This book leaves nothing unchallenged. Barbara does NOT take No for an answer. She probes and questions till businesses are worn down and give her what she wants. She's not intimidated by their usual tactics -- "It's not company policy," "No one has ever asked before--" yadda, yadda. She's daring and audacious and shows us how we can ask too, without changing or going through a special program. Just by reading the book, you get empowered and start Asking, not being cowed and intimidated. The bullets on the cover don't do the book justice. It's a lot more than getting deals, but an empowerment and a way to not feel helpless in the marketplace. Plus, the book is such fun and easy to read.

This book was one of those ones that you just don't put down because you are so eager to see what happens next. I hate getting taken advantage of by retail sellers and service providers, so this book helped me understand their MOs and figure out how to get help from them to get satisfaction. Can't go wrong here - I'm loading up for Christmas presents.

I enjoyed this book so much. Barbara has a great sense of humor and you can't put the book down. What will she do next! It's helped me in many situations with businesses and made asking painless.

A fascinating and deeply intimate account of one woman's survival of cancer and the journey she travelled to get there. Open and honest about the feelings and thoughts experienced when one is facing death, be it death of the physical self and/or death of the old life to the birth of a new life. Barbara wonderfully incorporates traditional medical therapies with alternative therapies. Her intelligence and wisdom are apparent as soon as you begin reading. A book you just cannot put down!

Discovering cancer, and her own mortality, Barbara Stone draws on wisdom, faith, and resolve to lead herself and us on a triumphant journey over fear and disease. Her story will deeply touch you. Truly, it is a "profile in courage." Whether well or ill, everyone should read this book.

Joseph Gustafson, Poet

My mother happens to be friends with Ms. Stone, the author of Cancer as Initiation. It was after I met her that I became compelled to read her book. My mother also battled breast cancer, and this book gave me a sense of what she might be experiencing. The author uses a unique blend of journal,expository, and personal writings, creating a book that is difficult to put down. I enjoyed learning about her use of both Eastern and Western medicine. Cancer as Initiation offers the family members of breast cancer victims and survivors hope and peace. Cancer is a blessing and a curse, but frightening to all. After reading Barbara's book, and doing some soul-searching of my own, I know that if I am ever diagnosed with breast cancer myself, the power to beat it lies within me, and my own unique combinations of Western and Eastern medicine.

Barbara Gill is a writer, attorney, and disability advocate as well as the mother of a child with Down syndrome. In this book she shares short one or two page vignettes that honestly tell what she has experienced. With titles such as "Awareness", "Sorrow", "Magical Thinking", "Forgiveness", "Pain", she captures the emotions that parents of children with disabilities share. Each reading stands by itself and can be read over and over again. It is a book that you will always keep nearby and will want to read from for years to come.

I bought this shortly after finding out my baby had severe cerebral palsy, blindess, and mental disabilities from brain damage. It was helpful to read the words of other parents whose children were didabled in various ways, because they knew what they were talking about. I did not feel the same as all of the contributors, but I could see their point of view. Reading some of the contributions, I felt so good knowing that some of these parents felt the same and had the same thoughts I did. At the time, I was deluged with advice and attempts at wisdom from people with healthy normal children. But this book offered me the shared wisdom and strength of parents who really know what it is like.

I only wish I had found this book a year ago, when I was first struggling with the facts of my child's disability. This is a book they should hand out to parents in hospitals and clinics. It is honest, heartbreaking, sweet and hopeful all at the same time. Not every one of the little notes will match your mood at any given time, but the book is structured so that you can pick and choose among them at random. Barbara Gill has managed to put into words the complex emotions of having a child that challenges every facet of your life in previously unimaginable ways, yet for whom you feel a deep and ferocious love. I keep it on my desk at work and pick it up when I feel myself flagging -- it never fails to help me pick up and go on.

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.

This book deserves five stars because it includes lots of information. It isn't as easy or funny as the lessons, but it's still really good

My daughter received a copy of this book as part of a cotillion class. She has reviewed various sections of the book as different social situations have presented themselves. The book is written with a young person in mind; it is concise, funny when appropriate, and answers a lot of questions the kids might not even know they have yet. As a mom, I found it very helpful not only in teaching my child the rudimentaries of etiquette, but in providing me with a refresher course for both business and personal situations. I have also found it extremely helpful for the dance steps; the combination of the written instruction and the ubiquitous feet make it easy to learn a new dance.

Reviewed by ATH, age 12: I thought that the book was excellent! It explained many hard-to-understand topics pertaining to etiquette rules. After reading this book, you will have no more questions about manners and will never feel uncomfortable at parties. This easy-to-read and understand book tells you everything you need to know about etiquette and more!(Tips on dressing, dancing, manners, etc.) It is a good value for the money since you can keep it and refer to it whenever you have a question. I highly recommend this book to anyone over the age of 11.

