Thomas Books

WOW - Matt did it again! This book picked up where Illuminated left off. Both books are written extremely well. They keep your attention, and you do not want to put them down. House of Wolves takes you on another adventure with August Adams and his family.

If you want a good read do NOT pass up House of Wolves!!! It is definitely worth it...

I picked up Illuminated at our church bookstore, and loved it. I was so excited when House of Wolves came out. These are fast paced books that keep you on the edge of your seat! I can't wait for the 3rd one to come out. Matt Bronleewe is definitely one of my favorite authors!

Reading "House of Wolves" was an enjoyable experience. Although this is the second in what is to be a five-book series, I had no trouble following the characters and never felt at a disadvantage for not having read "Illuminated," the first book.

"House of Wolves" kept me up at night, turning page after page until I finished the book. Matt Bronleewe skillfully combined tidbits of historical fact with intriguing fictional narrative involving believable characters and tied it all up with a satisfying finish.

In terms of theme, Matt Bronleewe has deftly woven into a great story characters who struggle with forgiveness, responsibility, and restitution. This world we live in is not always an easy place and we all have to deal with these issues at one time or another. Matt Bronleewe gives us a good picture of the pain experienced by many estranged partners and shows by example one of the paths that may be taken to resolve said differences.

I highly recommend "House of Wolves" for anyone looking to read a thrilling mystery with a solid Christian foundation. I look forward to the next edition in the August Adams Adventure Series by Matt Bronleewe.

Career day at his 9 year old's school is almost a little more than August Adams can bear, given the bombshell his former wife dropped on him the night before. Rather than bore the kids with a definition of a archeobibliologist, August shows them a copy of The Gospels of Henry the Lion, a beautifully illuminated manuscript that disappeared years before in mysterious circumstances.

When accosted by a knife wielding assailant as August and Charlie leave the school, August reconsiders the book's authenticity and the reasons his estranged father may have sent it to him.

Deadly assassins, an ancient secret society and an unplanned trip to Antarctica have August in a bind, one even his brilliant mind cannot find a solution for.

Matt Bronleewe picks up the tempo in this non stop sequel to Illuminated, with tighter prose, deeper characterisation and really evil bad guys! Enter August's world of fascinating history, questionable religious practices, ancient relics and the quest for ultimate power, at your own risk if you have other things in life to do but read! House of Wolves is a brilliant page turner and will appeal to all those who love a good thriller. Matt's writing style is reminiscent of best selling Aussie author, Matthew Reilly minus the language and excessive violence. If Matt continues to improve with each novel, The Deadly Hours, releasing in 2009, will be exceptional.

Matt Bronleewe does it again in this second book in the August Adams series. This one is even better than the first which was a good book. Adams is back to fight secret societies and find hidden secrets in a rare book. I know the action in the book takes place in a few days time but it is still interesting and it makes the book that much more enjoyable. The book reminds me of the movie National treasure. You can really tell how Bronleewe has grown since the first book and I cant wait to see what mysteries August Adams tackles next. A great read that I couldnt put down after starting.

One of the biggest changes the theater has seen of late was Disney's successful track record with bringing their story-telling to the stage. As with most of Disney's greatest successes, their efforts were immediately unique as they ignored many of the rules along the way. In the process, their shows introduced a new audience to the wonders of live theater. So it's only appropriate that the coolest book that ever covers the theater experience comes to us from Thomas Schumacher, the head of Disney Theatricals.

A good play begins with its script- its storyline. Here the journey is suggested in text, providing a beginning, middle and an end. Likewise, this book begins with a telling, informative narrative. It describes in simple yet effective words practically every element of the theatrical experience, be it on stage, backstage or in the 3rd row of the balcony. What will you experience from the moment you arrive at the theater all the way through the end of the curtain call? This book and a little imagination provide answers to that question quite fully. But watching a show is only the beginning. We also experience the many house activities, to the backstage work, to belting a song center stage and even at the initial creative meetings. It's quite simple and informative.

Like any play that begins with a good script, the creative job to follow is how to tell that story. For anyone who has seen any of Disney's Broadway shows, you know that their "way" is simply stunning. From THE LION KING's introduction of Simba to MARY POPPINS' flying retreat over the balcony; from TARZAN's use of vertical stage work to AIDA's mix of modern stagework with a classic tale, the Disney audience usually leaves richly experience. So it should come as no surprise that the book is as beautiful and wild an experience as the works it trumpets. Not only is the book a collage of beautiful photographs easily identifiable to the Disney fan, but they are also surrounded by mixed media samples such as removable ticket booklets, script pages and even costume designs.
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON? is a great book for the theater novice and also the seasoned veteran. It's a nice wink to the audience, a pat on the back to the backstage crew, a nod to the creators and a standing ovation to the performers. Check it out!

