As a teacher, I can not tell you enough how fabulous this book is! It not only has beautiful illustrations it also has a beautiful message! I use this whenever I teach my butterfly unit, and this is always the kids favorite book that I read! Buy it - you will not regret it!

This is the story of a little cricket who comes to realize his true beauty after being helped by a wise old spider. The little cricket lives in Swampswallow Pond where most of the other crickets are happy spending their days fiddling. This little cricket is not happy. He has been told by the frog at the edge of the pond that he is ugly. He envies all the other creatures that live in Swampswallow Pond. The cricket questions several of the creatures about his beauty, but it isn't until he comes upon the wise old spider that he is able to find his own beauty. Follow Up: Ask students what they think about the story. Students will brainstorm ideas about wishes. Students can write about their own wishes and dreams.Make a class book. Students will write about some things they like about themselves. Draw a different student's name each day and have everyone write the student a letter telling them what they like about that person. Perform this story as a reader's theater.

I am a senior in high school, and our English teacher shared this story with us, and had us to look for a deeper meaning. It is wonderful and inspiring. I want a copy so I can share it with my children one of these days.

The author's vivid descriptions of the mountains and terrain, the weather and the trials and tribulations of hiking, camping, building log structures and the camaraderie of such an outstanding troop is nothing but masterful ! What the author has produced should be a legend for all those presently in scouting. I truly doubt that any other troop has ever been or will be as dedicated or productive as 511. Braman has really chronicled the true spirit of scouting in a way that will inspire future generations of scouts, even though I doubt that it will ever be equaled. Where "The Fuzzy Marmots Grow" is a work of art. This book was a pleasure to read, it captivates the reader and it's hard to put down. I certainly enjoyed it

Very funny! Amazingly detailed memories. A great read-aloud for the whole family.

This delightful memoir of boyhood is a chronicle of humor, nostalgia and charm. It's story-telling at its best. Unequivocally recommended to those who enjoy remembering, reliving, the spirit of youth - when the miracle of adventure was an everyday occurrence. Lovingly conceived, deftly written.

The Best of James H. Schmitz is a selection of stories published by NESFA as the first in their "Choice" series. Its genesis was a panel conducted by the editor, Mark L. Olson, during Boskone 27 "which proved that Schmitz still has fans out there". It contains an introduction by Janet Kagan and a bibliography of Schmitz's SF works in addition to nine stories.

The introduction provides a rather good analysis of Schmitz's characters, plots, and style, but doesn't much address his environments, probably due to length considerations. A more extensive analysis of these environments is provided by Eric Flint in the Baen editions of Schmitz's SF works.

"Grandpa" is a story of a Colonial team that found a surprise in the ecology of an unexplored planet. "Lion Loose" is a Quillan tale wherein he gains an unusual ally. "Just Curious" is about a unique mental ability and the reaction of a man who has been subjected to it. "The Second Night of Summer" tells what Grimp and Grandma did during summer vacation. "Novice" is another summer vacation story, in which Telzey drives her Aunt Halet to hysterics. "Balanced Ecology" is the story of an environent that adopts a human family. "The Custodians" is a tale of a hijacking and a man's conscience. "Sour Note On Palayata" is a Psychological Service story about consciousness and wisdom. "Goblin Night" is a yarn about Telzey, Chomir and a spook.

This collection is a fairly balanced selection of the author's short works, ranging from the quite familiar to the fairly obscure. Although not necessarily the "best" of his short stories, all are interesting and enjoyable and have that characteristic sense of wonder. While this is a good starting point for readers who have never before encountered this author, serious fans will also want to buy the Baen publications, which contain so much more.

Highly recommended to Schmitz fans and anyone who enjoys interstellar adventure with a sense of wonder.

I'm a long time fan of James H Schmitz from when his stories first appeared in the sixties and seventies, and so I was pleased to see his work coming back into print This volume is just a sampling of what he was capable of. It introduces several of the characters that appear in many of his other stories. Telzey Amberdon in here, in both Novice and Goblin Night. Heslet Quillan is in Lion Loose (along with one very interesting monster), Just Curious is not so much a Science Fiction story as a horror mystery, while the other stories show the broad range of his writing. One interesting aspect of Schmitz's writing was the way he wrote about ecology as a major factor in his stories. Grandpa and Balanced Ecology include the life forms of a world as major characters without being preachy or pedantic. In that line I strongly recommend his book The Tuvela (also titled The Demon Breed) if you can find it in used book stores. That book also features Nile Etland, one of Schmitz's very interesting female characters. Schmitz was using strong, and believable, female characters long before anyone else, and they are both realistic and sympathetic, much more so than most of the ones in print today. In case you think he did only strong female characters, this book also has The Guardians, one of his best stories, with a sympathetic, and believable, male space pirate. And of course, Heslett Quillan is here in Lion Loose. The bibliography at the end of the book, as well as the cross-reference of stories and characters is very helpful. But a major character in his stories is the background itself. The Federation of the Hub is a fascinating place. This book gives a glimpse of it. All in all, I recommend this book as a sampler and starting point for those wanting to know more about a very good, and seminal SF writer. And while they were not written as children's stories, their content, and relatively short length compared to the massive books out today, make them ideal ways to introduce young children, especially young girls, to SF.

