A little boy had a set of tin soldiers that were made from a melted spoon. One soldier was missing a leg because there was not enough metal left over from the melted spoon.

Tossed aside by the boy, the one-legged soldier sees a paper cut out figure of a ballerina. She is poised on one leg and he feels an instant bond. He has found another one-legged toy and believes this to be love.

The steadfast tin soldier has a series of mishaps. He falls off the window sill into a stream. From there, he is transported to a rat infested sewer. He is swallowed by a fish and through an unlikely stroke of luck, winds up back in the boy's playroom with the other toys and the ballerina.

The ending is what gets to me every single time. A gust of wind lifts the paper ballerina up and she flutters into the fire place, winding up a charred heap of ashes. Devastated, the tin soldier joins her. The remaining metal that was once the tin soldier is a charred piece of heart shaped metal.

I still think this is a very sad story. The photographs really emphasize the feeling this story evokes.

I taught 1st grade for 4 years and all of the teachers in my grade passed this book around at Christmas to read to our class. I cried everytime I read it. It has a wonderful message and my kids in my classroom always loved it! I have now (finally) purchased my own copy of this book to read to my little girl. It is a classic and I know she will love it as much as I do. Every home should have this book to read at Christmastime.

This is a really good book. It has all the characteristic's that made the original a cherished and remembered fairy tale. It is a great gift for any young child, and can be enjoyed by adults too. It maintains the feel of the original tale, but is more like a poem. The art work on each page is beautiful, and the pictures are totally devine. I would recomend buying this for a different and fully enjoyable version of the original.

This is the perfect book for all you rodent lovers out there. Montague and Isabelle Mad-Rat are living in paradise in their new crate on wharf 62. But when it's mysteriously burned down on their wedding night, Isabelle's ex-fiancé, Randal Reese-Rat, is the prime suspect. This book is full of surprises, adventure, and suspense. Tor Seidler's style of writing is so unique it is almost impossible to describe. He writes so that everything falls together perfectly and it has a real ring to it. I would recommend The Revenge of Randal Reese-Rat to anybody, even if you despise rats.

Randal Reese-Rat is jealous of Montague Mad-Rat, who has saved the wharf rats of New York and won the girl of his dreams. When disaster strikes Montague, Randal is the prime suspect and he plans revenge on the entire rat colony - until an exotic female rat enters his life. Intriguing black and white drawings by Brett Helquist pepper this lively story.

Kind of like two storys in one, mainly about three weasels each having a diffrent goal. And different tastes... Wendy Blackish has come to Wainscott woods with her uncle and aunt for the season. She soon falls in love with the famous Bagely Brown jr. Zeke White Belly is quickly falls under Wendy's spell, and he has all sorts of admirers. But for Bagely, his heart has been captured, by a fish! But her pond is being dried up and there is another danger. An osprey. Will Bagley let anything bad happen? What will Zeke do about Wendy? What will Wendy do about Zeke? Read it! Tor Seidler + Fred Macellino = Perfection! That's why I recommend this book! And 'A RAT'S TALE' If you are like me, and like good books, than read a this boook!

The Wainscott Weasel by Tor Seidler is a marvelous book for children. Any person who enjoys books like The Wind in the Willows, Watership Down, Charlotte's Web, and Winnie-the-Pooh will love this humorous and moving story. It concerns Bagley Brown, Jr. He is the son of a famous, brilliant weasel. Bagley has neither lived up to his family name nor lived down his parents death. To further his troubles, he falls in love...with a fish. Eventually, Bagley must try to save his love and live up to his heritage. This is a humorous and adventurous tale that takes you into another world. Any child should enjoy this.

This book is about a group of weasels that live on Long Island in the Wainscott Woods. The story is about the life of the weasels. The main characters of the book are Bagley Brown, which is famous for his name because his father built the Double-B which is used for transporting eggs from a farm. After his father made the tunnel he was never seen again because a night owl got him, but only Bagley knew. Zeke is a nice weasel and a good dancer. Wendy is a girl from the north fork. The story is about the many adventures of Bagley. It is a great book with super great illustrations, I am a nine year old boy and I loved this book.

