Since the text follows a simple pattern, the book is good for teaching English as a foreign language. Here in Korea, I have had students ask me to read it again.

It is also good for a lesson on spoken intonation. The children enjoy playing the xylophone on C-E-A-G-G-G while I read "but it wasn't spilt milk."

Got this book for my children and also my niece. Remembered it from a long time ago. Encourages use of imagination.

I'm a new elementary educator, and I found this book very useful for promoting creativity in the classroom. Not only is it a good book to read before introducing a unit on clouds and weather, but also it can be used to increase artistic expression. You will not be disappointed with this title.

When I ordered the Encyclopedia, I resigned myself to slugging through mountains of information and end up "What did that say again?"

Well, I am pleased to say that there was the mountain of information and more often than not I knew what it was saying. The definitions in were to the point, crisp and relevant to the times. Rev. P. Stravinskas had the insight to include information an ordinary Catholic needed at 7PM Sunday in a mad rush to complete an assignment.

Where the encyclopedia lost me were in some definitions that were necessarily lengthy. Obviously, some white space could have saved me time in re-reading the whole passage. But, with the value of the information included, I believe the Encyclopedia is an excellent resource for those of us who are not scholars in the catechism of the Catholic Church.

Those who know Fr. Stravinskas know that he likes to keep things short and to the point, so that the average person can understand what he's teaching without getting lost in detail. On another note, Our Sunday Visitor has a reputation for printing only the best quality of Catholic books. This collaboration brings out the best traits of both.

It is faithful to the Church's basic teaching since the Second Vatican Council, it fits into one large volume using a print size that will not strain your eyes, it is wonderfully organized to cover a wide variety of topics relevant to the Catholic faith, and its entries are informative while being written at a level the average Catholic can understand.

For these reasons, this is simply one of the best modern Catholic Encyclopedias on the market. Every Catholic family and college student who is interested in their faith should own one.

If you want to know what the Catholic Church teaches this is a great reference book. Father Stravinskas teaches what the Church teaches, and not just his own personal opinion. I'd recommend anything he wrote. It's wonderful to know you won't be misled. Nice book for dipping into, too!

My intent here is to convince as many as possible to read this biographical book about someone of whom they probably have never heard.

There is certainly nothing simple about my endeavor, just as there is nothing simple about the subject. He was far more than just a folk singer. He had as much charisma as Elvis, as much innovative talent as Chuck Berry, as much potential as Buddy Holly, and as phenomenal as it sounds, somehow managed to stay hidden in the shadows. He never achieved any wide spread general recognition.

The author recognized the importance of her subject's contributions, the scope of his talent, the scale of his influence, and with probing tenacity shone her light into those shadows, so we the reader might discover a true American troubadour, Bob Gibson.

The book paints the picture of an artist who reached the zenith of his profession, a world class entertainer, a man who literally changed forever the entire genre of folk music. To paint this portrait the author delineates the man in the shadows with the words and stories of his friends, fans, family and of course the musicians, singers, and songwriters of the 50s and 60s whom Bob Gibson affected.

Only after you read the book will you understand why she chose to tell the story in this manner. Simply put, of the many talents Bob possessed, his most amazing attribute was the positive manner in which he affected virtually everyone whose life he touched. The dichotomy was he still somehow managed, in his own enigmatic way, to remain virtually unknown.

Without this book, Bob Gibson, might never have received his final encore, one he richly deserves and one we readers can be thankful that the author provided. The amount of effort it took to compile this heretofore "untold story," could only have been powered by the energy derived from working on a true, "labor-of-love."

Like the dichotomy that was Bob Gibson's life, this book will make you happy and sad. Sad that you weren't aware of him earlier, and happy that the author persevered in her quest to illuminate and thus honor this dynamic individual. This book is Bob Gibson's last spotlight.

P.S. Better than apple pie the book comes a la mode. Tucked neatly into the inside back cover of the book there is a full length compilation CD of some of Bob's best known music and songs. Get it and enjoy the story and music of a little known legend.

This was a very interesting book for me. I didn't know much about Bob Gibson, had heard some songs but hadn't really paid much attention to them. I found the book to be well written and most importantly, to me, it made me wish that I had been more aware of Bob Gibson's music. The book makes you feel like you knew him and that you cared about him. The CD has some great songs and it is especially interesting to listen to it while reading the book. I think everyone should own a copy of this book!

