My daughter (age 3) loves this book! She enjoys looking forher favorite hat each time we read it. Having read the Mitford series,I was glad to see that Jan Karon had written children's books aswell. The illustrations in the book are great, nice and vivid. It's a very cute and fun book to read. It's a loving story not just about the hat, but the relationship that Miss Fannie has with her daughter. That is a story of it's own. It's a great book to give as a gift to anyone, adult or child. Jan Karon is a superb writer and I look forward to purchasing more books written by her for myself, as well as for my children. Another great book written by her that we have purchased is "Jeremy". Enjoy!

Having read the Mitford series by Jan Karon, I was thrilled to discover she also has written children's books. I know a lady just like Miss Fannie at my church. It's a wonderful story for old and young alike. My women's group had everyone wear hats to their May meeting and shared this book with all the gals. They loved it. And the surprise at the back of the book is really enjoyed by my granddaughters.

Jan Karon's Miss Fannie's Hat is a picture book for young Christian readers, about a little old lady who loves her hats - yet when her church needs help, she gives up her favorite hat of all for their auction. Playful color illustrations by Toni Goffe mark this whimsical and highly recommended story about the joy of sharing. A cheerfully narrated audio CD accompanies this special edition Christian storybook.

Rachael Pollack has provided a thorough and exhaustive description of each card -- her knowledge encompasses psychology, mythology, history, sociology, art and literature. All of this amounts to the deepest analysis of Tarot symoblism we are ever likely to see, and reading this book can only improve your readings. She uses, as do most authors, the Rider-Waite deck as the basis for her explanations; but she also explains where and why it deviates from historical examples. This is perhaps one of the most valuable facets of this book -- it establishes the symbology of the Tarot as universal and timeless. The section on reading the cards is also well done, and she gives instructions for a number of spreads. Scholarly and beautifully written, a must for anyone interested in the Tarot.

Rachel Pollack's SEVENTY-EIGHT DEGREES OF WISDOM is a key work described by many (including Joseph Campbell) as an important source for understanding the wisdom of the Tarot. The book appears to have been first published in the early eighties in two volumes, one dealing with the Major Arcana and the other with the minor Arcana. Since few authors examine the minor cards Pollack's book is a must for serious students.

Pollack writes insightfully and intelligently, including longer passages for each of the cards of the Major Arcana. She includes reversed meanings and encourages shuffling the deck so as to ensure some cards fall upside down for a reading. She provides two examples for each card, one from A. E. Waite's deck illustrated by Pamela Coleman and the other from various other decks. Pollack notes that when she first wrote her book no one compared the different pictorial representations of various decks. She includes points of agreement and disagreement with interpretations from Waite's "The Pictorial Key to the Tarot", Aleister Crowley's "The Book of Thoth" and other works.

Unlike many contemporary authors on Tarot, Pollack subscribes to the notion that one can use the Tarot not only for interpretation of current circumstances but for seeking advice. She describes how to cast the Celtic cross a descriptive tool which can be used to gain insight into a present situation. She also shares a layout she created that the reader can use to gain insight into possible courses of action regarding work situations. Of the many books I've read on Tarot so far this one is the best.

I bought this book along with others because of the great reviews I saw. However, most of the other books did not live up to the great reviews. With one exception. SEVENTY EIGHT DEGREES OF WISDOM. This book doesn't give you formulas to memorize and it moves away from tradition and dogma. Ms Pollack asks the reader to let the tarot speak it's own unique language to each individual reading, querent, student and situation.

It gives the historical, mythological, spiritual, etc., meanings and attributions for each major card and also her personal insights and experience. She does the same for the minor cards, however, she doesn't go much into history and myth here but delves into her own experiences and interpretation. She also has GATE cards that allows the reader to get connected to particular cards that elucidate the intrinsic meanings of the suit. I'd love for her to do a book about meditations on the tarot.

To the back of the book there is an exposition on doing divination with the cards and she gives examples of the two spreads she covers to explain them better. Her Work Cycle spread is one with promise although I was left wanting a little more. I can't seem to find a resource where one can learn more about this spread.

There is one thing that I would ask every newbie to do when studying the cards. Get a resource that details occult symbols and colours. See how they fit into the particular cards and then you have a more detailed description of the cards. The meaning of some cards often don't appear in the artwork (figures etc) however the colours (red, orange, black etc) and the symbols (white rose, black staff, circle, etc) will clear up anything you have a question about.

