This book provides an excellent presentation because it smoothes out the Bible and provides a coherent, easily comprehensible, linear framework of understanding. The most helpful aspect of this arrangement of material is that in the section covering the Gospel books, it presents selected chapters in chronological order (Sunday School materials might have set a precedent here).

It's like an ideally arranged compendium of Sunday School booklets, with helpful background sections introducing major parts of the Bible. It uses a classic style of graphics, combined with various types of art as DK Publishing excels in.

Everyone who is studying Christianity should read this first, to set up a basic framework of understanding. This book portrays clearly and efficiently a point of reference to answer "What is the orthodox conventional reading of the Bible?"

This book reveals the anti-Semitism that builds up in the book of Acts; the Jews who supposedly persecuted the Christians are always shown in a two-dimensional, cardboard way, with mean expressions on their faces. This book clearly portrays the conventional Christian reading of this material. It's a good, clear portrayal of the standard orthodox way of reading the Bible.

There is an appendix of people's names in the back. The book lacks, most of all, a set of genealogy diagrams. It has a fairly good map in front, but could use more maps or at least a guide to the little maps that are dispersed throughout.

It has a great index. After reading the book cover-to-cover, I highlighted the 50% of the index entries that are least clear to me, to do a 2nd, review pass. I played a Bible trivia game and was inspired to read this book because I lacked too many of the standard Bible stories. I can tell that I'll do much better in that Bible trivia game, and will do even better after reviewing more of the unfamiliar entries I found in this book's index.

I felt that getting through this book required the most perseverance when wading through the section about the kings who did or didn't worship God, and the section about Jesus' parables -- these are covered well, but these weren't the sections of the Bible I was most interested in. My favorite sections of the book -- the subjects I was already most curious about -- were the stories between Eden and the later kings, and the stories between the Crucifixion and Revelation. The book has a nice treatment of Revelation and explains its political context. In the middle of the book, the parables and wisdom literature is covered.

I treasure this book and am glad to have read the Bible in this clear and understandable form. Next, I may read the Bible Handbook by DK Publishing (John Bowker). I'm reading Bowker's 2002 book from DK Publishing, God: A Brief History. I've also read the pocket-size Bible handbook from DK Publishing, which isn't very enlightening -- it's a tiny, somewhat random subset of the Illustrated Family Bible. I also recommend the books by DK Publishing, which I have read, covering Christianity, Myth, World Religions, and Philosophy.

This book is great because it gives a very readable overview of the main Biblical stories. The illustrations are a plus and make the stories easy to absorb and remember. The sidebars provide very useful information. There appears to be a high degree of scholarship in the analyses. Of course, because this is a "family" bible, perhaps a few of the more sordid elements may not be covered. Still, this is a wonderful way to get an overall feel for the Old and New Testaments

I love this book! When my husband or I am reading out of our regular bible & don't understand something, this book can usually clarify our questions. We have had such a good time just sitting down in the evening & going over a few pages a night. It's plain, simple English. I have such a hard time understanding our other bibles. I highly reccommend.

Review of The North Star by Peter Reynolds

A True Story

My smart friend Jane read The North Star and said: "It's a dumb book." I looked at her quizzically. I began to notice how straight she sat, how straight she dressed. She had no children. "It's about something very rare," I said. "Something wonderful but all too rare." Now Jane looked at me quizzically. "Unconventional children," I said. Her quizzicality grew. "And that's all of them," I added. Jane's eyes lit up, her jaw dropped a little. She said, "Oh." I started to explain but she is smart and didn't need me to tell -- about children who get those double-messages that appear on almost every page of The North Star, the wooden sign telling you to turn right, then below it a maddening little arrow pointing left. "Girl children get a ton of double-messages. Children in poverty get them, children in privilege. The messages about sex leave no room for homosexuality, for domestic violence, for exploitation. No wonder children grow up feeling lost. Who wouldn't love to read this book to kids everywhere?" "You're so right," said smart Jane. "Why didn't I see it?" "Maybe you've become conventional, Jane. Did you ever find your own North Star?" The quizzicality returned. "In the book the lost boy stops following the conventional signs when he discovers his North Star - surrounded by his very own constellation. That's just his true calling in life, surrounded by all his strengths and talents. It leads him back home: to himself, to an original self." "How wonderful," said smart Jane, tears standing in her eyes. #

William Cleary August 23, l999

I'm an "ability focused" disability awareness educator and I've adopted The North Star and its messages into my work with students for the past several years. With its messages of self-acceptance and acceptance of diversity, The North Star has been a natural companion for my own goals of helping students develop a greater appreciation of individual differences and abilities. This is a gift we all deserve, no matter what our age... no matter what obstacles we face in life.

