Once in a long while a book comes along that is so simple yet so complex and innovative that it can be enjoyed time and again by both children and adults and is destined to become a classic. This is one of those books.

Having myself been taken at a very young age by my father to the Metropolitan Museum, this book has awoken within me wonderful memories that have instilled me with a love of museums (and especially of the Met). Although my children have not had the experience of seeing the Metropolitan as we live outside the U.S., this book has afforded me the opportunity to describe the museum to them and relive my experiences with them and at the same time take a rollicking educational ride through this romp.

I can actually feel the joy these two sisters must have had in working on this project. It is a work that comes from the heart and kudos to their collaboration of story and artwork that raises the story above the mundane.

I read my girls two books every night. We have a reasonably sized collection but let's face it, some children's books just don't stand up to repitition. When my oldest (5) goes to pick out a book from the shelf I get nervous -- if she picks out the fairy tale book I glaze over. You Can't Take a Baloon into the Metropolitan Museum is one of the books you just look forward to reading with your children. It's engaging, we see new things in it all the time, and it even gets them excited about art!! What's not to love?! We're waiting for more from Ms. Preiss-Weitzman!

This is one of my favorite books of all time. It captures the spirit of New York while showcasing numerous works of art from the Metropolitan Museum in the city. Juxtaposed together, children will love the fun drawings and adults will appreciate the cleverness contained in each page. I have bought this book as gifts for friends, and also bought two copies for myself. One sits proudly on my shelf, and I have matted and framed some of my favorite pages from the other copy to hang on my wall. If you love New York, art, and/or wonderful children's books you must discover this book for yourself.

I will say quite simply that having read this book I can see more clearly who it is I truely care about. It describes friendship with an unmatched child-like simplicity that strikes the beats of every heart that's had a true friend. This book makes the perfect gift for anyone special in your life.

This past Christmas (2001), my boyfriend gave me this as a gift. He knew of my love for childrens books, and got it for me. After opening the box, I immediately started to read the book quietly to myself. It was so beautiful, with such a simple message anyone of any age can appreciate and love. I was drawn to tears of happiness after reading it, I tried to shield my reaction from the room full of his family members. But they caught me with the tears of joy streaming down my face. At this point his sister read it aloud to us all and she was drawn to tears as well. This book like I said earlier, is wonderful for a significant other, or just a friend you think is special. What can I say...absolutely wonderful work here and I highly recommend it to everyone.

I was looking for a gift for my girlfriend, something that wasn't too cliched or overdone. Somehow the recommendation system at Amazon pointed out this little gem. So, I bought it, figuring that if it turned out to be corny or too elementary, I'd just give it to one of my nieces.

As it turns out, this is an amazing book that manages to give a simple voice to strong, complex emotions, and all this in a funny, whimsical way.

My girlfriend was very surprised and absolutely loved it. We sat down right there and read it out loud together. To this day she will sometimes include quotes or excerpts from it when she writes me or we're talking on the phone.

For a purported "children's book," it has a powerful impact. Sometimes you laugh while you're reading it, sometimes you simply say "That is so true!" Given wisely to those whom you truly care about, it states beautiful truths in an innocent, meaningful, effective way.

This book works pretty good. I still get some occasional pain in my wrists and elbows, after a long day (and evening) at the computer, but the exercises help about 80-90%. You don't have to do all of the exercises in the book; I do 10 of them, and those ten take up 7 minutes daily. Not a big price to pay for avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome! There are other things you can do to prevent or reduce CTS, like taking a B-complex vitamin supplement daily. I take 25 mg a day; 50 mg is also fine. Don't buy the extended-release forms---they can cause liver damage. Taking vitamin B6 alone may also help, but don't take more than 100 mg/day for extended periods, because you could wind up with even more nerve damage than before. For a detailed list of nutritional supplements and their potential side effects, the book The Failures of American Medicine is a good reference.

