My wife and I are currently expecting our first baby, so we've been prowling the children's sections of bookstores putting together a little library. Of the books we've bought so far, "Pete's a Pizza" is definitely our favorite. We truly love this book; it's sweet and funny and the illustrations are wonderful. We can't wait to read it to our little one -- and to play "pizza" with her as well!

This book is an easy read with expressive pictures. Pete's father plays a game with him to cheer him up and his mother soon joins in. It is a sweet family moment, where the family uses lots of imagination. At first, I didn't see the charm in this book. But my three year old twins liked it. They started requesting it more and more often. And I enjoyed reading it each time. It is a "feel good" book. (And, for me, the price of the book is worth just hearing my toddlers say "Pete's a Pizza!") Since my children are so delighted with Pete being made into a pizza, and then seeing the "pizza" run away, I think I will have to try making them into a pizza soon.

Pete's in a bad mood because the rain has spoiled his plans to play ball with his friends. His father decides to cheer him up by making him into a pizza. As his mother looks on dubiously, he proceeds to lay Pete on the table, knead him, stretch him, and twirl him in the air. Mom joins in the fun as he adds the oil (water), flour (talcum powder), tomatoes (checkers!), and cheese (paper). After some teasing and tickling, the pizza is ready to come out of the oven, and the sun, too, is ready to come out. A chase and a hug, and the pizza marches out the door with his football; all is well with the world. Steig's simple illustrations are worth a thousand words; the expressions on the character's faces tell all. What a treat to see such playful, loving parents sharing a game that the author himself used to play with his youngest daughter.

Framed as a 1920s novel by an obscure French poet, based on the life of Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann, the ambitious mid-19th century Prefect of Paris, LaFarge's ("The Artist of the Missing") second book transports the reader to a cramped, unsanitary, venerable Paris in the midst of its transformation to a modern airy city of wide boulevards and functional sewers - as envisioned by Haussmann.

The narrative opens by questioning the story that on his deathbed Haussmann regretted his modernizing zeal. "Regret is a backward-turning emotion, and the Baron was famous for straightforwardness; he made the boulevards and razed the crooked lanes where tanners' sheds fronted cracked courtyards and sewer ditches spilled over into the bins of wire and paper petals of the artificial-flower makers for which the city, before his arrival on the scene, was famous."

This regret is the thread the all-but-omniscient narrator follows from the old Paris that spawned a great, clandestine love, to the ambition and modern rigidity that crushed it, leaving a bitter thirst for revenge in the ruins.

Haussmann's lover, Madeleine, was born in 1840 in the tumult and squalor of old Paris. "Born to a tanner's dying wife, she was dropped in the Bievre. There she was saved by pollution, for the river was already so laden with debris that nothing more could sink into it." Fished out by a lamplighter who encourages her to regard the mystery of her birth as a special emancipation, and later raised in a convent where the nuns suspect a noble lineage, Madeleine's discovery of her actual parentage drives her to flee into "the cool, criminal indifference of the street."

When she surfaces again, she has found refuge in the home (and arms) of M. de Fonce, the "demolition man" who has grown rich on the clean sweep of Haussmann's modernizing broom. De Fonce has schooled himself in the value and appreciation of "the overlooked" and rich Parisians flock to his door for souvenirs of Paris' vanished buildings. And there, Haussmann meets Madeleine.

LaFarge's style is exuberantly Dickensian - full of painterly detail and droll quirks. The rounds of the lamplighter in old Paris are as vivid as the well-organized domicile of the Prefect or the subterranean warrens of the Paris library. Good natured ridicule is heaped equally high on the "celebrated decorum" of the court of the nervous Emperor Louis Napoleon and the flamboyantly artificial balls of the demi-monde. Much is made of hypocrisy, venality, greed and ambition. The serpentine plot winds through political and amorous intrigue, building to a frenzied crisis over Haussmann's grand plan to move the Paris cemeteries outside of the city and build a Railroad of the Dead.

His characters are richly and lovingly imagined, their foibles and fancies turned out with affectionate humor. Madeleine as a young convent girl fond of cats: "And Madeleine loved most of all that which was catlike in herself, in other words, that which achieved freedom without struggle and independence without loneliness, and for all that never had to go long without food."

And De Fonce's approach to people: "Just as a building becomes rich in artifacts right before it is demolished, so de Fonce found that he was best able to exploit his connoisseurship of human character by imagining those he met as near their ends. The demolition man addressed himself to a banker as he would to a dying patriarch, and to a civil servant as to a soldier polishing his boots the night before a battle with the Turk...."

And Haussmann, so much the visionary civil servant, hastening to consult de Fonce on the question of multiple personalities upon reading of an ordinary shepherd who committed a grisly murder, then had no recollection of it: "The question, yes, of what Sorgel was, really? A shepherd? Or a foot chopper? Which is the main current and which the tributary? ...What would de Fonce think? Would the next century bring a science that could answer such questions, a sort of hydraulics of the mind?"

