Amazon.com

When she's not having tea parties or zooming around in her new car, David Kirk's colorful Miss Spider helps kids learn their ABCs and even how to count. This set of three Miss Spider board books--Miss Spider's ABC, Miss Spider's New Car, and Miss Spider's Tea Party: The Counting Book--comes in a handy cardboard carrying case with a red plastic handle. If you're looking for the rich, rhyming language of Miss Spider's New Car, you should stick with the original hardcover, for the board book edition of this and of Miss Spider's Tea Party have been abbreviated and modified as smaller books for smaller hands. In Miss Spider's ABC, the heftiest board book of the bunch with all 26 letters of the alphabet, Miss Spider's friends prepare for her giant surprise birthday party: "Bumblebees blow balloons.... Earthworms entertain.... Fireflies fandango.... Moths mingle.... Owlflies ogle." Kirk's action-packed illustrations are crisp and luminous--crawling with comically anthropomorphized bugs jumping and laughing and mingling. A fine introduction to the world of Miss Spider for the younger set. (Baby to preschool) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful!
My 2yr old twins love this collection! They can carry around the little case and the books are wonderful! They love bright colors and this collection is bright and fun! ... Read more

Book Description

The HOTTEST Guide yet to the mysteries of Harry Potter

Secrets & clues revealed!

This Guide, extremely popular the last two years with Harry Potter fans everywhere, is your key tool for developing the skills needed to sleuth those important clues, themes, and running bits.By recognizing these hints, you'll have even more fun predicting what is yet to come.While the world awaits the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, JK Rowling has teased that her clues lie right before fans' eyes--or between their fingers.The trail is marked for books 6 and 7, but do you know where to look?

Waters’ presents her detailed hunt for clues in an interesting and provocative, yet fun-to-read manner.With this Guide in one hand and the Harry Potter books in the other, you’ll:

• read the Harry Potter series in a whole new light, delving below the surface to ferret out those sly clues buried by the cunning JK Rowling,
  
• understand better why the Harry Potter mysteries have captured such a phenomenal world-wide following as you uncover the detail to which Ms. Rowling has crafted her story and her world,
  
• amaze at how deceptively she’s hidden those clues,
  
• discover new ones on your own!

Wizarding World Press has attracted quite a following, which started with this Guide—the most popular book to analyze the clues and mysteries hidden within the Harry Potter series.Discover it for yourself.

The Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter is for you if:

• You’re new to the series and want to know what all the hubbub is about (and want to start with the best and most complete book available for capturing the themes, clues, and future possibilities).Get all your theories in one place here.
  
• You’re new to book 5 and would like to better understand what has come before.Read the Guide first, then pick out those clues in Order of the Phoenix on your own.
  
• You’ve read all the books, but it’s been a while.Refresh your memory and tighten your skills before book 6 is released so that you’ll be prepared to fully appreciate your first read-through of The Half-Blood Prince and discover more clues on your own.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HERE’S A TASTE OF WHAT’S IN THE BOOK... What secrets do Neville and Professor Snape hold?

Did you understand exactly how Dumbledore's "Mirror of Erised" worked?

Are you aware that what Harry saw in the Mirror was not accurate?

Do you know how to solve Snape's poison bottle puzzle in the room "through the trapdoor?"

Did you know there are actually 2 solutions to that puzzle?"In chapter 16 of Book 1, J.K. Rowling writes that Harry 'watched an owl flutter toward the school across the bright blue sky, a note clamped in its mouth.' Even after reading the book several times, it still catches readers by surprise when they realize that this note was the message used to trick Headmaster Dumbledore into leaving the school for a trip to London. That clue doesn't help us solve the plot of the book and it was never explained or mentioned again, but when we then see a similar clue in Book 4, we need to pay much closer attention! Look for yourself - it's awesome!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

This Guide takes the pain out of the wait for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince!

Don't be left out. See for yourself what everyone is excited about.

Note:The Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter is best read alongside JK Rowling’s books—not as a replacement (then where’s the fun ?).It does not give the plot away in advance, but there IS a spoiler warning because it discusses the endings of each of the books in chronological order. ... Read more

Reviews (91)

Hilarious and Helpful
The HP analysis within this book is well-thoughtout, in-depth, well-backed, a little cookey, and loads of fun! As long as you have the real interest to go into depth deciphering clues that J.K.R. leaves her readers in every book, every chapter, and nearly every page, this book is for you. I must admit, I'm a little biased since I like the idea that I might discover answers on my own as to the out-come of the HP books, but I like the self-discovery and discussion of others' ideas on the septology. This book is a wonderful read and really intriguing if you are a true Harry Potter fan and love long, meticulous discussions on everything Harry Potter!

Absolutely the _best_ in-depth Harry Potter Guide YET!!
I have read just about all the Harry Potter "guides," and, being an avid fan (aka: obsessed), I cannot say I have found a single better book. After begging for it as a Christmas gift, as I found the price a bit high for a college student like myself, I haven't put the book down since. This book is jam-packed with facts and histories, and theories about things even -I- have overlooked! Believe you me...once you read this, you'll be reading the first four Harry Potter books over and over again...the wait until Order of the Phoenix won't seem so long, as you become an HP Sleuth and try to find yourself what the wonderful Galadriel Waters has missed. Honestly, this is an excellent book, and please, please don't let the price fool you...this book is HUGE! Heavy, too! ^_~ Over 400 pages, filled with everything possible to make the little wheels in your head start turning. I've suggested to all my fellow fans for them to READ_THIS_BOOK!

A Whole New Perspective...
This book really gave me a new perspective into the Harry Potter books. A lot of the clues really are rather insightful, and at the very least it helps you look at the Harry Potter books differently. And really makes you appreciate Rowling's thought process while writing them. Granted, I do not believe that James and Lupin are the same person, and I do not believe that Lily is any relation to Slytherin, but what's wrong with reading about ideas you don't agree with? It just helps you sort out your own reasoning. Why is your idea so much better than the one suggested in this book? Ultimately, I think this book is quite insightful, and offers ideas you may not have thought of before. I recommend giving it a shot. :)

An amazing book
This is a really good book for finding all the "hidden" clues in harry Potter. Using this guide (and the second one) I found lots of things that I never noticed before.