This is the best book on Theater I have ever seen. The design, story, and the interactive pieces are well put together in this book.

A really great overview of the wonderful world of Broadway! My daughter, (11 years old) who is a musical theater kid, absolutely loves it!

Get this book if you have young children so they can see what goes on back stage. I think it will make them want to see more of the action.

A great book that shows children (and adults) what goes in to putting on a show!

I enjoyed the movie "National Treasure" with its fast-paced action and frequent references to the First American War for Independence; except that the treasure was mere artifacts, and the keepers were occultists. (I had another theory about a roadmap to the lost treasure of liberty found on the front-side of the Declaration of Independence, but that remains to be rediscovered.) "The Hunt for Confederate Gold" does one better, as it leads us through the darkest hours of the Second American War for Independence, and also connects to our modern world, where there is a hidden treasure waiting to be found, in none other than the State of South Carolina.

This message is encoded within the pages of same Bible that was read in the Old South, leading us to dig deep for the truth that was once held in trust by a civilization that has not passed away, but remains latent underground.

In the story, a young soldier becomes disillusioned with the endless wars for the empire of the Regime, and returns to his native South Carolina to find himself, and the true meaning to his life. His sage college professor opens his mind to the rich legacy of the past, and potential for the future. His research into his Confederate ancestors leads him to an old family heirloom with a wonderful secret. The hunt is on, and the thieving Feds are hot on the trail. This is a captivating tale of hope that leads us all toward that one treasure that has been lost to the South for so long-- one worth more than gold, and its keepers are Christians.

A great book having to deal with some of the effects of the Civil War that most people have no ideal about.

This is one of the few books that deal with the uglier truths about the last few days of the "Civil War" (war for southern independence) Although the story is somewhat weak it is a very good read and presents the story in the most unusual fashion. I highly recommend this book!

I bought The Hunt for Confederate Gold for my husband, thinking it was a non-fiction book about one of his hobbies: treasure hunting. My husband read it and loved it. He immediately told me, "You HAVE to read this book!"

I did read it, and imagine my surprise and delight to find that not only was it a novel with an exciting and complex storyline, a real page-turner, but the storyline was one which spoke to my heart. I was amazed to find a novel which tells the truth about the history and heritage of the South, and especially one which does that in such an entertaining way.

If you are looking for an absorbing "good read," The Hunt for Confederate Gold is for you. If you care about truth and like to see the record set straight, this book is for you, as well. And if you cherish a hope that someday you will see the wrongs of the past corrected, even if only between the covers of this book, The Hunt for Confederate Gold is definitely for you.

I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much. From the first paragraph, I was captured by the characters, the setting, the message.

I love tales of ships and the sea, and the story of Lieutenant Marchand and the Confederate Naval Cadets' perilous voyage along the Southern coast held me spellbound.

But that's just the beginning of the appeal of Thomas Moore's novel. I love stories of the South, as well, and now "The Hunt for Confederate Gold" will be listed among my favorites.

The ordeal of Dr. Hastie at the hands of out-of-control federal authorities is not at all farfetched, and his story is a warning that people who cherish liberty should not ignore. But this sobering message does not overpower the sheer enjoyability of the book. The characterization is excellent. The protagonists -- Hastie, "Bo" Bolitho, and members of the Fellowship of the South -- are genial fellows, good and true without being sappy. And the federal villians aren't cardboard cutouts of evil, but flesh and blood men caught between negative Zietgeist and their own ambition, which can be a deadly combination, as history demonstrates.

Taking place in fabled South Carolina, and entwined with a riveting parallel story set in the last days of the Confederate States of America, Moore's story is a completely satisfying read. I highly recommend it.

The Circle trilogy consists of the books Black, and Red, and White, and is followed up by Showdown, and House (co-authored by Frank Peretti), and Saint, and Skin. And a new book to be out either later this year or next year, titled Sinner. And the Lost Books consist of Chosen, and Infidel, and (coming out in May Renegade and Chaos.

Yes, Ted Dekker has been quite busy creating his history of Other Earth.

