People Books

This is story telling and American history at its combined best. Of course, it should be required reading for all highschool and college students. But it should be top of the list, too, for anyone who, like me, thinks that there has never been a greater need for heroes. I cannot recall ever having seen a more inspiring collection of them. Long may this book wave! JEFFREY ROBINSON

There are not many pieces of work detailing the African American's contribution in the military, but Ms Buckley's work "American Patriots" is good. As an ex-military that served during Desert Storm, it did me proud to read how we as a people served, sometimes in the most terrible and racist of conditions, and give their best to a nation that didn't treat them favorably in return. I am sorry that there were some mistakes in there(human error) I didn't know, but am glad someone took the time to give proper credit. Despite of it, I wouldn't dismiss the whole work as revisionist. Someone took the time to tell the story of how we served admirably for this country, and we can read it. I agree that it should be in the schools for our children to read and every library within this country's paremeters should own a copy.

Extremely informative historical piece of writing laid out in an interesting and chronilogically easy to follow format. Excellent book that was well researched with lot of cross references to historical events, places and figures. Writer Gail Buckley did outstanding job of providing historical contexts to her research with the more "infamous" figures in our country's history. This is the type of history book that I painfully missed in my education of our country and military. A must read for anyone wanting a more expansive and "complete" view of the "forgotten american's" contributions to our military's history/success, fight for personal democracy, justice and equality.

Gail Buckley's extensively researched and lengthy book flows from page to page as it chronicles the Black soldier from the earliest beginnings of the Colonial era to the frontlines of Viet Nam to the dusty corridors of the Persian Gulf. Names, familiar and unknown, are introduced and profiled with ease by the author. The prejudices and biases endured by these gallant men and women make their respective stories an inspirational journey into the human spirit and willingness to overcome.

A few photographs are found mid-length and provide the reader with a view of the heroes/heroines mentioned in the text. This is a book for the history/sociology buff as well as those that have an interest in the American military.

I find it a shame that more have not read or reviewed it. If one more can be inspired to purchase the book, then I, as a reviewer, have done my job.

Here is a subject that is not as widely appreciated as it should be. Hopefully, this book gets as much popular acclaim as Brokaw's "Greatest Generation." "American Patriots" has many strengths, but its few weaknesses prevent its getting an outstanding review.

Keep in mind that there are two agendas at work in this subject: African American history and military history. It is rare to read studies that are compiled with equal passion and competence on both subjects. I suspect that the author's (and the editor's) competencies were stronger on the African American studies side of the equation, but having said that, let me add that this book's treatment of miltary, political, and social histories are usually well-researched and presented.

The positives: The text is tremendously readable. The reader is transported chronologically through over 225 years of American history, with broad, scene-setting discussions of culture and politics that form the backdrop for individual's stories. Great effort was made to properly cite facts. An unexpected plus is the inclusion of new information (having nothing to do with African Americans) that are not commonplace in "traditional" history-- one example is the apparent conflict over the use of Nationalist Chinese troops in the Korean War.

The negatives are few but troublesome. Not once, but twice, Buckley refers to Gen. Jimmy Doolittle as commander of the Flying Tigers (in fact: Gen. Claire Chennault commanded the Flying Tigers; Doolittle commanded the carrier-launched B-25 raid on Tokyo in April 1942). Also, Fred V. Cherry's Korean War fighter plane is described as a "F89G" (in fact: a Republic F-84G). Occasional errors in equipment designations are forgivable, but the mis-read on Doolittle is something that even casual military historians will catch. When such basic errors exist, it casts doubt on the "new" information that this book presents.

My concern is that unsympathetic reviewers will use the innaccuracies as an excuse to dismiss this volume as "revisionist history." The actual history, which this book takes great strides to portray, does not deserve that. Discipline and excellence, the qualities that which Gen. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. expected from his subordinates, are what this subject's research and presentation deserve.

