Lifestyle Books

Providing a wealth of information needed to succeed in the writing industry, *Writer's Guide...* is an excellent tool for both aspiring and established writers. A most successful literary agent and author, Jeff Herman possesses a thorough knowledge of the industry which he shares an in-depth volume for writers. In the late 1970s, Herman made a living by cleaning public toilets. Just a decade later, he launched what would become the most credible and successful literary agency in the United States. His laborious efforts that paved his way to success have been channeled into his work, cutting out multiple steps and energies for other writers. As he writes, "The publishing business is a mysterious place, even for veteran (writers)...This book will help you to break the code, unmask false wizards, and empower you to challenge the obstacles." In an industry where nepotism and knowing the right person seems to be the only way to get published, Herman's work encoura! ges and inspires writers to remain persistent and optimistic. He states, "Growth and success cannot be known by those who give up or fail to even try." His own rags to wealth story lends credibility to this statement. In over 550 pages, Herman lists a multitude of United States publishers, University and religous publishers, as well as Canadian publishers, who are all anxious for innovative writing and new ideas. Each publisher listing provides the address and telephone number of the publishing house, a brief history of the company, the types of books published and several sample titles of recently published works. Writers are also provided with the contact names of whom they need to query. In the case of larger publishers, each editor is listed with a brief description of what he or she is looking to publish, so that writers may send their work to the correct individual. The only drawback to Herman's publisher description is that he does not provide information on ! which publishers accept manuscripts only from agents. There! fore, *Writer's Guide...* is best used by cross-referencing the book with *Writer's Market.* However, for the writers who wish to minimize their solicitation efforts, Herman provides an agent listing of about 200 pages. These listings provide thorough information on the agents such as their work experience, preferred clients, works sold, what they prefer to and not to market as well as a brief statement giving advice to writers on soliciting manuscripts. Also provided is the commission fees of the agents and, in a few cases, reading fees. Following the listings, Herman and company have written various articles geared toward increasing a writer's chances for success. For example, the writer will find advice on how to properly contact agents and publishers, how to write the perfect query letter, how to write book proposals, how literary agents work, as well as many other useful article that will keep the writer inspired, optimistic and informed. A writer without the *Writer's G! uide...* is comparable to a traveler without a map. Except for writing the manuscript, Jeff Herman has done all the laborious work for the writer. By utilizing the tools provided by Herman, the writer will save many hours of aggravation and wasted effort.

Providing a wealth of information needed to succeed in the writing industry, *Writer's Guide...* is an excellent tool for both aspiring and established writers. A most successful literary agent and author, Jeff Herman possesses a thorough knowledge of the industry which he shares an in-depth volume for writers. In the late 1970s, Herman made a living by cleaning public toilets. Just a decade later, he launched what would become the most credible and successful literary agency in the United States. His laborious efforts that paved his way to success have been channeled into his work, cutting out multiple steps and energies for other writers. As he writes, "The publishing business is a mysterious place, even for veteran (writers)...This book will help you to break the code, unmask false wizards, and empower you to challenge the obstacles." In an industry where nepotism and knowing the right person seems to be the only way to get published, Herman's work encoura! ges and inspires writers to remain persistent and optimistic. He states, "Growth and success cannot be known by those who give up or fail to even try." His own rags to wealth story lends credibility to this statement. In over 550 pages, Herman lists a multitude of United States publishers, University and religous publishers, as well as Canadian publishers, who are all anxious for innovative writing and new ideas. Each publisher listing provides the address and telephone number of the publishing house, a brief history of the company, the types of books published and several sample titles of recently published works. Writers are also provided with the contact names of whom they need to query. In the case of larger publishers, each editor is listed with a brief description of what he or she is looking to publish, so that writers may send their work to the correct individual. The only drawback to Herman's publisher description is that he does not provide information on ! which publishers accept manuscripts only from agents. There! fore, *Writer's Guide...* is best used by cross-referencing the book with *Writer's Market.* However, for the writers who wish to minimize their solicitation efforts, Herman provides an agent listing of about 200 pages. These listings provide thorough information on the agents such as their work experience, preferred clients, works sold, what they prefer to and not to market as well as a brief statement giving advice to writers on soliciting manuscripts. Also provided is the commission fees of the agents and, in a few cases, reading fees. Following the listings, Herman and company have written various articles geared toward increasing a writer's chances for success. For example, the writer will find advice on how to properly contact agents and publishers, how to write the perfect query letter, how to write book proposals, how literary agents work, as well as many other useful article that will keep the writer inspired, optimistic and informed. A writer without the *Writer's G! uide...* is comparable to a traveler without a map. Except for writing the manuscript, Jeff Herman has done all the laborious work for the writer. By utilizing the tools provided by Herman, the writer will save many hours of aggravation and wasted effort.

