News and Media Books

I teach art so I like to order books that introduce or reinforce art concepts. This book introduces a few colors and tells how to make them, however there's not pattern in the colors the author has chosen. The story, however, is sweet and the illustrations are bright, happy and colorful. I would highly recommend it for personal reading with a child, but not instruction.

I am a Lutheran church librarian in Florida who bought this book for our church library. It is colorful and well-written. I like the feeling of neighborliness expressed in this book. So often we ignore our neighbors in our busy lives, but here, neighbors are seen as valuable, colorful people who have different talents and skills. A child loves art. A blind man loves music. The two share and appreciate one another's talents. How nice for children to read about brotherhood and togetherness. A lovely book which is simple but intriguing!

We have a blind member of our church and this book helps the kids in our congregation realize that people can have different traits, gifts and challenges, yet we all have the same feelings, hopes, dreams and wishes. Thank you to Maria Diaz Strom.

This is a beautiful book. The words and images are simple and strong. There is no sappiness or "political correctness" about these people. The story feels natural, it rings true in a beautiful, effortless manner. The characters are strong in themselves and there is no TV-movie sentimentality. This is great reading and looking for all ages.

I read this book to my son's first grade class and the kids loved it! The story and the art are vivid and captivating, but the best part was the discussion we had afterward. The kids had lots of ideas about how a blind person could experience color. It was a really special book to share. I highly recommend it.

This is your mentor-in-a-box. It gets closer than any other book has to the instructive wisdom, creativity, ingenuity, and technical expertise inside the minds of some very important news shooters. I bet some of these guys wouldn't be able to articulate their own processes nearly as eloquently as Underwood has here. Worth every cent.

I was afraid it was just going to be another text book by someone who had a small TV background and then went into teaching. However, I was very interested to see the article on how the BBC photographers cover international news...(after all they invented it). The articles on network freelancers I would have liked to see expanded as this is now a major force in top TV coverage. I liked seeing the sidebars on the primary tools each person uses. The book has a blend of large and smaller market stories and is a good read. I wish it was longer! John Treadgold, news photographer

Since I bought it, this book has been a hit with the photogs at the station I work at. I would recommend that working news photographers either get their own, or pool some money for at least a "staff" copy. It's a book you will casually pick up and wind up reading for the next hour (or as long as you can!) it's packed with great info, for just about any situation (it'll step you through focal lengths and later on it has info on how to shoot in a disaster. It doesn't matter if you're a student or a seasoned vet, you will find something interesting and valuable in this book (even if it's just to clarify and reflect your own thoughts on shooting).

Each chapter is written by or features a different photographer/TV news professional (there's a few reporters and producers mixed in, but all have strong visual backgrounds) and focuses on a certain aspect of shooting TV news. Whether its just the basics of story structure and editing, how to shoot a visually interesting interview, ethics, shooting sports, major disasters and "spot" news, One-man-bands, live shots, international stories (being embedded, international travel). And, of course, there is more.

I don't normally ooze praise like this, but this book is worth the fairly high price tag. Only one request: Why not include a DVD of pieces done by the great photographers featured in the book? That would really help, especially newer shooters to understand some of the concepts and to see what is possible when you are shooting to the Nth degree. After reading a section of this, you'll want to go out and shoot more than before. It's helped to replenish my desire to pursue this career when sometimes work seems to be getting stale.

BUY THIS BOOK

Roll! is a terrific textbook for TV Reporting. If it's at all possible to teach shooting with a book, this is the book. A must for any college teaching TV news. Just the diagrams for different angles in Chapter 7 is nearly worth the price. Rather than drawing diagrams on a white board, just use the book. Properly organized, the book can take students from the first lesson through advanced shooting.

Bob Lissit
Journalism professor
S.I. Newhouse School
Syracuse University

I'm a big fan of Rugrats the TV show, and I knew this book would be much better then any of the episodes. I was right! It's extremely funny, and it's full of adventure. The only bad thing about this book is that some parts are really confusing, but you can easily get back on track.

