This is a book I read many times as a child. I still have
that worn copy and treasure it as one of my favorites. It tells
a story of friendship in which the characters are illustrated by torn
circles of colour. A little colour theory is added to the mix
(yellow and blue become green) and all ends happily. Some
reviewers I think read a little too much into it and see comments
about racial prejudice. The parents' are not prejudiced,
they simply do not recognize their children. Delightful!

My parents' copy of this wonderful, colorful picture book is taped back together after reading it to three young children. I remember loving the pictures and the simple story. I plan on reading it to my kids (if I can only get my mom to give it up!) and hope they'll love it as much as I did. Little Blue and Little Yellow is such a fantastic book because of the universal concepts in it: love, friendship, and parenting. I recommend it to teachers, parents, babysitters, and kids.

This is a sweet book that is simple yet complex. On the surface it is a story of two color friends that blend together, but if you look deeper you can see the lessons of race relations. One of my favorite books by Lionni.

I recently read this book by Leo after reading Love. It is a good book to let you know how to feel love, how to be there for someone when they need you. Love is not just about saying it to each other and I think Leo explains the small details. I was involved with a woman who knew how to say "I love you" with such ease but meaning it and proving it in small ways was so beyond her capability, she had been in many relationships before but had only ever skimmed the surface with these men, having no clue on how to really be there for someone. Such a shame really as that was the biggest gap we had but when I would try to explain it, she either thought I was wrong or being controlling? but all I ever wanted like most men is for that person to show they can be there when needed, maybe too many past relationships caused her to think of only herself and treated men with such indifference. Sad really, I would recommend anyone to get this book and you will see many small things that can make loving someone so much better if you are lacking in certain skills of loving someone. But I have leanrt to not blame her for her lack of those skills but to try to remember the good times we had and move on knowing there were good times as being bitter like her will not change things. Hopefully one day she will realize these things and when she does she will find someone else who is suitable for her and she can make that relationship last.

I guess love looks different from the perspective of a successful 47-year marriage -- you feel like you know a little (although not a lot) about what it is to form a relationship and to keep it growing in love. That's what this book is all about, and it's full of really superb advice.

"If you love, you're considered naive," Buscaglia writes. "If happy, you're considered frivolous (or, in this reviewer's experience, no one believes you) and simple. If trusting, you're considered a fool. If you try to be all those things, people think you're a phony." Boy, that's calling it as it is!

Emphasizing the importance of good communications in relationships, Buscaglia stresses the need for honesty and truth. "Only truth," he writes, " can bring us the necessary trust needed for long-lasting relationships. Only truth, painful though it may sometimes be, can create a safe environment of unity and growth."

Understanding the dynamics of forgiveness is crucial to those who care about lasting relationships. He discusses loving each other in joy, in intimacy and the challenge of developing trusting relationships. Friendship is an expression of deep regard for another.

In a friendship, each affirms the other and reinforces his or her dignity with respect and affection. "As the friendship becomes deeper," he writes, "it becomes a sharing of vulnerabilities in a safe environment. We let each other know that our becoming is of the utmost interest and concern. We show in action that we respect and admire one another, that we enjoy the opportunity to be together and share experiences."

There's little in life that is as comfortable, rewarding and fulfilling as a long-term, totally trusting relationship based on respect and love. Following the concepts presented in this book makes developing that kind of relationship a little easier than trying to "reinvent the wheel" by doing it on your own.

I recently read this book for an independent reading project for school. I really enjoyed it, as it contained tons of great information. I would seriously recommend it to anyone who is interested in improving the quality of all of their loving relationships, which should be everyone. Relating is really the only thing that poses such a great challenge and so high a risk of getting hurt that people continually enter in upon with no education or training whatsoever, other than past experience, however limited that may be. This book definitely offers a basic understanding of the dynamics of relationships, and I'm sure that almost everyone can benefit from it.

I ordered this book for my daughter when she was 6 years old, hoping to interest her in letter writing. Looking back now, I think she was a little too young for this book. Even though she would receive goodies in the mail as a result, the actual letter writing seemed tedious to her. Now that she's almost 9, she's much more interested (read "material") and really enjoys the book and the offers that it has.

Definitely a fun idea, but aimed for slightly older kids -- like "tweens." Enjoy!

I can't wait to get the new addition. I teach 7-8th grade reading/writing handicapped middle schoolers--and FREEBIES totally solves my problems with teaching letter-writing. They can't wait to get their requests in the mail, and to receive their answers. It's one of the hits of the year--especially the large section on Sports Stuff!!

