Reviews (1)

What's the most beautiful thing you know about horses?
It's forty below in the Northwest Territories of Canada - so cold the ravens won't fly & Richard can't go outside. He decides to ask his family & friends the question that became the title to this book. Their answers bring a whole other world into light. Brilliantly illustrated by George Littlechild from the Plains Cree Nation, this humorous quest of a youngster's mind during a long winter's day, brings out the silly & the insightful. Makes a lovely gift! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

AWESOME BOOK
Abuela's Weave is a very good, accurate book about how the Maya people actually live. I've travelled often to Guatemala and visited many villages. The pictures in Abuela's Weave depict life as it really is in the villages... the Mayan dress, the houses, work, animals. Very good. I read this book often to my 4 year old granddaughter and use the opportunity to educate her on Guatemalan culture and to teach her some Spanish. My cousin, Dominga Sic Ruiz, was born in Guatemala and adopted in the USA. We sell weavings made by the women of a village in Guatemala. The weavings go great with the book...hand in hand...to buy a weaving write to domingasic@hotmail.com Thanks. Mary P.

Woven with Love
A beautifully illustrated book written by Omar S. Castaneda who was born in Guatemala and teaches writing at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. The artist, Enrique O. Sanchez was born in the Dominican Republic and has worked as a graphic artist for Sesame Street. Together they create magic.

Esperanza is a girl who is learning to weave with her grandmother, Abuela. On the day of the Fiesta de Pueblos in Guate, they decide to reveal their work to the world.

"Esperanza, however, wore her favorite huipil: it was a white blouse with red, blue and green threads in the rectangular collar. Under that, the colors bled into silver and blue, and hidden within the intricate designs of the blouse were tiny quetzals flying freely in the threads the way they once flew in the great forests of Guatemala."

They have to take a bus and then finally they arrive in the city. Once Esperanza starts to hang up her work, people start to look at the elaborate weavings and some even take pictures. She sells all the items and her grandmother is very proud of her.

A loving story that follows in the tradition of Guatemala's legendary artisans.

excellent intergenerational sensitivity
Buy it! For a delightful experience of a grandmother and granddaughter and how they grow closer through sharing of talent and love, you should read this one.

A touching story about family, responsibility, and Guatemala
After returning from a solo trip to Guatemala, I was looking for a way to give my children a sense of what the country is like - not just what I saw there, but what I felt, being among the Maya. This book provided me with the tool I was looking for. This touching story weaves the importance and closeness of Mayan family, the responsibility that Mayan children must assume early in life, and a bit of the mystery surrounding the people into a wonderful tale. Reading Abuela's Weave to my children was one of the only times I have ever cried over a children's book.

The kids liked it, too. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good, but definitely an older title
Originally published in 1974, "Jambo Means Hello" made waves when it first appeared. The book strives to present East African lifestyles for the viewer using a technique that produces the 24 letters of the Swahili alphabet. Each letter is the beginning of a word in Swahili, and the text and pictures illustrate how this word fits into the daily interactions of Eastern Africans. From the "A" of arusi (a wedding) to the Z of the zeze (a stringed instrument) the reader is given a series of interesting situations and illustrations.

Now when this book first came out it was unique in its field. Since the 1970s, however, our standards for non-fiction picture books have risen a little and "Jambo Means Hello" is not necessarily the best book of its kind anymore. Looking at it today is an interesting exercise in changing perceptions. First of all, I'd like to commend author Muriel Feelings for her incredibly informative Introduction. Producing a map of Africa that clearly delineates the countries where Swahili is the primary language, she explains about the continent, the people, and the fact that Swahili hasn't a Q or X sound. The book then enters into the letters, accompanied by Tom Feelings's pencil and ink drawings. These pictures are entirely respectful of their subjects. People, objects, and the land itself are presented beautifully here. Though the illustrations are all black and white, you do not feel the lack of color is a loss of any kind.

I haven't any problems with the illustrations of this book, but I do feel that the text is a bit outdated at times. First of all, the author makes rather grand sweeping statements about East Africans, lumping them all into a group and making it seem as if people from the Congo partake in the same ceremonies, customs, and dress as the people of Somalia. This is my primary problem with the book, but there are other small difficulties as well. For one thing, there aren't any signs of modernization or contemporary attitudes in this book, which is odd. Large cities and technological advances are pretty much ignored on the whole. Then there is the introduction's statement that this book is specifically for children of African ancestry, as if kids from other cultures wouldn't get anything out of this collection.

Still, these problems aren't huge and a little well-placed modernization and editing could eliminate them altogether. Kids reading this book will delight to recognize such Swahili words as Rafiki (friend), remembering that charming monkey from "The Lion King". They'll enjoy the elegant sweeping pictures and depictions. An enjoyable (and greatly needed) book, this is certain to continue to garner fans as the years go by. Though bigger better books exploring the nature of Africa and its inhabitants exist, I recommend you at least give a glance to the charming, "Jambo Means Hello".

