I can not say enough about this book. Let's put it this way. My
16 year old daughter has been bugging me to find the box that I packed it away in (for safe keeping for her future children).
She wants to keep it where she can continue to enjoy it. The illistrations are so beautiful and the story line so refreshing that even the youngest of children will be drawn to this book again and again. This is a treasure to pass down from child to child. Makes a wonderful Christmas gift.

Martha B. Rabbit was the best cook in the forest. Every summer she would gather up all sorts of fruits and nuts that she would need to keep her going through the winter. Then one day, three robber rats moved into the forest where Martha B. Rabbit had her home. Not long after, the rats decided they would steal all of Martha's food. Late one night, they made their way to Martha's house and took everything that she had collected during the summer. When Martha discovered what had happened the next morning, she made up her mind to find work somewhere as a cook. She eventually found her way to Mr. Gnome's Guest House. Mr. Gnome was looking for a good cook and Martha knew she could do the job. In return for her services, Mr. Gnome agreed to feed Martha and Tabitha Cat, Martha's new friend, through the winter months. If only she didn't have to worry about those rats coming back again. What can Martha do to keep them away for good?
This heart-warming story is filled with beautiful illustrations that make it a wonderful children's book. I'm sure you will enjoy this classic fairy-tale.

My almost 3 year old has really enjoys this book, which I have read to him since he was an infant. The illustrations are beautiful and intricate, and tell the tale almost as well as the words._____ I think my son first said "apple tree" while we were reading this book. Now he enjoys pointing out all of the various items on each page and what the characters are doing.___________ I am an older mother and do not really like many of the newer, "RugRat"-style illustrations, so this was a refreshing change. The stories are gentle enough to tell before bedtime and have good values to relate, without being preachy at all._________ I would love to find more books like this from this same author and illustrator.____________ I also like that Martha is a smart, industrious female character, but I actually think that there are lots of female characters like that, even in older literature._________ This book reminds me of one of MY favotrite childhood books, "A Treasury of Elves and Fairies," but this book is a little easier to grasp and not as "dark."

Loved this story about family relations.

I enjoyed this short story very much.

I really enjoyed this cute family type story.

Highly enjoyable. A well-paced, well-told story that never lets the reader down. If you are new to the genre (like me) this book is a wonderful introduction.

I thought I was in for a by the fire, mind-numbing, read but what a surprise! Ms. Hailstock's work had my mind racing and my heart thumping! This was no romance, although there were several going on. This was an action-packed high speed chase. What fun! I can't wait to see what else Ms. Hailstock has in store.

This should not be labled Arabasque, this was a great romance mystery which sped you to the edge and kept you there. "Who to trust?" was the question of the day and No One was without suspicion. Ms Hailstock wove a tail so intricately, and involved all of the characters in such a unique way that you were left just shaking your head. When you thought you could relax and take a deep breath, 'wham' you were back on the run again. This truly did not end, until the end. Get your favorite snack and settle into a comfortable position and embark on the chase of your life. Kudos to Ms Hailstock on 'White Diamonds'. Now, I need a quite corner just to catch MY breath.

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If your name was Abel Grable and your wife's name was Mabel you too would have to get away every now and then.

"Abel's Moon" is set sometime in the 1950's going by the clothes the characters wear. Abel has to leave his family and travel to find work. They are not a prosperous family, the front gate squeaks and the garden is overgrown. There is no TV or video games in this house. Instead they sit around the fire and tell stories. Somehow they look happy!

There are 3 children Adam, Noah and baby Ben, and of course Skipper the dog. The boys know how to entertain themselves, such as playing at being wild animals. Mabel and Ben love dancing to the music on the radio. When Abel is back home he tries to write up the stories of his travels but the noise from the family is too much. He has to go out into the garden to get some peace and quiet in order to work.

Abel's stories about his adventures are full of tales about monkey's swinging through trees, crocodiles in muddy swamps and travelling on riverboats to remote places.

Once again it was time for Abel to set out to find work. The boys missed their Dad very much.

The boys turn the old writing table that Dad had used out in the garden into a camp. They are sure they can hear monkeys in the trees. They then turn the table upside down to make a pretend boat. They paddled it through muddy crocodile infested swamps with only the moon to guide them.

Adam one day decided that the writing table could be turned into a moon machine with the addition of few planks of wood to make some propellers. Under the light of the full moon Adam looked out at the moon machine in his garden.

Adam had a remarkable and profound thought. " He knew that the moon was shining down on him, and Abel too. It shone down on all the people who loved each other and couldn't always be together, beaming down on each and every one, no matter how far away they were".

With his strong sense of imagination Adam planned that one night soon, he and Noah (and Skipper if he behaved himself) would take off in the moon machine, and drop in on Dad, wherever he was.

Soon Abel would be back home with his family. The boys would then tell Abel all about THEIR adventures.

You get the message that Abel's sons have just as strong sense of imagination as their father does. You guess his crocodile stories may be just as real as Adam's trips in his moon machine.

