I read this book with my 3 year old. The questions were over his head, but he still loved it. By simply discussing the pictures he learned about seasons, weather, the life cycle of a tree, and how painting techniques contribute to the mood of a piece of art.

I absolutely love Thomas Locker's art and share his love of trees. Each page of this book presents the same tree in a different light or season. Candance Christiansen's scientific and teaching background add good information to Locker's books. However, for me, it's still Locker's beautiful oil paintings that are the primary draw.
His painting of the tree with a night sky transports me to Georgia O'Keeffe's tree at night or Van Gogh's Starry Night. I'd have been just as thrilled with it at 3 as I am at 53.

This is one of the most awesome books I have discovered for children in a long time. The pictures are wonderful, the questions asked about the pictures are pertinent and thought provoking, and the notes in the back of the book are great!
I found this book in our school library, brought it home to share with my granddaughter, and she was fascinated! I am purchasing this book for my family library! Kudos to the author and illustrator!

Thomas Jefferson is to me: one of the most admirable people in history.This book has an amazing fictional aproach but yet it is still factual and educational and you can still be one of the biggest Jefferson buffs out there and not have to do years of studying.This book is to me the most animated biography that mosturizes dry facts to fertile entertainment.

I was really intreged by this book because it was understandable, interesting, and filled with facts about this amazing man that I've never read or heard about before.

Probably one of the best books I've ever read- it is very informative, but I was able to read it like I would a novel- a rare trait in nonfiction literature. It was written in a way that even one who is not a history buff can enjoy it. It shows that Jefferson was quite ahead of his time, but he was not superhuman as some sources lead us to believe.

I love this book. I grew up in PA and everything Mr. Yezerski writes and paints rings so true to life. I had fun reading it to my kids, not only for the Pennsylvaniana, but then we talked about how my husband and I met and how their grandparents met, etc. It was a great jumping off point for all kinds of family stories. Thank you, Mr. Yezerski!!

This book should be a part of every school's curricula! The issues of tolerance and diversity are expertly woven into this beautifully written and illustrated story about two families from different countries and cultural backgrounds. The messages are subtle, but definitely "in there". The content of Pinecone Patch is a spring-board for further discussions about how we should treat and respect people.

More books should be written like Together in Pinecone Patch that combine real history and a moralistic story in a the manner of an oft-told folk tale. Every moral doesn't need to be forced upon us and history shouldn't just consist of the stuff from text books. This is a great book in that it can initiate a discussion with children about important social issues and also show how events in family histories can be just as important as major wars. Kudos to a great beginning.

I think this book was a very good book. It had alot of very good pictures in it. I expessially like the ones of Cody, he's so hot. I all so like how they based the book on pictures that Hobie took. I all so like how they made it seem that the Baywatch team is so close.

I loved this book because I can't go one day without seeing my favorite show. I watch Baywatch because I think it teaches kids how to save lives. I hope every Baywatch fan gets a chance to see this book!

They say that the book is always better than the movie--well, in this case, the book is even better than the TV show! The brilliant character development, heartstring-pulling drama and (va-va-voom!) delicious romance that once made Baywatch the world's #1 TV show have been pulled together into this award-winning Junior Lifeguard Photo Album! (Well, I don't know if it's really award-winning, but it SHOULD be!)

Honestly, we're not talking about "character development" or "plot" here--we're talking about bazoombas! Big ones! And lots of 'em! Of your very own junior lifeguard! What could be better?

I don't know if it really is the dream of every young girl to make millions of dollars by having grotesquely large billybobs (although it certainly was mine), but this Junior Photo Album will make that dream come alive

This book was fabulous. It is considered the first novel ever published by an African American; the author was born into slavery but eventually escaped (his account of this, "Narrative of the Life and Escape of William Wells Brown," is included in the book). Clotel is the main character of the story, a mulatto fathered by Thomas Jefferson.

The novel begins with Currer (Clotel's mother and Jefferson's slave), Clotel, and her sister Althea. After Jefferson goes to Washington, Currer is left with another master, who eventually dies, leaving Currer, Clotel, and Althea to be sold on the auction block. The book then continues to tell the story of what happens to each one.

I've never been very into books about African-American issues or slavery. This wasn't for racial reasons; the whole genre just never sparked my interest, I guess. I decided to give this one a try; sort of dipping my toe into the water to see how it is. The book was great -- very easy to read, intriguing, no parts that dragged on and on. I highly recommend it. The only "down" side is that the chapters tend to skip from person to person, and by the time I came to the next chapter about one of them, I had already sort of forgotten how this person came to be in the situation they were currently in. That's probably just me, though; my memory is awful sometimes. All I had to do was flip back a few chapters and refresh my memory. No big deal.

The book focuses a lot on how religion was used as a justification for slavery. Funny how, one hundred and fifty years later, people are still using religion to justify all sorts of discrimination and violence. Learn a lesson much?

