This book is one of the few books I wouldn't want to be without. I'm not tree hugger so I was a bit wary of this book, but instead I found it to be dense with information, inspiration & ideas.

I believe there is more to be learnt in this book about paganism than most of the "learn paganism in a week" books, and it has enhanced my divination with ogham no end.

I don't think anyone would be able to use this book to identify the trees, so you still need a decent tree book to go with it. However, in content I have yet to find another one book that covers the physiology, folklore, healing uses, magical applications, physical uses & inspirational qualities of trees in such detail, and in such an easy to read style.

I was amazed when I read this book that what the author had found out from her trees I had also found out from the ones I have visited in my travels. Trees have their own language that we can hear if only we listen with our soul and our heart. They can each give us information and awaken our inherrant memories with their ancient knowledge. This book will give you some of that same wisdom if you can't visit them for yourself. Also included in the book are folklore, and Ogham which are interesting too. If you are on a Spiritual path and want to learn more of the early spirituality of Britain, this is the book for you.

Tree Wisdom is a wonderful book for anyone who wishes to learn more about the great and abiding wisdom the Green Folk have to offer to us today. This book is an indispensable member of my library and I recommend it highly.

Why is Mud Blossom wanted?? What did she do?? In this book a dog named Mud Blossom who is accused of eating Junior's pet gerble. But in the story a very old lady named "Mad Mary" is missing!!! Did Mud eat the gerble, and has "Mad Mary" been kidnapped? Read the book to find out.

~Andrew Leace

This book is an exciting,never now what's going to happen kind of book.While Junior finds out what responsibility is like by taking Care of the class hamster,his friend Mad Mary is missing!Ralphy and Maggy are in a tangled up mess of love that they can't seem to figure out.

I like this book because I like golden retrievers. I also liked it because it was mysterious. It was hard to know if Mud was guilty of eating the hamster. At first I felt excited because Junior did a lot for the class hamster, but then I was sad because Mud might get into trouble.Giancarlo, 3rd grader, Seattle

I really enjoyed reading this book. As a therapist, I noticed that parents of children with LD want some practical help in a language that they can understand. This book is easy to read and because it gives many examples of children with LD parents can find what they are looking for. As an author of a self-help book for children with learning disorders - BEING IN CONTROL- I can really recommend this book.

Gifford shares methods gleaned from the masters of imagery and adapted for her own purposes. She shares her unique experiences from teaching students from an inner-city school in just about the most adverse conditions imaginable. If these techniques can be effective in this kind of environment, then they must be good. I have tried some of these strategies in my own teaching of high school mathematics, and they really are effective. I have successfully used imagery to help students overcome "Math Anxiety" and "Test Taking Anxiety" with sometimes amazing results.

Gifford provides lots of specific methods of overcoming the obstacles faced by kids labelled as "learning disabled." A very practical book that can be put to good use by both teachers and parents of "LD" children.

A fabulously original and interesting book. I strongly recommend you buy it. Great for both children and adults.

A very unique, well written and educational book for both children and adults. Not many authors explore the different creatures under the sea. Most people have not even heard of Wolf-eels and so this book opens the doors to a new world of undersea creatures. There is so much we do not know about the ocean. The fantastic thing about this book is it brings these facinating creatures to life for everyone.

Not only is this book very well written, but it also inlcudes beautiful, colorful illustrations done by Jacqueline Stanley herself!

This is a fabulous book. Buy a copy, you will not be disappointed!

I recently had the opportunity to read this book, and was very impressed with its originality and interesting content, both with regards to the written text and the beautifully vivid illustrations (all of which were done by the very talented Ms. Stanley). Not only is it a fun read for any child (or adult, for that matter), but also offers educational information on a sea creature not widely known or understood, with pictorials detailing the life cycle of the wolf eel, etc. In my opinion, any child would love to receive this book, and I intend to purchase a copy for all of the children I know. I look forward to seeing the further adventures of "Wolfie" detailed in the future, or perhaps the tale of another sea creature - whatever the subject, I am confident the author will again create an exciting adventure below the seas to delight the imagination of both young and old. You've done a wonderful job, Ms. Stanley!

"You Can't Take a Balloon into the Museum of Fine Arts" is the problem that confronts a young girl who is visiting the Boston museum with her brother and grandparents in this charming children's book from author Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and artist Robin Preiss Glasser. So grandma volunteers to wait outside, with the balloon (which is green), while the others tour the museum. However, before the trio even gets inside, the balloon comes undone from grandma's wrist and sails away. However, grandma is not about to let the day be ruined and sets off in hot pursuit of the balloon, helped by a nice young man on a motorbike. While grandpa and the children tour the Museum of Fine Arts, grandma chases the balloon across Boston. In doing so, we get to see pretty much every major site in Boston, from Trinity Church and the Boston Common to Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church, and Fenway Park (the balloon manages to follow most of the Freedom Trail, but turns away from the U.S.S. Constituion and Bunker Hill Monument).

