This is an imaginative, educational and well constructed tale, a delight for children and the young at heart. The detailed illustrations are pure joy.

I don't have children, yet, but when I do, this will be one of the first books I read them. This book is a delightful treasure that really appeals to all ages. The art and story meld gleefully and it's full of so much charm and warmth you'll want to read it over and over again. Like any such gem, there's ideas for both child and parent, and the theme of living together and celebrating diversity is wonderfully presented. We could all learn something from this one! And just try and keep the smile from your face as you examine the antics of the mice!

This is a wonderful book, which gently conveys a message about learning to appreciate neighbors who at first seem irritatingly different. This book speaks to the importance of living in harmony with others, and understanding and liking our neighbors even when there seem to be differences between us. Moms and dads (and aunts and uncles and grandmas and granddads) who would like to talk with youngsters about peace, and friendship, and trust, and kindness, and acceptance, should be buying this book. (Or borrow it from your library!) This is an excellent book to share with children in light of what is going on in the world today.

Illustrations are like soft memories and evoke warm thoughts of childhood and this song. I believe this book works VERY well for young and older children. I love the sublty of imagery in clouds at end of book when children are staring up at sky imagining "favorite things". Both my two and 4 year old can sing this song now. Words and music are included in back to make this a BONUS for anyone musically inclined. A must have for anyone who likes the song!

I discovered this book only a few days after watching a rerun of the wonderful movie "The Sound of Music." This book really enhances the beautiful lyrics of the song from that movie called "My Favorite Things" with lovely, heartfelt illustrations filled with nostalgia and the innocence of children. The colors glow with soft light and scenes are either set in cozy, homey environments or in serene natural settings. The lyrics and music are printed at the back of the book so you can play it on the piano for your children or just sing it to them as you go along. My children are all grown up and no grandkids yet, so I know from experience that it's quite alright to sing it to yourself, too! This is a delightful book.

I'm a mom of few known lullabys. This song I knew and sang it to my infant daughter many times in the middle of the night. I was delighted to find this book. I love to sing the song as we page through the lovely illustrations. My daughter always relates to when 'the bee stings' and the girl is sad and getting a hug from Mom. This is a book I can read more than once, even after a busy day in toddlerhood. My daughter is starting to sing the song on her own now, which is adorable and rewarding. My husband likes this book too.

I heard Renee reciting her poetry one night and it was very inspiring. I was the first person to jump out of my seat to get an autographed copy of "Truth In Rhyme" when she was done. She has a very special gift to help us understand more about love, friendship, resilience, persistence and life. Her poems have helped me get through some challenging times and I keep her book handy in case I need to reread some of them. I even have her poems on CD so I can listen to them while I'm driving. I believe in her work so much that I'm going to hire Renee for a day to recite her poems for kids in a school district I do some business with. Kids really need to hear her message too. Thank you Renee!

I met Renee at Barnes and Noble in February and heard her recite her poems. I thought she was awesome and I was the first person to jump out of my seat when she was done to get her autographed book. Her poems have inspired me and helped me get through some challenging times. I keep her book handy in case I need to reread some of them. I have her poems on CD too so I can listen to them while driving. I believe Renee has been given a very special gift to help people understand more about love, friendship, resilience, persistance and life. I like her so much I'm going to hire her to speak at a school district I do some business with. Kids really need to hear her message too. Thank you Renee!

It is truly impossible to read Renee's poetry and come away untouched by her enthusiasm for life and her love and faith in God and mankind. I find "Truth in Rhyme" a truly enlightening and inspirational work of art. The only thing better than reading Renee's book, is to listen to one of her presentations. If you ever get the chance, you'll come away feeling as if you've just received the best gift in your life. You just might possibly be right. Congratulations Renee, my friend, on this great accomplishment!

Reading When Lumber Was Gold is like taking a walk back through time. Renee gives such detail to her words that it's almost like you were there experiencing those events during that time. This is an exceptional piece of work by a very talented person.