Angus and the Hidden Fort, by Steven A. Corirossi, was one of my favorite books. It's about [a small]kid who found a secret fort and it actually belonged to someone very famous years ago. To find out who it is, you got to check this book out. I loved how Steven wrote the ending. He added so much detail that I was disappointed when the book was over. This book is one of those books that you wish could never end. I recommend this book to six graders and up because I don't think that little kids would understand. If there are anymore books by Steven Corirossi, I got to read them!

Angus And The Hidden Fort by Steven A. Corirossi is an engaging novel for young readers about Angus McBride a nine-year-old boy, and his best friend Andrew Sills, who when exploring Black Hawk Park, discover the legacy of a one hundred and fifty year old mystery. Angus And The Hidden Fort is a highly recommended, adventurous and exciting tale, and one that opens with an unknown individual fleeing the wrath of two bare-chested Indians and proffers tantalizing hints as to the who and the why of the chase, until the stunning revelation of the end. The debut novel of a six-book series, readers will appreciate author Steven Corirossi's talents as a first class storyteller and will look eagerly forward to the new two titles: Angus And The Mysterious House and Angus And The Forgotten Trails.

Angus and the Hidden Fort is a very funny, mysterious, and exciting book. Although some words in this book I didn't know, by the time I was done with each chapter I had at least one word to add to my vocabulary list. I could read this book over and over and never get tired of reading it.

I was so excited to learn about this new adventure series--set in Central Illinois--that I just had to write and tell the author how grateful I am... it isn't too frequent that I can share with my 5th graders such wonderful, family-friendly stories that practically take place in our own backyard! Both Angus and the Hidden Fort and Angus and the Mysterious House are creatively and well written chapter novels that not only my students enjoyed, but I did as well. We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of Steven's third book, Angus and the Forgotten Trails... hurry up!

The book was a nice adventure story for boys or girls, although more geared to boys because all of the main characters in both time frames were male. Going back and forth in time made for more interesting reading and there was an element of mystery about the characters from the past that made the reader want to keep going to see what really happened and to whom.

The protagonist in the present was an adventuresome boy and I could imagine more stories of his exploits from the author. As an adult, I found the book a little simplistic and fairly predictable; still, I enjoyed the yarn and read it all. I think youngsters could picture themselves involved in this kind of exploration, doing a little detective work and trying to figure out some of the unexplained happenings.

Susan has drawn her spirit. Drawings with feelings always touch the soul.

I just finished reading your book last night - I loved it. It was beautiful. I don't think I've ever read anything so open and honest before. It was very inspiring and encouraging to experience your pain and struggles with you and to be brought into healing. Your story brings hope to us all. Your side columns are incredible. Even though most were written in prose, it's some of the best poetry I've ever read. Very haunting! I love your art work. With one glance, one can grasp the emotions in your pictures. Pete Richardson, artist and author of "Dance on Fire."

This book offers a chance for you, the reader, to become empowered to take control of your life. Sue eloquently and vividly points out that if only one side of a person is treated, then the treatment is not complete. Sue shares how she learned each person is a triad - body, soul, and spirit. To treat one and not the other two is like having only one leg on a three-legged stool; it will soon tip over. Mark Lanyon, MHS, CAAC, Brandywine Counseling Service

I have just finished your book and wanted to let you know how I felt about it. The thing that most struck me about the book was your ability to articulate the feeling and depth of your own suffering in such a readable style. The experiences you write about are more universal than people realize. It's amazing to me that you could continue to search in the midst of so many negative influences. It makes me realize how very important a supportive partner is in the mental health of the other partner. Although I didn't know you during most of this time, I feel that now, having read your words, I can recognize the new person I do know as one who is stronger and more complete for the work she has done. Donald M. Pruden, Executive Director, Center for the Creative Arts

Sue Heisler has emerged from a very deep darkness. She never gave up on herself. She searched everywhere for answers; searched with all her heart, and has proved to all of us that there is hope. She tried all the methods, and then went beyond it all into a new place of healing for her soul and spirit. Well done!

I have been a preacher for 42 years and have purchased more than 1000 books, When the Call Seems Small is without a doubt the best of all. I have purchased and given 24 copies away already. Recently, one was given to a bi-vocational pastor who had to sell his farm: I knew that this book would greatly encourage him!

