Reviews (2)

My favorite storyteller tells inspirational stories
Jackie Torrence is probably the most enthralling storyteller on the storytelling festival circuit today and these are some of her best stories.These stories tell of great people in her life: her grandmother, mother, and aunts mostly, whose wisdom and strength of spirit have kept her on course.Jackie is one of the most popular storytellers at the National Storytelling Festival and these are just great stories.Know someone who needs emotional shoring-up?Give them this audio!

My favorite storyteller tells inspirational stories
Jackie Torrence is probably the most enthralling storyteller on the storytelling festival circuit today and these are some of her best stories.These stories tell of great people in her life: her grandmother, mother, and aunts mostly, whose wisdom and strength of spirit have kept her on course.Jackie is one of the most popular storytellers at the National Storytelling Festival and these are just great stories.Know someone who needs emotional shoring-up?Give them this audio! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Incredible
These tapes have helped my german out so much. I can't really find an argument against them. Yes, the audio quality isn't what it could be, but it doesn't hinder you from hearing anything. This especially doesn't matter with a language that is phonetical. Although and update is in order. I found it somewhat odd that in the first units i couldn't say much but i could ask for tabaco, pipe, cigars, cigarets. But that quickly changed into very useful vocabulary. At times the drills can seem boring, but it's so much better than other language series that have you learn 50 words in one unit and only actually using half of them in a sentence. I walked away from a study session knowing that i could use the words i learned correctly. With other methods I knew my colours, days of the weeks, and other "basic stuff" but found myself unable to actual use any of it because i didn't understand hardly any grammer, usage, and lacked a sufficent vocabulary of relevant words. All in all i found this series the most effective I have seen and reasonably priced too.

A classic masterpiece!
Using libraries, I tried most of the currently available taped courses in German before settling on Barron's. It is superb! It is not for the casually interested, but rather for the person who would, as the title indicates, begin the mastery of German. I understand that the criticism of the Audio-Lingual method (which this course follows) is that it did not, in the end, produce truly bilingual speakers amoungst all the high school and college students who were taught using the method. I'd suggest that this may have been heavily influneced by the motivation (or lack thereof) of many of the students. Presumably, a self learner would be sufficiently motivated to take the necessary extra step of practicing free speaking, the lack of which will inhibit the real acquisition of any foreign language. The tapes, which intentionally demand quick responses, are brillantly designed to make the processing of the language automatic. I wonder if, perhaps, those people who seem not to have found the tapes useful did not read the instructions at the beginning of the book so as to understand the purpose and use of the tapes...or maybe they simply needed a different approach to learning...we don't all learn in the same way. It is true the speakers on the tapes do not sound like trained actors, but then neither will most Germans with whom one might speak. Everything you need to speak, read and write German is here...vocabulary, grammar, constructions, verb conjugation, etc. Moreover, if one applies oneself, one learns very quickly and with extraordinarily good retention. A truly magnificent accomplishment.

Don't believe the hype
The reason this course is so good is that no-one these days has the time and energy to develop a course of this calibre. This was written at the start of the Cold War, when the Diplomatic Service put serious resources into developing a language course that would allow diplomats to walk into Germany and start communicating. The volcabulary isn't too large, but it is designed to get you speaking. The quibbles about the packaging are justified but minor - they obviously just used the course notes and there are lots of spelling mistakes. Also it's clearly aimed at diplomats - I doubt I'll be using "Einfuhrbestimmungen" (import regulations) anytime soon. Also I don't understand why people have difficulty with the speakers - they're actually German and talk like the natives will when you get there. Isn't it better to become used to how a German will talk to you now rather than later? The tapes are a bit hissey but not too serious. It just takes getting used to.

I think the main problem people have with this course is that it tells it how it is. Most modern courses sell the idea that you can learn a language in a very short time and it just isn't true, and people lose confidence when it doesn't happen. To learn a new language from scratch (in a country that doesn't speak that language) to the point where you can have a basic conversation takes at least a year for most people. I've watched beginners on language courses, and it takes them a couple of weeks just to feel comfortable introducing themselves. The Barrons course is not designed with the hype in mind. It was developed for a purpose and that is to get you speaking. That said I almost died of boredom doing this course so I suggest using it as an addition to teaching. You'll be surprised at how fast you improve.

