My qualifications: I used to live 4km from Hameln ("Hamelin", Anglicized), Germany! It's near Hanover, if you're looking on a map. Regardless, I was happy to find this treasure. This is the most vividly illustrated version I've seen.The illustrations are splendid, & the book is nice & large. After seeing ANATOLY IVANOV's illustrations, other versions just don't do the story justice. The text is printed in what i would decribe as "default" calligraphic italic, adding to its charm, if not its "authenticity". I give it a big 5 RATS!

This book would be a wonderful treasure for the pictures alone. Kate Greenaway, noted children's illustrator, has created a magical world of beautiful children, innocent faces, and romantic, nostalgic costumes. The colors on these pages are breathtaking, and the details (although Greenaway is always faulted for not drawing hands and feet well) are superb. This story is not for very young children, as it contains some troublesome themes. For the older child, perhaps 7+, the story might provoke some interesting post-read family discussions about honesty, trust, and the actual state of the children at the end of the tale. This is even a beautiful book to give to adults, as the messages about human nature can be appreciated on a deeper level.

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a very different children's classic. Few other children's picture books tell a story in Victorian poetry. The book isn't just original; it is excellent. I have always enjoyed Robert Browning's poetry, and this is no exception. I was surprised at how easy it was to read this book compared to some of Browning's other verse, and it was pleasing to read, especially considering that this is focused toward children. I loved all of the poetic techniques used by Browning. His iambic tetrameter in couplets works very well for young readers, and I loved his use of anaphora and internal rhyme. The story is, of course, brilliant. It is the usual folk tale that every child has heard and needs to hear. It teaches its lesson, and Browning's version is even more entertaining than other versions. Also, the illustrations by Kate Greenway are fabulous. It is impossible to imagine this story in Browning's Victorian verse without Greenway's Victorian artistry. This is a true children's classic, it should definately last for years to come, and it makes and excellent buy for children or for libraries.

Mrs. Roberts is not only known as an author to me. My brother Josh and I both had her as our Kindergarten teacher! We've both read the books as they come out and love to read them remembering our times we had when we in her class room! This book truly brings out the kid in you!

Even though I'm not a second grade girl, as I read this charming little book I found myself remembering my own childhood and saying, "That's me all right!" This book is a valuable resource for any parent with an ADHD child. In plain language, using an interesting story, Barabara Roberts portrays the dilemmas that haunt every child with attention deficit disorder. "But, Mom, let me tell you what really happened" is their theme song. This is a MUST have and MUST read for every parent of an ADHD child.

I would urge Ms. Roberts to consider a similar series with a male character.

Phoebe is an enthusiastic, creative girl. Because of her high activity level, she has has to struggle to pay attention in class, and has only one good friend. Girls with hyperactive AD/HD as well as other active kids may see something of themselves in Phoebe.

Phoebe's principal and her mother are sympathetic but also help Phoebe see that she has some responsibilities for her actions. In the end, Phoebe's energy and daring make her the class heroine. She takes quick action to rescue the class pet.

This book is uses superb, sensitive ilustrations to follow the text. I especially liked how the pictures conveyed the strong bond of affection betwen Phoebe and her mother.

In the story, Phoebe is never formally identified as having AD/HD. I like having such a book because it can be used to explore behaviors without limiting ourselves to a specific diagnosis.

Carol E. Watkins, M.D.

From the Tally Shooter Writers' Group:

The sixth edition of this perennial best-seller has finally hit the streets! (OK,it finally hit the "river" since it's only available at Amazon.com right now.)

Very much up-to-date, the revisions to the 1999 edition of the NCO's bible provide Army noncoms with a made-to-order reference for just about any situation they may come across in today's modern army. The author, CSM (Retired) Robert S. Rush, has taken this guide to new heights. There are revised sections in the guide on caring leadership, training, NCO career development and promotions, awards and decorations, and "customs and courtesies." Army policy concerning the new fraternization rules-of-engagement is included and the latest military Web site info pertinent to NCOs is included as appendix.

The benefits of owning this book are enormous. Tuck it in your BDU trouser pocket before you deploy and you will have a modern day reference containing individual treatises on one of the broadest compilations of NCO subject matter ever made available in print.

A must-have guide.

This book replaces completeness with something better-- quality. Keyword and thematic indexes. A couple of sentences giving background for each person and, if necessary, the circumstances of the quote. This is the thing to pick up if you're interested in quotes that are a little hipper than Barlett's I've-heard-that-a-
million-times quotes. Great fun to browse, e.g.: "I think it pisses God off it you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it"--Alice Walker

As a mother with an eight year old girl diagnosed with ADD, I embraced this series of books. Phoebe Flowers is a girl with all the same attributes and mindset as my daughter. As ADD can present itself quite differently in girls, this book refers to a girl that my daughter can relate with, and see that she is not all that different. The socializing problems, the lack of friends, and the difficulty in forming friendships is explored in the text of this narrative, from the viewpoint of the central character. With great humour Barbara Roberts explores the mysteries of social cues and poinantly allows the reader to make conclusions on their own. My daughter and I laughed our way through the book together. There were important breaks in the chapters which allowed me to delve into further discussions with my daughter about her ADD and how it affects her, and her environment. This is a must read for anyone with a child with ADD. It is also a must read for any child in the primary school years. All children can relate to the characters, and their predicament.

