I have been trying to locate this book in bookstores and haven't been successful...Now I know why: it's out of print unfortunately! This was my favorite book as a child, and I would encourage EVERY parent, babysitter, grandparent, uncle, aunt, ect. to locate it and spark a child's imagination with Mr. Pudgins. I am now a college student who will be graduating in two short weeks. As an English major, there are a few books from each stage of my life that stick in my mind. Mr. Pudgins is one of those books. I vividly remember wishing I was one of the children in the book, traveling along with Mr. Pudgins on his wacky adventures, some of which include flying in a bathtub and having a circus with a Dodo bird...you can just imagine how much a child will enjoy reading this book! I hope that perhaps a publisher will read this review and put this great children's book back into print for all to enjoy! Good luck and good reading!

I have a copy of this wonderful book..After reading the comments on others trying to get a copy, I feel very fortunate to still have my battered, but readable copy of Mr. Pudgins to share with the children in my life.. I would be willing to photo copy the pages for anyone wishing to read this story..(That is legal isn't it??)For anyone interested..Please e-mail me. This classic book will give your children a memory they will carry with them into their adulthood. I read this book to my nephew over 20 years ago and when I found the book in an old box I called him to see if he remembered, and of course he did. He is now trying to get me to give him my only copy. This book should be reprinted for circulation, Does anyone know if the author is still with us?

Mr. Pudgins probably saved my life as a child. I read it over and over and virtually lived with Mr. Pudgins and the children. I always wished that I could have a babysitter like Mr. Pudgins, but, of course, it never happened. My favorite memory of the book is the christmas ornament bubbles that he blew with live scenes of all their adventures. Unfortunately, several years ago, when I went to retrieve it from the box it was stored in, it turned out the whole box was missing. I was devistated and have been searching for a copy ever since. I consider it one of the best children's books ever written.

Chester is about to start school and he's terribly nervous. In a single, calming gesture, his Mom helps him feel loved and secure by kissing the center of his hand. She reminds Chester that her love is always right there and if he should feel frightened or scared or lonely he should simply hold the hand to his cheek and he will feel her love.
We read it just before our son began kindergarten on September 5, 2001 for several days in a row. Although he had been attending Day Care since birth, this was still a new experience for him and he was naturally nervous. So now, each morning we kiss his palm and send him off on the bus. It's a wonderful new ritual.
September 11, 2001 began a tremendously difficult time in our country. Our children are 4 and 5, and we have been reading this nearly every night since then. A friend's daughter was having terrible nightmares and great fears about not seeing her Daddy (he's a Police Officer currently assigned to Ground Zero). We lent them the book to read to her. Her Mom now tells me she is sleeping soundly as long as she has been kissed in the palm of her hand.
Sweet Dreams, America and the world.

Poor little Chester, the racoon, it's time for him to go off to school and he doesn't want to leave his mother. Mother knows that Chester will love school once he gets there. There'll be new friends to meet, new toys to play with, new books to read and even a new swing to swing on. So she tells him a special secret about the "kissing hand". She takes his little hand, spreads the fingers and places a kiss right in the middle of his palm. Now when he feels lonely and needs a little love from home, he can press his hand against his cheek and know his mother's love will be with him. And, before he scampers off to school, he gives his mother the kissing hand too, so that she won't miss him too much, while he's away..... Audrey Penn has written a sweet, endearing story to help little ones face those scary feelings on their first days of separation. Her gentle text is complimented by expressive, detailed illustrations and together will let youngsters know that they're not alone out there in the world. The Kissing Hand is the perfect bedtime story, pre-schoolers will want to read again and again and makes a wonderful addition to all home libraries.

Chester Racoon and his mother prepare for Chester's first "night" at school. He is a little apprehensive, and, of course, he wants to stay home with his mom. Mrs. Racoon shares a secret with Chester called the Kissing Hand. She kisses Chester's palm and tells him to put it to his cheek when he begins to feel lonely at school. This book makes a great gift for a child entering school or going to camp for the first time, or for any occasion where a child will be temporarily separated from home and loved ones. It can also be used to help a child through the death of a parent or special loved one, and for children placed in foster families and residential facilities. For teachers, this book would be super to read the first day of school. It could also lead up to wonderful science, social studies, and reading/writing activities.