I have had a number of typing-related problems, including muscular overuse syndrome, tendonitis, and various nerve impingements. I checked this book out of the library one night and found the stretch where you lie on your back and gently open your hand and bend your wrist backwards. I tried it, and I felt 70% better IMMEDIATELY. By now, with the help of strengthening exercises too, I have recovered enough to return to work. I can even be a little irresponsible (though I can't recommend this to others) and overdo it until my arms get painful and tight again, because I know that 5-20 minutes of Ms. Butler's stretches will fix me right up.

I also use her idea of the "stretch point" to stretch other sensitive parts of my body, like my legs and feet. (I'm a runner.)

If you could give a book 6 stars, I would.

This is the book I return to again and again, since the exercises, which are gentle and easy to do, really do help on tense and injured muscles and tissue. The book is very much focused on the drawings of the exercises with helpful text on the sides and references to important intro text scattered throughout to help you remember the essentials of safe stretching. Very easy to use book, and the exercies do help! If you need more information in general about RSI, the physiology of it and treatments, I have found "It is not Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!" to be a very informative book.

Charlie Enright is happy with the way things are. She and her mum Jo live in their little apartment and Charlie is looking forward to the new school year with her friends Lisa and Angela. Then the new teacher, Miss Beckworth, insists on calling her Charlotte, and on making her sit next to Jamie Edwards, the drippiest boy in school. To make matters even worse, Miss Beckworth, who doesn't seem to have a humerous bone in her body, has assigned all the class to do a project on the Victorians, Yuck! What was going to be a great school year is turning out to be perfectly wretched. When Jo comes home with news of changes in her job, and Charlie feels her life is spinning out of control. This delightful book follows the changes in Charlie's life as she tries to get her Victorian project done, cope with her friends growing up and beginning to like boys (Yuck), and endures Miss Beckworth. There is even a delightful story within the story. I couldn't wait to see what happened next and how Charlie would manage to cope. A great book about growing up and changes.

Charlotte's (aka Charlie's) 6th grade year is not coming out to a good start. Mrs. Beckworth is her not-so-great teacher who asigns the 6th graders to write a boring project about the Victorian times. But Charlie has worse problems. Her mom might be getting a boyfriend. And her best friends are getting interested in boys, while Charlie still isn't! How does Charlie survive all this? Read the book to find out. I would recommand this book to sixth graders, especially girls. This is one of my favorite Jacqueline Wilson books!

Charlie's life has never been easy, her dad left before she was born, and her Granparents are less than careing, her and her mum, Jo have always face life as just the two of them. Now Charlie has a new Teacher, she is really strict, and Charlie is otfen in trouble. When the teacher sets a Victorian project, she starts a diary of nursery maid, Lottie. When Charlie faces a problem, (her mums new boyfriend) she puts it in Lotties life as well. They are both 11 and have diffent lifes, but with simal events

I really loved this book! It's an amazing tribute to Jackie, and the pictures are incredible. I've never seen most of them, and so many of the ones with JFK and John Jr and Caroline are so touching. Most picture books have a smattering of photos, but this one seems to cover just about every month of Jackie's life! It's really something to see her as a lovely little girl, maturing into a young woman, and then going through all that she did. The captions are very interesting too, and well-written. If you remember Jackie fondly like I do, you will want to get this book!

In addition to containing many never-before-published photos of one of the most famous women of our times, this book has some very interesting biographical information (extended captions) about Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Anyone interested in Jackie and her remarkable life will love this book.

I was captivated by this book. James Spada has compiled several well-known photographs with many photos I had never seen. He does not try to analyse or to delve into the behind the scenes. He presents the photos with a paragraph or two, and lets us glimpse into Jackie Kennedy Onassis's life. I was entranced by the pictures of her youth and the pure beauty and joy in several ungarded moments. A beautiful tribute.