When the Call Seems Small will help us all to realize that when we are in God's will our place of assignment is the most important thing in our life. If we take joy in being in God's will we will know that when He leads us, no place, nor position, is unimportant in His plan. You do not need a title, or a degree to be valuable to the Kingdom of God.

When the Call Seems Small will protect you from allowing Satan to make you discontent with your calling.

Read it, and pass it on to others.

Genuine, insightful, and practical, When the Call Seems Small delivers hope for our confused and frustrated souls who search for God's will. With every page we feel accompanied by W. Clayton Scott's upbeat genuine presence and we get the distinct sense that he has been where we are. Most importantly, Jesus' love and concern breaks through in abundance. What a relief and joy to know we can see God's side of our struggling dreams!

As I read Clayton's book I was reminded of each individuals' urgent importance in God's plan. I was inspired to hope hard in Jesus again in every seemingly small way.

As a professional working in a major corporation I am always thrilled when I find a book about living for Christ that is PRACTICAL and APPLICABLE to me. Working in a "cube farm" I really appreciate the message of "When the Call Seems Small." The Illustrations, biblical examples and words of encouragement found in this book have encouraged and strengthened me in my walk with Him.

Wow, this book is completly fantastic! I cannot wait to say that my son and i have completed every delicious recipe.I have never been able to master the measuring conversions for the ingredients so this book was an exciting find! Not only does it have my favs from home (UK) like yorkshire puddings and REAL scones but also many other dishes from around the world that we look forward to testing. The book has a great layout, with safety tips that are illustrated in a kid friendly way. I'm not exactly the connoisseur in the kitchen but I feel like this book is a great tool for me to teach my son cooking, which is a gift that i never had growing up.

This sturdy cookbook is a geography-and-cooking compendium that most kid cooks will find challenging, to say the least. After an introductory Basics: Getting Started chapter in which kids learn how to perform cooking steps, understand specialized words, respect sharp tools and power tools, and perform clean up, the text is divided into six geographic sections with recipes: Asia (Salmon teriyaki, Miso soup, Bok choy stir fry, Vegetable fried rice, Shrimp pad Thai, Vietnamese lettuce rolls) ; India-Indonesia-Australasia (Lemony lamb skewers, ANZAC biscuits, Pavlova, Tandoori chicken legs, Cauliflower and pea curry); Middle East-Africa-Mediterranean (Flourless chocolate cakes, Tabbouleh, Greek pork kebabs, Marinara sauce, Caprese salad, Vanilla panna cotta, Leb Lebi, Bobotie, Gazpacho, Ratatouille, Croque monsieur); Russia-Northern Europe (Apple nut Brussels sprouts, Warm German potato salad, Pfeffernusse, Instant Swiss hot chocolate, Chicken paprikash, Roasted beets, Swedish meatballs, Mashed potatoes, Shepherd's pie, Yorkshire pudding, Scones) ; South America-Mexico-Caribbean (Burgers with chimichurri, Roasted sweet potato fries, Fresh tomato salsa, Classic cheese quesadillas, Jicama slaw, Mexican chocolate pudding, Jamaican jerk chicken, Tostones, Cuban black bean soup) ; United States and Canada (Jambalaya, Southern-style cornbread, Apple oatmeal crumble, Crispy parmesan baked cod, Summer succotash, Canadian butter tarts). Three additional sections include: Pocket Food Around the World; Cheese Around the World; Flatbreads Around the World. An index and acknowledgements wrap things up. Most recipes are a handsome double-page spread with a photo of the finished food; every recipe lists ingredients, equipment, directions (including a cautionary symbol for "hot" or "electric" or "sharp"); some recipes include variations and others include tips on cooking. This is a stunningly visual cookbook, and the introductory geography pages are concise but chock full of information. While there are other similar titles (Kids' Cookbook: Recipes from Around the World by Rosalba Gioffre, Frances Lee and Karen Ward; The Kids Multicultural Cookbook by Deanna Cook, for example) this one is most comparable to Emeril's There's A Chef in my World: Recipes That Take You Places with good old Mr. Bam on every page. The only criticism that could be lowered at this lovely volume is that shopping might be a challenge; even after half a century of shopping, I'd be mystified where to find some of the ingredients for some of these recipes, quite frankly. This cookbook would well serve elementary through high school, but special needs kids will find the print lists of ingredients challenging because of small print. Interior spiral wire-binding with hardcovers and heavy duty pages will stand up to lots of use. Abigail Johnson Dodge is a contributing editor at Fine Cooking Magazine and the author of five cookbooks including The Kid's Cookbook, Kids Baking and Weekend Baker. She makes frequent TV and radio appearances and teaches at cooking schools around the country.