I am 13 years old. I just finished reading Mrs. Mike. My mother found the book at our public library and told me I should read it. I didn't bother to find out what it was about. You know how people always tell you not to judge a book by it's cover? That is exactly what I did. Since it was old and worn I expected it to be a book that I wouldn't find interesting, or very good. I was SO wrong! I have read many books and this is the VERY BEST book I have ever read. My mother told me that the book has stuck with her ever since she read it! I can see why. I couldn't stop reading it! It is a very well written book telling about a young Boston Girl, Katherine Mary O'Fallon and Sergent Mike Flannigan, a Canadian Mountie, who fall in love and start a new life in the Canadian Wilderness. There life is full of love, hardships, and friends you will never forget. I recemmend this book to anyone who can sit still long enough to read it!!

Mrs. Mike is a surprisingly contemporary story whose main character is a strong female. I think it was written about 40 years ago, so parts of it are a bit dated (and perhaps politically incorrect by today's standards). However, it is a wonderful, tender love story set against the background of the extreme and brutal climate and geography of the Canadian northwest. It is the story of a young Irish girl from Boston who falls in love with a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman. The young husband, a strong male character, adores his wife and treats her accordingly. The book also depicts Indians (now called First Nation people in Candada) in a wonderful fashion, as well as strong and deep friendships among the women. This book should be required reading for young people, especially in a time when bonds between people are easily shattered and hardship is looked on as something to be avoided at all cost. Our book group loved it and read it based upon the memory of one of our members who read it as a very young woman and always treasured it in her heart.

This book is my all-time favorite. I first read it as a teenager, and recently found a copy at [local book review] after many years of thinking I'd never see the book again! It is an uncomplicated story of love and life in the early 20th Century in the Northwest Territory. As a young girl, the places referred to in the book were just names. Now they are real.

My daughter moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchuwan last year. She is married and has a baby boy. When re-reading Mrs. Mike last night, the first city mentioned was Regina, SK. I've been there on the way to Saskatoon! Edmonton is not far from Saskatoon, either.

I've always loved this book's simple love story, but did not remember that the part of Canada the story was set in was where my daughter actually lives. It seems that my daughter and Katherine Mary have a lot in common!

Saskatchuwan is beautiful! I did not have the opportunity to visit the Northwest Territory, but through Mrs. Mike, I feel as if I have already been there!

I am so grateful that the authors chose to re-release this book, and am waiting anxiously for the sequel, The Search for Joyful!

What a wonderful book. I feel like I've just completed a course in CEO management, but with no tests and plenty of laughs. If more CEO's as well as others in management heeded Ben's advise, the workers they supervise would probably be happier in their work. A must read for those who want to succeed in their career.

I came across Ben Gill as a TEC speaker a number of years ago. He started speaking to TEC groups to share his experience as a founding owner of a Company: how he did it, lessons learned along the way, mistakes made, etc.

Gill is a compelling speaker with down-home charm coupled with pragmatic advice and practical insights. I don't even hold it against him that he is from Dallas. His Company, RSI, became one of the most successful and largest religious fund raising firms in the country. Gill, I believe, literally founded the fund raising industry.

The book is a compilation of anecdotal stories. Each chapter is a story, followed by his insights, followed by questions for the reader to consider. The book is engaging, funny, poignant, touching, gritty, visceral, and philosophical. While it is almost 300 pages, it is any easy read. I found once I started it, I could not put it down.

The Message

While the book offers no theoretical premise, each chapter builds on an experience to build a "plank" into Gill's platform of how to run and grow a successful Company. Each chapter "story" can be a "stand alone module." In fact, it struck me that you could read the book of 30+ chapters in random order, without missing any of the message.

The book is waiting for the business gurus to distill Gill's wisdom into a theoretical premise on the principles of building a great enterprise.

Many of the themes are common to what we have heard in our Group and from our speakers. A few of these include:

1.Absolute integrity of the leadership: sharing the good and the bad news, admitting your mistakes, walking your talk. 2.Attracting the best and the brightest: smart, highly motivated, decisive. Talent is the ultimate differentiation of company performance, in Gill's assessment. But, the best and brightest have to be able to work in a cooperative team environment. 3. The critical role that coaching and mentoring make early in the career of a person. 4.People who are very successful have a higher calling: it's more than about money, it's about making a difference. 5.If you are not a life long learner, then you are dead(and may not know it.)

All in all, this book is well worth reading. In order to get the most from it, it does require you to spend some time with his questions at the end of each chapter. Therefore, I recommend that you read it twice: once straight through as an easy read, and note the chapters of particular significance for yourself. Then, go back and re-read the short list of highest relevance chapters for yourself, working the questions posed at the end of each.

For me, personally, the most compelling chapter is Chapter 16, called "Having Enough." The question posed is "what do you stand for?"(what do you represent). I struggled with that question for a long time. About a decade I evolved to my answer: making a difference every day in people's lives. How? By teaching people to fish.

