This is the third book by Andrew that I have read. After reading Being Happy and Making Friends, I was quick to purchase this one, since I couldn't agree more with Andrew's philosphy on life. His writing is clear, direct, and easy to read and understand. His no-nonsense approach to problem solving and taking control of your own destiny is as good as it gets. And he offers real,practical,how-to advice for those who are looking to move beyond their ho-hum everyday lives. I would recommend this book to everyone, and especially those who need to dust themselves off and start all over again!

I got a much appreciated early holiday gift this year... an advance copy of "Follow Your Heart" by Andrew Matthews before it was released in the USA. In short: as soon as this book is available, buy it! Mr. Matthews's humor, wit, and way of "telling it like it is" shines through once again. For fans of "Being Happy", he doesn't dissapoint. For readers not familar with his previous work, you will find simple fulfullment in your life and work (as the subtitle states) just by taking the time to read and savor his gems of wisdom. On a personal note, "Follow Your Heart" came to me just as I was questioning a MAJOR change in my life and career. It helped me sort out my fears and choose the path I truly wanted to take in life. What I was reading gave me practical advice I applied to my own life.. and for the first time in a long time, things made sense. I hope Mr. Matthew's book can reach as many people as possible and change their lives as it has mine.

This book deals with alot about living life, how to succeed, have a peace of mind, and be happy. The format is fun, the concepts are easy to understand, and I would happily say that this book is the best of Andrew Mattews. If you are thinking about reading Being Happy as well, I will first mention that the concepts in these two books are similar, except I think this one is more organized, especially since the author became more skilled in writing and expresses himself better in this one. This review is written in my humble opinion, and anyone who does not agree with me, don't get all excited. If you are mad, maybe you should read the book again :-) jm

Having done numerology now for many years, I must agree with all previous reviewers. This 2 volume set is the clearest written, most thorough and complete guide to the subject of numerology. It is the book I most refer to when doing readings, and it covers all aspects of the subject.
The only drawback the 2 books present to an aspiring numerologist is, paradoxically, its strength: being such a complete guide to the subject, there may a tendency to rotely follow the examples given, neglecting your own intuition when doing a reading. Of course, it is important to "read what the numbers say," but the overall tone of a reading must also come from a connection to source energy through your own intuition. But this is really a trivial point in comparison to the excellence of Mr. Goodwin's work.
The 2 volume set comes complete with tables and descriptions for every part of a reading, and Mr. Goodwin has many sample readings which will get you started.
Without question, this 2 volume set is the best description of the subject you can find, and should be required reading for any numerologist.

As a professional numerologist, I have a whole book shelf full of numerology books. But none of them are written as concisely or contain the depth and detail as "Numerology: The Complete Guide," by Matthew Goodwin. Of all the numerology books I own, this is the one I consider my bible--that I refer to all the time. It is the only book out today that actually shows you how to do an integrated reading. All other books I have ever seen leave it to your intuition and experience to figure out how to do a professional reading. And the well written and organized tables at the back of the book make the information easily accessible. Though this might not be the best book for a beginner, it certainly is the best book ever written on the subject and is well suited for the intermediate and advanced students of numerology. Another benefit of this book is that if you own one of the several numerology software programs written by Matthew Goodwin (available from Widening Horizons), then you'll find this book of great value in better understanding how the detailed and indepth reports are constructed.

As a professional numerologist, I have a whole book shelf full of numerology books. But none of them are written as concisely or contain the depth and detail as "Numerology: The Complete Guide," by Matthew Goodwin. Of all the numerology books I own, this is the one I consider my bible--that I refer to all the time. It is the only book out today that actually shows you how to do an integrated reading. All other books I have ever seen leave it to your intuition and experience to figure out how to do a professional reading. And the well written and organized tables at the back of the book make the information easily accessible. Though this might not be the best book for a beginner, it certainly is the best book ever written on the subject and is well suited for the intermediate and advanced students of numerology. Another benefit of this book is that if you own one of the several numerology software programs written by Matthew Goodwin (available from Widening Horizons), then you'll find this book of great value in better understanding how the detailed and indepth reports are constructed.

When I was becoming vegetarian in 6th grade, I read a lot of books, but none delt with it from the teenagers viewpoint. They discussed what to shop for and how to plan large elaborate meals,and lots of other things that were of no use to me at that time.

That's this books strong point. It is written clearly for teenagers, dealing with the issues they need to know about. It covers nutrition and the likes wonderfly, in a way that can be easily understood, but also deals with uniquely teenage concerns such as how to discuss this with your parents and how to deal with going out with friends, school meals, etc. In addition, it covers the basic reasons for become a vegetarian, and the different types of vegetarians there are. It's a great resource for any teenage considering vegetarianism.