I've read what I can easily find of Schmitz's longer works and greatly enjoyed them. This collection of some of his shorter works has induced a craving for what's not included here. A bibliography in the back of the book is a great aid for my search. All his stories I've ever read are an enjoyable way to pass an evening.

My mom bought me this book about 13 years ago. I was just about to push into my early teen years, and I really had no clue what to expect. I read this book, and I although I couldn't relate to everything in it at the time, it was presented in a clear, logical and Godly way. As the years went by, I began to relate more and more to Dr. Dobson's words, and I recalled his suggestions often. Now, I'm buying this for my much younger sister as she begins her trip into her teen years.

I have two boys who are thirteen and nine years old. I also teach a preadolescent sunday school class for my church. I read the book and began immediately encouraging my oldest son to read it also. As a thirteen year old boy, he had more important things to do than read a book his dad recommended, so I bought the teaching guide and taught it to my sunday school class. We are now exploring other areas, but every time we cross a subject that we studied in the book, the kids remind me where that came from and which of the symptoms the person in question is suufering from. This book has helped a great deal with my children as well as other children in my sunday school class. Parents have even asked me where I gained the courage to teach the book and thank me for doing something that they felt was to touchy a subject for them to take on. thank you Dr. Dobson for having the insight to write this and your other books.

This book provides indispensible advice and education for the parent and pre-teen. When I was entering adolescence, my parents gave me this book. I cannot describe what a relief it was to learn that I wasn't weird and that the feelings I was having and the stage I was entering were normal. A must-read for all Christian families on the brink of the teenage years.

J.P. Donleavy's narrative voice is unique. Setting him apart from all other writers. With a lyrical pointillism that is fragmented. Painting pictures of incredible poetic beauty. Sad and tender. And then, again, hilarious. Evoking all of one's senses. This tale is very New York. Where Donleavy was born. Before moving to Ireland, TCD and the Irish countryside. His subject, this time, is a starving composer living among wealthy friends and in-laws. Tormented by every woman he meets. Unable to understand just one of them. Even briefly. Bewildered by popular American culture. Which rains fortunes on untalented artists. Hiding the gifted in total obscurity. And starving them into anonymity. They await redemption. And recognition of their artistic merit. As the astonishing talents of Donleavy go unrecognized by the literary mainstream. Read Donleavy -- one of the most gifted and worthy and unheralded writers of our day.

Of all the novels I've read for pleasure or for review purposes during the past decade, none entertained and moved me as much as this splendid novel. At the age of 72, J.P. Donleavy hasn't lost a bit of his ability to pluck a fine elegiac melody on your heartstrings, nor has he lost his lively way with words, that "signature" of sentence fragments that make better English than any other writer's of our time. And here he returns to his home town, New York City, to depict it as no other writer ever has.

What amazes me is that hordes of "readers" are falling all over themselves to buy Tom Wolfe's latest, and so few people are jumping at the chance to savor a truly great novel like this one. There's no justice in the book-buying world.

If you enjoy Donleavy, you should give this novel a try; it's marvelously well-written. If you like his prose style you might conclude, as I do, that he's writing better than ever. The prose is, at times, simultaneously fractured and yet perfectly constructed. A paradox, I know, but that's what Donleavy can pull off at his best. The reviews of the novel will likely (and reasonably enough) focus upon its ribald scenes, characteristic outbursts of blarney, etc., etc...Donleavy has certainly not lost the flair for the comic and absurd scene. Beyond that, however, is an emotional punch that really hangs with you after finishing the book. The scene from with the title is taken is, for instance, quite brief and very powerful.

Steve Vivian

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!

I never thought I would find a study guide for AP Statistics better than Barrons. However, this one takes the prize. I find myself reading it prior to each lesson plan.

I am a teacher of AP Stats, and I love this book! The authors have made the review content very readable and include charts, diagrams, and tables to help with difficult concepts. This book includes 5 full-length practice exams, and ample review questions for each section of the course. This is the review book I assign for class.

Jonathan Cohen, the editor of this book, believes that social-emotional learning (SEL) is the heart of good education. The reason? Human beings grow in their social environments. When children care about each other, and feel cared for, they learn--a lot more than in environments where they feel anxious, frightented, or "out." Unlike "self-esteem" advocates, however, Cohen believes that positive school environments can "challenge" students to grow, so he is not simply dispensing bromides to children.