In this debut mystery, Detective Sergeant Wesley Peterson has recently transferred from London to the port town of Tradmouth. Just prior to his transfer, the Tradmouth police are faced with a kidnapping of a small boy by person or persons unknown. On Peterson's first day on the new job, a woman is found brutally murdered in the local park. The first thing the police must do is identify her. Also, archaeologists working on a dig of an Elizabethan merchant's house find a skeleton in what they think is the cellar. Finally, Peterson's wife begins visiting a local medical clinic in an effort to get pregnant and he must be present at several appointments. Peterson had expected a laid back kind of life in the countryside, but Tradmouth's criminals keep him and his colleagues busy.

In the hands of a lesser writer, juggling four distinct stories might turn into a confusing morass. Ellis, however, pulls it off and keeps the readers' interest sustained in all three stories. She is able to deftly pull the stories together at the end. Peterson is an interesting and likable character - well rounded with interests (archaeology to be specific) other than police work. The minor characters are also likable, and one hopes that they will be fleshed out in future books.

While not strictly a historical mystery, one of the four stories is set in Elizabethan Tradmouth and adds piquancy to the modern-day stories. This has all the potential of being a first-class series - part procedural, part historical, part cozy. This is an excellent start.

I like this series immensely. There are three books out so far (the
last one "Unhallowed Grave" has only recently been published
in the UK); and in all three mysteries, Kate Ellis blends a
contemporary mystery with that of a historical one. And she does it
brilliantly. You know that the solution to one will link you with the
solution to the other, and it makes for an enjoyable and interesting
read to see if you, the reader, can see the solution before either Sgt
Wesley Peterson of the Tradmouth CID, or Neil Watson of the County
Archaeological Unit.

In this instance, Tradmouth CID is stretched
thin trying to find a missing child and solve the murder of an
unidentified young woman whose face has been horribly
disfigured. Meanwhile, the County Archaeological Unit while escavating
a 17th century house make a grissly find: the skeletons of a baby and
an adult from that period. The intuitive reader will at once realise
that both mysteries are linked in some way. But how?

The central
motif of this mystery in that of the relationship between mother and
child. What a woman feels at her failure to conceive a child; the fear
of losing a child; and how she copes with the death of a child.

This
is a really good series with great characters. My only complaint is
that with all these interesting personalities-- Patterson, Watson et
al-- the book seems hardly long enough to give them each the focus
they deserve. However this series is a winner and I recommend all the
three books.

Well executed tale about Wesley Peterson, a black English detective in an interracial marriage, who moves his wife Pamela and his job from London to the English countryside. His first day on the Tradmouth police force presents Wesley with a gruesome murder and a seemingly unrelated case of a missing child. On the other side of town his long time friend and archeologist Neil (who happens to be Pamela's former lover) has unearthed an unidentified skeleton from what used to be a 17th century merchant's house. Little does Wesley realize that the skeleton may be the key to solving his murder case, as well as the case involving the missing child.

Also intriguing is the 17th Century diary of John Banized, the merchant whose home Neil is now excavating. We are greeted with excerpts from John's diary at the beginning of each chapter, and this creates a whole other story line that is just as compelling and suspenseful as the main plot.

I was fascinated by the multi layers of this novel. Ellis very deftly draws the reader into two story lines simultaneously. The medieval plot of John Banized's infidelity and his ominous secret is unfolding just as rapidly as Wesley Peterson's missing child and murder cases. There is also a premise that evolves around children...infertility, greed and desperation. But I won't say too much about that here. Just suffice it to say that this is a very well written and enjoyable mystery with unrelenting suspense. I consider it one of those rare finds that you always look forward to discovering on a rainy day.

Enjoy.

This handbook, written by two animal communicators, is meant to serve as an introduction to the holistic care of animals. The book is divided into four parts.
The first chapter deals with nutrition and the authors point out some of the problems with feeding our canine and feline companions processed foods. They recommend raw diets, and the information provided is basic but quite good. Unlike many recipes/feeding instructions in holistic/natural health books for dogs, the two recipes (one for cats and one for dogs) presented here do not contain serious nutritional imbalances (provided one doesn't go overboard with the cod liver oil and uses bonemeal instead of substituting a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement with calcium).
Chapter number two deals with using Bach flower remedies to balance emotions. This is the best and most thorough discussion of flower remedies for animals I have seen in a book that is not devoted exclusively to this one subject.
The third chapter is entitled "Natural Techniques for Balanced Living Situations" and describes some basic training techniques for dogs, cats, and horses.
The book's final chapter focuses on interspecies communication and while much of it is too 'New Agey' for my taste, I'm sure it will appeal to many other readers.
There's also a good resource directory featuring lists of books, holistic vets, animal communicators, shops and mail order catalogs, etc.