Learning language and culture of another people.
This children's book, also illustrated by Tom Feelings, is an alphabet book that teaches Swahili words and African culture. With each word, a child learns more about this vibrant African culture. It was a 1975 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a children's book.

A great introduction to language and culture
Following the idea that language cannot be separated from the culture that speaks it, this book introduces children to some basic words and customs of the people who traditionally speak Swahili. Any child interested in foreign languages, or perhaps just the names in the Lion King (taken from Swahili, Simba=lion, Rafiki=friend)will appreciate this simple introduction to another language and culture. Older children may even be motivated to learn more on their own. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

The accolades speak for themselves:

"Fritz draws the readers into scenes from her youth in the turbulent China of the mid-twenties. One comes to appreciate the generous affection of her nurse/companion Lin Nai-Nai, the isolating distance in her mother's grief over losing a second child, the dynamics of a suffering population venting its hostility on foreigners, and most of all, the loneliness of a child's exile from a homeland she has imagined constantly but never seen....A remarkable blend of truth and storytelling." --Booklist, starred review

"An insightful memory's-eye-view of her childhood...Young Jean is a strong character, and many of her reactions to people and events are timeless and universal."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Told with an abundance of humor--sometimes wry, sometimes mischievous and irreverent--the story is vibrant with atmosphere, personalities, and a palpable sense of place." --The Horn Book

"Every now and then a book comes along that makes me want to send a valentine to its author. Homesick is such a book....Pungent and delicious." --Katherine Paterson, The Washington Post ... Read more

Reviews (21)

In Relation
Jean Fritz was born an American girl in China. Growing up she wanted to know about her American life. Throughout her earlier years she can only see her American life in letters from her grandma (lives in america). Finally, after waiting many years her family decides to go back. When she gets to America she questions whether or not she will fit in, after living on the opposite side of the world.

During the coarse of the book, I liked the story's reality to everyday issues. They are the same no matter where you live. Whether it being teased and not wanting to go to school or begging mother for that special something for christmas. There are so many cultures and different beliefs, that when it comes to basic standards of living it is all the same.

I did not dislike anything in Homesick. Although, I did learn about the separation of Chinese and Americans. Not in a bad way. The Americans had a small park blocked off to Chinese in order to have a place in comparison to America. Therefore, by finishing the book I give it a thumbs up and can relate to being homesick.

A Journey with Fritz
This engaging story gives you a view of how Jean fritz felt and lived in China during the war.Her move to the USA was exciting for her as she encounted many 'mishaps and troubles' along the way.You should reallly read this book, if you are interested in biographies and foreign countries, such as China.I give this book 5 stars as she describes well in detail about her life and inner thoughts during the early 1920's.I am reading this book as an literature assignment and felt that this book was the one.Jean Fritz is a great author!

There's no place.
A really remarkable book. Jean Fritz is author of many an exciting children's biography. If you've read "Why Don't You Get a Horse, Sam Adams?" or "Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?" then you know her works already. Turning her talents towards a slightly more recent history, Fritz takes a good long look at her own life. Having grown up in China in the early 1920s, this is a story of a child trying to discover where she fits in.

First of all, you have to admire Fritz's candor. The very first thing she does is state in the Forward that she considers this a fiction. Though the facts are true here and there, the author has taken some liberties with time and memory. She obviously cannot remember everything that happened perfectly, so she has filled in the gaps as best as possible. Though, she points out, "it does not feel like fiction to me. It is my story, told as truly as I can tell it". THANK YOU, Jean Fritz. How many books do we read where the author claims that everything within the book is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, while taking wild leaps in narrative and interpretation? Finally, we have an author that admits that much of this book may be considered fiction, though she herself remembers it as fact. Such honesty is admirable, and exceedingly rare in non-fiction writers.

As for the story itself, Fritz is very good at what she does. The writing here is superb. Living in a very sketchy time in China's history, little Jean was in the unfortunate position of living in a country where foreigners were finally not being tolerated with much kindness any longer. Often times Chinese peasants rail against Jean for being the kind of "foreign devil" that is a bane to their country. Fritz never condemns these people, and even makes note at the back of this book the reasons behind their dislike and distrust. China was a country that was continually being divided into smaller and smaller pieces by the invading colonists. Neither does the character of Jean ever forget that the servants who work for her are human beings as well. Her parents often do fall into the master-servant manner of thinking, a fact that Jean objects to. They do not learn much about the world in which they live. They instead attempt to recreate their own American lives in a foreign land. But Jean knows that there are aspects of Chinese life that she vastly prefers to the life of her parents. The fact that she recognizes this is impressive. The fact that she can relay it years after the fact in this book, is astounding.

