Don't let any of today's youngsters know that this book exists--they would hoot in derision! Yet this is a luxury edition of the 1903 musical operetta by Victor Herbert, including some music. Accompanied by wonderful illustrations by Victoria Lisi, this volume has preserved the script and even lists the turn-of-the-century cast.

Sugary tale about a stereotyped rich and hateful villain trying to force a sweet young thing to marry him. Many children and even some toys help foil the miser, when he invades the sanctity and threatens the innocence of Toyland itself. The script abounds in terrible puns and a simplistic plot--virtually impossible for kids of the 90's to appreciate.

Toys and dolls plus a kindly toymaker come to the rescue, as the youngsters from Mother Goose Land flee to Toyland to further their dreams and escape their nightmares. The little old Toymaker speaks as the true spirit of Christmas about the importance of bringing joy to young children. Browse this lovely edition whenever you want to return to those ingenuos days of yore--Childhood!

After winning first prize in a competition, John and Maureen Hendrickson take a once in a life time cruise through the inside passage of Alaska. Reluctant as they are to brave the cold temperatures on deck, they are determined use their other prize- a digital video recorder. While shooting picturesque scenes of the glacial flows, they spy something they ever imagined they would capture on film; what can only be an alien spacecraft resting atop an enormous iceberg. Within minutes the two are beamed aboard the craft. Desperate the Hendrickson's initial trepidation they are offered kindness and hospitality and soon become firm friends with the ship's extraterrestrial captain and humorous computer. Then their otherworldly adventure begins with an intimate tour of the moon and mars, as no one has seen them before, enabled by alien advanced technology. Along the way the couple meet a variety of extraterrestrial beings and learn about their cultures. They also learn the true origins of humanity and about its potential impending downfall.

Their trip does not end there but continues to Planet X, were they meet two very opposite races of beings and spend time their resolving an long lasting dispute. Once peace is restored, they are taken at instantaneous speed to the captain's home planet the eponymous Heaven's Gate. Here the reader gets a glimpse of a utopian planet that anyone on which anyone would wish to reside.

After capturing their journey on video, Maureen and John return with yet another mission, this time they must reveal to all humans the true potential they hold untapped and the key to utilizing it. But will they have time to show their video and convince other humans that this is not a hoax before the FBI catches up with them?

This tale attempts to be not only a science fiction adventure but also a story of spiritual growth. It questions the many aspects of human life that we take for granted though fails to offer any new alternative perspective. The book claims its suitability for readers age 10-90. Older readers may not make it to the end. The narrative is tedious, repeats unnecessary information (such each character making four trips to the bathroom) and the grammar is less that perfect. If you're looking for a book which offers something provocative to think about, this is not it.