I have read Jacqueline's book, as has my husband. We have three aging parents ALL with dementia. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I nodded in agreement and understanding at the author's situation. This book really helped both my husband and me to get it through our heads that we are not the only ones out there with this tough road ahead of us, and in dealing with the situation we are in. I have recommended this book to every nurse, nursing home administrator, aide and caregiver I know, as well as friends and family stuck in similar situations. We too, have run across doctors, psychologists and gerontologists who no more care about our opinions or our concerns about our loved ones than anything. I would venture to say they have never been in this situation, or I guarantee their snide remarks would be replaced by compassion, comfort, understanding and a willingness to work with, not against, the frustrated family member(s). If you're frustrated by a loved one with dementia, and feel you are all alone in your situation, you have to read this book! It will make you feel better, and help you to realize dementia is an unfortunate illness for many of our aging loved ones. This book shows both humor and deep compassion, something we all need when living in this situation. Thanks Jackie!!!!! 5 STARS!!!

I have read this book in a mere few days. I spent several nights reading until early morning hours, as I could not put the book down. I HAD TO know what happened next! I feel the author told the story well and weaved in the details of her history with her parents. This book is for anyone who has dementia. I told my husband that we needed to drive out to California, as my husband's uncle is just like the author's father, and perhaps they are related! I saw so many comparisons in this book. We have three elders with dementia...my mom, and my husband's aunt and uncle. It was amazing that I saw a little of each one (ok, a LOT of the uncle!)in several of these scenarios. The author tells the story with humor, something we all need in dealing with people with dementia. This is a gotta have for children, grandchildren, friends, doctors, nurses, aides, counselors, etc who work with dementia patients. It is definitely our family members own personal hells that makes us feel like we are going down too. This book is great! Buy it, then tell everyone about it!

This was an absolutely incredible book! I have three elderly relatives ALL with dementia, ALL in nursing homes, ALL irrational! I could identify the author's parents with my husband's auntie and uncle; he, a dominant force in the relationship; she a shrinking violet, most of the time. I laughed at times, and nearly cried at others, as I saw the parallels between the author's dad and my husband's uncle. I told my husband we should drive out to California, because I think we found another family member! Seriously, this book is fabulous for children who find themselves locked in the twilight zone with no way out until death we do part from them (and in many cases, death is SOOOO much better than living that horrible existence for those with dementia.) Also, counselors, nurses, aides, drs, psychologists, nursing home administrators, social workers, ANYONE, who has ANYTHING to do with those with dementia need to read this book! I thank the author muchly for writing it! I told her I am about ready to write a book myself!

Delightful book with delicious recipes. The Summer Pasta Salad and the Brownie recipes are out of this world! This book not only contains delicious recipes, but it also allows the reader into the lives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis and her children, letting you see a side of them through the photograhps in this book, that has rarely been seen in the past. It is a reminder that the members of this close family are ordinary people, rich in their tradtions. A very enjoyable book and great to give as gifts to other cooks in your life.

This is a delightful book, full of warm reminiscences and wonderful recipes. I recently made Marta's delicious scrambled eggs, and now my husband doesn't want them prepared any other way. I am anxious for summertime, when I will try some of Marta's fresh vegetable salads and her summer pudding.

The photos in this book show the private side of the Kennedys, which evoked bittersweet feelings in me. I remember Camelot and the tragedies that followed; paging through the photos in Marta's book brought back some of the warm, familial feelings the Kennedys engendered. Since the recent death of JFK Jr., the memories chronicled in this book are especially touching.

Marta, you have written a charming tribute to the Kennedy family, whose members you obviously love and respect. Brava!

I loved this book! In addition to providing delicious recipes, the author recounts family stories which pay tribute to the Jackie branch of the Kennedy family. Marta's recollections read like an episode of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," yet throughout, the family always seems warm and down to earth. Also included are many family photos of John, Jr.

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.

I went into reading this book with the little I know from my childhood, when my step mother and sister read "Valley" and all the others. Surprisingly enough, I kept finding myself riveted to every page; cheering on Jacki Susann. Now I'm so intrigued by this woman, This Jackie Susann, that I'm going to read her novels too. What a wonderful biography! Kudos to Ms. Seaman!

K.H.

LOVELY ME takes honors for being the most lurid bio I've ever read. It was great!

I recommend reading this book before you pick up VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, because once you read VOTD, you'll know from exactly which well Jackie drew these experiences. Just as VOTD was a roman a clef for life as Jackie knew it, LM is the real-life retelling of VOTD.