My family has been a BIG fan of Abigail Dodge's Childrens' cookbooks and we were not dissapointed with her new book. My 7 year old and I have been working through the book and we have enjoyed every recipe and my husband has REALLY enjoyed the fruits of our labor. The recipes are very easy, but are very tasty. My 7 year old definitely needs my help, but for an older child it would be smooth sailing. What I like about the recipes is that altho they are Kid Friendly, you certainly would not be shy to serve these recipes to adults.Some of our favorite recipes are the Tandori Chicken Legs, The Shrimp Pad Thai, and the TO-Die-For Flourless Chocolate Cake.
Also, besides the great recipes, it has been fun for my daughter to read about the different countries that the recipes are based on. All in all it is a fun, beautifully illustrated, and yummy cookbook. I would reccomend it to any aspiring young chef!!!! or an old seasoned cook like me!!!!!

Perfect not only for kids wanting to make something to eat that's interesting, not too difficult, and delicious, but we have found it just right for those nights when we want to eat well but don't want to work too hard to do so. My three kids from 16-20 have made this their Go-To book when they need to cook for themselves as well.

This is a cook book for everyone - busy adults as well as children can learn simple receipes along with a geography refresher. Some receipes do offer more challenges, a great starter to learn terms and techniques. Easy and fun to read and cook. Inspires culinary and cultural exploration. A great book to share in the kitchen.

Michael Chiodi's book "the art of building people" makes coaching easy.
His 36 tools are presented in an easy to use format explaining the tool, giving discovery questions and assignments and other tools that might help move the client forward. I have used the tools many times with favorable results moving my clients past obstacles and forward toward their goals. I highly recommend buying the book as a coaching reference tool.

I really enjoyed this book! Many of the ideas aren't new concepts. However,they are fundamental truths....that I found presented in a fresh and easy to read style. The format of the book makes it a quick reference, which I particularly liked, because it is a valuable companion for people seeking change and transformation.

The information is this book can really help people. It aids professionals by providing in a quick and usable form some of the very best tools that are available for us to use with our clients. There are stories in here that resonate. The author did a great job gathering a useful set of tools and packaged them in a beautifully designed book. It's a nice compact piece of work.

Michael Chiodi encourages us to answer some of life's big questions from an action-oriented perspective. What are my real goals? What realistic steps can I take - today - to achieve them? This book is a practical how-to guide for those of us who truly want more out of life and work.

Despite a successful career as a journalist and lawyer, I yearned to write fiction. But after a promising start on a novel, I got so mired in doubt and procrastination that I wrote barely a page in more than a year. This book was my road map back to productivity. Tools like #24 Creativity Hour have given me a chance to fulfill my dream.

Results oriented organizational settings often focus only on goals and objectives. The 36 tools in Chiodis' book help you and your team members remove personal blocks to success. New insights from the tools help inspire efforts that make goals and objectives achievable.

The book is easy for individuals and busy managers to use. It succinctly compiles powerful tools and gives specific examples of
their application. This is a great reference book for ever-changing challenges.

Best of all, Chiodis' book is personally rewarding while helping to meet your organizations goals.

The text is informative and succinct. But it's the illustrations that "make" this book. They are gorgeous and somewhat haunting.

