Z Books

I purchased this book after considering many watercolor painting books on Amazon.com and I'm so glad I did. It is beautiful in every respect. I also got one heck of a good price, too. This book has everything I wanted and more. Super concise and easy instructions and illustrations - just perfect for a beginner like myself. Every step of the painting is shown and explained. You just couldn't go wrong when using this book. I wish I had this book years ago because if I had, I would not have given up trying to paint with watercolors. Now I'm back and I'm going to love every step of learning with this helpful book. Gorgeous photos throughout. You will definitely be inspired!

An Excellent reference for beginning through advanced painters.

Everything needed to paint lovely floral watercolors: Selection of paper and paint colors; step-by-step sequence of demonstrations along with samples of completed "floral portraits".

If I were to own only one book of floral watercolors, this would be it!

I found this book to be very helpful in painting flowers with watercolors. Being new to the medium, this is a very valuable reference.

This book is on the top of my list of books I would recommend to learn to paint and draw flowers in watercolor, and I have a huge number of watercolor painting books to compare it to. It is also great for learning basic watercolor techniques, as the beginning chapter cover everything a beginner would need to know, but it is a book for watercolorists of all levels.

After the basic techniques and materials chapters which are outstanding in themselves, the student is given 26 beautiful flowers to paint, each with detailed instructions, and sometimes close-up views of exactly where the detail such as masking fluid goes, or where the next glaze goes, etc.. Each exercise gives the exact pallet you will need. The instructions are excellent.

I consider myself still a beginner, but was amazed at how beautiful my first flower turned out, and credit most of it to the teaching methods in this book. This book is among the very BEST OF THE BEST to learn from and also to enjoy the beauty of the paintings. I can't think of anything I didn't like about this book. It's tops in every way.

Not all artists can teach, but Adelene Fletcher is definitely a teacher. One thing I like about this book is she tells you all the colours you will need to do each flower in the book, and then gives you some very good instructions in painting them. I have done the first two flowers in the book and thoroughly enjoyed her method of teaching. I am now looking to buy her Trees and Foliage A-Z book but Amazon cannot get it and the other suppliers I've looked at so far do not ship to Canada.

With over 26 years of sobriety because of the rooms, I have attended thousands of meeting. The wise statements compiled in Michael's book(s)have brought back many memorable moments for me. I recall how profound these were when I first heard them and how profound they still are years later. Simple and true. Thank you Michael Z.

I created my first gift of recovery; sobriety. Michael blessed me with beautifully written words which I can hold on to throughout my day. Thought provoking, gentle, real. Always easy to read and true to my heart. Michael has weaved together wisdom, grace, love and integrity like a quilt of words which start and finish my day. I also receive weekly e mails which I pass along to my friends, with permission, always hailed with grateful expressions of thanks. Thanks Michael. Your dedication and insight is appreciated.

Michael Z's follow up to his first volume is priceless. Every page sounds like it is speaking directly to me. It is full of easy to absorb common sense information that I can apply to my daily life. I wish I could memorize it and make it a permanent part of me!

This is one of those books you can open to any page, and what you will read seems like it was meant for you and what you are experiencing that day. The information is profound in its simplicity, and just resonates. Michael Z has a real gift for articulating recovery concepts in a way that can be applied to everyday life, and is refreshingly free of any BS. Loved it!

This book gives me such insight on a daily basis. It is easy reading and very understandable. I would recommend this to anyone working a 12 step program. Keep them coming Michael Z.

This is a story about three kids named Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose who try to find a kid who has taped the robber on camera stealing $ from the bank. It's a very adventurous story. My favorite character is Josh because he always eats food every fifteen minutes.


I loved the book so much, my favorite part in the book is when Ruth Rose was Elvis for Halloween.


I recommend this book because its, fun, adventurous, and exiting. This book is part of the Atoz series.

This book was one of my sons favorites. It had a surprise ending.

I read a book called The Bald Bandit by Ron Roy. It's about a bandit who robs the Green Lawn Savings Bank. The three detectives (Dink, Josh, Ruth Rose) solved the mystery. When a private detective named Reddy came to look for the videotape the three detectives decided to help him. Reddy said if they found the videotape they would earn a hundred bucks.

My favorite part of the book was when Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose got the videotape and they watched the tape and they noticed it was Reddy who robbed the bank. When Reddy was at Dink's house ready to get the video, Dink hid it and gave him a tape of soccer. Ruth Rose sneaks into her house and calls the police. I think the thief was pretty smart.

