I've been aware of this line of products for some time. Recently while cruising one of the large area booksellers I purchased this for my 3 1/2 year old son. -- I liked the format of having all of the activities in one large book which I could store safely in our book case, instead of having to search amongst the coloring books for the smaller single subject books. -- My son delighted in the book from the first time we worked on it together. -- I read the instructions and he is able to complete many of the activities. Just enough of the concepts are beyond his abilities right now that this will be able to provide months of engaging challenges for him. He seems to really enjoy figuring out the right responses 'all by himself' and the look of pride and satisfaction he gets is just priceless. -- The pages are also perforated, so just last week I took several pages with us on an airline flight. My son was content for the entire trip. - As we were leaving the airplane a woman seated in front of us complimented him on what a bright and well-behaved little boy he is. It made both of us feel great.

This is probably one of the best presents my 4 year old neice got. The first day she got it she did 55 pages in one day!! Now her mom has to tell her to take a break because she'll work on this book for hours! She's had it for a few months and its surprising that she hasn't gotten bored with it unlike her other books.

My almost 4-year old daughter just received this workbook (the 1st grade edition) as a present from Grandpa. She enjoys completing the excersises, with a little adult help to make sure that she is following the directions correctly. I like that the book progresses in difficulty as the lessons get completed. My daughter is already learning how to read with a Phonics method, so the phonics excercises were at the right challenge level. The workbook did help her pick up new sound combinations in the middle of words, which she had not covered yet in her Phonics class. I was surprised that she seemed to be able to handle the beginning Math without much trouble, such as grouping and counting by tens, and how two and three digit numbers are constructed, since before this workbook she was only counting up to twenty, and adding very small numbers. My daughter really likes the animal characters, and of course, the stickers. I plan on buying her some of the kindergarten books and as soon as she finishes them go back to this workbook.

I enjoyed reading Midlife, A Manual. It covered many of the topics I am facing in my life as a 47 year old mother of four, with adult children leaving the nest, aging parents, retirement in the near future and investment planning. I enjoyed the humor and wit that softens the blows of life's harsh edges. The accounts of personal experience's were wonderful to read, it made me feel less isolated, knowing there are many of us facing these issues. The authors gave terrific useful information and step by step guidlines to take regarding the facing issues. It was a good read and gave helpful ideas.

Midlife, A Manual is a very thought-provoking book. I particularly related to the information on caring for my aging parents. They are at an age when an advocate is most necessary. The book alerted me to aspects I had not considered. For that I am most grateful. Well done!

Just a few quick words to let you know how much I enjoyed the Estrine's book:

I found this book to be full of common sense suggestions; an excellent aid for me while I start my midlife!

Even more importantly, it has given me support while I adapt to the addition of my mother-in-law into our home.

I enjoyed the humor included in this book - if you can't laugh about life, then you haven't got a chance!

I found this to be an easy read and extremely insightful. I would definitely recommend it to everyone!

Like so many original Trekkers, I found the attempt by the "new generations" to kill off the Kirk character thoroughly appalling. Shatner's resurrection of Kirk, while an amusing conflict of interest(!), is a wonderful "take that" that undoes all of the damage. The series is actually really good science fiction adventure which captures the epic spirit of the original TV and film series extremely well. Aspects of "Ashes of Eden" smack of romantic cheese, but once into "Return", we get down to business. There is only one Star Trek captain, and it is Kirk. Long live.

Ashes of Eden is my favorite of these 3, such an excellent story I felt that I was watching a Star Trek movie in my mind.... The Return was slow to start, but really picked up and merged Kirk into the Next Generation universe, ended with a bang! Avenger was very cool, and it had some awesome reunitings, the Virogen plague was very interesting. But of all of this, I was surprised at how good of a story-teller Shatner was, he gets into the plots right away without boring the reader with useless details, all that matters it seems with these books are that they are fun, fun, fun!! I am a huge Star Wars fan, but these books are making my Star Trek desire come to life, Shatner needs to get into having these books developed into a film that incorporates The original series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and the mirror universe (I am currently reading Spectre-It is soooooo cool!)

