This is another one in the American Girls series about Josefina Montoya, a ten-year-old girl living in the New Mexico of 1824 (actually January of 1825). In this book, the Christmas season ends with a successful party. However, just as the new year begins with a high note, Josefina feels the world pulled out from under her when her aunt Dolores announces that she is leaving the rancho and returning to Santa Fe. They are happier with Tia Dolores living with them, and they know that their father is. And so, the sisters begin their scheming...

The final chapter of this wonderful book is a highly informative look at the changes New Mexico experienced as it changed over the years. I must also mention that Jean-Paul Tibbles' lovely illustrations are an excellent addition to the story.

This final book in the Josefina story is every bit as wonderful as the first one, and definitely maintains the American Girls' tradition of excellence. The story is exciting and entertaining, and I especially liked how the author wove Josefina's faith into it, making it appear the natural part of her life that it would have been. My daughter and I loved this book, and we both recommend it to you and your daughter.

Changes for Josefina is one of the better books in the American Girls Collection. In the book, Josefina and her sisters have party for their friends and neighbors. After the party, Tia Dolores announces that she wants to move back with her parents. When Josefina and her sisters find out the real reason that Tia Dolores wants to leave, they find a way to get her to stay.

About a girl named Josefina who lives in 1824. She is Mexican and lives on a ranch with her dad and sisters and aunt. Her mom died two years ago. Her aunt who she calls Tia Dolores is going to leave and Josefina wants her to stay. Will her daring plan work?

In this installment, we find our western horse and city pig travelling back home to the city. Along the way, they meet an old dog with a passion for dancing. My students loved reading about Clarence in the first book and flipped over this selection. Really is a must for any collection!

When we last saw Clarence, the pig, and Smoky, the purple horse, they were about to leave the dude ranch and head back to the big city where Clarence lives. They've packed their bags and are ready to begin their long journey, over the mountains and across the desert. "Clarence can hardly wait. But first, Smoky is going to show Clarence a great surprise. Clarence loves surprises." They travel, and picnic, they sleep under the stars in a tent, go fishing, nap, watch the clouds roll by, and even get to stay in a hotel. "Clarence loves the hotel. He really loves room service. Smoky orders hay." But best of all, they meet a new and special friend along the way. Old Edgar, the dog, hums and dances. In fact, he is such an amazing and energetic dancer that Smoky warns Clarence, "You'll have to watch him to make sure he doesn't twirl away." And as the three friends travel on to see the great surprise, that's exactly what happens..... For those who loved Clarence Goes Out West And Meets A Purple Horse, Jean Ekman Adams is back with another Clarence and Smoky adventure that's sure to warm your heart and tickle your funny bone. Her engaging text, with its simple message of friendship, loyalty, and acceptance is filled with gentle humor and begs to be read aloud. But it's Ms Adam's marvelously bold and bright artwork, rich in witty western detail, that makes this picture book sparkle, and brings these endearing characters to life. With a satisfying, happily-ever-after ending to complete the story, Clarence And The Great Surprise is perfect for youngsters 3-7, and is a sweet little treasure of a book, you don't want to miss.

I am delighted that author/illustrator, Jean Ekman Adams, has returned Clarence to his devoted fans with a second book. Clarence stole our hearts with his first adventure, "Clarence Goes Out West and Meets a Purple Horse." Now he and Smokey are off on another adventure and they have taken a dancing doggie along with them. The same endearing illustrations are found throughout this second offering and "the great surprise"...well is a great surprise. Clarence and friends are gentle souls with silent lessons abounding throughout their stories and illustrations, all of which will delight readers of every age. I eagerly look forward to the next adventure.

The profound wisdom in this book is born out of a lifetime of growth in the context of Christian community with the poor that Jean Vanier has been immersed in for almost 40 years. This book is not only interested in giving structural and personal tips for creating a healthy and God-centered community; it actually is like Jean Vanier's manifesto in terms of his paradigm of why community life is important and how God teaches special and beautiful things in the context of communities. He is such an effective writer. He is able to exhort the reader to want to pursue community life, but without being overly idealistic and ignoring the many complex difficulties that arise. Jean exhorts the reader to pursue community life not because it will be easy and always meet all our needs, but because it brings tremendous growth and because God's love and calling are bigger than the problems that come up in community. This is the best book I have ever read on community, and I will likely read it again.

Vanier takes an in-depth look at community life and living through his experiences with the L'Arche community in France.

This Biblically-based book offers excellent insights, tips, rules and suggestions for how to build a healthy community.

The book is a wonderful primer for anyone considering the possibility of living in Christian community.