Horrible RUBBISH
This is the worst Harry Potter "slueths" book ever. I would much rather read books that have to do with the legends behind the stories (ex. 'The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter') instead of this. let's get this straight...SNAPE IS NOT A VAMPIRE, and LUPIN IS NOT JAMES POTTER! this is reallllly stupid! ... Read more

Book Description

Generations of children have grown up reading and rereading A. A. Milne's verses, hums, and rhymes from his Winnie-the-Pooh storybooks and two volumes of poetry. This lovely gift collection gathers ten of these delightful verses, carefully chosen for the very youngest of Pooh's fans, accompanied by Ernest H. Shepard's beloved drawings in full color. Here are such favorites as "Furry Bear," "Us Two," "Vespers," and more.

Elegantly designed with a special padded cover and gold edges, this charming volume is the perfect introduction for a whole new generation to the Best Bear in All the World-Winnie-the-Pooh. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A favorite of my two year old daughter
What a pleasure to have well written poetry that appeals to my 2 year old daughter! This book is a current favorite of hers, and we read it to her every night. The classic poems by AA Milne are as appealing to me as they are to her, and the illustrations by Ernest H Shepard make me look forward to my daughter growing up with all of AA Milne's books.

One disappointment - nowhere in the book does it point out (for the parent reading them over and over) that the poems contained in the book are often parts of larger poems written by A.A. Milne. You'll need to find a different book if you want the full poems of "Us Two", "Vespers", and "Nursery Chairs" for example.

Otherwise, a great book to add to your child's collection! ... Read more

Book Description

The Harry Potter books have become ubiquitous early texts for children, and are also a popular choice for many adults. Potter-mania has expanded to become a significant cultural phenomenon complete with a feature film and a wide range of paraphernalia. However, there has been little critical attention devoted to these books and the cultural phenomenon surrounding them. Containing powerful, thought-provoking literary themes as well as portrayals of social and cultural normalcy, the Potter books cumulatively serve as a powerful form of social text and deserve serious critical attention. Elizabeth Heilman brings together scholars from various disciplines to provide literary, cultural, sociological, and psychological examinations of the Harry Potter books as both cultural product and social text.
Covering many facets of the Harry Potter series and Potter-mania, this collection begins with a cultural analysis of marketing hype and product spin-offs. Literary and interpretive perspectives consider Harry as a romantic hero and review the books for their capacity to contain elements of every genre. Critical and sociological theorists explore how the Potter books present gender, race, class, school, family and citizenship. By providing numerous perspectives on the Harry Potter series, the contributors provide teachers, administrators, critical theorists and those interested in cultural studies with a variety of ways to read these popular texts. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

But it's just a book for children...
That was often the comment I received when I wrote my senior thesis last fall about the Harry Potter series. Specifically, I wrote a feminist criticism of the series exploring the ways in which Hermione resists and reaffirms gender stereotypes--"Miss Smarty Pants," "The Damsel in Distress," etc. Although I am a huge fan of this series (even my dog's name is Muggle), I couldn't believe that I was the only adult concerned about issues of gender, class, and so forth in the books. So imagine my delight upon finding this book...until I realized it wouldn't be published until January 2003, and I was presenting my thesis on December 13, 2002. Not only is this a well-presented and organized collection of essays from a variety of perspectives, but it is also edited by the outstanding & very generous Dr. Heilman. I wrote personally to her about my paper (and dilemma), and she provided to me the working & yet unpublished copy of her essay dealing with gender issues. Luckily, the book was released ahead of schedule so I was able to cite from her published version. My own experience with this book aside, I highly recommend it to Harry fans who would enjoy thoughtful academic discourse on the series.

Good resource for academics
I joined the Harry Potter phenomenon late in the game. Book four had already been in circulation for over two years and at 25, I considered myself well above the normal reader age. However, once I picked up the first book in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, I was (no pun intended), spellbound. I spent the rest of that long summer weekend reading the remaining books. Since then, I have read each book in the series at least 20 times apiece. Somewhere in the middle of all the reading, I began to jot down notes, questions and observations I made- little items that I wanted to ponder afterwards. Questions such as: Why did Professor Dumbledore so prize the individual merits of courage and "sheer nerve"? Did Hermione and other female students ever experience gender discrimination at Hogwarts? What defined the social structure of the wizard world (surely one exists as is evident by the influence of the well-to-do Malfoy family)? What is it about the Harry Potter books that have such universal appeal? And most importantly, what lessons can be learned?

Shortly after Pottermania began, several books appeared on the market dedicated to analyzing the phenomenon. Some addressed broad themes, while others disseminated every detail of the book, trying to decipher each and every meaning of every word of J.K. Rowling's works. Among these is Harry Potter's World: Multidisciplinary Critical Perspectives, a collection of essays written by professors and graduate students.

Harry Potter's World: Multidisciplinary Critical Perspectives is by far the most comprehensive book of this genre. Edited by Michigan State University professor Elizabeth Heilman, the book is comprised of numerous essays separated into four perspectives: Cultural Studies Perspectives, Reader Response and Interpretive Perspectives, Literary Perspectives: The Hero, Myth and Genre and Critical and Sociological Perspectives.

As a graduate student pursuing a MSEd in Curriculum and Instruction, this book has been a wonderful guide for me and enriched my understanding of the many facets of curriculum study. Not only does it provide unique interpretations of the series, but it also stimulates critical reflection and offers deep analyses of the boy wizard the world has grown to love.

While it is appropriate for college and graduate-level classes, anyone interested in exploring the cultural phenomenon of Harry Potter should read and will benefit from this. You will never look at Harry Potter the same way again.

A must-read
"This book is a must-read for everyone interested not only in 'Harry Potter' the phenomenon, but culture as the pedagogical force par excellence of the new millennium."
Henry Giroux.

"Harry Potter's World is a fascinating attempt not only to take on the kaleidoscopic intellectual ramifications of the Harry Potter books, but to make them accessible to a wide audience." Peter Hunt, Editor, Routledge International Companion Encyclopedia of Children's Literature

"These analyses are well grounded, articulate, and conceptually wide-ranging. This book gives all of us Seekers a chance to catch Snitches of insight into our own world as well as Harry Potter's."
Betsy Hearne, author of Choosing Books for Children: A Commonsense Guide

"Reading Harry Potter's World is like having a triple-shot latté-a pleasant eye-opener. There is imagination here, intellectual engagement, surprising insights, and fresh angles of regard. All of it provides an antidote to the iconic Harry, the authoritative Harry, the stable, properly policed, and clichéd Harry." Bill Ayers, Distinguished Professor of Education, University of Illinois at Chicago ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Magia para adultos
¿Quien dijo que cuando uno crece tiene que perder la magia? Una obra saga increible de historias para chicos y para adultos que conservan la magia en el corazón.