However, there is more fun to be had in this book. Scattered throughout the scenes are 33 past and present legends of Boston. My cocked hat is off to the person who can spot even half of the faces from history and today that artist Robin P. Glasser has put into these scenes of places around Boston. Larry Bird and Bill Russell I recognized (but I missed "Red" Auerbach), and I figured that was Paul Revere in front of the Paul Revere House, but I never would have known that was Michael Dukakis eating lunch at Durgin Park. Meanwhile, back at the Museum of Fine Arts, we see photographic reproductions of some of the famous painting to be found within, such as Rembrandt's "Artist in His Studio," Edward Hopper's "Drugstore," and John Singleton Copley's "Watson and the Shark" and "Paul Revere."

I saw most, but not all, of these sites on a trip through Boston last year so it was fun to be reminded of what I had seen and see some glimpses of what I had missed. I was not surprised to learn that Weitzman and Glasser had collaborated on a previous effort, "You Can't Take a Balloon Into The Metropolitan Museum" as well as the more recent "You Can't Take a Balloon Into The National Gallery." But this book is a green balloon and Boston and those books have a yellow balloon in New York City and an orange balloon in Washington, D.C., which are both completely different. I am not sure if readers who live outside of these three American metropolises could possible enjoy these books as much as natives. But certainly if you live in Boston this is a book that will remind you of the rich history and culture of Beantown. You can also think of it is a tour guide for kids.

The Preiss sisters are back and taking Boston by storm, or should I say balloon. As in their previous books, You Can't Take A Balloon Into The Metropolitan Museum and You Can't Take A Balloon Into The National Gallery, a little balloon carrying girl and her brother visit the Museum of Fine Arts with Grandma and Grandpa. Everyone knows you can't take a balloon inside, so Grandma does the honors and waits outside on the steps, holding the treasured balloon, while the others go in and take their tour. In no time, the balloon escapes, and the fun begins. As life imitates the famous artwork the little girl is observing inside, Grandma chases the balloon all over the city from the Boston Library, Trinity Church, Chinatown, and the Boston Harbor, to Faneuil Hall, the Old North Church, Fenway Park, and many other famous landmarks along the way. This hilarious, joyous, manic romp, will mesmerize youngsters with it's exuberant and engaging pen and ink illustrations, with just a little color used here and there to highlight the action, and includes thirty-three hidden famous Bostonians, sprinkled throughout the comic book-like pages, to find and learn more about. Part art book, history lesson and travel brochure, this is a creative and inventive tour of one of America's great cities, and includes a map of the balloon's route, an informative list of artwork seen in the museum, and biographical sketches of the hidden "faces from history." Perfect for kids of all ages, You Can't Take A Balloon Into The Museum Of Fine Arts is a wonderful addition to an already terrific series, and guarantees hours of clever and imaginative, page-turning fun.

Building on the enormous popularity of "You Can't Take A Balloon Into The Metropolitan Museum" and "You Can't Take A Balloon Into The National Gallery" Weitzman and Glasser now offer a fun, colorful peek at the Museum of Fine Arts while presenting an affirming grandparent/grandchild relationship.

Each full-color page bursts with vibrant energy as a little girl's balloon (not allowed inside the Museum) escapes her grandmother's grasp and soars away. Off we go, following the green orb through the streets of Boston. This chase is matched with the works of art the little girl is viewing.

There's a bit of history here, a bit of whimsy, and a lot of entertainment...

I have owned this book since the second annual Asparagus Festival when I volunteered at a booth in Asparagus Alley. I am constantly being asked for recipes I make from the book. As a parent, it is also nice to have recipes for asparagus that my son will request.

This book is really a value for its small size and small price. It was originally sold at the Stockton Asparagus Festival. The book contains many recipies from the Festival's Asparagus Food Alley as well as past winners in the ongoing recipe contast. Recipes range from soups, through main dishes, and on to breads and desserts. I highly recommend it for personal use or a small gift to the cook who has everything. If only it were 100 pages longer...I do love asparagus!!

I'm not a ballerina--I am one of those who took a few years of dance and never had the drive or desire to work at it--but I love this book!

White shows that she had to work to achieve her dream, that she sometimes made mistakes, that it helped to have suport of other people but that ultimately it was up to HER.

Wonderful!

This book, although short and recommended for ages 4-8, is inspiring for ages 4-104 (lol). It's great to read when you're discouraged about anything (not just ballet), because it motivates you to get your butt out there and try again! Now on a personal note...Diana is my teacher and has inspired me time after time to work even harder than I thought possible. Get the book and keep it around for when you're down, because it'll help you through almost anything!