While the Lost Books are marketed in the Youth Fiction genre, it was of course well-known to Dekker and his publisher, Thomas Nelson, that millions of Circle fans of all ages would flock to bookstands to pick up the latest installments. In fact, by marketing the Lost Books as Youth Fiction, Dekker and Nelson stand to pick up even more readers than before, as the appeal of The Circle spreads to younger readers.

I, for one, have been captivated by Dekker's Circle trilogy, as well as many of his other works. A quick browse through my review list will turn up almost every book written by Ted Dekker. But you didn't come here for that, did you? You came here to learn more about Infidel.

I was at first a little confused as to whom the title referred. According to Dictionary.com, the number one definition of the word infidel is "a person who does not accept a particular faith." The several Dekker books surrounding Other Earth are filled with people who don't accept the faith of the Forest Dwellers. It was hard for me, in Infidel, to determine just which character was the infidel. I'm still not altogether sure.

And while I understand that weaving a story takes considerable character development and that several threads of the plot line must be laid in order to get to the culmination, I found Infidel to be a very interesting work, but just not quite up to the standard that other Dekker books have set.

Infidel is, no doubt, critical to understanding the history of Other Earth, and I can't imagine reading the next two books in the chronicles without first reading Infidel, but I just wasn't grabbed by it like I was the original Circle trilogy, or most of Dekker's other works. I found Infidel to be more about laying the foundation for coming installments than furthering the story.

What makes the whole thing even more interesting is the marketing ploy that Dekker and publisher Nelson have developed in order to drive the hype behind the stories. There's a massive online search for the Lost Books of History, with multiple sites and characters created for the sole purpose of guiding readers through the search for the ultimate discovery -- the last Lost Book of History -- and the ultimate prize -- a brand new Chevy Cobalt.

I have, of course, registered for the search, but I haven't been very active in it. I found on the first day that I could easily spend hours of my day just digging and digging through the clues online in search for the Lost Book. As much as the search intrigues me, I just don't have that kind of time on my hands.

But what I do have time for is reading the next Dekker book when it comes out. Adam hits bookstores next month.

In the meantime, Infidel is definitely worth the read, but only if you've read the rest of the epic first.

I preread this book for my son. It is a great adventure. Poopoo to all the nitpickers. I got behind the characters and enjoyed the adventures.

I have read Black, Red and White, so after that I had to continue reading the lost books. Infidel was a great treat, I love how it combines the first books. I have started reading Renegade yesterday, it just keep getting better and better. Ted Dekker is a brillant author, I love how are this books are tying together. I read all the Left Behind books, and they were great, and I would place this series right up there at the top. If you start reading one, you will want to read them all, believe me.

In this second installment of Ted Dekker's action-fantasy series, The Lost Books, all four main characters --- Johnis, Silvie, Billos and Darsal --- are immediately thrust back into active combat after their celebratory evening. Johnis can't get his mind off the fact that the recovered ring signifies that his mother is still alive. But just how is she living? As a slave? Is she a Horde now? Under what conditions will he find her? Obsessed by this newfound knowledge, Johnis and Silvie sneak out of the city, taking their lives into their own hands and following Johnis's heart instead of his head.

Clearly, Johnis wants to rescue his mother, but there is opposition from both inside his ranks and outside. And complications. The power of the book is also another mystery and a compelling one; when someone touches the book after spilling his blood, something otherworldly and intense takes place. But where does this power come from? Is it a tool of Elyon or of Teelah?

After battling their way into the enemy city with the help of a small Horde girl, Johnis and Silvie do find his mother, but they also become victim to a bigger plot and are trapped. Johnis is given an ultimatum --- either agree to help the Horde find and abduct Thomas Hunter, or they will kill both his mother and Silvie. Johnis's heart is wrenched in two as he tries to wriggle his way out of this no-win situation.

Martyn, the Horde general, outlines the entire scheme to Johnis right down to the lies he would tell to lure Thomas into the trap. With more bravado than he feels, Johnis approaches Thomas and sets the ambush. A forest guard warrior turned traitor, Justin of Southern, with whom the Horde knows Thomas cannot resist meeting, is the bait. Johnis spins a story that Thomas is to meet with Justin in Red Valley as soon as possible. The Horde knows Thomas's interest will be piqued and they're right; plying him with lie after lie, Johnis lures the commander into the desert before abandoning him without horse or water. Riding away, convicted and ashamed, Johnis tries to convince himself that he had just acted on behalf of his mother and Silvie. But thoughts of a stunned Thomas stranded without aid won't leave his mind.