Information missing
I'm missing informations about that book In whitch language is it written ? "y el caliz de fuego" seems to be written in Spanish or Portugues ? Don't you have a short overview over this book ? I don't want to by another wrong book It's too expensive to send it back. So I dont by this book

¡muy bien!
¡Quiero Harry Potter libro numero uno!¡Me gusta muchisimo! Todos queren Harry Potter. Es fantastica.

Es realmente bueno
Siempre, a medida que avanza una saga, el tema se vuelve repetitivo, canson y aburrido. Sin embargo, este episodio es el mejor. Esta lleno de muchos sentimientos, lo que hace que sea mas interesante que los anteriores. El que espero para tenerlo en español, que no espere mas, en solo 4 dias se devora un libro del mismo tamaño que el Quijote de la Mancha!.

Excelente
Es una excelente continuación de la serie de Harry Potter, la trama es tan buena como las anteriores y la sorpresa al final del libro nos hace pedir a gritos la continuación de la serie. Ampliamente recomendado para todos los fanáticos de Harry Potter y para los no fanáticos también, pues les abrirá las puertas de este pesonaje tan fascinante ... Read more

Book Description

Woof! Woof!

It's time for bed, but Biscuit wants to have a snack, and play, and hear stories. Will he ever go to sleep?

Reviews (13)

Should Be Biscuit's Bedtime
This is the first Biscuit book, wherein we meet the small yellow puppy and the-girl-in-purple-sneakers. It is bedtime but Biscuit, like many children, does not want to go to bed. Instead, he wants to play, snack, drink, get hugged, have a blanket, etc.

Many parents will recognize what Biscuit is doing, avoiding sleep and getting more "mommy time." But in the end, what Biscuit winds up with is to be asleep but not in his own bed, but near the little girl.

Adorable illustrations really make this a fun book for children (sometimes I have my daughter read Biscuit's part, "Woof, woof!"). A great book. Read them all.

A Comforting Story for the Beginner Reader
Biscut is a cute "small, yellow puppy" owned by an equally adorable 3 to 6 year-old, auburn-haired girl. Most of this 21-page book is in the following format:

Time for bed, Biscuit!
Woof, woof!
Biscuit wants ...

What does Biscut want? Well, he wants "to play, a snack, a drink, to hear a story, his blanket, his doll, a hug, a kiss, a light on, to be tucked in, one more kiss, one more hug, and to curl up." Thirty-five simple words are introduced and many are used over and over again so that the text eventually averages a little more than six words per page. This warm, comforting story is perfect for a child who has just started to learn to read.

First Biscuit book we bought!
This is the first book my daughter, who is 5, really got attached to. She loves it and all the Biscuit books! We just keep buying all we can find about Biscuit. Great beginner reader book!

Biscuit
This book is about a little puppy that needs to go to bed, but little Biscuit doesn't want to. He keeps wanting to play, eat, hear a story, then he goes to the little girls room to curl up with her. He finaly falls asleep when he lays on the girls blanket on the floor. I thought this book was so cute. The pictures were really good. This book teaches the children how some pets need this much attention and how they don't always do as they are supposed to.

Biscuit
The book Biscuit was about a little girl who had dog that needed lots of attention. Before Biscuit was ready to go to bed the little girl had to feed him, play with him, read him a story, tuck him in, give him a hug and a kiss and leave a light on for Biscuit. Just as the little girl fell asleep Biscuit was in her room and wants more attention. Will Biscuit ever fall asleep?? The lesson that I learn from this story is that having any kind of pet is a lot of responsibility and that you really have to be kind to your animals. The age range of this story I would say would have to be for children two to five years old. ... Read more

Book Description

Quack! Quack! What's that sound? Biscuit goes to see and meets a lost duckling. Biscuit helps the duckling find its way home, and then the fun begins. Woof! Quack!

Reviews (4)

Biscuit Meets the Little Duck
In this book Biscuit meets a new friend when he finds a small yellow duckling near the house. Friendly puppy that he is, Biscuit soon makes friends but a duckling should be with its parents.

Biscuit helps the little duckling find its family but not without making an impression as the duckling looks like it follows him home at the end.

Another simple and happy story with some of the best illustrations in children's books. My daughter likes to read the "Woof, woof!" parts.

Biscuit Rex
"Biscuit Finds a Friend" is the most emotionally shattering portrayal of love and loss since "Wuthering Heights". Alyssa Satin Capucilli has written the manifesto of a disenfranchised generation, and the publication of "Biscuit Finds a Friend" represents a watershed moment in the world of fiction. In Biscuit, Capucilli has found a humble hero, a character that speaks quietly, but speaks for a generation nonetheless. In his quest for simple, basic companionship, Biscuit reminds me of Holden Caulfield of Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye," and echoes of the immense effect that "Catcher" had on its generation can be found here. Biscuit, seeking to break free of the shackles of oppression forced upon him by his cruel dominatrix--left nameless, perhaps to create a "Big Brother" atmosphere where authority is nameless but must be obeyed without exception--finds love with a young duckling, who has run away from a broken home where, it is implied, he is malnourished, beaten, and... abused. Much like in "1984," the pair share the happiest of moments, unaware... that the specter of authority dwells all about them, waiting to pounce. When it does, Biscuit and his friend are cruelly separated, returned, respectively, to the doghouse and an abusive household. The story ends with the tragedy of separation, the endless cycle of emotional destruction that has so overwhelmed the generation that will devour "Biscuit Finds a Friend".

Motivation that moves young beginning readers!
My 3 yr old son has simply fallen in love with Biscuit. We look forward to bedtime reading each night as we go through Biscuit's day which is full of adventures. The book is interactive in the way that it asks questions which gives the children a chance to be creative with their own adventure. We look forward to growing with Biscuit!

Perfect book for beginning readers
The Biscuit books have been the greatest motivator for my daughter who has been struggling with learning to read. The text is good for an emergent reader who is just beginning to learn sight words and phonics. The illustrations of Biscuit are delightful. These are wonderful books. I only wish I could get a series of them in paperback, quick, to keep her reading! ... Read more

Book Description

Readers learn all about the hospital as George goes in for an operation to remove a puzzle piece he has eaten. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great book on the hospital-a few exaggerated details
This was one of my favorite books as a youngster. I received it as a hand-me-down from somebody whose kid got it as a gift from the hospital. However, some details in this book are either exaggerated from reality or outdated, for instance today's floor puzzles are usually made of cardboard as opposed to wood so would probably disintegrate into tiny pieces in the stomach without requiring a trip to the hospital. And as far as I've studied, people still have barium(well, it's actually barium sulfate)before an x-ray of the digestive tract. And as far as I know, the x-ray machines have NEVER looked like laser guns. Almost everyone knows they look like cameras or picture frames. But the part when George mistakes the record player for a merry-go-round certainly has an outdated detail because records are not common anymore. I wonder if some of the procedures in this book were based on tonsil removal.
Just don't purposely imitate George's antics.

