I enjoyed the picture book Dear Mr. Blueberry greatly. It describes well how a little girl feels when someone tells her that what she says she saw cannot be real. It is a pretty sad book that is made up of letters a little girl, Emily, writes to her teacher, Mr. Blueberry, about a whale she finds in her pond. I will not tell you the conclusion because it is only good when you read the book. I reccomend this book to people of all ages. Even though it is a kids' book you can get something out of it every time you read it.

Do you like to write letters? If you do you should read Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James. This is a great story about a little girl named Emily that writes letters back and forth with her teacher. This book has super pictures and some great information about whales. Well, we don't want to give away the story so you'll have to read it and find out what happens! We would recommend this book to someone who likes to write letters and wants some cool information about whales.

I liked Dear Mr Blueberry because it was funny and and because a girl is asking her teacher for information about whales. They send letters to each other. Emily finds out that a whale lives in her pond and feeds it bread and cornflakes. She named the whale Arthur. Her teacher tries to convince her that there is not a whale in her pond. I like this book. This is one of my favorite books. I like the pictures a lot. I give this book five stars.

"My granddad is a birdwatcher. He tells me birdwatching stories. He always says, "Jess, when I go birdwatching, things happen..." And our little narrator is intrigued with his tales. Sometimes, he tells her that when he makes drawings of the birds, they make drawings of him. The birds often help him find their names in his bird book, and they got all together early one morning and recorded the "dawn chorus." Granddad's stories are so fun and amazing that finally little Jess has to find out for herself. So one morning she goes birdwatching with her grandfather..... Simon James' gentle and engaging story is heartwarming, and complemented by playful and inviting illustrations is warm earthtones. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, The Birdwatchers is a captivating gem, with a humorous, surprise ending that you don't want to miss. Remember, when you go birdwatching, things happen...

The Birdwatchers is a delightful color picturebook written and illustrated by Simon James. It's the story of Jess, a young girl who discovers the joy of birdwatching with her grandfather. Showcasing simple, heartwarming caricature drawings, The Birdwatchers is about finding peace and happiness through sharing and observing the wonder of nature. The Birdwatchers would make a wonderful addition to any school or library picturebook collection for young readers.

With evocative ink and watercolor drawings, all full-page, author-illustrator Simon James relates a touching story of the very special relationship between a little girl and her grandfather.

For sometime, Jess has been hearing stories from her grandfather about birdwatching. He says such intriguing things as "Jess, when I make drawings of the birds, sometimes they make drawings of me, too."

He says that birds help him find their names in his bird book, and that he gathered all the birds to make a "dawn chorus" for her.

The little girl can resist no longer. She goes birdwatching with her grandfather, but doesn't see anything at all. Furthermore, nothing happens - that is, until they reach the birdwatching hut.

Soon after that Jess has a "story" for him.

Sure to appeal to all youngsters who have the friendship of an older adult...

Having just finished "Remembering Ernest Hemingway," I am eager to sing its praises! I have taught Hemingway for 30 years, have read all the bios of him--Baker, Reynolds, Hotchner, etc., and enjoyed them all--but this book still manages to surprise and delight the reader with previously unheard anecdotes, unseen photos, and candid, first-person recollections of Hemingway the friend, boxer, fisherman, hunter, and writer. The book is a compilation of interviews with close personal friends and relatives of EH. For instance, his sons, Gregory and Patrick tell what life was like with EH for a father; two men remember their experiences boxing regularly with EH; Charles Thompson, who went on African safari with EH (and was featured in Hemingway's "Green Hills of Africa")tells what it was like to hunt big game with Hemingway; Valerie Hemingway remembers being with EH during wild times in Spain, etc.

Reading each interview is as authentic and fascinating as watching an old home movie. Each person interviewed offers genuine incidents in which Hemingway's candid words and actions reveal the man in his many facets. All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable book, a must read for all Hemingway fans. And, as frosting on the cake, the book even has rare photos, some of which I have never before seen: photos of Hemingway and Gary Cooper; photos of Hem's boat, "The Pilar,"; photos of Hemingway with the Italian woman on whom he based his novel "Across the River and Into the Trees," etc. "Remembering Ernest Hemingway" is a wonderful glimpse of the elusive writer. I most highly recommend it.

