'Finny' is a top notch children's book!

As a mother and then a grandmother, I have read a fair number of children's books. Or should I say I have read a number of fair books for children?

Finny Finds Friends in the Forest is not one I'd call fair. It's clearly top of the line.

Finny has everything an adult might hope for in a picture book for young children: simple Dr. Seuss-like rhyming story, beautiful watercolor illustrations and aids for reading comprehension. Just as important, it has everything that will appeal to a child who falls into the 3-to-8-year-old category. The picture book offers wit, charm, humor and learning opportunities.

Finny is a fish, a fabulous fish that lives in a fishbowl placed on a fireplace in a farmhouse. His companion is a farmer's wife who plays the fiddle for Finny and a couple of frolicking ferrets.

Are authors, the Tini Sisters, focusing on the letter F? You betcha. Their story continues its love affair with F as Finny escapes his watery home and tries out life in the forest.

Credit goes to the sisters, Mair Tini Luchetti and Mariellen Tini Sluko, for writing a gentle story young children will understand. But then they have the right background: Mair is an award-winning poet, certified reading specialist, and a teacher of kindergarten and first grade for more than 10 years. Her sister is an elementary school principal who taught second grade for more than a decade.

Still, no small amount of applause is due Erin Marie Mauterer, the illustrator, for her colorful and imaginative, laugh-aloud drawings.

Her farmwife has twig-thin arms and legs and a long, carrot-like nose. She crawls under the carpet to stir up dust clouds with her feather duster. She is just plain funny.

Mauterer finds many F-word items for a child to discover: a flashy frog carrying a football and a flyswatter, a flamingo standing in a flowerbed and those furry ferrets that track Finny into the forest.

Finny Finds Friends in the Forest comes with a 15 minute CD, which features the dramatized story and sing-along songs. There is a guide for parents and factual information about fish. It is published by Atori Publishing of Olyphant, Pa.

Review by Jeannine Schaub in Iowa's Boone News-Republican (Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003, Vol. 138, No.21).

I would highly recommend this book to any parent with children in preschool, kindergarten or first grade. It is filled with fun things to do with your child. My son, who is three years old, loves to sit on my lap and have me read the story to him. I never seem to get through a page without him pointing and naming all the pictures on the page (i.e., fish, fox, frogs, flowers, football, etc.)

He's just beginning now to make the connection that all these pictures start with the same sound. The colors in the book are bright and colorful and we are always finding letters and words that are hidden on the pages.

He also loves listening to the Audio CD. He has me play it every night when he goes to bed. We also play it in the car and the whole family enjoys it. It has the story acted out with great sound effects and the songs have such a great beat that you can't help but hum and sing along.

This book offers more for parents and children than you can even imagine. The book is loaded with interactive activities that you and your children can do together! Have fun!

Collaborative written by The Tini Sisters and enhanced with the lively, full-color artwork of Erin Marie Mauterer, Finny Finds Friends In The Forest is a "letter-sound, listen and retell" adventure picture book written expressly to help children improve their reading skills, as well as entertain them. In addition to the whimsical text, which features plenty of alliteration of words starting with the letter "f", Finny Finds Friends In The Forest features a page of "retelling pictures" which children can use to retell the story in their own words, a brief section of "facts about fish" to emphasize the difference between the make-believe fish in the story and real fishes in the world. Enhanced for young readers with an audio CD of sing-along songs, Finny Finds Friends In The Forest is a brightly colored, child friendly tale that is fun to read aloud!

My husband and I enjoyed a lovely weekend in a cabin that was recommended in this book. We will certainly use it again!

What I especially liked about this book was the author's recommendations for best cabins and cottages for: hiking, fishing, horseback riding, boating, winter sports, families, most unusal, best in desert,best value, most luxurious, best for beach activities, and most seclued. With these recommendations and cabin descriptions we've planned a family vacation, a romantic getaway, a girlfriends retreat, and a star-gazing party with friends. This book is a hit in our household.

Ann Marie Brown's book is beautifully written. It not only gives reviews of quaint out of the way cabins, but is sprinkled with a lot of charming personal observations. Her book is just out, and her review of the one place we stayed at was 'dead on". I would have never found this place without her book!

Let's face it; most travel books are a glance-and-go proposition. Most of them do a passable job providing key information, but they aren't exactly a pleasure to read. Frommer's New England 2003 changes all that. Not only are the cititations clear, correct, and complete, many of them are laugh-out-loud funny or wickedly sly. At the end of a busy day on the road, I actually found myself reading the guide for fun (while happily settled in one of the recommended accommodations).A literate guide obviously written by folks in the know.

Great for a recent trip to Boston and Newport, RI.

The tips on what to see and what to avoid were dead on.