If I have any objections to this book at all they are directed not at the author, but at the illustrator. Margot Tomes has her points. She is not necessarily a bad illustrator. But in this particular book her pictures are superfluous and unnecessary. Sometimes they even touch upon the offensive without really going there. While Fritz never condemns the native Chinese for their opinions, Tomes draws them looking sneaky or sordid at inappropriate times. One such example is in a scene where Jean's servants feed her cat outside, not knowing she's around. The scene in the book is rather touching. Until this time, Jean was half afraid her cook was trying to poison the family. Knowing him to be a person capable of caring for her cat (as he says, "A cat is a cat. There are no foreign cats, no Chinese cats, no capitalist cats, no Communist cats. Just cats") she no longer fears his food. Yet the picture accompanying this text shows a shifty eyed servant peering suspiciously over his shoulder as the cats eats. Unnecessary. Somewhat offensive.

Fritz ends this book with a series of photographs displaying her family, friends, and where she lived in China. Combined with the book, these serve as an excellent document about a time little recorded in either adult or children's fiction. Using a unique perspective culled from her own life, Jean Fritz has written one of the most interesting books about the Chinese/American experience existing today. It is an honorable and impressive piece of work.

Proud to be an American
Imagine being the only American student in a British school. Then imagine being homesick for a country you never lived in.
In this graceful blend of autobiography and fiction, Jean Fritz provides readers with insight into the maturation of--not only a girl--but also a patriot. Her steadfast private dream is to live in the land of the free. Set in China during the 1920's
while the Communist Revolution is gathering momentum, HOMESICK shares a girl's observations on the upheaval of the only Society she has ever known. She endures the zealous violence which is especially directed towards all "foreign devils," as well as
suffering the private heartaches of her own family life.

Jean's father works for the Y: the Fritzs' only motivation is to improve the lot of the Chinese people, but national events dramatically disrupt most lives. Resentful at being stuck on the wrong side of the globe, Jean yearns for her relatives in Pennsylvania, for she has been denied a Yankee childhood. Nor is she indifferent to the plight of her neighbors; in particular she loves and feels great compassion for her faithful Chinese nanny, Lin Nai-Nai. The brutality of war is related through a young girl's eyes, while her imagination is trapped bewteen two worlds. Will she become so ensnared in the insidious trap of Revolution that she has to reliquish her dream of living as a true American? If she does escape, will she ever return to that
land of wise-eyed junks?

Jean Fritz has done it this time-for sure
I read this book this year, when my mom sent me a box of books to camp over the summer. All the rest were Dear Americas so this was the first one I picked up. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I read during softball and got hit on the head. I read during dinner and stained my favortie shirt. I tried to read dujring instructional swim but my counselor took the book away from me. I read under the covers and I got into trouble when my division head came in. I finished it in under eight hours. It's the best non-Dear America book I've ever read. It tells a very interesting story, full of humor and wit. Jean Fritz is an incredibly talented writer, who managed to cover two years time in an average-sized book. Each chapter is a story all its own and also funny. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a really good historical fiction/nonfiction story. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Learn why as long as there is Kansas, there will be sunshine
Nancy Robinson Masters begins this volume in the America the Beautiful, Second Series by devoting Chapter One, "Kansas Sunshine," to the story of Jessie Spencer.She was an American Red Cross canteen worker from Fredonia, Kansas who was serving in France during World War I.As she gave doughnuts and coffee to soldiers she would tell them, "As long as there is Kansas, there will be sunshine."Known as the Kansas sunshine girl, Jessie Spencer became known nationally because of her efforts to pick up morale.In this informative book, Masters explains why Spencer would feel that way about her state.

The next three chapters of the book are devoted to the history of Kansas, with Chatter Two, "From Seawaters to Statehood," beginning with fifty different times millions of years ago that the area now named Kansas was covered by oceans and ending with the border wars and "Bleeding Kansas" over the issue of slavery.In between there are the Spanish conquistadors searching for Quivira, the opening of the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails, and the Pottawatomie Massacre.The dark days of Bleeding Kansas carry over to the start of Chapter Two, "Pioneers and Populism," which begins with the Civil War, tells of the years Kansas was the frontier, and ends with the Populism that was popular there at the end of the 19th century.Chapter Four, "Mileposts to the Future," looks at the 20th century and the part Kansas played in two work wars, and in the 1950s Dwight Eisenhower, who was raised in Abilene, Kansas, became president and the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the famous case of Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka.

The geography of the state is covered in Chapter Five, "The Nature of Kansas," which looks the four main regions defined by the dominant plains (we also learn the difference between the geographic and geodetic centers of the continental United States, both of which are in Kansas).Chapter Six, "The Land of Ahs," is a play on "The Wizard of Oz," since Dorothy Gale is probably the most famous "citizen" of Kansas in the world, and looks at the places you can visit along the state's "yellow brick walls."The biggest surprise is that the recipe for this book is for pancakes.The town of Liberal holds the International Pancake Derby each February and it does not have to do with cooking pancakes but running a 1/4-mile race while carrying them in heavy skillets (they get flipped at the start and end of the race).I keep telling you these books are informative.