This is a short and easy to understand textbook of immunology. I predict that it will soon become a favorite of medical students. More multiple choice questions at the end of each chapter [as in the well known BRS series] would be welcome. A chapter giving details of the immunologic and serologic tests used in the diagnosis of infectious diseases [esp rickettsiae and viruses] would be nice. Overall it is an excellent review of immunology.

Dr. Sharon has written a very concise and integrated book. She takes nothing for granted but explains every fine detail and define immunological terms in a manner that helps you to remember them--association. It would be great if this book could be translated to Spanish. Good texts in basic immunology are lacking in the Spanish community. In summary, it is a great book.

THIS IS THE COMPLETE STORY of what go's on in every Business that is MUL-

TICULURAL . So true to form.

This is an excellent book. It does an excellent job of identifying the frustrations faced by minorities in Corporate America. It provides pratical soultions to many of the problems faced, as well as the underlying cause for the problem. Every Human Resource/Organizational Development Manager should have a copy of this book. This book should also be required reading for Managers participating in their coporate mentoring programs.

I highly recommend Black Students and School Failure (BSASF) to all serious educators and parents of black students. I also highly recommend re-reading it to anyone who has read this book some time ago. Simply put, this book makes the reader think.

I first read BSASF in 1991. Over the years, I have re-read sections of the book a number of times. For me, the vital and brilliantly communicated points of BSASF are these:

1. [Contrary to "Bell Curve" thinking,]Black children's capacity and potential for learning is equal to that of other ethnic groups.

2. Black children's learning potential is systematically not being realized in America's school systems. Reasons or this include but are not limited to: low expectations and self-fulfilling prophecies; lack of cultural synchronization; lack of national, strategic focus on effectively educating poor, minority children.

In other words, black student failure in school does not point to an inherent inability to learn. Rather, it points to clearly ineffective - perhaps even racist - policies and practices on a classroom, school, school system, and national level.

3. The problem of black student school failure is significantly correlated with the problem of black poverty - and the salient issues of drug abuse, violence, teen pregnancy, etc. These problems persist and will continue to persist until there is an active commitment address them with not just short-lived interventions, but long-term strategic focus on improving educational outcomes for black students.

Being a first-year teacher of math at a 90+% black high school in South Florida, I am an everyday witness of low teacher expectations and self-fulfilling prophecies for black students. This book convinces me that there would be significantly less black poverty if significantly more teachers had high expectations for their black students. Moreover, it makes me wonder if perhaps there would even be a cure for cancer!

Patrick Harper

Coconut Creek, Florida
April 20, 2003

That book is difficult, but I made my way through it, because it’s the truth. And it is good stuff. And it’s worth it. She tells the truth. She explains why black children and students have such problems with Western education. Her answer is that Western education was designed and made by whites. This may be OK for Asians, who are closer to whites, but it can’t work for Africans, our race is too different, the “racial distance”(and the culture that stems from each race) is too big. I don’t mean to be racist, man, but that’s how it is, we are no whites, and whites are no blacks, and that’s fine. Seems to come close to a book I haven’t read, The White Architects of Black Education: Ideology and Power. AND, even worst, she proves, reveals that the aim of this white education that is imposed unto blacks is enslave them by conditioning them to respect white authority, to be docile, subordinate and dependent on white, and by predestinating them to the inferior lowest jobs whites need for their free-market economy. Put it clearly, man : it is still white slavery and exploitation of Africans, but it is hidden. And worst, because you don’t see it and you won’t revolt and shake off the white yoke. It’s deception. And I would had that this white schooling hurts terribly, breaks our African soul, identity , and that’s why many of us fail, our African soul can’t work out with a white identity that is unnatural to us and that enslaves us. But she has the (obvious) solution: we need our own separate schools, but not just so before the segregation, not compulsory, and above all not designed by whites for white children, but designed by Africans for black children. That’s it. The whole point is about designing black school. It should be done by Africans who have rediscovered their roots, I mean their own African cultures, religions, races and languages. Here in South Africa we got a seminal book, P. C. Luthuli’s The Philosophical foundations of Black education in South Africa. Luthuli saw that “While throughout their history Black people have borrowed quite generously in order to construct their school curriculum, the time has come for this to be done within the dictates of their basic needs” and that our schools “must be governed by the fundamental collective philosophy of life”, that is by our own African soul, not the thinking, the soul of the white race, which is alien to us. Irvine, working with the African diaspora in America has come exactly to the same conclusion. What a good book, man, that’s real black studies, black university, and it’s not baloney like some of those white racists say who would like to abolish black studies. Quite the contrary, read her book, she proves we need our own “Afrocentric independent schools”.