Great books for this age group are difficult to come by, and Leda Schubert has created two of them with Winnie Plays Ball and Winnie All Day Long. A huge, lovable dog, Winnie proves to be a totally appealing character for young children, and her activities engage their imaginations. These books have the same classic charm as Cynthia Rylant's Henry and Mudge stories, and they are enormously popular with very young children.

This series of four booklets show the main character, a giant dog named Winnie, as she goes through her day, interacting with her family. If you own a dog, particularly a big dog, you will feel as though you are seeing your dog in the story. The basic language that is presented in repition, make these booklets a delightful way for the new reader to get started and experience immediate success. I intend to give the books to a fiend of mine who teaches 1st grade.

This is a wonderful book for brand new and aspiring readers. It is a very inexpensive set of 4 short picture books with wonderful episodes about life with a dog, Winnie. For dog owners, these pictures of everyday situations are laugh-out-loud humor. For everyone, the stories are intriguing and charming. The illustrations have enough going on in them to make the reader want to go back to them over and over. Winnie's expressions are incredibly expressive and irresistible.

This collection of poems piques the reader's senses and maintains interest throughout. The narrative with compelling characterizations keeps the reader moving along and even identifying with the mysterious Chinese aunt and her family in the United States. It is one of those rare books of poetry which you want to read to the very end without putting it down, and yet to enjoy stopping and mulling over individual poems. The encounters between Buddhist, Christian, and Confucian elements lend universal significance. This is the best poetry on today's literary scene.

This book is the winner of the May Swenson Poetry Award for 2000. While not a narrative poem, the story of the author's aunt that married a "Chinaman" and left her family only to return when she was dying, is as close as one can get. The poems tell of the author's need for connections and a sense of family and humanity that are inspiring and eternal. The bridge over all that divides us is, after all, built on hope and caring and sharing. A Marvelous collection.

This is my third Kate Benedict book and she has certainly surpassed herself ........

Like her other erotica volumes the author seems to enjoy the portrayal of young women caught in dark and difficult times having to defend themselves against the world. The battles are fierce and the punishment severe for the looser .... and ... when the looser is our heroine, Branna, she will invariable get raped by the victor...

Kate Benedict's ability to combine historical accuracy, romance and erotica produces a beautifully told tale - one I highly recommend. I also enjoyed Ms. Benedict's "Sinful Seduction" and "Wages of Sin." More, please!

This small book has profound implications for the life of the Christian seeker.

The book is divided into two sections:
- daily meditations from Advent to Epiphany
- Hymns, Prayers, and Spiritual Readings

While the book is written by a Catholic, it is equally valuable for Christians of all denominations. The reflections are pertinent to the daily life of the follower of Christ. It is an important and meaningful resource for following in the steps of John the Baptist to the stable in Bethlehem.

Father Benedict Groeschel has once again put us in his debt with a fine book of meditations designed principally for use during Advent and the Christmas season but actually helpful for anytime as we await the coming of the Lord. The most salient feature of this book is its capacity to relate the reader to the very practical aspects of the Christian life by the use of examples and words from people who have experienced and articulated many sides of life. This is the kind of book you can carry with you and read frequently and profitably.

In this book, Fr Groeschel examines the consequences of original sin, and gives us reasons for hope in a world where God permits much that is tragic. Written in a conversational tone (compared to his earlier work) and in a tenor of affable tough-mindedness, Fr Groeschel illustrates his theses about hell, about penitence, about God's grace, using many incidents and real-life stories from his own experience as a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal in the South Bronx, an area which police have denominated "Fort Apache" and which priests call "Our Lady's Playground."

Unsentimental but never hectoring, clear-eyed and hopeful, acutely aware of the tragic and the sinful but nonetheless unwavering in faith, hope, and charity, Fr Groeschel has given us a book that you will read at least seven times a year. There is a marvellously restorative effect to "Healing the Original Wound," and without hesitation, this reviewer declares it to be the best of the friar's books.

It might be mentioned further that a book like this one reveals the crippling inadequacy of labels like "liberal" or "conservative." Benedict Groeschel is a Catholic priest who works among the poor in New York City, who has an ardent love of Catholic tradition, who doesn't take kindly to dissings of JP2, who reveres the memories of Archbishop Oscar Romero and Dom Helder Camara, and who on occasion has kind words to say about Mother Angelica. We think it safe to say that he is uncategorizable and inimitable. And we thank God for him, and this wonderfully magnanimous book of his.

