This version of "Wheels on the Bus" is simply an excellent book. We first purchased this book seven years ago, for our then 3 year old son. We still have it, though due to overhandling by several pairs of little hands, we are now in the market for a new one! This book invites little hands to bring the words to life, by moving the sturdy tabs back and forth. The tabs are big enough for toddler hands to operate and they move smoothly, which keeps frustration at bay! All you need to do is sing the tune and your child will do the rest! All of my children have loved this book. I highly recommend it.

My children (now 5 and 1) love this book. I purchased it when my son was about 2 and a half and the tabs and flaps are still working after lots of use. (A major plus as well loved books with movable parts often don't hold up to toddler adoration.) Now my daughter is taking her turns too and the "wheels on the bus" still go round as well as the wipers swishing and moms shushing. The illustrations capture attention and really bring to life this popular children's song. With this book they can make the doors on the bus open and shut, etc. with great pleasure. I highly recommend this book for its creativity and durability.

I wanted for my son to have this book remembering how my nephews loved it. I bought it when he was 13 months old and it has been his favorite ever since. He is 16 months old now and asks for it by saying "bu bu," translated to my ears as "bus book". We look at it every morning for a half hour before breakfast and then for another half hour after naptime. This is about the only time in the day that my son will cuddle with me so I am very grateful for such a wonderful, interactive book. He loves to point to the kitties in the box on the bus and also to the dog that chases the bus. I will keep this tattered first favorite for myself as a fond memory of special times shared by mother and son, even if I buy many more copies in the future once this one earns a much-deserved retirement!!

I discovered "The Mitford Years" when the series was given to my mother, who has cancer. As she was too sick to read, I picked up the first book, "At Home In Mitford" looking for a small escape. I was immediately hooked, and finished the four books in under three weeks. I couldn't put them down.

Karon has created a place where it feels safe to be. It's a small town where the residents are characters complete with warts and conflicts, but they all seem to hang in there and work to make their world a better place. Karon's sense of humor shines through as she portrays people we recognize as ourselves, our neighbors, our friends and our enemies. Their predicaments remind me of the adventures of the folks at Garrison Keillor's Lake Woebegone.

I enjoyed her books immensely, and wish there were a dozen more. I've bought the first book for my mother-in law, who is 73, my daughter, who is 15, my husband and his two sisters. Thanks to Jan Karon for a great gift: Mitford.

Jan Karon has done an incredible job of depicting the life of a fictional small town preacher. While the setting is in the south, Mitford could be small town anywhere, U.S.A. The characters are so real I thought I was reading about people from the small town I grew up in. These books made me laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time! I often pass my paperbacks on to others to read when I am finished. These books will not leave my home. I truly hope that Jan Karon will write more!

I didn't think it was possible however, the second installment of the Mitford Series was just as warm, wonderful and cozy as the first! At last, it is such a pleasure to read a series of books dedicated to mature love with decency and something left to one's imagaination. I cannot thank Ms. Karon enough for bravely showing the timeliness and gentleness of what the gift of patience brings to those whose choose to wait on God and to wait for the other person to learn about themselves so that they may into share that knowledge in learning to love someone to include them in their life in marriage!

The literary world has been in need of such a refreshing style and gentleness of touch. That you again, Ms. Karon for giving us back love, respect and commitment.

God's blessings on this and all your future endeavors!

At last: A book for intermediate, publishing writers who are wanting to step up to the next level! This book is gold, filled with page after page of real-world examples, firsthand advice, and solid information for selling to the editors of women's magazines.

But...the author has been done a serious disservice by her publisher. The typeface is almost painful to read, typos occur on just about every other page, and the layout is amateurish, as if this were a beginning designer's first experience with QuarkXpress. (The cover, on the other hand, is absolutely perfect for this book.)

So, if you write to publish, buy this book. Buy copies for your writing friends. Tell the world. It's that good. (And it begs the question: "Why hasn't anybody done this before?!") But warn 'em to stock up on strong lightbulbs, aspirin, and a fair amount of patience to do battle with the printed page.

