I've been searching for this book for years, and am so happy it has been re-published! Nancy and Plum really captured my imagination when my teacher read it to my fourth-grade class in the mid-1960's. Later I checked it out of the school library to read again and again. The book has a magical quality. It's a little bit Orphan Annie, Little Princess, and all those Shirley Temple movies about beleaguered orphan girls with sunny attitudes rolled into one. This was one of my favorite books, and I can't wait to share it with my two girls!

nancy and plum was written in 1952 the year i was born i read it in junior high school and was transported by ms macdonalds warming story and prose she was definitely a "word painter" i slept with this book and delayed finishing it by re- reading the previous chapter befor starting the next i have checked every library i have entered in the last 20 years searching for a copy of this story of the two orphaned sisters (i had only brothers) reading nancy and plum was like finding a sister now i will have her again my plum ( i was nancy) i cant wait to get my hands on this book now at 47 years old i will read it to all the little girls in my life and the boys too thanks to the macdonalds for the timely reprint! i have created and lived on a beautiful farm for 22 years and would welcome nancy and plum if they came along!

Nancy and Plum has been part of my family's reading tradition since I found the book at a library sale for 5 cents in the early 1960s. The story captivates and transports the reader into Nancy and Plum's world. Girls who are tomboys will cheer on Plum's bravery, and those who read books and are more gentle will love Nancy's imagination and kindness towards the other children in the orphanage. This is an engaging book that I still read to my daughter when she is sick, although she has read the book several times herself. It may not be as well known as Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, but it is our favorite book by Betty MacDonald.

Good news Maud Hart Lovelace fans! Harper Collins publishers will be reissuing the Betsy-Tacy books, including Carney, Emily of Deep Valley, and Winona's Pony Cart beginning in December 1999. They will have NEW cover art and retain the Lenski and Neville illustrations inside.

HarperCollins made an excellent choice when they decided to reprint Maud Hart Lovelace's other Deep Valley books. Carney's House Party is, of the three being reprinted, the most essential to the events in the post-high-school Betsy-Tacy books, and it's hard to see why it was ever allowed to go out of print in the first place.

This book is wonderful for many reasons. First, it gives us more insight into Carney Sibley, always one of the most interesting characters in the series. It answers the question that the other books leave us wondering about: whatever happened with Carney and Larry? Carney's devotion to Larry was one of the mainstays in the Betsy-Tacy high school books, and readers will thoroughly enjoy seeing how the relationship plays out.

It is also fascinating to see Deep Valley through another character's eyes, and to see other characters' opinions of Betsy Ray (the Betsy-Tacy books were largely autobiographical, and Betsy, the main character in most of the books, is Lovelace's fictional alter ego). Since the book has been out of print for so long, many readers will be thrilled to see new episodes involving the Crowd. Sadly, Herbert and Tacy do not figure in, and there's not enough of Cab, but, happily, Joe Willard makes a brief cameo.

Lovelace's stories wear so well; Carney's experiences at Vassar, her uncertainty about how well she fits in in the East, and her emotional turmoil (well, as close as Carney will ever come to emotional turmoil) over Larry are all still engaging and relevant. The Crowd is wonderful as always, with lots of singing, dancing, and inside jokes (young Lochinvar!). Don't miss this bonus trip to Deep Valley!

I finally got ahold of a library copy of "Carney's House Party," and I am so excited to have read it! It was another great look at Deep Valley life, and for me it was great to *finally* see where the heck Sam came from. (If you go right from the high school books to "Betsy's Wedding," you don't get much explanation who this Sam guy is and what happened to Larry.)

This book made me feel like I was right there at the house party, with my good pals from high school Betsy and Carney and Bonnie. I hope the publisher sees fit to reissue this title, as well as "Emily of Deep Valley" and "Winona's Pony Cart," so that those of us that are B-T nuts can finish our collections.

Only thing is that I wished there had been more about Tacy, since she always was my favorite character. But a very small flaw, indeed. The Betsy-Tacy world is a magical place, and very soothing to read about.