Besides the success I've had with The North Star in the classroom, it also has great meaning to me on a personal level. As someone living with a lifelong respiratory disability, reading The North Star for the first time felt like someone was smiling at me, and nodding... confirming and celebrating the person I am and the unique life I've led, and it made me believe it is the kind of life I want to continue leading.

I highly suggest firmly embracing your favorite stuffed animal as you read this book...it will be a journey you shall never forget.

Initially we purchased the"Winnie-The-Pooh and When we were very Young " cassettes for the children to listen to on long car journeys; I vaguely remembered the stories from my own childhood in England and it was a delight to find that the extremely talented Peter Dennis has a wonderful English voice (call me biased but Winnie-The-Pooh is a very British bear!). Peter Dennis totally captures the characters and nuances of A.A. Milne's delightful creatures; we may have bought the tapes for the children but the adults share equal pleasure when listening to them. To anyone who wants to journey back to a time of simple pleasures and pure enchantment I thoroughly recommend "Winnie-The-Pooh and When We Were Very Young" performed by Peter Dennis.

BRAVO! Rush out and buy all Mr. Dennis' recordings

Mr. Dennis has a exemplary way of charming young and old alike with his renderings of the works of A.A. Milne. No wonder the U.S. Government considers him a national treasure. Anyone will treasure owning his entire collection.

I only wish I had found Getting Loaded sooner. I'm recently married and after that happens you pay much more attention to your finances. This is the book to help anyone, single or married get their act together. It's a quick, easy read and it's easy to reference topics because it's 50 short chapters, not 10-12 long ones. I definately recommend it

Peter's penchant for familar and accessible language brings home the basics of financial investing to those who need an introduction to all money matters. I recommend this book especially to all recent grads. I've bought several copies myself because the book makes a great gift! Peter's humor is particularly poignant and I found myself bursting out loud a couple of times - his humor makes the book read like a novel with enough cultural references to give anyone a laugh. In this day and age... it's practically irresponsible not to know at least the basics of the financial world - and Peter's book breaks down each topic in an easy to read format; I find myself using sections as reference tools - even after reading it through once. I can't say enough about this book - it should be required reading for everyone.

"Getting Loaded" is loaded with useful advice, good intentions, and laughs! Peter Bielagus's book, while aimed at the under-30 group, features things we can all benefit from. I'm in my early 30's, and I found the book to be very engaging. It's written in easy-to-understand format, and Mr. Bielagus covers every aspect of finances: credit cards, mortgages, retirement, saving, etc. Recommended highly.

The Dark Portal
Robin Jarvis
R.Graves
P.5

This book called The Dark Portal is about bloodthirty gangs of rats that roam the sewer tunnels. In the depths of blackness lies the mysterious god Jupiter. This god Jupiter is the lord of all the rats in the sewer and the most powerful.All Fear his wrath of evil. But one curious mouse named Audrey can't resist this evil place beyond the Grill. But before the altar of Jupiter himself, a small group of mice must face his evil of the entire city of London could be destroyed.
The part that I liked was at the end when they all came face to face with Jupiter. Here are some quotes, "Never" said Audrey. "But you must," murmured Jupiter. "My will is yours. Climb up, I command you." These quotes were from when Audrey was alone with Jupiter in his lair.
He was trying to make her worship him but she wouldn't. If she didn't worship him he would kill her. Finally the rest of the mice came to save but they would have to put up a fight to save her. He had fallen into the sewer water and said "You cannot defeat me" as he was digging his claws into the brickwork. But deep in the water there was something strange that had sank Jupiter to his death. It was every mouse that Jupiter had tortured that had came to get him.
My favorite part was basically the whole book. I say this because it was filled with a lot of drama,suspense,and terror. This book was filled with all these things which is what I like. This author Robin Jarvis is a terrific writer. Who has a great imagination for everyone to read and to love. He also has two more books on the same line as this one, which I will be reading soon I hope. I can truly say that this is my favorite book of all time.

This book is great! It all starts when the dark magic lures innocent mouse Arthur into the sewers. In the sewers you will find rats with mousepeelers instead of hands, rats wearing mouse coats as a trophy of slaughtering an innocent mouse, and a dark rat god. It will keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense.

This is one of the most amazing books I've ever read!! Robin Jarvis does an excellent job of writing a gripping story about a small group of mice confronting an evil band of rats in the sewers under Deptford. It may also please you to know that the main character (and the hero) is a girl. It has lots of action and the climax is genuinely scary! If you like animal fantasy you will LOVE this book (though I should warn you that it gets near-impossible to put down!)

Kavik the Wolf-dog was the first book about wolf-dogs I have ever read. Because of this book, it inspired me to respect and raise my own wolf-dogs and wolves to teach people how noble these animals are. I was in second grade when I read it.Now I'm almost thirty and this book stills vividly sticks in my mind. This is a classic novel.