Do you want to sell an article to Reader's Digest? McCalls? Learn how to target each magazine by reading FEMININE WILES. Filled with practical, fresh advice for writers, the book offers lively, concrete examples and anecdotes to illustrate secret tips to writing and selling in this competitive market. Boetig simplifies the structure for articles which makes a great "how to." This book is a "must" for any freelance writer.

During the past year, I have ventured into the realm of writing feature articles. I have read as many books as I can find time for but haven't found one that got right to the point on what I need to do to SELL my work. Until now ... Boetig's book gets right to the point about how to make all my hard work pay off. Most other writing books are full of "you could" and "you may want to". Boetig gets right to the point and tells me what worked for, what didn't, what to avoid, and what to steer towards. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be a successful writer.

Jan Karon certainly made me want to live in Mitford. Since I can't do that her books have been the closest thing to being there.I'm on the third book in the series and look forward to spending time with Father Tim and Cynthia and the wonderful and real cast of characters who inhabit Mitford. I first read about Mitford and Jan Karon when I picked up a copy of TEA magazine and read a review of her new book A New Song and an interview with Jan Karon. I grew up in a small New England town much like Mitford. It is a delight to escape there everytime I read about miss Rose, uncle Billy, Emma and Dooley not to mention the Main Street Grille. Each book includes a certain amount of mystery too. Will Tim and Cynthia get married? Will Dooley become a gentleman? Will Barnabas return?These questions keep me coming back for more and more. Ms.Karon please keep writing and providing me with a great escape.

The first thing that came to mind after I finished reading this book is that I wish it were a television series. If t.v. was of the same high quality, good-hearted, old-fashioned, moral standards as this book then I wouldn't be afraid for my neice and nephew to watch it. These books are wholesome and that is a quality that is shunned in today's society. While I know that books as literature can be expressed in anyway, I really enjoyed the folks of Mitford and their honest lives, it was so refreshing. I have only read the first installment but I assure you the other 4 will be read quickly. I wish I had a Father Tim in my life.

A few years ago I read a review written by a man who wished he had never read any of the Jan Karon books so he could have the pleasure of reading all four of them one after another. I was impressed with his comments, and bought the first one and immediately went right through the other three. The characters are so real, that I feel I could call them and offer my advice or I could just stop by for a cup of coffee. I hope Jan Karon continues to write about Mitford, perhaps she could contnue with some of the younger generation. I am looking forward to hearing about her next book. I hope someone reads this review that never heard of the Mitford series and experiences the same pleasure I did.

Daughter Anna (now 19 years old) loved this book. It was her favorite above all others. As we sorted through some old kid things for give-away purposes, we stumbled upon this old, well worn copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit." She insisted we keep the book for HER children.

This was her book that Mama (me!) had to read to her again and again and again. As soon as the last word was read on the last page, it was "Mama, please read it again!"

(how I miss those days, by the way!)

The book also has a powerful message about Love that children understand and cherish.

This is a wonderful book. No child should be without their own copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit."

It's a sweet story of a 'simple' stuffed rabbit amidst the more 'complex' modern toys in a boy's "toy collection". The rabbit starts to believe that in order to get the love of the boy, he needs to appear 'real', or be able to zoom about like the motorized toys...
(And I'm not going to tell you the end hahahahaha!!!)
It was great having that read to me, while I was hugging my stuffed animals in bed.
But -- in a way, at first glance it looks like a simple story, but it is actually a surprisingly complex story. Leave it on your child's bookshelf as he/she grows up and he/she will reread it again and again as he/she questions issues such as "who am I?", "what does it mean to be 'real'"?, "what is my role in this world?", and even "what is death"?