This book certainly paints a realistic picture of what life was like for those living in the lumbering era. It doesn't sugar coat "the olden days". It was harsh for those who dared work hard for their place in America. It was great that the author took the time to do the research to keep her poetry historically correct. Knowing this was based on actual family stories brought extra feeling to her writing. Not a book of fluff, this is a must read for history buffs, lumbering and victorian era fans.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Infact, I read it twice upon receiving it as it drew me so artfully into its story.The book is done in a narrative style which is poetic in nature. Easy to read and yet not simple in manner, it evokes many differing emotions without lowering itself to sentiment for sentiment's sake.Through the many descriptive items the author has given an honest and thoughtful point of view regarding a people and a time now long past.It is at once a deep and thought provoking book which allows a glimpse of lightness to dispel any idea that the subject did not have its loving moments.I have read few books of its equal and would recommend to any one with the most modest interest in history and people to read this gem.

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a nine-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1864. In this story, Addy and her mother arrive in Philadelphia and freedom. Unfortunately, Addy begins to learn that freedom in the North is not what she expected it to be. Racism pervades this new world, and even the African-American girls of her own school are not all friendly. Along the way, though, Addy learns about friendship and perseverance.

The final chapter is a look at education for African-American children in the America of 1864. This book is another great Addy book, teaching some great lessons, against the backdrop of real hardships. My eleven-year-old daughter loved this book, and so do I.

I Liked this book because a girl in my class did the same thing to me as Harriet did to Addy. Addy learned not to trust her fake friends but her real ones. I really liked this book and I can't wait to read Book 3 Addy's Surprise.

This is a wonderful story that brings a part of the past back to life. It is told from a view point that is not often heard from, a young black girl who was a slave and has escaped, but doesn't know how to read or write. It also tells a story of the hardship of a black family during this time and the story of friendship that applies to all races. I think the character Addy is one girls will enjoy reading about, I don't think boys will like it very much. The story is told in a way that children can easily read and understand. At the end of the book is a short description with actual pictures of life at that time for a young black girl and what school was like back then for black children.

This is another in the American Girls series about Addy Walker, a ten-year-old African-American girl living in the America of 1864. With Christmas coming up, Addy spots the perfect gift for her mother, a bright red scarf. However, when their church puts out a plea for money for those arriving from slavery with nothing but the clothes on their backs, Addy and her mother decide that their money should go to those less fortunate. In this book Addy learns a lesson on giving and receiving, and hope.

The final chapter is a look at Christmas for African-American children in the America of 1864. This is another great Addy book, with a great lesson and a moving story. My daughter loves this book, and yours will too.

Addy's Surprise is my favorite Addy book. In the story, Addy and her mother are just getting setted in freedom. They're saving up for a gas lamp so their room well be better lit. And Addy finds a scarf that she wants to get her mother for Christmas as a way of saying thanks. Addy and her mother are especially looking forward to their church's Christmas celebration. But when the pastor at Addy's church preaches a sermon about helping those in need, Addy and her mother forgo their own Christmas plans to help the freedmen. But even so, there's a big surprise for them on Christmas day. A very, very nice book about Addy and her family during Christmas. In my opinion, the best book Connie Porter wrote about Addy!

Addy, an escaped slave, lives during hard times with her escaped mother. She wants Christmas to be happy. Will Christmas be a disappointment? Will they find Sam and Poppa, who were sold before Addy and her mother escaped, or Addy's baby sister, whom they had to leave behind? Get the questions answered in this beautiful tale of hope in hard times.

This is an excellent resource book to have,because nowhere else can you find the information compiled the way that it is in this particular book. The author has obviously done his homework. There are colleges in this book that many people, myself in- cluded, did not even know existed. With so many people looking to get a quality education without having to own a bank to pay for the tuition, this is definitely a place to start!!

J. Wilson Bowman has done an exemplenary job of providing a comprehensive resource for students, parents, counselors, and educational advisors. As a mentor for an At-Risk youth group in the San Francisco Bay Area, I will definitely recommend that all of our students and parents purchase and read J. Wilson Bowman's reference guide. I just wish that I had such an outstanding guide when I was in high school!!