This book about vegetarianism is the most informative and easy to understand book for teens and with teens imput. I enjoyed this book emensly because I'm a teen myself and after reading this book with all it's info on nutrition, how to deal with parents, friends and how it helps the world. The author does a lot to get REAL teen's opinon on why they became vegetarians. The book was so good I read it in 3 hours (my record). I would highly recommend this book to teens or adults wanting to explore the options and information on becoming a vegetarian and why you can help the world by not eating meat. I now am a vegetarian it is fun and kinda special to tell people 'yes I'm a vegetarian I don't eat meat ' read the book you'll be very interested . Happy reading and happy meatless meals.

This is a great book for teen vegetarians, or teens thinking about becoming vegetarians. This book has 13 chapters, each full of information.
1. What is a vegetarian, anyways?- This gives straight forward answers, and describes different kinds of vegetarians and why people are vegetarians.
2.For The Planet- About how being a vegetarian benifits the planet.
3. For The Animals- You guessed it, all about how being a vegetarian helps animals.
4. For Your Health- About how being veggie helps you. This part also dispels many myths not-vegetarians have about a vegetarian diet.
5.Making The Switch- About going from meat-eater to vegetarian.
6.What will your parents say?- I think this is one of the best chapters, as it gives lots of information about what parents may be thinking and how to convince them without being rebelious.
7. What will your fiends say?- Yet another concern to teens, this chapter deals with dealing with friends.
8. Sticky Situations- This is another great chapter for teens, that answers all those nagging questions. What about at friends houses? How about when I'm traveling?
9. Surviving at School- All about cafeteria blues, science class diesection, and ways to make changes in your school.
10. Some Nutrition Basics- Another great chapter. All the nutrition you need to know, written in a clear way for teens to understand.
11. Fabulous Vegetarian Foods- All about vegetarian foods to try.
12. The Makings Of A Meal- About what to include in yummy and healthy meals.
13. Some Recipies To Get You Started- I'll be honest, I haven't tried any of the recipies yet, but they sound great. They are written in a ay great for beggining cooks.
This book is written in a non-judgmental, just facts way, but after reading it you will probably want to be vegetarian, if not vegan. I love the way the author talked to real teens, and included their quotes, knowledge, and tidbits of information about being vegetarian. This book includes a good concrete basis on all information nessecary to a teenage vegetarian, and is written in a engaging, interesting, funny, and informative way. I wish I could give this book 10 stars, it is such a great reference for the teenage vegetarian.

DREAMS TO GROW ON is a wondrous tale of one little girl's imaginative voyage of what she will be when she grows up. This stunning book explores all the career choices that this little girl could possibly fulfill-all while she plays with and cares for her doll and brother, and as she goes about a fun-filled creative day.

The beautifully life-like watercolor illustrations are perfect for this type of book. The illustrator, Matthew Archambault, captures the young girl in the present and in the future as she imagines what she wants to be.

DREAMS TO GROW ON is an ideal book for Career Day at schools, at home, and at work, and it would make a splendid addition to any library. The magnificently detailed book, in rhyming text, is a perfect way of helping young girls feel confident in what they choose to do-it also teaches them that they can be anything they want to be. Readers will enjoy this lovely book for children...let DREAMS TO GROWN ON fill your child with hope and wonderment.

As a mother and reviewer, I loved this book. My children loved this book. You will love this book!...Highly recommended!

Dreams To Grow On is a new offering from Illumination Arts that is filled with rhyme and colorful illustrations. It gives us an intriguing glimpse of a young girl as she goes through a typical day of pondering what she will be when she grows up - and does it by showing the awe and wonder in a child's daydream. Since this question is often on the minds of all children, it will give them lots of ideas of how to play-act their future.

"A teacher? Or a doctor? Or a writer? Let me see...
Today I'll practice all the things I just might want to be."

Lots of occupations are listed within the pages of this book, just as there are lots of things that children do during their day that can translate to what they might be when they grow up. Playing with dolls - being a mother. Building with blocks - architect. Making mud pies - baker. Looking at insects, flowers, and birds - scientist. Climbing on monkey bars - circus performer. The list goes on and on, and the illustrations are made even more interesting by showing pictures of the child in the present as well as in the future with each occupation.

"My heart will lead the way, no matter what I choose to do.
Great things are sure to happen as I make my dreams come true."