This is easily one of the best books I have ever read. This story of a person that grew up in a world that looked at him as an idiot really touched me. Petey is a person who was born with the disease called cerebral palsy. However, since Petey was born back in 1920, when cerebral palsy had not been discovered, he was looked upon as mentally retarded. Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders in the body that impairs movement, including speaking. This explains why people came to this conclusion. However, Petey is really smart. Although a lot of people looked down on him and didn't think his life had any purpose, there are a few people in his life that did. Like Esteban, Joe, Cassie, and Owen who all worked at the insane asylum Petey stayed at, and Trevor, who is a young boy Petey meets while he is at a nursing home now at age seventy. Petey is certainly a book that will touch the hearts of anyone who reads it.

Something that made the book appealing to me as well would be the fact that I know someone with cerebral palsy. He goes to my high school here in Napa, CA, and he went to my elementary and middle schools as well. Not to mention he is one of my best friend's brother. So in a way, I grew up with him. I felt almost like the young boy Trevor Ladd in the story who becomes Petey's friend. I didn't exactly take care of my friend, but I treated him just as I would anyone else, and I was able to realize what he was saying, much like Trevor. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

The book Petey was such a good book. It makes you understand that people shouldn't be mean or scared of people with cerebral palsy. People with CP go through a lot. Petey was born in 1920 with twisted features, but at the insane asylum he touched anyone who met him. His friends he met at the asylum were coming and disappearing because of reasons. Petey and his best friend Calvin went through a lot together, seeing their friends at the insane asylum come and go. Their lives were horrible and cruel, but some how they were still happy whenever a new attendent or friend came who was nice to them. Later on, Calvin and Petey are separated without knowing it. Petey's heart has been broken so many times, but altogether he's still happy and he's still making friends. Trevor, a boy who rescued Petey from snowballs thrown by bullies, never thought one old man could change his life. I recommend people read this book. It touched me deep down. If you see someone who looks like they have CP, please don't make fun of them. People, no matter what their health is, are still people. Everyone has feelings. Like I said, read this book and you'll understand. Have fun!!!!

This book Petey by Ben Mikaelsen truly captures how just one person can make such a huge difference in somebody's life. In this book a baby in 1920 gets miss-diagnosed as an idiot and got placed in a mental institution. Throughout Petey's life he meets tons of people, many of them care for Petey and he cared for them too. But, when Petey gets older he has to get transferred to an old age home. There he meets a teenage boy who learns to care for Petey . This book makes you want to reach out and help someone, it makes you strive to be a better friend. Find out how all of Petey's relationships grow and at the end of the book you also will care for Petey.Every one should read this book. It keeps you wanting to read more; you practically can't put this book down. You want to know what happens to Petey in his lifetime, and you also want to know if his illness gets better or worse. Ben Mikaelsen wrote this book extremely descriptive; it feels like you are in the story. You are in touch with the character's feelings. The topic of this story is cerebral palsy. It is a topic that you normally would not read about, but this book is not only appealing you actually learn about the sickness, cerebral palsy. I know some people disagree with me and they don't like this book, because they think it is slow. This book may start out slow in the beginning for some people, but as it continues it gets better and better. This book would not be appropriate for younger children, because it has some words that are hard to understand, and also some concepts that may not yet have been introduced to younger children. Dealing with an illness is also hard for young children to understand. However, you can really learn about topics that are new to you by reading about them in a book like this, and thereby learn to be more understanding of people's problems. This is a touching book, and even after you finish reading it you will keep thinking about it and want to read it over and over again. This is not a book that just gets thrown on a bookshelf and forgotten.

This book is the best book I've read in a very long time. It's for all of us who lose sight of what's important in our lives. It's about how to live life without regret, without fear, with inner peace, which, as someone currently going through a divorce and recently unemployed, I have to say, that's really tough sometimes. And, yet, this book helps us all see the true beauty in our everday lives, no matter how small. It helps you see that things happen for a reason, even if that reason is very difficult to figure out at times. So, if you think your life is good, this book will help you see that it's actually great; if you think your life is terrible, you hopefully will come away thinking that it's not so bad after all.

