As a teacher, I can not tell you enough how fabulous this book is! It not only has beautiful illustrations it also has a beautiful message! I use this whenever I teach my butterfly unit, and this is always the kids favorite book that I read! Buy it - you will not regret it!

This is the story of a little cricket who comes to realize his true beauty after being helped by a wise old spider. The little cricket lives in Swampswallow Pond where most of the other crickets are happy spending their days fiddling. This little cricket is not happy. He has been told by the frog at the edge of the pond that he is ugly. He envies all the other creatures that live in Swampswallow Pond. The cricket questions several of the creatures about his beauty, but it isn't until he comes upon the wise old spider that he is able to find his own beauty. Follow Up: Ask students what they think about the story. Students will brainstorm ideas about wishes. Students can write about their own wishes and dreams.Make a class book. Students will write about some things they like about themselves. Draw a different student's name each day and have everyone write the student a letter telling them what they like about that person. Perform this story as a reader's theater.

I am a senior in high school, and our English teacher shared this story with us, and had us to look for a deeper meaning. It is wonderful and inspiring. I want a copy so I can share it with my children one of these days.

A delightful review of the world of Doctor Who as it stood in the 1970's. It includes many rare pictures from the series as well as publicity shots and behind-the-scenes photos. From Adams, Douglas to Zygons (Terror of), this is a wonderfully produced Master-piece! A truly great book for all Doctor Who fans!

I've just read this wonderful book and it is WELL worthe reading so dont think twice about buying this book

This is my favorite non-fiction Doctor Who book of all time. The book is loaded with some never before seen footage and insightful data. The layout is wonderful and captures the decade that brought us Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker. My favorite chapter of the book features merchandise from the 70's -- so far the only Who book that addresses this aspect of the show.

Doctor Who: The Handbook - The Third Doctor is a great reference guide to the Jon Pertwee era as the dashing, man-in-action, earth-bound Time Lord from 1970 thru 1974. Superbly researched, authors David J. Howe & Stephen James Walker take us through the details of the development of the Third Doctor's adventures. The series now became more action packed. Featuring 8 chapters, focusing on actor Jon Pertwee, along with episode story reviews, production development, and also a feature on the making of the season 9 story, the 4 part "Day of the Daleks" (1972). This book has it all, which makes for some interesting behind-the-scenes information.

The Third Doctor Handbook is a great addition to any Doctor Who fans' collection. It also features an introduction by the Third Doctor himself, the late Jon Pertwee, written in April 1996, a month before he passed away. Published in 1996, this was the fifth volume in the Doctor Who series of handbooks.

The book, Doctor_Who:_the_Handbook:_the_Third_Doctor, is an excellent book in the "Doctor Who" handbook series by Walker, Stammers, and Howe. The book is divided into several sections for easy reference, contains an episode guide for the third Doctor's era with reviews of each episode, and provides a really nice overview of the era of the third Doctor and the events of the time period during which the episodes were produced and aired.

Personally, I wish the book had included more information on the discoveries/recoveries of lost Pertwee episodes, as well as their restoration to color; since, the stories behind these are very fascinating.

Overall, this is a very well researched volume; and, I highly recommend this book as well as the rest in the series.

Fans of the series, fans of Jon Pertwee's Doctor, or even to Jon Pertwee's other work are owed this volume from the Handbook series by Virgin Publishing. Like all of the books before it, it goes in depth into not just what and how (the late) Pertwee acted in "Doctor Who", but as well, much of the background info, behind-the-scenes, etc. which are a fan's necessity. Not only do I recommend this non-fiction paperback, but all the others in the series (there's seven altogether).

Bunnicula is an institution! I've read these books since I was a little girl, and it's a pleasure to be able to share them with my daughter now. Get them all, you'll be glad you did.

Like you probably guessed Bunnicula strikes again and brings Harold,Chester and Howie along with him for the last time around.This is the last book to the"Bunnicula" series so pay attention!Bunnicula's back to his vampire ways and chester is more suspicious then ever.When Bunnicula shows odd behavior,the pets suspect that he misses his mother.Chester does not want the rabbit and mother to reunite incase they both take over the town with thier vampire ways.When Bunnicula becomes ill and is tooken to the vets Chester goes with him to supervise incase Bunnicula has something else planned.While this is happening Howie and Harold set out to the vets to stop Chester from ruining Bunniculas life.This is a series finale you wont want to miss.So look for this hard covered book written by James Howe in a book store near you,and get in on this wild adventure.