Also, see MK Greer's book: Tarot for youself and Rachael Pollack's new book: The Forest of Souls.

Phoinix Sky

Virus is a good book, but sometimes hard to follow. I enjoyed the story, but couldn't figure out some of the conflicts. Some of the things about Will and Susannah made me slightly confused and had to look through the book to understand. Overall, it was a good book

This book is a great book. Like all of the books in this fabolus series, by Diane Hoh, it is chilling, thrilling, and exciting. It leaves you on the edge of your seat all the time. You will not be able to put down this book!! It is about Med Center, the best in the country, maybe the world, when an unexplainable virus hits Grant, the town Med Center is in, and someone dies from it, and other people are getting it. It goes through lots of tough descisions, so you will always be wondering "What will happen next??!!" Buy this book and I gaurantee (Well, sort of!! In a kinda word way) that you will like it!!!

This book was amazing, I can usually only read books once or twice but i have read this book 5 times. This book has inspired me to become a voluteer at my neighbourhood hospital. This book reminds me of my life. a new virus that no one has heard of struck my city (Toronto) and everyone is panicking, and also the volunteers remind me of me and my friends who volunteer at our hospital too. Sunnybrook (my local hospital) sounds a lot like Med Centre. I LOVED THIS BOOK AND I GUARANTEE YOU WILL TOO!!!

I read this book at a difficult time in my life, and in fact when I first opened the book I had to stop crying to read the words. After reading just a page or two, I felt a sense of calm come over me, and more pleasant feelings followed. I finished the book in three days, and enjoyed every minute of it. The book definitely had a powerful impact on my life. One point the book made that I always have dancing in my mind is: you always have everything you need to be happy.

Ken Keyes describes the human mind as a computer, and all human suffering is due to the programs we have in our mind. He then gives advice as to how to "re-program" your computer and always be "in" love. I highly recommend buying this book.

In 1972,a(real)friend casually dropped off the "Handbook" for me. Little did I know how it would cange my life,forever.I had read every self-help book I could get my hands on, but this one was and is like no other.This author not only shows "WHAT" is important in life, he reveals "HOW" to get there.Life is constantly "sending us messages we need for our growth",so here is a step by step procedure of how to,accept and Love unconditionaly,in our precious now moments. The twelve pathways are truly the work of a genius! Very few days go by that I do not fine comfort,joy and benefit in repeating their beautiful content.So If this books sells for anything less than one million dollars,buy it! It's worth a lot more than that. I have (casually) given away several cases...

> Today I received a request from a metaphysics student
named Mike. He asked if I would share my experience
with this book. After I responded to him, it occurred
to me to leave an edited copy of what I sent him,
at Amazon. com. for others who may enjoy hearing from
someone who has loved the book for over 2 decades.

Dear Mike,

> The Handbook To Higher Consciousness by Ken
> Keyes needs to be experienced, to be understood
> and to be learned. As you probably know, what is
> truly learned, is life changing.
>
> What is learned from "The Handbook To Higher
> Conscious" by Ken Keyes stays the same, but
> it will reveal continual
> "Ah-ha's" as it is experienced through the years.
>
> I have found that no matter what pathway explored
> that everything boils down to what Ken defines
> as "Addictions/Demands" and
> Preferences". (Demands bring unhappiness,
> Preferences bring happiness. What is a demand
> for one person, may not be for another.)
>
The key seems to be to become aware of ones own demands (not other people's)and then to go to work on up-leveling them. Not to become a BETTER person, but to be a HAPPIER person.
>
> The book and its methods, makes
> one increasingly aware, that everyday life
> is a school; a school filled with people and circumstances
> that makes you aware of what triggers your own
> demands, and interferes with your happiness,
> and consequently the happiness of others. As Ken says:
1. Everyone and everything, becomes your teacher.

2. Everything is either perfect for your growth or for your
pleasure.

I have found that as the ego driven demands I acquired early in life become uplifted to preferences, I have been able to operate
> more and more consistently from a peaceful and loving
> basis. When I do not, at least I am soon able to identify what demand I was experiencing, and be reminded, that once again
life was checking me out.

