The illustrations in this volume are lush and expressive-- Baba Yaga is truly a sight to see. Boris Zvorykin's vivid imagination perfectly complements the stories, bringing them to life without overshadowing them. Of all the books I read as a child, this is no doubt one of the most memorable and most touching.

Like a fool over 22 years ago I gave my copy to my nieces my copy of this most wonderful storybook. The illustrations are some of the most imtensive color printing I've seen in many years, the stories are equally wonderful, and would be welcome in anyones' fine book collection.

The full-page illustrations in this book are simply stunning. The soft pastels blend with the glittering jeweltones, and the fantasy settings and gorgeous characters are sumptuously detailed. Each plate is a work of art and suitable for framing; believe me, if you have a color scanner/printer you'll be grateful. Notes at the end of the book inform us that the illustrations are reproduced from the original gouache paintings, and the pages are in heavy glossy paper.

There are four tales in this volume: The Firebird, Maria Morevna, Vassilissa the Fair, The Snow Maiden.

The pictures will take your breath away. The stories are charming and well translated (from an older Russian translated into French volume), but you will probably be too taken away by the glorious art to really pay much attention to the not-really-for-small-children fairy tales.

The information Jaqueline Sussman shares in this book helped change the directon of my life. The images presented work: taking advantage of the opportunity to practice some of these images, lead to a new sense of peace and calm. Rarely has any exercise yielded a more positive result. Encouraged by this initial success I choose to devote a brief period of time, daily, to practice several of the images Ms. Sussman suggests. I am amazed by the shift in energy, perspective and feelings of well being I now enjoy. I am pleased to highly recommend this excellent work.

Jacqueline Lapa Sussman has provided us with much more than the typical "self help" book. "Freedom from Failure" offers a unique and profound tool to unlock our hidden potential, which transcends the common "New Age" babble we are so accustomed to. For all those who are sick of the same old "love yourself" mentality phrased a thousand different ways, this book will definitely refresh and stimulate you. A truly innovative and ingenious effort, unlike anything I have read before.

I read this book and found it very interesting, and it was a very valuable learning experience.

I found the work with the imagery invaluable, and of great interest. It opened me up to a whole new world.

The book is well written and it very easy to follow.

It is a GEM!

Enjoyed this book immensely. Each story is beautiful, yet also practical. At the end of the story there are questions which you can use to open up a discussion with your child. I look forward to sharing such discussions with my son when he is older (he is only 4 months old). Although he is very young and could not understand the stories, he was very attracted to the exquisite illustrations.

Here we have stories that illustrate kindness, decency, ethics and morality for all ages. Those that read allowed to their children will experience a lovely surprise in that they learn as well. The illustrations in this handsome volume are an experience in themselves. Should be recommended reading for everyone who truly enjoys the sights and sounds and meanings of a really good book. This will stay with you long after you have gone back to it for the tenth time!

What first drew us to this book were the gorgeous and fanciful illustrations. What kept our attention, though, were the ideas that were gently promoted in each story. We have given "Love Your Neighbor" to all the little ones in our family -- they of course love the stories AND enjoy answering the questions at the end of each one.

My mother got this book and another one also illustrated by Laurel Long (The Mightiest Heart by Lynn Cullen) for my son and daughter for Christmas. The very first thing I noticed was the beautiful, BEAUTIFUL artwork. It's definitely a picture book worth having for the *pictures*! :-)

The story itself is also excellent. It is good bedtime story length. The plot is a wonderful Sleeping Beauty fairy tale with a female heroine. Katya swears to break the evil spell that the Grand Vizier has cast on the Tsarevitch, and she succeeds with the help of the magic nesting dolls (matryoshka) her dying grandmother left her.

My children and I have really enjoyed this book.

This book is fairly long for a picture book, and so it may be hard for younger kids (or just kids with short attention spans) to sit through, even though the story is good. The illustrations, though, are breathtaking, and i am sure that there are a lot of younger kids who could make up their own intricate stories just based on the pictures. It's nice to see, as well, a fairy tale type book where there is a heroine who is saving the prince (or tsarovitch, in this case), though i guess it would have been nice to see Katya battling a dragon or something rather than just making wishes. Oh, well. It's a delightful book nonetheless. :)

In Sleeping Beauty, the young woman is enchanted and lies in a death-like sleep until awakened by love's first kiss. In The Magic Nesting Doll, it is the Russian prince, the Tsarevitch, instead who has been charmed into an icy block by his uncle, the Grand Vizier. A peasant girl, Katya, hears of his fate and moves Heaven and Earth to save him. If you love the story of Sleeping Beauty, you will, if you are like me, love this book as well.

Katya has been reared by her grandmother at the edge of the forest. Before she dies, Katya's grandmother gives her a nesting doll, a matryoshka, and tells Katya the doll has magic powers. "If your need is great, open the doll and help will come." Katya can only do this three times, however. "After that, the magic will be gone." She is told though, "Keep the doll and remember me."