This book reminded me of my own situation
When I was four, I ended up in the hospital for playing with medicine and when I looked at this book asked, "Mom, was this like what happened to me?" and she answered yes. Eventually I compared my situation to Curious George's and found many differences, for instance I didn't go to the doctor, I didn't stay overnight, and I had an EKG, not an x-ray. This book may be great to read to a child before or after they've been in the hospital!

Some plot holes, but pretty good
I'm not sure who is at fault, George for swallowing the puzzle piece, or his friend in the yellow hat for giving George the puzzle piece (monkeys are curious, especially George, and regard most things as a potential food source...the result could have been called inevitable, although George seems to be smarter than most monkeys in some regards - he has been employed, worked with rocketry and can count to ten), still, though a bit contrived the accident is merely a vehicle to get the story underway, the crux of which is George's visit to the hospital.

I found this story compelling with a strong central character - George's adventures are more about the journey than the destination, and as always, it's great fun tagging along as he encounters the basic trials and tribulations of life, faces them, and overcomes them. I liked his brush with our health care system even better than his foray into corporate America, but the plucky monkey handles himself with aplomb no matter what circumstance he finds himself in.

One wonders a bit why George really did eat the puzzle piece in the first place - if he's smart enough to get work you could presume he knows the difference between a puzzle piece and a viable food source, but this small matter didn't distract from my enjoyment of the piece.

Oh, the kids liked it too - highly recommended for kids of all ages.

Curious George's medical mayhem
Poor Curious George! His friend, the man with the yellow hat, has bought him a jigsaw puzzle. But when the accident-prone monkey swallows a piece of the puzzle, he must go to the hospital to get the situation remedied.

That's the set-up for "Curious George Goes to the Hospital," by Margret and H.A. Rey. Like the other volumes in the series, the book is enhanced by engaging artwork and a loveable hero. The book could also be used to help decrease children's fears of hospitals.

If the book has a flaw, it's that George continues to engage in disobedient, (unintentionally) destructive, and dangerous antics. And these antics (unlike his swallowing of the puzzle piece) often have no serious consequences. So parents might want to stress to younger readers that all of George's shenanigans are not necessarily fit to be imitated.

Nevertheless, "Curious George Goes to the Hospital" is a delightful book. Adults will appreciate some of the clever details and sight gags that enliven the artwork. And of course, what child can resist George? He's a classic character who has stood the test of time.

My Opinion About This Book
I think this book is great. In my opinion, it is very educational to youngsters as to what a hospital is like. If you're a small child who is scared to go to the hospital, this is the perfect book for you. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Why is Eloise, 6-year-old resident of the Plaza Hotel in New York City, going to Paris? She and Nanny were summoned by a cablegram from Eloise's mother, and, as we all know, "If you are going to Paris France / you have to turn into French and absolutely go wild / and put adhesive tape on you / and fall down a lot and sklathe the window / and stretch into the curtain and..." Ahh, the deliciously mad logic of Eloise. She promptly gets on the phone to tell everyone--including room service--that she is Paris bound. There's so much to do--shots, passport pictures, packing ("Here's what else you have to take / Everything"), and of course the endless good-byes. Fortunately, "Sabena is the only airline / that will allow you to travel with a turtle" so Skipperdee comes along for the ride. At last, ils arrivent!

Hilary Knight captures familiar Parisian sights in his delicately hewn pen-and-ink illustrations of everything from the Arc de Triomphe to the Seine to the Champs Élysées to outdoor cafés. Children will studyevery detail of each rawther extraordinaire illustration, from Weenie's snout (such as it is) peeking out from under the hotel bed to the bandy-legged, bunchy-shirted Eloise with her necklace of champagne corks. Even if children don't understand half of the quirks and language directed toward precocious grownups ("Langoustines make very good fingernails"), they'll find more than enough to delight them down to their very toes. Adults, of course, will also revel in this fascinatingly eccentric romp. And if you know anyone who loves (or will love) Paris, this book is the perfect bon voyage gift. Eloise in Paris was first published in 1957, the sequel to the original Eloise, and is every bit as wondrous. If you're in search of more Eloise (and who isn't really?), don't miss The Absolutely Essential Eloise, the original Eloise book with an additional scrapbook that tells the whole story of this impish character and her devoted creators. (Click to see a sample spread.Copyright 1957 by Kay Thompson. Reproduced with permission of Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.) (Ages 5 to 105) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Eloise from 5 to 32!!!
I'm 32 years old and I LOVE Eloise - she is an absolutely delightful character! I have bought several of the Eloise books for my 5 year old daughter and she just loves Eloise as well. How fun and inspiring is it for a little girl to read about a character as whimsical and independent as Eloise?

The illustrations in this book are fantastic and really bring Paris to life for children. I have read this book at least 100 times to my daughter, and each time I enjoy it more. My daughter now wants a champagne cork necklace just like Eloise...thanks Kay Thompson for laughs you have allowed my daughter and me to share!

I love this book!!
I read Eloise (at the Plaza) and Eloise in Paris - all 'very much' Kay. I loved that woman - a very good friend of my mom's. I worked with/for her when (as a teenager) I did her musical arrangements and orchestrations for her fabulous act with The Williams Brothers - which opened in Vegas and played all over the world.

She was one of a kind (you can see her in Funny Face) brilliant musical/vocal arranger herself, world traveler, racounter, incredible lady. I've bumper into her in Rome, Paris, London, New York, LA and was terribly saddened by her death (even though she was painfully painfully thin her whole life). She was one of the great women in the history of show biz. The Eloise books are thrilling to say the least and I continually laugh every time I pick one up even after I've gone through them 100 times. I'm ordering them once again as I left mine in London and MUST have them once again. Buddy Bregman

ElOISE IN PARIS: []
Eloise's First trip to Paris, is unforgetable.
With her Nanny (Nanny), Turtle (Skiperdee), and her Dog (Weenie)...It's a Treasure. It's a keeper. It's great. A+

Eloise Is At It Again
Eloise is at it again, only this time she's in Paris. She'll miss the Plaza, but she does so love visiting new places. The 6 year old is sent for by her mother, and is flown off to Paris with her Nanny, turtle (Skipperdee), and her dog who looks like a cat (Weenie). While in Paris Eloise hangs out with Koki, one of her best friends and chaueffer and gets into all types of trouble. From sneaking around the hotel at night to losing Skipperdee and Weenie at the museum.

