Trees Books

Like many who have written these other reviews I read and re-read these books 30-odd years ago as a child. I had forgotten about them until the film came out (which does the books no justice whatsoever by the way!). That inspired me to re-read them and yes, even though nowadays I am not a fan of fiction, I still enjoyed the mystery and the power contained within them and got totally engrossed in the fight between light and dark all over again. You almost feel like you're there, joining the fight.

So many of the other reviews on here say these are a great book for kids, reluctanat readers etc, and yes I agree, but ONLY if they are into fantasy. If your child enjoyed Deltora Quest, Harry Potter etc they'll love this because it's deeper and way better!

I have to say my 8 year old finds these books boring, hated Deltora Quest and is totally uninterested in The Dark is Rising, he has a very scientific / analytical sort of brain and these books really did not inspire him at all, I couldn't get him to read more than a few chapters and he is an avid reader, usually reads a chapter book a day. So please don't think these books are perfect for ALL readers, they're not.

However in saying that....

My nine year old son I can currently get no more than a grunt out of lately because he is so absorbed in the series he always has one of these books in his hand, I have to wrench it off him at the dinner table and I can't wait for him to finish them so I can get him to tidy his bedroom! He has fallen up bus stairs because he wouldn't get his head out of the book as he got on the school bus, his teacher tells me she catches him with his desk half up as he's sneakily trying to read these and he tells me that when he finishes the series he's going to read them all over again, much to his sisters dismay because she's dying to get her hands on them too!

So yes, absolutely recommended, I believe equally enjoyable to adults and children; to those that enjoy the mystery and the power of the realm of fantasy fiction, enjoy.

I purchased this series, having read it a long time ago as a young teen, and found it to be every bit as good as I remembered. My only complaint is that this boxed set version has some truly terrible CGI art on the cover. I remember the edition I read as a child was very mysterious and ancient-looking. It's too bad that that much superior artwork was not used for this edition. That's the only thing that stands between this set, and my 5th star.

I remember reading this series years ago and since then I have always thought that it would make a great movie and guess what someone else thought so as well. IMDB is reporting that this movie is in production and will be released in October 2007. I am very excited about this and I am really wishing and hoping that they translate it well to the big screen. I have since lost my books but I have just purchased this set to read all the books again and relive my youth again.

I can't even begin to describe this series and I won't try to. I'm afraid I'd only do it a disservice! Susan Cooper says SO much in so few eloquent words that her books are rather like listening to fine music. I rank this easily with the Narnia series as well as Lord of the Rings. And while I adore the Harry Potter books and think JK is a fabulous writer, I truly feel that even they cannot live up to the quiet serious intensity of these books.

Every year I read this series again. I love it more and more with each read.

Recently many illiterate folks have called these books 'boring' and 'flat'. Those same modern day readers often have to be babied through text & dazzled with fancy action scenes. It has also become a fad to bash things that have won awards or recommendations.

This is a story told with very deep and quiet emotions and if you give it a chance then I can promise you, you won't be disappointed. :)

The series as a whole is great. if you have never read them before but enjoy other great fantasy such as Harry Potter, the Forgotten Realms, or even the Lord Of The Rings these are a must read. they have been great books for the last 35 years or so and will continue to be great books 50 years from now.

Dr. Seuss teaches us how critical it is to care for the environment in this riveting, rhyming masterpiece!

"The Lorax" is one book I always have in my teaching bag as I go from school to school, especially in the Spring, when Earth Day comes near. The other I always bring is "The Sneetches", that teaches brotherhood and fairness. I always read it to the kids at school for Dr. King's birthday. Many of Dr. Seuss's books hold a special life lesson for the readers, young and not so young. "Horton the Elephant" teaches us to keep our word and be steadfast, "The Butter Battle Book" shows the stupidity of war, for just two examples out of many.

One more I always have with me is "The Jester Has Lost His Jingle" by David Saltzman. The lesson is "It's Up To Us To Make A Difference, It's Up To Us To Care." Also," Laughter Is Hiding Inside Each Of Us". David wrote this beautiful, engaging picture book when he was suffering from non Hodgkins Lymphoma as a senior at Yale. After he died, his mother and dad had it published and started an amazing non profit, "The Jester and Pharley Phund". This organization benefits hospitalized children, promotes literacy at public and private schools, and imparts David's beautiful spirit and his lesson of love and laughter to every reader.

All of these books make us better people and a more beautiful society. They are all not to be missed in the education of our young.

I had forgotten just how good,..and sad this book was. I purchased it for my 3 year old because he loves Seuss but found that my 5 year old enjoyed it even more. I had forgotten the details of this story and bought it to add to our Seuss collection. It is a cautionary tale about greed and pollution but leaves room for hope if even one person takes action. This book is a classic but the message is more pertinent now then ever. It has become one of our favorites.