The politics of the state are the province of Chapter Seven, "Governing Kansas," where 47 out of 105 counties are named for Civil War Veterans and another 17 have Indian names (the only county named for a woman is Barton, honoring Clara Barton).When we find out about state symbols we learn that "Home on the Range" is the state song, but there is also a state march ("The Kansas March") and the state flower (Wild sunflower) is actually a weed.Chapter Eight, "Working in Kansas," looks at the fast-growing economy of the state, while Chapter Nine, "Modern People of the Plains," looks at the people who have come to inhabit the land.

Chapter Ten, "Culture and Competition," looks at the famous sons and daughters of Kansas.This includes writers from L. Frank Baum and Laura Ingalls Wilder to Damon Runyan and Sara Paretsky, as well as big names in sports such as Gayle Sayers, Rick Mears, and Walter Johnson.Masters includes those who became famous playing for the University of Kansas, such as Wilt Chamberlain and Danny Manning, and those who played for the closest professional teams in Kansas City, Missouri, such as George Brett.Throughout the book there are dozens of sidebars that introduce us to other Kansas notables like Amelia Earhart and John Brown.These are also were we learn where the name Jawhawkers came from and that the first Pizza Hut was opened by the Carney brothers in 1958 in Wichita.

In the back of the book you will find a detailed Timeline contrasting U.S. and Kansas state history, several pages of Fast Facts providing easy access to key statistics, and list of books, organizations, and Internet sites where young students can go To Find Out More.There all dozens of photographs, both full-color and black & white, and original maps on things like the exploration of Kansas, topography, and the state's maps and forests. These America the Beautiful, Second Series volumes are ideal for young students who have to research one of the U.S. states (or territories) for class, but also if there family happens to be going through the Jawhawk state on a trip. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

amusing combination of fiction and non-fiction
Emmadine. a cow, joins Admiral Byrd's 1933 expedition to the South Pole. Factual information about the South Pole is blended with the details of Emmadine's escapades, impressions, and adventures in the coldest place on earth. All the while she is collecting memories to tell to her "grandcows" when she gets home to the farm. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

excellent home library source
I purchased the Time Life Student Library series for my nieces and nephew, one set for their home library, and then donated a set to their school library. The books are well written, beautifully illustrated, and do not "talk down" to children. The books address timely issues and interests.

My daughter couldn't put it down!
This is a visually appealing, information-packed reference book. Special features such as "Would You Believe?" and "Try It!" appear on every page, inviting kids to really interact with the words and pictures. I bought this book for my 11-year old to write a report about Egypt, and found her also engrossed with Greece, China, India, and the Roman Empire. She even showed me how to write her name in hieroglyphs! I am so pleased to have found a book that got her excited about learning. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Condense The Incredible Journey to its purest essence then add the most exquisite, vividly painted illustrations, and there you have The Cat Who Walked Across France.

A cat lives contentedly for many years in a seaside village, until his old mistress dies and he is shipped off to another town far away. Lonely and ignored, the gray kitty sets off on an odyssey, lured by memories of "the tangy smell of lemons ripening on a branch under a window at the stone house by the edge of the sea," and driven by "the taste of the salty air that blew off the water and coated the bench behind the stone house by the edge of the sea." Returning finally to his home seaport, the paw-sore old cat finds the door to his stone house still open and inviting. Readers will be pleased (and not surprised) to learn that the new residents welcome the brave and determined fellow with open arms and dishes of food.

Kate Banks and Georg Hallensleben, who have teamed up on several gorgeous and award-winning picture books, including Close Your Eyes, are a creative match made in heaven. Lovely! (Ages 5 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A TOUCHING STORY OF PERSEVERANCE
Who says you can't go home again? Especially when home is a refuge of familiarity, comfort and love.

For many years a cat lived with an old woman in a stone house in France. Their house was by the sea so the cat well knew and loved the smell of salt air. At night the cat would curl in the woman's arms and she would pet him.

One day the woman died and all her belongings, along with the cat, were packed and shipped north to the place where she was born. However, there was no one to care for the cat. He wandered the streets meowing for food and running from predatory dogs.

Enough of this! He decided to go home. Could a cat possibly walk all the way across France to find the home for which he yearned?

Suggested for children ages 4 - 8 this is a touching story of perseverance and the comfort of home.

- Gail Cooke

Educators Recommend
"For many years the cat had lived in the stone house by the edge of the sea . . . He chased the wind that scuttled through the garden . . . At dusk he curled up in the bend of the old woman's arm" and she scratched his ears and stroked his back. "Good kitty," she tells him, "good kitty."

When the woman dies, her belongings, along with cat, are shipped north to her childhood home. With no one there to love him, the cat decides to leave. He roams the French countryside, sleeping in barns, hunting field mice, and dodging dogs and cars in bustling, big cities. His journey takes him past the Eiffel Tower, over bridges, around castles and ruins, through storms, and into occasional danger.

