This is a very good book, not only informative, but it kept me interested where so many other books on the subjects of math or women mathematicians could be real yawners. It includes lots of information, the biographies are short and don't drag on, and books like this could be very inspirational to young women interested in pursuing careers in math. The book introduces all sorts of women in math, most of whom I was not familiar with before reading it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about math-related careers, the growing importance of women in the field, or is just looking for some good non-fiction to read. It's worth it!

The series of Carl the Rottie books are a treat for young and not so young. Humor, great art work and tight story line makes for fun beauty and excitement (at a pleasant level), Buy for your own pleasure, If someone else enjoys your find then that is icing for the cake.

In this nearly wordless book, Carl "doggie" (as we called him in our house) takes the baby for a jaunt through a department store while Mother leaves him for a few minutes to go shopping.

The baby immediately climbs out of her stroller and onto Carl's back, up the elevators to the toy department. There, Carl deposits her into a toy truck, which collides gently with a stack of stuffed animals.

Next stop is the book department, where the baby finds (appropriately) a picture book on Rottweilers. Visits to the hat, television, carpet and fine foods departments ensue. Of course the story would not be complete without a stop in the pet deparment, where delightful mischief transpires.

I won't spoil the ending, but parents willing to laugh with their children will find this and Alexandra Day's other Carl books a delightful way to introduce them to words. Talking with a child over these stories starts a lifetime of book-loving. Alyssa A. Lappen

The Carl series of books is beyaon description wonderful. The artwork will suck you in for great leangths of time. The lack of text leaves room for creative play and language building with your child(ren). The first time he "reads" a Carl book to you, it becomes very evident how well worth the cost these books are. We have several in the series, Board books for everyday play, and some large hardcover traditional paper books for more special occaisions (Birthday, Christmas). I highly reccomend all of the books in the series. I give them as that extra little shower gift and the new parents are always delighted.

I bought this book years ago when the cover was different, and it cost only $12.95 in paperback, and I still use it for ideas, although some of them are a little off-the wall or even impractical for me. It's the kind of book where there is a culture clash with some of the things she suggests: "Put strawberries in a bowl and leave two, with stems on, on the table next to the bowl.." Why? Or "Put eggs in an old wire basket." Well, I'm afraid they won't last too long like that, and with the organic eggs I buy costing over $2,00 a dozen, it's the height of impracticality for me. Then there's "Make lobster, avocado, and wild rice salad for a picnic." Two problems: a) tell me how, and b) maybe this is no problem for a New Yorker or Connecticut resident, but for a landlocked Oklahoman that's a mighty pricey picnic! Statements like these make her seem very Martha Stewart, like she's from another world. Certainly not mine, anyway.Still, there are many, many parts of her book where she makes perfect sense, such as buying in season, and that people buy too much food, and taking the television out of the bedroom is a great idea I've completely taken to heart! So to sum up, this book that gives you food for thought, if you don't choke on some of the grace notes!

I felt obligated to post my review because, as cheesy as it may sound, Alexandra Stoddard's book, Living A Beautiful Life, actually changed my life -- for the better. I'll agree that all of the Grace Notes are not for everyone -- they are merely suggestions. Neither do I try and do everything that she recommends. But she did succeed at getting me to look at life and its daily routine in a different way. She's also introduced me to wonderful authors, such as Madeleine L'Engle. Alexandra's writing has helped me to live a more beautiful life "in the moment" by appreciating every blessing and using every moment to add more beauty to it. Now I try and celebrate every little aspect of life, if possible, by not keeping anything mundane. My life greatly reflects my passion for life and I am now more aware of the beauty involved in simple existence. Alexandra has written other great books (which have helped me tremendously) on relationships, family, interior decorating, the lost art of letter writing, etc. Remember, it's all about what works for you. I'm currently collecting Alexandra's books and highly recommend them all. Alexandra, thank you very much. By sharing your passion, you give a wonderful gift. :)

This book is full of ideas on how to make every day life more enjoyable. It is not a recipe to be followed exactly, but it certainly caused me to think about how I do things. Suddenly, tidying up the house wasn't such an ordeal, and I wasn't so quick to do a sloppy job at my daily tasks. I highly recommend this book to any lady who would like to enhance her life.

My 2 yo loves this book (and the other Carl books we have). He's a bit nervous around real dogs so I saw this book as a way to show him that dogs are fun and not scary. We have to read it every night (at least once) before bed. When I've had enough, he'll "read" it to himself.

Recommend this book highly to preschoolers and below. They love the pictures and insist that you still 'read' it to them. Instead have them read it to you by telling you what Carl is doing is in each picture. The botttom line: Carl is always very handy to have around the house.

My two children enjoyed this story with no anxiety at all, and I'm sure they are typical. It is cute and funny book which most kids will enjoy tremendously.

I think this is a horrible book. A baby left alone with the dog on Christmas while his parents go to Church and to grandma's house. The baby is going through town a night in the snow in his pajamas. I have a hard time getting my child not to sit on the dog already I don't need him getting ideas that he can ride on a dogs back. Just the whold idea of leaving your baby with the dog is horrible.

I just could not get past the idea of this book. A family leaves a baby home alone with a rottwielier on Christmas day. The dog then rides the baby on its back through the cold city streets even stopping to peer into the window of another family enjoying their Christmas together - babies included.