Preferences have brought the experience of
> happiness. Demands have created the experience of pain.
>
> Example: A pyschologist might say "Conditioning"
> creates unhappiness"
> A Christian may believe that happiness in the Lord
> depends on "Letting go, and letting God."
>
> A Buddhist may say, "When it rains,
> than rain is my choice." Course In
> Miracles might say, "Nothing real
> can be threatened. Nothing unreal
> exists. Herein lies the peace of
> God." OR
>
> "The world we see merely
> reflects our own internal frame of reference --
> the dominant ideas, wishes and emotions in our
> minds. 'Projection makes perception'.
> (You may wish to explore Jampolsky's
> "Love is Letting Go of Fear."
>
> The methods in Keyes book provides a precise
> way to reprogram whatever it is that one may find
> he or she needs to reprogram. The methods always work
> regardless of ones particular "religious"
> leanings, or the lack of. It is one of
> many paths to the top of the mountain, and a book
that you never outgrow.
>
> Kind regards,
>
> M.S

This particulat journal is much more of a play book. But then its funny how much we can learn about ourselves by playing. I found many inspiring pages and even went on to create my own giant-sized play book to continue with my own ideas collaging, coloring, dreaming.
Its fine not to know who Sark is. You dont *have* to be a fan to appreciate the large spaciouse pages and fun suggestions in this journal. You dont *have* to be familiar with journaling or feel you are creative. This book helps you learn how to play again like you did when you were a kid.

I am a full-time college student in my junior year. I wanted to keep a journal, but had no idea where to start writing. Due to some events in my life, I never had too much of a childhood. This journal is great for discovering the kid inside! It gives ideas on what to write about, along with many blank pages to write whatever! I love sark and can't wait to buy another book!

If you want a book that allows you to really express yourself and play games in one single place, and asks you questions that there is no "right" answer to, this is it. It's not really a book you read, it's more of a book you do. Open to any page and engage in the activity it suggests and have fun. It is not just a journal, not a blank book. It's a play book in reality, a plave to express yourself creativly, to feel better and to have a new, better outlook on life and the world around you. I really think this book can pull you out of depression (as it did me), yank you into another, more happy place, and it can make you feel a lot better about things after having somewhere to vent and somewhere to be challenged creativly.

In the beginning, as Peggy Parrish puts it, Elizabeth Ann was a wimp.

She was sent to her cousins, the Putneys, in the middle of her story. They began to teach her how to think for herself.

By the end of the story she could think about anything she wanted to without explaining it to anyone. This is a very well written story. It's a wonderful book relating to life at the turn of the century. It shows how schools, homes and lifestyles have changed over the years. This is one of the top ten books on my personal list.

I received this book as a Christmas present in 1997 when I was eight years old. I thought it was an excellent story because Betsy really improved in her new one-room school. Her teacher is really nice because she let Betsy read with the seventh graders, do second grade math and third grade spelling!

This story really makes you feel like you are Betsy's friend Ellen. I also like how she and the other girls in her one-room school joined together to make new clothes for the boy whose stepfather is an alcoholic. All the people are really caring in this book.

I first received "Understood Betsy" when I was 8 years old, over 20 years ago, and I still remember some of the passages and characters as if I had read them yesterday. I read and reread this book countless times throughout my childhood.

Written in 1916, "Understood Betsy" immmerses the reader into rural life in the 1800's. Elizabeth goes from the city to live with farmer cousins, who call her Betsy. She then becomes a girl who learns to do things for herself, think for herself, and take care of others.

Most interesting, the book shows the older view of treasuring common day moments, such as making the applesauce or playing dolls. If you always enjoyed the "Little House" and "Caddie Woodlawn" books, then you will LOVE "Understood Betsey", which delves even more into the everyday life of girls in that time.

I almost wrote "My Favorite Children's Book", but that would be misleading, because I can still read and enjoy it now. It doesn't condescend to children and appeals mainly to genuine emotions, not sentiment, so it really holds up over time.

The plot, briefly, is about a nine-year old orphan, Elizabeth Ann, who lives with her aunt and a cousin. When her aunt falls ill, Elizabeth Ann has to go live with some rural Vermont relatives, whom the rest of her family has never liked. At first Elizabeth Ann is afraid of them, too--they immediately shorten her name to Betsy--but she eventually overcomes her shyness and blossoms in the rural environment. She also learns to be much less nervous and uptight.

What really makes this book stand out are its digressions. The author, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, often informally addresses the reader: one chapter is called, "If You Don't Like Conversation in a Book, then Skip This Chapter!" The most insightful sequences show Betsy discovering that not all learning takes place in school; measuring butter with her aunt, she is astounded to discover that "an ounce" exists in real life. She thought it was only found in textbooks. But you have to read the book to see how well this is pulled off.