I think the book was a perfect fit for me because I love reading mystery books. When I read this book at home I can't stop reading it until I finish.

This is one of the best books in the series. I think this is the best book. I liked this book because I like mysteries. I like the whole series but this one was the best so far.
If you like mysteries you should read the series.
Michael grade 4

I THINK THAT THIS BOOK IS AWSOME! WHEN I FINISHED THIS BOOK I WAS SO SAD THAT THE BOOK HAD ENDED. I LOVE THESE KIND OF BOOKS. MYSTERYS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE KIND OF BOOKS. AND THE THING THAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THAT ALL THE CLUES COME TOGETHER!

My 3 yr. old son LOVES the Lois Lenski books, this being one of his (and my) favorites. We started reading it when he was just 2, and we have also read all the other cowboy books we can find. In my opinion, this is the one to get for a toddler. My son loves to ride around the house on his stick horse playing Cowboy Small. Timeless.

I bought this for my "almost" grandson's first birthday. I remember it from my farm and ranch childhood and now it will enchant another generation. It is somewhat "Dick and Jane"--very easy to memorize. Also it is nice to now have the board book for the really little ones.

My 14-month-old loves this book. We read it over and over again! We live in a fairly rural area and we walk every day to see horses. The book's simple drawings of horses (and cowboys) working and going about their day capitvates my daughter. It's suggested for kids around four, but it's a real hit with our toddler. I wish they had a Cowgirl Small, but that's just me.

You can't go wrong with Cowboy Small. Even if your child isn't into being a cowboy, they will like this story. My 2 girls (now ages 22 and nearly 13) both LOVED Cowboy Small! I read it over and over and over and over...we had it on permanent checkout from the library it seems!! Then the library gave it to us when they were clearing out worn books...we were thrilled and treasured this book! I read this book so much I can still recite most of it. My son is 7 and he likes to play cowboy and he likes his reissue copy of Cowboy Small, but it is interesting that my girls asked for it to be read to them much more often. Our children's bouncy horse even got named Cactus in honor of Cowboy Small's horse. I recently gave this book to a 60+ yr. old friend who has horses and dresses in cowboy clothes, and he loved it! He has it displayed on a shelf in his livingroom and reads it to his grandchildren when they visit. I repeat: you just cannot go wrong with Cowboy Small. It has a simple but great story, nice pictures, and is a whole lot of fun. So glad it is available for today's children.

This is a great book, very light hearted and catchy. Be prepared to keep it handy, it's one of those books you will read to your child, niece, nephew.... over and over again.

A great book. Give it to someone special! They WILL thank you.

This book is deceptively easy to consume. The chapters are relatively short, and dosed with just enough humor, perfect for reading in bed, no matter how tired you are -- or for reading aloud at the dinner table. However, there is more depth and complexity to Leder's writing than it may at first appear; I found myself thinking about and then re-reading many of the pieces. Among my favorites: his "Eleven Suggestions for Becoming A Mensch", and the calculations of how many diapers his mother changed and how many plates of food she served while raising him and his siblings (27,375 and 183,960). Rabbi Leder does not merely show us how extraordinary ordinary life is; he draws us a practical and inspiring map for our own journey.

Steven Leder's book, The Extraordinary Nature of Ordinary Things, is undoubtedly the best book I've ever read. He is realistic, optimistic and has a keen insight on how real life is. A must read for anyone of any age, Jew or non-Jew!

Rabbi Leder has written a wonderful book that reminds us all that there is beauty and greatness in the everydayness of life. It is an uplifting and insightfull read. This book shows the reader that there is more to life and it is right in front of you. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

My 9 year old grandson raised with little Judaism, and 70 year old Orthodox brother enjoyed these stories, which they read together, in equal measure. It provided thought provoking insights into the extraordinary nature of everyday life in stories short enough for children raised on TV segments, and seniors with little time and patience for labored phliosophy.

My 5 year old would read this book every time we went to the doctor's office. A must have for little firemen!

First of all the pictures are well painted. Our son who is not yet 3 can finish the sentences from memory for each letter as we read together. This one was well worth the purchase.

This book is a great ABC teaching tool for children fascinated by the big red fire engines racing past. Learn some of the key terms and aspects of what firefighters do to save lives.

