This book is beautifully illustrated and the language developmentally appropriate for children as young as four, but my six-year old niece was horrified when Queen Inga goes through the "Trial of Irons" (carrying red hot iron bars from one end of the church to the other). Also, we are not a Christian family, and I found the continual references to the Church and God and miracles overbearing and preachy, even if they are in keeping with the original saga. I would suggest parents use caution before ordering this book, as gorgeously done as it is.

This is a gorgeous book with illustrations that are breathtaking in their beauty. As for the content, it is a fascinating story. The Christian content of the book is not as inappropriate as a previous review made it seem. No more so than any of the other well-done books centered on other religions. The violence is not troublesome , either, unless one expects their children to be in a position to carry red hot irons at home or school! I would hope that when exposing children to the many facets and experiences the world has to offer, we don't deprive them of wonderful books such as these simply to conform to a contemporary politically correct outlook.

The Birkebeiners were peasants and fierce warriors in the Middle Ages whose King sat on the throne of Norway. Their rivals, the Baglers, were rich noblemen who wanted to claim the throne for themselves. In 1206, the King had died and left behind an infant son, Prince Hakon. His Queen, Inge, hid her baby for over a year to keep him safe, but as the Baglers became stronger, and threatened the life of the prince, she realized it was time to travel north to Nidaros where the Birkebeiners would protect them, and the prince could take his rightful place on the throne. She asked the priest, Sira Trond, for help, and he gathered the best and bravest men of his small village. To outwit the Baglers, this small band of Birkebeiners decided to ski over the mountains at the darkest, coldest, most dangerous time of the year, braving fierce storms to bring their Queen and baby Prince to safety..... Take a slice of engaging medieval history, add beautiful and evocative artwork, and you have The Race Of The Birkebeiners. Based on Sturla Tordsson's account of the escape and rescue of Norway's future King Hakon, written in 1264, Lise Lunge-Larsen has authored a compelling picture book that's sure to mesmerize youngsters with its powerful story. Her dramatic text is full of atmosphere and suspense, and begs to be read aloud. Mary Azarian's rich, bold and colorful woodcut illustrations transport the reader back to Medieval times, and on this long ago journey over mountains, through snowstorms, and darkness to safety. With an afterword detailing King Hakon's reign, Norway's Golden Years, and how the Birkebeiners are still honored today for their bravery and heroism, this is an exceptional and captivating story children 5-9 shouldn't miss.

This book is a beautifully rendered alphabet. The woodcut technique and style are very serene and beautiful to look upon. Mary Azarian has a great talent of which everyone should be aware.

Wow! This book is great! Mary Azarian's wonderful black ink woodcut illustrations of life on a typical Vermont farm. Book is large and is taller than the regular hardcover book. One illustration per page with the opposite page blank. Paper is very heavy stock in an ecru color with a texture to the paper (not your regular paper or cheap paper). Both upper case and lower case letters appear at the top left corner of the illustration, about 2 inches high, which is wonderful for teaching the letters of the alphabet. The word is spelled out at the bottom of the illustration with the first letter capital and the others lower case. Examples are: Jump (in the haystack), Lamb, Pumpkin, Rocker, Stove, and Zinnia. Simple farm life is shown and the illustrations are just great! Words are simple and easily understood by the young child who is learning to read. Illustrations are so fun and large that even a toddler who is interested in farm life would enjoy them. The parent can also make up a little story about what is going on in the picture if desired because there is enough going on and/or enough to describe a little ditty about the illustration. For example: the farmer and his wife are picking apples from the apple tree at harvest time, and placing them in the basket. Maybe they will make an apple pie or cider with the apples..... (you get the idea).

I am just getting started with the mountain dulcimer, although I do have some musical experience and I can read music. I found this book rather hard to follow. The tunings were not what I was familiar with and if there were any finger-picking techniques, I missed them. So far David Schnaufer's video has helped me the most. I now know one song!

This book is great for beginning players. Instructions cover beginning techniques from soup to nuts, the songs are great and fun to learn -you won't be gritting your teeth as you zing through Yet Another Round of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" - Hammond gives the reader the good stuff right off the bat, written for beginners who will play on only the first string for awhile - instructions on how to get jiggy and start chording creatively follow soon after. Tablature is easy to read, songs come with lyrics, illustrations are lovely woodblock prints, and the casette is a good quality recording.

Martin and his pet skunk Gridley live in rural Vermont. The family farm isn't doing well, and when a rich contractor begins buying up land for a housing development, Martin gets worried. He doesn't want his family to sell their farm for luxury homes, and the housing development will push all the wildlife inhabitants out of their homes. Gridley helps to fight the development. With woodcuts by Mary Azarian.

I got a chance to see Mary Azarian's new alphabet book yesterday. I think her illustrations are heartwarming and lovely, and have enjoyed them for years in the Cook's Garden catalog and in books like The Plain Reader. I'm also a gardener and a former children's librarian ,and I enjoy seeing gardening depicted in children's books. However, I must say I was sadly disapponted to see no people of color depicted in any of the illustrations in this book. Surely Ms. Azarian must have met a nonwhite gardener at some point in her life; if not, that's sad, and she is welcome to come to my house and meet me before the next book. As a person of color I felt saddened and left out as I looked through the pages; how would a small child (of any ethnicity) feel? Had it not been for this exclusion I would have joyfully given this book five stars.

Mary Azarian was inspired by her own garden and has used the perfect form of illustration - woodcuts - to bring to life the alphabet of a garden.

The perspecives range from above and below the ground and show not only the joys but also hardships that come from creating a garden.

The simple words and strong visuals will be great for children learning about the natural world, but is also a beautiful gift for the gardener or nature lover in your life.