Time passes. "His fur grew scruffy. Now and again he would stop to linger on a grassy bank or in the cool shade of an ancient wall." Always though he pushed on, dreaming of the stone house by the edge of the sea.

"Thin and frail" the cat finally makes his way home. As he walks up to the door of the stone house, he finds it wide open. Soon he is curled into a small ball, asleep on a couch. When he awakens he finds a boy and girl standing over him. They offer him a platter of food, fresh water, and, satisfyingly, a home.

A map of France on the book's back cover shows the cat's zigzag journey from Rouen in the north to St. Tropez in the south.

Hallensleben's paintings are lushly textured with bold, big, colorful brush strokes.

Excellent as a read aloud.

Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff. ... Read more

Book Description

It's 1893. Charlotte and her family have lived abroad in the famous artist colony in Giverny, France, for a year, when an exciting invitation arrives. The celebrated impressionist Mary Cassatt is having an exhibition in Paris. While in Paris, Charlotte dines at a cafe on the Champs-Elysees, watches a marionette show in the Tuileries gardens and celebrates her birthday at the Eiffel Tower. Illustrated with stunning museum reproductions of works by artists such as Monet, Degas, Cassatt, Renoir and Rodin as well as lovely watercolor collages, this sequel to Charlotte in Giverny also includes biographical sketches of the featured painters. Charlotte's charming scrapbook will leave fans of the first book, art lovers, Francophiles and readers of all ages shouting, "Vive Charlotte!" ... Read more

Reviews (2)

VIVE CHARLOTTE!
I've fallen in love with Charlotte all over again! Giverny, and now Paris, in the year 1893, come alive through the American Charlotte's amusing journal-a charming collection of observations, illustrations, french words and collages. As she learns about the painters around her-we learn. One can almost hear the sound of sleighs gliding through the streets of Paris on a winters night, and taste the "croquembouche"-the tower of cream puffs Charlotte alluringly descibes on Christmas Eve! Once again, Joan Knight allows the paintings of impressionists (such as Cassat, Monet, MacMonnies and more-) to help tell Charlottes story-to great success. As with all of Mrs. Knights selections, Monet's "The Magpie" is used to great effect-as Charlotte and friend Lizzy, upon their way home from making snow sculptures, stumble upon him painting a winter scene. There is no doubt that the Mrs. Knight, and the illustrator, Melissa Sweet-succeed in making Charlotte's voice very real-she is a most endearing character-one we all would love to have as friend! One can only hope Charlotte's adventures go on from Paris!

exquisite visuals and text
I bought this book because I was a huge fan of the first Charlotte in Giverny! Being a lover of all things French, I am equally captivated by this second book in this fabulous series. The text transports the reader to a magical time in our artistic history and the "journal" style of the text is witty and wonderful to read. Each page is truley a work of art--a magical collage that makes me want to create my own scrap book. You truley get lost in Charlotte's world. I read it to my daughter every night. Bravo! ... Read more

Book Description

A MAGICAL NIGHT WHEN SECRET WISHES CAN COME TRUE

On a rainy afternoon, three sisters wish for the rain to stoop, wish they could play in the puddles, wish for something, anything, to do. So Ying-Ying, their grandmother, tells them a tale from long ago. On the night of the Moon Festival, when Ying-ying was a little girl, she encountered the Moon Lady, who grants the secret wishes of those who ask, and learned from her that the best wishes are those you can make come true yourself. This haunting tale, adapted from Amy Tan's best-seller The Joy Luck Club and enhanced by Gretchen Schields's rich, meticulously detailed art, is a book for all to treasure. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Good Read At Any Age
In The Moon Lady, Amy Tan author of The Joy Luck Club and The Bonesetter's Daughter, presents a small tale for young children which adults will also enjoy. Focusing on a story set in China, Tan brings her wealth of knowledge about China and its folktales as well as her love for this country and its traditions. In addition, the illustrations by Gretchen Schields add a wonderful dimension to the story since readers can also visualize the tale by viewing these pictures.

On a rainy day as grandchildren whine that they can't play outside their grandmother tells them a tale based on her own experiences as a child. Using this method Tan provides an allegorical tale concerning children and their wishes. Telling the children of her wishes as a young girl, Ying Ying tells the children a story about her own wishes at the times of the Moon Festival. And as all folk tales provide, Tan is adept at providing her readers with an adventurous tale compete with the mysterious Moon Lady and a moral to the story.

This is a good book for young children who cannot only learn about the Chinese culture but the saying "Be careful what you wish for." I also recommend this book at any age since it is also important to remember this as we move on in life.

