Book Description

Read by Christian Rodska
Approx. 6 hours
4 cassettes

After centuries of undisturbed slumber, the Stoor Worm—the World Eater—is waking. A creature of monstrous proportions and unimaginable evil, the Stoor Worm must be destroyed. Already its murderous hatchlings are bringing terror and destruction to every corner of Britain. And an odd trio—a Fool, a Maiden, and a Horse—is desperately trying to convince one quite ordinary boy that he alone can save the world.
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Reviews (7)

Tired of Harry Potter? Try Philem Green!
This young adult fantasy set in 1919 England grabs you right away. The hero of our story, Phelim, awakens one morning to find his kitchen filled with glashans, a people who are normally invisible to humans. The glashans want Phelim to help them, for the Worm is waking, and as she does, her Hatchings are wreaking havoc across the country. Phelim is quite confused at first, but with the help of a Fool, a Maiden, and a Horse, he discovers that he seems to be their only hope to stop the Storr Worm and prevent her strange, blood-thirsty hatchings from harming anyone else. Phelim has a lot to learn about these creatures and stories that died out generations ago but begin to surface again, as he journeys to kill the giant monstrous worm. How will he do it? He hasn't got a clue.

The story of Jack O'Green
Reminiscent of a spicier Lloyd Alexander, Geraldine McCaughrean weaves a spellbinding tale with bits of Celtic lore, excellent writing and amazing lead characters.

Phelim, a young boy living in post World War I Cornwall, lives with his emotionally abusive sister; his mother is dead, his father is simply gone. But Phelim's life takes an unexpected turn when a bunch of scraggly prehistoric dwarves and something called the Domovoy invade his house, pursued by the sinister Black Dog. They force Phelim out, saying that he is Jack O'Green and has to deal with the Stoor Worm.

Before long, Phelim encounters mad Sweeney, a veteran of the Napoleonic wars who lives in perpetual terror in the trees; the Obby Oss, a delightfully goofy specter; and Alexia, a shadowless apprentice witch who fled her courses in the Dark Arts. So Phelim, the Maiden, the Fool and the Horse all set out (Phelim only half-willingly) to destroy the Stoor Worm, who was wakened by the guns of the first world war. And the heat from the wakening Worm is causing strange things to hatch from stones, and roam throughout the British Isles. And Phelim will encounter soul-stealing merrows, the hideous Noonday Twister and the bloodthirsty cornwives, skinless nuckelavees, maddened human beings, and finally the monstrous Stoor Worm itself...

McCaughrean does an excellent job with his book; with the slightly clueless hero, magical and sharp-witted heroine, and a pair of odd but poignant sidekicks, it reminds me of Lloyd Alexander's books. She also, unlike most authors, harbors no romantic illusions about "Old Ways" and how mean they could be. She is unafraid to weave the spectacular and the everyday, with a few subtle comments on the human condition.

Her writing is extremely evocative, very descriptive as children's books go; she devotes more descriptions to the oddities like the Oss than to ordinary things like the reapers. The dialogue is also very believable. McCaughrean also adds new spins to old ideas, such as the faeries; these are not innocent little sprites, or Elf-like Sidhe. Readers won't forget these faeries in a hurry.

A darker, bittersweet feel permeates the later chapters, where Phelim loses his innocent mindset, glimpses what he is capable of, and does something that readers may initially condemn. However, I applaud Ms. McCaughrean for having him do that, simply because his remorseful response after the fact is admirable and very true. But while everyone makes mistakes, and his feelings are certainly understandable, she also makes no excuses for what he did or felt; there are consequences to no longer being "ever-good." This is extremely rare in books of any kind, and to see it in a kids' book is excellent.

By an author with less talent, Phelim might have been a real pain to read about; he spends over half the book denying that he is Jack O'Green, and often responding wrongly or needing to be helped out. But his confusion and fear (especially after seeing his shirt being washed by... well, you'll see) over the things that he has seen and what he is expected to do is well written and understandable. Alexia initially seems like a fairly ordinary character, but her traumatic past adds an extra dimension and strength to her. Same with Sweeney, who initially seems like he will be an entertaining character, but his fear and guilt make him almost a tragic figure. The Oss is simply fun in an overall serious adventure. You just can't get him down, and he remains a source of emotional support and entertainment.

A tight, fast-paced and immensely imaginative fantasy story, this is a great read for kids and adults alike.

Magic IS Afoot!
This wonderful book is a scary magical adventure tale filled with excellent scholarship. It presents the Old Magic legends of Europe, the British Isles in particular, with accuracy and combines them with the every day life of the early 20th century to make a thrilling fantasy. Set in Cornwall following the Great War it follows the efforts, trials and successes of young Phelim who has been enlisted by a strange wildman, Mad Sweeney, a witch girl, and the 'Obby 'Oss to slay the gigantic, continent-sized Stoor Worm who is waking from her anicent slumber and will destroy the world. Why Phelim? Much to his own surprise Phelim is the living heir of Jack O'Green and a Chime Child to boot! This story is masterfully told with humor, suspense, dangerous thrills, and poignant insights into the sufferings and triumphs of human beings. It is colorful and evocative as well as beautifully thought-provoking. It is creative and filled with refreshingly "new" characters even though they are based on the actual legends of old. Geraldine McCaughrean is a renowned scholar on the subject of folklore and she has populated the pages of this book with myriad concepts and creatures from out of the dark and wild past. As she says by way of introduction, "All the creatures, dangers, legends, and magics described in this book were, until very recently, accepted as real and true by ordinary people living and working in a civilized and Christian Europe." Were a reader to investigate the various "creatures, dangers, legends, and magics" found within these pages more fully, perhaps on the Internet, a truly vast treasure trove of nearly forgotten lore would be opened before them. This book succeeds as a purely good yarn, as a coming-of-age story, as myth and legend, and as a very concise compendium of the beings and practices of the Old Magic. I highly, highly recommend it.

TERROR AND HEROISM ABOUND IN THIS READING
Fantasy fans will find a terrific tale and a thrilling reading in this audio version of "The Stones Are Hatching" by noted British author and myth historian Geraldine Mc Caughrean. Stage and film actor Christian Rodska imbues the frightening narrative with appropriate nuances, never resorting to overkill.

Our hero is not a barrel-chested Lancelot but a boy, Phelim Green, who very reluctantly finds himself in mortal combat with merciless enemies - the hatchlings of the dreaded Stoor Worm who would destroy the world.

For company and reinforcement Phelim has a unique trio - a Fool, a Maiden, and a Horse. It is only in following his destiny that Phelim discovers who he is and what he may be capable of accomplishing

Terror and heroism abound in this reading for all but the faint of heart.

