Wood Books

This book has kept my child intrigued and quite for hours. The illustrations are detailed and colorful enough to be interesting with out the add fun of a game. The game of spot the difference between the two drawings is fun to play with your child, as well as one they can play on their own. I have found it also fun to make up stories about the creatures in the illustrations with my child. It is an engaging book on many levels.

This is a picture book without text, of richly detailed with very colorful illustrations in a picture book type format. When opened there are two similar pictures, one on the left and one on the right, and you must figure out what is different about the two pictures by looking back and forth and comparing the two illustrations.

This is a high quality picture book type of hardcover children's book. It is NOT a workbook and it is not designed to be written in or used just once.

This is a perfect book for reading in the car or in places where the child needs to be occupied with a quiet activity (the doctor's office waiting room, etc.).

Books like this help a child's powers of observation sharpen. It can be used with children as young as two or three and older than eight!

There is also a sequel to this book, called "Look Again!".

Again this is not a story, it has no words, just images.

On each set of facing pages there are twelve differences. Some are obvious- the coloring of a tiger, or the disappearance of a bird. Other differences are subtle- the ripening of berries or the loss of petals on a flower. Finding all twelve differences is tricky and requires the ability to count, but it is also enjoyable.

Each of the twelve different sets of illustrations are gorgeous, and each depicts a different place and ecosystem. There is everything from an underwater scene to Africa and Mexico. All are done in beautiful, colorful, lifelike illustrations.

The back of the book contains the answers as well as a short description of the environment, animals and the area depicted. These sections are informative and a thoughtful addition.

A wonderful book full of interesting facts and beautiful pictures, the game is just an excuse.

Loggie-log-log-log

This book chronicles the adventures of Thoreau as he encounters wilderness in the guise of backwoods Maine. The book covers 3 separate expeditions that Thoreau made in 1846, 1853 and 1857. On each trip, Thoreau was accompanied by one or more companions, as well as an Indian guide.

Of all of Thoreau's books, this one sticks most closely to nature and travel writing, with little explicit philosophizing. Although Thoreau was accustomed to taking long walks off the beaten track in Massachusetts, it was in Maine where he first encountered genuine wilderness. He found the wild surroundings quite inspiring, and far from being overwhelmed by them, he seemed to want even more. In this book, he presents detailed accounts of the flora and fauna that observed on his Maine journeys. In addition to his observations of the natural world, Thoreau also describes many of the people and tiny communities that he found on his trips through Maine. While he follows his custom of never naming his traveling companions or providing personal information about them, he seems to feel no similar compunction about the privacy of his Indian guides, and describes them and their behavior in detail as if they were suitable subjects of his travel studies rather than co-travelers. One aspect that makes this book timeless is the fact that so much of the natural world that Thoreau describes has remained unchanged in the 150 years since his journeys.

In 1848, 1853,and 1857, Henry David Thoreau travelled to the wilderness -- forests, lakes, rivers, and mountains in the northwest part of Maine. He wrote three lengthy essays describing each of his journeys, and they were gathered together, as Thoreau had wished, and published after his death, together with an appendix, as "The Maine Woods." It is a moving book, a classic work of American literature, and the founder of a genre of descriptive travel writing.

Readers coming to "The Maine Woods" after "Walden" or "A Walk on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" may be in for a surprise. These earlier books do include extensive descriptions of nature and of plants and animals, but their focus is much more internalized and philosophical. Both books are full of discussions of themes that have little direct connection with nature. They show Thoreau as a Transcendentalist, an American philosopher akin to Emerson and others.

"The Maine Woods", in contrast, shows Thoreau as much more of a naturalist interested in describing the wilderness in great detail for its own sake. I think the book articulates a philosophical temperament akin to Thoreau's earlier books, but it is for the most part implicit rather than stated at length.

