This story is not only wonderful for children, but also adult basenji lovers. A must for ever family who has ever had or known a basenji. Candle will find a place in your heart forever!

A basenji friendly household boasted of a pair of breeding basenjis and their two adorable puppies. The senior basenjis told their puppies the story of Candle, a basenji ancestor who really did show everyone the way.

An African breed that boasts of a more than 2,000 year history, the famed "barkless" dog (basenjis yodel and make laughing noises instead, these dogs were the loved pets of Egyptian aristocracy and nobility. The story of Candle takes place in Egypt.

A lovable young basenji named Candle is the adored pet in a royal household. Basenjis, naturally intelligent and curious were aware that something wonderful and miraculous was about to take place. The "basenji network" were aware that the days of excess and idolatry were soon to be challenged; a miracle was on the way.

Candle and her owner, a young Egyptian gentleman saw the Star shining brightly in the East and knew they had to follow it....

Readers will yodel with delight as well. This is truly a wonderful family bonding book and it is certainly a beautiful illustration of love and faith. I can't recommend it highly enough. I love it! The lovely illustrations and the gentle story will captivate readers of all ages.

Candle will light a path to the hearts of all who read her story.

A delightful story for all ages, this beautifully illustrated tale of the little Basenji who shares in the joy and wonder of the first Christmas is truly a timeless classic!

What a fine collection of stories, strung on an idea but brilliantly distinguished from each other. O'Connell has a great ear -- perfect pitch. I haven't seen a false note there. I hope we'll see more of her stories, soon.

The best debute I've ever read from a new writer. The stories are not only original, but moving, funny entertaining, etc..

If you love a good read of short stories, then this is a must for you.

I was initially ...[pulled] in by the fabulous cover (the Australian hardcover edition) and was even more impressed by these immensely satisfying stories. I was moved to laugh, cry, be surprised, but stilled by the gentleness of the stories. I suppose being raised as a Catholic, and having left that doctrine, has put me in a good position to enjoy the stories. Whilst some may feel shocked by the treatment of the saints I felt that I got to glimpse the humans behind the myths. I was also pleased by the variety of female characters that the author created. They all felt genuine.

If you're looking for intelligent, well-crafted short stories that sparkle with wit then look no further.

I re-visited "Sacred Connections" after almost a year. Any parent would benefit from these tender , moving stories of love, courage and commitment. The voices, of the subjects, reverberate in many of my personal encounters and experiences. It is a wonderful book.

I bought the book because I know some of the people interviewed in the book...but the book was even better than I had hoped it would be! The stories are very moving and brought tears to my eyes. It was nice to see a variety of closed adoption reunion and open adoption stories. I think the book shows people that contrary to current adoption stereotypes...adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth parents can all share a special bond or connection if they are open to it. Everybody has something special to add to the relationship...and having birth parents be a part of that relationship doesn't have to be threatening or confusing for anyone! This book would make a beautiful gift for anyone you know who is involved in adoption!

Wow! I loved this book. Letting people speak for themselves about adoption is so important. I sensed a compassionate hand in the editing of these stories that makes them a pleasure to read and gives an artful consistency without diminishing the individual voices. The photography is wonderfully evocative. By chance, I have had the opportunity to meet a few of the people whose stories are in the book. I was delighted to find that there was no disjuncture between my brief encounters and what I read, which added to its authenticity for me.

This beautifully illustrated book tells about the day in the life in a toddler as he prepares for and goes to day care. The vivid illustrations are full of life and children love looking at them. The story is full of warmth and tenderness. The kids I teach at the preschool I work at love comparing our child care center to the one in the book. This is a great book for any child care center or any family who has or is preparing to use a day care facility.

I am a toddler teacher always looking for great new books to read at circle time - this is it! The story follows a simple format easy enough for 2-3 year olds in day care to understand. The illustrations are vibrant and easy for children to identify with. This is a wonderful book that lets children know that their world is important to us and that the emotions they feel are natural and quite common. This book is requested by my students on a daily basis!

Beautiful illustrations highlight this book! The rich colors and bold designs are warm and fun. We particularly like the twist on traditional gender roles as Mom goes off to work while Dad does day care drop-off and pick-up, and cooks dinner to boot!

The Dream Quilt is a beautifully illustrated story that will delight adults and children of all ages. The morals and character of a family our based down through the beauty and tradition of a family heirloom. A must for teachers, parents, and friends.

So many books today give children false hope through fanciful tales of magic "things". There are some cute stories out there about necklaces that give little girls confidence, or teddy bears that offer security and freedom from fears, even stuffed bunnies who teach lessons of how to love. But I always find myself explaining to my daughters that our true hope and our most lasting lessons, come from the Lord - anytime we are frightened or lonely or disappointed, we can trust that the Lord will comfort us and give us strength.