When I was a child I owned an edition with an afterward by Peggy Parrish, which pointed out how modern the book was for its time (it was published in 1917.) Indeed, the women and men share all the tasks, and Betsy is forbidden from nothing because of her gender. That makes this book a really excellent and inspiring gift for young girls, although its message of equality is never heavy-handed.

Occasionally there are sections that are too sentimental, and not really necessary to the story, but the rest is so good that this is easy to forgive. Conclusion: Buy it for a child, but read it for yourself first!

This wonderful children's novel tells the story of eight year old Princess Irene. Cared for by her nurse Lootie, she lives in a mountain farmhouse while her father rules over the region from a mountain top castle. The local folk work as miners but are beset by the Goblins who inhabit the underground. Irene is saved from the Goblins by Curdie, a thirteen year old miner, and she in turn saves him. The whole thing is told in a pleasant conversational style and is filled with humor, word games, magic, derring-do, and pure wonderment.

George MacDonald, a Congregational minister turned novelist, who seems nearly forgotten now, was one of the seminal figures in the development of Fantasy. His influence on other Fantasy authors is obvious, he was a childhood favorite of JRR Tolkein, who especially liked this book, and C.S. Lewis named him one of his favorite authors. His own stories draw on many of the themes and characters of classical European fairy tales. But where they were often merely horrific and meaningless, MacDonald adds a layer of Christian allegory. Thus, Irene and Curdie are eventually saved by a thread so slender that you can't even see it, but which leads them back to safety, teaching Curdie that you sometimes have to believe in things that you can't see.

The book would be interesting simply as a touchstone of modern fiction, but it stands up well on its own and will delight adults and children alike.

GRADE: A

whenever I find a used copy of this or MacDonald's "The Princess and Curdie" I buy it and give it away. Both books are full of religious symbolism if you think about it, and old other-worldness if you don't. "The Princess and the Goblin" can be enjoyed by early elementary school children, while the language of "The Princess and Curdie" is more challenging and suited for 5th grade and up, though anything is possible with a bit of extra effort. Worth trying. George MacDonald (deceased) has a loyal following as do, of course, Tolkien and C.S.Lewis who were his friends. These are lovely books to read aloud.

I cant believe I haven't read this untill now, its such a great book! A princess lives in a castle all her life, never knowing of the great dangers that go on in the mountain. One day(being about 7 years old) she finds a stairway in her house that she has never seen and it leads her to her great, great grandmother. After she meets her grandmother she is shown the dangers of the goblins and meets a boy named Curdie who mines in the mountain with his father. Throughout the book Curdie and the princess have many encounters with the goblins. This is a great book I highly recommend it for readers of all ages.

This is a series of quirky, epigrammatic sayings/poems/stories. To really understand all the little puns and nuances requires an understanding of western qabbala and of Crowley's own highly idiosyncratic occult theories. To really enjoy the book, however, all one needs is that enignma, Common Sense, as rare as it is common.

In short it is a book that speaks to the intuitive side of our nature, while leaving puzzles galore to occupy our intellectual side.

Perhaps one of Crowley's best (if you assume Liber Al was dictated, not written).

M

For The Mystic, this collection of Poetic Insights is very difficult to put-down. Once you start reading, it is almost impossible to do anything but ingest the complex blocks of text before your eyes. Be sure you have some reading time set-aside, before you tackle this one. I read it in two sittings, but I would-have finished it in one, if I only had the time!
Only Mystics will fully appreciate this Work of amazing verbal, Qabalistic Conundrums.
Any student of Crowley should have this text on-hand, because he refers the reader to this Poetic treatise, more often than not. Regardless of whether you are reading his "Confessions" (Autohagiography) or his Qabalistic masterpiece, "777," you will casually be referred back to the good ol' "Book of Lies."
I never imagined this book of Crowley's whimsical jottings would prove so intriguing or helpful in pursuit of mystical knowledge. Crowley often refers to this book as his most-important work. However, don't expect to "get it" right-away. This is more of a Text-book, than a casual Poetry book.
I am surprised he didn't put a Test in the back!
However, this book is all-about testing yourself, not being tested by others. Luckily, the Commentaries were added for us common folk. Enjoy !

Crowley's "Book of Lies" is not for the faint-of-heart, and certainly not for the bound-in-faith. Whereas so many Philosophical and Religious works stress the borders of their realities (think: the bible's use of good/bad, punishment, reward, etc.), the Book of Lies left me with only a desire to expand my knowledge of the uncertain aspects of my life. Faith, the book stresses, is a poison to reason. That which cannot be directly reasoned should not be paid attention. In many ways, Thelema, and the works of Thelema, including this book, are the antithesis of Western Religion.