This is an excellent book for all Eloise fans, so pick up a copy of this book, and charge it please.

Cest moi, Eloise!
This is my favorite Eloise book. As an Eloise fan and a dedicated Travel-buff, this book is a perreniel favorite.

My sister and I had a battered copy that had belonged to my mom. Little did we know that it was a first edition. Unfortunately, with the cover missing and many of the pages creased and loose, it certainly didn't look like much.

That didn't matter to us, all the pages were still there, and we read that book, along with Eloise and Eloise in Moscow, over and over again. How happy I was to see that these books have been re-printed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Harry Potter aficionados: remember when Buckbeak, Hagrid's petHippogriff, was put on trial by the Committee for the Disposal of DangerousCreatures? This crazy idea was not invented by Harry Potter's creator, J.K.Rowling. In fact, from medieval times all the way up to the 19th century,animals and even insects were often charged with crimes, arrested, imprisoned,tried, convicted, and sometimes executed. Harry Potter's fantastic world ofmagic has its roots in true history, mythology, and folklore; father-daughterteam Allan Zola Kronzek and Elizabeth Kronzek have now made this wealth ofastonishing information available to Muggles in their Sorcerer'sCompanion. From astrology to Grindylow to reading tea leaves to witchpersecution, this fascinating volume gets to the bottom of every magical mysteryconnected with Hogwarts. Readers learn the unusual method by which premodernEuropeans protected themselves from the cry of the uprooted Mandrake, involvinga loyal dog and a rope. (Professor Sprout's solution was to have her herbologystudents wear earmuffs). Hermione probably knew, when she was hexed by DracoMalfoy so that her teeth suddenly grew past her chin, that hexes originated inEurope. But did she know the connection between hexes and the folk magic of thePennsylvania Dutch? For fans of the tremendously popular Harry Potter series, oranyone who is intrigued by magical lore, the Sorcerer's Companion willquickly become a true friend. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (71)

Dictionary of Folk Lore
This book is well written. If you are a fan of Harry Potter and lover of folklore & mythology, you will want to read this book. It is filled with explanations on the subjects studied at Hogwarts like Arithmancy and divination. There are also explanations on all items from Broom Sticks to Witch. This book offers loads of information & facts. So hurry up and add this fun read to your library.

A Great Book and A Great Idea!
This book is fascinating to read. It is well researched and well written. Hats off to the authors for their work and for their marketing skill. I'm sure it would not be doing as well if they had not linked it to the Harry Potter phenomenon!

Some of the great facts this book that leap out are that Nicholas Flamel was (still is?) a real person, you can find basilisks living today and a lot of what people considered to be magic actually has much factual basis.

This book is still a good read if you are into myths and legends (and not into Harry Potter). It's surprising how much of these ancient myths still survive in today's world in one way or another. Good luck charms and believing in good or bad luck are only two examples. Read the book and you will find that maybe we are not that far advanced when it comes to wanting to believe in something else out there.

Shallow and not really about HP, but very interesting
A great night table book, it is arranged in short, alphabetical entries that can be read quickly. The authors seem uniquely suited to their subject-matter and obviously know their stuff. But, while they try to cite passages from the books as much as possible, most of the material just doesn't apply. JK Rowling seems to have skimmed a volume like this, then put it into a blender and extracted her own take on it all. It's liable to make purists a tad angry. It's all very interesting in its own right, though. I would have liked a lot more info on the "real" stuff, and less of a stretch to make it applicable.

Interesting, but very little to do with HP
This is a very interesting book and I read it over and over. The only thing wrong with it is that I was expecting for it to have something to do with HP, but it didn't, aside from mentioning it every once in a while. It's like an encyclopedia of monsters and magic and it's interesting, but it's muggle lore, it's what people actually believed in the middle ages and other times. While JKR certainly based some of her magical creatures on traditional folk lore, it is her book and she changed the creatures to suit the plot. By itself it's wonderful, but don't expect much insight on the books.

A Pottermanic's delight
"The Sorcerer's Companion" is a great fun resource not just for us Pottermaniacs, but also for those who have a passing interest in magic and occult lore. It's an invaluable companion book for the HP series but it stands very well on its own. Those who already have David Colbert's "Magical Worlds of Harry Potter" may want to add this book to their library; it covers a lot of areas the Colbert book doesn't and it's more comprehensive. Written in the form of a mini-encyclopedia covering everything from Amulets to Zombies, "The Sorcerer's Companion" provides links to the first four HP books (it was written two years before HP5 was published) with notations for easy reference. (Check out PA 8/154 for mention of Grindylows -- PA being "Prisoner of Azkaban", and 8/154 being the chapter and the page number of the American edition.) We learn that there are many kinds of Divination (ever heard of Astragalomancy? It's a fancy term for throwing dice) and the difference between amulets and talismans, along with a zillion other delicious tidbits of information. Want to know just what a Hinkypunk is? Or what the study of Arithmancy (the bane of Hermione's existence) involves? Did you know that the Kappa is a Japanese demon which loves cucumbers and the best way to keep it off is to placate it by feeding it kappamaki sushi? (Okay, I admit that one sounds a tad farfetched, but hey, it's all in fun.) It's not necessary to go through this book from A to Z; you can browse through it however you like and still come up with a bounty of entertainment and information, as well as practical advice on how to read tea-leaves (maybe you'll do better at this than Harry and Ron who couldn't see anything in the leaves but a big mushy mess), where to find a basilisk (guess what? there really is a basilisk lizard) and how to rid your premises of goblins. The book is a browser's delight -- fun and educational at the same time. Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

1, 2, count with Blue! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Counting with Blue
I got this book for my daughter when she was about 18 months old, and she loved it. It counts to five using easy to understand rhymes and pastel drawings of familiar animals (bunnies, kitties, butterflies, ladybugs, etc.). She asked for it every night for weeks. At the time, she had never seen a Blue's Clues episode, so her liking of the book was not due to already liking the character of Blue. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great Companion Piece
Muggles and Magic is a great companion piece for anyone who is a big fan of both the Harry Potter books and the movies. After reading it, I was able to impress my companions at a viewing of the third movie with fun facts they did not know.