I have never bought a Frommer's Guide Book before, and now after I purchased this one, I am a loyal customer! I found it extremely insightful as to the most quaint New England towns to visit, which are the best routes to get there, practical information on the restaurants in town as well as their price ranges for any type of budgets - as well as advice on the many different bed and breakfasts that are available. This book caters to all travel styles, preferences and budgets. I planned most of my vacation with this book because it had phone numbers, prices, excellent directions... I could probably go on and on. Definitely a must for anyone who is traveling and not familiar with the area. It's like talking to someone who has lived in New England their whole life and is on hand to give you all the practical information you need to have a successful and fun/relaxing vacation. As if the book weren't great enough - they give you a wonderful full-sized pullout map that has all the towns marked on it which are mentioned in the book.

Marie Rudisill is absolutely fabulous with this fruitcake book. This is by far the most wonderful cook book i have ever seen in my entire life. I was also able to read other of Rudisills books and she is one of the best writers there is and has ever been. Two thumbs up to Rudisill on the Jay Leno show. She was funny keeping Jay and Mel Gibson in line. I strongly recommend everyone to try this delightful fruitcake book. Check out The Southern Haunting of Truman Capote, it was inspiring learning about his childhood in the south.

MARIE RUDISILL HAS OUT DONE HERSELF WITH THIS FANTASTIC BOOK. IT NOT ONLY GIVES WONDERFUL RECEIPS IT ALSO SHARES MEMORIES OF TRUMAN CAPOTE AND SOOK FAULK..THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS BEST COOKBOOK I HAVE EVER OWNED. I ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF SEEING MS. RUDISILL ON THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO AND MEL GIBSON, THIS WAS THE BEST EPSIODE I EVER SAW..SHE HAD NO TROUBLE KEEPING THESE TWO MEN IN LINE, AND IT SEEMED THEY ENJOYED EVERY BIT OF IT...

A wonderful reflection of a generation as much as a collection of effective recipes. It doesn't just seem appropriate that the subject of fruitcake stirs this focused book. The times were tough and the cake ingredients reflected that. Speaking of charmingly tough, Marie Rudisill's moments with Mel Gibson and Jay Leno should make the Late Night hall of fame. As a Capote aunt, you'd almost expect a wry scolding, but with both men up to their wrists in fruitcake batter, the pleadings to be careful with her prized recipe were loving and comfortable. So is this book.

This is the best book I have ever been able to find on this subject. What makes it unique is that the techniques described are based on MOTIVATION, not external appliances or yucky tasting applicants to the thumb or fingers. The author stresses how the child is made to feel a part of the process, and thereby gets a sense of self-accomplishment when the habit has been eliminated. This raises the child's self-esteem, which spills over into all aspect of the child's experiences.

I recommend this book for parents and professionals who are working with children who are attempting to kick the thumb-sucking habit. It works!

I have been searching for so long for a book on this topic...one that not only outlines the problems of thumb and finger sucking, and the damage it can cause, but also a book that tells you what can be done about it.

This book gives comprehensive information to both parents and professionals alike on the causes, results and prevention of the digit sucking habit. The research done by the author attests to the success of the cited program.

I am convinced that this book will be of great value to parents (grandparents, too) and professionals who are dedicated to eliminating the thumb-sucking habit of children.

I received this book as a gift and have very impressed with Ms. VanNorman's advise on digit sucking is right on. What is often thought of as harmless can cause a great deal of dental and mouth problems that can be avoided. Expensive orthodontia is one consequence of prolonged thumb-sucking. I urge anyone interested in correcting the problem to read Rosemarie's book

HER WORDS COME TO LIFE. THIS IS A BOOK WE NEED FOR OUR TROUBLED TIMES. IT JUST WISHED ME AWAY TO ANOTHER WORD. I LOVES THE ILLUSTRATION AS. MY FAMILY AND I ARE WAITING FOR YOUR NEXT BOOK. PLEASE HURRY !!
BANNY IN FLORIDA

I have a painting by Marie Elem that I just love and when I heard she had a book out I knew I would enjoy it. This is a wonderful story about helping others before you help yourself. And Marie's paintings really bring the story to life. I only hope she decides to write some more.
P.S. ... If you enjoy folk art you should check her out. Buy her now before she becomes too famous!

This new work by the well-known North Georgia folk artist Marie Elem is a must for folk art collectors. However, it will be enjoyed by young children and their parents as well. This excellent story is based on an old family tale concerning the author's great-grandmother, a strong, independent woman. Marie Elem is a natural story teller. Hannah and the children she helped are quite unforgettable. This book's large format (8 1/2 x 11 inches) with a separate page for each of the ten color illustrations by the author, is just what was needed for the correct presentation of this work. I have enjoyed this charming book immensely, and I look forward to more works by this artist-author in the near future.