Most of the interviews in this book were with the people Hemingway lived and shared with. These interviews are not about the myth but more the person he was.

After decades of reveling in the myth of Hemingway I now know the man they call Papa Hemingway. The book holds many intimate surprises as told first hand by those who were his friends and his sons. The book is easy and friendly like sipping daiquiries on the verando in the keys and talking among friends. But it is also voyeuristic in feeling as you listen to the interviews and hear what everyday people who knew him had to say. It is intimate in content and refreshing to the senses. I knew the myth and I now know the man. I still like him. This is a good read.

DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other nonfiction picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful museum-quality photos of all things related to ancient Rome, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about life in Rome, the slaves and emperors who lived there, and SEE the objects they used everyday. If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated by ancient Rome, then you must introduce them to this book!

This is an outstanding book to add to your classroom or homeschooling library. If you don't live near the British Museum or Museum of London, then this book is the next best thing! See a Roman gladius (sword) and gold and silver scabbards. Examine a Roman soldier's armor and impedimenta (baggage). Find out what life was like for women and children. There are photographs of actual children's toys, gladiatorial helmets, chariots, theater masks, even medical instruments and leather sandals.

The photography in this book is fabulous. Students can use this book to get ideas for reports or designing models. The pictures are bright and beautiful and really make the ancient Roman culture come to life!

Imagine Virgil had been born in mid-twentieth century Long Island, this might have been the result. The noble beauty, simplicity, classical style of these poems are quite unique. The images and cadences ring true. It's very interesting that authentic pastoral poetry can be written by someone who grew up a few miles from the most frenetic metropolis our planet has ever known. If you like solid, classical poetry, you have to check this out.

Touching and insightful, that's how I would classify the poems in Crane's Neck. Beautifully written and even more beautiful imagery. This is Long Island the way it used to be, natural, triumphant and magnificent. It is truly a collection worth reading.

"Days Like This" is the perfect introduction to poetry for a small child. The sketchy, squiggly illustrations are just as captivating as the simple, sweet poems that accompany them. Each illustration tells a story by itself--a refreshing story of the wide, open world--while the poems focus the reader (or listener) to consider a single aspect of that world. The text and the pictures worked so beautifully together that I'm not sure if I can say which was illustrating which. It's a symbiosis I've never experienced in a book of poetry before, but let me assure you, it is thoroughly enjoyable!

This lovely picture book of small poems captivated my youngson. Simon James' pen and watercolor illustrations beautifully setoff a collection of whimsical verse that spans the four seasons. "The Wind came running over the sand, it caught and held me by the hand."

In The Far Away, the narrator remembers back to when he was 17 --a time of haunting, even now that he is older. As the narrator remembers those days of traveling from New York City to San Francisco to San Diego to Key West and back home again, we are with him on a contemplative journey that is both physical and emotional. This is a book for young adults and adults who wonder if we ever truly leave the past behind, or if we need to.

This is truly a wonderous first novel, magical in both style and content. I have read nothing like it since Thomas Wolfe and his 'Look Homeward Angel.' The writing is lyrical, if not spectacular and the subject matter, one brother's attempt to come to grips with his older brother's mental disabilities, truly touches the heart strings. The emotional themes, the feelings, the utter soul searching presented can be compared to the best works of D.H. Lawrence.

'Bravo' to you, James Simon. You have created a small materpiece. I look forward to seeing other books from you in the future.

A surprising success. Though the appeal may be quite narrow, this book does a surprisingly good job at what it attempts to do. For anyone who has enjoyed a ride on the Underground, or who has marveled and the (mostly) clean, efficient, and occasionally spectacular Underground stations, Mind the Gap provides a new, fun, and provocative perspective. James takes his camera to all (literally all) those stations that those of us who spend our time in "Zone 1" see at the fringes of the Underground map but never visit. There he captures simple, carefully composed almost documentary images that give us unique view of the history, health, and scope of the Underground system. Though the photographs are individually nothing special (I really could have taken most of them myself, and done better in many cases) the collective effect is balanced and enjoyable.