I always recommend this book to every author or literary professional who doesn't own it already. I find it invaluable in running my literary agency, can't imagine NOT owning it. Julie Hill, Literary Agent and Book Publicist

Providing a wealth of information needed to succeed in the writing industry, *Writer's Guide...* is an excellent tool for both aspiring and established writers. A most successful literary agent and author, Jeff Herman possesses a thorough knowledge of the industry which he shares an in-depth volume for writers. In the late 1970s, Herman made a living by cleaning public toilets. Just a decade later, he launched what would become the most credible and successful literary agency in the United States. His laborious efforts that paved his way to success have been channeled into his work, cutting out multiple steps and energies for other writers. As he writes, "The publishing business is a mysterious place, even for veteran (writers)...This book will help you to break the code, unmask false wizards, and empower you to challenge the obstacles." In an industry where nepotism and knowing the right person seems to be the only way to get published, Herman's work encoura! ges and inspires writers to remain persistent and optimistic. He states, "Growth and success cannot be known by those who give up or fail to even try." His own rags to wealth story lends credibility to this statement. In over 550 pages, Herman lists a multitude of United States publishers, University and religous publishers, as well as Canadian publishers, who are all anxious for innovative writing and new ideas. Each publisher listing provides the address and telephone number of the publishing house, a brief history of the company, the types of books published and several sample titles of recently published works. Writers are also provided with the contact names of whom they need to query. In the case of larger publishers, each editor is listed with a brief description of what he or she is looking to publish, so that writers may send their work to the correct individual. The only drawback to Herman's publisher description is that he does not provide information on ! which publishers accept manuscripts only from agents. There! fore, *Writer's Guide...* is best used by cross-referencing the book with *Writer's Market.* However, for the writers who wish to minimize their solicitation efforts, Herman provides an agent listing of about 200 pages. These listings provide thorough information on the agents such as their work experience, preferred clients, works sold, what they prefer to and not to market as well as a brief statement giving advice to writers on soliciting manuscripts. Also provided is the commission fees of the agents and, in a few cases, reading fees. Following the listings, Herman and company have written various articles geared toward increasing a writer's chances for success. For example, the writer will find advice on how to properly contact agents and publishers, how to write the perfect query letter, how to write book proposals, how literary agents work, as well as many other useful article that will keep the writer inspired, optimistic and informed. A writer without the *Writer's G! uide...* is comparable to a traveler without a map. Except for writing the manuscript, Jeff Herman has done all the laborious work for the writer. By utilizing the tools provided by Herman, the writer will save many hours of aggravation and wasted effort.

This book starts off with current knowledge about brain development in the teen years which serves to explain some of the intense emotions and the reputation for impulsive actions and sometimes poor judgement which teens have been tarred with. This develops into an attempt to show teens what the world and issues that relate to teens look like through parent's eyes as well as a call for empathy on the part of parents towards teens' limited perspective and state of brain development as well as the pressures on teens from their environment.
The reason for the title "Yes, your parents are crazy" is that Dr. Bradley uses stories of seemingly extreme and irrational behavior on the part of parents in dealing with some common teenage situations to explain that it (usually) comes from concern about what teens get exposed to and what it could cause them to do with their lives. He also tells teens that since parents are in a state of high emotion during a divorce, some of the "fallout" falls on them: that doesn't mean the parents don't love them but are so absorbed with their own concerns they don't think about how their actions affect others. A lesson to all of us. This book is as useful as or better than a lot of counselling. I recommend it for teens who do not have access to counselling or mental health services.
He also gives some tips to teens on how to communicate more effectively with their parents and negotiate with them towards increasing freedom and privilages. Bradley tells teens not to lie to their parents, but to make an effort to explain their actions fully and try to prove themselves responsible and trustworthy (unfortunately this did not work with my mother, whom I suspect truly _is_ crazy: I wish I knew what did).