Fascinating use of folklore
Phelim "Phee" Green is a simple lad, living under the thumb of his tyrant sister. It is 1919, and the Great War with all of its horrific results is over. However, Phelim's world seems to literally unravel when all of the fairytales he has ever heard begin to come true; a small troll-like man lives behind his stove, monsters live in rivers, washerwomen wash shirts on the shores, merrows inhabit the ocean, redcaps dye their hats in human blood, and many other horrors abound.

Worst of all, three characters come to Phelim, claiming that he is Jack O'Green and only he can defeat the Stoor Worm, the giant dragon that is mother to all of these horrors. The three characters are a maiden with no shadow, a madman who has haunted a forest since Waterloo, and a genuine Hobby Horse. Finding himself propelled along on this quest, Phelim must overcome his fears, his disbelief, and quite a few monsters.

Geraldine McCaughrean has taken the old idea of fairytales proving true, and has formed it into a fascinating story. In her world, the simple stories of yesterday are transformed into a reality deadly beyond a cartoonist's wildest imagination. This book is a good read, well written, and I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Book Description

Meet Little Bear, a friend to millions of children. And meet Mother Bear, who is there whenever Little Bear needs her. When it is cold and snowy outside, she finds just the right outfit for Little Bear to play in. When he goes to the moon, she has a hot lunch waiting for him on his return. At night she helps him get to sleep. And, of course, she never forgets his birthday.

Reviews (12)

Little Bear is Awesome!
This book is great for kids just learning to read. The pictures are fun to look at, and kids will have fun reading the book. I thought it was a good idea to put different stories into one book so kids can choose what the want to read on their own.

a favorite at our house
Our daughter is 2 1/2 and loves all the stories in this book. She asks to have Little Bear for her bedtime story several nights a week. She even acts out some of the stories in her pretend play and "does" the things that Little Bear does, like going to the moon and making Birthday Soup. This book is certainly a family favorite.

Little Bear
This book is about a little bear that goes outside and plays in the snow. He also goes to the moon and meets a moon mother. On his birthday he makes birthday soup for his friends because he thinks his mom forgot it was his birthday. He has trouble going to sleep so he makes wishes and one of them come true. Then they talk about all of the events that already happened in the story. The lesson this book teaches is that you should have fun and listen to your parents. THE AGE LEVEL IS UNDER 7

four charming Little Bear stories
These four stories about Little Bear and his friends are a charming introduction to the world of reading for beginners. Little Bear is a sweet child to his mother and father and a good friend to Duck, Hen and Cat. Minarik's simple narrative will be easy enough for young readers, and Sendak's illustrations will hold their attention. The four stories are: What Will Little Bear Wear?, Birthday Soup, Little Bear Goes to the Moon and Little Bear's Wish.

A soothing alternative to ninjas and power rangers.

Sweet moments and memories
The lovely and sweet stories easily capture the attention of my three-year old daughter (who has English as her second language). The stories are beautifully read out, with wonderful background music. Almost every night my daughter and I listen to several Little Bear stories before she goes to bed. We will often discuss the stories afterwards. This is the closest and most cherishable moment between us. The unfortunate thing is that she is most unwilling to turn off the cassette player, which somehow often delay her time for bed. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great
This is a great fun tool for teaching toddlers Italian. It comes with lots of fun songs, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Old McDonald, Snowman Boogie, Happy Birthday, a game of Simon Says, Silent Night, ect. It has a verbal and song section for each month of the year, with a corrosponding theme, for instance for October they play the song "Five Little Pumpkins". Not all the songs are translated word for word, they do this to still stay true to the American tune. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Lynne Thigpen
Approx. 8 hours
6 cassettes

Why is the land so important to Cassie's family?It takes the events of one turbulent year--the year of the night riders and the burnings, the year a white girl humiliates Cassie in public simply because she is black--to show Cassie that having a place of their own is the Logan family's lifeblood.It is the land that gives the Logans their courage and pride, for no matter how others may degrade them, the Logans possess something no one can take away. ... Read more

Reviews (338)

Roll Of Thunder is Amazing
Roll of Thunder,Hear My Cry
Written by Mildred .D. Taylor
Publisher: Puffin

The book I am choosing to write about is Called Roll of Thunder,Hear My Cry. The genre is realistic fiction. It is about a black family living in Mississippi during the 1930s. The family struggles through racism,deaths and trying to maintain their land that they live on during the height of the Great Depression. Many scary things happen to the family. Such as burnings, night riders,and other close encounters. All through the hard times the family managed to keep their courage, love, and pride. It is a wonderful novel and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a story of courage and hope.

The main characters are Cassie, who is the one telling the story a brave daughter of the Logan family. Stacey, Cassie's older brother considers himself the man of the family when the father is gone. David, who is the father, is often gone from home by working on the railroad. Mary and Big Ma are the mothers of the family. Mary is the mother and Big Ma is the grandmother. There are many other supporting characters

I personally love this book . I highly recommend it to anyone. Especially African American children. To learn how hard it was for their race during that time. It is good for people of all ages. It is a story of faith, courage , hope, love and family. The family in this book are very brave. It is one of the best books I have read in quite a while.

Roll Of Thunder Hear My Cry
It was the late 30's and the logan familiy had been trying to pay their bills and support each other. David, their father, worked on the rail road and Mary, their mother, worked as a teacher in the local school for blacks. Their kids names were Cassie(the nararator), Stacy(the oldest brother), little man, and Christopher John. They had many struggles, keeping up the farm, paying the bills, and having money for food were very hard things to do while the whites were harrassing, teasing, and trying to kill them. On top of all that, David and Mary were both out of a job. David got hurt by the Wallaces and Mary got fired for not teaching the white version of history. The Wallaces, Simon, and Mr. Granger were watching them like hawks, so that at any moment they could take their land and their lives. T.J., Stacy's friend, was not so lucky after Stacy stopped being "friends" with him. This was a very good book. I like how most of the book was in dialogue. I think that made it easier to read and tell what was going on and it gave me more emotions which makes it more interesting. It was just right for my reading ability, The book showed me how unfair it was bakc them for blacks to be hated so much and people could tease or kill with little emotion.

It was okay...
I had to read this book for school, and it just made me bored out of my mind. It didn't really hold my attention, and the only reason I finished it was because I had to. It was a very well-written book, but just not the kind of book I enjoy to read in my spare time.

Excellent book!
I really love this book. It kept my attention through the whole thing. I loved the characters and I felt for them as they suffered. The characters were well formed and it helps show what it might be like to be a black family living in that era and what they had to put up with.