It is the most complete resource on Historically Black Colleges. Anyone thinking of going to college should review this book, particularly African Americans. After working in many urban school districts, I found that most High School Students want information on all of the options available to them. To Parents, Educators and Counselors who want to provide a full picture of the eduactional landscape, America's Black and Tribal Colleges provides great detail.

Having known Collen since college, I can attest to her flair for comedy, dialogue and plot. We've collaborated on a few writing projects together, and her talent as a writer an an editor is unparalleled. As a comedy writer (and peformer), she's combined the best of both worlds in this engaging tale of love lost, found, and rewarded. It's a definite mood elevator!

What can I say? Another heart-stealing, hug of a tale by talented author Colleen Collins. I look forward to every book she releases and mourn each ending, knowing I will have to wait a while longer for the next humorous romp. MARRIED AFTER BREAKFAST was no exception. Every time I prop my feet on my ottoman, I think it's going to meow . . . . Don't have a clue what I'm talking about? Well, heck, order the book! (You won't regret it. Scout's honor. Would I lead you wrong?)

Bride on the Loose! Renee Roszel packs an island with the zaniest crew since Gilligan's Island. Dana's a fiance who dove overboard and ended up on Beena's cat-filled island, and Sam's the vet who rescued Dana from her watery plight. He could be the man of her dreams, but it's hard to have dreams when you have no memory . . . or are pretending to have no memory! They say laughter is the best medicine, but it's an even more powerful drug when combined with love. Dana and Sam provide readers with a dose of both!!

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Kirsten Larson, a nine-year-old girl from Sweden, whose family has moved to frontier Minnesota of 1854. In this book, Kirsten's father is spending the winter as a lumberjack, to earn extra money for the family. Kirsten helps too, by helping her brother Lars trap animals to sell their pelts. However, when Kirsten's heart overrules her head she brings home a raccoon. Disaster follows that ruins the family's fortune, but Kirsten learns that even through adversity things can turn out well.

This is another wonderful story, that captured my nine-year-old daughter's heart, and my own. With each review I heap praise on Renee Graef's illustrations, and this one is no exception; the illustrations are fantastic. If you have a young daughter, then you must consider buying the Kirsten books.

[For those adults interested in reading a scholarly book on the Swedish immigrants, please consider reading Swedish Exodus by Lars Ljungmark.]

I was six years old when I first got hooked on the American Girls, and "Changes for Kirsten" was the first book I read from the series. Maybe I'm biased by that, but now that I've read them all I think it is one of the best. In books this short it is hard to develop a character very well, but Shaw does an excellent job, and Kirsten's character comes through here more than in the first five books. Kirsten's well-meaning disobedience causes a terrible fire that destroys almost everything the Larsons own. We see the trials they endure as a result, but also the love that helps them through. Things seem to get worse when close family friends announce that they are moving away. Then Kirsten and her brother make a remarkable discovery in the woods and their luck changes. The Larson family has to start over, but a message of hope shines through, as the end of the book (and the series) brings a world of new beginnings to these brave pioneers.

Struggles with money, a wild raccoon, fire, and more! Discover what happens to Kirsten and her family in the wilderness of America!

This book answers the question, "Mom, what are we going to do today?" The projects are easy to make and the materials are simple things you find around the house. My kids have so much fun when it's project day...we usually end up making more than one at a time! A must buy for anyone with kids.

Renee Fanos has created an excellent resource for the "Mom I'm bored" kids especially on rainy days. My kids have created "treasures" and have learned about sharing at the same time. "LETS MAKE A PROJECT" has a permament spot in my kitchen and the kids know just where to get it!!!!

I am the director of Montessori Children's House in Milltown & Dayton. This is a great book for teachers, parents, grandparents, and babysitters. When lost for an idea to get the kids involved in a simple, fun project. This book has it all. Easy to find materials, easy to follow directions and the result is a happy child who created something him/herself with some adult direction. The teachers on my staff enjoy using this book, many parents have purchased it through my school and are enjoying it at home. Make craft time a fun time with your child!