Babara Helen Berger is the greatest sort of artist. Her pictures paint themselves into the reader's imagination. Her words are few, often spare, but they say so much with so little. Combined, they make tales that cut to the soul.

The beauty of "When the Sun Rose" is heart-rending. A friend who arrives in a golden carriage drawn by a Lion that shines like the sun; this Lion of Surpassing Beauty feeds on blueberries and cream; golden roses leaving something of the friend's presence at the end of day. "When the Sun Rose" is beautiful...a wonderful hymn to imagination and all that lies within as well as beyond us.

I recommend this book. Get a copy today.

This is a beautiful book in all respects. Like other Barbara Helen Berger books, it is poignant, lovely and soothing. Ms. Berger is able to capture a wonderful calm that is rare and magical.

Love at first sight is the only way that I can describe what I felt when I first opened the pages of this book. My daughter was given it for her second birthday (there is no child too young to enjoy the illustrations) and for her it was love at first sight as well. She turns the pages and says, "beautiful book, beautiful book" over and over again. This is the only book in her extensive collection that she has quite this response to. The illustrations are radiant, magical, mystical, whimsical, richly colorful and have a golden aura of childhood that immediately sweeps me back to when I was a three years old exploring my grandmothers sun splashed garden. The story is a simple one about friendship with the illustrations portraying a world where the sun rose and was a 'rose', where the little girls friend is pulled in a carriage by a golden lion, where they spend a peaceful magical day together painting rainbows and sharing with one another. As the sun sets the magical day must end and the girls part, but there is a promise of togetherness again. The story is gentle and soft and is a wonderful book to read to your child before bed. Sweet dreams are sure to follow. I love this book so much that I did a search by author for all the books by Barbara Helen Berger...and I bought them all. No kidding. I have to say that this author is a gift from heaven for every child.

What a beautiful story. It is very moving. I highly recommend it.

I decided to write this review because I love this book very much, I love this author/illustrator's beautiful work and I love this timeless mythological story. People say and rightfully so that this book tells the story of the night of Christ's birth. One of the reasons that I love this book is that it tells this familiar story that actually predates Christ by centuries without ever once using the well-known names of Bethlehem, Mary, Joseph or Jesus. You see, it is told from the perspective of the humble little donkey that carried the Mother who was pregnant with Her Son. A little donkey would know nothing of names, nothing of salvation, nothing of the doings of kings or priests or tax collectors. By telling the tale from this humble perspective no one is excluded from it's sweet and graceful message. I am a Pagan and at Winter Solstice or Yule I celebrate the Goddess's labor and delivery of her beautiful Son/Sun, the light,the sacrificial king who comes to renew the world, as the wheel of the year turns from it's dark half unto it's light half. The message of hope and life that the returning and growing rays of the sun promise to the sleeping earth fills my heart with gladness. I begin to anticipate spring and I renew my faith in the wisdom and love of the Earth's cycle.
The pictures in this book are exceedingly beautiful and tell the tale of the little donkey's dreams as he walks along. He doesn't know that he is carrying the hope of the world on his back, but he feels the magic in his dreams and thinks of a magnificent city glowing with promise, a huge rose glowing with softness and beauty, a fountain that waters the desert and brings the barren world to life with lush plants, and a sailing ship that carries him over the waters on his path. Like all good myths this story is timeless and transcultural. The symbols of one path speak the same language as others. The text is surrounded by lovely blue forget-me-nots on many pages and I think it is a gentle reminder to everyone to remember the inclusive message of the Winter Solstice and of Christmas that sees us all as one, bravely and faithfully facing the darkness together with hope in our spirits and love in our hearts. Ms. Berger uses a wonderful jewel-like blue color in many of the illustrations and it evokes a serene and peaceful feeling that adds to the overall message of the pictures. The Queen of Heaven is draped in the softly glowing folds of a starry sky and her little baby son gives off a gentle glow in her arms. The story is so gentle and humble. I love this book because it tells a story that belongs to the whole world and it doesn't make anyone feel left out.