A View into a new perspective
This book was about a family living in the 1930s in the Deep South. They struggle with racism and segregation. This family tries to stay together and keep their land. You are given a good perspective on what life was like as an African American in that time period and how they were unfairly treated. This story was low on action but told a great story, however, your interest is never lost. ... Read more

Book Description

The beloved sequel to Little Women, this classic continues the story of Jo March, who goes on to get married and inherit an estate with which she creates an experimental school for boys. ... Read more

Reviews (33)

WISH THEY WERE REAL!!!!!!!!!!
This is the continuation of Little Women, and Jo's Boys will be the cont. of this book. Little Men is a book about the boys and girls of all ages, and if you thought little women was much about women, READ THIS BOOK. The boys are all different ages. There is musical Nat, bookworm Demi, troublesome Tommy, fireband Dan(my fav't character), resonsible Franz, commodore Emil, Little Ted, Rob...and dont forget girls, Lovely Daisy, ms.giddy gaddy Nan, and pretty Bess....and so many other characters. They just will not be friends, but a great big FAMILY. They will be happy, sad, confused, angry...at each other, but will not be a problem for Mr.&Mrs. Bhaer(Jo), Mr.&Mrs. Brooke(Meg), and Mr.and Mrs. Laurence(laurie&Amy). These young men and women will be so different, yet so together and close!

"Alcott, you are great"
Little Men is the funniest of all the three books. I like this book, but not as much as the Jo's Boys or Little Women. Little Men begins with 'Nat as the 1st ch. If you have seen the movie and think it is great, wait till you read the book. The novel is much more sophisticated and very touching. The movie basically concentrates on Nat and Dan, but the novel is about every single boy and girl. If you've seen the movie and didnt like it, guess what, try the novel! My fav't characters are everybody. Old Chirper(Nat), Dan, Demi, Daisy, Tommy, Franz, Commodore(Emil), Nan, Princess(Bess), little Ted, Rob, Jack..too many people. If you like the story of boys and girls, this is one of the books to read. If this is the Alcott's 1st book you've read, TRY ALL! ALCOTT IS THE BEST! My fav't part is the LITTLE COOKSTOVE(iron). Its so neat, and how Daisy, Nat, Demi, Dan, Emil, Tommy, and dont forget our Teddy, and Rob, standing up for each others.

Very good read, even as an adult!
I loved Little Women and this book just confirms what a wonderful writer she was. Lots of hidden truths and wisdoms.

Awesome Little Men
Little Men was a very well written book. It had many fun adventures, great characters, great dialog, and all in all it was an awesome book.

I loved the way the author wrote the little children's voices just right!! It just made me have to stop and laugh!

When you read this book it is not like reading, it is like watching a movie!! That is how well written this book really is!! You could even see the house and the rooms!! I know what every room looks like and how to get there!

I could see the boy's foot when he hurt it and I could see his face when the doctor had to fix it.

I love this book!! It is not a girly book like I thought it would be. In fact it is quite a boy book!! A boy or a girl could read this book and really enjoy it!!
I would recommend this book for ages 12 and up.

By Seth Courtney Age 13 Grade 7

Excellent Children/Young Adult Book
I read this book to do a critical analysis of it. I enjoyed the stories of the boys and all that went on in their lives. I would recommend this book to any child or young adult that is looking for an interesting and easy read. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nothing ever happens to Henry Huggins. Nothing, that is, until a straydog named Ribsy comes into his life. Pretty soon, Henry and Ribsy are wreaking havoc on the city bus, getting a ride in a police car with sirens wailing, and winning a prize at the dog show. Thanks to their joint shenanigans, Henry finds himself covered in green paint one day, and later accidentally colors Ribsy's fur pale pink. One week, Henry catches earthworms for his fisherman neighbor to raise money for a borrowed ball Ribsy helped him lose. One football costs a lot of earthworms--1,395, to be exact. Plus 41 worms for tax. Life is no longer dull.

Beverly Cleary's lively, award-winning books virtually shout "good, old-fashioned fun!" Since 1950, Henry and his friends (found in Beezus and Ramona and Newbery Honor Book Ramona and Her Father, among others) have displayed all the mixed-up emotions and tricky jams kids everywhere seem to experience. Henry's action-packed days are captured in droll line drawings by Louis Darling. Luckily for young readers, there are dozens of Cleary books to explore as soon as this one is devoured. (Ages 8 to 12) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Henry's New Life With APet
This story takes place in a street called Klickitat Street and it takes place somewhere in the past. It takes place in the past because when they go to the store everything is cheap.

This book is mostly about a third grade boy named Henry Huggins and his friends Beezus, Scotter, Mary Jane, and Ramona. In the begging of the story Henry is trying to look for a pet. In the second part they put him in a play but he don't want to be in it.

In my opinion it was a good book because it tells a lot of what friends do and to care about each other. Iwould recommend this book because it says like how to be fair and if you do something wrong fix it.

One of the first books I read as a child...
I remember almost every one of Henry's antics and adventures and I read these books 20 years ago.This book is the classic that started it all.I love the Ramona books, but Henry will always be my favorite.He has his shortcomings, but he is a true good spirit, a good friend, and a great dog owner.Make sure to have your kids read this book, it is truly just a sweet story about a boy, his life, and his dog.

Boy and Dog, what could be better
A wonderful book that my son discoverd at his school library when he was nine.The love of a boy and his dog and the mischief they get into in 1950's heartland America.Adults will get a chuckle out of Henry and Ribsy's adventures as well.Can't think of a better book to get your kids started in reading with a good story, based on a moral and hopeful view of the world.

TO OWN A DOG
The life of the third grade protagonist becomes more exciting when he finds a companionable stray dog; just getting him home via public transportation proves his first challenge.The friendly mongrel is so thin that Henry dubs him "Ribsy." Soon accepted as one of the family, this dog accompanies his new master wherever possible; in fact he even causes many incidents of local mayhem and amusement.Henry deals with various crises such as lost property, guppy mania, night crawlers, the shool play and a pet show. But a serious threat to their kid-dog
relationship destroys Henry's peace of mind, when a boy appears who claims to be the dog's former owner.

This is Lite Reading for elementary students, with plenty of dialogue, juvenile antics and conflict.This story is enchanced by Lois Darling's cute sketches.Set in those happy days before kids had TV sets, this ALA notable story explores the joys and woes
of pet ownership. No more will Henry need to wish for something

exciting to happen!Hinted themes include the subject of Cheating and the concept of sharing/showing compassion for others. Note to Cleary fans: Beezus and Ramona appear here too.