It also brings attention to the fact that there were a lot of slaves who were mulattos and could actually pass for white. For some reason, this never occurred to me. I mean, obviously I knew about the practice of slaveholders having children with their slaves, but the picture of a white slave toiling away in a field just never entered my mind. That's not something I ever heard about in my history classes; it was always "white" owners, "black" slaves.

I can't say enough good things about this book.

The genre of African-American fiction began in 1853 with the publication of this historical novel in England. Even though William Wells Brown, a fugitive slave from America, wrote four versions of this story, the first version was not published in the United States until 1969. The reason this novel was not introduced into American society until this time was because of its reference to the relationship Thomas Jefferson had with his slave, Sally Hemmings. The idea that Sally bore him children, which he sold as slaves, was enough to keep this novel out of the American public's eye forever! Still, this novel found its way here and in later versions, Jefferson's connection to Sally vanished all together. This novel centers on three main characters: Currer, a slave who was once Thomas Jefferson's housekeeper and mistress, and their two daughters, Clotel and Althesa.

The separation of Currer and her two daughters in the beginning of the story provides the actual framework of this novel. Through this separation, Brown is able to create three separate story lines united by the institution of slavery.

The first story line involves Currer's life as a concubine of Thomas Jefferson and later a slave to a Reverend John Peck. Through her life, Brown presents the hypocrisy of the slave owner owning another human being as well as some Christians' biblical approval of it. Brown uses the second story line of Clotel and her relationship with Horatio Green, to depict how vulnerable and hopeless life was for black women under slavery. Horatio adores Clotel so much that he provides her with a home of her own to raise their daughter, Mary. But Horatio desperately wants to further his political career and does so by marrying a white woman by the name of Gertrude. Feeling jealous and threatened by Clotel's presence, Gertrude sells Mary into slavery. The final story line involves the fate of Althesa. Like her sister, Althesa is a concubine to her master Henry Morton. But Morton later marries her and is a loving father to their two children. Even though Althesa experiences true love through marriage and was able to raise her children, the actual tragedy of her situation lies in what happens to her children. Through Althesa's story, Brown proves how her free rank in marriage did not grant freedom for her daughters, which continually shows slavery's disruption of the black family unit.

CLOTEL, though considered melodramatic by some, is an exquisite piece of literature. Its importance is not only tied to the fact that it is the first published work of its kind in this genre, but gives readers a glimpse into the English language used by black people at that time. I think this novel was an excellent start for the genre of African American literature.

This story is very interesting as we are descendants of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, whose relationship, the historians attempted to erase from history. The only problem with that is they left 1800+ descendants.

It is a good story that should not be discounted because it was not written about by the so call established historians.

As the Dred Scott papers appeared today on line. Many many stories are stillout there that could intrugue us about our county's past

What an extraordinarily beautiful and moving book this is. The text is simple and moving, as it limns the story of a 19th century Lakota Sioux boy through "his own" words and sketches. Although fictionalized, the book has the power of truth, and the "Ledgerbook" style illustrations are filled with vivid and unsentimental-though completely captivating-life and power. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, for children or adults.

Of the many excellent reviews of this book - starred in PW, for example - why did you choose the Kirkus Review's? The Ledgerbook was supervised, vetted and blessed by Arthur Amiotte, a Sioux Elder, with more credentials than you can count. A leading advocate of the power of education, Mr. Amiotte 's approval of and great delight in the authenticity of this book has obviously been overlooked in the KR reviewer's research. Throughout the entire country, this book has been cited again and again by educators and parents alike as being the most powerful, interactive teaching tool they've come across in years, not to mention being an extraordinry feast for the eyes. Please research your reviews before choosing the one that will (incorrectly in this case) represent the book to your many readers. Subjecting an extraordinary book to bad PR out of ignorance should be beneath you

Won the Christopher and International Readers Awards in 1995 because it is an authentic history, fictionalized, with stunning illustrations in the style of Plains Indians. We found it in the museum stores of the Southwest, where it was a favorite of the librarians. There is also a cd-rom called Journey of Thomas Blue Eagle, done by the illustrator.It is a favorite gift book of ours and hugely appreciated by the recipients

Kids' books? Yeah, I know. But I'm in college. I read these books first in, oh, Junior High or so. I still think these are the BEST books in the world. Thomas Locke needs to write more (his adult books are pretty good too). A note: If you have a younger child who reads at a higher level, these books are clean! Not too heavy on the Christianity, either, although Christian ethics are definitely present. (Not that there is anything wrong with Christianity, but sometimes authors substitute preaching for good writing!) The first book is fantasy, the last three are more science-fiction. But they are mostly character-driven, not milieu books.

These books are a must for all people (young and old) who haveimagined a different time and place. The books also teach lessonsabout faith and courage, two very important qualities to cultivate in young people. Very good books, Mr. Locke.