I have to say I am SO happy to see someone tell Bob's story and bring to life the credibility and praise that he so righteously earned. Having been a loyal fan of folk music since it's early days, I have known how much influence he has had on the evolution of folk music throughout the sixties, seventies, and even today. Yet I have been consistently amazed at how many people are not aware of this. We hear all about Peter, Paul & Mary, Joan Baez, and other household names, but Bob's name goes largely unrecognized, even though he personally influenced all of these people...a fact which is frequently made evident by the many contributions to this book by other artists. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone with an appreciation of folk music, whether you know of Bob Gibson or not, you will wonder why someone didnt write this book sooner.

I'm a middle-aged English professor, but I love this book now, as I did when I was a kid. If I had to whittle my personal library down from its present size (maybe 3000?) to a hundred books, I'm sure I'd still keep this one. I read these stories now to my children and remember how I loved the stories when I was their age. When I'm a senior, I'll remember how I shared this book with my kids, as well.

I lived near Oslo from Aug. '85-Jan. '86. One fall Saturday, at the checkout counter in a bookstore across from Slottsparken, I said to the clerk in Norwegian "You speak English like an American!" Her sharp tongue shot back "You speak Norwegeian like an American!" She responded to my questions why she (American) was there with "I was married to one of them" and couldn't "go back" because she didn't fit anymore. She recommended a book and also told me she'd translated some Norwegian Folk Tales into English. My host told me later it was Pat Shaw.

My daughters (then 8 and 12) read the book from cover to cover many times. Without the availability of an English grade school library filled with teen and preteen romances my daughters read pretty much whatever was placed on the coffee table. They enjoyed Shaw's translation very much, although I also occaisonally translated directly (with effort) from Asbjørnsen and Moe. This translation gives us in English a look at 'the soul of the Norwegian people', as a good friend describes the folk tales.

My 9-year old was enthralled with the stories in this book, begging for more every night until we finished it. I disagree with his Freudian interpretation, but Bruno Bettelheim is right that folktales touch something wired within us, fulfilling an innate need children have to comprehend the adult world.

Although not as well-known as the German Grimm's collection in the United States, this book is widely revered in Norway. Both are teutonic cultures, but these stories are different in character and feel from the Grimm Brother stories. While they contain elements common to all european fables, this book is filled with trolls, and the reformation seems like a recent event. Norsk tales have a unique and compelling charm.

My favorite fable is in this collection--the one about the mill that explains why the sea is salty. Read it yourself--I don't want to spoil the ending.

From a purist point of view, drawings detract from stories such as these, but two of Norway's most most well-known illustrators are represented, and the artwork is compelling.

This paperback is a reprint of the original English-language translation from 40 years ago. I have that original text packed away somewhere lost, so it was a real treat to be able to buy a new copy to share with my son.

Alexander, The Old Town Mouse is one of my sons' and my favorite books! My 3 & 6 year old boys (and I) adore the detailed illustrations and the fun-filled story of Alexander's "mousequerade ball". Alexander's creativity is second only to that of the author & illustrator of this book.

This is just on of the Barnes' FABULOUS children's books!

I bought my 3 nieces a book and they love it when I read it to them -- very colorful and easy to follow along. It's a fun way to teach history about a very historic city.

Peter and Cheryl Barnes have opened the doors to the Supreme Court and taken some of the mystery out of the judicial process. Told in rhyme and chock full of information, vocabulary and other fun facts, Chief Justice Marshall J. Mouse and his fellow mice justices show youngsters, step by step, how a law is challenged and makes it way through the court...from petition and oral arguments, to the work by court clerks and conferences by the justices, to handing down the final opinion. Cheryl Barnes marvelous, detailed illustrations include the actual architecture and decor of several rooms inside the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition, there are historical notes and other factual information about the Court, famous cases and several justices at the end of the book, to augment lessons and discussions. Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse is a fascinating introduction to the Supreme Court, that will whet the appetite of kids 5 and up and have them asking for more.

Marshall, the Courthouse Mouse is an excellent story to teach kids about the judicial system. As a 3rd grade teacher this book really makes it a lot easier and fun for me to teach civics. The use of rhyme throughout the story gets even my most reluctant students involved in the learning process!

This is a good teacher resource especially during this election year. My kids really enjoyed the book and learning something about the election process.

This is the cutest book about the Presidential Election Process ever! The Barnes' have done it! Teachers should run to get this book and prepare for the fall to teach about the election as it draws closer! The way the book is set up, it goes through every step of the election process in a simple yet clear and complete manner. As a third grade teacher, I will use this book and many others written by the Barnes' to teach my class about the governmental process. I think that children will be amused and at the same time learn a great deal of political information! Enjoy!

Having seen the movie Glory for the first time this past weekend, I couldn't help but wonder about the 54th and its Colonel Shaw. So, when I got my hands on this book I had very high expectations. I have to say that I was very happy with the quality of this book. It has just enough sentiment for Colonel Shaw and his family, yet it also portrays the 54th as the heroes I believe they were. I would recommend this to any history buff, or to anyone who finds that they had the same thirst as I after seeing Glory on television. Great book..