"The Donkey's Dream" by Barbara Helen Berger is one of the most beautiful tellings of the nativity story that I have ever read. It is a crystal clear, beautifully simple look at the story of Jesus' birth and the journey that led up to it--all as seen through the eyes of the Donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem.

As is usual with Ms. Berger's books, the illustrations are stunning. I am haunted by the forget-me-nots that frame these pages. The story is also told in an original, moving way...one that will not soon be forgotten.

I recommend "The Donkey's Dream" most highly. It would make a wonderful gift (especially at Christmas time) for any Christ-follower.

I have fallen deeply in love with the stories of Barbara Helen Berger. She is a visual artist of stunning talent. Her pictures breathe with life and light. Her words are even more captivating. They are clear and precise...flowing like water from a mountain spring.

Gwinna is, in my opinion, Berger's masterpiece. At just over a hundred pages, it is a longer work. While Grandfather Twilight, A Lot of Otters, and the Donkey's Dream are great books for children, I would have to recommend Gwinna to children who are a little older or more mature.

Gwinna, at its heart, is a story of many things: it is a story about needing others, it is a story about giving, a story of love and faith and being true. It was a difficult story for me. I often suffer from knowing all too well were a plot is going to go before it gets there...to my delight, Gwinna kept me guessing.

The highest recommendation I can give, I give to Gwinna. It is a fine thing to read a story where the character grows in wondrous and moving ways within the imagination. The reader (unless they miss the story completely) must grow in turn. Gwinna is such a story...get it today.

When I was first given Gwinna as a birthday present(oh, I don't rember what birthday!)I must admit I thought....."Yuck! ANOTHER book, what are my parents thinking? I want a Barbie." Well, I got a Barbie as the next package, but Gwinna has stuck with me much longer. This book is one of the best I have ever read. The moving story is backed up by some of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen. Gwinna takes you to a place that you always knew existed, you just didn't know it exited anywhere beyond you own heart. As you are spun from word to word, and page to page, you will really feel as if you are flying. Now, on the main "Gwinna review page" it says this book is for ages three to eight. Well, I am fourteen going on fifteen, and Gwinna remains a huge influence on my life and one of my favorite books. When I say influence, I mean the same influence you get from reading someone like Tolkien or hearing a beautiful peice of music. Gwinna is a book that makes you feel as if you can reach out and feel the breath of its chairicters. If that doesn't convince you that this is a good book, I don't know what will.

Gwinna is, hands down one of the best books I have ever read. Its moving and beautiful text are backed up by brilliant, exhilirating pictures. When recently I needed to find a gift for my 10 year old cousin I remembered this book. By checking with my aunt and uncle I discovered (to my horror) that we had never sent her this book. Needless to say, I jumped on this as the perfect gift. If any of you are picky shoppers (like me) you will know how hard the perfect gift is to find. It is not just for a ten year old that I would recomed this book either, it's still one of my favorites. Gwinna is one book I can say, without a doubt influenced me. It is the most moving "flight of fancy" imaginable. I recomend this book to anyone who has ever wished for wing to fly out over the horizon. I recomend it even more strongly to those of you who have not, because after Gwinna, you will.

An old woman sitting by the side of the road first encounters a horse and rider. "How far is it to Lhasa?" "Very far," said the old woman, "you'll never make it there before night." The rider kicks his horse and gallops off toward the holy city. Next a boy walks by with his yak, "one foot in front of the other." "How far is it to Lhasa?" "Very far," said the old woman, "But you can make it there before night." And with a gentle tug, he and his yak continue on their way. They climb steep and windy slopes, cross raging rivers, and travel through a blinding blizzard on their arduous and dangerous journey, finally passing the fallen horse and rider. "He thought the dark would come and he would never make it to the holy city of Lhasa. But still the boy kept walking on and on with his steady yak, one foot in front of the other..." Barbara Helen Berger's engaging retelling of this Tibetan parable is filled with imagery and magic. Her gentle and eloquent text, with its simple and uplifting message of steady determination, begs to be read aloud and shared. But it's her stunning illustrations that really makes this picture book a stand out. Each dreamy and expressive spread delights the reader with rich, warm colors, eye-catching detail, and beautiful Tibetan symbols that are later explained in an informative and well researched Author's note. Together, word and art presents a captivating and evocative experience. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, All The Way To Lhasa works well with Don Brown's Far Beyond The Garden Gate as an introduction to Tibet's culture. "Then, in the last rays of the sun before night, he heard deep horns calling. He heard bells, si li li, and drums, dro lo lo. Emaho! He had made it-one foot in front of the other, all the way to the holy city of Lhasa."