I seldom write reviews on children's books, although I love them with a passion. My children are now mothers and my grandchildren are past young childhood. However, I believe that somewhere deep inside each of us remains a small child that still loves fairy tales, cotton candy, and walking barefoot in the grass. This book was one of my children's favourites, along with "Charlotte's Web;" both were also my own personal favourites. When my children were six years old reading this book became a nighly adventure until I knew the words by heart. For the reviewer who rated the book with a one star due to a spelling error, my heart goes out to you; you have sadly missed something very important - the message. The book is not about spelling, editing or lack thereof; it is about encouragement and love.

The book tells the story of a toy, sawdust-filled rabbit who wishes with all his heart to become real. The message contained in this book is poignant, heart-warming and touching, and one that you will never foreget as long as you live. It is a story of beauty, wonder and love. Any child who misses out on "The Velveteen Rabbit" is missing out on one of life's greatest lessons. I cannot say enough good things about this wonderful, wonderful book and highly recommend it to children...and the grown-up child in all of us.

This novel begins and ends with death, but Vicky Austin celebrates life. L'Engle's sensitive portrayal of adolescence struggling to accept death rings true. Vicky is, as always, an open and honest narrator. This novel probably shows us more of her development as a character than do L'Engle's other novels, and we are also treated to a lovely setting. Vicky finds joy even in the midst of great pain, in the last summer she knows she'll have with her grandfather, and she teaches us by example a productive and mature method of dealing with death. L'Engle's drawing of the grandfather is exquisite, and as always, her characterization of the Austins gives me supreme faith in humans' ability to form close, wonderful bonds. Note: I read A Ring of Endless Light just after my own grandfather passed away and after I got engaged; this book helps me grieve and gives me hope. Plus, L'Engle's science has always intrigued me (Arm of the Starfish, Charles Wallace's mitochondria and farandolae), and the dolphins are fabulous.

A Ring of Endless Light has got to be one of my all time favorite books! If you've read Meet the Austins then you already know the characters, but for those of you who haven't, it's about a girl named Vicky Austin who has moved with her family into her grandfather's house because he is sick and they want to be with him when he,well,dies. At her new location Vicky meets Adam, her older brother's friend from work. Adam is studying dolphins and soon, Vicky gets to be apart of his project where she meets Basil, a wild dolphin. Vicky also re-unites with Zach, a rich boy who is not happy with his life. When Zach tries to commite suicide and ends up causing the death of a local life gaurd, Vicky must begin to face death, and heart ache.This is a wonderfully dramatic book that will keep you in tears, and in smiles. If you like dolphins, I gaurantee you will love this book. I've read it many times at the library already and now I'm buying it. This book is dramatic, sad, heart-wrenching, yet at the same time, fun and interesting. This is a must-read book! One of L'Engles best!

Dolphins have taught us many new ways of communication, thinking, and learning about what's around us. But to Vicky Austin, dolphins have taught much more. The lesson they teach her is something that she will never forget. A lesson that takes most people a life time to discover; something that has baffled scientists for years. The lesson of life and death.
Vicky has a gift. A rare ability, that comes with her beautiful sense of poetry. She can communicate with dolphins. And because of Madeleine L'Engle's poetic and descriptive writing style, Vicky's blessing seems to come alive. This is one of the most powerful elements of the book because it has such an effect on the reader's view of the plot.
Another contribution to the novel's effectiveness is the characterization. L'Engle does a fine job of creating diverse and interesting characters that almost anyone can identify with. Take for example the character Zachary. Zachary is your average "bad boy" stereotype. But because of Zachary's luxurious but troubled childhood, this characteristic that he seems to have is really a mask that only Vicky can see through. Zachary's character plays an interesting role in the book by teaching Vicky that some people are not always truly as they seem.
Packed with detailed descriptive writing and interesting plot elements, A Ring of Endless Light is a must read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has a desire to read a heart-warming tale of self-discovery. Read it and experience for yourself the beauty of the sea.