This is one of the most important books that I've read in the last 30 years. I purchased 22 copies of this book, so far. I am giving this book to everyone that I love or for whom I care. I find myself reading it over and over again. Each time that I read it, it holds some different meaning for me. The authors offer up the wisdom of those who have entered the zone of "dying soon". Each author in their own unique way urges the reader to listen to this wisdom now, while there is, hopefully, many more years to apply it. I love the brutal honesty of Kubler-Ross, who has in her later years, suffered a debilitating stroke. She is in recovery now but still angry about it. However, because the stroke did not kill her, she realizes that there are still many lessons for her to learn in this life. This book is not morbid but rather, uplifting. The advice and descriptions can suit anyone at any stage of their life. If you are fighting certain "battles" in your life, as we all are, you may find comfort knowing that you may not in this life learn all the lessons that you need to. As the authors put it so well, even the most terrible people in our lives can become our teachers.Whether you are just beginning your life experiences or you have had many, this book gives you so much to consider.

Heard the taped version of LIFE LESSONS by Elisabeth
Kubler-Ross and David Kessler . . . the authors, experts
on death and dying, use this book to help answer the
question: Is this really how I want to live my life?

It got me to think about what was important to me
and, also, how to go about obtaining it . . . as is the
case with some books on tape, this is one that I wish
I had also read because there were so many
quotable parts that I would have wanted to go back
to . . . for example:
Being there and caring is everything in love, in life and
in dying.

Whether you're married or not, if you want more romance
in your life, fall more in love with the life you have.

In any relationship, one person makes pancakes, the other
one eats them.

Everybody falls. Hopefully, they get up. That is life.

You have made being a mother a wonderful experience.
It was worth living just to be with you.

Remember that play is more than a light hearted moment
here and there. It's actual time devoted to play. You have
to get away from work, get away from life's seriousness.
There are a million ways to introduce play back into your life.
Instead of checking the stock market first thing in the morning,
read the comics, see a silly movie, buy a fun outfit, wear a
colorful tie. If you like, where work is conservative, wear fun
underwear. Practice saying yes to invitations, be more
spontaneous, do something silly. Anything can be play,
but beware, any form of play can also be turned
into productivity.

If you are like me, you have probably been searching for the answers to the questions of life. Who am I and where do I come from? I'm supposed to be doing something important....what is it that I can't remember? What do my dreams mean? How can crystals help me? Who or where is my soul mate? What really happens when I "die"?

All of these questions and so much more will be addressed in "The Lost Teachings of Atlantis." I was floored when I read the table of contents and saw all of the topics in one book that I had been searching all over the Internet for and in any book of an esoteric nature that I could get my hands on.

This book really shook me up and challenged me to look at myself, my beliefs and whether I wanted to remain the same (conscously choosing to turn away from the Source) or do I want to turn back to the Light and transform.

Please, do yourself a favor and buy this book. Even if you are unsure of whether you can believe it or not, it is a very entertaining story of one man's journey to Tibet and his path to enlightenment. You will be hanging on the edge of your seat, rooting for him to make it to the ancient monastery in the Himalayas.

You may even find yourself close to tears as you realize things you must change about yourself if you want to return to the AllThatIs.

It's worth it!

This book is a wonderful spiritual tool... It transcends religion and does not preach its ideas as the "way."

The main point is to improve yourself based on the idea of unselfish love. It teaches that selfishness is the underlying cause of all problems and evils. If you don't believe that there was this monestary (which was recently burned down) in Tibet where all the info. originated from various ancient texts, etc..., then that's fine. The author doesn't care. What's important is the teachings, not the history.

I'm having a brain fart, so I'll stop here, but this is an amazingly insightful and an "all across the board" type of book.

When you get an intuition or an urge to pick up this book, do just that. You'll likely read about what you were just thinking! It's amazing how similar your true inner knowledge can be to the teachings of the Children of the Law of One.

Have fun!