A Good Light-Hearted Story
Nothing exciting ever happened to Henry Huggins. That is, until the day he met a stray dog and decided that he HAD to keep him. Predictably, he and "Ribsy" have many humorous adventures together, and these stories are what make up "Henry Huggins". From that first ride home that starts on a city bus and ended in a police car, to a dog show that sees Ribsy sporting pink fur, to the final test of loyalty that will make all readers breathless with anticipation, the story is well told. Everything in this book is carried out in a pleasant and easy-to-read manner, so children should have no trouble staying with the story, even if there are few pictures. Even though it was published over 50 years ago, "Henry Huggins" is still a valuable book to have in your collection. ... Read more

Book Description

Armed only with a frying pan and her common sense, Tiffany Aching, a young witch-to-be, is all that stands between the monsters of Fairyland and the warm, green Chalk country that is her home. Forced into Fairyland to seek her kidnapped brother, Tiffany allies herself with the Chalk’s local Nac Mac Feegle -- aka the Wee Free Men -- a clan of sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men who are as fierce as they are funny. Together, they battle through an eerie and ever-shifting landscape, fighting brutal flying fairies, dream-spinning dromes, and grimhounds -- black dogs with eyes of fire and teeth of razors -- before ultimately confronting the Queen of the Elves, absolute ruler of a world in which reality intertwines with nightmare. And in the final showdown, Tiffany must face her cruel power alone...

In a riveting narrative equal parts suspense and humor, Carnegie Medalist Terry Pratchett returns to his internationally popular Discworld with a breath-taking tale certain to leave fans, new and old, enthralled.

Reviews (35)

The Terrror of Having Your Dreams Come True...
"The Wee Free Men" is Terry Pratchett's second foray into Discworld-for-Young-Adults coming a year and a half after "The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents" and six months after his last 'regular' Discworld book, "Night Watch". It revisits ground from "Lords and Ladies" and "Carpe Jugulum", which is fine, because with usual Pratchett flair, he tosses in enough wry satire, strange humor and generally good storytelling that you don't always notice when he goes back to some of his older material.

While the Nac Mac Feegle (the Wee Free Men last seen in "Carpe Jugulum"), little woad-tattooed Pictsies, do feature in a large chunk of the book, the heroine is Tiffany, a nine-year-old witch's granddaughter and budding witch herself who must be the singularly most sensible (but still likeable) character I've ever read in a book directed at an audience less than 18 years old. She struggles to cope with the death of a grandmother who, even though she died more than a year ago, has still had a huge impact on her life. She also struggles with making sense of the world - both as a young girl and as a human being, and she struggles with the Queen of the Elves/Fairies (last seen in "Lords and Ladies") in what becomes a metaphor for maturity and clarity in a large, scary world. Pratchett's moral is that just because you're not yet officially an adult, it doesn't mean that you can't understand the world any less well. This is a theme he's played with before, but it's always appropriate no matter how many times he brings it out.

As a huge Discworld fan, I really enjoyed this book - possibly even more than "The Amazing Maurice...", although it's probably not at quite the same level of literary excellence as his previous work. Fans of Pratchett in general will undoubtedly appreciate his jabs at academia, fairy tales and the Harry Potter series (which future books about Tiffany may someday parody more explicitly). For fans of Discworld, not only are Tiffany and the Nac Mac Feegle two of his more interesting creations (which is saying something), but the cameo by Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg at the end is delightful. Missing, though, is the obligatory cameo by Death - possibly for the first time ever in a Discworld book.

Anyway, I recommend this book to anyone regardless of age or knowledge of Discworld. As with "The Amazing Maurice..." the Discworld cosmology is relatively light, so if you're not familiar with the Disc, it won't get in the way of enjoying the book. If you are, though, his subtle touches and revisitations throughout the book make it a more integrated work than his last foray into Discworld-Young-Adult. Either way, though, it's a great book.

Through another Looking Glass
Pratchett has created Tiffany in Dreamland - a Discworld version of the girl on a quest. Could this turn out to become a new timeless classic like Alice in Wonderland and Through The Looking Glass? Why ever not. Alice's adventures have infiltrated everyday English culture and language with their images and proverbial sayings. So might the Nac Mac Feegle, the Wee Free Men, enrich our mind's eye and add to our vocabulary with expressions like "Crivens "! Whatever its long-term influence, this wonderful story is highly entertaining for everybody. Its expressive ironic humour as well as its underlying wisdom reach far beyond the Discworld fans.

Tiffany Aching, the heroine of the story, inquisitive and mature for her nine years, views herself as an apprentice witch. She has the tools: a cast-iron frying pan, a piece of string, an unusual book of recipes, and, above all, the memory of her very special granny. To rescue her brother, Tiffany has to enter a fairyland, full of strange and dangerous creatures, all controlled by an evil "Quin". Fortunately, she has inherited "first sights and second thoughts" - a powerful combination for a budding witch. These are essential talents for her to distinguish between reality and dreams: "to see what is really there" and what is imagination created within a dream. "Follow your dream", Miss Tick's advice to Tiffany, builds up to a real challenge when Tiffany, after fighting wild animals and dream-creating dromes finally confronts the Queen. She has to peel off layer after layer of their dreams to escape from being taken over by them, then use her own dreaming power to find a way back to her own reality.

Tiffany's quest wouldn't have a chance at being successful - and would be a lot less funny -without the Nac Mac Feegle. What a hilarious bunch of little guys in kilts (only one girl and the ageing kelda) they are: full of mischief, fighting spirit and a wonderful version of Scottish. Wouldn't you like those around to do the chores around the house! But you would need some witching power - otherwise they would go back to their nasty tricks, like stealing eggs or making the sheep disappear. Their language and vivid expressions are a treat in themselves. Turning up in a black suit with a bow tie, one of them explains sheepishly: "The dream wouldnae let us in unless we wuz properly dressed..."

Pratchett has created a real gem of a Discworld story here - fast moving, imaginative and highly entertaining for young and old. It would not be Pratchett if he did not find a way to weave in some educational messages and real-life round-world wisdoms. [Friederike Knabe, Ottawa Canada]

It's as much a Fairy-tale as anything...
...but can easily be called a Discworld novel, a children's book, or both, because it happens in Discworld and has a young protagonist solving the problems that adults fail to notice.

Tiffany Aching is the second-youngest in a long line of Aching shepherds and farmers who have "the land in their bones" because they've been there so long and are as much a part of the land, called The Chalk (or the Wold, by the old) because of what lies inches below the dense grass that has survived centuries of sheep.

The first youngest Aching person is her little brother Wentworth, a perpetually sticky child who's turned potty-training into a form of extortion. Maybe it's his stickyness, or some sense of cosmic justice, but fairytales - real faerie-tales with the Queen and pixies and things made out of dreams in keeping with faerie-lore traditions from outside Discworld - are out to get him.

The suprising thing is that Tiffany, who thinks he's sticky and noisy and useless, is out to get him back, with the aid of a big iron frying pan and some very small blue people with kilts and swords. The little blue men are rebels against anyone and everything, and call themselves the Wee Free Men. They know the rules of fairytales that Tiffany has been pondering, the way to get Wentworth back, and how to give anything and everything a good fierce kicking.

If you're a fan of Discworld, you'll enjoy this book because it explores folklore the way "Lords and Ladies" and "Hogfather" do and magic/spirituality the way just about anything with the Lancre Coven or the Unseen University staff does. If you like fairytales and folklore, you'll enjoy this book because it explores what happens when the tales and the people they're told to interact directly. If you like children's books that regard children as intelligent beings trying to make sense out of the world and doing a fairly good job of it, you'll like this book.