I originally ordered the book to research new and interesting things to do with my 10 year old niece this summer. My husband and I are registered foster parents and found this book so enjoyable to do as a family to a child who did not know a family. It was wonderful for a child to see that not all things in life that are worth while has to cost a fortune or break the bank. I am also a school nurse. Many of my student's and the teachers use this book for fun and inexpensive ways to research and compare with current markets. I love this book, it was educational, informative, and just plain fun !

Weimer's "Policy Analysis -3rd edition" provides a well-organized, widely-covered, and easily-understandable introduction to policy analysis. Although we have to seek for other materials for an in-depth analysis of some topics, the book helps us start with Public Policy, Policy Analysis, and even economic policies. This is especially good for undergraduate level, since this provides how to study, investigate, and write policy paper.

I read this book for a class and it gives a fantastic overview of the basics of policy analysis. It discusses the reasons for government intervention in markets, the analysis of policies and ways of going about doing a thorough policy analysis. Easy to read and very informative!

I found this book by accident! And it saved my (academic) life, by giving me a clear, economics-grounded understanding of: -why markets fail -why governments fail too -what the alternatives are for correcting those failures (policy options) -how to do a cost/benefit analysis of the different policy options -how to structure a policy analysis -how to write it up and present it in a way that makes things happen.

Whether you work for an advocacy organization, a politician, a government agency, a corporation, or are simply interested in better understanding why governments intervene in the 'free market', this book will be a great help to you, too!

My husband and I fought for rights to read this book first. Because there are 6 short stories we alternated ownership. Very enjoyable

Sit down with a glass of Pomeroy's finest wine and settle in for a good read. Rumpole continues his battles with Judges, avoiding Chamber politics (and efficiency experts) saving Claude Eskine Brown from his failed romances, and staying in the good graces of "She who must be obeyed". Hilda gets her say in this book too, as her letter to Dodo Mackintosh details on of the cases and even she says "he was a man in his element" in the courtroom. Indeed! May Rumpole always avoid the Angel of Death!

In this latest--is it the last?--addition to the Rumpole saga, She Who Must Be Obeyed lifts a pen and the result is "Hilda's Story", an engaging piece that shows that Mortimer is still coming up with new and entertaining angles on Rumpole. The only sour note is that "Angel of Death" rounded out the third 'Rumpole' omnibus, and the devotee fears that this could be the last. If it is, it's also one of the best.

If you would like to read a heartwarming, funny, active, and family bonding book, The Santa Clause is your best choice. It made me realize how important family is. Scott Calvin, the main guy, (who is the father of Charlie and the x-husband to Laura Calvin) goes outside, in the snow, on Christmas with his son. They real Santa Clause had fallen off their roof and disappeared with his clothes left behind. Scott was forced to become the new Santa for all the little boys and girls and especially his son. He had to go to the North Pole and everything! In the book, Laura says to Scott, "You have no idea how dangerous this is to make Charlie think your Santa Clause." Nobody, except Charlie, believed him. The boy and his dad were ripped apart. Then by a gracious heart, and a touching ending, you just feel so warm and tingly inside. I most definitely recommend reading this ultimate heartwarming book.

You should definitely buy this book. I bought a used version from this site and it came quickly and in great shape. This is a great book to read to your kids at bedtime.

Like the movie this book captures your attention with flying colors. With Tim Allen as Scott. When Scott tries on the suit he does not realize that he has now taken on all duties and full responsibililties to become Santa Clause. After a night of delivering presents he realizes that the reindeer take him to the North Pole. Stuck out in the cold until an elf lets he and his son Charlie into the work shop. After denying that he is not there for a long time he finally goes to bed. The next morning he wakes up and finds that he is in his own bed. He thought that it had all been a dream until he sees his red Pj's that say, S.C ( for Santa Clause ). His son Charlie didn't think it was a dream, he knew it was real. Charlie kept telling people about it, they thought Scott was delusional,and he got his visitation taken away from him. By that time Scott had began to look more like Santa Clause with a big belly and a white beard that he could not get rid of. He had also gotten the lists. He had to go back to the North Pole to get every thing ready. Charlie went with him. But he did not tell his mother he was going. When scott went to deliver presents to Charlie's house he got arrested. The elfs went and broke him out of jail and then he continued delivering presents. Scott's present from Charlie's mom was she burned the visitation papers. She wanted Scott to come vist Charlie when ever he could.