John Gallagher

Certified Management Counsultant Paoli, PA

Ben has touched my soul with this book. In the chapter on "Reality Checks," he shared the story of my friend, Ed Sample. If you read nothing else, read this chapter. It will help you put things in perspective just as it helped me. Thanks, Ben, for a great book.

Jack Stone PWS Group Dallas, TX

I've been expecting my seven year old son to become, like the rest of the world, an addict of the Harry Potter books, but no dice.

Instead, he came home from his multi-age class rhapsodizing about a book I had never heard of...My Father's Dragon. And although I haven't read it (yet), I can tell you for sure what happens in the first five chapters, because my son tells us all with such verve and enthusiasim about the adventures that take place there! How the narrator's father gets out of the tigers, and builds a bridge with the crocodiles are two of his favorite parts, and the words "Bome Cack! Bome Cack!! have entered our vocabularies probably forever.

I think the three books in this series will be entering our household at Christmas time, and I can't wait to read them myself!

This Book is a fiction story about a kid named Elmer, who loves to go on adventures and one of his adventures is rescueing a baby drogon who has been captured by animals, and taken to Wild Island to be used as a way to get across the river there. Elmer hers this news from a stray ally cat that he finds one day, and decides he going to run away and go to Wild Island to freethis dragon. Elmer has to outsmart a buch of animals to get to the dragon but it's easy for him because he's relly clever. I thought the book was very exciting and fun to read. It the kind of book you don't want to put down and want to read it over and over agan.

My Fathers Dragon is the first book out of a series of three. It is a fiction story about a kid named Elmer, who loves to go on adventures. One of his adventures is rescuing a baby dragon that has been captured by animals, and taken to Wild Island to be used as a way to get across the river there. Elmer hears this news from a stray ally cat that he finds one day, and decides he's going to run away and go to Wild Island to free this dragon. Elmer has to outsmart a bunch of animals to get to the dragon, but it's easy for him because he's really clever. I thought the book was very exciting and fun to read. It's the kind of book you don't want to put down and want to read it over and over again. I gave this book such a good rating because it was fun; I never got tired of it. It was a great book!!!! I would recommend it to anyone that likes thrilling and adventurous books. I liked this book because it was easy to understand, it's funny, and exciting. It's a fun book to read to your self, or to a little brother or sister. No matter how old you are you will always enjoy it. This book is ten chapters long with about 5 to 6 pages each chapter and the chapters are very easy to read. This book would be good for kids that are starting to read chapter books because the words in it are easy to understand and it has pictures in it and they are very detailed. Also in every book there is a detailed map showing where things are and where Elmer went and it's really fun to look at them. I had a great time reading the book.

I ordered Bully at Work, I receivied it, and I just placed an order for two more books for my friends. This book is a must for ALL. The information can be applied to all aspects of your life. That Big Bully at Work will wonder where you got your courgage to STAND PROUD, SHOULDERS BACK, AND HEAD HELD HIGH! I feel like a new person and I have not finished the book. Thanks Gary and Ruth Namie, I love your book. Keep up the good work. I will apply many of the items in the book to my work place. Five stars are not enough for this book.

I suffered an incident of bullying at work for the past two years. In my case, I got things successfully resolved when one bully left of his own accord, and the other bully was stopped by senior management (I was fired, and senior management rehired me when I went over the bully's head). According to this book, this happens in only seven percent of cases. I feel very lucky. In my case, the only piece of the puzzle that was missing was WHY this happened to me, and this book really helped clarify that for me and bring the whole incident to closure.

I just found this book and read it, and if I had had it during the time all of this was going on, it would have helped me immensely. I experienced all of the behaviors described in this book, and I think the reasons given for the behavior are right on the mark. When my e-mail friends suggested the same reasons (before I read this book), I found them so far-fetched (such as perhaps I was making the bullies look bad through my competence-I said to myself, "They are professional people; surely they are self-confident about their own work.")

This book looks at reasons for bullying, and who become targets for bullying behavior (how and why those targets are chosen). It discusses bullying in other European countries, as well as South Africa, and what progress legally has been made against passing laws against bullying in the workplace. These laws are compared with the legal progress/standing of the target in the United States. The book discusses health ramifications on the target, and all possible actions that can and should or should not be taken personally, and in the workplace.

If I had read this book MUCH sooner (such as when the bullying FIRST started), it would have helped me emotionally. I would have realized MUCH sooner what was happening, and known that I wasn't crazy. I could have fought back sooner, and would have known how, and which strategies to use. I also would have kept detailed records of each bullying incident, and I would have gotten witnesses' statements. In short, if you are even questioning yourself about whether bullying is happening to you, or not, BUY THIS BOOK.