Anyway, this is getting away from the book, which requires a fair degree of patience before even the simplest riddles unravel. By reading and re-reading, subtler and deeper-woven themes emerge and morph, re-actualizing your vision and cementing reason or casting away doubt. A truly beautiful work of man.

Don't listen to those that call Crowley and his works "demented", "harmful", or "meaningless". And please, try to cast away the negative connotations that the Catholic church (among others) have given to Ritual Magick and Occultism. Ritual Magick is nothing but the pursuit of meditative and intellectual maturation aimed at better understanding and greater levels of awareness. Occultism is an organized group means of Ritual Magick. If you believe that any true Occultist has ever drank blood, worn masks, or sacrificed a living being, then you are already lost.

Buy this book.

Firstly, if you are new to the Oz series, read The Marvelous Land of Oz before reading this book. Marvelous Land of Oz is what directly follows the original, infamous Oz book.
Believe me they just keep getting better.
This is a lovely book to read aloud to children of all ages. I highly reccomend all of the Oz books for their amusing, imaginitve characters(in this book, The Wheelings and Billinia are introduced) , their fantastical situations (trees with lunch boxes full of food, talking chickens, a shipwreak, all in this one), sweet plot and storylines. These books still stand the test of time (written over 100 years ago!)for good reason.
This book really sets the tone for the rest of the books to follow and in my opinion the best. A must read for every family.

Though I first read this book nearly 50 years ago, it still remains one of the best books I have ever read. Adults may feel that it is a kid's book, and of course it is perfect for kids, but believe me, it can be enjoyed by people of any age. All you need is love of a good story. For many years Ozma was my heroine--I dreamed that I would meet her somehow, somehow be transported like Dorothy to the Land of Oz. Though these dreams faded, I still often think that this book might be the favorite book of my life. Dorothy's new adventures, the rescue expedition from Oz that crosses the Deadly Desert, and the spooky confrontation between good and evil in the caverns of the Nome King. The Oz characters have accompanied me through life. Try them---you will never forget them.

Ozma of Oz is the 3rd book in The Wizard of Oz series and follows The Land of Oz. In this book, you will be reunited with many well-loved characters and be introduced to characters you will soon love.

Dorothy, who was not in the last book, again comes into this story. After being shipwrecked, she and Billina, a yellow hen, arrive on land. They wander around to see where they are and discover a new friend, Tik-Tok, a wind-up, mechanical man. They also find a castle. Inside, lives the family of Ev, who have been captured by the evil Nome king. Only a princess who can change her heads lives inside. Dorothy, Billina, and Tik-Tok decide to rescue the Ev family with the help of Ozma. --I won't mention who Ozma is because you may not have read The Land of Oz. You will find out in a later review.--

I would highly suggest this book, along with The Land of Oz because of the adventures and fun.

The Search for Delicious was a great book! It starts out when the king is making a dictionary and they come up to the word delicious. The king said delicious is apples but the court doesn't agree with him so they send Gaylen to poll the towns and find the real meaning of delicious but Hemlock messes it all up. Gaylen meets a lot of interesting people along the way. To find out more about the book you have to read it. I recommend this to all people that like fantasy books and have a good imagination.

The Search for Delicious is a inviting book fillied with adventure and suspense. I recommend this book for people ages eight to thirteen. This book is abou Prime Minister who is trying to make a dictionary and everyone in the King's court is fighting about the definition of delicious. One thing I love about this plot is because it's so believable, and it will never make you bored or not want to read it. There's always something else happening next. My favorite part of the book is when the main character Gaylen goes out to find what the townspeople want for the definition of delicious, I reading all the suggestions for the definition...it makes me hungry! A good thing about this book is that you'll will always know what's going on. I definietly rate this book five stars!

My mother read me this story when I was in second grade, reading new chapters each night before I went to bed. I was in love with the story, the characters -- everything about it. There was a sense of magic and mystery that seemed to send me off to bed every night, as Gaylen's quest for delicious, the story of Ardis the mermaid, and the treacherous Hemlock took over my dreams. I often would read the book again and again, throughout grade school, until I misplaced it. Later, once I had entered college, I came across the book at home. I was able to read it in one afternoon, and was amazed at how the power of the story was still within those pages. Moreover, I was able to recognize its allegorical power. It is a must read for everyone with some sense of imagination, as well as an interest in keen political satire.