Absolutely loved it!
This is the story of Tiffany Aching, a 9-year-old farmers' daughter, living in a green, hilly, full-of-sheep countryside named the Chalk (DW). One day when she's walking by the river with her capricious baby brother Wentworth, she's attacked by Jenny Green-Teeth, a monster with long teeth and eyes as wide as eight-inch soup plates. Nightmares are invading the land.

Not long after, Wentworth is kidnapped by the Queen of FairyLand. Following the advice of Miss Tick, a witch she met at the village fair, and her talking toad, and with the help of the Nac Mac Feegles, the blue-skinned little pictsies with the strong Scottish accent, she arms herself with a frying pan and her Granny's book on Diseases of the Sheep, and sets off in searched of her brother.

Beside being extremely funny and packed with action, The Wee Free Men is also a really sweet book, full of Tiffany's fond memories of Granny Aching, who was a famous shepherd of the Chalk, and a kind of witch in her own way. It's a story both for adults and children, telling you to look at the World around you, and teaching you, in a light way, the respect of Nature or other moral values. This might well be my favourite Discworld book, I absolutely loved it!

Kudos For Tiffany Aching
The walls of the worlds are coming together and monster will soon walk the land. But the event is happening in a region without a witch. One witch journeys to teach a possible hopeful to hold things together while she goes for more serious help. But nine-year-old Tiffany Aching is made of better stuff than suspected.

Right from the start Tiffany shows her promise as she manages to befriend the nastiest elves around and even gets them to help with her chores. But then Tiffany's brother goes missing so she and the Mac Nac Feegle (the six-inch, blue tattooed Pictsies of Scottish relation) set off to hunt him down and steal him back.

The story is fast moving, well told and an absolute must for fans of Granny Weatherwax. This is the first book of Tiffany and the Mac Nac Feegle and I hope there will be plenty more. The Scottish allusions and brogues are done to a T. The "logic" of Pratchett's Diskworld and magic system never waver. Very well done. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Musical Fun
Children just seem to love music. They love to be silly. This book and cassette combines both! You and your child will learn, laugh, and love together. Who could ask for more? Try one of these...I bet you'll get the others! ... Read more

Book Description

Unabridged Audiobook - 9 CDs, 10 hours, 12 minutes - Read by Shelly Frasier

When Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables send for a boy orphan to help them out at their farm, they mistakenly get Anne Shirley, a feisty, independent but warm-hearted 11 year-old girl. Fortunately her sunny nature and quirky imagination win the hearts of her reluctant foster parents and everyone in the community. But not a day goes by without some memorable adventure or prank in the tragicomedy of her life. Early on she accidentally dyes her "cursed" red hair green. Later, in an effort to impress a neighbor she bakes a cake, but with liniment instead of vanilla.

Lucy wrote that Anne is an extension of herself and represents the independent, "new" woman of the emerging 20th century. Individualistic, resourceful, and of a great humanitarian heart, she remains a great role model for girls and women today. ... Read more

Reviews (233)

Anne of Green Gables
"I'll try and do anything and be anything you want if only you'll keep me." This is how "Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery begins.
Anne Shirley is a twelve-year-old girl who is brought to Green Gables only to find they were expecting a boy. The Cuthberts however, are one over by this queer, imaginative girl with bright, red hair and decide to allow her to stay.
Green Gables is a lovely, little farm just outside of a small town on Prince Edward Island called Avonlea. It is surrounded by fields and forests, which hold many surprises for adventurous Anne.
Throughout this book Anne's fierce temper and wild imagination often get the better of her, but she usually manages to squeeze out of these scrapes.
Anne's melodramatic nature and fiery temper keeps you interested as you read this marvelous book.
Montgomery's humorous writing style gives life to the characters so that you feel like you are meeting them in person.
I think that this was a wonderful book filled with humor, drama and tears. I would recommend this book to anyone that has ever had a dream and loves a good book.

Review of Anne of Green Gables
'People who haven't red hair don't know what trouble is. Mrs. Thomas told me that God made my hair red on purpose, and I've never cared about Him since.'

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Upon arriving at the Cuthbert's home on Prince Edward Island, Anne Shirley, a vivacious and imaginative young orphan girl, was devastated to hear that she was a mistake. The Cuthbert's had wanted a boy. Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, an elderly brother and sister, decide to keep her, and from that moment nothing is the same.
Cracking a slate across a boy's head, getting her best friend drunk (accidentally of course), saving a baby's life, and nearly drowning herself are all part of Anne's daily life. Marilla and the neighbors couldn't help but express their disappointment with the little newcomer'at first. To most she knows, Anne becomes an irreplaceable addition to sleepy Avonlea. Anne is changing too. Gradually she becomes more mature and learns to control her sometimes fiery temper.
Anne of Green Gables is unpredictable and hilarious; you can never tell what Anne will do next! I loved her endless questions about the world, and her passionate love of life. Anne Shirley is one of the most enjoyable characters I have ever read about, therefore, I would recommend this book to anyone.

the most original child-heroine in literature
Mark Twain called Anne "the most delightful child heroine since the Immortal Alice [in Wonderland]." This story of the impulsive but lovable orphan girl Anne Shirley who wins the hearts of all and finds a loving family and community is one of the most heart-warming and enchanting stories ever written, with many millions of readers world-wide testifying to this fact.

Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert are an elderly brother and sister living together at Green Gables. They're getting on in years and they want to adopt a boy to help them run the farm, but instead by mistake a girl is sent them. Matthew is charmed by Anne from the start and wants to keep her, but Marilla is a stern and stubborn woman on the outside and at first she wants to send Anne back. Little by little, however, she too starts to fall under the spell of that spunky, charming, amusing, irrepressible redhead Anne, and they end up keeping her. The rest of the novel is rife with funny incidents of Anne getting herself into and out of trouble, and you will be amused and tickled to no end. Watch the movie too. Highly Recommended!!!

David Rehak
author of "A Young Girl's Crimes"

A really great read when you're 9 years old!
I got this book for Christmas and read it straight away. I think that lots of people would like it because not many books are about an orphan and her adventures.

A favorite of mine
Anne Shirley will always have a special place in my heart as one of my favorite literary characters. The reread delighted as much this time as the first time I read the book. ... Read more

Download Description

Something is amiss at Maus Haus. Not just the mystery of an unsolved "suicide" which hangs over the old mansion, but something ominous in the present-day residence. When Qwilleran moves in to work on his new gastronomical assignment, strange things begin to happen. First it's a scream in the night, then a vanishing houseboy. But when his old girlfriend disappears, something has to be done. Qwilleran, Koko and Yum Yum set out to solve the mystery--and find a murderer! ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Best of the early cat who books
The early "Cat Who" books have Jim Qwilleran as a middle-aged, impoverished, recovering alcoholic journalist barely hanging on at a newspaper in an un-named Middle West city. Later he moves north 400 miles to a little town and inherits a fortune. "The Cat Who Saw Red" is the last mystery novel that ties him to the gritty city, and it is the best of the city books--by a considerable margin.