Dr. Seuss' best work is still, 'The Cat in the Hat'.

But this one is not too bad. On the one hand, it could
be taken to be an allegory about European Imperialism,
and the exploitation of Africa, for minerals, diamonds,
metals, and so forth, while the indigenous people are
treated with contempt. It could also be taken to be
a cautionary tale about overconsumption and the destruction
of the environment. One thing to note, especially if the
reader is Jewish, is that the Traffula trees bear fruit.
The Law of Moses allows for the cutting down of trees which
do NOT bare fruit. The Traffula trees however, bare fruit.
The trees are also used in the production of clothing, Thneed
suits. According to the Law of Moses, a tree which does not
bare fruit, may be used to make housing.

President George Washington, according to myth, is said to have
chopped down a cherry tree when he was a child, and is then said
to have claimed that he was incapable of telling a lie.

That said, the Traffula trees reminded me of cotton plantations.
Some economists have said that slavery in the US South ended,
only because it became too expensive to keep slaves. The machine
age, with cheap oil, made it possible to harvest cotton without
using too many labourers. And so, this story may also be seen
as being racist, in the sense that it suggests that expensive
oil, might lead to the return of the "brown bara-ballas (sp?).
"They" (Babylon) will use persons like light bulbs, a disposable
resource. Instead of killing people, "they" would rather enslave
them, keep them alive so long as they are productive. Economists
refer to slaves as "human capital".

I did not like this story, but it did provide some food for
thought. Wherefore, I recommend it for adults only. Yet, how
can you fight an enemy if you do not know the enemy exists?
When is the appropriate age, to tell a child, An Inconvenient
Truth? Such as, slavery and exploitation, what is called
"racism", exists?

Very cute book for elementary-early middle school-aged children. I use it in my 6th grade science class as a fun way to wrap up our environmental studies unit along with the movie version.

My students loved this book. It was a great introduction to our natural resources unit.

Magnificent book, and Michael Card is a reasonably good reader; However, the MP3 tags and file names do not reveal the date of the page being read. The MP3 files are merely named 0001.mp3 to 0371.mp3, which means that 0001 to 0005 are the introduction and preface. To be useful, you have to organize the files and rename them all. The MP3 tags are also not helpful.

i hate this book! it unerringly shines the light of God's expectations in to the areas of my life that are dark and dusty.

This is a wonderful book that speaks to something I need for each day. It's amazing how a book that has been around for so long is still so relevant.

meaty devotional, not for the surface skimmer. you have to devote time to absorbing the messages. it has really changed the way i read the bible.

The book was received in a very timely fashion. I was considering having it shipped priority because I needed it soon, as it was a gift. I took the risk and had it shipped regular mail, and I received it within a few days. Thank you!

This book is about the life of an veterinarian (James Herriot) in the 1930's. This book starts out when the James gets out of veterinarian school and lands his first job. Each chapter in the book is a short story about one animal case that James was evolved in. The book goes into great detail about the surgeries and procedures involved in working with the animals. In reading the book one gets a good feel for the small town in England and the life that people lead in the town. One thing is that drinking and driving was not considered a problem in those time, because many times in the book they describe drinking at the bars all night and driving home without a second thought.

Even though the book is a bunch of short stories it still have a slight common thread running through it and a nice ending. The book started off slow, but I got really attached. It was a nice relaxing read.

I read this series of books years ago as a teenager and enjoyed it immensely. It's a surprise I didn't go into veterinary medicine. I am now a people doctor and frequently wish I were a vet. The book is extremely charming, heart felt, humorous and realistic. Many times, I feel like I am there with James as he is treating an ailing animal or owner. I also purchased the audio CD, unabridged, and have a great time in the car listening to a very personalized voice narrating the book.

How can anyone possibly not love the series of books about the English country vet "James Herriot"?
What wonderful stories! Not only well-written, but filled with humor, understanding, and at times total pathos. Books to laugh and cry with--what could be better?

In the late '70s, I discovered them in a Heathrow bookstall--something to read on a long flight to West Africa. I was instantly enchanted! I've read them aloud to my children and find that, now as adults, they often re-read them. As do I.

I loved these stories when I read them many years ago, but reading time is harder to come by these days. Christopher Timothy does as good a job reading as he did in the BBC series! Great for long trips, while sewing, etc .. any fan would enjoy this, or anyone who loves animals, or anyone interested in human nature (Herriot is a great observer of people).