Jean Vanier's Community and Growth sheds such light on the topic of community. The richness flows from years of keen observation, experience, reflection, and prayer on this issue. Vanier has lived and breathed community, not just studied it. Humility and grace flow from each page. Vanier's servant leadership in the l'Arche communities is a wonderful living witness to the world of what Christian love looks like fleshed out. A real strength in this book is Vanier's insight into human nature. Even as Christians we are a mixture of light and darkness. But God's grace shines through when we accept others as they are. Yet at the same time, the community beckons each individual member to grow more Christlike. This book teaches us how to live in any kind of community: the home, church, small group, or any gathering. Vanier writes that a true community "provides a sense of belonging and an orientation of life to a common goal and common witness" (p.10). With such clarity and perception Vanier paints a vivid picture of community for us: the importance of unity, forgiveness, mission, selflessness, communication, celebration, humility, and respect for authority. Community and Growth helps us along the journey of "life together." There are some books that are to be read once. And there are others to be read and reread. This book invites us to return to it over and over--like an old friend.

This is the favorite French textbook I have ever had and I have been studying French for um... 6 or 7 years. It is well-written and easy to understand. The chapters are well-organized and I think the best part is how the authors explain verbs and verb conjugations... there are so many ways, ugh! However, there is a new 7th edition out now, so if you need this textbook for a class check to see which edition you need before you buy this textbook. Also, this book is geared toward beginning students so it may not be too helpful if you already know a fair amount of French.

I am using Contacts, 7th ed., along with the workbook/lab manual. I also purchased the CD set, which contained 14 CD's with about 40 minutes on each. I have enjoyed these materials immensely. Since I am studying on my own, the CDs have been a key part of my training. This book covers the equivalent of two semesters of college French. The pages are colorful, with many descriptions of contemporary French life. For those who are using it in a classroom setting, many of the exercises creatively get partners to have dialogues. I highly recommend it for self-study, study with a partner or in a classroom.

From the moment I married a French woman, the need to actually speak the language became obvious...easier said than done. After flailing about with inferior texts for about two years, I finally happened on Valette et Valette's Contacts. True to the title, they skillfully prepare a cocktail of language instruction and cultural information - which entice the learner through a difficult subject. I would recommend it without hesitation; in fact, I am in the process of ordering a new hardback to replace my current edition (which now resembles a pack of cards).

I found this book to be a well-written overview not only of the author's previous books, but of Spiritual Principle's in general. Although the God-Mind books are wonderful and I highly recommend reading them all, reading this book is not dependant upon having read the previous books. I found the detailing, explanations, and practical guidelines for implementing Spiritual Principles into our daily lives to be among the best I have ever read. This book reminds me of Wayne Dyer's book, "Manifest Your Destiny" only more concise. I highly recommend it to all serious spiritual seekers!

In this book, the principles of the two God-Mind trilogies are laid out in simple, organized and understandable terms. They are practical to living our daily lives, as spiritual principle ought to be. I keep this book as a handy reference book, as well as a nightly review before bed. The principles remind me of the same as Dyer's book ("Manifest Your Destiny"), only much more concise.

This book is a summary of all Jean Foster's previous books. I find it to be full of spiritual wisdom. In my opinion, it is by far one of the most practical spiritual books I've ever read. As I spend alot of time on the road, I keep it with me in my car at all times. It is something I refer back to time and time again, and it has helped me to achieve many of my life goals.

I read this book when it first came out around 15 or so years ago. The story really truly touched me and I regret the fact that I did not purchase the book at that time. (Read a library edition)
Since then, I moved to a completely different region of the world, and am anxious to get my new used copy sent to me so I can pour into a story that I've been longing to read again, since I've been trying to procure a copy of it for 10 years now!
If you are considering purchasing this book - don't hesitate. It is THAT good.

I also read this book in high school and it stays with me to this day, 12 years later, as the best book I have ever read. Paul's generosity and the relationships he developed were truly touching. What an amazing story.

I read this book when I was only fifteen years old and, still, ten years later and of all the books I've read since it is the only book that still stands out in my mind. I have searched high and low for it since but have not been able to locate a copy. It's a shame because it is hard to find such writing from the heart these days.

In the haze of a Michigan Women's Festival delerium, standing next to Sharon Bridgforth in a bookstall, I bought her book, along with any other lesbian book of poetry I thought I might like. I've since reread this book repeatedly, recommended it repeatedly, and offer this opinion: If you like women, if you like to laugh, if you like a heart-breaking, soul-warming story, buy this book. Buy 12 of them.