When Tommy loses his favorite holey pail, Granpa Lou and the babies are blasted back to the time of the knights of the round table!Lou takes the place of Merlin and Angelica is the great Socerless.They meet up with the babies of the Round Table and Mordred,Morgan Le Fays bratty son. He Tells them if the want the missing knights of the Round Table back, the need to rerform six nightly deeds.This Book is very funny. I recomend this book to the fans on the tv show The Rugrats

This book is about Tommy. He is looking for his Holey Pail. Then they are in the time of King Arthur. The characters are Tommy , Chuckie, Phil, Lil, and Grandpa Lou. They try to find the pail. I think this is a good book , because it is adventurous. I would recommend this book, necause it is a great story.

When Tommy loses his favorite holey pail, Grandpa Lou tells him and his friends the story of the Holy Grail. Before they know it, Tommy, his grandpa, his cousin Angelica, and his friends Chuckie, Phil, and Lil travel back in time to Camelot, where they meet King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and a toddler named Adelaide whose father has been captured by the evil sorceress Morgan le Fay and her bratty son, Mordred. Now Tommy and his friends must embark on a quest to defeat Morgan and Mordred and rescue all the knights being held captive in their dungeon. To do so, they must complete six difficult quests that even the bravest knights have failed at. This was a fun, cute, and entertaining book for Rugrats fans both old and young.

I just recieved a contributor's copy of this book, and although I'm not a big fan of inspirational books in the vein of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Sacred Feathers floats above its genre with contributions not only inspirational, but literary as well. Well worth the list price for contributions by novelist Linda Hogan (Solar Storms), Kenneth Ray Stubbs (The Essential Tantra), and Denise Linn (Sacred Space), the book includes over 60 stories, essays, meditations and poems that range in mood from uplifting (e.g., "Magpie Feather" by Paul Anderson) and humorous (Mary Lane Kamberg's "Fifty Things to Do With a Feather") to wise ("A Question of Style" by Rachel Naomi Remen) and touching ("A Special Gift" by Penny Wigglesworth).

The pieces are arranged in four sections: The Mystery of Feathers: Mystical Messages from the Spirit; The Power of Feathers: Messages of Healing and Transformation; Light as a Feather: Messages of Freedom, Surrender and Letting Go; and Where There's a Quill, There's a Way: Messages of Love, Strength and Courage.

In short, definitely the kind of book I'd buy for someone who needed a lift, whether they'd ever thought about feathers specifically before or not.

Sacred Feathers is rich with stories of inspiration, humor and hope. Crabtree captures the essence of these everyday objects. She includes exercises, fascinating facts and historical rites and rituals that feathers have been a part of. The stories are in bite-size reads, so when you need a quick lift or a shot of inspiration, pick up this beautiful book.

Reading this book made me feel a connection to the authors who contributed their own personal stories about the power of feathers. I, too have had experiences with encountering feathers in my path and the messages they convey. When I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down eagerly anticipating the next story.

Let me start off by stating my prejudice up front: I am not into New Age; I am a Christian of the liberal, but traditional, variety. I read this book because I was asked to review it by the author, and I obliged, not knowing that what I was getting was going to be something way different from my beliefs. So understand that, unlike the previous reviewers, I read this with a bit of skepticism. Perhaps, though, that is not a bad thing. Who knows?

With that caveat in mind, I found the book interesting and full of nice little stories of people's spiritual, and sometimes miraculous, encounters with feathers. Interspersed are meditations and rituals the readers can try at home to bring the energy of feathers into their own lives. The book would certainly be a blessing for someone who is already sold on the idea that feathers have an energy and aura to bring to people's lives. What it did not do, however, was convince a skeptic like me that feathers are necessarily anything special, except perhaps in a symbolic way. This book is a great read for the converted, and it may convert some people to the magic of feathers, but, alas, it didn't do it for me. Still a good read, though.

I love Scooby-Doo when I was young, and I still do. I was Scooby-Doo crazy back then. I read a lot about Scooby and the gang. But The Mummy's Curse is one of my favorites.
The story is of course, a mystery book. It takes place in Hollywood in a movie studio. It about a mummy who scaring off the cast of an Egyptian movie set. The direct or of the movie invited Mystery, Inc. When they got there, the director told them what was happening and ask for their help. They agreed to help him. Now they must found the mummy and find out who started it.
If you love Scooby-Doo, get this book. It good for little kids because it is easy to read. So parents, you should get this book for your child.