"All the Way to Lhasa" is sure to become another classic by Ms. Berger. It is sure to find its place beside "Grandfather Twilight". Words and text are harmonious and inseparable. You have to see the book. You have to hold it in you hands.

"All the Way to Lhasa" has a noteworthy quality other reviewers may overlook. The pictures are accurate in their details, accurate right down to the yak's nose ring, making the book a good introduction to Tibetan culture for young readers.

Where do I begin? First, the illustrations are breathtaking. Then there are the stories - wonderful vingettes with real substance, not the light fare usually rampant in children's animal books. Each with a lesson, but none preachy. They are short enough to hold the attention of the youngest child, but at the same time, complex enough to hold mom and dad's interest too. My daughter appreciates the true beauty found in this book. Please note: two of the stories may upsetting to young children. Both involve injuries to animals. My daughter is usually quite sensitive to anything upsetting in books, but these instances do not phase her. I think it is the beauty of the the treatment of these incidents that helps her to deal with the emotional content.

This is a wonderful collection of tales about different animals and their importance to us. The stories are well "retold" and contain wisdom we would all do well to live by. This book is a treasure and is a must have" for anyone who loves animals, children and the future of this planet.

This book has beautiful artwork. The images are quite soothing which makes for an especially good bedtime (or any quiet time) read. This simple story and its rich illustrations reach deep inside helping to relax the mind-body. My kids could read it over and over!

My Kindergarten class loved this book. They ask for it to be read again everyday. I read it while playing music by Claire de Lune.

Every evening, Grandfather Twilight "puts down his book", takes out a pearl from the chest in his home among the trees, and begins to walk. The pearl grows bigger and bigger, trailing rosy clouds and bringing the serenity of dusk, until he lifts it up into the sky as the moon.

This book is enchanting, and was my favorite bedtime story from as far back as I can remember. The story seems to flow like the stream and the sky that trails beautifully behind Grandfather Twilight, and the illustrations are wonderful-- just peaceful, feel-like-you're-there-and-want-to-be pictures! Reading gives you the most peaceful and sleepy feeling, and helps you to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature-- one of those stories that makes you just glad to "be."

I cannot recommend this book highly enough! Both my children (ages 7 and 3) love it, and we read it often, sometimes just for a bit of a break during the day. This beautifully illustrated, almost-wordless, story of how Grandfather Twilight prepares the world for sleep is food for the soul on many levels:
1. First is the simple story of Grandfather Twilight taking a pearl from an endless strand in a magic chest, then walking to the sea where the pearl gets larger and larger and finally becomes the glowing full moon, which then hangs in the night sky and lights his way home. Grandfather Twilight lives in a house made of trees with his companions, a dog and cat.
2. What are Grandfather Twilight's other occupations? How does he spend his day? Who is, he, really? Wouldn't we like to live in a house like his? Where did he get the chest full of pearls? How does the pearl get larger and larger? These questions and more arise from the vivid, detailed illustrations.
3. The illustrations themselves warrant study. My son (age 7) and I were awed one day sitting on the porch swing when our actual twilight sky became the *exact* colors of the twilight emanating from Grandfather's beard and hair.
Get this book, you won't be disappointed!