Thankfully, despite his many and frequent mistakes, others step in and assist Johnis, offering both real help and needed mercy before the final stage is set. As the "chosen" one, Johnis learns a great deal about following his heart, using his head, and listening to the counsel of his fellow warriors and friends. With lightning speed action, Ted Dekker delivers another energizing tale that will have readers of this series impatient for its next compelling segment. But as they wait, the multi-leveled plot and theological repercussions will keep fans mulling the storyline over and over.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

A great read, and quick. Get the whole series, it's that good. You don't have to read prequels first (The Circle Trilogy), and I appreciate that!
But, hey! you will probably want to read them after you're done, (Ted Dekker makes you curious enough) to enhance your understanding of one character, Thomas' prior history. We did! :)

This is a great read whether you're a college student or just interested in a very practical construct for understanding business analysis and decision-making. Don't view this as the dry, age-old, micro-econ, theoretical, drudgery. This is real-life, pragmatic, business economics that ought to be read by students, entrepreneurs and executives alike. Better than Levitt's Freakonomics since it's beyond just interesting facts, it's actually useful in business practice. Who can ever refer to a managerial econ tome as actually fun and engaging to read. This one is. Buy it, start it...and, I guarantee you'll finish it.

Imagine my surprise upon reading this book. I majored in Economics in college and vividly remember "waiting" for the more advanced classes to reveal something practical as I advanced towards graduation. That proved elusive. College economics texts were all much the same - theoretical and full of supply/demand curves. They were boring.
My complimets to Luke Froeb for taking a practical approach to this subject matter. In doing so, he has done his profession a favor and challenged the status quo. This is a unique book, and for the sake of future Economics and Business students I hope that its delivery and stylistic examples become the way this subject is taught from this point forward.

This book is a great read for beginners and experts alike. Its easy-to-relate examples make sure the message gets across - how to solve business problems using micro-economics.

The book is full of "easy to apply" tools in various situations. If you have read this book, your approach to problem solving will never be the same again!

Highly recommended!

Not your typical economics text - the writing is lean and precise, and the authors use examples that demonstrate the concepts in ways that business students will find useful beyond the classroom.

As an executive MBA student using this text, I have found it to be a clear and concise explanation of how economics MUST be used to optimize company performance. Rational Actor Paradigm, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Game Theory, and other fundamental tools are covered effectively. The book is brief and very readable; perfect for someone who needs the info, but is short on time.

I took the Microsoft exam 70-216 for network infrastructure today and all I can say is AMAZING! How did the writers know what was on the exam? There is so much obscure stuff on the exam that no other book I read covered the questons on the exam. But this one did. So much of the test was troubleshooting the network, so I guess a TCP/IP troubleshooting book would be the right one. But the similarity of this book to the test is amazing.

This book was good to read too and I am using it at my job and fixing some of the problems we've had with WINS and VPN based on what I learned. Great book and best study guide for the test.

This book is heads and tails above any other TCP/IP book I've read or own. Finally understand how DNS works, the RAS section helped me put together my Win2k VPN. Get this is you wnat to understand some of the weird stuff in Win2k TCP/IP.

We are in the process of moving from NT to Win2k and my boss made me the project manager. I had to get on top of Win2k networking fast. I bought this book on the recommendation of several of my co workers. Glad I got it. The book is informative and detailed in explanations and examples. A must have for the busy guy like me.

OK, I admit it. I learned my TCP/IP for Windows NT exams from reading Exam Cram. Needless to say, I passed the Windows NT TCP/IP test, but couldn't tell a subnet from a supernet. Now I have a job in the industry and I needed to actually learn TCP/IP, especially since we are moving up to Windows 2000 in our shop.

This book is unreal in how good things are explained. Great detail in describing RRAS, WINS, DNS, and the TCP stack. Using the information in the book I am now up to speed on TCP/IP. Enough to pass the 70-216 test! Not bad for a NT MCSE!

For Real, this book helped a lot. I owe the author's a beer on this one.

This book is fresh air to someone like myself who has read at least a dozen Windows 2000 books. I get the impression that a lot of the Windows 2000 books were written by people who write books and don't work with the technology. This book doesn't fall into that class. It was great to read this book, because it renewed my faith that a tech book could be written in a way that doesn't put me to sleep.

They cover Windows 2000 TCP/IP from top to bottom. WINS, DNS, DHCP, RRAS, IIS, routing and network devices. Its all there, and its filled with little known factoids that makes me want to keep reading and have another "aha!" experience.

