I have always been fascinated by Africa, but it seems that the news if so often full of stories that paint a very grim picture of the so-called "dark continent" In this book Joan Baxter shows us that Africa is anything but dark or hopeless. Baxter has been living and writing in Africa since 1982 and it is her personal connection to the continent that makes this book unique. She tells the story of the decimation of the Pygmies and their rainforest in Cameroon and ethnic wars in Ghana. She introduces us to ordinary Africans whose voices are seldom heard - from a traditional Pygmy healer who bemoans the loss of Africa's homegrown Viagra to the boatman philosopher in Northern Ghana. This book is rich with African wisdom and insights.

It has been years since I have seen "The Seven Samurai," a movie I greatly admire. Reading Mellen's book brought back all the things I love about that film.

Mellen goes into the origins of the film, into Kurosawa's script and his ideas about history. She discusses how the different characters represent aspects of the samurai class. Her analysis of the last scene, where the surviving samurai leave the village, is quite powerful and accurate.

If the book has a flaw, it is that Mellen devotes a bit of time to bashing those writers who are critical of "The Seven Samurai." If they can't appreciate Kurosawa's film, that is punishment enough.

If you enjoy "The Seven Samurai" this book will amplify your understanding of that film and thus increase your enjoyment when you watch the movie again.

Like all of Joan's books, this one is easy to read and follow, and has great doll clothing ideas. Her patterns are easy to understand and always go together well, and fit American Girl style dolls to a T. I enjoyed this book because there are so many ethnic designs; it will be fun to find just the right fabrics to make them all. I highly recommend this book!

great recreations of favorite fairytale costumes. Patterns easy to follow, fit well, simple but elegant.

A sweet, gentle story of Eskimo boy and lovable polar bear. Unusually written in parallel construction, with just a touch of a similarity to "Blueberries for Sal." Educational, too, as it shows the seasons and chilling shadows of the Arctic. My whole family loved it! This is great book to read to your children on a snowy day in front of the fire, or on a hot summer day when it's nice to remember the cold chill of the Arctic.

I reccomend this book specially for those people who don't know anything about Taj Mahal...the greatest invention (architecture) of Mughals (Muslim Emporeres)...this book tells you about the History of Taj Mahal, which was built by Mughal emporer (Shah Jahan) for his wife...it tells us the story of undying love of the Emporer Shah Jahan for his wife...Taj Mahal (the one & only true symbol of love) was built by Emporer Shah Jahan (Shah Jahan means "king of the world")...& Shah Jehan truely was King of the world & King of the loving hearts...he & other Muslim emporers (Mughals) built a lot of architecure in India & Pakistan region...(most of their architecture is mosques) but Taj Mahal is the one which got famous (maybe because of the romantic history behind it)...but Shah Jehan (creator of the Taj Mahal & other wonderful architecture had a miserable end)..he was seized & imprisoned by his own son..in a basement...from where he could see the Taj Mahal..but he was not allowed to go there..to touch his own piece of architecture...what an end to the person who made the one & only true symbol of love Taj Mahal :( & for those who don't know Shah Jehan had plans to build another Mahal (Mahal means palace) which was suppose to be all Black Marble architecture...although he was not allowed to do that because he was imprisoned by his son..but I think we all can visualize how could have that Black Marble palace look like.

Ten year old Janet Baylor is on a troopship (nicknamed the USS You Know Who) returning to the United States after living in India for 7 years. It is 1944 and the journey is dangerous because they are passing through enemy waters.

With her are her mother and father and her 2 brothers, Kevin (16) and Hugh (12). Her father is a doctor and her parents were medical missionaries in India.

Based on the author's true life story, we get an idea of what such a voyage was like. Because they are traveling through enemy waters, they have no lights or radio contact and must run a zigzag course to avoid torpedoes.

There is a stop in Australia where Italian POW's are transferred and hundreds of wounded are brought on board.

Janet and her brothers explore the ship and become friends with some of the crew and also with a beautiful woman named Ann Dobson who is fleeing India and who seems to take an unusual interest in Lee.

There are many new experiences in store for them during their 6 week voyage. They learn a lot about themselves and the world around them as some mysteries are solved.

Joan Manley also talks a little bit about their first impressions of America and the adjustments that had to be made.

This is another example of an enjoyable read (for anyone) from the young adult section.

Being a sucker for great dog stories is a difficult task. Simon the Pointer moves Jock of the Bushvelt to number two on my list of great dog stories. An elegant 20 minute read that will leave you at best misty eyed and at worst blubbering. Illustrated with wonderful line drawings. I ordered this on a whim and ended up ordering more copies for gifts. Just a great all around dog story.

I just happened on this book in the bookstore, and it's a gem. Beautiful language, elegantly organized, with particularly appealing imagery throughout.

Hi I was just wondering if you could send me a short summary of what the book Sixteen is Spelled Ouch is about because I will soon have to write a book report on it. So could you please help me out here. I would like to get a good mark on this.

Could you please please help me out?

Thanks