Certainly a worthy addition any collection of Underground books, and a nice alternative for one that already includes the other fine books of photographs of the Underground and its stations.

Such a charming, descriptive book with off-beat, revelatory photos, that I bought copies for a grandson who lives in London and uses the tube, and for several American friends who used it this summer. History and lots of entertaining comment. I've used the subway in Washington, Berlin, and Moscow but never in London. Now I can hardly wait to wide to the end of the various lines James tells about so winningly. Great gift for anyone visiting London or anyone who lives there.

The cover of the book draws the eye immediately because of it's unique (to me) design, and the title attracted me because it repeats the phrase heard over the loud-speaker in the "tube" as the doors begin to close. The photographs are excellent because they give a hint of mystery, solitude, history and loneliness -- all at the same time. The text just adds to the information in the photographs and shows James' thoroughness in presenting his subject to the readers.

This book is important for adoptees, adoptive parents and grandparents, as well as others who are loving and parenting across racial lines. While this is not a "how to" book, it is clear from the adoptees' stories what they believe their adoptive parents did well and what they wish their adoptive parents had done differently. It stresses the difficult issues but also reflects that transracial adoption can and does work. It helps parents to understand the importance of nurturing a relationship between the adoptive family and the adoptees' ethnic communities.

I really enjoyed this book and it let me see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Becaue I am adopted in a white home and Birracial the times have been hard however, with this book I feel like I am not the only one in that kind of situation. This book has helped me discover the true me, and also helped me to realize that if I am not true to myself I am only hurting myself. I wish there were more books like this on the market, and I would recommend it to anyone who is adopted or raising a minority child in a white home.

This book is a must for any white couple looking to adopt african american or mixed raced children. It is a wonderful complilation of interviews of adult adoptees who were raised in white parent homes. Since every family make up, values, and religious beliefs are different you get a good range of opinions and experiences through the words of the adoptees themselves. Find out what strenthened these individuals and what didn't, maybe through they're experiences you can change the future of your own child.

The Sunflower is the story of a dying Nazi SS soldier who calls Simon Wiesenthal, the author, into his hospital room and asks for forgiveness for the crimes he has committed. Wiesenthal leaves the room in silence without fufilling the Nazi's dying wish: to be forgivien by a Jew. The book also describes Simon Wiesenthal's own experiences in the concentration camps and instances where he was a vicitm of an anti-semitic movment. This book greatly moved me and opened my eyes to even more amazement and wonderment that I have have ever known about World War II and the Holocaust. It was an excellent read and yet a mildly depressing one, too.

Simon Wiesenthal's book, The Sunflower, is a true life story of a Jew called to the bedside of a dying Nazi to hear the Nazi's life story. The Nazi then asks the Jew, Wiesenthal, to forgive him. Wiesenthal leaves in silence, but poses to you the same question: In his position, would you have forgiven the Nazi? A very thought-provoking book, The Sunflower makes the reader ponder for hours over the meaning of right and wrong, as well as giving a vivid picture of a Jew's life during the Holocaust. An excellent read.

This is some powerful material. Wiesenthal presents the story of a Nazi begging for forgiveness on his deathbed. Should he as a Jew grant this forgiveness? He deals with all the emotional and spiritual ambivalence he feels over this situation. What would you do? is the ultimate question he asks. Don't read this late at night if you want to get some sleep. I found myself tormented by the issue of forgiveness after reading this tale. I can not answer what I would do because I have never been in any situation as horrible as that. But this is a book that should be read by would be philosophers and moralizers as it features Wiesenthal's heart rending tale and follows it with essays by numerous writers of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. They all must wrestle with this issue. This is a book that should be required reading in universities if not high schools. It might actually provoke students to think. And surely that would be a good thing.