For all who have read or enjoyed the non judgemental teachings of Emmet Fox, Edgar Cayce, Dan Millman, or James Redfield this book is an excellent source for spiritual guidance. It's storylike format helps all of those who simply cannot follow a dry self help spiritual guide book and the author's "take what you want and leave the rest message" definitely makes one feel like this book attempts to reach people at all levels of spirituality while at the same time leaving the reader unpressured to believe in every word that is written within the 300+ page novel. I recommend that any reader with an open mind and sincere desire to raise their spiritual consciousness read this book. I also recommend The Celestine Prophesy and The Tenth Insight By James Redfield, any book by Emmet Fox for all Christian readers, and The Way of the Peaceful Warrior and No Ordinary Moments by Dan Millman for readers who are interested in books that run along the similar paths. Enjoy reading and please email me if you are interested in discussing any of the spiritual information found in any of the books at dmkemmer@ucdavis.edu

I've been a huge fan for Fulghum's books. He always have a unique perspective in everything. But this book is different from his previous ones. It's a collection of love stories from many people. Fulghum just put them in this book, re-arrange and add his comment. This is one of the most honest book I ever read. Story of strange love, I would say that if we can call it "love". What does love mean? Does it limit only between boys & girls, friends & friends etc? This book doesn't answer anything at all, but it will make you think about it and finally smile.I'm very surprise with such those wonderful, lovely stories in this books. This is the book you will love. Each story has its own charm and memory. Again, as usual, Fulghum's summary in each section of the book is more than I can say. His view for love with the help of his excellent ability to select spectacular words make it a very wonderful book. Good persent for Valentine's day

I found this book by accident and since reading it have purchased it for two of my closest friends. It states at the beginning of the book that it is best read with a lover, but coming from a single woman, I found the collection of stories a sign that true love does exist. This book brought myself and my two friends genuine happiness and hope for our own story.

I loved this book, every single one of us wonders, what is true love? All these stories have some glimpse, or taste of true love possibilities. Some are full blown true love that stood the test of time. Love is the most marvelous feeling in the world, and most desired of all experiences of humans. Yet true love so hard to explain with words, for the emotion of it is so powerful. The human experience is certainly more bleak without true love in our lives somewhere, sometime. I hope everyone who ever hopes to be in love, or has been in love will read this. I have already bought extra copies to share with my friends. What a treat Robert Fulghum is to those of us who love to read of the human experience.

Considered by most critics the greatest brazilian writer ever, Machado de Assis writes a masterpiece about a paranoid man consumed by his own jealousy, insecurity and self pity. This storyline is also considered one of the most intriguing dillemas of brazilian literature. DID CAPITU CHEAT ON BENTINHO OR NOT??? Machado doesn't reveal it. Each reader makes his own mind. I believe in Capitu and hate Bentinho. She was faithful till the end. Why did that stupid paranoid had to fool her that way... Oh man, read this book!

Machado de Assis is probably one of the most underrated authors literature departments around the US-and other countries-have (not) encountered. He is an absolute requirement for anyone who wishes to consider him/herself well-read. Called "Othello of the Southern Cross" by Helen Caldwell (who wrote the excellent The Brazilian Othello of Machado de Assis-A Study of Dom Casmurro, Berkeley:University of California Press, 1960) this narrative is, among other things, about a man's weakness and fear before the possibility of living life fully (see chapter called 'Are you Scared?). There is a fascinating element of vicariousness- the way Bento Santiago (Saint and Iago, as Caldwell cleverly points out) projects his guilt, sexuality, desires and ambition upon Capitu, and Escobar... For those who missed the point (reader from NY- give it another try) I recommend a different approach, a different translation, or perhaps a course in Portuguese...(why not? Discover a rich and abundant culture!) This is true art.

Machado de Assis is perhaps the greatest Portuguese language romancist, and certainly the most important Brazilian author. This book is his best work. In a very short manner, it could be desribed as a "Brazilian Ottello", but it mustn't be be considered as a version of the Shakespeare classic, but a unique story, very reach in itself. Machado has an amazing ability to make the reader feel like his characters, and involves us in a tram where the complete uncertainty and blind jealousy is thrilling, and rises our deepest passionate feelings, for or against the main character. This book is a definitely a must read for everyone who enjoys good literature.