I admit I did not buy this book from Amazon.com. I actually bought mine in a book store. But what a buy this was!!! I was subjected to bully-tactics as well while working at "a famous name brand," and I thought it was all my fault. After I found this book and read it thoroughly, I knew it was not my fault but was the work of a bully. I was his Target, and it nearly cost me my marriage and sanity! It did help lead me to a new company and a better job, so not much for me to complain about there. But as this book repeatedly says, there is no reason, NO REASON WHAT SO EVER, for any person to go through bullying at work. If you are in a tough situation at your job (where ever it is and what ever you are doing), you may want to look this book over. I am not saying that this book will point out EVERY ONE's problem, but it may help to answer some questions about what is happening to you and your career. If you do buy it and it does not apply to you, keep it 'cause I bet you will have a friend/spouse/co-worker who will need this book..................

These three adventurous tales by Ruth Gannett kept my 5 year old son spellbound night after night--he continually begged me to read "just one more chapter!" and we are almost finished with our second time reading it. The trilogy begins with the main character, Elmer Elevator, venturing away from home to save a baby dragon from being abused by the animals of Wild Island. What follows are a series of Elmer's and the baby dragon's exciting adventures. This is a great read aloud book for ages 5-9!

My Fathers dragon written by R.S.G, may be the best book ever! Elmer is a boy who lives in Evergreen city. One day he meets a cat who tells him about a Dragon .The was trapped on Wild Island and Elmer goes to save him, On the way he tricks a lot of animals. One of them was when he gives lollipops to crocodiles to make a bridge. Does he save the dragon? Read this book to find out!

I love this book and recommend it to anyone who likes to imagine, loves excitement, adventure and danger! It's celebrating 50 years in print, I think it is perfect the way it is! With this book you can experience the magic!

Much like Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, the My Father's Dragon trilogy is a fun read, and has a mixture of absurdity and humor that appeals on multiple levels. It's an easy read to a toddler, with several pictures throughout, and journey maps on the inner covers.

Since the chapters are short, you can do two or three a night without losing continuity. At the same time, the story has enough depth and cleverness that the parent can remain engaged. Thus, it's a catalyst for bonding.

One of the things that makes it special is the main character. Elmer Elevator, on the advice of a stray cat, starts out on a noble odyssey to free a baby dragon from its animal tormentors. In his preparation, Elmer packs dozens of seemingly useless items, including a magnifying glass, brush, sandwiches, and lollipops. While he travels across Wild Island, all these items become essential, and you wonder if the story was being told by MacGyver :-)

We've read the trilogy to completion five times and it's still a hit with everyone.

I love this book! I first read it when I was in junior high in the 70s and it still rang true! Just because it is set in the 1950s does not mean that today's teenage girl cannot relate to it. It looks into the heart of a teenagae girsl better than any book I have ever read. I only hope that the sequel will be re-released as well, because I have always wondered what happened to Snowy, Bev, and my favorite character, Puddles.

Amazing the similiarities between many of the reviewers; I was also a teen in the 70s when I first read this book, loved it so much that after checking it out numerous times from the school library I ended up (gulp...) swiping it, but also eventually lent it out to someone who never returned it. Looked in many bookstores through the years since, but could never find it. My astonished delight when surfing Amazon and seeing it had been re-released could almost be compared to what one would feel bumping into a long-lost and much-beloved sister on a strange and crowded city street. What captured me most when first reading it as a 15 year old were the familiarity of Snowy's hopes and dreams and desires. It was an eye-opener to me that teens in the 50s (ancient history to me then - that's when my MOTHER was in high school) were struggling with the same things. Re-reading it at 40, I could still identify with all those things, but noticed - and wondered about - others I had not as a younger reader - namely the moments when Snowy made particular life-determining decisions and why. When Dudley, who has NEVER gone steady with anyone, and who Snowy has deep affection for and more in common with than any other guy in the book, finally asks her to be his girl, her only thoughts are: "which might disturb Tom more more, going steady, or keeping a stable of boyfriends." She doesn't even see Dudley for the person he is, because of her obsession with Tom. Dudley and Snowy could have fit like hand and glove, but HE, although an academic whiz and very popular guy, was not a sport hero. The best thing about The Cheerleader is that it makes you (re-)evaluate your priorities, about WHY you choose for WHAT you choose, which is a good exercise for anyone in any day and age. I am trying to find the sequel (another reviewer asked for the title - it's called "Snowy", by the way), but have had no success yet via numerous booksellers (including second hand) on the net. These have also obviously been snapped up and are being hoarded. Is it not a good idea - author, publisher - to re-release this one as well?? Lastly, are you out there Kathy Tucker? I've searched through all kind of internet search engines with no luck,but this could well be the one place we could finally find each other again.