Celeste Ryan weaves a beautiful mix of sentiment and faith by showing us how we look for something tangible to trust for our comfort (the quilt), but all things of this world will eventually pass away - God is the eternal comforter, healer, confidante, friend.

This book is a favorite in our house. The illustrations are eye-catching and unique, the story is smooth and entertaining, and the message is one that will stick with you. The Dream Quilt may be directed at juveniles, but I guarantee adults will enjoy it, as well

This is a sweet story of how a Mom uses the squares on an old quilt to help ease her child's fears at bed time. The illustations are sure to catch a child's eye; they're so colorful. It's a beautiful story and it's a book that's beautiful to look at.

...but still a great book to read. When I read it I only put it down to sleep. The scariest part was when they actually saw Patty's "Ghost". In other words, it's a 5 star book.

This is a great book for Halloween. It keept me reading it all day. It's about Patty dareing Mary-Kate and Ashley to go into a haunted house.

Then they see a ghost...

Oh you bet it is

It a great great book I love it

the story was on halloween in a haunted house where the twins taked a bet and go in to the house and then the story begins

Mary-Kate and Ashley Searching for cleus and they come out wiht? ....

this story is I think one of the best books I have reading till now and I hope that there ever come's better books :-)

I have purchased four copies of this book, one for myself and one for each of my children who have children. I was immediately drawn to the soft colors, peaceful pictures in gentle tones, and the rhythm of the words. The children (and their animal friends) pictured going off to dreamland are from different countries. Going to sleep is pictured and told as a gentle, peaceful, safe and enjoyable experience. The moon and milky way are wonderfully illustrated. I just want to go there! I hope this book comes back in print because I have more children with children and friends with children and it is a perfect gift. The text is in gentle words and wonderful rhythm. The illustrations almost bring tears to my eyes. My grandchildren never tire of having me read this book. I never tire of reading it to them.

This is the most beautifully written and illustrated book I have ever seen. It makes a perfect gift for moms to be!

This book is truly one-of-a-kind; it is the stuff "dreams are made of!" It makes me smile and yawn reading to my daughter most every night! She actually looks forward to going to sleep as much as I do!

It is a child's Fantasy book. It truly entices your child to want to go to sleep in such a beautiful way! The premise of the story is when you fall asleep you enter into a dreamland--a magical place where you can fly in the clouds, play with other boys and girls from around the world, ride on the moon and stars and into the arms of.... ( it's a surprise).

Another thing that makes this book so special is that it comes in your choice of pink or blue lettering. So if you want to give it as a baby gift to someone you have a more personalized gift.

I highly recommend this book to every one! Every child loves beautiful pictures like these! Julia Noonan, the illustrator, is remarkable! Hats off to you Julia! Also of course, thanks to Mary C. Carpenter for sending children "to a really good place: Dreamland...wide open for possibilities."

Move over, Paul Bunyan, there's a new tall-tale hero in town.

Well, not exactly a new hero.

In the New York City of the 1840s lived a legendary firefighter named Mose Humphreys. Standing eight feet tall, with "hands as big as Virginia hams," he fought fires all around the great city, striding towards danger with his flaming red hair under his stovepipe hat. Whether rescuing babies from flaming tenements or bankers from burning hotels, Mose was beloved by all New Yorkers for his bravery and selflessness.

Mary Pope Osborne's story, in true American folktale tradition, renders a loving portrait of a man who symbolizes all that we respect and admire in firefighters: courage, willing sacrifice, tireless service to others. These traits were never so dramatically demonstrated as they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, and the story is a fitting tribute to the 343 New York City firefighters lost on that tragic day.

Though dedicated to the memory of modern firefighters, the gritty tones of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher's illustrations remind us that this is also a tale about firefighting in a city overcrowded with wood-framed buildings and illuminated by oil lamps, when water had to be physically pumped out of tank trucks with enough force to reach the upper floors of very modest buildings, and when firemen needed the strength to carry grown adults rung by rung down wooden ladders. The nineteenth century was a time when fire was a very real possibility, not an unfortunate occurrence that happens to others and played out on our TV screens.

Together, the text and illustrations bring Mose Humphreys to life brilliantly, and make him a potent symbol of the strength, valor, and sacrifice of all firefighters--in New York City and around the world...

I found this book at my 9 year old daughter's school bookfare. While she no longer reads picture books, I am enthralled by them and this one caught my eye. Like another reviewer, I had trouble choking back tears as I read the tale of Mose Humphrey's firefighting in the late 1800's of NYC. I bought the book and passed it on to a gentleman who is a volunteer firefighter, ems worker and full time police officer for his two young sons. A work of art, both with its sparse, yet moving prose, and beautiful paintings. Recommended highly for ages 4-7.