I especially enjoyed the Notable and Quotable sections. The Real World of J. K. Rowling contains quotes from Rowling on a variety of subjects, Film Quips contains descriptions of some of the characters and quotes from the actors who play them, and On Writing and Publishing contains mostly quotes from Rowling about writing.

The Fictional Concordance would be especially useful to someone who has seen the movies but not read the books; the Harry Potter Merchandise section takes a hopeless stab at listing the many Harry Potter tie-in items. You can test your own knowledge of the world of Harry Potter by taking the book's Final Exam.

A highlight for me was having well-known Tolkien artist Tim Kirk's charming sketches livening up the pages.

A Splendid Companion
First off, this book is exactly what it claims to be: a general resource guide and reference book focusing on JK Rowling and the phenomenon surrounding the Harry Potter books. It is not a book that focuses on spoilers, speculation, or inside knowledge of future Harry Potter novels or movies. Anyone looking for that sort of information will not find it here; however, someone interested in in-depth background information on Rowling, the writing of the first several Harry Potter books, and the reactions to her books and the movies should definitely pick up this companion.

Beahm divides his book into comprehensive sections and includes information from various sources: interviews, online chats, broadcasts, articles, and anything else he could get his hands on. Some of the information is repeated in more than one section, but Beahm warns the reader of this beforehand and is completely honest and correct as to why he's done this: in some cases, he needs to repeat information, particularly as this companion isn't necessarily meant to be read through from front to back. Being rather a Potterphile, I've read a lot of extra information on Rowling and the various peripheral events and reactions to her and her works, and Beahm has managed to collect more of the interesting and important information in one place. He's even managed to provide me with several intriguing bits of new information about Rowling and the books.

Beahm also gives the curious American reader a fairly comprehensive comparison of the US and UK versions of the books, going into a short discussion about the illustrations and illustrators as well as the performers for the audio CDs. He even provides us with pictures of the children's, adult (UK), and movie-inspired versions of the covers for each book. In fact, Beahm provides his readers with numerous pictures of Rowling, stills from the movies, screenshots of various interesting Potter-related websites, and all kinds of merchandise. He's even tucked in a few color photos of movie locations and adorable little owls.

The surprising depth and breadth of Potter-and-Rowling-related phenomena is one of the things that makes this book an excellent companion (Beahm obviously can't possibly cover everything in minute detail; he does, however, do a wonderful job of giving better-than-general coverage in the nearly 400 pages of my copy). I wasn't expecting as much new information as I got, nor did I expect to read about so many different facets of the Rowling/Potter phenomenon. Hooray for being pleasantly surprised! Another thing that makes this book an excellent companion is its readability: Beahm's writing is intelligent and descriptive, and while he is obviously a fan of Rowling and Potter, he is also unafraid of bringing up a few interesting criticisms of the works or their tie-ins. The sections in this companion are clearly defined, and the Table of Contents is comprehensive and detailed, making things much easier on the reader who doesn't want to spend all afternoon thumbing through this companion in an effort to find out one small bit of information. Beahm even includes a great trivia section and reviews of merchandise and Potter-related fansites.

My only gripes with this companion are the sidebars (I found several of them distracting; they interfered with my reading by interrupting the visual flow of several pages) and the fact that Beahm appears to have gotten one or two small bits in his glossary and important terms section slightly wrong. However, I doubt that anybody but a rabid Potterphile would notice these minor issues, so if you're into Potter and want more information about everything surrounding JK Rowling and Harry Potter, I would definitely recommend this book. It's worth its price just for having several of Rowling's more interesting quotes and the trivia quiz all in one place -- not to mention everything else you get!

Indispensible Potter Companion!
Every time I open this book, I find another nugget of information. Easy to read and well-organized, Muggles and Magic tells the reader everything he or she ever wanted to know about J. K. Rowling and the world of Harry Potter, and then some. I only hope that George Beahm will consider putting together a follow-up volume after Books 6 and 7 are published!

A Ten Year Old's Perspective
I enjoyed reading this book. It had lots of useful information about J.K. Rowling in the large biography, and I finally found out what the J.K. stood for. But my favorite part by far was the Muggle's guide to Harry Potter. It had a lot of stuff I didn't remember, and new stuff I didn't know about. The Guide was interesting and full of information that I was looking for, such as how many knuts equal a sickle, and how much it costs to ride the Knight Bus. So basically it was a very original book.

A delightful, informative book
"Muggles and Magic" is the most comprehensive book I have found to date about the Harry Potter phenomenon. Written in a clear, honest, and delightful manner, it is sure to inform and charm its readers. There are many aspects of the book I enjoyed and I found a few things to be particularly helpful. Seeing that is was written to be a sourcebook, I found it satisfying that the book delivers exactly what it promises. There is a nice succinct, yet thorough chronology of J.K.R.'s life in the beginning of the book. There is a glossary of terms that can prove very handy to the H.P. newcomer. The section on merchandise will be invaluable to those obsessed with collectibles. Particularly eye-opening to me was the list of other H.P./J.K.R. books cited in one of the chapters. Other than rabid fans, I don't believe most people are aware of the wealth of literary ambition Harry Potter has inspired, not only in the form of professionally published books, but of devoted fan fiction which appears on many H.P. related websites. Some of these websites have not only been listed but also described in the book, along with screen shots from the actual sites.

The most popular chapters of M&M will, no doubt, be the ones which discuss the books and movies. Each one is covered individually and the chapters contain a good amount of information. Another popular chapter will be the one devoted to J.K.Rowling herself. Much interesting and sometimes fascinating information about the author is contained in this chapter, all of it stated without delving into gossip or hearsay. One of my favorite sections in the book is the one titled "So You Want to Be a Novelist?". Beahm is forthright and helpful in his offerings, choosing to share with the reader the wisdom gained from his own experience. I think parents of children who are budding writers will particularly appreciate his practical advice.

Unlike another reviewer, I relished the sidebars. I think they were informative, often amusing, and of benefit to the book. I found them to be few in number, and they did not hamper the flow of the book for me but were a fun way to include additional info that is pertinent, yet may not have fit perfectly into the current discussion. Tidbits such as how to make your way around England, Harry Potter polls, how to obtain H.P. merchandise, and J.K.R.'s charity interests are touched upon. Sidebars are always some of my favorite parts of non-fiction books and Beahm's inclusion of them has, in my opinion, been an asset.