This book brings back fond memories of when I first heard these songs/stories back in grade school. I really think they are wonderful, motivating stories and songs that truly inspire children. I had to get it for my first baby so he can also experience the magic.

I first heard of FTBY&M in 5th grade(1979) the whole school watched it in assembly. I loved it-all the stories and most of all the music. It touched me like nothing I had seen or heard before. The title song had our whole school singing for days! Years later i just happened to come across the book in our library, and WOW! all those memories came rushing back!! THEN, two years ago, i was given the soundtrack to FTBY&M, and I have not stopped singing since. The music and stories got me thru a serious illness and a horrible breakup= and when I one day have kids of my own, I will pass the legacy on!!!!!

I grew up in the late '70s playing the record of "Free to Be you and Me" over and over. My mom actually had to buy me a second copy because I lost the song book and couldn't live without it. I still sing "When We Grow Up" and "It's Allright To Cry" in the shower and to my nephews. Now I share the wisdom of Atalanta and William's Doll with the teenage mothers I teach. While it doesn't take a genius to figure out the songs on the record were recorded in the '70s, they are timeless treasures for all of our children. Buy this book and the CD for the important children in your life. You'll never be sorry!

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.

i just read this book for the third time. i liked it just as much as the times before. this book is about a girl named abby winston and a boy named tyler crane. after tyler's dad commited suacide, his crazy mom goes to live with aunts. tyler goes to the lack to live in his best friends families trailor for the summer. he loves it there. then he meets abby and he relizes that he does have someone who cares for him other than his best friend rod. Abby is from a very wealthy family(her dad is a congress man). when tyler dissapears, abby is determind to find him. She discovers a lot about her family as she goes along, and figures out what love means.

when i read this book, i was only in the 4th grade. then just tonight, out of no where,it comes up in my head, and i was searching for it. i completely agree with everyone else that this book is really mysterious, kind of creepy even. it has a great plot, too. plus your never too young or too old to read this. i highly encourage you to check this book out, you totally won't regret it!!

This is a great book. It ties in teenage romance, suspense, and has a great ending. It keeps you reading, you won't want to put it down. It is written carefully, with a good style and several view points. I would highly reccommned this book, there's something in it for everyone, guys and girls of all ages.

You are sure to be appreciated by your son or daughter for selecting name from this book - "A to Z Listings of Thousands of Names : BABY NAMES a new generation" by Barbara Kay Turner. This book has thousands of names, the source of the names, how-to-spell them, famous people bearing the respective names, alternative for the name and many more. Many pages have a small box at the bottom with "Less common classics : New, Unusual Names". This makes your job still easier. The meanings of the names are very appropriate and convincing. You are sure to get appreciated by your son or daughter, i.e the new generation.

Cover page is really lovely covering varieties of babies - black , white, cute etc. Girls names and boys names are separately listed with most approriate meanings. Meanings are very convincing.Each name has variants after the meaning. Totally it is worth its value.

When it came time to pick a name for Junior, Junior just wasn't right. I wasn't looking forward to just going through lists of names to pick one out. Fortunately I found "Baby Names, A New Generation." I actually had fun. This book is not just a list. (Check out"Beam Me Up Pr'zylla") It made the search for just the right name a pleasure, not a chore. I recommend it highly!

this is shakespeare's most accessible comedy. it's a farce about mistaken identities among identical twins. nothing complicated here. the play has it's funny moments. it's not the bard's best comedy; that's 'much ado about nothing', imho. but this is not a bad place to start.

"Methinks you are my glass, and not my brother."
So says Dromio of Ephesus, one of the members of two sets of estranged twins whose lives become comically intertwined in this delightful, ingenious, & aptly named Comedy of Errors. Being an avid Shakespeare fan and reader, I unequivocally consider The Comdey of Errors to be Shakespeare's finest and funniest comedy. Antipholus of Syracuse and his long lost twin Antipholus of Ephesus along with the two twin servants Dromio of Ephesus and Syracuse become unceasingly mistaken for each other making for a hilarious and entertaining farce of a play.

The Comedy of Errors has been copied many times since in literature, movies, & sitcoms, although it has never been duplicated.

There is no doubt that this comedy of Shakespeare's is delightful, crazy fun. You could call it the father (or mother) of all sit-coms. The play is suitable for middle school production and viewing, with some modifications. For my students and myself I prefer the Folger's edition of Shakespeare's plays for three reasons. First, the footnotes are easy to read and across from the text. 2. The choice of illustrations and 3. The introductory information. When purchasing for my students, though I have tried other publishers, I now always choose Folgers.