Richard Sisson and Leo E. Rose put all of their many interviews to good use in War and Secession (Pakistan, India, and the Creation of Bangladesh). They present all sides of the various complex relationships of this region, as well as presenting the fascinating international views of the situation, predominantly China, USSR, and the US. They are careful to remain unbiased (perhaps sometimes a little too unbiased in the case of Bhutto, in my opinion) and present the misperceptions that all sides were using to base their decisions upon. This book will also be a joy for the general reader as they make all the issues understandable and unravel all the tangles between the various personalities. The authors provide a defintive account of the creation of Bangladesh that will both entertain and inform.

The authors provide a well-balanced, unbiased historical account of the accounts leading to the war of 1971. The book is very well researched with numerous notes on various sources of information.

The book describes the genesis of the problems in East Pakistan, beginning with the partition of India and the formation of Pakistan's two wings. Carefully collected economic data demonstrates the lop-sided distribution of wealth in Pakistan with more government spending and foreign aid going to the West than to the East, despite the latter having a greater population and suffering from severe natural disasters. Also cited are the differences between East and West Pakistan over confronting India over Kashmir. The East did not share a penchant for confronting India over Kashmir - a territory that lay over a 1000 miles away. There were more pressing problems at home then (circumstances that are eerily similar to those today in Pakistan!).

These differences came to a height in a war fought over Kashmir in 1965 (instigated upon Bhutto's advice to Ayub Khan) when East Pakistan was left virtually undefended against any potential Indian military advances. This further contributed to its sense of insecurity.

The politicians of West Pakistan, most notably Z. A. Bhutto and Yahya Khan, are blamed unambiguously for their role in canceling a session of the first democratically elected national assembly in Pakistan that precipitated in a crisis in March 1971. India's role in contributing to the crisis until March 1971 was minimal, if any, but was to assume greater importance in the months to follow. The failure of all political processes to placate the demands of Z. A. Bhutto led to the suspension of the National Assembly, and subsequent events.

However, once the crisis resulted in millions of refugees flowing into India that threatened to upset the delicate demographic balance in the affected states, the problem also became one of India's. The authors fault Indira Gandhi for not trying harder to achieve a political settlement of the problem. It is highly unlikely that India could have mediated a problem between West and East Pakistan. After Indira Gandhi concluded that the problem could not be resolved politically by Pakistan's leaders, India began to play an increasingly larger political-military role, beginning in the summer of 1971 and concluding with a lightning military campaign in December, 1971.

Sisson and Rose present a highly informative account of the events leading to the independence of Bangladesh. As a Pakistani, it proved depressing reading as one sees how events unfolded in what would almost be a comedy of errors had the human cost not been so high. The actions of key protaganists leave one disgusted at their short-sightedness and venality. Much as we may like to think that it was 'all India's fault', the authors make it quite clear that while India acted to take full opportunity of the chances it had, its role in precipitating the Crisis was negligible (if at all). Similarly, while Yahya Khan and the Army must take the blame for the ultimate decision of the Army action, the behaviour of the prominent Pakistani political leaders, especially Bhutto (who, from the events narrated in the book, seems to come away with the most blame), beggars belief. A must read for anyone interested in the events of 1971 free of the baggage that subcontinental writers bring to the subject.

This book is worth buying for the illustrations alone. Although the story is not terrifically compelling, and some of the words are too difficult for young children, the book as a whole is a pleasure - endless fun for reading aloud, quite enjoyable for adults and children both.

The rhymed verse tells of the woes of Bosch's beknighted housekeeper, who must do all the standard house chores while caring for - and being harrassed by - Bosch's collection of weird creatures. She decamps, but finds she can't live without Bosch or his menagerie. Naturally, they live happily ever after. Some of language here is a little advanced, and most kids will understand the book better if an adult helps read it the first few times through.

The real heart of the book is not the story but the menagerie - the fish with pickle wings, the dandified oven, the three-legged thistles, the assorted dragons and reptiles - that lives all over and through Bosch's house. The illustrations perfectly capture the peculiar creatures, making them oddly appealing as well as just odd, in lovely, richly-colored and highly detailed renderings. The special frame (the work of the artists' son) is also wonderful.

So, although the story is a little weak, this book as a whole is a treasure; it's a literate, intelligent work that acts a springboard to fun and imagination for readers of all ages. The hardbound edition makes an excellent gift for adults who are fans of Bosch or just fantasy, as well as for kids who are tired of cute little stories about Squishy-Wishy Squirrel.

This is a magnificently crafted tale, full of whimsy and gorgeously illustrated. It makes a great gift for children as well as adults, of all age groups. You don't even have to be an avid Bosch enthusiast to enjoy the title.