Soon after her grandmother dies, Katya finds that the world is gripped by an icy hand. The sun, moon, and stars are all gone. An innkeeper tells her about the frozen Prince, and she makes her way to his side. The Grand Vizier does his best to deflect Katya, but with the help of her doll, Katyia is unstoppable.

I appreciate stories like this one because they take familiar fairy tales of human loss and love, and allow females to play the heroine's role. In too many of our classic stories, the males are the "good guys" and some woman is portrayed as the source of evil. In real life, people of both sexes probably have equal potential for good and questionable behavior. A story like this one makes that point without being too obvious about it.

The book also rings deep within me like the allegories of tales about spring, and the reawakening of the Earth. In legends and myths, women are often portrayed in the role of bringing life back again . . . so Katya's role as Earth Mother seems appropriate.

The book also uses references to animals that are important in Russian folk lore such as bears, wolves, and fire birds. This makes a connection to Russian thmes in a way so that when you see Russian ballets, this story will come to mind. And this story will remind you of the ballets, if you know them already.

The nesting doll is an interesting metaphor for the idea of coming closer to your real self, as well. That psychological reference will be understood implicitly by many, even if they cannot articulate it.

This book is wonderfully improved by the illustrations. They are primarily done in a style reminiscent of Art Deco, but with an oriental patterning and detail that make them richer. You will be reminded of stained glass. With vivid colors and strong contrasts, the conflicts in the story are enhanced and strengthened. This is one of the most appropriately illustrated childrens' book that I have ever seen. Well done, Ms. Laurel Long!

But, to me, the greatest part of this book is that for all of its magical references, it relies on the character and intuition of Katya for its power. This is a wonderful statement about the personal power that we all have hidden within us, like the normally covered nesting dolls.

After you have finished enjoying this story with your child or grandchild, I suggest that you talk together about where else personal initiative can make a difference in someone else's life. Then encourage your child or grandchild to take that initiative, and learn her or his power directly.

May you all live happily ever after!

As an ardent admirer of Mrs. Kennedy for the past 40 years, I have read every book on her that I could get my hands on. "Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad" is a refreshing change from the repetitive narratives and recycled photos that are the mainstay of so many other books about her life. Ms. Duheme's illustrations are elegant and sumptuous but also embrace a childlike purity and simplicity which capture the essence of Mrs. Kennedy's persona and mystique. The commentary has the simple charm of a beautifully written children's book. It is obvious why Mrs. Kennedy chose Ms. Duheme to accompany her on her more memorable trips abroad as First Lady. A truly enchanting book.

Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad is an adorable little book filled with colorful Fauvist-like illustrations. Anyone who likes Laura Stoddart's simple-chic illustrations for Kate Spade will probably enjoy this book. Fans of the recent exhibition at the Met that highlighted Jackie's White House clothes may appreciate it too. The commentary is kept to a minimum and black and white photos from Mrs. Kennedy's travels are included, but the focus is on French artist Duheme's amusing miniature paintings that capture Jackie in all those great pink sleeveless dresses and crisp suits in Paris, India, London and Italy.

As a side note: Duheme and Jacqueline Kennedy became friends who shared similar painting styles, and Duheme was invited to Cape Cod to give the First Lady an art lesson.

"Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad" is a beautiful book. The illustrations are lovely to look at, and the book is fun to read. A good choice for anyone to add to their library; especially recommended for those interested in the Kennedys and Jackie in particular. Evokes the fun mood of Jackie's scrapbook written with her sister Lee, "One Special Summer".

Elsa is a child who dosn't have much to love and somehow her spirts are always high. She has to live with this man who hits her but she just calls him a jerk and hold her head high. His name is Mac and is her step- father. He looses his job and they have to live in a sheltor which she hates but finds lots of friends. Elsa finally dicides to... oh wait I can't tell you, you have to read the book yourself! I suggest lots of children read this book!!!!

This book was one of the best books i've read, Elsa has trials and tribulations and she always keeps her head up, i would reccomend this to anyone it is a great book, there sould be more like it and kudos to Jacqueline Wilson on a fabulous book!

Elsa, and her family have been forced to live at a Bed and Breakfast hotel. It isn't as nice as it sounds, it is actually a homeless shelter. Elsa's mum and stepfather Mack seem to be overwhelmed by the change in circumstances,and Elsa feel it is up to her to make life bearable for them,as well as her younger half sister and brother. This is a very tender book which treats a very grim subject with warmth and humor and realism. Elsa copes with her situation by telling jokes, and her footnotes introduce the reader to the differences in language in the US and England. Once again, Jacqueline Wilson and illustrator Nick Sharrat have combined to make a delightful story that will be enjoyed by the younger reader.

I really enjoyed this book. Its an interesting read about the effect of WWII on world fashion and also a helpful resorce guide to fashion and trends of the era. I must for any vintage clothing collector or swing kid!

I borrowed this book along with the other volumes (1940 to 1970 )from my library. This was exactly what I need for my assignment of different body types and the power of non verbal communication. It was very interesting and would recommend buying. This book was outstanding!