Young children will enjoy learning about the very exciting and dangerous aspects of being a firefighter. With the imagery and vivid colors, children will certainly get the message that fires are serious and dangerous business that should be left to professionals (and trained volunteers). It is a great book to approach the topic of fire safety with young children.

My almost three-year-old son Devon loves fire engines. He gets so excited whenever we're out and one goes roaring by, siren screaming. He loves books too and he already knows his ABCs, both upper and lower case and this book shares the credit with a few others and his loving and attentive parents for giving him this gift of the Alphabet as such an early age. He'll be reading by Kindergarten.

In addition to being a very good ABC book, this book tells the story of firefighters fighting a fire, something guaranteed to hold the interest of any little boy (and a lot of little girls too). All of the letter pages have beautiful, action filled illustrations that seem to draw Devon right into the book. No wonder he can sing that ABC song so well.

Jack Priest, Dad in Training

This is a really nice book to learn about firefighters. The pictures are bright. The fire is really vivid and a couple of the pages might scare really young children. It would be a good tool for teacher's to use during Fire Prevention Week.

I've been gardening for years but only recently started growing flowers from seed. This book has absolutely everything you need to plan and grow successfully. The entries are thorough but succinct, packing tons of info into a compact space. Every flower I've been interested in (100+) has been listed in here along with nice color photos. General information about seed starting and other methods of propagation in the beginning of the book make it a comprehensive reference for any type of gardening. Especially helpful are the special sections within the entries about caring for the plants. The author even includes suggestions for companion planting. All around a great reference for the beginner and experienced gardener alike. Oh and be certain to check out the appendix that concisely charts heights, hardiness, bloom time, color, etc. for all species. Makes planning your flower bed a breeze!

I used this book extensivly this spring for starting all my flowers and veggie. I found it easy to use and most flowers etc were listed. Great book for my library and I will use it in the future for sure.

I have a library of gardening books and this is the book I reach for every time I need info on a plant. It has all the info you need from starting from seed to maintaining your plants. When I wear my copy out, I'll buy another. It is also THE gift to give to new gardeners.

This book is an excellent reference book describing seeds.
Giving the botanical name and common name. Most helpful with information on germination and were the seeds will grow best. And the the section that has thumbnail pictures
is excellent. The ease of using the paperback is all so great.

Bought this for my wife and she loves it! She was reading this book like a novel. Provides good information and tips on a wide range of flowers. Bought this book due to good reviews as well!

The time is perfect for books like this. It is time that honor and respect were returned to the feminine in all of us.

It is a great book but not one to start with. Someone who has read some material before and knows more on the path is probably better equiped to discern the valid information in this book. Don't get me wrong it is a great book as I already have stated with a lot to learn from and a way of thinking original and worth exploring but as time has passed from the first publication a lot of the information included is out of date. Having said this, I recomend this book to the seasoned practitioner who wants a more feministic approach and a lot of Goddess only centered material to explore.

Z. Budapest, one of (perhaps I could even presume to say the "primary") the foremothers of the contemporary Women's Spirituality Movement has just released the third revision to her book, The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries . It was this book which probably saved my life and got me out of an abusive relationship by teaching me how to empower myself. It is far more than just a "self-help" book, however. In my own opinion, this is probably as close to "scripture" as any pagan will ever get. There, I said it, flog me. (No, not really! Notice I said "as close to" -- please notice that qualifier!)

Beautiful Goddess-Woman, Z. gives us the tools to find the Goddess within each of us in this book filled with ancient and practical wisdom, anecdotes, and women's history. Every time I read this book, I learn something new about the Goddess, the world and/or myself.

This book is a treasure house of wisdom in the tradition of old Europe, that was largely lost to human-kind after the middle ages passed. For that reason alone, women should cherish it. In Z's voice, we hear our grandmothers speaking, sharing their knowledge of herbs with us, showing us how to read the cards when times are confusing, teaching us to trust ourselves and our inner knowing. Great for discovering or re-discovering the Goddess in ourselves, in the world.

This is the re-publication of a timeless classic. Z has incorporated new material and photos. The photos of Masika's (Z's Mom) sculptures shows the talent that this line of Women have been blessed with. All Dianic homes should have a copy of this as reference material. The Holy Book is easy to read and understand. Feminists and Women world wide can relate to the various topics and appreciate the old ways of celebration of the Holy Days that have been shared here even if they have not chosen the Dianic path as their own. This work has and will continue to withstand time!!!!