Happy Chinese New Year!
To be honest, this book is reminiscent of a certain chapter in Amy Tan's other book, "Joy Luck Club". In fact, the whole story is lifted from the mentioned novel, and loosely edited to create an entirely detached story for children. But, the whole bit about Nai-nai telling the story was probably the only drastic change. I've no complaints about it though, as a lighter tone seems to be induced in this version, which is (yes) perfect for children, as compared to the more melancholy tone produced in "Joy Luck Club". As a Chinese myself, and having a younger brother and a few kid relatives, I find this book to also be educational with the respect of reintroducing a familiar yet distant tradition to them. Through this wonderfully crafted story which is set at a (Chinese/Lunar) New Year Festival in the bygone days of China, children are taught to find themselves and their loved ones through a series of journeys to undertake and overcome. The great artwork is a bonus. Of course, a better understanding of the background of the legendary moon lady wouldn't do any harm. Still, read the "Joy Luck Club" to get a bigger picture of the story's presence. It's not in the movie.

Read to Your Child to Develop Bonding and Intellect!
Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. The Moon Lady was one of her picks.

Adapted from Amy Tan's best selling book, The Joy Luck Club, The Moon Lady is a perfect book for encouraging children to read with and talk to their grandmother. The book also very subtly encourages children to take more responsibility for their own lives. The story provides a model for parents and grandparents for how to create their own stories to help children learn important lessons.

The story begins as three girls, Maggie, Lily and June, are bored because they have to stay in on a rainy day and can think of nothing that they want to do. Their grandmother, Nai-nai, is with them. Nai-nai tells them a story about when she was a young girl in China, and she ran and shouted and could not stand still also.

The story is about the day she told the Moon Lady her secret wish. Then unfolds a wonderful story of a young girl's adventure on a special trip to see the Moon Lady. Along the way, she sees many things she has not seen before, falls overboard, is rescued by a fishing family, and finds her family again after meeting the Moon Lady. In the process, she has one of those epiphanies that make all of our lives better -- that she is in charge of creating her own future.

The story is filled with references to family bonding and what is and is not proper behavior. The story also shows what family life was like for a somewhat well-to-do Chinese family in China at the beginning of the 20th century. These references are made all the more realistic by a wonderful series of drawings by Gretchen Schields with bright colors, beautiful detail, and authentic depictions of the China of years ago. It's almost like living a beautiful dream.

Then Nai-nai takes her granddaughters out to dance in the moon after the story is over.

Of all the children's books I have read, I place this one in the top ten for the 4-8 age category.

A central problem for many children today is that too much television, too many structured activities, and too little free time leave them feeling lost when nothing is on the agenda. Our misconception is that they need regimented lives like those that soldiers lead to fulfill their potential. This book will encourage you to readdress that misconception, and focus on how to make your children more competent in thinking about others, being more independent, and designing their own beneficial activities. That is all very important to actually unleashing their full potential. When you are done, think about how perhaps your own life needs a little improvement along these same lines.

Enjoy!

Donald Mitchell (donmitch@2000percentsolution.com)

Magnificent illustrations...
I was drawn to this book as an Amy Tan fan and found myself fascinated by the illustrations. They are gorgeous and vividly detailed. The story, narrated by a grandmother, of her childhood adventures while growing up in China will give kids a tantalizing glimpse of another time and place.

great book
The Moon Lady is a fabulous book by Amy Tan and has wonderful color pictures by Gretchen Schields . The picture was so colorful I couldn't take my eyes off it. This story is about an old lady telling a story to her grandchildren about the Moon Lady. She saw a lady that was dancing while the moon was shining on her. She saw the Moon Lady when she was little. This story is set in China. I think that this story could be true if someone saw the Moon Lady dancing while the moon is shining. This book was outrageous when the old lady was a little girl on the boat and a swimming snake or some other creature scared her. I recommend this book to a anyone who wants to learn about what people wore in the olden days because it has pictures that show how they dressed. It if anyone wants to read the Moon Lady, I can tell you that it has a lot of fabulous pictures and stories about the old lady saw the Moon Lady. ... Read more

Book Description

What causes the earth’s weather? How do twisters form? What are the deadliest storms on earth? Find out the answers to these questions and more in Magic Tree House Research Guide: Twisters and Other Terrible Storms, Jack and Annie’s guide to nature’s wildest weather. Includes photographs, definitions, an index, information on twisters, hurricanes, blizzards, forecasting the weather, storm chasers, and much more! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Twisters
Twisters are tornadoes. I learned about them in the book Twisters by Will Osborne. Twisters wreak everything. Twisters can destroy homes because the winds go 300 miles per hour. They hit in the midwestern U.S. in April, May and June. I feel excited about this book because it's good to know about natural disasters so if it happens you'll be prepared. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a concept book to teach and delight. As a young African boy travels to visit his grandmother, he passes through the village market, where he sees lots of things Granny would like— four brooms, five hats, six necklaces, seven musical instruments, and so on. Stunning photographs taken in Emeka's southern Nigerian village illustrate this heartwarming story."A wonderful multidimensional story with universal appeal." — School Library Journal ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very Good Counting Book
Fine for 3-8 year-olds, as the title indicates, this is a good counting book that exposes childern to Nigerian culture.