***** This is a wonderful book - just what I have come to expect from the people at Illumination Arts - and is highly recommended for children (ages four to eight) who dream of the future. *****

Reviewed by Ruth Wilson.

A little girl, having dreamt about growing up, decides to "practice" different professions, imagining what it would be like to be a mother, an architect, a baker, a scientist, a trapeze artist, a farmer, a pilot, a doctor, a sea captain, an actress, an artist, a teacher, and a writer. The story is written in rhyme, and has a soothing musical quality, which my six-year-old daughter enjoyed, but I wanted more precise poetic language to accompany these rich, imaginative oil painting illustrations. Each profession occupies a two-page spread--one side showing the girl exploring one possibility for her future, and the other showing her supposed grown-up self. This creates a magical sense of time, as well as the feeling that whatever can be imagined may become real. A girl playing with a doll may one day become woman holding her baby by the hands as she takes her first tentative step. A girl building a house out of blocks may one day build it out of lumber. A girl forming mud into pies may eventually use fresh whipping cream. A girl studying butterfly wings may, in time, conduct laboratory experiments. Climbing the monkey bars is good training for a trapeze artist and so forth. The book ends with these: "There are so many things to be. My heart will lead the way, no matter what I choose to do. Great things are sure to happen as I make my dreams come true." Illumination Arts publishes beautiful books with glossy images and thoughtful, inspiring messages. This one is no exception, despite one or two Saccharine moments.

These books are just the bomb Ann! You've really hit the mark with this new series! I'm actually kind of glad Claudia and Stacey are in a Friendship Feud. At least it shows that these girls are starting to get real! (as are the others) These books are deafnitly more realsitic then the Baby-sitters' Club. I have Friends Forever #5 too, and Maggie, Diary Three! Just keep coming with the wonderful books you create! This is my favorite book! FRIENDS FOREVER AND CALIFORNIA DIARIES ROCKS!

This was a cool book. It showed that not all friendships last forever and the plot was VERY realistic.

Stacey and Claudia are involved in a friendship feud over the new guy in school Jeremy. Claudia was sure they would have been going out by now....if only Stacey hadn't gotten in the way and stolen him! I feel pretty sorry for Claudia. Stacey's been pretty nasty to her these days, and she blew me away when she said a remark to Claudia that made my jaw drop! Ouch! (I won't tell you the remark or that would spoil the book)

I love how these are much more real then...oh say...the Baby-sitters' Club? Great job on the new series Ann M. Martin! I'm counting the days until Friends Forever #5!

This book is one of my favorites in the BSC Friends Forever Series so far! A great job you're doing, Ms. Martin! Keep up the good work! I will certainly try to be the first one in line to recieve Kristy Power!

Claudia thinks her ex-best friend Stacey is a liar, a cheat, and a boyfriend-stealer. Sure, she misses Stacey... but she isn't about to talk to her. Instead she's finding new friends, like Erica Blumberg. And the most unexpected friend of all--Jeremy Rudolph, the boy who Stacey stole. Things are about to get very complicated...Will the friendship feud ever end? Read this book to find out!

I've read the book, The Truth About Stacey, and I love it! There are two problems. The BSC are competing with another groups of babysitters who are older and can stay out later. (However, their not the best babysitters around.) And two: Stacey's parents are too overprotective about Stacey's diabeties and they practically drag her to every doctor in America, in hope of finding a cure. Stacey's got to prove two things. One: The BSC give better service than the other club, and two: she can take care of herself very well, and is already getting plenty of help. The ending? Read and find out!

Stacey's parents are overprotective with Stacey. She can't stand it! They keep dragging her to new doctors all the time. The BSC is competing aganist The Baby-Sitters Agency. The first time I read this book, I knew the BSC was going to win because the Baby-Sitters Agency has really bad sitters.The BSA send people to the BSC to make them look bad. But the BSC, of course, get the last word and wins thr war!

The Truth About Stacey is a really good book. I have it and I read it very, very, very often. This book is about when competition comes to town. I just love books with competition. The BSC discovers another group of older baby-sitters that can stay out later than they do, and have lots and lots of choices for you to chose from. Stacey's parents are kind of a problem too. Their number one mission in life--help Stacey, has gotten way out of hand. They believe that there is a cure for Stacey's diaease and they praticaly drag her to every doctor in America. Stacey is sure that she can prove two things to everyone: One, the BSC is a better survice then the other group of baby-sitters, and two, she can take care of herself and that she already has the best help that she can get for her disease. Now, all she has to do is prove them. How? Read this exciting book and join them to discover the answers!