"Once upon a time there was an artist named Hieronymus Bosch who loved odd creatures. Not a day passed that the good woman who looked after his house didn't find a new creature lurking in a corner or sleeping in a cupboard..." So begins Nancy Willard's inventive picture book about this mysterious Dutch painter who filled his canvasses with fantastic and intriguing beings of all shapes and sizes. This poor housekeeper couldn't take it anymore. "I'm quitting your service, I've had quite enough/of your three-legged thistles asleep in my wash,/of scrubbing the millstone you use for a dish,/and riding to shops on a pickle-winged fish." She packs her bags and leaves, but once out on her own, finds she misses all the chaos her employer's imagination brings to life, and comes flying back home on that pickle-winged fish to a happily-ever-after ending..... Ms Willard's clever, rhyming text has a medieval look and feel, and a lyrical cadence that begs to be read aloud. But it's Diane and Leo Dillons' amazing and evocative artwork that really makes this book stand out and sparkle. Youngsters will enjoy poring over and exploring the bold and engaging pictures of two headed dragons, dancing cucumbers, monkeys, and lizards, and beehives in boots... and are sure to find something new and exciting each and every time they open the book. Perfect for kids 5 and older, Pish, Posh, Said Hieronymus Bosch is a creative and entertaining introduction and includes a short biography at the end to complete the story. This is definitely a picture book budding art lovers shouldn't miss.

The Pope's Elephant by Silvio A. Bedini is a fun book although it does not quite deliver the promise of the subtitle on the cover. It is not really about the journey of an elephant from deep in India to the heart of Rome. It is really about the strange workings of Rome and the Papacy in the early 1500's and their dealings with other nations, such as Portugal from which the ill-fated elephant, Hanno, arrives. The author uses a great variety of sources for this journey, particulary interesting being the use made of contemporary artists to provide proof of events. This book could have used the Pope's elephant for a much wider glimpse of the world at this point in time, but the more narrow version presented here is fascinating and illuminating in its own right. An interesting footnote into history (and, truly, how many interesting footnotes does one run across).

"Rome produces its monkeys and wild goats And every type of wild beast, more even than India and Africa. And now that Leo has become their king, All the animals, even the very elephant, Must hold him in honour."

A verse of Pasquino heralds the arrival of the great elephant Hanno to Rome, where it is presented to Pope Leo X. And so begins Silvio Bedini's delightful story of the pope's elephant. Bedini, whose work has covered a range of topics in the past, began exploring the rumors of a Vatican rhinoceros and elephant, only to find them not only true, but part of a fantastic story of imperial representations of power, patronage, gift-giving, and ceremony.

Brought to Leo X 1514, Hanno the elephant was a symbol of Portuguese power and dominance in the far east, and particularly from India, where the elephant's journey began. Bedini details the long voyage from Lisbon to Porto Ecole, during which the elephant was anchored between the two masts of the boat. From there, the travel to Rome via dirt roads is complicated both by wear on the elephant's tender feet and the throngs of people who crowd the entourage, trying to get a look at the most spectacular gift. In Rome, the elephant is finally, and formally, handed over to the pope, and Bedini shows his remarkable descriptive skill in sketching out every aspect of the ceremony. Those interested in the rituals of such religious, nationalistic and political events (all bundled into one) will be satisfied with Bedini's work here. Once in Rome and rested, Hanno becomes a living symbol of the period, captured by poets, playwrights, and artists. Oddly, the elephant shared a small amount of fame with a rhinoceros, another gift from the Portuguese. The fate of this beast, however, is less well known, and while it appears in several commissioned paintings from the period, its fate remains unclear.

The book closes with the death of Leo X, and the changes which ensued, both religiously and culturally, after his passing. Bedini thoughtfully examines the influence of this pope and his large beast on the belles lettres of the period. Beautiful plates show the extent to which the elephant--as a symbol of the Church's strength, of the Pope's magnificence, and of the animal's own divine purpose--captivated people, and the reader is given a new perspective on the 16th century, simply by focusing on an elephant.

If you've even a passing interest in historiography - supplementing the historical record with artifacts and peripherally supporting documentary evidence to glean a substantial picture of the world represented by written history - you will find this book a treasure.

At times shocking, at others moving, often repellant and even more frequently laugh-out-loud audacious, it is always illuminating.

This is high scholarship, but only very rarely is it dry. Good for the gothic audience: never again will you dream of living in romantic 16th C Europe, not after the smells and sounds and horrific displays of human behavior brought to life by Bedini and the story of the elephant/s.