Other readers have outlined and commented on the plot, so I will say only about it that the plot here is much better than in the previous city novels. It moves better and the outcome is more logical, more satisfying. But the author's forte is not plotting. It is in the remarkable characters, unusual without being grotesque (a fine line to walk), not the least of whom are Qwill's Siamese cats. To those who have read none of the series, it may sound just a little too cutesy, having prescient cats solve crimes, but the writer makes it work and work quite well.

The writer also excels in creating atmosphere, the city, the newspaper office, fancy and not so fancy restaurants and Maus Haus, a rather weird boarding house for people interested in food--and in pottery.

Like Dickens, Ms. Braun invents no astonishing plots. Her great strength is in making characters come to life in interesting settings. As in Dickens, characters and settings are sufficient.

Good storytelling again.
This is the fourth in the Cat Who Series; we were introduced to Jim Qwilleran--the only reformed alcoholic of the twentieth century who could be featured in a book without having that part of his history be the maudlin main event--in The Cat Who Could Read Backwards, the book in which he met and then adopted his famous cat, Koko. As a man who works doing a job he doesn't really love because he must pay the bills, and who seems to be able to balance his work and outside life in spite of his divorce and occasional girl-friends, Qwill is a likeable character with a bit of this-could-be-for-real that keeps the stories interesting.
In this fourth book he lands in an improbable living situation, a boarding house for people interested in art run by a gourmet attorney who also cooks for them, and somehow the author manages, with the help of the big city atmosphere and the odd assortment of "characters" whom Qwill must deal in his work life, to make this improbable situation sound actually possible. Incredible bit of story telling, to me. Then we are introduced to several other incredibly improbable situations in perfectly credible ways, and before it was over I actually was interested in the outcome.
The reading is quick and easy, hypnotic, almost; I resented the telephone's interruption. My grandmother used to say a good story well told could transport you away just like a vacation; reading this book is like taking one of those little vacations.

Nominated for a Edgar
This 4th book of the series, I understand, was nominated for an Edgar (as in Edgar Allen Poe), which is the mystery series equivalent of an Oscar. It deserves such recognition. First, it brought L.J.B. back after a long break from writing (for which fans are forever grateful). Second, it is a truly remarkable crime, probably one of the most unusual ones I've heard about apart from the C.S.I. television series. I still get chills thinking about that crime (I should stress it is not gory, unlike C.S.I., though it may be the "darkest" story in this mystery series)

This book does a fine job of fleshing out its primary characters and their current assignment: a curious neighborhood of artists. I was particularly delighted with the descriptions of the cats, so vivid as to create a vicarious cat lover experience for me(I'm allergic to cats, so the printed word is all I can handle). Of course, Koko, the Siamese cat with unusual abilities, steals the show.

If you are new to the "Cat Who..." series, this is an excellent starting point. The whole series is one big "can't put it down" pleasure read. Please keep in mind that the entire series is forever evolving, which in some ways is just like real life (and unlike some mystery series where everything resets between stories). So what you read in this book will have remarkable contrasts to books before and much later in the series, though the core elements remain in tact. The series of books divides into two time periods in the protagonist's life: Qwilleran as a reporter in the Big Cities, and later Qwilleran as a columnist in Moose County. The first group is urban, slightly gritty and darker in some ways, the second group is still edgy at times, but is more small-town cozy and much quirkier, in a hometown fashion, which really appeals to the fans. The dividing point for the series is the book "The Cat Who Played Brahms", which is therefore another good starting point. This one, "The Cat Who Saw Red" is in the first group.

In which Qwill, Koko, and Yum Yum. . .
. . .move to the home of gourmet cook (and high profile attorney) Robert Maus, who owns a residence for artists.

Among the residents, Qwill is thrilled to discover his first love and former fiancee, alas, now trapped in an unhappy marriage. With a curious and delightful cast of characters (several of which make appearances in later books) this well-written mystery (with a particularly bizarre murder) was written on the heels of "Off and On" but not published until nearly 20 years later.

This is possibly the best of the first four "The Cat Who" novels and is well worth the reader's time.

Another mystery for Qwill and Koko
The story opens with Qwill, a feature reporter for the Daily Fluxion, once again facing a new assignment and seeking a new residence for himself and his cats. Instead of getting assigned to the crime reporting that he would prefer Qwill finds himself assigned to features on the food scene. This would not be too bad if Qwill had not just been put a diet by his doctor. His editor insists so once again Qwill tackles another area. Soon Qwill finds himself immersed in another facet of society in the big city and again he and his cats move into the middle of it, this time taking up residence in the Maus Haus, a boarding house filled with artists who all have a connection with food.

Among his neighbors Qwill is delighted to find his former sweetheart, Joy, who is now married (unhappily). Qwill begins to become involved in Joy's life again only to see her once again abruptly disappear. As time goes by Qwill becomes more and more suspicious of this and other goings on at the Maus House. Ultimately he and the cats solve the mysteries, although not happily.

For those unfamiliar with the series this book could be enjoyed by itself, for those who are fans of the later books be aware that the setting is not Moose County but covers an earlier part of Qwill's life. One of the most notable aspects of this story is the introduction of Hixie Rice who will later relocate to Moose County. For fans of the eariler books Odd Bunsen, Mary Duckworth and Robert Maus all return from eariler books. ... Read more

Reviews (79)

A book of potential unrealized - a rare Heinlein stumble
No one is a big a Robert Heinlein completist as I am. I even own the hardcover of "Tramp Royale." I've read and reread my Heinleins happily for years. Including "The Cat Who Walks Through Walls."

Sadly, it is a completist who will get the most enjoyment out of this book.

The first half of the book is a true adventure, and is very well told and paced. It features the tight characterization and dialogue that made Heinlein's reputation, along with the hard science fiction that Heinlein championed and told so well. After the first half... it slips. Badly. It slows to a crawl, it becomes nearly opaque, and the heart of the book -- Richard's banter with his wife -- is almost completely missing.

There are many cries about Heinlein's physical condition at the time he wrote "Cat." His latter years were in poor health, to be certain. But this health did not affect his writing (save for a condition he underwent around the time he wrote "I Will Fear No Evil," which precluded his editing the novel, which suffered for it). Indeed, two of his more successful later books -- Job: A Comedy of Justice, and Friday -- were both worked on and written in the neighborhood of this one. "To Sail Beyond the Sunset," Heinlein's last (and much much better) novel that was a sequel to this shows his acuity as a writer continued. My assumption is that Heinlein had certain events he wanted to set up for "To Sail..." and therefore wrote this book.