Get this book, it will take you very little time to read all three stories, I read them all in 6 days, and I usually take a couple of weeks to a month to read just one novel. A+++++++

I found this story to be quite captivating, and all three books almost inpossible to put down. I read all three, in one sitting each. These books, I must admit are not masterfully written, but are so filled with adventure that the writting just melts away. I geatly recommend this book.

"Overcoming Arthritis" is an excellent book for the lay person. It discusses the common types of arthritis, some of the origins of arthritis, and reviews treatments for arthritis. It also describes some of the self-care that people with arthritis can use to minimize the disease process itself and to make their lives more comfortable. The most important part of the book, however, is Dr. Lam's introduction of his "Tai Chi for Arthritis" program. He describes in photos and in words the twelve steps in the form that has been shown to decrease pain and stiffness in people with arthritis and to increase strength and flexibility and a sense of well-being in this same population. The photos are excellent and precisely demonstrate each of the twelve movements. From this book, a person could begin to practice Tai Chi on their own. He also suggests other places where a person might get more information about dealing with arthritis in a pro-active, positive way.
In a world of "how-to" books, I would highly recommend this to all people with arthritis--and to those who have a loved one with arthritis.

Overcoming Arthritis is a clear and detailed account of the accepted and non traditional ways of living with a chronic condition.

The book gives a brief discussion of the different strands of the arthritis family, and explains the more common ones in detail. There is not too much medical information; and yet the authors do not talk down to the readers.

As well as complementary therapies and medicine for arthritis, there is a section on herbal remediea and another on diet. The best arthritis diet, it says, is the one that suits your lifestyle and medications the best - so simple!The section on Tai Chi is incredibly detailed. Both pictures and words are used to good effect when describing @Tai Chi for Arthritis@. In fact, as a teacher of this programme, I use this bit with my classes.

The book also shows the variety of ways arthritis can affect your life - it can be anything from a minor nuisance to a life threatening illness.

For people with arthritis, the book is not too heavy or unwieldy to manage. Good clear print, with plenty of relevant illustrations a lso make this a good choice.

If you are only going to buy one book on arthritis, make this the one. I had to review it for an arthritis magazine, and was so impressed, I went out and bought my own!

Dr Lam's enthusiam for overcoming this painful condition originates from his own experience of the pain. His determination to teach others to overcome the pain and suffering is projected to the reader with a sense of joy and hope.

This book will be welcomed world wide for its sensitivity and hope. It raises teaching techniques to a new level of clarity with easy to follow directions for people of all nationalities and ages. Beautifully co-authored by the award winning medical journalist, Judith Horstman, the book is brought to life as if Dr Lam is the reader's own doctor, instructing in personal consultation.

Positive proof of Dr Lam's personal success in overcoming the painful condition can be seen in his flexibility and agility in his TAI CHI teaching and demonstration videos.

Books can go to people all over the world, to the furthermost places on earth, as gifts, general reading or study guides. Dr Lam's understanding of arthritic conditions comes also from years of teaching and the answers seem to be there before the questions are asked.

For the quick reader, it is a delightful page turner of information and interesting facts. For sufferers of arthritis and associated conditions who will read, learn and apply what they learn, the information will become a lifestyle of discovery.

I was fascinated by this book. I saw myself in many of the stories at different phases in my career. I sure wish I had this book 30 years ago. It would have saved a lot of heartache for our employees and me.

I must applaud the writer for this book's unique approach. As a professional who strives to stay current, I read a good number of the books in the field of Organizational/Personal Effectiveness. Never have I discovered such a personally revealing commentary on self-discovery and spiritual growth. What impressed me the most was the writer's ability to teach the reader not only about her own experience but provide tools and new thinking for their own use.

This book was great! It helped me view my current situation from a new perspective.

My initial reaction to The Art of Star Trek and it's hefty price was skepticism. Once I did purchase it and start running through it, the price could've been twice and I still would've bought this gem. The Art of Star Trek is a pure celebration of everything that Star Trek is and was all the way through it's publication date. It includes articles from the very beginning to the lastest on Voyager and Star Trek Generations. The pictures and drawings are stunning to say the least. This is a book you'll definitely want to add to your collection if you haven't already.