Tryin' to Sleep in The Bed You Made by Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant a Review by Eshaunda Howard

Gayle Saunders and Patricia Reid were total opposites who chose each other as best friends when they were children. Through the years they were raised together, as close as sisters. Gayle, the beauty, pampered by her working-class parents, believes a man will make her world complete. Pat, the brainy one, is the hand-me-down child whose mystery parentage haunts her. She's determined to finally make a home for herself, in the executive suite at the top of her career. And then there is Marcus Carter, linked to both women from the moment a childhood tragedy takes the life of his older brother that bonds them in secrecy. In all honesty, I feel that this book has had a good impact on me. In a way it has given me advice on how to handle the realities of life. I could see parts of myself in Pat, because I am like her in many ways a hand-me-down child, the result of losing one parent and the other not giving a damn what happens to me, being raised by my Aunt out of obligation first, and love second. Unlike Gayle's family where I guess you can say that they love her a little too much, to the point where they shelter her from the realities of the world which causes her to go throughout most of her life half blind and letting other people do the thinking for her. I learned a very important lesson from her life: not to shelter my children from the painful realities of the world whether it is encouragingly good or terribly harsh. Gayle's situation has taught me that it is better to explain everything to my children in the best possible way that I can, letting them know first hand what is going on. To give them the chance to learn and think for themselves, without them having to depend on me solely to do their thinking for them. The novel Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made is a very realistic tale of two girls that are bonded by their differences, growing up together brings them closer than any best friends can get. Yet, their different goals set them apart as they learn to deal with the realities of life. But, what both girls go out in search of leads them right back to each other. This novel deals with some of the harsh realities that life throws our way. Reading this novel is like seeing parts of my life being lived through Patricia Reid and Gayle Sunders being able to become a part of their lives, being able to live and learn from their mistakes is what I believe is to be one of the great things about this book. Any person who reads this book will benefit from it unquestionably.

I finished reading this book yesterday, and I'm still in awe! DeBerry and Grant did a superb job of telling a beautiful story of frienship, betrayal, love, forgiveness, and letting go of the pain of the past. I wonder how the authors went about writing the book together, because it reads as though it was written by one person. One person with a profound voice, and a way with words that had me laughing out loud at some points, pissed off at some points, and crying like a baby at other points. And the way they wrote that Ramsey character! I fell in love with him right along with Gayle in the scene where she lost her virginity to him! And I was ready to take him back for Gayle in that scene in the cemetary! I think I identify more with Gayle than with any of the other characters in the book, but I loved them all!

This was definitely one of the best books I've read this summer, and I would even read it again. And I don't usually read books more than once, no matter how much I like them! I would also love to see this book made into a movie. For some reason, I see Vanessa L. Williams as the perfect Gayle. But enough of my raving about the book. If you haven't read it, you should! Believe me, you'll be glad you did!

Tryin' to Sleep in The Bed You Made written by friends, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant is one of most beautiful and memorable novels I've read. This novel was originally published in 1997 but republished this year. This edition includes an all-new chapter that has not been published before. Now lets get to the story.

Gayle Saunders and Patricia Reid have been friends since childhood. They chose each other for their best friend. They are completely opposite. Gayle is beautiful and well loved by her parents. Her only ambition is to marry a man who has money and is someone with high standing in the community. Pat on the other hand comes from an unstable home. She is smart and determined to work her way to the top. Circumstances change for Pat and Gayle's parents adopt her. They grow up together like sisters. Pat is accepted into a prep school and their lives take different paths. Gayle marries Ramsey, a gambler who almost destroys her life. She does not have a clue about her husband's secret life. He is very controlling and Gayle lives to be the dutiful wife. Needless to say Pat graduated from college with honors. Her determination and hard work took her to top of her career in Advertising. After reaching the top Pat was not satisfied. She was still trying to find a place that she could call home. After years of separation and many trials and tribulations Pat and Gayle find the meaning of true friendship.

Marcus Carter who is a childhood friend of Pat and Gayle is troubled. He is being haunted by a tragic accident that occurred during his childhood. The details of the accident are a well-kept secret. Pat and Gayle share this secret with him.