Nevertheless, I have read it several times, and do enjoy it. Fans of "Time Enough for Love," "The Rolling Stones," "The Number of the Beast," and "To Sail Beyond the Sunset" will want to read this. Fans of "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" will likely want to give it a look. But newcomers to the Grand Master should go elsewhere -- "Starship Troopers," "Double Star," "Stranger in a Strange Land," or "Citizen of the Galaxy," to name some -- to cut their teeth on this seminal Science Fiction author's work

Don't read this unless....
It's too bad that the publishers couldn't put a disclaimer on the cover of this book. I just read a reviewer that said he read 'Starship Troopers' and thought he'd try another Heinlein because he liked Starship. What a shame. To appreciate Heinlein a reader must start at the beginning of his career (or near it) and then move on.
I am glad the movie sparked so much interest in Heinlein, he remains the greatest sci fi writer of all time. The only way to win an arguement that he isn't the best would be to argue that he really didn't write sci fi in the first place but rather a weird combination of social/polictical/religeous adventure stories that span past/present and future.
I loved this book. Every bit, even the confusion. I'll admit I wasn't happy with the ending, but that is only because I wanted it to end differently, not because it was poorly written.

BUT, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, either you love Heinlien already and you will read this, or you should start elsewhere and fall in love with his work for what it is.

Better than you've heard, but don't start with it
This isn't by any means Robert Heinlein's finest work, and I highly recommend _not_ reading it as one of your first few Heinleins. But you'll want to get around to it eventually, because (a) you should read it before you read the marvelous _To Sail Beyond the Sunset_, and (b) it's really not that bad.

Oh, you have to be really into Heinlein in order to appreciate it. As in _Friday_, the cool intrigue at the beginning peters out partway through and never quite comes back. (It does get resolved to a degree at the end, but in my view not very satisfactorily.) So you have to be prepared to enjoy a few hundred pages of character interaction and dialogue.

If you like the way Heinlein handles such things, you'll like this; otherwise not. Me, I like Col. Colin Campbell a.k.a. Richard Ames, and I like Gwen Novak, so I enjoy their company (and their arguments, and their lectures).

Some readers have had misgivings about the ending, but I don't mind it; besides, if you have trouble figuring out what happened, you'll find out in _To Sail Beyond the Sunset_. The real problem here is that the first two-thirds of the novel is two-thirds of a good novel, the last third is one-third of a good novel, but they're the good parts of two different novels.

You'll see what I mean if/when you read it; I can't explain it any further without giving things away. But do read it if you like Heinlein; it's better than you've heard.

An involved and interresting read for the Heinlein Fan
I came here and read the reviews before undertaking this book and I decided to take the suggestions of a few of the reviewers here and put aside this book for a while to read some others before this one. I'm very glad I did so as the book would have been totally confusing without having read the previous works. So, a list of books you should read before this one: Time Enough for Love, Methusla's Children, Glory Road, and The Number of the Beast. Without reading these books the second half of the book will make no sense and the new charachters coming in will serve to confuse you.

Now, that out of the way...this book is an excellent adventure tale as the protoganist is pulled and bounced around by forces outside his control and byond his understanding. However, he soon finds himself leaning of the reasons behind his troubles and gets recruted by none other than Lazurus Long, to work as a special agent on a rescue mission.

All in all an enjoyable book, and I can't wait to read the next book "To Sail Byond the Sunset"

A Regrettable Read
There are very few books among the 1000+ I have read that I regret reading. This book is one of them.

First, the "witty banter" style of conversation is overdone to the point of invoking feelings of nausea within the first ten pages. Second, the pace is wildly off--a hundred pages could go by with little happening and then in the next few pages so much happens (with little explanation) the reader is left confused and reeling.

The story starts out interesting, then gets a bit dull (quite a chore at that point to keep reading as one must endure the ridiculously florid dialogue.) A little before the middle, it suddenly gets very interesting. If the whole book were like this part of the story, it would be a masterpiece. Unfortunately this lasts only a few pages and then the story gets slower and slower over the second half of the book, and right before the end a lot of new characters are brought in to the story for no apparent reason. Then the climax of the story is skipped, that is, left out; and the last few pages give a murky, unclear view of what happened in the missing climax, making clear only the point that it ended in tragedy.

The book left me feeling cheated.

On the other hand, the attempt was very original, and for that I applaud Mr. Heinlein. It's easy enough to repackage old formulas, coming up with a new approach takes artistic ability and guts; therefore I give it two stars.

If you decide to read this book, I hope you see this review, or other reviews which have said similar things, so that you can be prepared to read it with the proper attitude: Approach it as a study of an interesting literary experiment, and try not to become emotionally involved in it. ... Read more

Book Description

One of the world’s foremost sleep educators, Dr. James B. Maas of Cornell University, unveils his first children’s book, Remmy and the Brain Train. The author, who teaches the nation’s largest university lecture course, uses his award-winning pedagogical expertise to create a fun multi-dimensional learning experience for children ages 4 to 8. Remmy and the Brain Train is designed to help improve a child’s daytime alertness, mood and performance. The book is a follow-up to Maas’s New York Times bestseller, Power Sleep (Random House and Harper Collins), widely praised as successful in helping adults enjoy a happier, healthier and more productive life.

Remmy and the Brain Train follows a tired young Remmy through a groggy day of exhaustion and confusion. He has trouble with math, spelling and remembering names, and is feeling moody, upset and sad…but does not know why. That night Remmy is visited by the irrepressible magical train conductor, Doctor Zeez, who whisks him off on an exciting adventure through the Land of Good Sleep. Here Remmy learns of the voyage his mind and body embarks on every night, and how developing good sleep habits makes him stronger, smarter, happier and healthier.

Remmy and the Brain Train is illustrated by Guy Danella and includes a read-along, sing-along CD by award-winning children’s songwriter/performer Suzanne Scheniman. A myriad of sound effects enrich the detailed whimsical illustrations depicting Remmy’s world. Suzanne's wonderful "Sea Songs" can be obtained on amazon.com in the popular music section. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Its sleepy time!
Kids today aren't getting enough sleep. It is obvious when you look at the number of children who are being labeled as having ADD or ADHD, when all they really need is more sleep. If you are a parent of a young child, I highly recommend this book, not just for your child(ren) but for parents too. Its important for parents and children to understand how sleep, or lack of sleep affects the body and more importantly, the mind. Remmy and Dr. Zeez help children to understand why they need to get their sleep and how they can benefit from getting 9 hours of GOOD sleep every night. I'm all ready reading this with my 6 week old daughter. The play along CD which accompanies the book is a great bonus which I find relaxes me as well as my daughter as it is played. Enjoy some good rest...you and your child(ren) deserve it!