"The Art of Star Trek," by Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, is to date the ultimate "coffee table" book for devoted Star Trek fans. This book, which was published in 1995, covers all aspects of "Trek" history up until its publication date. Through text and plentiful illustrations, the book celebrates the visual artistry that has been such an essential component of the "Trek" phenomenon.

The book deals with each of the specific series from the original until "Voyager," including both the often neglected animated series and the aborted "Phase II" series of the mid-1970s. All films from "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" to "Star Trek Generations" are also covered.

The amount and quality of items in this visual "museum" are astounding. There are behind-the-scenes photos, concept drawings, photos of models, prosthetic makeup designs, storyboards, movie posters from around the world, closeup shots of props, and more. Particularly interesting were the shots of certain props and aliens which were barely seen in fleeting shots, but which represent great imagination and artistry.

Also noteworthy are the drawings which document the evolution of both the original series "Enterprise" and the "Next Generation" ship. I was fascinated by the concept drawings of possible "Enterprises" for the aborted "Phase II" series, as well as by the rejected new uniforms for the first "Next Generation" feature film.

The concise but clear text is a good match for the wealth of glorious, full-color photographs. This book is, from start to finish, a visual feast for "Trek" fans.

How do you give five stars to "Maus: A Survivor's Tale" and then 5 stars to "The Art of Star Trek"? The two books are impossible to compare. Let me just say they both are excellent, and accomplish with great skill what they set out to accomplish.

Growing up, Star Trek was one of the things that inspired me to draw. The voyages of Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew powered my imagination as certainly as antimatter reactions power Starfleet vessels. This ship, her captain, and the stories that they told took an impressionable kid and called him towards adventure. I drew Star Trek pictures, I made communicators out of cardboard, and I wanted to BE Captain Kirk.

The Art of Star Trek captures just that feel. For me, the visual part of this show has always been the critical component. With large, lush photographs, behind-the-scenes sketches, and a ton of pages, this is one of my favorite books, and one I page through time and time again.

This is yet another tale told in this writer's delightful style. I highly recommend this and all of her books. The reviewer from the American Library Association seems disappointed that the boy learns his lesson. Come on now!!! Helping adults and children learn from our mistakes is why folktales and fables have lasted for centuries. A lot of new stories do well to last a decade. This rendition should be around for quite some time. She gives the ending just the right touch in my opinion. I work in the public schools and I'm greatly concerned about the need to help children to learn civilized behavior. Children can learn from it but there is nothing preachy about it at all. It's like a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down.

In The Boy Who Stuck Out His Tongue, Edith Tarbescu retells an old Yiddish folk tale about the son of a widow. When his mother asks him to light the fire He just sticks his tongue out at here. he would rather make snowballs than help with chores. But then sticking his tongue out gets him into a problematic situation. When this happens, all the folk of his little Hungarian village rally to his aid -- and our young man learns an invaluable lesson. Judith Mills' colorful artwork is a perfect enhancement to Edith Tarbescu's engaging and entertaining story that will have young readers gleefully turning the pages, one after another!

The son of the peddler's widow is a lazy and unhelpful boy. When his mother calls him in from playing in the snow to help her light a fire in the stove, he sticks out his tongue and runs away from her. As she chases him, he trips and falls in the deep snow and his tongue sticks to a cold iron fence. The poor boy is stuck and his mother doesn't know how to set him free. She runs into the village and enlists the help of first the cobbler, then the butcher, the baker and even the cook. As a crowd grows, no one in the village can figure out a way to free her son. The boy, stuck to the fence begins to feel a little guilty and starts to cry. All these good townspeople care about what happens to him and all he has ever done is refuse to help them when they've asked. Soon a traveling blacksmith comes along and solves the problem and the boy is free, promising to be helpful whenever the villagers need him..... Edith Tarbescu has written an amusing folk tale that will delight and charm youngsters with it's silly humor and subtle wisdom. Judith Christine Mills beautiful, expressive and detailed artwork adds just the right touch and compliments the story perfectly. Together they have produced a warm and wonderful story your kids will want to read again and again. Perfect for children 3-8, The Boy Who Stuck Out His Tongue is a great addition to all home libraries.