Impressively researched, beautifully written, humorous and wise, LaFarge's novel captivates the reader with love and loss and lingers over the mixed virtues of prudence, impulse, heritage and progress.

Having recently returned from a visit in Paris and being familiar with the city's history, it was exciting to read this historical fiction concerning Haussmann. The book flows beautifully and I found it hard to put down. The author has an enjoyable way with words and you'll find yourself quickly caught up in this triangle. (I admit to having been fooled that this was supposedly a translation of a French book written in 1922. Until I read the Amazon review, I was admiring this "older" style of writing and wishing more people wrote like this today. I'm sure the author would get a grin out of that!)

Here's the real truth on our first President's tooth! No, he didn't really have a set of wooden teeth. But, poor man, the Revolution wasn't the only battle he fought. We learn in this delightfully illustrated book that from the age of 24 he lost a tooth a year. Hence, by the time he reached the presidency there were only two teeth left. (Their whereabouts in his mouth seem to be unknown).

Based on historical records as well as Washington's letters and diaries this is a sprightly, fascinating account of the root of his problem (pun intended).

Youngsters will learn a bit of history as well as enjoy a rollicking good read. For instance, they'll learn about Washington crossing the Delaware, and that he then had only nine remaining teeth. He didn't have too many teeth to chatter during the frozen winter at Valley Forge as there were only seven left.

According to a letter Washington wrote he did at one time wear false teeth secured by wires hitched around his remaining teeth. His last set of dentures were made by a Dr. Greenwood, and carved from hippopotamus ivory.

This is a well researched book complete with excerpts from Washington's letters and diaries. Witty pastel illustrations enhance the text. For all ages.

- Gail Cooke

Comora and Chandra have made a book to delight wordsmiths and history buffs alike. A verse narrative, each stanza informs by amusing. The great craft of the poem is never visible, but always in evidence -- none of the inane repetition that often informs such efforts is found here.
The whimsical illustrations are more than fine, and laid out to support and complement, rather than compete with the words.
A true delight for President's Day, and many others besides.
Bravi!

I would recommend reading this book, as well as giving this book as a gift to all college graduates. The chapter that tells how to create and do an awards ceremony in less than 2 hours alone is worth the price of the book! I particularly liked the way he defined "networking" vs. "neck-working"--and how to handle those who have mistaken one for the other. (Neck-working is misusing your opportunity to network by trying to hit on the opposite sex--a definite no-no!) Mr. Fraser's solid hints on connecting with like-minded individuals in the black community and giving back to the community, not abandoning it are fantastic--and doable. If you like commentary by people like Tavis Smiley, this is your book!

George Fraser has written a common-sense guide for networking and getting ahead. It includes anecdotes, charts, graphs and folk wisdom. Every home should have this reference book.

I just ordered several of these books to give as birthday gifts for my 9 year old daughter's friends, but I had to read through it before we gave them away. Now I may need to purchase one for our house! The stories were fun, interesting and challenging, but not so difficult that my daughter couldn't figure some out for herself. I agree with the previous review that it makes one "think outside the box" - and is a fun and valuable asset to any library!

This book consists of folktales, very concisely told, that in some sense are a riddle, a puzzle, a play on words ... These stories are presented as problems to solve.

A major strength of the book is the variety of sources of the tales - Tibetan, Aesop, Armenia, India, Grimm brothers, Ethiopian, Japan; in fact many of the stories could have come from any of a number of cultures. The illustrations add to the interest of the book for its intended audience.

The only weakness is that in only one case does it offer alternative answers. For example, in filling a room perfume works as well as light; if children are reading the book independently, they may not have the confidence to recognize that their answer is a clever as the one given in the text.

The stories are fun - parents and children should enjoy this.

This is a wonderful book that combines mathematical reasoning and logic with fascinating folktales from around the world. A book that delights kids as well as adults.

"A true story of tenacity, discipline, perseverance, and faith. I was challenged to take stock of the blessings in my life and take nothing for granted. This will be a 'must read' book for my two sons. Everyone has heroes, everyone should be a hero, George Burk is one of my heroes." Captain J.D. Schulgen, Garland Fire Department.

This book was so special to me becuase I have known George Burk for over 5 years. All of us have bad things happen to us. Usually these are short lived. George was in a plane crash that has lingering effects that will be with him always. Yet he is one of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever known. He has a wonderfully positive outlook on life. As I always tell him, he is MY TRUE HERO. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Read the story of a man who went through a tough situation and survived to become a wonderful human being. I have given a copy of this book to many friends and relatives as gifts. A MUST READ!

George Burk has written an inspiring book recounting his experience as the sole survivor of an airplane crash. I couldn't put it down. His spiritual struggles and insights are extremely moving. He is a true hero and reading his story is compelling.

I can't remember why I picked up "A Fine and Pleasant Misery". Perhaps the very notion of a humor writer for Field and Stream appealed to me.

At any rate, I don't regret it.

My favorite piece may be the Modified Stationary Panic, although every scene at the army surplus store is golden. On the other hand, kid camping is so true to life (yet hysterical) that perhaps it should be required reading for all parents (and kids attempting to sleep outside).