Kellie Matthews a/k/a Hazel Da Healer

pete english, you spelled facet wrong. hehe. sometimes when i am home alone, i google myself (copyrighted).

I borrowed this book from the library and then I'm here now to buy it for my own. This book goes through each type of disability, how they are identified and will guide you through the maze of school testing, IEP's, and how to be your child's advocate to make sure they are getting everything they should be getting from their education! Great detail on emotional growth, planning for the future and assessment measures!

I recommended this book to the LD Specialist at my childs school who couldn't thank me enough for finding this book so she has a sound resource to suggest to parents of LD children. This book not only helps you learn to identify your childs learning disabilities or learning difficulties, but also to understand them. Also, it provides the information you need to talk with the school knowledgeably about testing and LD services. It helps you understand what your part of this process should be and tells you what you need to know to successfully participate in the process. It gives you strategies your child can use in everyday life situations that will help him/her learn. And it helps you with information about the social and emotional needs of your growing child. I no longer feel helpless in dealing with this issue. This book has given me the knowledge, but also very importantly, concrete ways to help my child be as successful as can be.

For any parent facing the possibility or reality that their child has learning problems this is the book I would recommend. I cannot think of a question it did not answer or a facit of the topic it did not cover. It helped me enormously - I am on my second read and this time I am taking notes.

When my daughter was diagnosed with a learning disability I was lost at how to deal with the school system. The first time we did her IEP I did not know what to expect. There weren't any parent advocates for us at the time of her IEP. This book prepared me on how to be an advocate for my child. I educated myself about her needs from the book and had alot of confidence when meeting with the school system to plan her education for the following year. Actually I went to the meeting knowing what to ask for and how to ask for it. It worked out that the items I asked for she received. Now we constantly use the book as a reference guide when we are unsure of something. This book is good right up into adulthood when your child is choosing higher education or out in the workforce. It was a lifesaver for us and a great learning tool!

I love this book, it has great advice, warnings and cites good references. It is easily readable by anyone and goes into summary lists of warning and possible drug interactions.

At what this book is selling for, it's very cheap insurance for optimum health. While it is a bit out of date, it still has enough good meat to be very worthwhile.

I have owned the Natural Health Bible for several years and find it to be a reliable source for information regarding herbs, vitamins and supplements. Always answers my questions and keeps me informed.

A good reference book and one of the few I recommend to pet owners who want to learn about natural health care for themselves. This is the text I used and adapted for my own award-winning book. Super job!


Shawn Messonnier DVM
Author, 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats.

(...)

This book has saved me hundreds of dollars, since I always cross-check claims by commercial companies that sell complementary products--and who usually provide artfully deceptive ways to make it appear as though vitamins, herbs, and other supplements are the "answer" to everything from arthritis to herpes zoster. Clearly presented with an impartial and reasoned conclusion regarding the efficacy of a vast number of natural healing consumables. It provides recommended doses when a product is given the thumbs up, and warns against common assumptions many of take for granted owing to media overexposure. When research is presented that purports to support the medicinal qualities of a product, the authors provide a careful analysis of the strength of the reserach, whether its been replicated, and whether other research has been done that has had less stellar findings. A brief history of natural products is provided whether its an herb used for thousands of years or a current fad that is prevalant in other health care systems, particularly in Europe. I do have ONE MAJOR disappointment, however. Where is the UPDATED edition? This book is now six years old; much has happened in the world of conventional and natural medicine in that time, and without such a reference guide it would require endless searching to learn of newer findings.

I feel it is very important that I have a good source of information aside from that which is available from the company for which I sell natural supplements. I'm often frustrated by the limited acceptance of herbal supplements and remedies in the U.S., especially those which are widely used in Europe, China, and other parts of the world. This book states "principal proposed treatments" (those which have been tested successfully in the U.S.) and "other proposed treatments" (those not tested in the U.S., but are often used in other countries). It gives details about recommended dosages, safety issues, medical interactions, etc. So far, it has provided me with information about almost every ingredient I've searched for, and has made me feel much more confident about recommending the products I sell! There is a section regarding health problems and the recommended products for treating them, then another section of herbal substances and their recommended uses. The information is alphabetized, with shaded tabs on the edges of the pages for quick look-ups. It is so organized and easy to use, it's not only the first book I reach for when I need information, often it is the ONLY book I need!