I really liked this memoir of being an English countryside vet in the late 1930s. The book, though it did follow a loose chronology, seemed more like a series of articles or anecdotes than a cohesive novel. Some chapters did flow together, but the vast majority did not. That's not to say that I didn't like the book, because I did, I loved it - it had many parts that were laugh-out-loud funny - the brother, Tristan, was an especially comical character. The memoir was educational too, but the veterinary technicalities were well explained. It actually had less to do with animals than I thought it would - there was a great deal about people - even a central romance!

I enjoyed Gift from the Sea and shared it with my friend. She loved it and wanted her own copy.

The important insights and wisdom contained in this amazing little book, written more than a half century ago, has perhaps more relevance to women today than even in the time of Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Her words resonate, and have helped to center me as I cope with life's challenges.

This is a great book but it wasn't the edition I received. I specically ordered the 50th edition and received the 25th edition which of course is 25 years old and a bit ragged out. I am very bummed and probably will not order from Amazon again!

I love the book that accompanies this journal. I read it many years ago and loved it and I am going back to Long Island for vacation. I am taking my new journal & my Gifts from the Sea book for meditation time.. It is a wonderful book. Anyone who has ever been to the the ocean or the sea or collects shells will love this book.. Much food for thought. Treat your self to it. It is truly a treasures!!!!!

I was first exposed to this book while in college. I read it for my class, thought it was good, and the put it aside for years. About 10 years ago, I found it again and re-read it. At the phase I was at in my life, it had a whole new meaning. Now I read it every Spring/Summer as a reminder of what's really important in life. Each time I read it a gain another helpful insight into myself and a perspective on my life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to live a simpler, more meaningful life.

I found this book helpful in understanding why I get angry and how to deal with situations that cause me to become angry.

Wow! When I bought this book I thought it was going to target a hot temper or a nice lady who suddenly blows from holding it in. It's soo much more. It is a must read for so many women. I would do so much for people & then get aggrivated when I'd ask them to do something for me & they wouldn't. I'd get so hurt. It was so unfair, I do so much for you... This book really opened my eyes to why am I doing things for others & not expecting anything in return but then would get upset when I would ask a favor every once in a while and it wasn't granted. Nobody told me to be overfunctioning. I just wanted to be nice. The end result was I was putting me last then get upset when others that I put before me put me last. It's so much easier and more peace of mind to put me first. I can't believe how clear this book made me see that and changed my everyday life.

This book helped me realize things that didn't even cross my mind! I recommend this for every woman, even if you don't think you have problems in any relationships!

This book has literally changed my life for the better. My husband and I have been having difficulties for the past four years and I had been trying everything I was able to think of to change the relationship for the better while he has made clear that he is not willing to change. The Dance of Anger explained how we got stuck and so polarized and for the first time I was able to see how I had been contributing to our difficulties while trying to protect him from his anxieties. I have listened to the audio version several times now, which reinforced my new behavior; it has broken the old dance. I feel much better about myself now and have noticed that my husband has become less tense and reactive as well. I highly recommend this book as well as The Dance of Connection.

I have never said this about a self-help book, ever. It changed my life, and is still changing my life, and I will be reading it more than once. I have released so much anger from my life, and what I have left, I am learning to use in a positive manner, for change in me.

WOW! What a wonderful book and the meaning was fantastic. We as a family really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read it again and again. Its a great book.

This book is an amazing, spiritual story of how God's plan is at work in all of our lives...

This is a beautiful book. The message is perfect to share, especially around the holidays.

It's a touching story and the illustration is beautiful. I'm glad I found this book on Amazon. But for now, I think I enjoy the book more than my 2 year old. May be in a couple years he can start to understand the meaning of the story.

There is something absolutely timeless about this story--that is probably where the "traditional folktale" bit comes in. I'm not sure just how old the story itself is but I can see why it is still loved today. Ms. Hunt does an incredible job retelling this meaningful and beautiful story of a connection with Jesus Christ through sweet, emotional prose and fantastic pictures. Definitely a keeper.

Wonderful insight of how the natural shepherd takes care of his sheep and how God the Good Shepherd takes care of us.

Our pastor has been preaching from Psalm 23 for the past few weeks and many of the points he's made have come from this book. I ordered it, not really sure of what to expect, and found it to be a wonderfully delightful read! The book describes the care and feeding of sheep and shows how Jesus, as our "Good Shepherd" takes the same delight and care in his sheep as the Earthly shepherd takes in his. For our modern, urbanized people, where the facts of animal care (specifically sheep) are mostly unknown, the book relates the beautiful poetry of the 23rd Psalm into real life situations and how those situations apply to all of God's people, Christian and un-Christian alike.

this is an interesting book but not easy to read.
Anyone looking for a spiritual book, this is very good.
one may not agree with the writes view but it is great
to read another's point of view.

The book arrived in good shape and quickly.