This book is as beautifully illustrated by Diane & Leo Dillon as it is well written by Margaret Musgrove, and the Caldecott Award committee only did what it had to: acknowledge a hands-down winner, a book for the ages. Westerners particularly will find their eyes opened, even today, to the range and depth of Africa - a great and beautiful aid in helping children appreciate - and adults to remember - the array of cultural diversity in a poorly understood continent. The alphabet is presented in order, of course, but this is way more than your rote A-B-C primer... get it in hardcover if you can, or paperback if you can't, but get it! Gift-shoppers, get extra copies for yourselves - you'll be very glad you did!!

My brother & I received this book when we were children in 1980 from our parents. It's one of my favorite childhood books & I still have the same copy. It's a great way to introduce African culture to not only African American children, but all children who yearn to learn about other cultures.

This is a book that describes different African tribes from each letter of the alphabet. This is a great way to teach children about African tribes, and the book also pronounces each tribe so it is easier to read. The illustrations are wonderful and full of detail. This would be a great lesson in the classroom to learn about Africa. It would also be great to use each page as a poster or transparency.

Ho hum, thought I when I first saw this book. Yet another African alphabet book. It wasn't too long ago that I read, "Jambo Means Hello", the Swahili alphabet book by Muriel Feelings that was published in 1974. That book was okay, but I was disappointed that it didn't distinguish between tribes or acknowledge the advance of technology in Africa in the 1970s. Then I picked up this 1976 Caldecott winning book and upon reading it I was stunned. This book is everything that "Jambo Mean Hello" SHOULD have been. With meticulously researched information, delicate details, and stunning illustrations this book deserves to be read to every single child in elementary school for as long as there are either children or schools.

The book goes through the alphabet by naming a different tribe for each letter. First of all, I was surprised that there actually was an African tribe for every letter in the alphabet. Shows what I know. As we view each tribe we get a stunning illustration of their clothing, towns or villages, and activities. Author Margaret Musgrove describes their life, picking out the most interesting details for each. Through this method we learn that in Baule legend the crocodiles aided them when they were at war with the Ashanti. Or we find out that in the Tuareg tribe the men are veiled and the women do most of the talking, storytelling, and poetry. From A to Z we see a wide spectrum of African inhabitants, ending with a map of Africa that shows where each tribe resides.

But it doesn't stop there. Feelings explains in her Author's Note in the front that modern technology is changing the face of African life, though she contends that the traditions pictured in this book are still being passed on from generation to generation. She points out that some customs mentioned here are unique and relate only to that particular tribe while other values and philosophies are shared by all. She is even so careful as to point out that many (not all) African language prefixes are added to denote the plural. She, however, has used the root words throughout the book for simplicity's sake. Should you have any doubts about the background of this author, you can read in a tiny note on the publication page that she lived and studied in Ghana for years and a list of publications consulted is included. And if you've any doubts about the illustrations, don't. As noted, even the interwoven designs at the corners of the pages are based on Kano Knots. Every article of clothing, every animal, every home depicted here is accurate and beautiful.

I don't mean to pooh-pooh "Jambo Means Hello", but that book hasn't got anything on the amazing "Ashanti to Zulu". It's stunning.

This book is filled with windows into the the lives of people who did or tried to do very interesting things, and never had their stories told until now. Very interesting slices of life. Fun to read.

Don't know if I'd give it 5 stars but it's pretty good.

"Banvard's Folly" is a wonderful book, thanks to the talents of author Paul Collins. As you have probably gathered by now from other write-ups, this book tells the story of 13 people, once prominent, and now largely forgotten. They each earned inclusion in this book because of a grand failure of some sort. In other hands, this material could have been a tool for ridicule; but Collins strikes just the right tone here. While not forgiving his subjects' excesses or blind spots, he manages to tell their stories with a real sense of empathy. It's obvious that a lot of research went into this volume, but Collins never overpowers the reader with it; each chapter just seems to glide along. If history's lesser lights are of interest to you, you should enjoy this.

This humurous and sympathetic presentation of thirteen lives of historical nobodies is a sheer delight to read. Among his subjects, Collins chose a showman, a forger, a scholar, an imposter, a wannabe actor and several scientists and inventors, not to mention a businessman or two. Some tales are absurd and hilarious, while others are sad and even tragic to a degree. All are well-written and fascinating.