Of course no one would leave his/her baby with an ordinary dog--but this is CARL! Carl can dress the baby and care for the baby. Let's face it. The story is totally make believe. Santa arrives at the home too and leaves by traveling up the chimney. I don't suppose I would expect that in real life either. The illustrations are lovely. There are very few words in the book, so it is fun to tell the story in your own words. I think Carl's Christmas as well as the other Carl books are charming.

I was really disappointed with this book. If you are a Carl fan, you will not like this book. The illustrations do not bring the family or their plight to life. Some of their belongings, i.e. a commercial popcorn machine, didn't quite fit in the scheme. It would make a nice Christmas gift book for a child. Perhaps the story would have been better suited to the late 1800's or early 1900's.

I don't have any children nor grandchildren in this age group. I have not read any of the "Carl" books for which Alexandra Day is evidently noted. I saw the cover drawing with a goat toting a Christmas tree & was intrigued. Looking through the book brought smiles & a desire to own this book. At home I found the pictures drew me back again & again. The wild collection of possessions & the large number of pets made me feel right at home. I enjoyed this book so much I went back to get more copies for friends but the book store was sold out. Thus, here I am at amazon.com finding the book I was seeking all over the state. As you can tell, this book is one of my favorites & if I were still a preschool teacher my students would be enjoying it right along with me.

Delightful tale of twelve animals and three humans moving house on Christmas Eve. A warm-hearted fantasy world where all the animals do their share. It gives a hopeful message that even in hard circumstances, working together to a good plan the family can survive. The enchanting pictures remind me of The Tompten and other Scandinavian picture books. The magic things (such as Pinnochio) move with the creatures as well as the practical (the dryer!) A real Christmas classic, about hope and sharing, reminding us that the first Christmas was spent in the barn.

Darby is a lovable, high spirited English Bull. He arrives by crate, special delivery to an unnamed family. The equally unnamed brother and sister try to train their anvil headed English Bull, (these dogs have anvil shaped heads) whose favorite activity appears to be chewing their cushions, photos and furniture. They make some success with their spirited dog and Darby learns to tinkle outside, bark, sit and stay on command. He just can't master that chewing problem, though.

Furious with the destructive behavior of the dog, the childrens' father insists that Darby be kept penned in his own fenced corner of the yard.

In an amazing, implausible series of events, the family home plunges into water, is immersed below (how did they all breathe) and Darby rescues them. Although the story left something to be desired, I loved the illustrations and was captivated by the English Bull. The illustrations alone were worth 5 stars.

Lisa Kopper introduced the world at large to Daisy, an English bull who imitates her owner's child and teaches her puppies as well as her owner's child how to get up to some serious mischief). This book will delight dog lovers, particularly those who love an anvil headed English bull.

I don't think much of the family's training methods in the book, since Bull Terriers should always be crate trained. However, the story is good, the art is up to Alexandra Day's usual marvellous standard, and Darby is a true BT, with all the loveable characteristics of the breed. My 4 year old son truely loved this book.

Carl's Masquerade is a beautifully illustrated, clever and humorous book aimed at preschoolers. On page one, the parents announce that they're going to a masquerade party, and tell their Rottweiler, Carl, "take good care of the baby." Therein lies the problem. In real life, parents who leave their baby unattended by humans and go off to a party, are guilty of child neglect. But this book presents this scenario as being cute and funny. Adults and older children reading this book can make the distinction that this is inappropriate behavior in real life, but the book's young target audience cannot.

Once the parents leave for the party, Carl takes the baby to the same big party, where they get admitted because the greeter at the door thinks they're in costume. Once in the door, the story is told only with pictures. At the party, Carl and the baby (who appears to be about a year old) see many interesting costumes and have fun adventures. The pictures are quite amusing and clever, such as when Carl sees what he thinks is a cat, but is really a human in a cat costume. Visual humor is the book's major strength. Although the baby spots her parents, the parents are always looking the other way and don't see the baby. Carl manages to get the baby home and safe in her crib just before the parents come home.

Although I wish I could recommend this beautifully illustrated, clever, humorous book, I simply can't, because of the parents' irresponsible behavior. I just don't count on preschoolers being able to make a distinction that this is a fantasy. Also, it might play on fears they have of being left alone. However, it's worth a quick "read" for adults and older children to enjoy the clever visual humor of Alexandra Day.

We loved our first Carl books, "Good Dog, Carl!" and "Carl's Afternoon in the Park." So, I bought several more Carl books from Amazon without previewing them. Imagine my disappointment that these books did not maintain the excellent quality provided by the first two. This book does not flow as smoothly as those forementioned. The artwork is a little more sketchy (still better than most children's books). There are some clever ideas in the book, but it is too busy to maintain a child's interest. I definitely recommend the two other books mentioned, but use caution and preview any other Carl books before purchasing them.

This is one of my favorites as each time I take it out it makes me smile. Carl takes baby out and "follows" mom and dad to a masquerade party. How amusing when Carl and baby meet up with an "identical" costume match at the party! Just footsteps behind the parents they partake of food and festivities and then it is time to leave and safely arrive back home. Mom and dad linger at store windows "allowing" the careful babysitter to take his charge back to bed. Some reviewers believe Day's books set bad examples, but I totally disagree. All antics are in fun and mischief.