Johnny Gruelle has a rare gift to capture fantasy and joy better than anyone does. Few books whisk me back to the carefree days of a bygone childhood world faster than his. I remember reading "Marcella" as a little boy again and again. Not only were the stories between its covers utterly delightful but also the drawings couldn't have been more marvelous! While 'surfing' the Internet this afternoon I found myself (as I so often do) on Amazon.com. Never believing that this book could possibly be available, imagine how thrilled I was to discover it would ship within 24 hours! Of all the Raggedy Ann books this is by far my favourite. Whether you have a child or not, no home should be without these innocent stories and fabulous pictures. Relive a simpler time of warm summer days and adventures along the beach. Sure to raise anyone's spirits after a long day of voicemails, faxes, e-mails, and 21st century advancements. Amazon.com and the computer never cease to amaze me, I can barely wait to see the Raggedies and their friends again after all these years!

Ok, I admit it. I only bought this book because of its title. I know it's childish but come'on, wouldn't you be tempted to do the same if your name were Marcella? But then when I started reading it, it was so good I couldn't put it down. How can you not like Marcella and her beloved dolls? The kindness and love here are truly captivating. "Marcella" is really a special book. It's a wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated story every child in the world should be exposed to. I take a bow to Mr. Gruelle and his talent. So, if you have children or if you just like magic tales - like me -, buy it now. You won't regret it!

The Mac and Cheese recipe is a huge hit with everyone that has partaken. Great recipes for dinner parties, everyone from people with discriminating tastes to the average Joe will enjoy the meal. I'm just sad I don't entertain more and find an excuse to use the book more often! Maybe that should be my New Year's Resolution....

I have had this book for a couple years now and made many of the dishes; none I've tried have ever been disapointing. I especially like the notes on how well dishes keep in the fridge or freezer. One of my most trusted cookbooks, I have given as a gift as well. Besides Pasta there are great salads, main dishes, and appetizers to be found within its pages with notes on special ingredients and techniques. Very well thought out!

1001 Most Useful French Words is a slim and highly recommended collection of useful French words will delight students of French and those seeking a stronger, more in-depth vocabulary. Over 1,000 frequently-used French words and phrases are included, with a separate section featuring common words arranged by category. The perfect language primer.

Maybe the first "real person" gothic romance, the heroine of this entertaining thriller is as preoccupied with bemoaning her weight and unruly hair as she is with solving the mysterious fatal shooting death of her idolized older brother at his new bride's family home in 1880's Ireland. Especially welcome is the historical background of the book. The reader can learn a lot about Cistercian abbeys, the Protestant-Catholic conflict, and the social customs of the day. The best part for me, however, was that the strange feeling I was beginning to get about one of the main characters was actually borne out to be the pivotal plot element. I had found myself thinking, "I must have read that wrong; those kind of things are not usually found in this kind of book", but voila! It was! Get this book if you want to read a truly intriguing whodunit as well as have a hoot of a good time.

This thoroughly researched book is a must for all who are interested in the viability of American civil society. Ridlen Ray amasses a wealth of data to empirically test Alexis de Tocqueville's famed theories on how American democracy works. Her conclusions are at once surprising and affirming. They call into question recent research findings on the diminishing well-being of Ammerican democracy and affirm the resilience of deeply held sentiments and a shift, but not a lessening of participation, in American civil society. In the process, Ridlen Ray also provides a useful model for evaluating the development of civil societies in newly established democracies such as the independent states of the former Soviet Union.

I have always considered myself an Italian cook, although myrange is considerably broader, but this book changed my whole out lookto Italian cookery. I have collected most of Marcella's books, including the latest, but this is the one I reach for first. The section on Italian style grilled vegetables has become a summer favorite and has literally changed the way I plan a vegetable garden. It alone was worth the cost of the book. The osso bucca is to die for, and in my veal poor region it has withstood the substitution of lamb shanks. Every fall I put up a years's supply of the oven dried plum tomatoes in oil and the hot peppers in oil. I was asked for recipes of these dishes so often, I bought a half dozen of the paperback version of this book to distribute to my children and friends. I am invited out to dinner now by friends who have prepared one of these classic dishes (Chicken al Diavolo, for example) and even forgotten where they got the book. I am saddened to see it is out of print, because I could use a few more copies for friends who can't be trusted to know how to boil pasta ascuitta but are embarking on "Mediterranean diets". Joseph Chiaravalloti

The finest poetic anthology in the English language! Over the years I [just a common sort] have owned 4 copies, and worn out 3. Worth the price if the price were doubled.

This is a great book for court reporters, scopists, proofreaders, anyone who needs help with grammar or punctuation. This book will teach you when to use a comma; semicolon; colon; capitalization; etc. This book helps with troublsome words like "legislator" or "legislature"; it helps with one word/two words; when to use a comma instead of a period after the answer "yes" or "no"; etc. This is an all around great book for anyone who uses punctuation or grammar in their everday life.

This is one of the best books I have read on this subject and I highly recommend it.

Haglund and Sorg have done an excellent job of compiling and assembling information about the diverse field of taphonomy. The authors chosen to contribute to this volume are the leaders in their respective sub-disciplines and are illustrative of the many forms taphonomy can take. They further demonstrate that taphonomy is no longer considered just as: the study of skeletal assemblages in paleoecological and archaeological settings. It is a growing, diversifying, multi-faceted field. Students of taphonomy will find references in this book invaluable. In short: it will be your greatest resource in taphonomical studies.

This book is the most comprehensive one that I've seen on the subject of library services to children in hospitals. Anderson provides valuable information about establishing and maintaining a library for hospitalized children, creating a positive library environment, and developing a collection for this kind of library. In addition, this book includes special considerations, ideas, and resources for group programs in hospitals. Information about making room visits, maintaining book cart programs, and helping families of children in hospitals is also provided. The main text is supplemented by a bibliography of recommended children's books and by lists of additional resources. Altogether, this is an excellent source of information for library professionals that work with hospitalized children in any way.