We are two 18 year old teenagers from Ontario, Canada. There's not much to do up here in our igloos, and this series of books has filled many a passing hour. We are, however, extremely disappointed that Mr. Locke has not continued his series beyond book 4, and now we will never know what happens to Wander and Consuella. Oh the lamentable pain of it all!!! Hurry up and write new books! We've been waiting for a very long time so we can spend our money at the christian book store on overpriced novels well below our reading level!!

This book is about the events leading to the Battle of Gonzales, which was the first conflict in the Texas war of independence from Mexico (October 2, 1835).

I started reading this book to my daughters (ages 7 and 9) after dinner one evening, and we didn't put it down until bedtime more than 50 pages later. They didn't want me to stop reading, and I didn't want to stop either. The characters felt like real people, the story was involving, and just like the people of the times, we didn't know what would happen next.

Melinda Rice gives the reader a Texan's-eye-view of the looming war with Mexico by putting us in the perspective of an 11-year-old girl whose older brothers sympathize with different sides in the conflict. The characters and story have an authentic feel throughout -- I've been to the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum many times, and I found myself reading this book using the same breathy accent used by the historical speakers in their video exhibits. Rice did an excellent job of bringing the reader into history as it happens and making past events feel like they're unfolding around us.

At the end of the book there is a short historical section that gives additional information about the Battle of Gonzales.

The book should be a comfortable read for fourth graders, except for some place and people names.

The unique and historically accurate Lone Star Heroines trilogy by Melinda Rice brings real events in Texas history to life as it shows young readers how girls living at different eras experienced and contributed to dramatic events. In Messenger On The Battlefield (1556227884, [price]) is set in 1835 when 11-year-old Isabelina Montoya is happy to hear that her older sister has accepted the marriage proposal of a handsome Mexican solder. But when Texas goes to war against Mexico, dividing Isabelina's family, a decision must be made as to whether they should remain true to their Mexican heritage or fight for their new Texas homeland! Fire On The Hillside (1556227892, [price]) is set in the spring of 1847 and finds 13-year-old Katherine Haufmann arriving from Fredericksburg, Texas with her family as immigrants from Germany. As she struggles to get used to her new home, Katherine becomes intrigued by the mysterious fires that start appearing in the nearby hills. While the rest of the townsfolk focus on peace talks with the Comanche, Katherine decides to discover the cause of those mysterious fires. Secrets In The Sky (1556227876, [price]) is set in 1943 as World War Two is raging overseas. 12-year-old Bethany Parker lives in Sweetwater, Texas, when the Women Air Force Service Pilots come to town. When one of the women dies during a training flight, Bethany is convinced the mysterious crash was the work of a Nazi spy -- and sets out to prove it! The Lone Star Heroines is an outstanding and very highly recommended series of historical novels for young readers that are each enhanced with a "Sources" bibliography for the further study and more detailed study of Texas history.

Eleven-year-old Isabel Montoya lives with her family on a ranch near Gonzales, Texas, in 1835. Isabel feels as if everything in her life is changing. Her older sister has left home after marrying a Mexican soldier, and the family is divided over the conflict between Texas and Mexico, with Isabel's two older brother on opposing sides while Isabel and her parents struggle to remain neutral. When her brothers run away from home - Joaquin to join the Texans, and Alonso to join the Mexicans - the family is devastated. And when Isabel's father is shot and may be dying, Isabel knows it is up to her to reunited her fragmented family - before it's too late. This was a wonderful novel about a young girl caught up in the beginnings of the Texas Revolution. I wish, however, that the book had been a little longer, and that the ending was less open.

Growing up in the Bronx in the 40's was not unlike the scenes of Brooklyn in "Mimmy & Sophie." The story and, especially,the illustrations, depicted the time perfectly. It brought back many memories -- falling asleep to the the sound of the streetcar on my block, playing outside without a "play date" or organized sport. I especially liked the scenes with the Charlotte Russe and the misspelling of those words. The interaction between the sisters was true to life. I'm anxious to read this book to my grandchildren and discussing what it was like growing up in New York City many years ago.

Thomas Yezerski and Miriam Cohen make a great team! The story of two young girls and their life together is perfectly captured in Mr. Yezerski's awesome illustrations. We would love to read more Mimmy and Sophie stories in bookstores soon.

I've got two little girls who love each other very much but are still learning to "play nice". It's great to find such a beautiful about two sisters in the same situation.

I was hoping for some really different ideas. Some were but others were common knowledge ideas. All in all, I don't really regret the purchase.

Kid Concoctions is our children's favorite book series. The second book is even fresher and more original than the first. We hope Book #3 isn't too far ahead in the future. Keep those concoctions coming!

Its very rare to find a book series where the second in the series is better than the first. But thats not the case with the new Kid Concoctions book. "The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions #2" was a hit the first time my children and I opened the book. Almost all of the projects are made from 3-4 common household ingredients. The projects seem to be even more original and innovative than the projects in the first book! Hats off to the authors for making a book that lives up to its name and out shines the original. A must have book for any parent or grandparent.