Wait, it's not boring. The author keeps the factual information to a minimum, just giving interesting tidbits of a different culture, so your little ones should find it compelling while mastering their counting.

One, two, three cheers for Emeka!
My toddler daughter and I discovered this book on display at a special African exhibit of the Iowa Children's Museum. In a state with precious little diversity, the children were so curious about Emeka's African village world - so different from Iowa farms. After looking at the pictures of village life, my daughter wrapped herself in brightly-colored African fabrics and danced around shaking the sheker - just like she saw in Emeka's Gift. ... Read more

Book Description

Violet Paz has just turned 15, a pivotal birthday in the eyes of her Cuban grandmother. Fifteen is the age when a girl enters womanhood, traditionally celebrating the occasion with a quinceañero. But while Violet is half Cuban, she’s also half Polish, and more importantly, she feels 100% American. Except for her zany family’s passion for playing dominoes, smoking cigars, and dancing to Latin music, Violet knows little about Cuban culture, nada about quinces, and only tidbits about the history of Cuba. So when Violet begrudgingly accepts Abuela’s plans for a quinceañero–and as she begins to ask questions about her Cuban roots–cultures and feelings collide. The mere mention of Cuba and Fidel Castro elicits her grandparents’sadness and her father’s anger. Only Violet’s aunt Luz remains open-minded. With so many divergent views, it’s not easy to know what to believe. All Violet knows is that she’s got to form her own opinions, even if this jolts her family into unwanted confrontations. After all, a quince girl is supposed to embrace responsibility–and to Violet that includes understanding the Cuban heritage that binds her to a homeland she’s never seen. This is Nancy Osa’s first novel. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Very enjoyable!
A well-written and funny coming-of-age story about fifteen year old Violet Paz, this book really keeps the pages turning!With the help of her two best friends, Violet struggles to change tradition at her quince party, a Cuban celebration for teenage girls turning fifteen.Violet also tries to uncover more information about her Cuban roots, which her father and grandparents are unwilling to talk about.The humerous side of the story is found in Violet's crazy family domino tournaments and get togethers, and her adventures competing on a speech team in original comedy.Sure to be a big hit!

50% Cuban or 100% American?
-Keith Frankford

Violet Paz is a 15 year old, half Cuban half polish teenager growing up is the suburbs of Chicago. She goes through the challenges and difficulties of growing up and following her Cuban traditions which mean so much to her grandmother.With her tenth grade year being full of crazy, loving, zany, funny cookouts, her coming of age party (quince), first dates and crushes, along with the speech team, and tons of domino games she wonders how she'll survive. This book Cuba 15 is filled with great descriptions, humor, and everyday situations for teenage girls just trying to get through one day, with out having to worry about how crazy school, boys, and family can be. Cuba 15 is a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good laugh.

With Violet turning 15 and spending a fair amount of her 10th grade year planning for her quince, a coming of age party which is a Cuban tradition. She must choose a dress; in which her grandmother wants her to wear a Pepto-Bismol pink colored dress with tons of ruffles. She decides to mix her new-age ideas with her old Cuban traditions. While in an adventure to learn about her own traditions and Cuban culture, she realizes how important family is along the way. As Violet is about to become a women she uses at home situations in her comedy speeches to help her laugh off some of the hilarious get-togethers and cookouts.This book is hilarious and will keep you laughing, from the burning of the roast at the cookout to the endless games of dominos. The book Cuba 15 is a good choice for anyone of any background not only of the Cuban culture.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about something different and would enjoy taking an adventure on a magical ride through a mystical journey, and through the history of different cultures and values by which one culture lives by.The book also makes you feel connected to the characters with the many ways the author describes the mood and feelings of the character, and with the growth of the character, Violet Paz, through the book into womanhood; you also feel like you grow with the character in accepting different forms of doing things and different traditions. The book Cuba 15 shows a wonderful mix of cultures and traditions, and shows the different customs and responsibilities of different cultures. I recommend it 100% to anyone!

50% Cuban or 100% american?
Violet Paz is a 15 year old, half Cuban half polish teenager growing up is the suburbs of Chicago. She goes through the challenges and difficulties of growing up and following her Cuban traditions which mean so much to her grandmother.With her tenth grade year being full of crazy, loving, zany, funny cookouts, her coming of age party (quince), first dates and crushes, along with the speech team, and tons of domino games she wonders how she'll survive. This book Cuba 15 is filled with great descriptions, humor, and everyday situations for teenage girls just trying to get through one day, with out having to worry about how crazy school, boys, and family can be. Cuba 15 is a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good laugh.