I read Kavik The Wolf Dog and loved every bit of it. I like how it told a story about a dog trying to find his way home, and the challenges that he had to overcome to get back to the place is loves. I think that this is a book that lots of people would love to read. If you like adventure, this is the book for you!

I loved this book! It may be dull at first, but soon you'll be hooked. I liked it so much, I didn't want it to end.

Kavik is a wolf dog who is a champion sled dog who belongs to Charlie One-Eye. He gets sold, but the plane flying him to his new "owner" Mr. Hunter it crashes, and Kavik is left to die. His only hope is a boy named Andy Evans who is out hunting. He is shocked when he finds Kavik, and wonders if he should take his gun and put him out of misery. But Kavik's golden eyes say "I'm not ready to die." Andy takes him home, and after a while, with the help of a nearby doctor, Kavik heals, But his courage is damaged from the crash. His owner returns to take him. Kavik is miserable in the puny dog run Mr. Hunter looked him in, and hates Mr. Hunter as well. One day when Mr. hunter is showing off Kavik, he runs away, on his quest to get home to Andy. Kavik gets a ride back up north on a boat with an elderly couple. He runs away from them, and meets a young female wolf and falls in love. Like in the real world, Kavik must fight another wolf for her, and he gets his courage back. But a hunter kills her, and Kavik continues to travel until he finally makes it home to Andy, and Andy gets to keep him. It is a wonderful book that has everything. Love, compassion, loyalty, adventure, action, and all that other stuff. You gotta read it!

In Del-Del, Kelleher evokes powerful images and emotions that even after 1 year still send shivers up my spine, and put a lump in my throat. Intriguing, powerful and fasinating.

This book is thrilling and a great read for anyone from ages 10 and up. Kelleher is a great Australian writer of pre-teen novels, for your science fiction audience. This book is wonderfully writen. The story is about this young boy who thinks he is possed by Del-Del, it is shows his interaction with his family as the character of Del-Del, develops. Definately not a book that one can drop until it is finished

This book is one of the spookiest I have ever read. Reading it as a adult I don't know if I could have coped with it as a child, although my son and daughter did. They enjoyed it so much they insisted that Mum and Dad read it too, so we did. Although written and set in Australian it is absolutely universal and could have been set anywhere there are children with grief to deal with. A totally outstanding piece of work that I had to read in one sitting. Please read this book!

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.

"Winnie the Pooh" and "House on Pooh Corner" were two of my favorite books growing up. When I came across this 75th boxed anniversary edition, I just had the get it. Keep in mind, this is just the same great stories in new packages. "Winnie the Pooh" has gold trimmed pages and "House on Pooh Corner" is trimmed with silver. I recommend this to anyone who hopes to pass on the love of the original Winnie the Pooh characters to any young ones in their lives. I know I definitely will.

I think this book suitable for everyone not only for child but adult also can read it. My friend and I love this book and try to collect the whole of Pooh's series. But I think .. The house at the Pooh corner also lovely while The Tao of Pooh was very difficult to understand for child. However, I love it!!

I recieved this book (and its companion, the color edition of "The House At Pooh Corner") as a gift. I cannot speak more highly of them both. Unlike the editor at Horn, who found that the colorization detracted from the illustrations, I find exactly the opposite -- that the color lends depth and detail to the drawings, which are completely untouched otherwise.

The paper is crisp, semi-glossy, and brilliant white; the cover and page edges are guilded; the typeface is sharp and crystal-clear; and the full-color endpapers are truly magnificent.

In all and every way this is a truly magnificent and sumptuous edition -- with perhaps the single exception of price. And even then, with such a marvelous work, that is to be expected!

The Ancient City: LIfe in Classical Athens and Rome is a good book because it has a good description of the two civilizations. Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece are two different periods, and the book divides the two with clarity and nice colorfull pictures. It will give you good information that you can't find in a encyclopedia.

I wanted a basic overview text on Greek and Roman civilizations. Luckily I stumbled upon this book by Connolly and Dodge. The book is terrific. The layout is excellent. The writing is succinct and the text moves along smoothly. I now have a basic knowledge of Greek and Roman eras. I got a lot more out of this book by also reading Edith Hamilton's The Greek Way. However, I must confess, this book is far more interesting and keeps one glued. A joy to read. Very highly recommended.

Having returned from my first visit to Rome I was looking for answers to many questions about how the Coloseum was built used. The 27 pages here devoted to the Colosseum are far more informative than other books more specifically focused on the subject. The architectural illustrations throughout are outstanding.

Many other aspects of daily life, food, plumbing, politics, marriage customs (Ancient Athens had wedding cakes), idioms (the origin of "deus ex machina"), philosophy and the arts are richly told and illustrated.

We have been more strongly influenced by Athenian and Roman culture than we usually realize.