The three essays describe Thoreau's journeys at widely separated times to Mount Ktaadn, the Chesuncook River, and the Allegash and East Branch Rivers, journeys that overlapped to some degree. Thoreau travelled with a companion and with Indian guides. He gives the reader pictures of what was still largely a pristine wilderness even though it was, at that early time, already being subject to logging, the growth of towns, and despoilation. We see Thoreau and his companions travelling in canoes or batteaus on the interconnected rivers and lakes of northwest Maine, carrying and portaging their vessels around falls, camping in the woods, observing the vegetation and animals, getting lost, finding shelter from the rain, visiting lumber camps and the hardy residents of the woods, gathering berries, hunting, and much else. The narrative is filled with detail of Thoreau's experiences and thoughts.

I found the most moving part of the book was Thoreau's description of his climb up Mount Ktaadn in the first essay. We see this journey in detail, described with ancient Greek and American Indian symbolism. It concludes with a long peroration of the value of wilderness -- of land not controlled or under the disposition of people. Thoreau observes that "the country is virtually unmapped and unexplored, and there still waves the virgin forest of the New World." The "Chesuncook" essay includes a vivid description of the stalking and killing of a moose and Thoreau's resultant sense of discomfort. It closes with a call for the creation of national preserves for wilderness. The final essay describes a broad spectrum of adventures and places on a day-to-day basis. There are many passages that describe Thoreau's Indian guide, Joe Polis. Although Thoreau was deeply fascinated with the Indian heritage of Maine, some of his treatment of Polis will sound stereotyped to modern readers.

Thoreau's book was the first in a long line of American works devoted to nature. But I was reminded most of the Beat writers in some of their moments, of Jack Kerouac, (a native of Lowell, Massachusetts) in "The Dharma Bums" describing rucksacking and the climbing of a mountain and of the poetry of Gary Snyder.

This book is about the need to leave the beaten path and follow one's star. There are some fine websites in which the interested reader can get more information about the places Thoreau visited. [...]

Robin Friedman

Most people are familiar with Thoreau through his Walden. Few know perhaps that he didn't stay put in Concord but journeyed to the Maine Woods and elsewhere, and that these travels were formative of his philosophy and ideas. Thoreau believed the Maine wilderness north of Bangor was every bit as wild as the west and other far flung corners of the continent in the 1850s, and here he shows us an incredible panorama of beauty and wonder. You will gain insight into how Native Americans hunted Moose in the mid-19th Century and why Thoreau, a vegetarian, disdained the killing of animals for meat. One of the most sriking passages is his description of the sound of a huge tree falling in the forest in the distance at night.

In Ktaadn, Thoreau defines the essence of wilderness:

"Nature was here something savage and awful, though beautiful. I looked with awe at the ground I trod on, to see what the Powers had made there, the form and fashion and material of their work. This was that Earth of which we have heard, made out of Chaos and Old Night. Here was no man's garden, but the unhandselled globe. It was not lawn, nor pasture, nor mead, nor woodland, nor lea, nor arable, nor wast-land. It was the fresh and natural surface of the planet Earth as it was made forever and ever."

You do not need to read The Maine Woods on a wooded island in Maine (as I did) to be captivated and transported by it to a higher and greater sense of wilderness than you may ever have imagined.

I ordered this book for my dad last Christmas, and he has used all of the patterns at least once. He is constantly telling me how well-planned the book is. I'm not a woodworker, but my dad is, and he rates this book top notch!

This is a book filled with projects for machines that are fun to play with. Over the years I have built more than half of them. (And given them all away as Christmas presents.) The machines are unique and really fun to watch work. A relatively high level of woodworking skill is required.

"Making the World" illustrates the profoundly spiritual connection between all creatures and their living earth, in a refreshingly non-theistic manner. It speaks poetically to children and adults about the interconnection of all things, reminding us of the effects of and our responsibility for the ripples we send into the world around us. With its beautiful words, images and illustrations, this book is deeply touching for all ages, regardless of spiritual beliefs.

Making The World is a beautifully written book. It begins by telling you a secret that you must promise to tell someone. "The world isn't finished yet, it isn't quite complete." The pictures beautifully portray many aspects of the natural world around us. It reads like a ballad, or a lullaby, rather than a story-book. Making The World is inspiring; it tells the reader that they too are helping to make the world. By "making and castle, humming a secrete song, laughing at the rain, dreaming of home, and saying I love you" you too are helping to make the world. The message in this book is so pure and simple. Yet, the moral of this book is sadly forgotten in the swift passed life we all live. We must all take time to enjoy the world around us, slow down and admire nature. We should feel thankful. We should keep dreaming, and enjoying the world around us. We must take time to say I love you, and be happy. This book has the potential for being a tool in helping children to find a cause to help "make the world". This book has helped me through some pretty tough times. It has helped me to a take a breath, relax and think. I too am helping to make the world. My attitude and ways I touch people each day, help to make and shape the worlds of the people around me. When I think in this way, anything is possible.

