Henry Louis Gates' laudable publishing effort 'African-American Women Writers 1910-1940' series, a kind of chronological sequel to the celebrated Schomburg Nineteenth Century Black Women series, comes up with a winning piece of work by Elizabeth Laura Adams; 'Dark Symphony' details Adams' conversion to Catholicism beginning just after the Depression. The character of this book is marvelous, warm and wonderful, and seems perfectly fitted to the story it relates. There are some remarkable moments, for example, the description of Adams' desire for the confessional because of its anonymity -"so no one could see I was black!"- indeed, there are a number of moments that leave one suspended in a kind of new truth, so remarkably adept is the prose. The work is scrupulously, lovingly edited by Carla Kaplan, a recent recipient of a fellowship at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and herself an author. Many of Adams' poems are included as well, including the ubiquitous 'The Last Supper', and two differing versions of her best-known 'The Consecrated.' I hope this series of books is reaching the junior highs and high schools; works like 'Dark Symphony' deserve to be read, and read abundantly, by those whose minds and hearts will be shaping the world we're working toward. Highest recommendation for a genuinely surprising work of literature, and teller of our common history.

This is a very calming book for small children, a good way for them to review their day before putting it to rest, and then their bodies to rest. There is time for play, time for singing, time for saying thank you, etc. I originally bought this book for my niece, age 3, who just moved here from So. America and is learning both Spanish and English at the same time. But I made the "mistake" of reading it to my 3 yr. old granddaughter; she cried when I sent it to someone else. Guess who is buying another copy?

This book is very well written. It has been one of my favorite textbooks so far. It is very informative and also user friendly. It made my maternity rotation a very enjoyable experience.