Way, way out dated (and way too expensive)
A quick listen of the poor audio quality on this title speaks volumes for what it's trying to accomplish. It is SO old there's an obvious anachronistic dialect to the English speaker. It has a lot going for it, though - it's been around for a very long time, which increases its viability to many, but Barron's has done nothing to update it which it drastically needs. Tsk tsk tsk...this piece appears to be found quite easily in your local library, and I highly recommend testing the product firsthand before purchasing it at a very high price.

"Learn In Your Car - German Levels 1-3" is quite a bit better, really, and a bit less expensive (which can also be found in libraries). Audio quality is quite good on this one, and covers more ground in an easier-to-learn method on cassette or CD. "Ultimate German: Basic-Intermediate" by Living Language may even be considered better, although audio quality could be improved.

I could not recommend this title due to superior and far newer titles available for less, although it is adequate. The above two examples are much better, in my opinion, and are simply a much better buy than this ancient German language course.

Pretty good, warts and all.
If old-school audiolingual style rote drills and model sentence imitation works for you this is the course you want. It's a bit dated but the approach still works well. There is also a Level II course with 12 ninety-minute tapes to follow-up with. If you've tried other courses in the FSI series this one roughly follows the format of Barron's "Mastering French" and "Mastering Korean" but is quite a bit different than that of "Mastering Italian." You have to be tolerant of some of the faults that have been pointed out by other reviewers and be ready for lots of repetitive exercises and drills. The side-by-side English translations of the German dialogs were particularly helpful. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Getting By in French
I have had many years of French in America which in no way prepared me to speak anywhwere in France...especially in out lying country regions.Formal address of each person is mandatory at all times with proper attire(coat/dress pants/tie/dress shoes for men , skirt/dress and dress shoes for women)will get you every where in France as long as you speak as fast as the tape or faster.I played the tape each day for 2 months and everyone understood me.Eight years of American French will not help without extreme speed in talking. Best intro tape ever,,,don't forget the new Euro. Viva La France and good luck , Capt, Mike

Just as advertised
French is very difficult for those who have never learned another language. I made use of this tape/book combination for about a month and was truly able to "get by". I found as many do, that just giving an effort put me in good graces with people I came in contact with. They would then most often speak in English. Give the book and tape a good effort--Lots of repetition--and you'll benefit.

It Works! Its Easy!
Do you need to be spoken slowly to and have everything explained and repeated to learn it? Well, I sure do! Especially when it comes to learning another language and this book does the trick!! Other tapes I tried first made me think I could never learn French... Thank god I tried this one. An Excellent introduction to the language.

The best travel language tutor for the non-speaker.
Unlike Berlitz, which gives you long, wordy sentences to memorize, Getting By In French teaches you quick phrases that the French use themselves, without the excess verbiage. How to understand the responses you will get using keywords is also stressed. I used it to practice for a few weeks before my trip, and it made communication much easier. I even got compliments (!) from the French (!!) in Paris(!!!)! ... Read more

Book Description

12 of the most important Bible teachings portrayed in 12 fun-filled stories kids can identify with and understand. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Great Family Devotional
I've had this book for 3 years and both my children (now aged 5 and 11) still love to hear the stories. The pictures are colorful and enjoyable and the bible stories are well placed in the story themes. The story set up begins with a situation the bear family encounters and then a bible story that relates to that situation is recollected by one of the bears. The last story Heaven Can't Wait will have the reader teary eyed, and is told in such a way that although the child will experience the sadness of death, they will see the victory of eternal life with God. I wish there were more books written of Big Ideas In the Bible. This book makes a great family devotional!