"Healing the Original Wound" is a book that should be read by everyone. Father Benedict Groeschel does an excellent job of putting into perspective what the meaning of life really is. Father Benedict's faith, compassion and intelect flows freely in this easy to read book. For those that have read "Healing the Original Wound", putting into perspective everyday problems will no longer be a problem.

Think of this as a reference work on major strategies for making change in organizations. Bunker and Alban give clear overviews of well-tested methods at three levels: strategic planning, smaller group level, and individual job level.

At the strategic level, for example, you can compare Future Search, Search Conference, Real Time Strategic Change and other approaches to help decide which might best suit a specific situation.

Bunker and Alban also provide references on each approach, so you can get more specific information.

My only complaint is that there should probably be a revised edition one of these days to keep up with new resources.

Although parts of this book are aimed at the practioner, Bunker and Alban are so clear and straightforward in theory and example that their book is invaluable for anyone committed to innovative, effective organizational learning and growth.

For those interested in forensic science and human anthropology Jeff Benedict's new book on Dr. Douglas Owsley's (The Smithsonian) study of the 9,600 year old Kennewick Man is a must read. In No Bone Unturned Mr. Benedict has managed to take this scientific wonder and wrap it in a detective story that makes for a great read. I was rivited by the details of this important study and landmark legal case. As an author of several books Benedict has his pen on the pulse of investigative reportage.

Jeff Benedict depiction of the distinguished career of Doug Owsley of the Smithsonian, almost reads like a novel. This page-turner of a book increases in intensity from descriptions of Dr. Owsley's work in Guatemala and his involvement in identifying victims of Waco, to the legal battle started by Dr. Owsley, needed to force the federal government to allow study of a 9,000 years skeleton that could shed light on the history of the Americas.
Move over CSI, "No Bone Unturned" is more real, more enthralling, and more honest.

Though targeted for an audience of Benedictine oblates, or lay associates of Benedictine monasteries, _Preferring Christ_ will find a welcome among any serious seeker on the spiritual journey.

Written 1500+ years ago, Benedict's Rule is still a fresh commentary on the applied Gospel and Christian living. Because of its monastic context, the Rule is often bypased by all but the most intense disciples. Vest has written a beautiful, practical commentary on the Rule that can be applied by anyone looking to live the Good News. Herself an oblate, Vest comments not out of theorhetical platitude, but out of lived experience.

The book is laid out with the text of the rule, commentary, and space for the individual to write their own reflections. (The text of the Rule is a relatively new translation by Dom Luke Dysinger, O.S.B)

This is a wonderful way to study Benedict's Rule and learn to apply it to today's modern and complex lifestyle. Ms. Vest is able to look beyond the ancient text and pull forth the wisdom of Benedict, making it alive and vital for today's Christian. A definite read for the person interested in achieving a balanced and Christian life.

This is the most humane story I have read regarding the violence, fear, and unwavering love of placeand community that so largely defines Northern Island in the last third of this century. Ten years ago I chose this book off the shelf, without knowing anything about it or the author. I read the book on a Saturday and was so amazed by it I re-read it again the next day. A week later I read it again and have read it perhaps 10 times over the years. The story of a grandfather faced to make a terrible decision is a simple plot but a complex question. And the dual love of family and Place enrich this story of how compassion overrides criminality. I would also recommend anything else written by Benedict Kiely, for his ability to Put The Reader In Northern Ireland.

Benedict Kiely's novel, Proxopera, is a story of a man faced with an impossible decision: drive a bomb into his beloved town for the IRA or his family will be killed. Other stories have been written along this line, yes, but not like this. His novel describes this horrible situation in a hauntingly poetic way. It also paints the ugly picture of the modern Provisionals. This book is essential to anyone who explores Republicanism or the situation in modern Ireland. It is also a example of exceptional writing.

My children love this book! The story is cute. It is about this little red train that takes off without its driver, who left the train to help a little old lady. The remainder of the book covers all of the adventures the driver goes through in order to catch up with his engine. The illustrations are beautiful and full of detail. We spend several minutes studying each page, looking for all of the minute detail in the picture. My children have had this book for two years (now 7 1/2 and 5) and they still enjoy the book.

Excellent for developing pre-reading skills with repetitive phrases building up the drama of a driver requesting help from everyone he meets as he tries to catch up with his train. The gorgeous, detailed illustrations alone will keep children busy, seeking out all the helpers as they reappear in every scene.