Several passages of the Bible, such as the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's Prayer, have become so familiar to us that we forget, or at least fail to understand, their meaning. Phillip Keller shows us that to declare The LORD to be your shepherd says a lot more about God, and His relationship with you, than you likely think. Psalm 23 is lifted from its near-cliche status and made fresh again.

Phillip Keller does an excellent job writing about the most recognized and memorized Psalm in the Bible. I also recommend Lessons from a Sheepdog by Keller.

I started to read the book and decided to return it.
I found that the ideas presented nothing really new.
I did not like the examples.
I bought this book because it got excellent reviews on Amazon.com and found out that it did not match my expectations.

Thank you for sending this book for quickly. It is a special book with lots of good information on rasing challenging children. We are foster parents and have 6 girls ages 14-15. The book has given us great ideas on working with children and they work.

I saw the author on TV about 30 years ago, got the book and only read the first third. It saved our family. My daughter is now 32. I never told her she had to study, have a curfew, or brush her teeth. She made decisions on herself much younger than most, graduated from UCSD with a 3.8, has a wonder job in mergers and acquisitions, and recently bought her own beautiful home in San Francisco. Don't get overwhelmed in the beginning, it works!

We've been following the "1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 (123 Magic)" method for a while now, and I was starting to feel like a broken record with my 2+ year old... She just always goes to "3," wherein I have to put her in a time out. I just don't think she's old enough to care, really, about the time out. Or she doesn't have enough impulse control, or... worst... we've "trained" her to believe that once she gets the "that's one" warning, it's inevitable that she'll get to "three."

At the least, I was feeling like a "one trick pony," where the 1-2-3 was the only thing in my arsenal. After a while, I felt like we really weren't getting anywhere. Then I picked up this gem of a book at the library. SO GLAD I DID!!!

I've been recommending it to every parent I know, whether they ask or not.

I feel like I have a very frank way of raising my children with love and positive encouragement, but also with clear boundaries... I can't say exactly how I've changed my approach since beginning to read this book... just that it HAS changed and overnight my two year old has become so eager to work WITH me rather than against me in most circumstances.

There are a number of very dated references in the book, since it was written in 1964. I actually love that it makes casual reference to Daddy doling out a solid spanking or Mother leaving her 3 year old in the car while she grocery shops. Those references, which so clearly seem to have been a norm back then, make me feel like an awesome parent straight out of the gate, just because those are things I simply wouldn't do to my children.

Anyway, like others have said... great, great book. Had to buy my own copy from here.

I first read this book when my own children were very young and it totally opened my eyes to ways to do things that were kind and effective. I now am so glad it is in print again because nothing in between has been quite as good, in my opinion. I highly recommend it to all of my clients, too, because they often don't know how to set reasonable limits and expectations that relieve them from needing to micro-manage their children. The book is filled with scenarios that guide a parent through how to figure out what will work. Simply excellent!

The title alone suggest the old saying that the worse advise is "Do as I say do, not as I do." He encourages us to be sure we are doing as we want our children to do.

Dr. Severe helps parents learn about things we can do differently to deal more effectively with children. He doesn't offer guilt trips. He does offer sound advice along with warmth, humor, and understanding.

However, I do think he goes overboard in making too many things rewards or punishments. That seems a lot more judgemental than understanding.

He does have suggestions to help children with decision making.

I have to tell you that I feel that I have just discovered a goldmine! I am the district Title I Parent Involvement Coordinator in the Rock Island School District and Dr. Severe's book seems to have answers for the most frequently asked questions by our students' parents. There is a tremendous need for guidance for parents in the area of behavior and motivation. I am ordering one book now with the expectation that printing Dr. Sal's material in our district newletter will make necessary the ordering of many more.

I'm not through it yet, but it is by far one of the best parenting books today. He gives great examples that make sense. Our doctor reccommended this book and "Mommy-CEO." The later is shorter and has many of the same ideas, maybe more tips from real parents. Both books are excellent with workable solutions right up front. Read for the "know how" that many authors simply leave out. Great easy reading.

I bought this book for my harried wife and then kept the kids (one five-year-old and two three-year-olds) busy so that she could find time to read it.

My wife is happier because the kids are behaving much better. This makes life easier and much more pleasant for me.

The three most important things you will find in this book are:

1. be consistent 2. be consistent 3. be consistent

It is amazing how succinct and thorough Sal Severe was when writing this book. I recommend it to parents of kids of any age, starting at 1 year old. Actually, from what I could grasp, the sooner parents start using Sal's techniques, the better. Techniques are easy to implement because they are rational and logically supported. In addition, our doubts about exaggerating or being too soft are dissipated. This book should be a must-read to every parent. Good job, Sal!