This book is beautifully illustrated and has such a warm and wonderful message. As someone whose father sent her to school with peanut butter, raisin, honey and banana sandwiches, I felt this book spoke directly to me. It's beautiful and funny to watch how this little boy just crumples with embarrassment over the eccentric behavior of his parents, but then comes to realize how their love is what is truly exceptional about them. It's just a great tale to which many of us can relate. By the way, you have to try peanut butter, banana, raisin and honey sandwiches! They're great.

All parents seem a bit odd to their kids. This book makes you laugh at your differences. Very cleaver. Teaches love and acceptance and respect of our uniqueness.

Not only is this book beautifully illustrated, it will also take your child on a journey through the seasons all in one day. They will be able to wake with the calls of crows and go to sleep to the hoots of an owl. I highly recommend this book to all young readers especially if they love birds and their birdsongs.

A huge thank you to you and your family for your contributions to children's literature. The Christmas Adventures of Space Elf Sam will not be under our tree this year, it's too good to hide in wrapping paper. We, my husband, my 3 girls, 3, 5, and 10 and myself are Star Trek fans and this one could be a new Christmas favorite for us. I was so excited to see the parts of your web site that explain where the story came from and how the animation was done. I really love to see how things come together. I was in awe at how complicated the animation is and how much work goes into it. The effort definately shows in the finished product. The illustrations are fun, inviting, futuristic and friendly, children and adults will love them! I am a preschool teacher and children's writer.

These books are great for teaching children about language.

It was a serendipitous moment when I discovered Orlando's Little-While Friends sitting on the bookshelf at my sister's place. I assumed it had been thrown out or given away along with all the other cherished objects of our childhoods. I was yet more surprised to discover the book was still in print. It was over twenty years ago in Canada, as a boy of four or five, that I first read this beautiful story, and its appeal remains strong even today.

Orlando sets off with his parents in his super-shiny-travel-anywhere van for the summer. He doesn't share his parents' happiness, however: He must leave all his cherished friends behind. Will he be lonely? How will he make friends? How will he overcome his shyness? Will he risk everything, push the boat out and find some little-while friends, or will he let his bashfulness get the better of him and hide away from the world? The author explores Orlando's vulnerability, loneliness and how he confronts his fears to make little-while friends. These themes are treated in a way so touchingly human that even I, as a twenty-five year old, could relate.

The scrapbook style, with its many lushly coloured illustrations, is what takes the story the extra distance to make this into a true classic. Its value lies not just in it being great fun, but in exploring in a highly accessible way some very important life issues. Snap this up while it is still in print.

I have to say that I fell in love with the little mouse. Each page is a colorful new experience. I felt his horror when he heard about the terrible Big Hungry Bear, and his frantic attempt to save the red, ripe strawberry from him. What a clever and entertaining book. I am a storyteller and this is the favorite of all. Children young and old can enjoy the beautiful illustrations and the creative storyline. It definetly makes me want a big, red, ripe strawberry.

This is one of my daughter's (and her preschool's) favorites. The illustrations are rich, seemingly 3-dimensional, and are very amusingly drawn.

When asked at school to tell about their favorite book when they were little, both of my girls (now 11 and 8), named this book! They still enjoy reading it, and I think they're glad to have an excuse to read it to their younger brother (age 3). The story tells about a baby bear and some of the struggles he has learning how to do things for himself, something every child can relate to. It also shows how he still needs his parents to be there for him even when he can do some things on his own. It's a great snuggle up and read together book for kids of all ages (and their parents!).

Lawson Drinkard takes old wood, makes new homes and sets dreams in concrete. As with his first book, RETREATS, Drinkard tantalizes readers with stories-and beautiful photographs- proving that people can make their housing visions come true. Yet the book is packed with lots of "news to use." His tips on finding housing materials and working through zoning processes are priceless. This isn't just a book for the skilled craftsperson but for anyone who dares to set dreams in motion.