I selected this title to kick off a book club in my library and everyone loved it as much as I did. It is highly recommended.

I absolutely loved this book. Paul Collins takes thirteen chapters of American myth that have been largely forgotten and turns them into an eye opening treatise on the failure of will, the folly of hubris, and the absolute madness of challenging the status quo. Mr. Collins' style leads to frequent laugh out loud asides while telling the story of folks who either succeeded and then lost, had a mad idea that failed (but not for lack of trying), or who had the sheer will to make themselves momentarily inportant only to be swallowed up by the tide of time. Every person and idea profiled was at one time wildly popular or important and each eventually fell from favor for one reason or another. Sometimes it was common sense that triumphed, sometimes fad ran its course, sometimes folks just got too bizarre for accomodation. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a look into uncommon history. Mr. Collins has done us the favor of rummaging through the musty, dusty, long forgotten bookstacks of some of our most prestigious libraries and he has come up with a winner of a book. Save yourself the moldy lungs and long hours of researching the library basements yourself and read this work.

If I were any happier I'd die from the happiness and the happy feelings you get from the happy feelings of feeling happy. I would be even happier if everything on Amazon were free. HAPPY HAPPY

I am enjoying this book thus far. Obviously, it's not a book on how to become immortal in the supernatural sense. It's a book about people who have become immortal by doing things that they will be remembered for. At least, that's what I've gotten out of it so far, but I'm only a couple of chapters in.

Amazing books, mind bending Pickover does a great job of placing many interesting facts, and sciences in short easy to read pages of abosolute goodness. Matrix, fractal realities, virutal worlds and universes, Truman Copote, insanity vs Genius are just a few of the vast mind goodies that await the reader of A Begginers Guide to Immortality.

In "Sex, Drugs, Einstein & Elves" Cliff Pickover revealed a side of his personality that was well-camouflaged in his first thirty some-odd books on mathematics, time travel, fractals, aliens, patterns, puzzles, God, etc. Indeed, writing so many books in such a short time may be the root cause of his now irrepressible eclecticism. This latest effort, "A Beginner's Guide to Immortality: Extraordinary People, Aliens Brains, and Quantum Resurrection," has many similarities to SDE&E. Not only is it written with an exuberance that complements the author's multi-dimensional perspective, the prose remains clear and accessible even as Pickover explores the complex reaches of transcendental reality.

One of the highlights of "A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" is Chapter 3, "Gilgamesh, God, and the Language of Angels." Pickover confesses that the "Epic of Gilgamesh" is one of his deepest obsessions. And we get a feel for his zeal as he recounts the ancient Mesopotamian king's search for immortality. But there is also a lot of extraneous material in this chapter. It's a virtual Mind Salad of eclecticism. Pickover's brain is fizzing with ideas and impressions, perhaps as a result of his relentless work ethic and voracious reading habits, and they seem to inundate his consciousness as he writes. I find this stimulating. Others may differ, wishing instead for a simpler, more direct narrative line.

At his best, Pickover's mind is encyclopedic -- correction: it's Wikipedic! It's Google-alien! Who else would focus on "The Brain from Planet Arous" in a chapter about Truman Capote? But Pickover does, and it can be fascinating because you get a completely different mental picture once you exit Truman Capote's peculiar oeuvre and enter the zany universe of Fifties science-fiction flicks, of which Pickover is a connoisseur. He loves the movies themselves, but also their filmmakers and the whole idea that some P.T. Barnum showman could make some outrageous, low-budget, horror-show hokum with B-list actors and still turn a tidy profit.

But Pickover can also be deadly serious, and I find this quote from "The Call of Cthulhu" by H.P. Lovecraft, (which also appears in Chapter 3) to be quite haunting:

"The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We lie on the placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of disassociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the deadly light into the peace and safety of a new dark age."


After reading "A Beginner's Guide to Immortality" you may suspect that Cliff Pickover actually wants "the human mind to correlate all its contents." Which could be precisely what happens to the most intelligent human beings in the 21st Century anyway. If so, what he has to offer in this book should be of interest to the armchair existentialists. We all want to live forever. But then again, maybe not.