I first purchased this book when I was in 10th grade, and it served me well throughout many social occasions, situations etc. Now as an adult, I've purchased the only copy I could find (used on amazon.com) for my children. This book covers it all, from how to properly eat at a formal place setting, to the proper way to introduce people. She offers smart sassy comebacks to those who need them, and a bit of a chuckle for those of us who were raised with proper manners (unlike the offerings I've seen here at the University where I work among the students!!!)
Enjoy

This is most certainly NOT Emily Post at work here.

Miss Manners is excrutiatingly correct and absolutely thorough in this best of all the entries in her series of books. But even if you don't care about Proper Behavior, this book is a great read. Miss Manners is a great writer; her work is pointed, sharp and funny. She has the gift of making me laugh out loud as I read about matters that I don't even care much about, and hardly a chapter went by without my learning something useful.

Someone wisely chose to include letters written to her column; it's in her byplay with her readers that she shines brightest. A great read for any fans of fine, tight column writing, no matter what the subject.

Miss Manners combines wit and heavy information to make a winning solution and a book that you can't put down. (Unless you have company of course, not putting it down could result in an ettiquette faux-pas!) A marvelous writer, this book should be read by all. Maybe then then world could operate in a more gracious manner.

Some of these recipes were old favorites and some were very new, but what they all have in common the low fat content which we all appreciate. The author does not sacrifice taste when she trades in the higher fat foods for lower fat ones!

Some of the recipes are ones I enjoyed reading but would never try because of the loooong list of ingredients. I find myself just skipping over recipes that have 20+ ingredients. It's just too much.

Looking out at 2 feet of snow, I am planning on making the Chick Pea and Tomato Soup this afternoon. Sounds yummy.

This is a must for your kitchen cookbook library. "Saved by Soup" should not be confused as a seasonal cookbook. I love cooking soup during the blustery winter days, and from fall to spring this compact cookbook seldom goes back into the rack. The summer section in this book is also very good. You must try Judith Barrett's 'Best Gazpacho' and 'Chilled Corn Vichyssoise' summer recipes.

My girlfriend is delighted over this cookbook, and she does not often cook. She jumped in and made some very good soups -- try 'Real Gumbo with Okra and Chicken' . Together, we have yet to find a recipe that is not very pleasing. Many, like the 'Ligurian Minestrone', are excellent (this is the best Minestrone we have eaten).

Now, even though these recipes are easy to follow, and the great color photographs make them more enticing, they are not the "20 minute" type. Many of them call for fresh herbs and fresh ingredients, but don't despair, Barrett will reward you with outstanding taste almost every time and I guarantee that your guests will clamor for more. OK, with that having been said, don't forget that most of her recipes are low fat -- less than 3 grams of fat per serving. Wow, health and great flavor too! Highly Recommended

This is a lovely little book. Full of recipes that are easy to make and taste fabulous. We try a new soup from this book at least once a month, and we make Pasta e Fagioli almost every week. The only down side, for those on specialized diets, is that the nutritional information is limited to calories and grams of fat only.

I can remember my dad and I discussing a similar trip after I graduated. Ray Bergman, however, had the gumption to do it, and do it right. I enjoyed every fleeting chapter as Ray worked his way across North America visiting all of the 26 major league ballparks in his MLBC. Any baseball fan finds themself craving the taste of Ray's unbeatable hot dog of Dodger Stadium or the street sceen on Yawkey Way outside Fenway Park.

I've never been a fan, however, of Won Ton Soup.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ray at Border's book store here in Sacramento and hearing his story besides reading it. I even got him to autograph a baseball. I have always said "if I win the lotto I will go to a baseball game.....in every stadium in the MLB circuit..." Well, Ray, surely accomplished that...now it is my turn. Great stories. Thanks Ray for writing it.

Are you a baseball fan? If so, you should not miss this book. This is a view of baseball you can only appreciate if you have ever experienced a warm summer home game,in a familiar ballpark, playing hookey from work. Ray Bergman has, obviously, been there,,done that!

Mr Bergman's book is full of information that would be of interest to a typically "statistics" oriented baseball nut. He writes with humor, data and a passion for the game.

Truly an "under fifteen bucks" well spent.