I read this book while babysitting in Junior High and I've always remembered it. I used to be able to borrow it from the library when it became out of print. The library has now lost it. I was so thrilled to read on Amazon.Com that it was being re-released. I ordered it immediately and received it right away. I'm over half through when I just received it yesterday! This is a must read. You will always remember the vivid descriptions of Snowy and her friends. Just like you were one of the gang.

We have an inexpensive paperback version (see our reviews) of this classic poem, and we said that's enough for us. That was before we looked through this beautifully illustrated (by Bruce Whatley) edition of The Night Before Christmas.

The lyrics are the same, from book to book, but the fanciful illustrations in this one are enough to engage adults and children as they read this book together.

The perfect gift for any family whose Christmas tradition includes reading this classic!

I discovered this book 31 years ago, for my daughter and it is still loved by all the family. The illustrations are wonderful, warm, charming and delightful and bring a special meaning to the story. We still read it to all the young children on Christmas Eve and for adults we read the story and pass a grab bag gift every time the word THE is mentioned. It would not be Christmas without this book. It is magical.

This beautiful book was in my family as a hard cover edition for many years and was a Christmas Eve tradition for my four sons when they were growing up. It's poor battered body disappeared some time after the last of my little ones went off into the adult world. I am so delighted to see it back again, though this time as a nicely affordable soft cover. Clement C. Moore's enchanting story poem already provides an atmosphere filled with warmth and joyful expectation and with the addition of Tasha Tudor's quaint, nostalgic water-colors from an antique New England the Christmas magic is complete!
The winter landscapes fill our senses and Tasha's own gray tabby cat and Welsh Corgi welcome us into this charming world.
Tasha's Santa that you will meet in this book has been portrayed as the poem describes him...a right jolly old elf. He's not that much larger than the corgi and his team really consists of eight "tiny" reindeer. His pointy ears and his Eskimo mukluks add to the delightful ambiance of the book. He dances with the toys and with the happy animals and we can truly believe it will be a happy Christmas for all.
I hope this book becomes a Christmas Eve tradition for many, many more families.

The story of Blue and Ellie is simply irresistible. I enjoyed this book tremendously. It is slow, sensual, and poignant. It's a smooth blend of pure romance and fascinating mystery (What happened to Mabel? Who is Ellie's father?).

The relationship that develops between Blue and Ellie unfolds first as friendship over the Internet, and then as strong attraction when they meet face to face. The setting is irresistible: a charming, small southern town, hot southern nights, blues music, orchids, and alcohol. The cast of secondary characters is varied and wonderful. Ruth Wind has written a keeper!

If you want a book you can really get into, that draws you in like a slow, Southern night . . . that seems to last forever, that gets into your soul so deeply you can't put it down until you've turned the final page, then read this book! It's not a book to be gulped down quickly, but gently swallowed and savored, like the Bourbon the hero is fond of drinking in the novel.

Ellie is a biographer, coming to Pine Bluff, Texas to find her roots, and the true story behind a mysterious Blues singer who disappeared decades ago. In the process, she slowly unravels the mystery, and falls deeply in love with a fascinating sexy man nicknamed "Blue" for his love of the Blues.

I can't say more without spoiling the plot, and the love story, but rest assured, I am now a Ruth Wind fan for life! I've always enjoyed her category romances, but am grateful she's now writing bigger, longer books to savor all the more.

Biographer Ellie Connor sees an opportunity to provide personal comfort to herself while researching the life of blues singer Mabel Beauvais. Ellie heads to Pine Bend, Texas where Mabel simply vanished while on the verge of superstardom. Over three decades ago, her mother became pregnant in the town, but never revealed the identity of Ellie's father.

Ellie stays at the home of attractive widower Blue Reynard, an individual she met via E-mail. As Ellie makes inquiries into the life and disappearance of Mabel, she hesitates about searching for her own roots even though she knows she needs closure. Even more stirring to her already over-boiling emotions, Ellie and Blue begin to fall in love. She is not sure she can deal with her feelings for him and her search for her father while he has never recovered from the death of his first wife.

IN THE MIDNIGHT RAIN is a poignant contemporary romance that shows how talented an author Ruth Wind is. The gut-wrenching tale will evoke strong emotions from the audience, who will want Ellie to find what she truly seeks. The charcaters are complex as they demonstrate how complicated modern day relationships have become even between two people. In her mainstream debut, Ms. Wind blows away much of the competition with a remarkable rousing drama that touches the inner soul of the reader.

Harriet Klausner