Herein lies three absorbing accounts of the first wagon trains to California (1841), Oregon (1842) and Washington (1853). The sixty nine men, women and children of the 1841 Bidwell-Bartleson party were the first to attempt any such overland migration to the west. Bidwell describes many features such as the disputable election of Bartleson as captain; securing Fitzpatrick as guide; praiseworthy comments on traveling companion Father DeSmet; provisions and daily routines; making roads for the wagons; buffalo stampedes; "cyclones"; half the party dividing at Soda Springs to continue traveling north with Fitzpatrick and the missionaries; getting lost a few times in Utah and Nevada due to vague geographical directions; making pack-saddles from the wood of their abandoned wagons; Bartleson and others deserting; etc. The Hubert Bancroft account of the 1842 Elija White party of one hundred twelve descibes daily routines also, along with rules and regulations for the journey; the controversial slaughtering of twenty two of the emigrants' dogs as ordered by White, thereby resulting in Loren Hastings elected as captain and the division of the party; the somewhat dubious tactics at Fort Laramie to obtain the emigrants' oxen and wagons in exchange for worn-out, haggard horses, and supplies at exhorbitant prices; securing Fitzpatrick as guide; etc. The 1853 James Longmire account to Washington has the emigrants traversing the treacherous Cascade Mountains, using ropes and rawhide from freshly butchered cattle to lower their wagons down steep canyon walls. Although only 104 pages, this little book gives armchair "overlanders" an intriguing glimpse into the many hardships, sacrifices and speculations these early day pioneers had to overcome.

This 104 page volume, illustrated with black and white engravings and paintings by Frederic Remington and others, brings together the accounts of the first three wagon trains from "the States" to the West.

John Bidwell's account of the "First Emigrant Train to California: Kansas River to Marsh's Rancho, May 19 to November 5, 1841," is the longest of the three, providing a great deal of insight into the daily life, hardships and encounters of this pioneer journey to the Sacramento area.

Hubert Howe Bancroft and others, write about the "Elijah White Party," which left the Independence, Missouri, area on May 14, 1842 for the Oregon country, where Elijah White was to commence his duties as the first U.S. Government agent in the region. Bancroft's account, with insertions from other diaries, gives us a glimpse not only of the journey, which is fascinating, but of the political squabbles among the leaders. Among other things, we learn about White's infamous order to kill all the dogs in the party. The group reaches the Whitman Mission, near Walla Walla, and most continue on to Fort Vancouver.

The shortest account, but the one that interested me the most, is "Through Naches Pass," by James Longmire. It tells of the 1853 Longmire party, giving a brief account of their travels to Fort Walla Walla, but providing more detail on their struggles to be the first wagon train to arrive in the Puget Sound area, crossing the Cascade Mountains just north of Mount Rainier. This was the first party to arrive in the West with most of their wagons. Here we see a tired, ragged party on the western slopes of the Cascades celebrating by clubbing and eating their fill of humpback salmon, although Mrs. Longmire preferred to buy a pheasant from a nearby Indian hunter.

I'd recommend these first-hand accounts of the overland journey to the West to anyone interested in the westward movement, as well as to teachers and students studying this period of history.

Doctor Who: The Handbook - The Seventh Doctor concludes the excellent series of Dr. Who Handbooks from Virgin Publishing. This, the seventh and final volume in the Handbook series focuses on the Sylvester McCoy era of Dr. Who from 1987-1989 (seasons 24-26), the final three years of Dr. Who as a regular BBC series before cancellation.

Great behind the scenes information as well as a feature on the making of the season 24 story "Dragonfire". This volume also focuses on the seven year gap of 1989-1996, looking at the various attempts at one time or another on possible revivals of Doctor Who either as a new series or feature films before the British and American co-produced TV movie of 1996 that starred Paul McGann as the new Eighth Doctor, succeeding and finally concluding Sylvester McCoy's era as the Seventh Doctor. This handbook also includes massive coverage of the 1996 TV movie.

This volume also includes a superb index at the end of the book as well as an errata section, correcting the mistakes from the previous six Doctor Who Handbook volumes. An excellent end to a wonderful series of Handbooks that have become the most in-depth and authorized research on the history of the science fiction series Doctor Who.

I waited a long time for this book to be published and was very pleased when I finally got a chance to read it!

This volume covers the last three years of the original BBC "Doctor Who" series (1987-89) as well as the events leading up to and including the 1996 "Doctor Who" movie.

It is organized into sections for easy reference and includes an episode guide for the seventh Doctor's era, with two reviews for each. It also goes on to include the information about Paul McGann's stint as the Doctor as well.