Scooby and the gang are in Hollywood to watch the filming of a movie, THE SANDS OF CAIRO, live on set courtesy of Daphne's uncle. Shaggy and Scooby soon discover the abundance of food, while the rest of the gang becomes suspicious of strange going-ons (pillars collapsing, tents blowing down, fake coconuts falling) that are apparently the result of a mummy's curse that has fallen on the movie set. The book is filled with great illustrations and the story is fun to read. I especially enjoyed this book in the series because it takes place in Hollywood.

The gang is aty Hollywood to watch a mummy movie. But the movie has had problems right now. And there's a mummy who wants to build his own movie!

My six year old is one of Scooby's biggest fans. She received this book as a birthday gift and this book has become one of her favorite bedtime stories. This book is also excellent for those beginning readers. There are a lot of words but almost every page has a picture as well.

Scooby and the Mystery, Inc. gang headto the Lone Wolf ranch where Fred spent some summers as a kid. The ranch is celebrating it's 100th Birthday. However, the ranch is in some financial trouble and if the celebration isn't a success, the Lone Wolf might end up a dead wolf. Not to mention that people start believing a curse about a wolfman who has come to take curse the ranch. Zoinks! What's the gang to do? Figure out the mystery, of course.

I enjoyed this book. It's very simple to read and helps improve deductive reasoning skills, even in an old foggy like myself. It's a good story and seem just like one of the television shows.

This is a vintage scooby doo mystery. The gang is off to the Lone Wolf Ranch where Fred spent his childhood. They meet up with a strange man carrying a hammer and yelling about a full moon and the wolfman coming back. There's a story that the wolfman will come back you see...and of course he does! The gang is then off to find the real identity of this wolfman, save the gold horseshoes and the ranch and keep Scooby and Shaggy from eating all the bar b qued food. The book is set up in chapters which can be read by an older child or read to a younger one. My six yr old loves scooby and wants this read to him constantly. For any adult fan of scooby who wants to introduce their children to a great classic.

This is a vintage scooby doo mystery. The gang is off to the Lone Wolf Ranch where Fred spent his childhood. They meet up with a strange man carrying a hammer and yelling about a full moon and the wolfman coming back. There's a story that the wolfman will come back you see...and of course he does! The gang is then off to find the real identity of this wolfman, save the gold horseshoes and the ranch and keep Scooby and Shaggy from eating all the bar b qued food. The book is set up in chapters which can be read by an older child or read to a younger one. My six yr old loves scooby and wants this read to him constantly. For any adult fan of scooby who wants to introduce their children to a great classic.

I'm a 26 year old fan of Scooby, and also an educator. Althought this book was geared for younger children, I actually enjoyed reading it. The plot is reminiscent of the classic TV show, yet the story is simple enough that even younger readers can follow. As an educator, I se these books as a great way to introduce children to deductive reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving skills. And since the story focuses around a character with which the child is familiar, the interest level is bound to be higher.

On this helpful cassette CD, Louise Hay provides a powerful psychological tool for healing oneself. She explains the power of memory and emotion in the healing process; she talks about her own life, how she was abused as a child and how she overcame this trauma through the application of understanding and forgiveness. It also discusses the principles of personal transformation and contains a beautiful healing meditation that includes sections on how to forgive oneself and others, how to let go of negative thoughts and how to become the optimistic, joyful and created person that we were all meant to be. Hay has a powerful reassuring voice and her words exude confidence, insight and optimism. I highly recommend this CD to all who need psychological support in physical or mental healing. In my experience it has been most effective. Also listen to her tape Meditations For Personal Healing, a series of meditations that covers all the important aspects of life and Self-Esteem: Motivational Affirmations For Building Confidence and Recognizing Self-Worth.

Since 1988, I have listened to Louise on cassettes. In 2003, the cassettes wore out and I now am the proud owner of 21 of her CD's and several of Louise's books. Her personal story is inspiring to me. She teaches that your thoughts can be your best friend or your enemy! And how you can change a thought! For almost 20 years, Louise has been of great assistance to me in helping me get through some rough times and move on to a happier life. On this CD, she really explains how to heal yourself and this CD has been a big help to me!

Lost my original one and so I had to re-order it. It helps me calm down and sleep, and also the ideas are very healthy.

This audio CD is very relaxing. Hay has a nice, gentle voice and is easy to listen to. I also find her message quite credible and helpful.