My son saw my copy of "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy" (which was an excellent book by the same author.) I thought this book would be geared more towards teens--as I planned on giving it to my son to read--to understand why parents act the way they do. However, it was not written for a teenager. It was very similar to the "...Teen is Crazy" book.

I'm just about finished with this as well as Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy. Both great books. I wish I had had this one growing up, it would have helped me a lot to not feel so alone and to learn about being true to myself in terms of discovering my own identity. I highly recommend this book for ANY teen. Doc Mike talks in today's teen lanquage about their world now and how to face its many, many challenges. Just can't say enough.

In Yes, Your Parents Are Crazy!: A Teen Survival Guide, psychologist Michael Bradley draws upon his more than thirty years of experience and expertise to write this amazing sequel to his earlier book, Yes, Your Teen Is Crazy! Humorous cartoons add a lighthearted touch to the very solid advice, which has earned The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval. Chapters deal with all sorts of issues touching aupon day-to-day life of parents and teens, from blended families to religion, internet issues, school attendance, abuse, and much more. Written in down-to-earth terms intended for and accessible to any teenager, In Yes, Your Parents Are Crazy! is a first-rate help for teens and parents alike.

I am a baking and pastry student and have made almost every recipe in this book and have enjoyed each one throughly. I have a great collection of dessert recipes from home and school but these have become my standards. The Viennese Crescent cookies are a favorite among friends and family, along with the Choc Coated Orange cookies. The brown sugar ginger cookies are pretty spicy and go great with coffee or tea, as well as the anise and pine nut biscotti which I enjoyed last Christmas morning. Anyone with a craving for rugelach will love this great updated recipe using hazelnuts which gives it a rich but sweet flavor. The chocolate mint swirls along with the bourbon truffles and chocolate raspberry kisses made an elegant platter of after dinner chocolates of course lets not forget the Cognac Brownie Bites which I sometimes subsitute Cointreau for the brandy. The amount of alcohol called for in the topping is just too much, I always cut it in half. These brownie are great to make and freeze. I have frozen then with and without the topping and they both freeze well. The cream cheese and berry tartlets have been very popular for parties during the holidays esp. because you can decorat then with any small fruits and berries, the light lemon taste in the filling is what makes this tartlet into heaven, not to mention how sweet the pastry turns out. When i get a request for tartlets other then the berry I always use the Chocolate-Apricot tartlet recipe with its dreamy smooth choc filling it's bound to satisfy any chocoholic's craving. once again, one of the best books I ever used, think of giving it as a gift for someone who loves sweets.

I own many, many dessert cookbooks, and I find myself returning to this one again and again. All of the recipes that I have made (which is pretty much the entire book at this point!) have turned out great. (Brownie Bites and Fruit Tarts are two of my favorites) The pictures in the book are beautiful, and there are great ideas for after dinner drinks and nibbles. This book is a must have for anyone who does any type of entertaining at their home.

This wonderful book is really more than a cookbook. The book begins with telling the reader how to set the after-dinner scene, and then how to prepare a bar, a cheese tray, and coffee and tea. After that, the book launches into forty-four recipes for wonderful after-dinner snack and drinks. Going along with that, the book has an extraordinary selection of "menus," that is, four items from the book that compliment each other.

This is a grand book, and a worthwhile addition to your library. My three favorite recipes from the book are the Miniature Jelly Thumbprint Cookies (I used blackberry jam, rather than currant jelly), Cardamom Palmiers (quick and easy to make), and the Tiny Chocolate Chunk and Toffee Cookies (as good as they sound). I highly recommend this book!

Wonderful story. We love it!!!! It's a sweat interpretation of Ps. 139 - well written for little ones.