Pickover knows just what to say to kickstart the parts of your brain you haven't even used yet. Reading this book is like taking a walking tour through the magical zone where your life and reality and history and b-movies intersect. Educational, hilarious, mind-blowing, engaging and full of zest and zing, Pickover punctuates his prose with trenchant quotes aplenty. The thing you learn quick when traveling in the Pickover realm is that your brain is always growing and learning, and there is no limit to how far we can go. This guy's also got a generous heart and spirit, you can feel it in the words he writes, and that sort of hawk-eyed optimism for a transcendental, trans-dimensional future is damned contagious. I read this book and I feel like whatever happens, the collective mass of DNA we call the world/self is gonna be not only fine but blazin'! Plus it's light (nice soft pages) and has cool purple cover, with a skull!

I bought this book for the illustrations, but I found the story was just as beautiful. My grandson who has just started playing the trumpet loved it, too. In fact, he even made the effort to give me a call after he had read it to share his enthusiasm. I will definately purchase more of this remarkable woman's work,

As an international music teacher we need to give all theencouragement we can give to keep the music programs alive in ourschools. Not just in the states but in the world. This short story relates to the young hopeful musican who hopes to be a contributor to the music world - Keep the dream.

Ben's Trumpet (authored and illustrated by Rachel Isadora) was named a Caldecott Honor book for best illustrations in 1980. Honor! These black and white pics are striking! I'll have to read the book that actually won that year. I can't imagine anything better than "Ben". But that's beside the point.


Summary

Ben has an imaginary trumpet and frequents the outside of the Zig Zag Jazz Club. He plays his "trumpet" for his mother, father, grandmother, and baby sister. But when neighborhood children see him playing, they laugh and call him crazy. Ben decides to quit playing his imaginary trumpet, until he meets with the trumpeter from the club.

Ben's Trumpet is a masterful with a simple text and "art-deco" that is remeniscent of The Jazz Era. Isadora is successful in conveying a cool, jazzy feel. A must-read with a satisfying conclusion. Play on!

R

In the age of computer games and 3-D animation, the simple imagination of a child to envision himself learning to be a jazz musician is refreshing. Unlike previous reviews, I feel the dramatic black and white drawings set off some of the cultural issues the illustrations portray. Obviously, young Ben does not live an idealized childhood at home. Yet, he finds that his passion for music can only be fulfilled outside of jazz clubs (which usually perform late in the evening and he is too young to enter). The point of the book is how he acts out THIS reality. He is looking "outside of the box" (hence the illustrations of his home life) and finds the attention from the father-figure (the trumpeter) who Ben wants to imitate. The book vividly illustrates the importance of role models in a child's life.

There are large and small crimes in the world. Small crimes includes little white lies and petty theft. Large crimes represent something much larger in the grand scheme of things. For example, it is a very large crime that it took the New York Public Library's 2003 100 Children's Books Everyone Should Know for me to discover "Ben's Trumpet". Have you seen this book? This is a gorgeous piece of work, particularly striking in its publication date (1979) but not dated. Not even a little. Following Ben, a young man living in a Harlem-esque neighborhood, the story depicts the boy's obsession with playing the trumpet. The plot is touching and has a happy ending that doesn't feel forced or tacked on. It flows just as smoothly as the book itself. Nice storylines aren't what push this book into greatness, however. Look at the illustrations a minute. Notice Isadora's use of line. Her clever placement of black and white. Look at the different drawing styles that emanate from the jazz musicians and their music. Now compare this to Ben's home, a simplistic realistic series of pictures. My favorite section comes after the trumpeter at the Zig Zag Jazz Club compliments Ben on his trumpet playing. The next two pages show the trumpeter walking away, his body curved, swaying to some internal music. On the opposite page there is a kaleidoscope of forms and images, possibly representing Ben's elation at the compliment. Possibly just serving as gorgeous filler. Please read this to your children. Teach this to your children. And give this book to everyone you know. Do I gush? I know I do. But trust me, this book is worth it.