A Rat's Tale is about a young rat named Montague Mad-Rat, or Monty. He lives a boring, solitary existence in the sewers of New York City. His family is almost considered a bunch of criminals, as they've broken almost every major rule of society, like making things with their own paws. Rats should scavenge for things they need, not make them. But nevertheless, his mother makes hats out of feathers, and his father makes sand castles. Neither of them have much time for him. He is very lonely and bored. The only things he has to do is gather feathers and berries for his mother's hats, and paint the seashells his aunt brings him. Then, one day, he meets the girl of his dreams! Her name is Isabella. She is the daughter of the governor of the rats, and she lives in old abandoned Wharf 62, where only the rats of the highest-class live. He can't stop thinking about her! Then he realizes that a rich, sophisticated girl like her could never love a sewer rat like him.
Meanwhile, the humans want to poison the wharves. The rats had stopped them every year by finding loose change and anonomysly offering it to the owner of the wharves. Every year they had collected $10,000. And every year, it had been enough. but this year it wasn't. So their leader (Isabella's Father) decides that they need to double the Rat-Rent (as they call it). But there's no way they can gather $20,000 worth of pennies, dimes and nickels! Then, Monty figures out a way to impress Isabella. He thought the shells his aunt had brought him might be of some value. After all, everyone said they were great. So he brings the shells to Isabella's father. He says they are great, but they need money, not shells. Dismayed, Monty tells Isabella's father to keep the shells. Isabella gets a90=hold of them, and at first she just hangs the shells on her bedroom wall. But then she has a great idea. her mother told her that Montague Mad-Rat (Monty's uncle whom he was named after) was infamous for doing the unthinkable--dealing with humans (it's like making things with your own paws). He, like Monty is also an artist. He decorates rings and sells them to an art dealer. Isabella decides to team up with him to sell the shells. She knows that dealing with humans is a huge disgrace, but she'll do anything to save her beloved wharves. Together, they are able to get $20,000!
Monty is hailed a hero! His little shells saved the wharves! Monty finally got everything he wanted. He saved the wharves, he's a hero, and Isabella finally likes him. Then the worst happens. What is that? You'll just have to read the book for yourself.
Monty significantly changes. He becomes much braver and he learns to do his best and try his hardest, even when things look hopeless.
This is a great book, and I recommend it to anyone age 9 and up.

Montague Mad-Rat lives in the sewers of New York City with his family. Every year the rats pay a man not to poison them, but when his nephew takes over, they decide to raise $100,000, instead of the usual $50,000. Montague and his uncle play a huge roll in donating the money, just by selling some tiny shells that Montague had painted. Montague also likes a she-rat, Isabel, who's father is at a high place in the rat-goverment.

Montague Mad-Rat is a rat born to a family he is ashamed of, he goes on a jorney to save all of rat kind!On his quest he meets many unforgetable characters, and uncovers the secret of his long lost uncle who's name has tortured Montague all his life. This is my absolute favorite book, I have read it three times. It is wonderful! If you enjoy this book, you will enjoy "The Wainscot Weasle" another book by the same author also about a determined little creature. If I could give this book more than five stars, believe me I would!

I decided not to take any books on my (solo) vacation this year -- preferring instead to see what I would gravitate toward 'on the road' (my way of living dangerously -- such an exciting life I lead!). So it was, in one of the bookstores at Logan Airport in Boston that I came to be standing in front of the philosophy/self-improvement section. No -- PLEASE no self improvement (I said to myself). Aren't vacations supposed to be a respite from such relentless work?. But something (probably the link between my impending 37th birthday and the book's idea that a spiritual journey is natural in mid-life) intrigued me too much to let myself put this book back on the shelf.

When I reached my destination, I was still reluctant to start such a deep-sounding subject, but I picked it up anyway -- just to read a bit to get myself to sleep. Three hours later, I was still in the midst of this engrossingly descriptive guidepost to maturing spirituality. Reluctantly I put it aside to get some sleep, but the next morning I finished it -- somewhere between breakfast and lunch. Like another reviewer said, now I know what several friends will be getting for birthdays/Christmas presents!