This book is utterly beautiful, so stirring. Each time we read it, it gets us pondering aloud together about how the world is, things we wonder, things we've noticed, how we are seeing life, and he tells me about how he would like his life to be. It is a stirring book, and perfect for going on then to dream about life's magic.

This book was compiled by editors at Group Publishing, drawn from material written by Les and Leslie Parrot, David and Lisa Frisbie, and Doyle Roth. Each of the primary contributors furnishes a chapter; other sections of the book are drawn from input, ideas and suggestions that the authors furnished.

Very helpful for premarriage counseling (Les and Leslie Parrot) and also highly useful in preparing for remarriage (David and Lisa Frisbie). Each of these couples are acknowledged experts in their respective fields. Each of these couples has written numerous books in their subject areas.

Doyle Roth furnishes excellent material related to marriage counseling. I am not familiar with Roth's background or other writing, but his work here is well-organized and well-written.

This volume is a "handbook" or "guidebook" that deserves a place on the shelves of every counselor, rabbi, minister or pastor who works with married couples and/or remarried couples and blended families.

Barbara Sheldon, M.S.W.
I also recommend: Happily Remarried: Making Decisions Together * Blending Families Successfully * Building a Love That Will Last

Our church wants to minister to Moms and Dads as we minister to their children. We didn't know where to start--this book was the answer. There are 165 creative, easy, fun, interactive ideas in this book for ways to minister to couples--the parents of the kids in your church. There are also a few chapters on marriage ministry that have been helpful for us as we have started addressing the whole "family ministry" idea that is all the buzz these days. This book is a must have for churches and ministries that care not only about kids--but the homes they live in and parents they live with!

Check out this other incredible resourse from Group Publishing:
Fun Ideas for the Family Friendly Church

This was a gift for a friend who is going into Christian Counseling, and even though this may not be marketed as such, it seems that it would be a plus for the Christian counselor. There are suggestions on nights together and getaways. For a little more spiritual depth, suggestions are given for "Spiritual Retreat Ideas." Also there are chapters on strengthening marriages and families and a section on couples' bible studies. Specifically for the counselor are sections on "Ideas for Starting Marriages Right" (could be used in premarital counseling), helping marriages through "rocky times," and ministering to those going through a divorce; and section twelve is entitled "Marriage Counseling."

A must-have for anyone who has visited this fantastic art museum. The visit can easily be relived through this book.

This is a great coffee table book that includes many important paintings of Art Institute of Chicago. All the images are in color, and the story of each painting and the artist is given. Each painting is described on a single page, and therefore the pictures are sufficiently large and detailed. The book starts with 15th century religious paintings, and progresses to include well known impressionist paintings such as Seurat's Sunday on La Grande Jatte and Renoir's Two sisters. It also has a section on 20th century paintings. Not a substitute to seeing the actual works, but it is close...

The Art Institute of Chicago houses a world-renown collection of artwork that spans the complete and diverse spectrum of six centuries of painting. Now in a revised and expanded second edition, Master Paintings In The Art Institute Of Chicago organizes and showcases 149 major paintings (like the Insitute itself) into European, American, and Twentieth-Century categories. This outstanding introduction to the history of art in general, and the Art Insitute of Chicago's impressive collection in particular, would grace any personal, academic, or community library artbook collection.

Excellent cookbook, with many "old standbye" claasics, but updated with a contemporary twist. Especailly delicious are Shrimp Enchiladas and Creme Brulee. I have tried MANY of the recipes, and not one has ever been less than what I hoped for.

Great for cooks of all abilities.

This cookbook was sent to me by a friend who knows the author. I've never had a bad result and each recipe is elegant and delicious. My very favorite dish is the rack of lamb. The pear tart is wonderful as well. This is also a nice "gift" book.