The new chapter is an expansion of the original storyline and is well written. There is more about how you sleep in that bed you made. You are in for a surprise.

DeBerry and Grant have written a novel that is filled with so much honesty in their characterizations. The writing is clear and easy to follow. They have succeeded in making the characters feel like real people.

I was really touched by this book. It made me think about my friendships with other women. There is many twist and turns in this book but you are never confused about what really happens. This is a good book one that I could not put down until I finished.
I would recommend this book to all women.

Reviewed by Dorothy Cooperwood

As a man somewhat wary of historical novels about female warriors, I have to proclaim my love for this deep rich luscious book. I want to propose to Auriane. Not since Patrick O'Brien has a historical novel so utterly convinced me that it was written in the time it portrays. I can't even imagine how one human being accumulates the collosal amount of research evidenced in every detail and layer of this book. Gillespie is able to imagine everything, at any scale: ancient poverty, grotesque depravity,; gossamer flutterings of interior motivatons to sweeping herd dynamics; the tiny details of mundane to the great issues of politics and religion. You sink your teeth into the carnality; your heart soars with the spirituality. The paganism, the vividly drawn and wide array of characters, the dialogue, the mysticism-- The Light Bearer easily has the sweep and depth and profundity of War and Peace. There. I said it. Cast stones at me if you will. If the Light Bearer does not become a timeless classic, there is no justice in this world. Read it.

It is no easy feat to successfully combine deep historical research with clean narrative line. Hollywood is full of failed attempts. In her debut novel, Donna Gillespie packs over a thousand pages with tense and luscious drama that simultaneously delivers a series of detailed history lessons. Travelling between Ancient Rome, in the reign of Nero and Domitian, and Germania, the narrative tracks the fabulous adventures of Auriane, aka The Light Bearer.

Historical fiction is not my usual read of choice, but there's no denying the superb qualities of both Gillespie's heroine and her story. Auriane is gutsy, deadly and true. Resolutely heroic, this proto-Freudian warrior doesn't know the meaning of the word "angst". She makes a refreshing change from doubt-ridden modern antiheroines and is a continuing source of inspiration.

Can't wait to read the sequel!

The Light Bearer is my favorite book. In fact, I'm giving a speech on it tomorrow. Auriane is the classic (yet still unpredictable) heroine that fulfulls every detail of a warrior maiden that I can imagine. I liked Marcus, too, though. He was strong and manly but still had common sense and alotta brains. I was so impressed with this book that I started reading it on a Monday, and I was finished with it by Friday! I think that it's the style of writing that is so great. Gillespie has this wonderful way of writing that provides suspense and excitement, yet is still passionate and tender. My favorite part is when she has finally caught up with Aristos and is fighting him. I think that part is beautifully written because it tyes in all the different memories and every intricate detail of the book up to that point, complete even with Ramis' ghostly words. The Light Bearer is one of the best books I've ever read. I even tried to read parts of it to my 10 year old sister

As the proud owner of practically every book on polymer clay, I have to say that Donna Kato's is right up there on top. Easy to understand techniques and doable projects illustrated. Donna makes it easy for all of us. She is humble and focused in her explanations, doesn't feel the need to express how much she's contributed to the field; that is evidenced by her fabulous designs and terrific instructions. BUY THIS BOOK!

I first saw Donna Kato on the Carol Duval show and I really enjoyed the things she made. When I decided to try my hand with polymer, I bought her book.

I was not disappointed! She is very thorough explaining techniques as well as comprehensive in her list of tools and supplies.

I highly recommend this book because of the above, but also because it is great fun!

Donna Kato is known throughout the polymer clay world for her tools, her techniques, and her art. This book is an excellent distillation of all she's learned and invented about polymer clay work.