This book also was the major reason I passed the Microsoft 216 exam so easily. Although I didn't buy it to pass the exam, they seem to cover all the material that the exam covered. A nice bonus. I wish they made the book longer, because I'm sure they could have said a lot more that I would like to read about.

This book isn't for beginners, but neither is Windows 2000. I think once the reader is ready to manage Windows 2000, they'll be ready to get the most out of this exceptional book.

This is a really good book. It puts you in the right mind spiritually about how to continue to trust God even when things don't seem to go our way AT ALL! I also like the scripture references because they give you ammuniton to use in times of spiritual trouble.

This series really helped me through a tough time. Reading how these women handled their everyday and not so everday problems ministered to me as I went through a serious illness with my husband. The women are down to earth and practical. Recommend for anyone.

I have been in prayer doldrums recently and this series helped get me perking again. It is delightful and rewarding reading. I recommend this series to everyone. These gals are great! Peggy Touchtone Sholly

I simply gush when I talk about the ladies of the Yada Yada Prayer Group. I love each book. The stories are wonderful. Mrs. Jackson masterfully develops each story so that each book captures you. Then, the books build on one another. You will feel as though you have a vested interest in these wonderful, diverse and perfectly imperfect women. I thank Mrs. Jackson for this labor of love. The books helped me through a rough time in my life. The series helped me forgive someone who hurt me deeply with this line - "God expects us to fogive people. Even the ones that don't say 'I'm sorry'". I was able to move from resentment to forgiveness through that one line. YOU WILL BE BLESSED BY THIS BOOK SERIES!!

The Yada Yada books continue to challenge relational growth, by showing life experiences with diverse characters. Each book has new elements of change and development, which can inspire real life solutions to problems.

It is a very good book, the reading is really good!!! I loved reading the letters between Jefferson and Adams!!!! The letters are very good!!!!

This is a very intersting book. The letters are all preceeded by an introduction that gives the reader historical context as well as a description of the relationship at the time between the writers of the letter.

What an incredible feeling reading the words of two of our country's founding fathers. To feel the respect and affection , as well as irritation, of these men is astounding. I am grateful that they have been made available to us to have and hold in our own hands and libraries and to pass on to our children.

Out second and third presidents began their political career as friends, fell out, and then fortunately became friends again. In this wonderful collection of personal letters we see not only the men but the times until their deaths July 4, 1826. One of our most beloved presidents and most mis-understood are brought into reality by this collection. They were after all both remarkable men and human beings.

Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall and to be able to share in the thoughts and happenings of important places and people? Well, if your desires in that regard include the office of the Presidency of the United States and the early days following the American Revolution, that is exactly what this book provides.

As was typical of statesmen of that day, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams maintained a lengthy personal and professional correspondance the subjects of which were both mundane and highly intellectual. This book takes that correspondance, chronologically arranges it and then groups it according the characteristics of the time and the themes of their correspondance. As an additional bonus, John's wife Abigail Adams is included as well.

My attraction to this volume was to seek clarity and focus on several questions that are quite relevant to today. What was meant and intended by the concept of Separation of Church and State and what was the philisophic and religious thinking of there two important figures? There's no shortage of resources out there to tell you what these men thought, the context of their society and usually as an added bonus how these matters in one way or another support the agenda or perspective of the one putting the source together.

At some point however, if you really want to grapple with these issues or just understand the times and importance of these two men, there is no substitute for simply reading and allowing them to speak for themselves.

The added benefit of reading it through in its entirity is that you are not subjected to the judgement of another as to what is significant, what isn't and you aren't relying upon snippets and quotes that may or may not be in context and may or may not be representative of all that either man had to say upon a certain matter.

Certainly, this is just a small cross-section of all that these two men wrote and by itself there is much more that should be added. However, more than any other correspondance preserved from that day that these men engaged in, this was an exchange between men who considered the other his equal and for whom, with exceptions in time periods that are noted, mutual respect and a desire to explain themselves to one another motivated a candor and depth of intimacy that is difficult to find in other sectors.

Certainly, any student of American History needs this resource as a reference and as such it affords a ready means to add information and topically flip through the pages to see what each man had to say on a particular subject.

Every such student though, in my opinion, owes it to themselves, at least once, to just sit down and read the entire volume. Do this, and you'll have a handle upon the style of communication of the day, a feeling for many of the issues of the day and how they were viewed by the participants who did not have the advantage of knowing at the time how something would resolve. Idiosyncrasies in language and social custom will become more self-evident and the chances of being mislead by a quote isolated from its context will diminish considerably.