"Abel's Moon" is a delightful story. The illustrations capture the era and the atmosphere perfectly.

Adam and Noah miss their dad, Abel, when he travels on business. He writes down his travel stories for the family to read while he is away on his next trip. Adam feels connected to his dad when he sees the moon shine because it also shines on his father. Adam and Noah make a moon machine in the back yard and pretend they will fly to their dad and visit him. They plan to share their adventures with Dad on his return. The illustrations depict loving family scenes.

This is a wonderful story about a man who returns home to his family after traveling, guided by the moon. The story is creative, and touching, as the children feel closer to their father when they can look up and see the moon. The educational superb too, since it is a good introduction to what the moon is and why it looks the way it does in the sky.

Alfie Gets in Frist is about a boy who gets in first. He gets lonely and starts to cry. His sister was hungry and thirsty so she was crying to. I think it's funny, but it's not supposed to be. Here's why I think it's funny: it has this page and it's a funny page. It shows him cyring up a storm. I think it's funny because he has more tears than a regular cry.
I think people who like sort of funny books should read this. Also, people who like short books with some challenging words should read it.

This is one of my favorite Alfie Books. It is also the first in the series. It's about a toddler named Alfie who keeps running ahead of his mother and baby sister as they return from their shopping. Alfie wants to get home first. Eventually, he gets into the flat first--only to shut the door and lock himself in. Various neighbors come over to help, until there is a crowd in front of the door. The situation is rendered wonderfully in "split-screen" fashion, with the adults and the exterior of the flat on the left-hand page and Alfie and the interior of the flat on the right-hand page. Thus we see the adults standing outside and becoming increasingly alarmed, while Alfie calms himself down, brings a chair over, climbs up on it, and opens the door. Then everyone comes in for tea. It's really a sweet story. It's also a cautionary tale for those toddlers who, like mine, tend to shut doors they ought not to. Alfie's predicament made quite an impression on my son!

I have a hard time believing such a wonderful book for two year olds is out of print. Both my children love the story of this little boy whose brazen independance places him in a scary situation. They truely could relate to his delimma and the feelings it caused. They really loved the ending. It reinforced that independance may get you into scary situations but with it you can also get out of them and feel proud of your accomplishment.

Shirley's a colleague and friend (disclaimer), but her new work via ALA is a much-needed cut-to-the-answers handbook for busy researchers, librarians, and information professionals. Kudos for the spirit of humor and yep-been-there tales that lace the solid tips and site information with her personal style and elan. I'll keep my copy right beside my autographed copy of Reva Basch's "Secrets of the Super Net Searchers." For serious Internet searching today, this is the guidebook to cyberspace.

As reference librarian at the North Dade branch of the Miami-Dade system, I have found this superior and more up to date than the mass produced guides found everywhere these days including the supermarket. Our two week old copy is already thumbworn as we keep it by our copies of the terminals for patron reference. I think we may order another one and hide for staff use only! Good job Ms. Kennedy...just keep updating the book!

As an instructor of Internet research to audiences at all levels, I appreciate the direct, no-nonsense, and humorous approach Kennedy takes. The author manages to demystify a subject that intimidates many, even some librarians, who would benefit from reading this book themselves before they check it out to their patrons.

This is the fourth book in the "Joe Grey" series. I think the author has refined her technique a lot since the first book, "Cat On the Edge". I think she has improved her stories to the point where they are truly ready to be included among the best of Fantasy or Whodunit books. The main theme is about two cats who have become able to understand and speak English. The cats pull off all kinds of coups in solving crimes. Coups that would be impossible for humans. The cats are most loveable and likeable. The cat characters are the most vivid, but the human characters that the cats "own" or interact with are now also quite likeable. The plots are well done and there is quite a bit of suspense.

Joe Grey and Dulcie, direct descendants of ancient Celtic cats, discuss last night's robbery that is in the newspaper. The two felines worry that a new resident, Azrael the cat, is the evil mastermind behind some recent crimes. Azrael, who also can talk, informs Joe and Dulcie that the break-in is nothing. Furthermore, he states that three people will soon be murdered. The prediction turns out to be true.

Much to the chagrin of Joe's human companion, the cats begin to investigate. However, Dulcie has personal problems to deal with too. Her human companion has some wanted and some unwanted company, staying with them and the new librarian wants Dulcie barred from the facility where she obtains much joy from reading. The cats concentrate on the killings, honing in on Azrael's missing human friend even as they remain wary of the evil feline. They know that they must quickly solve the case before Joe and Dulcie end up in "holy catastrophe" (To Julie Newmar from Robin).

With her fourth "Cat" novel, Shirley Rousseau Murphy demonstrates that she has the feline touch. CAT IN THE DARK briskly moves forward and the cats are brilliantly different and nicely developed characters, who are totally unlike their sleuthing peers. The well-written mystery will leave readers ultimately to feel that Ms. Murphy is paying homage to her cats.