Unlike many of the PC books on the market, Kato doesn't spend any time on projects. There are many, many techniques - Ballinese Filligree, the Clichy Rose Cane, several different types of faux materials, just as examples - but she doesn't tell you how to apply them or use them. This is fabulous for those who can use the techniques as springboards, and makes the book far more useful than any project-based book could be.

However, the technique-based approach is a little intimidating for the novice clayer; I bought this book a month after I cracked open my first packet of Sculpey III, and there wasn't much in The Art of Polymer Clay that was useful to me. Four months later, I started to get into it, and now this is one of my favorite PC books.

The basic information is extensive, but some of it, like the types of clay section, is out-dated. However, as I've said, this isn't the most helpful book for the beginning clayer - The Polymer Clay Techniques Book is probably that - so the front material is a bit beside the point. (However, everyone should read the whole book, as there is fabulous information in all the chapters.)

If I had to (horrors!) reduce my collection of PC books to just five, The Art of Polymer Clay would be one of them. It is a great book for any clayer at any level - one of the classics of the PC library.

This recipe collection is perfect for the gourmand who doesn't have a lot of time or energy to cook. The food is not only innovative and fast, as the title attests, it is also simple, fresh and healthy.

Hay has organized this collection down by cooking times: 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes. I am by no means a seasoned homecook, so these times are very approximate to me. But to be honest, these recipes are so fun that I don't really notice the time. Yes, that's right, I said *fun*.

I suspect that this book is most appropriate for someone who lives along the Pacific Rim. Asian cuisine has a significant influence on many of the recipes and a person living in the Midwestern United States might not have access to some of the ingredients. Otherwise, Hay has a global perspective: you will find innovations on Italian, French, Indian, and (even) Scandinavian cuisine.

I also feel that you will get the most bang out of this book if you shop at a market that offers gourmet foods. Rocket (or arugula), among other items that you will not find at a typical supermarket, is a prevalent ingredient here.

I don't mean to sound esoteric in my review, but as I stated early on, this is a book for gourmands, ie people who are heartily interested in food and drink. Speaking of drink, my only suggestion to better this book would be the addition of a section on table wines.

I'm a loyal ...customer, but after seeing a copy of "Flavors" on a friend's coffee table, I had to have my own copy PRONTO. I went to a local bookstore and bought "New Food Fast" because "Flavors" was sold out. What a lucky break! "New Food Fast" is Fantastic. For the inexperienced cook and wannabe gourmet chef like myself, Donna provides easy to follow and short (whew!) recipes. In the past, I ordered take-out after a long work day - I didn't have the energy to fuss in the kitchen to make a decent meal. Donna's recipes are quick, the results are delicious and she's hit the mark with me -- I have definitely returned from the kitchen (and a healthier eating lifestyle) thanks to her genius. The recipes are easy to adapt and incorporate into a low-fat, low-carb diet. The photographs are coffee table book quality and invaluable to a novice cook (or any cook) who wants to know how the final meal should look. I'm addicted. I've given this cookbook to friends who have recently become mothers and don't have the time to cook. They love the book, too. I wish I hadn't bother investing in other cookbooks, there's no better series than Donna's in terms of taste, beauty, usability, results, and gift-giving appeal.

This Aussie chef has prepared a most unique work, broken down into three classifications: under ten minutes, under twenty and under thirty.

Coupled with this is a section to stock up on pantry items on a schedule which will assure the cook of having most of the ingredients on hand to prepare these tasty dishes on the spur of the moment.

All of the dishes tested herein are delicious, but some have that extra dash of uniqueness or flavor or appeal that for me have turned into "go to dishes" when I want to prepare something special in a quick time. In this category are such recipes as: sweet chili prawn cakes (20 min.) stone fruit and berries in muscato (10 min.) and rocket, chicken and pine nut tabouli (30 min.), little passionfruit cheesecakes (30 min.) curry chicken poached in cocunut (30 min.)

There's also sections on what to do for which meal, basic prep tips like stocks, pastry, etc. and a good glossary.

This book is a gem with its large format and excellent photos.