What a whimsical child's book--it makes one smile to read it! It presents Psalm 139 from a child's viewpoint; God sees us all the time and knows our very thoughts. A good stocking-stuffer or small gift for the big brother or sister when a new baby joins the family.

got this for a friend's babes thanksgiving; it is superb. An interpretation-paraphrase of Psalm 139, which I think is good, and a great way of applying it to small children - I'm getting it for all my other little ones (and that's quite a few!)

The beautiful illustrations in this book only enhance the simple story of how the Amish celebrate the Christmas holiday. Narrated by a young Amish boy, readers are quickly transported into the Amish world and the Christmas season. Great for readers of all ages.

This book is filled with the details of how Christmas is celebrated in the Amish community. It traces the actions of a boy and his younger sister, during Christmas Eve, the two days of Christmas, and the following day. We meet the boy's family and learn about their Christmas customs. Interspersed in the text are Pennsylvania Dutch phrases, together with their meanings. The book both satisfies and develops curiosity about cultural differences. It shows children an example of how people do things differently, yet deep-down, many of the beliefs are the same. The book is suitable for older kids, with about 2000 words.

"An Amish Christmas" combines an informative text by Richard Ammon with illutrations by Pamela Patrick. The text is the first-person narration of an Amish boy who tells about his life and the way his family celebrates Christmas.

The text captures many interesting details of Amish life. Particularly interesting is the presentation of the bilingual culture of this Amish community, whose members speak both Pennsylvania Dutch (which is actually a dialect of German) and English. Ammon includes a number of Pennsylvania Dutch words and phrases, with translations, in the text. Example: "Siss am schneea" ("It's snowing").

Ammon's intelligent text is wonderfully complemented by Patrick's beautiful illustrations. Her style is realistic and colorful, and she superbly captures the facial expressions of the Amish children. There are many wonderful images and details: a horse's breath visible on a frosty December day, a colorful patterned quilt, a friendly snowball "fight," and more. Simply marvelous.

This book is really fun and unusual to read especially because half way through the book, it has to be turned upside down to finish reading it! The illustrations are beautiful, vibrant and full of life. The story is poetic and funny at the same time. Highly recommended!

People are happy when it starts to rain in the city after a dry spell. A little boy and his father enjoy the rain while cozy and dry at a cafe, and several people are shown doing "indoor things". After several days of rain, the complaints begin and everyone is sick of the wet weather. When the little boy asks his dad when the rain will stop, he gets a rhyme in reply to the effect that he'll get his weather wish soon.

The reader is told to turn the book around to find out what happens. When you turn it around and start reading from the back, you find that the sun has come out. The little boy and his father walk happily down the sunny street to enjoy ice cream at the cafe, and the same people who previously enjoyed their indoor activities are now enjoying getting out and about. Human nature being what it is, everyone is soon complaining about the heat. When the little boy asks his father when it will stop being so hot, he is given the rhyme again and told his weather wish will come true soon. The reader is again instructed to turn the book over to find out what happens and the story begins all over again with the opening words about the rain coming to the city.

My five-year-old absolutely loved this book and asked for it night after night until I had to return it to the library.

Weather or not, life in a city goes on. And not only life, but lives: this delightful, joyful book follows six very different neighbors in an apartment building, plus a father and son, and several other folks in the neighborhood (a waiter, a baker, a businesswoman)as they go through the pleasures and irritations of a prolonged period of rain, and then (turn the book over) sun. Funny and charming, the book is illustrated perfectly. Wonderfully colorful pictures and unusal perspectives capture perfectly the magical, changing pulses and moods of an active city's residents. The book, though, is not only about weather in a city --- it's about human nature, too. Teachers, as well as parents, will love this book both on its on account and for the questions it can elicit: how do different kinds of weather affect the way you feel? What do you like to do when it rains or when it's sunny? How hot is too hot? What would your "weather wish" be? What do different kinds of weather mean in the city as opposed to the country? And, P.S. : it is gently multi-cultural; the skin colors, family names, religions etc, are as full-spectrum as real life.