If there's any criticism, I wish the book had contained more information about the events surrounding the end of the TV series. But, this is a small point.

Like the others in the "Doctor Who" handbook series, the Sylvester McCoy volume is another well organized and well-researched volume.

Horace, Morris, and Dolores are best friends, but as you probably surmised, of DIFFERENT GENDERS! Readers (and listeners) are so relieved when each character resists "society's pressure to conform to gender stereotypes" and follows his or her heart. In the process, their circle of friends grows even bigger! (I like that it's Dolores who makes the first stand!) Pay attention to amusing details in the illustrations!

This book is one of those rare combinations of a sensitive and engaging story complemented by equally compelling illustrations. Walrod's illustrations jump out of book with funky perspectives and a masterful use of color and texture. She interprets this very good story about individuality and freindship in a way that balances an important message with a style that produces so many fun (and funny) things to look at that kids (and parents)will have a hard time putting it down

The best of the stories in here are brilliant. The dialogue is great, as well as the reflective passages. That a mediocre short story writer like Raymond Carver is lauded, while Schwartz is relatively obscure, shows that the cream does NOT rise to the top. I've read passages of these stories a number of times. I can't praise them highly enough.

Five of the stories here are flat-out masterpieces ("In Dreams;" "The World is a Wedding;" "New Year's Eve;" "The Commencement Address;" and "The Track Meet"), while the other 3 are extremely well done, if not as wholly satisfying. This collection should be required reading in every contemporary lit. class. It's got everything: all the themes of struggle, frustration and defeat, responsibility, ambition, all the thoughts that men have thought in every age, and captures its era so perfectly and completely I am in awe. Even though the stories are, in some ways similar (especially "In Dreams," "The Commencement Address," and "The Track Meet"), they are utterly original, beautiful, hallucinatory, profound, funny and heartbreaking. Schwartz -- that great voice speaking out against the crowd -- deserves to be heard at last.

This is an absolutely fantastic collection of short storys, each one is so presice and refreshing. I recomend it to everyone. His writing is striking, and extremely well written yet underrated.

I loved the book and if your thinking about buying it go for it.However if you haven't read Bunnicula and Howliday Inn your really missing out on some great books and you should get those too!

Bunnicula is a vampire bunny and he is on the loose. The Monroes, the family who owns Bunnicula, really don't have a clue about his escape. Bunnicula's pals Harold, Chester, and Howie are there to track him down in order to stop disaster. Chester has a theory that if Bunnicula bites the vegetables in everyone's garden they will turn into vampire vegetables and then attack the town. The message to the readers relays that ones mind can jump to many conclusions from the simple to the bazaar. Chester's idea of what may happen is defiantly leaning towards the bazaar. I like Celery Stalks at Midnight because the author told the story using animals which creates a hilarious picture in my mind.I recommend this book to all ages because of the animals and the mysterious happenings.

This is the best Bunnicula book written. I have read the whole series and this is the best!

This book is about a girl who becomes friend with a boy named donald. Donald was burned at a young age and has not been the most popluar persion in the world. Maria who is the girl becomes one of Donalds olny friends alothogh its sad it has so many lauhs a long the way. It deals with presure and over coming it Ipersionaly loved the book and would no dout read it again! "GOTTA LOTTA" baby all the way(u'll get it when you read it)

A night without stars sort of forshadows my life from the ages of 6 months old until I was 6 years old only my surguries were on my feet. The nervousness that Maria feels the night befor her surgury is the same that I felt. The fact that she is having open heart surjury is much more serious and frightening. Well I thought some parts in the begining were sort of confusing but thats me, everything is so confusing. A Night Without Stars was certainly one of my favorite books and I think that everyone should read it. Boys and girls. I mean who cares if the main character is a girl, boys should read it anyways. I thing this book should be a middle school, or high school requirment throughout the united States of America.

This book is among one of my Top 10 faves! It's even better than the Bunnicula books,especially since the characters are human. Maria was apprehensive about having heart surgery. Getting no information from doctors,friends,or family didn't help. She made new friends in the hospital. Although they told her to avoid a burn victim cruelly nicknamed Monster Man,she resisted peer pressure and befriended the boy. They both helped each other through their surgeries. Since I want to be a writer,Donald's poetry interested me. He coped with disaster the way many other ostracized teens would: by withdrawing and showing hostility. Only Maria cracked his tough shell of bitterness. The story behind this story(it's in the back of the book on the page about the author)is really touching. Enough waxing philosophical,now for the most important part: get this book.You won't regret it.