I loved the book! As a parent raising three teenage children in this very competitive world, this book was a dose of reality. Sometimes you find yourself caught up in how things "look" rather than what's right for your children. This book made me take a closer look at my children and what their individual strengths and interests are, and how I can nurture them to become happy and successful adults. I especially liked the Strategies chapter, which offers some hands on tips for situations that are familiar to many parents. The book was an easy read, with a friendly tone and a sense of humor that made you feel good about your children and what you can do to help them in a positive way when you were finished reading it.

Kathy Matthews offers no-nonsense advice with a sense of humor. This how-to-parent-and-feel-good-about-yourself book is a must read. . .and, along with Jim Trelease's book on reading aloud to your children, will certainly become a standard baby shower gift from me in the coming years. Matthews speaks with the authority of a mother comfortable in her own skin--and with her own children. Brava, Ms. Matthews!

In "The Trouble with Perfect" Dr. Guthrie offers a unique and much needed perspective on raising children in this modern age of competition to always be the best and have the best. Not only is this important book enlightening and refreshing in its content and message to parents, it is enjoyable, easy to read and funny while exploring serious and difficult topics. This book is a "must read" not only for parents, but for all adults who spend time and interact with today's children.

One day, Abby (a BSC member) comes home to find a baby on her front porch. She naturally calls the police, but the police have no idea where the baby came from. It's up to Abby and the rest of the BSC to discover the origin of the mystery baby, whom Abby, sister Anna, and mother dubbed Eli. The truth about the baby is startling, yet pleasing to Abby and Anna.

Abby and the Mystery Baby was really, really good. One of my friends gave it to me, and I couldn't put it down. It has an incredibly surprising ending, and you would never know that Abby's mom was in on the whole thing!!!

I never really liked Abbey when she came into the BSC but after this book it really shows that Abbey has the power of a mum,a babysitter and a good freind all rooled into one!

My first thought was that this was a children's book, however upon reading it, I discovered that it was indeed an adult's book with a message for the child we once were. It addresses the subconscious beliefs we carry around about who God is. If your feelings toward God are filled with ambiguity; if your relationship with God could be described as a love/hate or love/fear relationship; if the phrase "fear of the Lord" fills you with a sense of dread, then you will definitely want to read this book. If you're like me, your image of God will be transformed

"Good Goats" is a gem of a book. First loaned to me by my spiritual director, it takes on the very reasons people should fuss with God. The Linns argue that the guilt of sin and the fear of hell are two very BAD reasons to give for believing in God - all that does is drive people away. They also grapple lightly but thoughtfully with Anselmian atonement (substitutionary atonement)as understood in today's religious environment, arguing that this theory simply makes no sense if God is indeed Love. Hooray! Excellent book for teaching. Authors are Roman Catholic and it shows, but this Episcopalian found this not to be an obstacle but a blessing in this Ecumenical Age.

This book lovingly and insistently reveals the fatal flaws--and the societal dangers--associated with the the all too popular notion among many Christians that God is love, and God is good. . . and yet God will banish most of humankind to eternal damnation.

The book is written from a Roman Catholic perspective, but it also provides a wonderful antidote to the vengeful God of Protestant Fundamentalism.

The book is simple and direct, and it provides solid scriptural and contextual bases for its thesis that God loves each one of us immeasurably and will never give up on any of us. What a concept!

Although the authors' views are well grounded in scripture and are supported by highly respected scholars, they seem to remain largely hidden from mainstream popular Christianity. This will be a wonderful book to share with people who are sincerely struggling with these issues !

A friend gave me this to read as I flew home from the Philippines. Just the kind of thing to do with it. All the jacket blurbs were about this being a portrait of the American West. But that's not the point of the book. This is an epic soap opera filled with bizarre characters. There is every kind of stereotype imaginable: the necrophiliac mortician to the incestuous minister. More intriguing, however, is the fact that ALL the characters are crippled physically and/or emotionally. And if there is a chance for misunderstanding or cross-purposes or unfortunate coincidence, the author goes with it. Because of this, the book can be one depressing read. However, once you get into the mindset that this is all a hoot, you can actually find yourself looking forward to where the author can possibly be taking this. I did. If you read it on this latter key, give it a higher rating.

I read this book years ago, but have never forgotten it. No, it's not a "pleasant" book. There are not a lot of characters you come to love, but the manner in which it evokes the time period and bleakness of the American West is fantastic. Would make a fascinating film in the hands of the right director... a "dark" director like Scorsese perhaps.

This book was a riveting read. I am buying it again even though I have read it, just because it is so great. This author is a storyteller in the finest sense. Kathleen Beauchot