"New York's Bravest" combines text by Mary Pope Osborne with paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. The book begins with a historical note in which Osborne describes the background of her tale. In 1848, a heroic firefighter character first began appearing in stage productions. This character was based on a real-life New York City firefighter named Mose Humphreys. In 1915, historian Herbert Asbury included some Mose stories in two collections of stories about old New York. As Osborne observes, firefighter Mose is "America's first urban folk hero."

Osborne's story takes place in a past era where newsboys sold papers for a penny each. The story's hero is Mose, an eight foot tall firefighter with superhuman strength. Sample text: "'Come on boys!' said Mose. Mose was the most famous firefighter in New York City."

The story is well enhanced by colorful illustrations that are full of great details. There are some exciting firefighting scenes, as well as some nice pictures of Mose engaged in less dangerous pursuits (such as eating a hearty meal).

The book has the following dedication: "To the memory of the 343 New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others on September 11, 2001." It's a beautiful tribute that I recommend to readers of all ages.

This is a beautifully illustrated book. We purchased this book to build the library of our soon to be adopted daughter from China.

This book has a moral to the story, however young children may have a difficult time capturing the essence. The story in itself is wonderful and will captivate a young audience.

Chin Yu Min And The Ginger Cat, written by Jennifer Armstrong and Illustrated by Mary Grandpre, is yet another fine example of Mary Grandpre's brilliance as an illustrator. Mary Grandpre's paintings linger in the imagination long after the pages have been turned. Jennifer Armstrong does a fine job of adapting a Chinese folktale. Chin Yu Min is the wife of a wealthy man. Chin believes this puts her above everyone in her village. Chin is imperious, haughty and snobbish. When Chin's husband drowns and she runs out of money, Chin refuses the kind offerings of help from the other villagers. One day Chin meets a mysterious cat at the fishing docks who helps return Chin to her previous financial status. It is only when Chin loses the cat that she learns the real value of friendship and humility. Chin Yu Min and the Ginger Cat is delight for children of any age.

Preston McClear...

I am a professional illustrator and got to see Mary Grandpre do a demonstration of her work when in art college. This book is a perfect example of what a very talented artist is capable of. Her use of color and composition make this book a joy to behold!

From early in the 20th to the birth of the 21st Century, little changed along the banks of the Klamath in 95 years. The path these women followed remains little altered from when they traveled tho now covered in asphalt, it is still a remote and rough territory for the uninitiated. They stepped off a ship in Humboldt Bay and then walked off the map into the unknown. Surrounded by wilderness, the Marble Mountains and the Trinity Alps, as spectacular and rugged peaks today as they were then. Great Grandchildren of some of those who taught these adventerous ladies the skills to survive in this wild country still live on the same piece of ground. This is the canvas Mary and Mabel painted a wonderful picture of the world they found here. Let them show you the neighborhood and see if you could follow those footsteps down the trail.

Since the world was created at Katimin, the Klamath River has been home to the salmon runs that fed the eagles and fattened bears and filled the smokehouses of the people. The river is the life-blood that flows thru the canyon veins, like a puzzle, each piece necessary to make it complete. A blood transfusion 150 miles away only slowing foreclosure on farmland in another state, no crops must die. Now less water flows downstream and is murky colored and too warm for the salmon to survive in but the life of a potato was saved! A river with no fish is a watershed dying, when the life of the river dies will life along that river follow? These hardy women managed to live without fries, but a river without salmon would be both unbelieveable and inconceivable to them.

Mary and Mabel wandered into my part of northern california to be schoolteachers. From their story you can see how they knew nothing of what the territory was like, how the people were, or any local customs. They seemed to have a vague sense that it was a 'wild' land. They fit in amazingly well in a land where killing another person meant you had to pay that persons family $100 and law was either non-existant or uneffective. They seem to throughly enjoy themselves and set to learn the culture around them and teach what they can. Surprises are around every corner, from rattlesnakes to mountain lions to injun devils. Surprises such as their trusted friend telling them he couldn't go into one town because he had to 'pay $500 last time.'
A great story that is easy to read and gives a glimpse of the hidden corner of northern california where the hupa, yurok and karuk indians reside.

This is an amazing account, by two very adventurous women, of their time spent in an extremely remote area of this country. Even with the speed of modern automobile travel, the tiny communities along the Klamath River, in Humboldt & Siskiyou Counties of northern California, are still remote. Mary & Mabel's sense of adventure, humor, tolerance & joy radiate from this book. It's been 20 years since I lived near the Company Ranch, in Orleans, and read this story. I'm looking forward to owning my own copy and re-reading it. Another reader recommended a wonderful book of similar format. It's exact title is "Tisha: the story of a young teacher in the Alaskan wilderness". It is available through Amazon. I lent my copy several years ago; it's time to buy another copy and re-read it, too. These books are very difficult to find in bookstores. Thank you, Amazon.