A wonderful childhood book to read again even now at age 52.

The pictures of the tigers, bright clothing and how to make butter are still fresh in my mind from that story. I ran around that tree with that little boy, time and time again and I am glad that we are able to have this book available to share with our children and grandchildren.

Written by a British woman living in India at the turn of the century to entertain her two daughters, Little Black Sambo quickly became a funny classic of children's literature (modern fantasy). It is a tale of a jolly, resourceful little boy who gives away his red coat and his blue trousers and his purple shoes and his green umbrella to the different tigers who want to eat him up. Then the tigers fight over which is the grandest tiger, and chase each other around a tree, not letting go of each others' tails until they turn into butter. Little Black Sambo rescues his clothing and his father takes the melted butter home so his mother can make pancakes. They all sit down to supper and Little Black Sambo eats the most pancakes because he is so very hungry.

This book has the language of story-telling which appeals to children. It is also good to let children play-act out the story. The pictures illustrate the story with humor as well. The simple words, and the highly effective repetition, capture the attention of both reader and listener, frightening them just enough to excite them.

One of the most successful books ever written for the two-to-five age group, each picture exactly illustrates a moment in the story. The text and pictures present non-white people as living in entirely primitive conditions, and as having no culture. Sambo communicates with animals, which seemed to imply that he is inferior, and close to the animal world. The illustrations are crudely drawn, grinning stereotypes with clownish eyes and huge mouths. The situation "Oh! Please Mr. Tiger, don't eat me up and I'll give you my beautiful little Red Coat" is the picture of the always docile black. Sambo's parents are called Black Jumbo and Black Mumbo, and these names are rather apt to harbor racial and religious intolerance (as in the phrase "mumbo-jumbo").

At the time she was writing the story, black had no unpleasant significance. Indians were quite prepared to talk about black; the derogatory idea crept in later. Bannerman did not have any sort of color prejudice: black was used to make an interesting story for children and a black child was a more romantic figure for a white child to read about. It was inevitable that a woman of Bannerman's background and period would think and write as she did. Her outlook is certainly racist in the context of today, and would have no place in a multi-racial society.

This book has been repeatedly challenged as an acceptance of white superiority, and is still banned from libraries, showing an awareness of the deep roots of racism in our history, culture, and language.

Digging through an old box, I found my tiny, tattered little book of Little Black Sambo, which is very old as it was my dad's before mine! I LOVED this book as a child, I am 30 now, and can't wait to share it with my own children. I remember just staring at the brilliantly colored illustrations and being entranced by the whole story line---even a little scared at the tigers! I really did wonder if tigers running in circles could make butter and I even think I asked my dad if it was real!

I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised to see that you can still purchase this book, although in the original format I have no idea. It is too bad that libraries would think to ban a book like this----I am a "white" person who is totally colorblind and I have to say that reading and loving Little Black Sambo as a child never made me want to be racist or gave me racist thoughts. It is a work of fiction, and even as a child I knew that it was just a story.

Anyways--this is a great read for grownups and for reading to little ones--and it is a good thing, I guess, that you can also purchase a politically correct version to share with children of any color also--because the story line is the fun part of the book.

KT

Finally a reference material that has helped me cope with some issues. I've been going through a lot lately - lay offs, moving, unable to find work, etc. and life seems pretty stressful. I find myself in constant mental anguish about this or that and am unable to concentrate on any one thing or to simply enjoy activities.

A friend recommended this book to me and I'm so glad that he did. Mr. Duncan has provided me realistic tools to slow down or stop, understand what's going on around me and to enjoy living for that moment. Over the last couple of weeks I've felt better about my current situations and have come to realize that there is pleasurable opportunities in everyday living and activities.

Thank you Mr. Duncan for such a powerful tool. I would highly recommend this everyone - not just people who seem to be in crisis. Also, I've read several other books of a similar nature - such as the Power of Now but nothing has had such an impact as Present Moment Awareness.

Run out and get yourself a copy AND the kit NOW!