Memorable Meals has become my standby companion when entertaining for family and friends. Moorman's recipes reflect her european training infused with the unique flavors of the Southwest. The menu suggestions are both delicious and charming -- from the Christening Brunch of Tiny Cheese Tarts and Pear Tart to the Day of the Dead (Dia de las Muertes) menu featuring Poblanos Santa Fe and Strawberry Ice Peppers. Also helpful are the suggested wine parings and presentation suggestions.

What a wonderful book! My family loves being outdoors and watching wildlife; and this book tells a lovely story about a little duckling on the river and all the other animals he is seeing his first time out on the river. The photography is gorgeous and educational. It's better than an artist's rendering because you're seeing the real thing. My kids, my husband and I love the story and the pictures. This book has become the most frequently asked for story in our household. I highly recommend this book for young and old alike.

This is an excellent book to educate your child on wildlife and mother nature! The photography is wonderful and should excite us all to see her wonderful creatures both large and small. My nephews love it and ask to have it read to them time and time again!

This is a wonderful story with beautiful photos!! I have 2 small boys that love this story and ask me to read it over and over again. It keeps the young reader guessing about what is happening in the forest!! I highly recommend this book to everyone!

The details are somewhat burdensome, HOWEVER they are a part of the book's strength. The 'scientific' approach lays a strong foundation for the conclusions reached vs. conclusions based on feelings and/or prejudices.
I sense that the writers were carefully chosen, so I trust that process and basically trust the writers. Thus the conclusion sections were valuable to me.
It is helpful to have the writers suggest how CWM composers could correct present deficiencies in current CWM.
John Witvliet's concluding chapter is meaty.

This well edited publication put into words what I had often felt: something was missing or awry in our contemporary church music. The best part is that each author offered constructive criticism and suggestions. This should be in the hands of worship leaders and pastors across the country in all types of churches. What a gift to the Christian community!

The Message in the Music: Studying Contemporary Praise and Worship
Brian Walrath and Robert Woods have brought together a series of essays on contemporary worship music. The ten essays are authored by knowledge-
able people from a variety of disciplines. The author of each section of the book gives a broad and honest appraisal of the history and the impact of contemporary Christian music.

The book gives the reader the feeling of attending a seminar on the subject of Christian music where the presenters deal with various aspects - both positive and negative - of contemporary Christian music and the influence of this music on the church.

The Message in the Music will be a great help to music students and to those who teach in the field of Christian music. Pastors, worship leaders, theologians, and writers and producers of Christian music will find this book a valuable resource. The book would also be very effective for small group discussion.

I found the book a very good read and most inspirational and informative.

This was one of the first and best monographs of this most important of West Coast artists who is now enjoying a slight rennaissance. For years this was the only book available on Mike Kelley, other than thin catalogues of european shows. Luckily, with the advent of more writing on Kelley, we have come to find that indeed it was and is the best introduction to his work. We are introduced to Kelley's work via tons of lovely color photos, b & w personal photos of kelleys, lengthy interviews, and essays. Nothing is to hard to understand and the psychological subtexts of his work easily filters into the writing without confusion. His earliest collegiate work recieves just as good attention as his later sonic youth-era works, although I would have appreciated more discussion of his side project the influential noise band Destroy All Monsters. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the west coast art scene, and should probably be recquired reading for anyone taking a class on the subject.

I have nothing but praise for Phaidon's publications. Each of their artist's books contain great documentations of the artwork, plus detailed writings by the artist and critics. If you are going to read a description of an artist's work, who better to explain it to you than the artist. This is especially true with Mike Kelley. He is well known for the writings he does for each of his works and he pulls no punches in his delivery.

Mike Kelley's excellent catalog from Phaidon may be the most definitive work to date concerning the merging of Elite and Popular culture. Kelley's use of his own astute observations about the world in which we live to "debunk belief systems" and deflate popular pretentions is nothing short of revelatory. His pathetic stance in sculpture, drawing, performance, sound, and banner-making constitute total war on austerity. All modes of his work are well-documented here with color photography of installations and descriptions and criticism by some of the best in their fields.