This is a great book about numbers. It has clear, colorful, beautiful pictures of children with Down Syndrome holding objects to represent the different numbers up to 20. The children in it all look happy and it is a wonderful, cheerful book. It is simply a number book, but the items are easily identifiable and my son (who has DS) really enjoys turning the pages and counting each object. (especially the little girl with the hats!) I would like to see this book on the shelves of every elementary school library. It would be a big ego-booster for children WITH Down Syndrome, and a wonderful learning tool for children without DS.

This is a very special book for me, not only because of the wonderful children and pictures, but one of my students is on the cover and in other pictures throughout the book. Now everyone can share in the joy of seeing his beautiful smiling face. Behind that beautiful face is a wonderful, kind, and caring young boy who can lift your spirits with his jokes and loving hugs. I think it is wonderful that Meg Girnis protrays children who have Down's Syndrome in her books. I hope she continues to write more children's books.

I believe this book is a large step in the right direction for educating the world on Down syndrome, and realizing just how beautiful these children are. My grandson is the first Down's child to ever go through our regular school system and is doing great. You will notice in the book that there are twin combinations, where one twin has Down syndrome and the other doesn't, and there are regular children with the Down's children. All these children are from New York State but various parts of the state, there are a variety of ethnic groups. This book tells a whole other story then just a child learning their ABCs. There is another whole lesson here to be learned. You don't have to have a child with Down's syndrome for your child to get something from this book. Our moto is: They are a child first and Down's second. Another words a CHILD with Down's syndrome, not a DOWN syndrome child. I am very pleased with the positive responses this book is receiving. God bless each and everyone of you who purchased this book. My grandson also thanks you.

This is a wonderful ABC book. Each letter has a full page photograph showing a child with Down syndrome in an activity with an object corresponding to a letter of the alphabet. The letter "D" for example, has a young boy with Down syndrome and a dog. The pictures are very colorful and clear. The children are beautiful models. This is a fun book and I highly recommend it. If only they made a hard board edition for little children...

A medium sized book in which thousands of African names, their ethnic group and country origins, and their pronunciations are treated to detail. Through the introduction, and the name interpretations, it is shown that names and naming practices in Africa are intimately linked to items like family issues, disappointment, anger, happiness, religion, birth order, demeanor of mother or child, clan group, occupation of the parents, proverbs, etc. The book serves those interested in African names, culture, and proverbs; very good for the general reader and one who is into research on African culture. The book is carefully crafted and heavily referenced. The authors must have devoted a lot of time to putting together literary as well as oral information. Many books on African names are rather simplistic. Some of the names found in this book: Thembi (trust), Sibusiso (blessing), Sepsi (mercy), Simomo (patience), Tayari (ready), Tankiso/ Tebogo(gratitude), Musango (accusation), Lugo (leopard), Lerato (love), Azimio (political declaration), Mayinja (stones), Uhuru (freedom), Umot (a first born), Muguzi (buyer), Mukama (Lord).

"Africa is a continent with thousands of cultures, traditions and languages. Names are part and parcel of the enrichedAfrican heritage. African personal names run into thousands, if not millions.... What this book has done is to compile a listing of about 2,500 names from key central, eastern and southern African countries such as Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central african Republic, the two Congos, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.... Not only does this book explain the meaning of the name, but it does so in a concise and straightforward comprehensible manner that the general public would understand. In addition, unlike most other books on the matter, this one spells out the actual and correct pronunciation of each name. In addition, unlike most earlier works, this book goes out of its way to list the Western as well as the traditional spelling of the word. For example, "Nalubale" is the Western phonological way of spelling this name, while "Nnalubale" is its traditional and authentic equivalent. What makes this book most appealing is the authors' personal and cultural connection to Africa and hence, their intimate knowledge of the names and their meaning. In addition, the book is written in a concise and clear-cut language that is devoid of unnecessary jargon. ...Jonathan Musere and Shirley C. yakutaga are highly commended for ingeniously having compiled a very well written and illustrated...book about key African names as well as their basic significance, culturally. This book is highly rcommended for people of the African Diaspora, who for historical and/or cultural reasons may want to adoptsome African names. The book will also be invaluable to Africanists, instructors, and teachers of African Linguistics, Literature, History, and Politics, as well as being a basic introductory dictionary to the extremely rich African heritage. The book will also prove to be handy to business people, expatriates, tourists and journey persons who are interested in or have chosen Africa as their destination of travel and/or work." (Stephen Balyanango Isabirye in "The Griot" Vol. 18, No. 2, Fall 1999).

We (my 3-year old son and 2-year old daughter and I) loved Hughes' "All About Alfie," and her story "Dogger," and this book is a wonderful next step for us, especially my son. There's a bit more text per page, and more mature subject matter (the death of a neighbor's pet) which helps ensure it will grow with him. (I was worried that he'd lose the wonderful role model he has in Alfie!) The only negative is that since the stories so completely capture Alfie's point of view, Annie Rose is a little flat, and my daughter is not as engaged by her. Alfie stories are a great example of how to be caring toward your siblings. The illustrations showing a happy family without a spotless house (it looks comfy and lived in!) make me want to give Hughes a hug!