Harriet Klausner

Joe Grey and Dulcie, direct descendants of ancient Celtic cats, discuss last night's robbery that is in the newspaper. The two felines worry that a new resident, Azrael the cat, is the evil mastermind behind some recent crimes. Azrael, who also can talk, informs Joe and Dulcie that the break-in is nothing. Furthermore, he states that three people will soon be murdered. The prediction turns out to be true.

Much to the chagrin of Joe's human companion, the cats begin to investigate. However, Dulcie has personal problems to deal with too. Her human companion has some wanted and some unwanted company staying with them and the new librarian wants Dulcie barred from the facility where she obtains much joy from reading. The cats concentrate on the killings, honing in on Azrael's missing human friend even as they remain wary of the evil feline. They know that they must quickly solve the case before Joe and Dulcie end up in "holy catastrophe" (To Julie Newmar from Robin).

With her fourth "Cat" novel, Shirley Rousseau Murphy demonstrates that she has the feline touch. CAT IN THE DARK briskly moves forward and the cats are brilliantly different and nicely developed characters, who are totally unlike their sleuthing peers. The well-written mystery will leave readers ultimately to feel that Ms. Murphy is paying homage to her cats.

Harriet Klausner

Featuring more than 200 recipes, A Celebration Of Herbs: Recipes From The Huntington Herb Garden is the culinary collaboration of Huntington Library volunteers, staff, and scholars under the skillful editorship of herb expert Shirley Kerins and Peggy Park Bernal. Featuring a full range of dishes from appetizers, salads, side dishes, soups and breads, to entrees, preserves, desserts, and beverages, A Celebration Of Herbs is enhanced with excerpts and illustrations drawn from the Huntington Library's collection of rare herbals and botanical books from the 15th to the 18th century. A Celebration Of Herbs is an elegant, unique, and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Cookbook Collections.

So much more than a cook's tool, this treasury is a welcome delight --- a well conceived, beautifully illustrated resoruce that's part cookbook, part history book. We thought we knew all there was to know about herbs: rosemary, dill, sage and sometimes tarragon. What we learned will serve us well, especially in those things we serve up in the kitchen. Released by the folks at the Huntington Library and Art Gallery in California, the book includes information on growing herbs, mail sources on where to buy fresh and dried herbs, and, of course, recipes --- brpken down by type, such as appetizers, main courses, jams and jellies, breads, beverages --- that will send you zooming to the nearest [store]. The stunning color illustrations are from Elizabeth Blackwell's 1737 book, "A Curious Herbal," a gem that's housed in the Huntington's rare book department. A celebration, indeed!

The last thing I needed was another cookbook (I have a whole bookshelf full!), but this one was just too beautiful to resist. And in its own way, this book is different from any other herb cookbook I've seen before. Just as you'd expect, there are extensive notes about how to grow herbs and use them in cooking. But rather than showing photos of herbs, this beautiful coffee-table-type book has reprints of colorful botanical illustrations from the 18th century. The recipes are of course very tempting, from yummy herbed cream cheese dips to more elaborate dishes like salmon in basil cream or rack of lamb rubbed with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. I was skeptical about the apple rosemary tarte tatin recipe, but it turned out to be wonderful. Highly recommended as a cookbook, especially if you enjoy reading about herbs.

I gave Charles a 5star becausse this book/story was funny and enjoying. I read it in my 8th grade class even though I haven't bought it yet. It is truly a hilarious book.

I gave Charles 5 stars because it was very funny.The little boy was always making fun of his father. Charles was always getting into trouble and becoming an institution in Laurie's house. The characters in Charles were excellent. Charles and laurie were both funny and kids to whom I can relate. Laurie's parents were always wondering more about Charles rather than Laurie. The plot was somewhat predictable. Laurie was bad at home and Charles was bad at school, so I could tell something was wrong. Laurie was really the real Charles. The autor never came out and said it, but it was obvious.

If you have never read or heard about this story, read it! Jackson is a master story teller, insuring that even the most picky reader will enjoy this tale. Any mother who has ever had a problem with her childs' behavior in school will take comfort from this story, gaurenteed!

A pleasant and enjoyable book that caught me up in its stories. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Even people who don't like reading will find it a simply marvelous collection of short stories. I look forward to the next book.

DISCOVERIES: A Journey Through Life is a thoroughly enjoyable and delightful collection of short stories. Shirley Ann Parker has captured the events of every day life with warmth, humor and understanding. Every reader will find a little of himself within the pages of this book.

Highly recommended reading for anyone who enjoys a well crafted work of literary skill, Discoveries: A Journey Through Life is an engaging anthology of seventeen original short stories by Shirley Ann Parker about the everyday challenges, joys, and frustrations of the wonder and miracle that is daily life. The tales share common themes of family , friendship, humor, and a sense of wonder in this pleasant and delightful collection. A superb and original story teller, Parker exhibits a gift for evoking both the pleasures and imperfections of ordinary life with an extraordinary imaginative talent.