In short, for anyone who loves History, this is an experience not to be missed.

The footnotes and introductory passages to the different sections in my opinion do a remarkably good job of providing the reader with just enough context and outside information so that the letters themselves make sense and are not misunderstood. The reader is not told what to think about the letters per se, but rather equipped to make a better informed evaluation and come to their own conclusions. Those elements make the book valuable as well.

5 stars if ever there was a book worthy of 5 stars; again, this IS history.

Bart Breen

A truely amazing book. I found the illistrations easy to understand and the dialogue easy to read. A must for the body therapist

Tons of info. Takes a few extra minutes to process it all but worth the extra time for the added perspective.

I've had this book for a few years, and always take it with me when I go on retreat, and am still trying to absorb... though I've read and re-read the earlier chapters numerous times. I'm a yoga teacher and dietitian, so am fascinated by the science of movement at deeper levels and it's certainly here! Bless you, TM for your focus and perseverance to communicate at the level you do. Inspiring.

A must for any soft tissue therapist. This completes an understanding of how the body is affected by a series muscles.

A huge topic with tons of minutia that is broken down in an easy reading format. I really liked the way the book is set up. Great way to look at the body as a whole and to start thinking about alternative and complimentary modes of treatment up the kinetic chain that you may not think about before reading this book.

This is a beautiful, timeless story, told in gorgeous prose, and charmingly decorated. I'm not the sort of person who gushes over books, but this one is true literary perfection, and not just for children. It's the kind of book that, no matter how old you are when you first read it, will stay with you for the rest of your life.

I read this as a child. It got stuck in my mind, but I could never remember the title, thinking of it only as the story of the Hunter and the Mermaid. I searched for it for years.

This is a beautiful story, one of my favorites for children.

This story by Jarrell is gentle, mythical, and stands the test of time. A short story about a solitary hunter on an island, who meets a mermaid, and together form a family with animals they meet. The tone is warm and soft, kind and at times bittersweet.

While perfect for bedtime, cold or rainy days, this book is appealing to me even as i grow older. The subtle lessons about companionship, newness, differences, loneliness, loss, and joy are not forced to the fore. Rather, an old-fashioned sense of creating an environment as a way to tell a story is key here. Inviting wilderness, homely relationships, and just enough magic and mystery to compel the story forward.

One of my most treasured books since i was a young child, the is a timeless and infinitely re-readable story.

Randall Jarrell (1914-65) is better known as a poet, although probably best known today for his poetry criticism. He also wrote a few children's book, most notably The Bat-Poet and The Animal Family, the later published the same year he died and winning the 1966 Newbery Honor. It is wonderfully illustrated by Maurice Sendak - of Where the Wild Things Are fame - in beautiful pen and ink drawings.

The story is a sort of fable along the lines of Hans Christian Andersen or Lewis Carroll, but updated with a 1960s message. It is about a lonely hunter who lives in a cabin by the sea who with time comes to gather around him a "family" of very different creatures, first a mermaid, and then a bear, lynx, and human boy. Each is an orphan whose parents have either died or somehow left the scene. They all are very different animals yet find comfort and eventually identity with one another. It is a story in the spirit of the Age of Aquarius, when songs such as Free to Be You and Me and Free to Be a Family resonated during a cultural revolution in which boundaries of class, race and, in this case, even species were being explored, when everyone was a "brother" and "sister".

My reading of the story in its 1960s context is only one interpretation, this is not a heavy handed preachy book by any measure, it is timeless in its message about toleration of differences, the power of love to overcome anything (including for a mermaid to live on land, in effect brining a happy ending to Hans Andersen's otherwise brutal The Little Mermaid), and in particular for those who seek out love and find it in the most un-expected places. It is a short book, easy to read, and poetically written. Over the past 40 years it has found a place close to the heart of many children and adults, I only wish I had discovered it sooner.

Every once in a while, an author manages to pull off a novel that carries with it the exact tone and magical feeling of a fairy tale. In the genre of The Last Unicorn and The Princess Bride, this beautiful story takes you into a peaceful world where a lonely hunter lives by the sea.
The story follows the hunter's efforts to make a family for himself, and to keep that family safe. I don't want to spoil any of the plot points, but I will say that this gentle fable is going to fill each reader with joy and contentment. The tale is universal, and is just perfect for a shared experience at bedtime.
The decorations by Maurice Sendak are also quite lovely, giving us detailed sketches of the landscapes that the hunter and his family occupy.