"Why Mosquitoes Buss In People's Ears" is a wonderful tale that teaches children about the cyclical paterns that are found through out nature. This retelling of an old African folk tale attempts to explain why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears. The story unravels a world in which a mosquito said something annoying to the iguana. The iguana placed sticks in his ears to ignore the mosquito. A series of reactive animal behaviors unfolds until eventually a monkey inadvertently killes a baby owl which causes the mother owl to forget to wake the sun. The mosquito was blamed for the fiasco and now mosquitos buzz in people's ears because they are whispering to see if we are still mad with them. The illustrations in the book are vivid and colorful, and drawn in a simple and artistic manner. This story is a great read for the developing child. There is much to think about, to joke about and to laugh about in the telling of this story. It also does a great service to the child by introducing them to a form of african literature that they might have never seen before. The only reason I do not give this book five stars is because I do not consider it an ultimate classic children's book, but don't let that turn you off from reading this wonderful story to your children.

This is a folk tale from West Africa. As a teacher, I would highly suggest it when working on a unit of multi-cultural literature. The story is circular, and offers an opportunity to explore cause and effect. Beautifully illustrated, and unique in it's writing style, I would recommend it to children from 1st to 3rd grade!

The book was the Caldecott Medal winner in 1976 for the best illustrated children's book of that year. The book is a retold version of a West African folk tale which will charm anyone who hears it.

This book is not only good for parents to read to their children, it is also appropriate for use in the classroom for K - 2nd grade. The book subtly explores the unseen hand of causation to expand children's horizons about the effects of what they do. In so doing, it raises a number of interesting issues that you can discuss together.

The story is organized as follows. A mosquito sets off a string of causation. At the end of the causation, there is an investigation which gradually unveils the causation. Realizing the causation solves the problem, and has an unintended consequence.

The book's overall point is that we all need to be better listeners. Since poor communication and listening are the most important causes of problems, this story can be the foundation to focus a child on improving in both of those areas.

"The mosquito siad, 'I saw a farmer digging yams that were almost as big as I am.'"

"I would rather be deaf than listen to such nonsense!" was the Iguana's reaction. So he put 2 sticks into his ears to block out the sound of the mosquito. (Hardly a good role model for listening.) Because Iguana could not hear, he ignored Python's greeting. Frightened by this, Python dived down the nearest rabbit hole. Doing this caused the rabbit to scurry away. Crow spotted the rabbit running, and raised the alarm that danger was near. Monkey heard the cry and leapt through the trees. One of the branches broke, and Monkey fell into Owl's nest killing an owlet. When Mother Owl returned, she was so heart broken she could not hoot to awaken the sun. So night continued.

King Lion called a meeting of the animals to investigate. Beginning with Owl, he uncovers the source of the problem. The last to be questioned was Iguana. "Yes," said the iguana. "It was mosquito's fault." The cry went up, "Punish the mosquito!"

"When Mother Owl heard that, she was satisfied. She turned her head towards the east and hooted . . . ."

"And the sun came up."

Mosquito has listened to all this from a nearby bush. Mosquito crept away.

"But because of this the mosquito has a guilty consicence."

"To this day she goes about whining in people's ears. 'Zeee! Is everyone still angry at me?'"

"When she does that, she gets an honest answer."

The illustrations are based on cut-outs of vivid pastel shades that make the story even more lively.

As you can see, the book takes causation past where responsibility really goes. So you will have a chance to discuss that mosquito wasn't really guilty of the owlet's death. It was just an accident. The mosquito was an indirect cause of the owlet's death, but not a blameworthy one. Iguana plays a much bigger and more blameworthy role, but is still not a murderer. But everyone tends to see the blame lying elsewhere (in this story, as in real life).

Obviously, the science facts are not all correct here. The sun would rise anyway, and the mosquito's sound probably plays some role in reproduction. You should discuss with your child how the human mind makes associations that are not logical and miss the real causes.

Also, who should be punished in this story? Actually, no one, but societies tend to create punishments even for innocent activity. This animal group is no exception.

Despite not being guilty, mosquito still feels uncomfortable. This is a good thing to discuss. Victims of crimes often blame themselves for somehow causing their own victimization.

Finally, what would have been a better response by Iguana? Why did Python run rather than sticking around to get better information? You can use these areas to help you child understand the important role of questions in unlocking solutions.

I also suggest that you practice a little together. Find some event, and try to trace the causes of the event back to the contributing origins. Perhaps you'll help stimulate a better thinker as a result!

Ask questions until you understand!