This book is well worth the read. I have read it at least 4 times and love it every time. This book is set during the war of 1812. It is well written with an original plot that will keep you reading to the end of the book. I recommend this book to all my friends and they all love it too. Silent Stranger is a must read!

I thought this book was absolutely wonderful. It had romance and suspense and mystery all wrapped up into one book. The book is about this girl named Jessica who one night in the middle of the night decides to go out to her barn to check up on her cats. But while she is in the barn she notices a young boy standing in the corner with a ............ knife. To found out what happens next you have to read this amazing book!

I really loved this book. It had a great mystery and some romance mixed in- which I personally enjoyed. I know for a fact that there's no doubt I will read this book again!

Jessica is a fourteen year old pioneer girl living in the wilderness of New York during the War of 1812. On a bitter cold Christmas Eve, she discovers a young man, barely older than herself, hiding in the barn. He's frightened and cold, and won't talk. As the weeks go by, Jessica and her family try to find out who he is. When a shocking accusation is made against him, Jessica must find out the truth - before he dissapears forever.

What a resource!! I found so many practical ideas and helpful suggestions in this book. I wish I had this book in my hands when I started my consulting business 4 years ago. The ideas about marketing the business and how to set up a financial system are particularly helpful. Lots of real life examples made the book interesting as well.

What a resource!! I found so many practical ideas and helpful suggestions in this book. I wish I had this book in my hands when I started my consulting business 4 years ago. The ideas about marketing the business and how to set up a financial system are particularly helpful. Lots of real life examples made the book interesting as well.

Small Business Savvy is the most comprehensive book I've ever read on building a business, and the best book I've ever seen on clearing the distinct hurdles a woman-owned business presents.

Rist and Jones take turns exploring the start-up, marketing, pricing, and myriad in-between issues women owners face. Their ability to draw from those who've gone before is key. Not only do you soak up their considerable insights, but you get practical, illuminating anecdotal illustrations of hundreds of women whose successes and struggles are described as a learning tool. You get real, solid action plans instead of vague principles. With the first chapter you know what works and what does not, from real women business owners who've been there and from the authors' knowledgeable advice.

This book is a must-read for any woman considering or already entrenched in owning a business -- men, too. The principles work (I've tried many of them!) and the advice is a business saver and grower. This booke enables me to confirm places in my own business model where I have made right and wrong decisions...and receive direct methods for correcting the wrong ones. Outstanding!!!!

The authors present all kinds of useful ideas that I can implement right now, from bartering for services to collecting money due, i.e.,the nuts and bolts of a business. Tact and sensitivity are strong characteristics of dealing with prople, and I can tell that the authors have had much experience and success in this area. "Common entrepreneurial mistakes" such as charging too little is easy for business women to fall into, since we are used to giving our all to our families; therefore we tend not to value our efforts as much as we should.

I really like this book and plan to give copies to friends as Christmas gifts.

Extroidinarily uplifting stories of God's amazing goodness. I personally believe that we women have highly tuned spiritual awareness, each uplifting story will increase your awareness. This collection of stories will make you smile, laugh, and even cry. With every story you will feel as if your soul has been nourished. By the end of the book you will be looking for God's fingerprints and goodness in your own life.

I love the stories because they're uplifting for the spirit and are truly a joy for the soul! The human condition is such that it needs a small miracle to get us through some difficult times. Here there's proof that there is some wonderful force out there that comes to us just when we need it the most. It happens to other people, and surely, it can happen to you and me. The book is a companion for me, to turn to and share precious moments that are heartwarming and lasting.

I really loved this book! If you need to be reminded of all of the wonderful things that happen to people and to remind you of the good that surrounds you, this book is definitely for you. This is a really special book!

The more I kept on reading, the more I loved this book! Even if it were but one story so amazing and uplifting for the soul, it'd be a blessing. The authors do justice to their wonderful reputation for the three earlier books in the Small Miracles series. "Small Miracles for Women" took a much shorter time for me to finish reading than anticipated. I was resolved to have it on hand while traveling on the bus and on the subway, but then something happened, and I just could not put the book down. The stories are amazing and inspiring and bring hope and have a calming effect for as the small miracles unfold, it becomes obvious that we are watched over just when we need it the most, and blissfully, we are not alone.