This book is a great resource for pet lovers to use in dealing with any behavioral problems their furry friends display. I would recommend it to anyone that owns cats, dogs, birds, or horses - tons of good information on what makes these lovely animals tick.

Based on the recommendations in the book, I bought "Rescue Remedy", and use it every now and then on my little dolls, Gigi and Lulu. It quickly soothes and relaxes them - works great! I wish I'd found this stuff before! This book also discusses bach flower essences, and which ones might be best for your animals, based on their behavioral problems. Gigi used to be a holy terror, and she's become the sweetest cat since I started retraining her.

Definitely check this book out if you are a pet lover! Another great herbal resource to try - prescription for nutritive healing, herbal meds. I will never take non herbal medicine or go to a non-holistic doctor again, if I can help it.

I found this book to be a wonderful resource, particularly the Bach Flower remedies. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in natural remedies for animals.

Great reference for all aspects of this subject. Use it every week. Highly recommended for novice-expert.

Its even better than the previous edition. Check my comment in the previous edition's review. Good work Roger Jennings and Group.

Along with Robert Cowart & Kenneth Greg's book on the WindowsNT Bible which is for beginners, this book by Roger Jennings is the BEST that is available for NT.

ASHLEY CAN'T BELIEVE IT, HER SISTER WENT HOME BACK TO CHACIGO BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO BE WITH HER OLD BASEBALL TEAM AND LEFT ASHLEY AT WHITE OAK ACADEMY ALL ALONE!BUT NOW THEY BOTH NEED EACH OTHER BECAUSE ASHLEYS COUSIN HAS DONE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HE CHEATED OFF HER BOOK REPORT AND ASHLEY WILL PROBABALY BE IN BIG TROUBLE AND MARY KATE NEEDS ASHLEY BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO BE IN A SCHOOL PLAY BUT ALSO WANTS BASEBALL! SHE HAS TO FUIGRE SOMTHING OUT ABOUT THIS AND ASHLEY'S THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HELP HER AND ASHLEY FEELS THE EXACT SAME WAY ABOUT HER PROBLEM ,THAT MARYKATE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HELP HER TOO ! WHATS GONNA HAPPEN READ AND FIND OUT!

I think this book was really good... it keeps you wondering whats going to happen next. Because Mary-Kate and Ashley don't get to talk to each other for about 3 weeks even though they keep sending e-mails to each other and calling each other they don't get to talk and each of them gets really mad and think each one hasn't even tried to talk to them. They are seperated for most of the book. Mary-Kate trys to join the softball team and the Peter Pan play. I would recomend this book if you read the two of a kind series!

I think this book was really good... it keeps you wondering whats going to happen next. Because Mary-Kate and Ashley don't get to talk to each other for about 3 weeks even though they keep sending e-mails to each other and calling each other they don't get to talk and each of them gets really mad and think each one hasn't even tried to talk to them. They are seperated for most of the book. Mary-Kate trys to join the softball team and the Peter Pan play. I would recomend this book if you read the two of a kind series!

I loved reading Gap Creek so when I saw The Truest Pleasure on the shelf I decided to pick it up. Robert Morgan is an amazing writer and I truly enjoy reading his books.

Ginny and Tom were well written and very real characters. They fought a lot about Ginny's religious beliefs and Tom being a true workaholic but I never doubted for one minute that they were devoted to their marriage and that they loved each other. This marriage teaches us a great lesson, you never appreciate what you have until you lose it.

Through the vivid descriptions of Ginny and Tom's workload, this book has made me appreciate all of the modern conviences that we have today even more.

This book was well written and enjoyable. I would recommend this book as well as Gap Creek to anyone and I'm looking forward to reading more books by Robert Morgan.

I loved reading The Truest Pleasure!! It takes pride on my shelf along with my other loved books. It was wonderful how Robert Morgan potrayed the lives of Ginny and Tom. The way Ginny and Tom communicated had too many similarities to my own life. I am now reading Gap Creek and I will be looking for my next book my Robert Morgan.

The Truest Pleasure is a wonderful story. Robert Morgan does not disappoint! The strength of the main character, her dedication to her husband, her family and her faith is wonderful. Her ability to try and make all of these commitments come together, and the inner struggle she goes through to attain this is both heartwrenching and inspiring. The common occurence in the lives of these people, particularly illness and death and the manner in which they handle these as a basic element of life are very poignant. It is a story that can make you stop and think about what the truest pleasures in your life are, the things that satisfy both your heart and soul.