I suppose the thing that touched me most was the inclusionary (rather than exclusionary) nature of the examples of different stages of 'the journey' -- tapping many different faith traditions rather than one particular dogma. Well, that and the idea that I have something 'new' ahead of me as I hit my forties and beyond, rather than more of the same old thing. I'd like to read it again soon (and I have a feeling I'll want to read it several times in the next couple of decades), but I'll have to get another copy -- my 'original' has been on loan since returning from my trip!

Rarely has a book affected me as profoundly as The Five Stages of the Soul. Like the mythic lighthouse beaming brightness into the dark, authors Moody and Carroll bring illumination into the deepest recesses of our souls and provide insight into the challenging and difficult struggles of life.

Actually, this is the first book that I've read suggesting the concept of stages in soul growth, especially during one's middle years. Those of the "baby boomer" era who are also caring for elderly parents may identify with many of the stories artfully woven into each chapter. While the content of the book is deep and thought provoking, the material is presented in language and style that is understandable and inviting.

Giving meaning to our daily lives, encouraging growth through struggle, and offering hope through spiritual commitment are a few of the gifts laden in the pages of this book. Perhaps you may even find, as I did, answers to questions unformed yet ever present and waiting.

This is a wonderful book.

I've just completed it a second time, in between readings buying copies for friends and loved-ones.

This is a book that normalises the feeling I, and as the book shows, amny, feel about there lives ... "Is this all there is?".

The book is full of spiritual wisdom, drawing from a broad range of traditions, religious and secular.

I really enjoyed this book. Yes there is more to life and as the author reminds us, there is still time.

Enjoy.

Terpin Taft (what a great name) learns that lying has grave consequences and that telling the truth is not always easy. Tor Seidler effectively illustrates for young adults why stating your opinion and being honest is always the best policy in the long run. As the result of a lie Terpin causes the death (or believes that he is responsible) of an old man on the train. In order to avoid such tragic events in the future Terpin decides to only tell the truth. His brutal honesty is hard for family, friends, and teachers to take. When his girlfriend asks for his opinion on a paper, he tells her it is boring. He encourages a friend who is a pitiful football player, to concentrate on piano playing instead, and he tells the mayor of the town that her new project is destroying the environment. While the immediate consequences are negative - his friends and classmates bury him in snow and pelt him with snow balls - the reader learns at the end of the book that he has become the youngest Supreme Court Justice ever and is honored by everyone in his town. Terpin is well written and would be especially enjoyable for skiers (Terpin often ditches athletic practice to head off and ski). Socrates also plays an important role - Terpin comes to consider him a great friend. Terpin is a great book for young adults in a classroom setting, or a great book to share with your child.

How important is honesty? The main character in the book Terpin, a young boy by the name of Terpin Taft, wrestles with this question. What transpires afterward is a truly impressive study of the effects of honesty, frankness, and brutal honesty. While a short read, I must say that Terpin is one of the most significant and important books I have ever read. I have loaned it to many friends and relatives, and it always leads to interesting and poignant conversations. Sadly it seems that not many copies of Terpin currently exist. If you ever have the occasion to read this book I would strongly recommend you do so. It does something that all truly good books do. It makes one think.

Did you ever wonder what would happen to a baby who gets ditched in the woods? If you like cartoon animal books who do human kind of things, than read Mean Margaret.

Tor seidler is my cousin, and always gives me his books for Christmas, or his mom does, but usually I don't get around to reading them, but this praticular one intrigued me, so I decided to see what it was like. I found myself indulged in an exciting and hysterical plot. This is a great read!

I have been a school librarian for over 20 years and would rate this one tops in its appeal as a read-aloud for third graders. I especially appeciated the way it showed how family is created - the gradual movement away from self-centeredness to mutual caring and support. I found it a tender, funny book, and so did the kids.