffalo-hunting-on-the-plains lifestyle.

The authors provide a thorough picture of Sheep Eater history and culture, including social structure, religious beliefs, and the crafting of their tools, clothes, bows, living shelters, and even their cookware.

This is an excellent introduction to a Native American people that few know anything about. Both scholars and laymen will enjoy the very accessible, easy-to-read material. Mountain Spirit should be required reading for everyone interested in the American West, Native American culture, as well as those seeking inspiration from a people who managed to prosper in one of the most beautiful and forbidding environments in North America.

A book with lessons for all ages. I thoroughly enjoyed this authors writing style and story. She seems to be full of hope, joy and caring, as discussed on the back cover. This book teaches plenty of good lessons about always believing in yourself. A must for any good Christmas book list, and wouldn't you know it, she has another book coming out in December "Mrs. Claus Invites You".

The drawing at the end of the book says it all at a glanceabout the power of belief in one's self the author is writing about.Please publish the name of the illustrator in your site

I really enjoy this book because it is well written and exiting.

This is a good book and it tells you a lot about mythogical creatures. It tells about a long and adventures zoo that they come to. They find a lot of weird creatures and think it is pretty cool. His dad becames the manager after a while and they get to take a little lizard with them. There sister Oliva is in charge of the babies and they Mom writes brochures to schools to come and see the zoo. The first two zoos that there father picks out are duds and then the last one is a hit. It is in a winding road and up a couple of hills and they didn't think they found it at the bigining

Vivid color photographs, easy-to-understand descriptions of the mummification process (both natural and artificial), and a genuine respect for the dead of all cultures make this a must-read for kids who are interested in mummies. While photos of mummified children may frighten younger readers, my four year old daughter loves it and insists on it being read at bedtime! May be too scary or intense for sensitive kids, but for those interested, it's dynamite reading!

This is to me, without a doubt, one of the best non-fiction book for kids ever created. It's a great book!

The pictures are wonderful- from a baby mammoth preserved for hundreds of thousands of years to the oldest mummy of a human being ever found (5000 years old!).

The facts are interesting, too- for instance, mummies are found all over the world, so long as the temperatures are either really dry or very cold.

It's short enough to keep kids reading, interesting enough to keep them looking, and informative enough to get them to learn... a must for any teacher or kid's library.

Lynda Stone truly made me an avid reader, I missed at least
10 hours of sleep over the course of a week. Lady Fernstowe,
developing a complex, admired as well as despised the one man
that would change her and the life she thought she so possessed.
I love the way "LYN" visualized thee intamacy between Sarah
and her emaculate Knight. The events that took place really
keep you at lost for words but gracious with curiosity. I
sincerely recommend it for those in favor of realistic,
historical romance.

This book was the best! The entire time my sister was reading it she couldn't stop laughing and it annoyed me to heck. Then I picked up the book and everyone in the house was ready to sock me to make me stop laughing! Of course there were times when I felt perilously close to crying. This book will definetly go on my "favorite" shelf!