I thought this book was well written, even if it is supposedly for kids. It was full of information, pictures, and interesting trivia. As a free-lance writer and researcher of the Twenties, it's a good book to have in one's personal library!

girls out late is a very interesting book ot is about three very different girls that are friends growing up. ellie one of the girls loves to draw and and she went to the mall one day and she saw a guy in 11th grade and she fell in love just like he loved her! he was so interesting to see how 2 totally different people can make such a great couple! you sould definatly go read GIRLS OUT LATE ~~ BY JACQUELINE WILSON~~

When Ellie meets a Year Eleven boy in McDonald's named Russell, sparks fly between the two of them. Soon the two of them are boyfriend and girlfriend (what Ellie has always wanted), and are slowly falling in love. But when there's a miscommunication between Ellie and Russell, and Ellie thinks that he's stood her up, Nadine and Magda decide to buy tickets to a Claudie concert to cheer her up. But soon, Ellie finds out that Russell hadn't meant to stand her up, and asks her to the school dance. Unfortunately the school dance is on the same day as the Claudie concert, and if she says she can't go to the concert, Nadine and Magda will never forgive her.

This is a must read book, Jacqueline Wilson has created another writing masterpiece with "Girls Out Late."

This book is great! I loved it very much and I only spent 4 days to finish reading it. It's about 3 teen girls-Ellie,Nadine and Magda who are best friends. Ellie is plain but her 2 friends are much more prettier. However, Russell thinks she's speecial and madly falls in love with Ellie. They stay out very late at the first night they meet and they both get into trouble afterwards because their parents don't let them to stay out so late. So, they begin to have little dates after school everyday...and go home before night. This funny story is very easy to read and realistic, with the narrator of Ellie herself, a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. I would recommend it to every teen girls. Don't hesistate to buy it!!! Also read and , they are dead hilarious too! :-)

I bought this for my 9-year-old nephew. He was having problems in school, and I struggled to find a present that would help him see that learning is fun. I was amazed at the hit this was! He knows now that learning isn't all boring, and all my other neices and nephews were amazed by this kit. Even us adults found ourselves playing with the kids and learning about mummies...the kit even has guts for you to "maintain"! What a buy!

I bought this for a nine-year-old and we both enjoyed it thoroughly. It "unwraps" the mystery of mummies which was fun and educational for both of us! Most kids become fascinated by mummies and this gives them a broader perspective, making the whole thing clearer. I highly recommend this as a great gift item.

I did not look at the ages when I ordered it but was pleasantly suprised when I received it. My children are taking up an interest in some of the wierd stuff I like and this will be a GREAT project for them.

The authors do a good job in this book and it is a good read. What is interesting is how much we do not know about this amazing satellite. We have no idea about what the surface is like. In less than 5 years the Cassini mission w/ the Huygens lander will make this book obsolete. You have to wonder why this book was written so close to Cassini's arrival. Until then this book should be standard text in any amatuer astronomers library. The authors give too much credit to Carl Sagan and not enough to the real scientists who have contributed to our limited knowledge on the subject. Besides that this book almost gets my highest rating.

This is an exciting time for planetary exploration, when after the solar system has been reconnoitered by spacecraft (except Pluto) and now spacecraft are being sent to specific planets and moons, etc., for closer examination. LIFTING TITAN'S VEIL covers the Cassini mission to Saturn and it's large moon Titan, known to possess a thick atmosphere and perhaps a hydrocarbon ocean, due to insert itself into Saturnian orbit in July, 2004, the attached Huygens probe should enter Titan's atmosphere January, 2005.

The authors include a lot of science in this volume, including background information concerning moons and planets across the solar system. Most of this book covers Titan of course, what we know about it and how we came about that knowledge, from early times to the present. Titan's atmosphere and surface and sub-surface conditions recieve the most attention, with the chemistry of the atmosphere discussed at length. Also, the authors debate the possibility of an ethane/methane ocean existing on Titan as the surface temperature, according to available evidence, is close to the triple point of methane. All of this science can of course, as the authors point out, shed light on the formation and evolution of the solar system and in turn give us clues to our own origins in the misty past. As a chemist I especially enjoyed the information on the chemistry of Titan, and the space-buff in me enjoyed all of it. In addition, the Cassini spacecraft is detailed, and there are lots of illustrations, many in color.

On a personal note, I remember being at the space center as a visitor just a few days before the launch of Cassini, in October, 1997, and thinking that here is this spacecraft sitting out there on the pad just a few hundred yards from the Atlantic beach, I wondered then, will Huygens, at the end of it's journey, find another beach? Space travel is cool!

Lifting Titan's Veil is a revealing account of the second largest moon in our solar system. This world in orbit around Saturn is the only body in the solar system with an atmosphere strikingly similar to Earth's and the only moon with a substantial atmosphere. Nitrogen is the main gas in Titan's atmosphere but it is laced with a cocktail of hydrocarbons and is virtually opaque to human eyes because of layers of orange smog. Beneath the haze, lakes of liquid methane may be a feature of the frigid landscape. Titan is like a giant laboratory in deep freeze that may help scientists understand the first chemical steps towards the origin of life."