Shannon Duncan's "Present Moment Awareness" is a very good guide to living life moment to moment. Through exercises, tools and personal experiences the author shares how to live in the moment.

I especially found the exercise where it was suggested to "do something ordinary while being in the moment" very insightful and fun. I chose to wash the dishes that had accumulated in our sink one day. I brought awareness and attention to the actions and sensations I had while doing this "ordinary" task and found it not to be the "chore" I once imagined it to be. By staying present in the moment of washes the dishes, I found I had more
energy to go on and complete other tasks around the house with a sense of pleasure.

If you enjoyed this book I highly recommend another life inspiring book called "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane. Through compassion and humor, the Kanes present real life examples and ways of being, where anyone can discover how to live and sustain a magical, meaningful and satisfying life, you may have only dreamt of before.

I received this book as a gift, and have to say that I was a bit skeptical. I've read the Power of Now, and thought it was quite wonderful - but had no idea how to get to this amazing place that Eckhart was describing. Now I do.

Present Moment Awareness, when combined with the focus tool, is nothing short of powerful and truly life changing. Instead of talking about all sorts of goody-goody stuff and trying to make himself some kind of a guru, this author shows that anyone can free themselves and become more and more "enlightened". Nobody is or can be more than a human being, and recognizing this can set you free!

Why suffer and toil through life, when you (or anyone for that matter) can flow through it. Shannon stated that "life can be less of a struggle and more of a pleasure when you learn what it means to be present in the moment." I've found for myself that this is very, very true.

Lucid dreaming, i.e. dreaming with full awareness, is one of the most ecstatic experiences open to human beings. Yet creating this state of bliss has traditionally been difficult - the naive approach of autosuggestion produces only very low success rates.

In "Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming", Stephen LaBerge discusses far more efficient techniques, including one pioneered by himself - MILD, or Mnemonic Induction of Lucid Dreams. He explains how to create conditions conducive to lucid dreaming, how to prolong a lucid dream once one has one, and how to use lucid dreams for creative problem solving, health, entertainment and spiritual growth.

I should point out, however, that there is no miracle method for having lucid dreams instantanously. The techniques that this book offers still need to be exercised, patiently and diligently over a period of weeks if not months before results will start to materialize. But if you are willing and motivated to invest the necessary work and effort, this book will be one of the best guides there is. For those readers who prefer a simple, step-by-step approach, I would also recommend "Lucid Dreams in 30 Days" by Keith Harary and Pamela Weintraub.

THE BEST AVAILABLE GUIDE TO LUCID DREAMING!

Although this inspiring book presents a new model of dreaming and consciousness, its approach is primarily practical, covering methods for inducing lucid dreams, and a variety of applications. LaBerge also includes a brief history of his scientific research; all is presented in an engaging and comprehensible manner. Reading the book gave me an appreciation for his dedicated pioneering in the field of mind/body mapping and the ingeniousness of his lucid dream induction methods and devices.

This book offers the most extensive collection of step-by-step techniques for increasing consciousness during sleep. It also includes accounts of what a variety of lucid dreamers have done with their dream lives. For me, the most important point was how the same skills and mindfulness developed through learning to lucid dream can also deeply enhance one's waking life.

Why sleep through dreams (and sleepwalk through waking life) when lucidity is a learnable skill? This excellent, easy-to-follow guide is essential reading for dream explorers of all levels of experience.

I have to admit this is the best book for the price on the market with scientific proof and probability of occurences for lucid dreaming. I have been trying months to have out of body experiences/partial dream ones and/or lucid dreaming and have to admit this book is very detailed explained and I have accomplished it with this book which many other books failed. I have looked at other books on awareness exercises, this one even talks about it in depth more and not to mention the WILD/MILD techniques are worth the price alone cause I had a lucid experience with those tehchniques atleast once every second day after reading their FAQ, I had to buy the book to support this author and found out there are many more treasures/techniques in this book which I can't wait to try out. This is my second best book on the market I will cherish and come back to many times, the other one is power of the subconscious mind by murphy, two of my favorite psychology books.