With Violet turning 15 and spending a fair amount of her 10th grade year planning for her quince, a coming of age party which is a Cuban tradition. She must choose a dress; in which her grandmother wants her to wear a Pepto-Bismol pink colored dress with tons of ruffles. She decides to mix her new-age ideas with her old Cuban traditions. While in an adventure to learn about her own traditions and Cuban culture, she realizes how important family is along the way. As Violet is about to become a women she uses at home situations in her comedy speeches to help her laugh off some of the hilarious get-togethers and cookouts.This book is hilarious and will keep you laughing, from the burning of the roast at the cookout to the endless games of dominos. The book Cuba 15 is a good choice for anyone of any background not only of the Cuban culture.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning about something different and would enjoy taking an adventure on a magical ride through a mystical journey, and through the history of different cultures and values by which one culture lives by.The book also makes you feel connected to the characters with the many ways the author describes the mood and feelings of the character, and with the growth of the character, Violet Paz, through the book into womanhood; you also feel like you grow with the character in accepting different forms of doing things and different traditions. The book Cuba 15 shows a wonderful mix of cultures and traditions, and shows the different customs and responsibilities of different cultures. I recommend it 100% to anyone!

CUBA 15 is a well-written novel about growing up.
Violet Paz knows little about her half-Cuban, half-Polish heritage. She simply feels American. So when her Cuban grandmother insists that she have the traditional Quinceanera (the celebration of Violet's 15th birthday), she is reluctant. Will she have to wear an awful ruffled dress and be put on the market for marriage? She finds that quince is instead about tradition, family and self-discovery.

CUBA 15 is a wonderful book filled with humor. Armed with "The Dummies Guide to Quinceanera," Violet learns that she can have a theater theme for her special day, a subject that's very important to her. She does not have to employ all of the old traditions, but she does use enough of them to create a magical mix of cultures with old and new traditions.

While preparing for the big event, Violet studies and writes about her family in an attempt to understand them. Her family's marathon domino games become the subject for a comedy sketch she performs for competition. She secretly participates in a rally for Cuba, inspiring great anger and division in her family, who lived among the political strife there. She also finds her first boyfriend and discovers again how valuable her two best friends are to her.

The actual event is anticlimactic but fun. CUBA 15 is a well-written novel about the journey of growing up.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

What a difference a year makes
Violet Paz's family does not understand her, which is hard enough when you are 15, but even worse, SHE doesn't understand THEM.Her Cuban father and Polish mother maintain a lively, loud household where dominos rule, extended family members feel free to meddle into everyone's business and large parties are annual events.When Violet's grandmother insists that Violet have a quinceanero (a 15th birthday celebration announcing her arrival to womanhood), Violet does not see how such a tradition fits into her suburban Chicago life.After all, her father refuses to speak of his life in Cuba and Violet barely speaks the Spanish her parents and grandparent use so easily.Plus, Violet and her girlfriends are much more interested in boys and school than in some archaic Cuban rite of passage.But planning the party is just one of Violet's concerns this year; she also has to come up with an original comedy piece for the Speech competition.As Violet's creativity and poise develop, she learns to better appreciate and understand her loving-if loco-family, and her Cuban heritage.Violet and her friends are lively, well-developed female characters, and this book will be of most interest to teenage girls.But it humorously and touchingly reveals the dynamics of a multi-generational and multi-cultural family, making it a good read for everyone. ... Read more

Book Description

Carefully selected Chinese words and phrases take you on a wondrous journey through Chinese history and through the lives and customs of its people. The meaning of 23 phrases (46 characters) are included in this beautifully illustrated book that explores the richness of the Chinese culture. Each phrase is introduced by a written image and an explanation of the spoken Mandarin language, as well as a picture representing the concept. Some of these Chinese words have been borrowed and shared by other people. You may be surprised to find a little trace of Chinese in you! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A visual treat!
When I first leafed through this book I could not put it down because it is such a rich visual treat. Each page contains a luminous collage of paintings, calligraphy and graphics through which we are introduced to some of the many artifacts and traditions of the Chinese culture. Some words such as "gong fu," "feng shui," and "doufu" are already quite familiar to westerners. Less familiar but equally important are words such as "hong bao" (lucky red envelopes which all children receive for Chinese New Year), "qi pao" (the elegant high collared dresses worn by Chinese women),"shi er sheng xiao" (12 animals of the Chinese zodiac), "tu zhang" (hand carved seals bearing a person's name) and "xiao shun" (the words for filial piety, much emphasized in the teachings of Confucius). The pages are large and the graphics bold, making it a suitable book for sharing with a class. This is a book which visual artists, scholars, teachers and children alike will surely appreciate.

Excellent book!
I hope that others will discover this book too. I am going to share it with my ESOL students for Chinese New Year. I am learning a lot from the book. I really enjoy trying to pronounce the words. My Chinese-Vietnamese students can probably assist me with the correct pronunciation and tones, now that I have some idea. ... Read more