Mama says an angel is coming,
coming clear up the mountain,
riding clear up Lonesome Creek,
a tiny babe tucked in her saddlebag,
a tiny babe tucked safe and warm.

When we were expecting our second child we made an effort to make sure that our first-born was going to be accepting of his baby brother or sister. This was going to be Michael's baby, and we impressed on him how he had to take care of her. The result was that he was nice towards his new sister; the problem was that we did nothing to protect him from her, because it was so ingrained in him not to hurt her that she took full advantage of the situation and pushed his buttons. But the excitement of a new baby in a family extends even to little children, and that is what "Angel Coming" celebrates.

Written by Heather Henson ("Making the Run") and illustrated by Susan Gaber ("When Winter Comes," "The Stable Where Jesus Was Born"), this children's book is set high in the hills of Kentucky where a little girl awaits the arrival of an "angel" who will be bringing a baby sister of brother in her saddlebag. But first the little girl's father needs to bring down the old crib and her mother cleans the old clothes the little girl wore as a baby. Then the aunties come a-calling to make a quilt and there is a celebration before the period of waiting for the angel to appear and bring the new baby.

This story was inspired the fact that in the early half of the 20th century in the mountains of Appalachia, when a child asked where babies came from they would be told they were brought up the steep paths tucked safely inside saddlebags, being carried by an angel on horseback. Unlike stories regarding storks or cabbage patches, this one has a kernel of truth. You see, in 1925 Mary Breckinridge created the Frontier Nursing Service in Eastern Kentucky. This was a time when few doctors ventured into the remote mountains of Appalachia, so Breckinridge hired nurse-midwives who wanted adventure but where not afraid of hard work. Wearing blue uniforms, these "angels on horseback" became familiar sites in the mountains, checking the families on their routes each monthly (weekly if a mother's due date was soon).

The Author's Note in the back of this book not only tells about the Frontier Nursing Service and has some historic black & white photographs of Breckinridge, her women, and even of a baby in a saddlebag, but also explains that the Service continues today. Now there is a hospital, and the nurse-midwives travel by jeeps for their house calls, but clearly, as Henson points out, the spirit of the angel on horseback lives on. Young readers might not be able to appreciate the history behind this story and will focus instead on the anticipation of a young child for the arrival of a new baby in the house, but "Angel Coming" will resonate with older readers who can appreciate what it was like for women to give birth on the frontier, even when we are taking about women living in the 20th century.

With beautiful lyrical language and nostalgia for
time gone by, this book brings to life a hard working family,
relatives,expectant good news, and the true facts of nurses on horseback.
It weaves a magical spell of love and anticipation with an element of surprise.
A great gift for children and the adults who love them.

This book is absolutely gorgeous -- both its breathtaking illustrations and its lyrical story make it a piece of art!
Sort of a new twist on the idea of the stork bringing the baby, this book incorporates the true-life legend of nurse-midwives in Appalachia who traveled on horseback through rough terrain to help women give birth. Many children imagined the midwives brought the babies in their saddlebags!

This is a perfect gift for a child who is expecting a new sibling, but also an engaging and beautiful piece of historical fiction that will be enjoyed by any child.

This appealing book of pictures created using papercutouts tells The story of the bunny family's outing to the apple orchard. All the aspects of picking your own apples are presented. They get to ride out to the orchard on a wagon pulled by a tractor, have to choose which varieties to pick, and the farmer weighs the apples in the end. Information about apples is presented through the apple farmer. At home applesauce is made (recipe included), an apple craft is featured and an apple song is included as well. Should be perfect for before or after your next trip to the orchard or anytime of year. I think little ones will enjoy it as much as I did!

This is a great picture book with interesting cutout paper illustrations. It is a story of a (rabbit) family that goes apple picking in the fall. This is a New England tradition that I have enjoyed so the book is especially appealing to me. The family goes picking apples and the farmer goes along. The farmer explains some factual things such as how many seeds are usually in the apples and how they grow the trees from rootstock.

Each member of the family wants a different type of apple for a different purpose. The family cooks applesauce and the recipe is included. There is a song with music notations and directions for doing an apple printing craft.