I'm a music teacher for twenty years and after reading How Hilda Hushed Her Hiccups I decided to base my summer camp on this wonderful book! There's so much to see and learn that my students wanted me to read it every week! How Hilda Hushed Her Hiccups has won the 2001 Ben Franklin Award in the category of Teaching/Education. It's filled with hours of reading over and over again, lots of fun filled rhymes, searching for Harry the Hamster, and singing the Hilda songs and jingle that are presented on the CD. I would highly recommend this book for any child....I have not met one that didn't LOVE it!!!!

Hilda, a hyena, has the hiccups, and nothing seems to cure them. An adventure to Hiccup Land is Hilda's only hope for help in this first book by Atori Publishing. Children 3 to 7 years will enjoy the large, bold pictures and cute story. The professionally produced CD recording allows youngsters to read along as a narrator and three actors perform a zesty dramatization of the story. Also included are several upbeat and well-crafted songs, well suited for kids. The entertaining story stands on its own, but the authors provide several additional learning opportunities, including facts about hyenas and practice words that inlcude the letter "H." This is the first in a new series entitled, "Listen and Retell Adventures," in which fun and education are blended together with imagination and interactivity. An impressive debut.

How Hilda Hushed Her Hiccups is the thoroughly entertaining story of how Hilda the hyena got the hiccups and had to got to Hiccup Land for a cure. This lively, original story is splendidly illustrated by Erin Marie Mauterer and is ideal for young readers ages 3 and up. An accompanying CD dramatizes the story and includes music, sound effects, and three original, rhythmic, totally fun "sing along" songs. How Hilda Hushed Her Hiccups is designed by the Tini sisters to reinforce early language skills including phonemic awareness and comprehension. This outstanding and highly recommended interactive picturebook is enhanced with a guide for parents, "Retelling Pictures, and factual information about hyenas.

I had spent a great deal of money and endured hours of gastrointestinal agony in search of my grail: a tasty, inexpensive meal in NYC. I had given up and was living on calcium supplements and communion wafers when, at last, someone took pity on my wallet (and my digestive tract) and produced Hungry? NYC. Praise be! Now my coffers are refilling, and I have removed the plastic coating from my furniture. (Note: the reviews for Downtown Brooklyn are exceptionally well written).

Having been a food critic for a small independent newspaper in New York for over a decade now, I am amazed that this is the first comprehensive work to truly capture excellent dining in such a quagmire of a topic. First, I reluctantly call this book a "restaurant guide" because such a title is well below the actual essence of what is captured inside the pages. Most guides (Zagats, Let's go, etc.) tend to cater to touristy generic eateries and often lack any real personal flavor (no pun intended). While reviews from "prestigous" food critics (the Times) are superficial and overly scripted.

Estrada and Cleemann seem to found of blend of both "hominess and sophiscation" without having sold out ot either. Their reviews are excellent and right on the money. The book is easy to navigate and completely accurate (speaking from my experience- and I tend to think I know what I'm talking about).

Hungry? is a necessary resource for both NYC visitors and locals. It won't take long for the pages to be curled back and for the spine to start to crinkle!

Not only is this a fabulous book, but Joe Cleemann and Marie Estrada are fabulous authors and wonderful human beings. It is rare to find a book of this quality that can have such a impact on one's life. I am a better person now that I have read it. ... It should be required reading for anyone planning a career in public service.

This book is a valuable resource for any choral conductor. The techniques outlined by Marie Stultz can be applied to any choir - not just a children's choir. As a singer and teacher, I am going to share this book with many colleagues. And the CD is a pure delight!

Choral directors owe Morning Star and Marie Stultz a debt of gratitude for producing this fine book on children's choirs. It truly is a book on "building choral tone and artistry in your children's choir" as the sub-title states.

Ms. Stultz has filled the book with thoughts about why the young singer should be trained and then gives helpful techniques for training the young choir. Her ideas are both pedagogically sound and very usable.

The book comes with a CD of her fine children's choir which underscores the fact that children can sing both artistically and beautifully.

If you are a choral director this book is a must read. The first section of Stultz's book focuses on the training of the young singer. She gives the choral director a wealth of creative ideas for developing good vocal technique in young children. Her suggestions are valuable, creative, and fun.

The third section was perhaps the most valuable for me. She gives a comprehensive review of fine choral literature appropriate for children's chorus. Along with this is a CD of her wonderful chorus, and a list of suggested recordings from other major children's vocal ensembles. I consider this book to be a fine addition to my professional library.

My sisters and I read this book while our mother prepared to die. It helped me begin to understand emotional patterns of illness and some of the mysteries of death. After reading Intimate Death, I had the strength to stay by my mother's side.

My mom has advanced cancer and is terminal. I was looking for something to help everyone in my family deal with it all. I was worried that some of the books I came across would be too depressing to give to my mom, but while of course I was sad alot while reading Intimate Death, it was also very uplifting and helpful. I'm really glad I read it *before* my mom dies.

A very powerful book .Spiritual, philosophical,yet very practical for the dying and the survivors.A great teacher about death and dying,de Hennezel leaves you with a powerful lesson about life