I must add that the forward by Colleen Doran is something you shouldn't skip by. It is written with intelligence, sincerity and humor and, unlike many forwards of books, is a delightful read. I will also add my kudos to Tim Kirk for the wonderful sketches. I often found myself returning to pages simply to catch another glimpse of his work.

I enjoyed many other areas of M&M (including the fun trivia section) but my favorite parts of the book are the "Notable and Quotable" sections that appear in four of the six chapters. I enjoy reading words that come straight from the mouths of those directly involved in the books and films, especially J.K.R. herself. In my opinion, there is nothing that gives us a better perception of what this talented, generous woman is about than her own thoughts, in her own words.

I would recommend Muggles and Magic to all Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling fans, whether avid or tepid. You won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Book Description

Here, together for the first time, are the first three Freddy books that Walter Brooks wrote, in a single volume, in the order in which they first appeared. Freddy Goes to Florida (first published as To and Again), alongside Freddy Goes to the North Pole (More To and Again), followed by the unforgettable Freddy the Detective-each lavishly illustrated by Kurt Wiese. These are Walter Brooks's first forays into the world of Freddy and his Bean Farm, to which he would return over and over again during the next three decades to create a total of twenty-six Freddy books. With a foil-stamped jacket and color plates of the original jacket and endpaper art, The Freddy Anniversary Collection is the perfect thing for fans and initiates alike: a great starter package, and a great collector's edition. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A great family read-aloud
The only thing I didn't like about this 3-book collection was the difficulty in finding a good stopping place after my voice needed a break from reading it aloud to my kids--they always begged for "just one more chapter!" No crude language or gross-out humor here, as is the norm for many contemporary books published for kids. Instead, you'll find a sweet cast of well-drawn characters such as Charles the Rooster, the cow sisters, Mr. and Mrs Webb (a spider couple), Jinx the cat, and of course the title character, Freddy, who really begins to come into his own in the second book. The books have a similar flavor and feel to the original Winnie-the-Pooh stories, and are enhanced by the simple but effective line drawings created by Kurt Weise.
Stylistically speaking, these early works in the series can have somewhat bumpy plots, but Mr. Brooks' charm and his gentle social commentary more than make up for this. After we finished this collection of stories, my kids wanted to hear more about Freddy and his pals.

The Freddy Anniversary Collection
It was fifty years ago when I read the Freddy series, and they have left an indelible impression on me. As a child, I read all of the Freddy books that were available to me and enjoyed them immensely. When reading the books, I became completely immersed in Freddy's world of adventure. I would recommend this series to any child and plan to purchase them for my grandchildren.

A perfect place to start
When introducing friends and family to the greatest detective alive (Freddy) you will not want to dabble around with just "Freddy the Detective" or you will have to turn around ad go back for "Freddy Goes to Florida" and Freddy Goes to the North Pole." This is not her order that were written in but it is better to see how Freddy thinks.
Freddy must use some of his best disguises in the investigation. As with Freddy stories there are many adult concepts that are brought up in the story and one must know where loyalty lies and be ware of deceit.
Again the best book to start with is "Freddy the Detective"; it explains how Freddy became a detective, which he uses, in subsequent adventures. After reading a book on Sherlock Holmes he decides he can be a pretty good detective and recruits friends in the process.
The stories are intriguing in them selves. However underlying the story are several real life concepts for one to work out as what's the matter with going to jail if you get fed and do not have to work? What do you do when the judge has already made up his mind before the trial? I especially like the way he browbeats the pore little rabbit during his interrogation. One forgets how intimidating it could be.
Well you will enjoy this story as Freddy must figure out what happened to a child's toy train and what diabolical plot it is used in.
Then you will want to follow up with the other two books. As with many anniversary collection books there are additions to the book its self such as color plats of the original jacket and 84 black and white drawings.

Great for children
When I was young, I found this series at my local library. I read it many times. For children who love animals, humor and even a little mystery, this series doesn't disappoint. I can still remember passages in my head now. Though I haven't read any of the books in this series for about 10 years (and I'm remembering as I was at that age) I believe these stories are good for young readers. So, pick up a copy today. ... Read more

Book Description

David Kirk's vibrant new picture book takes us back in time to the very first day of Miss Spider's life. With brothers and sisters scooting all around, she pops out of her egg. But where is Miss Spider's mother? Kind and caring Betty the Beetle gladly takes on the role. Written in simple rhyming verse, this heartwarming adoption story is sure to please Miss Spider's many fans. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Wonderful message for children and adults
As a mother of 6 children, 4 biological and 2 adopted as toddlers, I feel this book presents a powerful message about seeking and finding love and acceptance in non-conventional places. I have been searching for books for our 5 year old adopted daughter that reinforce the fact that her adoptive Mommy and Daddy truly love her and will care for her even though she "grew in her other Mommy's tummy". Because my daughter is Hispanic and my husband and I are not, the subtle issue of the differences between the beetle and the spider were not lost on her. The first time we finished reading "Little Miss Spider" together, she threw her arms around my neck and with tears brimming in her eyes declared, "You're my favorite Mommy forever and ever!" What more could any parent ask for? My biological 11 year old daughter says to tell you that she loves "Little Miss Spider", too!

A Love of David Kirk
I have been turned on to David Kirk since the birth of my youngest son who is now 2. Jake was given "Miss Spiders Tea Party" for his second birhday and we have both fallen madly in love with Miss Spider and David Kirk's exquisite illustrations. Little Miss Spider was a book I purchased just to complete Jake's set of books by this author and I do believe I love it the best. Little Miss Spider touches the emotions of any mother,adoptive mother, grandmother, aunt etc.. It shows the real meaning in being a mother and what makes you a mother. The first time I sat and read it with my husband I cried. It is the sweetest story of finding your mother I have ever read. The illustrations are fabulous as usual for David Kirk. I truely loved the feeling I got from reading it. Enjoy!

Fantastic Story
"Little Miss Spider" by David Kirk is often requested when I volunteer to read with the children at my local library. They love the storyline and that the simple lines rhyme and are easy to recite.

I've read other reviewers saying that they were uncomfortable with the aspect of the book that Little Miss Spider does not end up finding her birth mother by the end of the book. In the many times that I've read this book to groups of children, they always feel the story has a happy ending. Little Miss Spider loves Betty the Beetle and Betty loves Miss Spider. They have found each other and have become family.

This story helps children who are adopted feel accepted. It may also be some children's first introduction to the idea of adoption and can give them an understanding of some of their friends' families. It's just an all around heart warming story.

I highly recommend this wonderful book.