I admire Jackie Susann. Not only was she a Philadelphian and a writer, like me, but she had such tenacity. Even when cancer, a failed career, a mentally-ill son, and a dim future stared her in the face, she plodded on and closed her ears to the naysayers. She never once took her eyes off her dream of being a published author and bolstering VOTD to being the best-selling novel in history. We can all learn something from her.

Barbara Seaman's impressive biography of Jacqueline Susann, "Lovely Me", is, without a doubt, the BEST biography of a celebrity ever written! This book surpasses anything that Lovely Ms. Susann could ever have written by several thousand miles. After reading this amazing tome, I felt a deep respect for the creator of the "pot-boiler", and I admire her spunk and spirit, in the face of great adversity. If you are searching for a book that tells it ALL, from drug binges, extramarital affairs (both lesbian and heterosexual), rivalries, and hatred, and the indistinguishable love between Jackie and her husband, Irving Mansfield, then please, please, please, pick up this book. It just might be the best thing you'll read all year...

Being an adaptation by and with the great Martin Jarvis, I thought it would be absolutely excellent, as I have found his audio efforts to be always. But in his performance there is something lacking, Sir Robert Chiltern should be played with a bit more pathos. Jacqueline Bisset is formidable, and Alfred Molina also as Lord Goring.

As to being a live recording, this is a mixed blessing. This public seems to misunderstand some lines, and there are misplaced laughs, for example when Robert Chiltern says: "I did not sell myself for money. I bought success at a great price. That is all". I'm sure Wilde didn't intend this to be a joke. Chiltern is not bought, he is not changed, it is he who buys something, therefore his character, his person, is not altered. The public dismisses this important nuance and bursts into a hearty fit of laughter.

There are three o four more like that. But on the whole, this recording by L.A. Theater Works is highly enjoyable.

Wilde, in part, attempts to portray the relativity of truth, power, and character, things we often take as absolutes, while also entertaining his audience with witty dialogue and comical mishaps.

Oscar Wilde gives us here one of his best plays. He explores the political world in London and how a young ambitious but poor man can commit a crime, which is a mistake, to start his good fortune. But he builds his political career on ethical principles. Sooner or later someone will come into the picture to blackmail him into supporting an unacceptable scheme, by producing a document that could ruin his career if revealed. His past mistake may come back heavily onto him. But he resists and sticks to his moral reputation. He prefers doing what is right to yielding to some menace. He may lose though his political ambition and career and his wife's love. But love is saved by forgiveness and the man's career is also saved by the work of a real friend who recaptures the dubious document and destroys it. In other words love and an ethical career are saved by the burrying of the old mistake into oblivion. In other words love and friendship are stronger than the scheming action of a blackmailer. This is a terrible criticism of victorian society which is based more on appearances than principles and yet able to destroy a man's absolutely ethical present life with a mistake from his youth, throwing the baby along with the water of the bath. It is also a criticism of the victorian political world where you cannot have a career if you are not rich, money appearing as the only way to succeed, at least to succeed fast. But it is a hopeful play because love and friendship are beyond such considerations and only consider the best interest of men and women, in the long run and in the name of absolute purity. Better be a sinner and be forgiven when you have reformed than see a reformed sinner destroyed by the lack of forgiveness. Oscar Wilde advocates here a vision of humanity that necessitates forgiveness as the essential fuel of any rational approach. Real morality is not the everlasting guilt of a sinner without any possible reform. Real morality is the recognition that forgiveness is necessary when reform has taken place. Otherwise society would be unlivable and based on hypocrisy and the death or rejection of the best people in the name of (reformed) mistakes. One must not be that sectarian, because man can learn from his mistakes and improve along the road : one can learn how to avoid mistakes and repair those oen has committed. If condemnation is absolute, no progress is possible. A very fascinating play, a very modern play. And yet when can one be considered as reformed, when can we consider one has really corrected one's mistakes and improved ? And who can deem such elements ? The very core of political and ethical rectitude is concerned here and Oscar Wilde embraces a generous approach.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University of Perpignan