Matthew Broderick portrayed Robert Gould Shaw, in the movie "Glory," as shy, idealistic, tenacious. In real life he was all these things and more: more complex, more a product of his age and social class (what we today call "classism" was universal then), struggling to escape the iron grip of his abolitionist mother, wrestling with notions of race which we today would call "racism." Burchard's book is still the best for bringing him back to life: sharing army life with his friends, courting his future wife, organizing and forming the first black regiment to serve as a regiment of the line (the rest were mostly used for bushwhacking or manual labor). He surely knew before accepting the job that he would face unpopularity, uncertainty, and execution if captured. Twenty-five-year-old Robert showed awesome moral courage in taking it on, and one of the virtues of this book is that it makes Robert's record believable, first in his choice, and then in sticking with loneliness, exhaustion, discouragement, fear of death, and obstacle after obstacle, to prove that "Black Men can fight as well as White Men" and therefore can meet the coming demands of citizenship. Another virtue, for older students maybe, lies in its portrayal of the "classism" and "racism" which formed the unexamined background of most Americans in the 1860's, against which we can measure how far we've really evolved since then. All in all, an excellent book for young people in American History courses, to supplement the movie "Glory" which is often used to illustrate the Civil War and its human side.

My daughter (toddler) got this book for Christmas, and asks for us to read it again and again. She also enjoys looking at the beautiful illustrations all by herself.

The book explains what every kindergarten student should know about the Presidency by using animals to grab the attention of young readers. It is not over simplified, leaving plenty of room for questions and looking up supplimental information.

There are not a lot of resources for parents who have very young children interested in government. The books in this series are very age-appropriate and informative. Even if your child is not specifically interested in government, it is a good story with some beneficial information.

Woodrow, the White House Mouse and the whole series are fantastic. Illustrator, Cheryl Shaw Barnes does an amazing job of bringing the White House to life with her beautiful watercolor and ink drawings. The rhyming text in each of the books is hilarious and instructive. These books will stay in our family library forever - treasures all!

Peter and Cheryl Barnes have taken the stuffiness out of the office of the presidency and written a picture book full of solid information that's perfect for youngsters 4-8 years old. Told in rhyme, Woodrow G. Washingtail's administration parallels that of his human counterpart. From his inauguration to work in the oval office, from sending bills to congress and meeting with foreign heads of states, to hosting the Easter egg roll and artistic events in the East Room, Woodrow explains how the president does his job. Cheryl Barnes' charming, detailed illustrations show actual White House rooms, furnishings and decor and Woodrow's first lady Bess is even wearing Mamie Eisenhower's gown, at the inauguration ball. At the end of the book, there are historical notes for teachers and parents, about the presidency and White House, to help expand discussions and lessons. Woodrow the White House Mouse is a delightful book, chock full of fun facts, history, and amusing descriptions that kids will find interesting and enjoy again and again.

Was Shaw gay? Dr. Peters builds a convincing argument that he probably was and that he used his vast intellect to erect every possible defense against his homosexual leanings ever coming to sustained expression. I thought I knew Shaw but I will never again look at him again now that I have read this provocative volume. I am giving it only 4 stars, however, because even my interest (and I am a fan of Shaw) could not be sustained for the entire length of this discussion of Shaw's romances/flirtations/avoidances.

If Bernard Shaw were not the second greatest playwright in the English language, this biography would not have such significance; and were it not for Shaw's multidimensional personality, this book would not possess so many fascinating dimensions. Sally Peters acknowledges her debt, and gives us a work without self-conscious authorship. It is a book that invites reading and rereading. Much has been made of Shaw's homosexuality; but Dr. Peters' focus is broader and deeper than that. A story, which often reads like the most engrossing fiction, Bernard Shaw: The Accent of the Superman, is a rewarding resource for any serious student of modern drama.

Peters, Sally. Bernard Shaw: The Accent of the Superman. New Haven: Yale University Press.

If Bernard Shaw were not the second greatest playwright in the English language, this biography would not have such significance; and were it not for Shaw's multidimensional personality, this book would not possess so many fascinating dimensions. Sally Peters acknowledges her debt, and gives us a work without self-conscious authorship. It is a book that invites reading and rereading. Much has been made of Shaw's homosexuality; but Dr. Peters' focus is broader and deeper than that. A story, which often reads like the most engrossing fiction, Bernard Shaw: The Accent of the Superman, is a rewarding resource for any serious student of modern drama.