This family enjoys learning about the apples and there are some factual pictures such as how the apple tree is grafted onto a root and a labeling of the parts of a bisected apple. I especially like how the story illustrates the children and parents as being interested in learning about the apples.

This is a fun storybook, a good mixture of story and facts with a few activities! This would make a great book for preschool or Kindergarten teaches, perfect for reading in the autumn or combining with a real trip to pick apples!

This is an amazingly illustrated book. The pictures are very captivating to young children.
The book not only offers a story, but great apple activities as well.
As a childcare provider, I highly recommend this book!

I purchased this book as a donation to a book collection drive for young children. Along with their engaging story lines, one of the things that I love about the Ezra Jack Keats books is the artwork. That is probably what attracts most people to the books. The vivid, beautiful colors and stylish designs always catch the eye of both children and adults. Then, they fall in love with the charming stories of children's adventures in life. Apt. 3 does not disappoint. I definitely appreciate the fact that the main characters are black children because it is not easy to find storybooks that include them or feature them prominently and positively.

This book is a wonderful read aloud to share with any grade in school as it can be adapted to suit different age groups & their comprehension abilities. Along with Keats' other books, it has an urban theme & great to use as a mentor text or author study.

I first read this book to my daughter when she was 4-years-old. The New York tenement setting was such a foreign world in contrast to her suburban Dallas upbringing that she was immediately enthralled with the fact that so many families of diverse ethnic backgrounds would all live in one building. Keats paints such a vivid word picture that a child as young as she could easily be drawn into the story line. The characters and events became real to her, to the extent that she could literally hear the harmonica playing. My daughter begged to revisit this story and consequently every trip to the library for the next year included Apartment 3. To this day, at age 29 and expecting her first child, she still recalls this book and wants a copy of her own.

Jimmy Weather's father and sister come home after a walk in Central Park with a fantastic story of finding a gigantic woodchuck that hatched from a pod. Always crafting far-fetched stories in his quest to be a published author, this kind of tale is nothing new from Jimmy's father. And his sister is only two years old. But the next morning, his father is missing, and the only clue is a whisker left in his parents' bed and the thought that something furry brushed against his mother's leg while she lay sleeping. This is the first inkling that something could be seriously wrong.

On a quest to find his missing father, Jimmy and his best friend, William, have Imogene (his baby sister) take them to the place in the park where they first encountered the woodchuck. Into deeper woods than either boy knew existed in Central Park, Imogene takes them to the mysterious empty pod. High up in the trees, they notice some paper containing their father's distinctive handwriting. So now they are sure his father has been taken. But by whom? And to where?

When the police refuse to help, the two boys enlist the aid of Janice Claytooth. Janice is the class freak who insists she's built a fully functioning spaceship. After sharing the bizarre story with Janice, she doesn't even hesitate. She shares her invention with the two boys, and they are off to outer space to search for Jimmy's father.

But the quest for Mr. Weathers turns into an evil plot to blackmail the universe. The woodchucks are sent to planets to consume the natural resources when the home planets refuse to bargain.

With surprise plot twists and evil characters, Mr. Elish creates a truly unique story of space travel. Three kids wind up undertaking the task of saving the world, when they only wanted to find Jimmy's dad. The distant planets that they travel to made me hungry (read it and you'll see why!) and the resourcefulness of the kids was fun. The book is appropriate for all ages. The illustrations by Greg Call added to the quirkiness of the story. This is definitely a book everyone can enjoy.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

My nine-year-old son LOVED this book. Here is his review: "I really liked this book. It was one of the best books I have ever read. It was funny, exciting, interesting, everything I like in a story. DAN ELISH ROCKS!"

This is the funnest children's book I have read in a long time. Pick it up and give yourself a dose of sunshine!!! Real kids, fun premises and an author who seems to enjoy what he does. Frozen Woodchucks reminds me of the first time I read A Wrinkle in Time and desperately wanted a cup of that hot chocolate from Mrs. Murry's bunsen burner. If you felt the same, you'll love this book and want to be invited to the dinner table at the Weather's happy apartment.