If you are going to teach elementary school, you must have this book. It and all of the other books by Joanne Richards are so well-written and concise.

What if your mom marries the stuffy Prime Minister of Canada -- and he just happens to have five daughters exactly your age? They're identical quintuplets. They're Canada's darlings. They're *perfect.* And you see the sixth bed, and everyone tells you to behave exactly like the quints. What do you do? If you're red-headed Willa, first you throw all the potato chips at the TV. Then you put on your most assertive T-shirt. And then you take firm (well, mostly firm) action to change the lives of the quints -- and of the entire Prime Minister's household -- forever

It helps to have some Finnish ancestory - even better if you have both Finnish and Irish ancestory - to enjoy the celebration rituals for St. Urho (pronounce "Your hoe"). In fact, this book proves the more mixed the better to properly enjoy the recipe for Grasshopper Enchiladas. If the grasshopper based recipes don't appeal you may replace the game hopscotch with grapescotch or "duck, duck, goose" with "grape, grape, grasshopper". For the musician there are the famous folk songs "Battle Hymn of St. Urho" or "What Shall We Do with the Hoppers, Urho?". Want art? try Urho's Grasshopper quilt block. Of course various (and incompatible) versions of the miracles of St. Urho are given. And for the serious-minded a history of the St. Urho celebrations with photographic documentation.

As with any genuine folklore - including a spoof on St. Patrick and excuse to celebrate Finn-hood - the material is of uneven quality. Joanne Asala, however, has succeeded in providing a broad spectrum of material, presented it well, and achieved the right balance of seriousness and levity.

While I'll grant this book isn't everyone "cup of tea" (or more accurately "glass of St. Urho's Shake"), it should appeal to a wide audience - teachers, folklorists, Finns, those who've had a bit too much of St. Patrick, and those who need to extend the spring St. Patrick day celebration (March 17th) with a celebration of St. Urho (March 16th).

Joanne Asala has compiled over a dozen books of folklore, the myths and legends of European people.This title is the latest in her series.

All the classic Rhine river stories are included.Illustrations date from 1833 to late 19th century from the collection of German expert Dr. Eberhard Reichmann of Indiana.

In 1438,an Italian traveler noted, "nowhere in Europe is a river so adorned with so many significant cities; although surpassed in length by many, none are surrounded by greater nobility and charm..."

This is but one of the numerous tributes pad by visitors overwhelmed by the Rhine regions' natural and man-made beauty.

Dr. Reichmann writes, "...the Rhine is not only the most traveled international waterway, it is the river that runs right through the German soul. It has been celebrated in song and in poetry and prose and art, ever since the days of Roman settlement on its banks and vicinity more than 2,000 years ago. Especially on the Middle Rhine, where it has carved its path through several mountain ranges, there are more romantic castles and castle ruins, often surrounded by steep vineyards, than anywhere in the world.

"The legends' short prose depicts strange and phantasmic evens, often embracing the supranatural.

"Not until the early nineteen century did this rich oral legend tradition catch the attention of collectors and researchers."

The suspense is thrilling, it is even set in my own town. Joanne Hoppe is a wonderful author and she was my mom's English teacher. I've read this book twice and I still love it!

Being a parent that lives Adirondacks I am always looking for new things for me and my children to enjoy. I thought this was a great book for both kids and adults to look through and find activities. I found it had a variety of activities to do in a large 16 county area. I think this is the perfect guide for the parent who like to do weekend activities with the kids. For me its simply choose a place to go and find something interesting to do there. And trust me, there are plenty of choices! This is an escpecially helpful book for kids 2-12. I easily give this book the full 5 Amazon stars for excellent research, easy to use layout, variety of choices, wide selection of locations, and knowledge of what families want. So if your a parent looking for a guide for where to bring your kids, buy this book. In fact any parent living in upstate New York should get this book, you never know when you might need it.

This is truly precious. The story isn't one of a far-out nature, the artwork it darling.

(...)I have read this book before and it is sooooooo adorable! If you look at the glowing parts, you can find Lost little Bunny on almost every page! I got this book when I was 5. (Don't tell any one but I still read it!) When I turned 7, I did a skit on this book with my friends! It was real cute. I would surely reccomend this book to kids between the ages of 4 & 7. It is about a bunny family who can't find the baby bunny. The mom and the two other brothers go looking for him everywhere, and in the end..... Well, you'll have to read the book to find out!

This is one of the best books I've ever seen for preparing your child for a sibling's birth, especially if you are planning a homebirth or an unassisted birth! The mother in the story has her baby outdoors, by the barn, unassisted, with the big sister arriving moments later to help her get back to the house. It's very empowering and really a feel-good book about birth for kids.

I loved the book so much that I read it straight through twice, and wanted to share it with everyone. Since most of us these days have an elderly someone who needs TLC, "Making the Moments Count" is a timely book which deserves to be a best seller. Here's why: First, it's small but complete, taking the reader through the P.I.E.S.S system: Physical,Intellectual, Emotional, Social & Spiritual needs of older adults. Joanne Decker covers the material thoroughly, clearly & concisely. Second, this is not a dry text book. It's an interesting & enjoyable read, full of wit, wisdom & warmth, and illustrated by lovely vignettes drawn from personal experience. Third, this book satisfies the caregivers needs. It's not just about what to do with Mom, but how to have a great relationship with her even though she's not what she used to be.