From the very first page you step into a mystical magical lushly colorful world of flowers and friendly animals that accompany Grandfather Twilight on his journey to place the moon in the sky. The moon is symbolised by a small pearl, taken from an endless strand, that grows with each step he takes on his evening walk, twilight spreading like mist behind him, until he releases it above the ocean into the sky. Then he walks home and tucks himself in to bed, surrounded by his animal companions. The illustrations are populated by so many interesting animals and things to look at and comment on that one quickly becomes absorbed in the world that Barbara Helen Berger has created. As other reviewers have pointed out everything about this book is soft and peaceful. There are very few words. Some pages don't even have words, you simply follows the events laid out in the illustrations. This book is a keeper. As enjoyable for adults as for children. They offer the age of 4 to 8 for this book. I would venture to say that this book could be an excellent first book for a child, as early as a few months. My two year old adores it. I have a soft spot for all of this authors books, but 'Grandfather Twilight, 'The Donkey's Dream', and 'When the Sun Rose', are my favorites. All three of these books will have a special place on my book shelf to be shared with my grandchildren some day, and you never know, maybe my great-grandchildren too:)

If you like visually beautiful stories, then you'd be hard-pressed to top the work of Barbara Helen Berger. The otters come to life on the pages of this book...frolicking, reading, rolling, and tasting stars.

Besides its stunning visuals, "A Lot of Otters" is also filled with haunting, almost singing prose; one example:

"A lot of otters saw the stars fall. They dove down into the dark, down into the deep."

Mrs. Berger is one of the best at what she does--she is a true myth-making aritist. It is hard to walk away from one of her stories without being somehow enriched. I recommend "A Lot of Otters" most highly.

Barbara Helen Berger's "A Lot Of Otters" is lovely. We begin seeing, on an open ocean, a little boy in soft red pajamas, floating about in a box! He's has something, which he drops, and soon otters begin to swim around and gather up what he's dropped and what the Moon herself is dropping as well (I can't give away more detail or it will take away some of the fun of the book for you).

The illustrations are soft, sumptuous, and absolutely glowing--Berger has somehow managed to make each page look almost as though it's lit from behind. The toddler is rendered realistically, and the otters are shown sleek and lithe as they would be in real life--but everything has a moonglow cast to it, and that makes this book's pictures utterly and completely enchanting. A wonderful bedtime story, especially on a moonlit night!

It's bedtime & Mother Moon calls for her child. Below, a little boy in his pjs with a book under his arms, finds a box to snuggle into & dream of floating on the sea with a lot of otters.

A much-loved book in our rural library, with pictures every mother & child can relate to, this tender & lyrical read takes you out into the otters' world of water & charm & comedy.

A lovely, whimsical book, a soothing, joyous bedtime story.

"The Jewel Heart" is not my favorite book by Barbara Helen Berger. It is the first book by her that I've read that has not blown me away. Still, I can see quite clearly how a book like this would move the heart of a dancer.

Both my wife and daughter have danced some ballet. So I was not surprised when my daughter really enjoyed this book.

This little tale about the relationship between Gemino and Pavelle is quite interesting. Like the rest of Berger's stuff, it is a clear enough story to read once to a child. At the same time, it is deep enough to bear some reflecting on by mature kids and mature adults.

I wish I could give "The Jewel Heart" three and a half stars. It is, like all of Berger's books, worth reading. It is just not my personal favorite. That said, I recommend it.

My 6-year old daughter and her friends are enthralled with this lovely book. We've read it many times and they never seem to tire of the story of the kind ballerina, Pavelle, and her dear friend Gemino. The illustrations are works of art and have a wonderful ethereal quality to them. Ms. Berger is a truly talented author and illustrator.

This is a delicate, gentle tale, with pictures so soft they're almost wistful. But the story of the lovely dancer and the one who weaves her music is quietly luminous and has a serene, pure joy at the ending, where the young musician's heart bursts into a beautiful rose. The shadows that whisper through the book are magical. All in all, a dream of a book.

I am a big Barbara Helen Berger fan, and as such I was surprised to find myself dissapointed by this book. The illustrations are just as beautiful as her other works, but there was no real story, just a short "we are not alone" message. I was quickly bored, and so was my daughter. However, I did notice my daughter making up her own story as she leafed through the pages. All in all, though, I much prefer this author's other books.

Barbara Berger creates some of the most beautiful imagery in children's picture books, and her spare, evocative prose is the perfect complement to the misty, fanciful illustrations. What a fabulous way to inspire children to think in new and creative ways, while experiencing the joy and exuberance of the imagination. This book is perfect for any child.