Cohen believes there are about 300 SEL curricula available in the marketplace. This book gives teachers and administrators a perspective from which to choose. The contributors also point to implementation of SEL curricula. The belief is that it takes 3 years, with consistent support to teachers and administrators, before SEL really "takes hold" in a school, although the results are faster in smaller schools and in younger children. Cohen believes that thoughtful teachers can implement SEL in their classroom, even if the school administration is not implementing in other classrooms.

I particularly liked Stuart Twemlow's chapter on the bully-victim-bystander "drama" in school, and various approaches to intermittent power struggles in schools. Another very interesting approach is Myrna Shure's I Can Problem Solve (ICPS), which is a cognitive-behavioral approach to early high-risk behaviors.

There are other books that are more "exercise" and "unit" oriented that can help teachers more directly. Look on Amazon's book search for any writings by Ruth Charney (Northeast Foundation for Children), Roxann Kriete, Maurice Elias, and others that Amazon will pop up for you.

Great book! Intended mostly for educators, this book is useful for all the "special disciplines" in school (psychologists, social workers, guidance counselors, administrators) as well as teachers interested in SEL.

Practical, concrete suggestions for teachers (and to a lesser extent, parents) who want to understand how to promote children's social and emotional skills and knowledge. There are so many programs and perspectives 'out there' - this book helps to make sense of it - As a practicing teacher, I loved it and found it actually helpful in my classroom work.

Having been a Velvets/Nico fan since 1968, I somehow ignored this book until recently, perhaps because of my annoyance with the status the Velvets have attained over the years. (They really were a better band when nobody else had heard of them....) Anyway, to complete my collection I suppose, I bought this book a few weeks ago with very low expectations. What I discovered was a beautifully written book, picaresque, dark, satirical, poignant...James Young writes like a Celine for the twilight of the 20th century. I would eagerly buy another book written by Mr. Young. In short, this book is a masterpiece.

"Nico-The End" is definitely a better, more intelligent piece of writing then the hard to find "Songs they Never Played on the Radio". "The End" tracks the last years of Nico's life; it is sad and seedy, but has some incredibly funny parts to it. What we get here is a glimpse into Nico's many live shows and her relationship with others in the 80's, particularly the author, her band The Faction, her fans, and John Cale as well as some others. There is part telling about the struggle to make her final recording, "Camera Obscura" and finally her unexpected death. I totally recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about the absolutely facsinating life of VU chanteuse and proven solo artist Nico.

This is the most hilarious "rock" book I have ever read. I found myself turning the pages in complete fascination -- bizzare performances, wild parties, weird tour experiences, encounters with luminaries like John Cale, a visit to the motel where Tom Waits used to stay ... etc. And you have to admire Nico for sniffing out drugs anywhere, even behind the then iron curtain & getting high regardless. The funniest part is where Nico takes her first trip on Angel Dust, he he, I'm laughing just thinking about it. The writing style is great. My book has a subtitle not mentioned on this amazon.com page: Songs They Never Play On The Radio, but perhaps that is the UK edition. You don't have to be a fan of Velvet Underground to enjoy this book, it stands on its own feet. Finger licking good.

This book is about a girl who becomes friend with a boy named donald. Donald was burned at a young age and has not been the most popluar persion in the world. Maria who is the girl becomes one of Donalds olny friends alothogh its sad it has so many lauhs a long the way. It deals with presure and over coming it Ipersionaly loved the book and would no dout read it again! "GOTTA LOTTA" baby all the way(u'll get it when you read it)

A night without stars sort of forshadows my life from the ages of 6 months old until I was 6 years old only my surguries were on my feet. The nervousness that Maria feels the night befor her surgury is the same that I felt. The fact that she is having open heart surjury is much more serious and frightening. Well I thought some parts in the begining were sort of confusing but thats me, everything is so confusing. A Night Without Stars was certainly one of my favorite books and I think that everyone should read it. Boys and girls. I mean who cares if the main character is a girl, boys should read it anyways. I thing this book should be a middle school, or high school requirment throughout the united States of America.

This book is among one of my Top 10 faves! It's even better than the Bunnicula books,especially since the characters are human. Maria was apprehensive about having heart surgery. Getting no information from doctors,friends,or family didn't help. She made new friends in the hospital. Although they told her to avoid a burn victim cruelly nicknamed Monster Man,she resisted peer pressure and befriended the boy. They both helped each other through their surgeries. Since I want to be a writer,Donald's poetry interested me. He coped with disaster the way many other ostracized teens would: by withdrawing and showing hostility. Only Maria cracked his tough shell of bitterness. The story behind this story(it's in the back of the book on the page about the author)is really touching. Enough waxing philosophical,now for the most important part: get this book.You won't regret it.