The only caveat, don't read in bed, you'll laugh so hard you may fall out and hurt yourself.

My father gave me this book when he thought I needed some cheering up. It was a life changing experience. Now I am on a quest to collect anything he has ever written. Caution to first time McManus readers: When you find your eyes are tearing up and you can't catch your breath, wait a short time before continuing. I nearly passed out from back to back fits of hysterical laughter caused by reading his passages too quickly.

Patrick Mcmanus is an awesome writer! I could hardly put the book down. It was so FUNNY! His way of describing real life outdoor situations is hilarious. He is definitly one of the best outdoor humorists of all time!!!

The title of this book really caught my eye. I have always wanted to be what God wants me to be, but I never knew where to begin. Elizabeth George did an excellent job giving practical insights on how to begin to mold you heart after God's own heart. That task is not any easy one to accomplish. As a wife, pastor's wife, and a soon to be mom, I was grateful for all the topics she covered in her book. This book will really help you learn how to put God into the center of every area in your life! It has helped me to get my spiritual life back on track with my loving Heavenly Father! Another plus was that it strengthened my relationship with my husband. We are all taught some pretty unhealthy ways of being a woman, wife, and mother. George did a wonderful job bringing in Scripture along with her insights. I now know the TRUE way to be a Godly woman, wife and mother! I recommend this book to any woman who has the desire to be what God wants her to be! The neat thing about this book is that it is geared to any woman, single or married.

This book had a great impact on my life, especially as a wife and mother. Many times, the things she advocated made me resentful, because they demand that I die to my own will, and treat people the way GOD wants me to treat them, whether they deserve it or not! I loved her way of prioritizing things, reminding us that our husbands and children come before anyone else, and that our families should never doubt how important they are to us. Walking in God's path isn't easy, and it is a relief to hear an author encourage us to take the hard way, instead of the easy way!

This is one of those books every Christian woman should read. It is practical, yet extremely insightful on what the Bible has to say about the rolls of the woman. Elizabeth George writes in a manner that is easy to read and absorb. All the women in my family have read it and love it. This is truly a life changing book. BUY IT!!!

Peter Pan is a good adventure/fantasy that kids and adults can enjoy alike. With much exaggeration, it is something kids can enjoy and read into. It's a page-turning book that once you started you can't stop.

This isn't like the Disney movie! I loved this book but at the same time I was shocked by the violence of the fighting between Hook and the Lost Boys and the Indians. I don't think I'll be reading this one to my nephews and neices, not until I have edited out the violent bits. It wasn't that In-Your-Face violence of the Hollywood movies, it was more insinuated and there was definetly a menacing atmosphere surrounding Wendy's, Peter's and Michael's adventures in Never Never Land. I do recommend it though, just not for easily frightened youngsters. This is definetly in need of a PG rating on the cover. PARENTS: This is no Disney Peter Pan!

My 10 year old daughter found this book in the school library. She read it one weekend and has checked it out several times. The classic story along with the beautiful illustrations by Eric Kincaid have made this one of her favorite books. When I surprised her with her own copy that I had found on Amazon she was thrilled and commented on it's excellent condition.

LOVED BOY GEORGE AND CULTURE CLUB SINCE THE EARLY 80'S READING THIS BOOK, GAVE ME MORE RESPECT FOR BOY GEORGE THE PERSON, HE TELLS OF HIS UPS AND DOWNS, WHAT THE MUSIC BUSINESS IS REALLY ABOUT, HOW CONTROLING IT REALLY IS., AND SOME OF HIS FRIENDS ARE CHARACTERS, IM GLAD TO SEE A BOOK WRITTEN WITH SUCH HONESTY, I LOVE YOU GEORGE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE., KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK,

I was a teen-ager in the 80's that loved the music and everything that went with it. I had no idea about the life of Boy George. I DID NOT put this book down. I only read biographies and this is the best. He has a great sense of humor considering what he has been through, and at times I had tears in my eyes from laughing(at the expense of Marilyn). It is a long book but you may want to read it again...I did. Boy George had courage and held nothing back telling us about his life,good and bad. It makes you feel sad to know he went through such events as close friends all around him dieing and to feel good about him facing the fact he had to change his life or he would not be here now. I could go on and on and I wish there had been 300 more pages. I am a big fan now and wish he would write another book with more of his "bitchy" humor.

After reading this book, I came away thinking fame isn't all it's cracked up to be. Boy George's life seemed more interesting and exciting before the onset of fame! Maybe that's because George lived by his wits during his teen years, often living in "squats" with other punks during the late 70's. The chapters describing these years have a certain edge that the later chapters lack. There is drama in all the chapters, never fear! After George became famous he got fat turning to comfort food whenever Jon Moss rejected him, THEN he got really skinny turning to heroin after the final bust-up with Moss. All the little and big dramas are told with the wit we expect of Boy George. Even with all the trials and tribulations of drug addiction, the way George runs his mouth cracks me up. ...