A fantastic journey that educates while it entertains!
"Remmy and the Brain Train" is an exhilerating ride that will fascinate both parents and their young children, a rare accomplishment in children's literature. It's a clever, behind-the-scenes look at the values of sleep, that is just as educational for my husband and I, the parents of an inquisitive 5 year old, as it is for my son. Through the delightfully fun dialogue of Dr. James Maas's characters we are taken on a nightly journey to the land of great sleep and are cheerfully explained the benefits of bedtime...something ALL parents can appreciate! "Remmy and the Brain Train" is the perfect marriage of a working didactic tool and an imaginative, creative fairy tale. The principles behind better sleep are woven seamlessly into the story, and because awkward textbook jargon is thankfully nowhere to be found, our son actually understands why sleep is important! Just as I was intrigued and motivated by Dr. Maas's first book, Power Sleep, a few years ago, so now is my child by this, his first foray into children's literature. I would recommend "Remmy" heartily to all parents who want to raise a happy and healthy child!

Awesome Book
My almost 4 year old received this as a Christmas Gift and he loves it! The accompanying CD makes it even better with a calming rythem and memorable phrases.

Remmy ant the Brain Train
A very good book and the CD by Suzanne Scheniman is outstanding! It's geared toward children, but even adults will listen over and over.

And poetry to boot!
Maas does a fine job in explaining to children why it's important to sleep. He writes in rhyme, and the colorful funny pictures add to the entertainment.

For adults, I give my strongest recommendation for Dr. William Dement's The Promise of Sleep. Stanford sleep researcher Dement covers everything from sleep pathology, dreams, and how sleep-load even affects your intelligence and internal organs. If you love a medical detective story, or just want help in physically feeling better, go check it out! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Fun to learn Spanish
As a Spanish teacher I have used this book to teach Spanish to adults. For those with no prior Spanish it can be challenging, but with guidance it can be quite fun and interesting. I especially like its format, with each unit beginning with a short story that contains the lesson's vocabulary and grammatical forms. The story is followed by several pages of a variety of exercises that can be written in the book, and grammar explanations. Each unit is packed with new vocabulary, which takes the learner quite beyond travel phrase books. This is a nice, fat book that really gives the truly motivated a lot to learn. The monotony of typical practice books is broken up with fun illustrations and two colors of ink for the text. For anyone studying without a teacher, I'd recommend contacting the publisher for a teacher's manual in order to obtain the answers to the exercises and check your work.

A generally excellent textbook for beginners.
I am a professional tutor of college-level Spanish and use this book with almost all my private beginning students (i.e., those not enrolled in a first-semester college course). They appreciate the book's low price, humor, useful vocabulary, clear grammar explanations, logical organization, extensive cultural information, and the textbook/workbook format: being able to write the answers to the exercises on the lines in the book. Working with this book and a good tutor, the diligent student can get a terrific combination of basic grammar plus considerable practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening, all while having a lot of fun. The book is marred by some typos, but I don't know any foreign-language textbook that isn't -- and I speak four languages. I simply correct the typos for my students as we go along. In sum, it's a very good book for the price.

comprehensive and fun
I am not a disciplined person and find it difficult to buckle down and study. With this book, I found myself studying and completing the lessons on my own on a regular basis. The lessons are entertaining and fun too!

Love it, easy and fun
I've tried to learn Spanish about three times and so have three books. I think this is the one to get me over the edge. It's very clear and fun.

spanish now!
... I love this spanish study book because I find it challenging but fun and entertaining and it's a nice book if you already know some spanish and I am glad I bought it, so maybe if you have a teacher to help you out or maybe when you learn more spanish come back to this and then get it and also there is a bonus that comes with it you learn spanish culture because if your like me you'll find it interesting and if your not you still really need to know the culture your speaking in to learn it so happy learning! ... Read more

Book Description

"Boundaries and Kids" will help parents set limits for their kids and teach the concept of boundaries.Read by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Boundaries With Kids
This book has helped my husband and I to not only be on the same page with our dicipline methods but also to really focus on how our 3 kids behaviors right now in the present will affect their future when they are on their own. It has helped us to set boundaries for them and is also teaching our kids to learn to set firm boundaries on their own with their lives. I had yet to find a book on raising children that is so clear and effective and really guides you through how to be an effective parent for the good of your kids future. I also highly recommend the book "Raising Great Kids" which is by the same authors.

All I can say is WOW...
I'm able to find something I heartily disagree with in every childcare or child discipline book I read. Even in my favorites. But I thought my head was going to fall off I nodded so hard while reading this book. I used to hedge daily on discipline worrying I was "hurting" my kids too much when I had to enforce loss of privileges. This book made me see that all consequences are painful...they are supposed to be. But painful and harmful are not the same thing. Just because my child is temporarily unhappy, that doesn't mean she is permanently scarred. All growth is painful. The flip side to the advice is you should balance your enforcement of consequences with empathy, affection, and support. You are neither your child's enemy nor his friend. You are his parent.

I was able to immediately put the good advice to use right away and my family is so much more peaceful! Boundaries really are good for building character, increasing empathy, and as converse as it may sound, strengthening the relationship between you and your children. The authors are both psychotherapists and devout Christians. I thought the Christian bent might annoy me but the scriptures quoted were used sparingly and only enhanced the eloquence and relevance of the text.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to friends and relatives, Christian and secular. Buy this book and you will walk around thinking "I know which boundaries HIS/HER parents didn't enforce as a child." What an enlightening book!

A must read for any parent
I read Boundaries first and someone gave me Boundaries with Kids. Just like the 1st Boundaries book it changed my life. I have a 5 year old and it helped me in so many area's. I give Boundaries and Boundaries with Kids to my friends and they just can't believe what they are reading. A MUST read!!

Revolutionized my parenting!
I bought 8 books on discipline and parenting, and by chance, I read this one first. I may never finish the rest!

The authors are psychologists AND parents, so their advice is personal and professional. Through their words, I realized there is much that I need to work on so that I can discipline with integrity and love. The authors use real life examples and suggest similar scenarios for flegling parents like myself.

Boundaries with Kids is a must-read for all parents who are hoping to mold their child's character, not just punish misbehaviors.

This book changed our lives!
At age 13, nothing had worked. My son was stubborn, uncooperative, lying & lazy - at best. My fiancee threw up his hands in disgust & told me I was on my own with this problem. Reading this book and implementing its contents as I went along, has made all the difference in the world! Seeing all I had done wrong in the past (to help create this monster), and having guidelines to follow to correct the set bad patterns - priceless! The book is written clearly & matter-of-factly. It shows where I contributed to my son's poor behavior. It shows compassion for how difficult it is to change our patterns. This book is worth every penny - worth every moment. I now have a cooperative, responsible, cheerful, loving son! & he has a mom who is firm, loving, and VERY happy! ... Read more