Sharon Bridgforth is a conjurer. She captures the voices of folks on the pages of this book whose stories would otherwise be lost in the wind. I laughed out loud, big old belly laughs, and read the stories aloud to friends and family. This writer is a descendant of Langston Hughes and all the folks who tell stories on the corner, in the back of the church, in the beauty parlor and on the porch, looking at the sunset. Her deeply felt prose and poetry is redeeming. Thank you for one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had as a reader in recent memory!

the openess to love that bulljean expresses and the ability to bounce back once a love is gone is so present in us all. I felt bulljean, when she tells Mina-Mina be my woman. Madam Bridgeforth has brought back the power of love to poetry and she didn't have to be political about.

This is an excellent comprehensive guide to canine massage. Topics listed in the table of contents are addressed in depth. Photos help to demonstrate the massage techniques described.
Mr. Hourdebaigt also has made a 90 min. video to complement this text. I haven't seen it but I am planning on ordering it. If the video is anywhere near as good as the book, it will be great addition.

an excellent book, clearly laid out with very thorough explanations.

I highly recommend this book. My dog is involved in agility and I got this book to help with her sore muscles. It seems to really help plus it has brought us even closer. The techniques are easy to understand and well illustrated. To do a full massage takes about 30 minutes and gives your arms a great workout.

This book provided hours of fun for my four-year-old. We were pleased that we always had simple household items and paper to complete the projects.This book can be used as ajumping off point to many other creative projects.

All that is needed are these three items, and you can make the cutest crafts! Because of the easy supply list, we use this book so much more often than other books that you might not have the needed supplies on hand for. This one we keep right in the kitchen and the children can make things whenever they like! we just got it for Christmas and have already made lots of the projects! and there is room to be creative - just using the ideas as examples and taking it from there.

For the last several years my summer school has included art every day for students whose ages range from 6-13. This book has an excellent selection of art projects that are appropriate for all these ages. Everything is made using construction paper, scissors and glue, which are readily available in the school supply room, are inexpensive and easy to work with. The projects turn out bright and colorful. My class has just completed a lively mural of a pond habitat after making fun frogs, fish, turtles and other aquatic creatures and plants, using ideas from the book.

I love the instructions and lay-out of the book. The steps and resulting project are clearly shown in large drawings with minimal text, so it just takes a few minutes to read through each project.

Some of the projects feature geometrical designs and patterns, which allow substantial room for creativity, some fold and curve paper to make them three dimensional. There is a good variety of themes including animals, seasons, nature, a still life, a robot, and a couple of cultural items. Although I haven't done it yet, the Panamanian mola looks like it will turn out stunning.

If I want to stick to using paper, glue and scissors for my art classes, this book will give us plenty of fun and attractive projects to do for several weeks. Parents will also find it a great source for young artists at home.

You will love this book if you've seen a few of E. Jean's advice columns, and would like a whole lot more! This is lots more of E. Jean's advice, to your heart's content, and amusing commentary as well. I was a little disappointed--but for a positive reason; I guess I'd already read many of these in Elle magazine, being a fan of E. Jean's! So if you regularly read Elle, this might be a little bit redundant. But I'm still not sorry I bought this.

I love E. Jean and her column is the first )and sometimes only) thing I read in Elle magazine. She is just so smart, and classy, and funny. When a woman feels down about her lovelife, E. Jean tells her to go volunteer at a shelter where the kids are looking for someone to love. E. Jean will tell one woman to get out of the exotic dancing business and another to go into it, based on the question, stating college costs so much she wouldn't be surprised if Hillary Clinton herself did it to put Chelsea through Harvard (this book came out in 1997.)

E. Jean just loves life and sees its possibilities, and she wants her readers to as well. Read this book and you're sure to agree.

"It's a gas, and sometimes a revelation... E. Jean's punchy wisdom shines."
--- Indianapolis Star

"There's seldom a dull moment with outrageous E. Jean."
--- New York 'Newsday'

"For all of us who are 'tormented, driven witless and whipsawed by confusion,' there is E. Jean Carroll."
--- Chicago Tribune

"A 'Dear Abby' for the 'fin de siecle' generation."
--- Columbia Dispatch (SC)

"Witty and wise... You think E. Jean is either intoxicating or just intoxicated."
--- Entertainment Weekly

"Outrageously brilliant E. Jean Carroll is the only advice columnist in America with the wisdom, the guts, and the pure rambunctious flair to give it to you straight. And if you haven't caught her act, honey, you don't know what you're missing."
--- Quote from 'A Dog in Heat is a Hot Dog' book jacket