Shirley Hughes is a wonderful author who uses beautiful illustrations and a quiet writing style in her children's books. My toddler loves her book, Chatting, as well as other Hughes titles. I highly recommend sharing Alfie with your children.

As a kindergarten teacher, I have gone through and searched many resources. This is by far, the best letter introduction system I have used. Each letter is introduced with an animal (Alligator Ann, Bobby Bear, etc...) that you can make as a classroom display. The students are introduced to the letter and sound by a rap or song. There are also worksheets for each letter to practice proper formation. There are science, math, social studies, art, and movement activities for each letter. The students love the characters and songs. This will be an invaluable resource for you!

This is a fantastic resource! The updated version is 384 pages and is filled with ways to introduce the alphabet to PreK- and to Kindergarten children. Each letter has an animal tie in. There are activities for math, science, art, writing and reading. Children adore the characters. The lessons are very easy to do!

This book discusses the components of treating depression and anxiety that many professionals ignore in lieu of drugs and once-a-week psychotherapy. To combat these maladies so common in our stress-filled society, one needs to use a wider scope of tools, many of which are well covered in this book. May I recommend "The Care and Feeding of Your Brain" as a companion guide to this excellent and easy-to-read book on the whole-person approach to anxiety and depression...all the best, Ken Giuffre MD

I am so happy I read this book - I feel so much better knowing there are others out there that feel the same way I do. It was a great book to get me motivated into tackeling my anxiety and phobias. I looked forward to reading this book every hour. The author gives reference to many other books on various subjects which is also helpful for further reading. I would highly recommend.

This book is a great quick reference if you enjoy aromatherapy and wish to use it as an alternative medice to aid the aleviation of physical (and mental) ailments. It provides great overviews of the plants and their uses.

I have been practicing, teaching and selling aromatherapy for ten years. As such, I have many books on aromatherapy. This one is unique. I purchased AROMATHERAPY FOR COMMON AILMENTS for the full page, breath taking photographs of 13 essential oil plants. But - it is much more. Illnesses and ways to heal these illnesses with essential oils are discussed. Massage techniques are illustrated and explained. Safety guidelines are outlined. Recipes for blends are given. This is a good book for the beginning aromatherapist. It can also be useful to the more advanced person. Shirley Price is a professional, practicing aromatherapist. Her love and respect for the profession shines through-out this text. Highly recommend!

The Bag I'm Taking to Grandma's is written at a kindergarten-second grade reading level. The first half of the book progresses in the soothing cadence of repeating rhymning lines, like in "The House That Jack Built". Pictures of the items being packed are included in the sentences (instead of the words for the item), which may take adults time to adjust to, but it makes reading easier for children. Preschoolers will love to hear this story as a read aloud and will love "reading" the picture clues with you. The second half of the story continues as mom clarifies what really needs to be packed for grandma's house. Any parent who has had a child pack too many toys and no clothes or toothbrush in an overnight bag will laugh at this delightful tale! This story is a quality story for early readers and their preschool siblings.

I know this book can be a great help in reading readiness, but we haven't really noticed that yet - we have had too much fun just reading it. The deadpan illustrations are also perfect.

"Beneath the Canopy" is a unique story rich in history and loyalty. It has an interesting and surprising plot twist that ties the story together in a most heartwarming way. I heartily recommend it to anyone who likes reading about the old South.

"Beneath the Canopy" by Shirley Chance Yarbro is a great book. It tells the life story of young Josie Hunnicutt. And it takes place before, during, and after the Civil War. It is an inspiring story of Josie's hard-ships, and also her triumphs while going through life with her only best friend, Ginny Lathrop. You see, Josie was a poor girl, and Ginny, rich. So, in order to keep their friendship strong and true, they would always go sneaking off to their secret place, "The Hallow". There, beneath the canopy. So, if you like stories of friendships, romances, and just plan ol' stories about life, then this book is most defenantly for you. And also, keep looking for "Valle Verde: sequel to Beneath the Canopy" to follow these, wonderfull created, "Canopy" characters.

One can't help but laugh from beginning to end.Yet the argument is very sombre,and could have been the argument of the most grim drama of a German playwriter. It's the wit of Coward, his genius of combining the petty ridiculous whit the dramatic that makes this drama just perfect.Coward's practical views on the supernatural are absolutely irresistible. A must for the occult believer and for the skeptic as well!

The performances are top-notch in this hilarious British comedy. When the ghost of a dead wife is unleashed on his household by a wacky clairvoyant a man must struggle to meet the demands of all wives, both dead and alive. Noel Coward's comedy is fill with plenty of laughs. The sound quality of this cassette is excellent. If you like books on tape you should try all that L.A. Theatre Works has to offer.