A cute book
I checked this book out from the public library for my 18 mo. old son. We read together all the time, and one of his favorite stories/rhymes is "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", so of course when I saw this book, I just had to get. This is the first book we have read by this author and we loved it! My son made me read it twice the first night. He usually rushes me through stories, but sat patiently through this one. It is short and sweet to keep a little one's attention and the pictures are great! The pages are also sturdy enough to withstand the not-so-gentle page turning of toddlers. I will definitely be purchasing this book and other "Miss Spider" books.

The best book!
I picked up this book because of the beautiful pictures...I was delighted when my two month old loved it too! She sits on my lap and giggles and grabs for the pages as I read the wonderful and rythmic story. She does not do this for ANY other book (including the "classic" baby books)...it even makes her smile during those fussy periods. Its just the right length too! The other LITTLE MISS SPIDER (not to be confused with Miss Spider) are equally as charming and fun. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Illustrated in color and black & white by E.H. Shepard
The World of Pooh is better read aloud. Milne's characters are charming and lovable. Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends are alive in this book every time I read it, and Shepard's illustrations are so pleasing. I've read these stories so many times and still each time I can hardly wait to find out what adventures Pooh and his friends will have.

Great for kids and adults. Because it's *that* sort of book.
I first read Pooh as a child, when my days were spent doing Nothing. It was a good book then, which I really enjoyed.

But I don't do Nothing anymore. Well, not so much. They don't let you. Now my life more often resembles going around and around the tree looking vainly for Woozles, or going bump, bump, bump down the stairs, thinking that there must be a better way, if only I could stop bumping long enough to think of it. Reading Pooh is how I stop bumping.

I need to be reminded that spelling isn't everything - that there are some days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn't count.

Pooh and Piglet are wondering where you've been. Eeyore told them that you're not coming back. "They've forgotten," said Eeyore. "Typical," said Eeyore. "How Like Them," he said.

But you can come back, you know. You can find a Thoughtful Spot, or join an Expotition to find the North Pole, or drop stick off a bridge.

Because the Forest will always be there, and anyone who is Friendly with Bears can find it.

A great book for all ages!
Winnie the Pooh,a bear, has different adventures with all his friends: Christopher Robin , Piget, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Tiger, and many more. I like this book because it is funny. Pooh and his friends are cute (from the pictures) and have great and different personalities. Please buy and read this great book. You will love the characters.

Oh Bother! The Best Winnie The Pooh!
This is the best version of Pooh. Not the contaminated Disney version by any means. This is the pure bear of little brain. This particular version is enhanced by full color paintings by Mr Shephard which will knock your socks off!

My favourite book
My mom reads out the book to me and I love the 'silly old bear' and his friends and also the heffalumps and woozles. I love hunny just like Pooh bear ! ... Read more

Book Description

In a book that is sure to delight Harry Potter fans and spiritual seekers alike, author and Potter enthusiast Connie Neal dives into the Harry Potter series looking for the Christian Gospel. Does she find it? Yes! In this, her exploration of J.K. Rowling’s created world of magic and mystery, Neal enumerates more than fifty "Potteran" themes that can be seen as glimmers of the Gospel.

With an arsenal of charming allusions and parallels, Neal persuasively demonstrates that Harry Potter need not be rejected as a threat to the Christian faith, as some have claimed.Rather, she finds, the lessons in Harry Potter not only echo many of the stories in the Bible but also reinforce the central messages of Christianity. Written accessibly in short three- to four-page chapters, Neal’s The Gospel According to Harry Potter is both a much-needed stroke of interpretive genius and a fascinating reflection on our time’s most popular literary series.This is a must-read for everyone intrigued by the Harry Potter phenomenon! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Interesting read, not strong for group study
Our Sunday School class tried to use this book as a basis for a weekly class. While the book itself is engaging and interesting, you really have to be a die-hard Harry Potter fan to come back to it week after week. The book does not work well for group study -- it is mainly a series of snippets from the novel combined with a Biblical application of that snippet. Each is short -- 2 to 3 pages -- and we found that the application information was highly repetitive. That said, I enjoyed reading the book myself, and would recommend it especially for anyone who's trying to relate the cultural context of Harry Potter to their religious convictions. The author does an outstanding job of pointing out the good in the books.

The Gosple and Harry Potter
This book is wonderful! It is really helpful.
I started reading the Harry Potter books after the second movie came out and I loved them! The only problem was that all my friends hated them and said they were evil, satanistic, etc. When ever I tried to bring the subject up they would change it immediatly. As a last straw I bought this book and read it. It was truely amazing. It makes so many connections between my two fave books. So one day at school I gave this to my best friend and told her to read it. Well, she didn't at first but I finally persuaded her to. After she did, she told me that she may have been wrong about HP and was sorry for judging it before even reading them. About a week later during lunch she came up to me and told me that she had actually watched the movie! While she's not as big of a fanatic as me, she still enjoys them.

This book is a great way to show your friends that Harry Potter is not at all what the christian critics make it out to be. I highly recommend this book!

Neal Brings Good News to Potter Fans in Intriguing "Gospel"
Evangelical and other devout Christians distrust popular culture and at times see it with outright hostility. This has been true in theater, on radio (Christian rock pioneer Larry Norman's wailing "Why should the devil have all the good music?") at toy stores and bookstands. J.K. Rowling's wildly successful Harry Potter book series is notable here, its themes of supernatural powers, combined with huge sales to pre-teens, inspiring criticism and even misguided protests such as library lawsuits and book burnings.

Recently, however, many conservative Christians have come to respect the Potter books for sophisticated portrayals of good and evil. Connie Neal addresses her Potter interpretation "The Gospel According to Harry Potter" to these Christians plus the few left who remain hostile toward a book series many of them never read.

Ms. Neal traverses through the first four Potter books, summing overlaying themes of each. She selects episodes (standing on the 9 ¾ platform, the shrinking door keys mystery, Ginny Weasley's rescue), character profiles (false faces of Professor Quirrell and Mad-Eye Moody, consistent citing of Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore as a God-like figure) and character quotes. She then relates this at length to a Biblical story or theme, constantly focusing on the panoramic, constant battle between good and evil and subtleties within it. (Neal states on its front cover no one involved with the Potter series proper has authorized this book. Perhaps this is reason Neal provides a teaspoon of Potter followed by two cups of Bible.)

Ms. Neal, perhaps for Christian unity or not wanting to put Christian words into Harry's lightning-scarred head, fails somewhat to directly contradict anti-Potter vie