My 6 year old loved it.
We were on vacation at a friend's. They brought out this book to read for her bedtime story. Well, we had to read 2 of the stories that night. The first thing the next morning, she got the book out again and asked me to read more. While the other kids were out swimming in the pool, she insisted I read her 2 more of the stories. When we got home from vacation, she told me she wanted to use her allowance money and buy a copy of the book herself. The tone of the book is warm and encouraging. The spiritual truths are shared in a beautiful and loving way. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

My 14 month old loves it and already follows along!
This book/video combo is invaluable for both of us. Songs are written out in both romanji as well as hiragana so I am learning just as much as he is. The book also contains a handy glossary at the end and cultural notes which explain the traditional way in which songs are sung, and how lyrics are acted out as many songs depict games (finger play, staring contest, etc.). The lyrics are a bit short but in most cases they are repeated so it is easy to catch on. We've been listening for about 2 months now and my son already knows when to follow along such as with the clapping hands song, finger play songs, etc just from listening, so I think he is definitely learning some japanese. Plus it's a lot of fun. There's also a karaoke section for you to sing alone once you learn the songs. The audio quality is pretty good as well. We are definitely ordering the Japanese 2 verson!

Guaranteed migraine headache!
If you enjoy a thumping, skull splitting migraine headache, then Sing N Learn is for you.

As a longtime language instructor, I agree with the effort that this series makes, but it is the execution that ultimately weakens Sing N Learn Japanese. To be sure, there are much, much better ways to learn Japanese. In fact, I would recommend this title only as a last resort and after you've thoroughly exhausted traditional ways to learn Japanese.

The songs contained herein are renditions of popular Japanese folk songs. WARNING: Most of the words sung throughout are inaudible. While the accompanying workbook aids in comprehension, it isn't enough to get you through the annoying vocals of the entire Sing N Learn series.

Indeed, most of the songs contain blood-curdling vocals accompanied by low fidelity musical arrangements making listening to the songs almost unbearable. (My students asked me to turn it off after one song). Overall, the musical and vocal quality is definitely poor and grating at best. I will bet an entire year's paycheck that my dog can howl better than the vocals on this tape. Do yourself a favor: try something, anything else other than this series to learn a foreign language. "*"

Great for beginners or children
I used this for my teenage student who I teach Japanese privately. It has all classic Japanese songs with English translation for easy understanding. Also, comes with karaoke. I think great for learning Japanese through classic songs.

Great Kids' Songs
I showed this to my Japanese friends and they really knew all of the songs. These are popular songs. The lyrics are written in romanji (the roman alphabet) and hiragana so they can read by anybody. All the songs are translated. The CD is good. The songs are short but most are repeated twice. The voice is a little high for me but that's true with many children's songs. All of the songs are repeated without words at the end of the CD (karaoke style). ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My 7 year old learned all his states!!!
I purchased this cd through a book club and put it in our car to listen to on the way to school. In a very short time, my 7 year old learned all his states & is well on his way to learning his capitals. My 4 year old has amazed us all by picking up most of the states as well. The lyrics are set to tunes most kids would already know (such as "Yankee Doodle") so they don't have to spend time learning the music and can jump right into the lyrics (ie state names.) It's a terrific educational tool!!!

Fun in Learning States and Capitals
This book is an excellent way for children to learn their stttes and capitals.It's fun way with music and rhythem is excellent.As a teacher, I use it in my classroom with third, fourth, and fifth graders and theyenjoy it and can tell you any state or capital.Geography is important ineducation and this is a great book to start your children off with forlearning. ... Read more

Book Description

Children will love the combination of music and reading in this celebration of the Bible’s best-loved stories from both the Old and New Testaments.A classic song, a simple verse, and a devotional prayer accompany each timeless story alongside full-color illustrations.Some of the short stories include:

- God’s Creation
- Baby Moses
- Strong Samson
- David and Goliath
- Wise Solomon
- And more!

A glorious sing-and-read-along set for your child. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fantastic
This book/cassette has been very beneficial for my children (ages 2 and 3).I find them quoting scripture, singing the songs, and becoming familiar with key Bible stories.It keeps my children's attention and I feel good about what they are hearing and learning.If something happens to my copy I will have to buy another one right away!

Great for Commuting
My son and I are in the car for about 3 hours a day.This is a great way to spend the time, singing learning bible stories and talking about them.I am always scared about what morning show DJ's are going to say.It is great to just turn them off!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Updated with helpful facts and tips for international travelers, this new third editions of Learn German the Fast and Fun Way is suitable as language teaching book for adults as well as for older children. It instructs beginners in the basics of reading, writing, understanding, and speaking German. The book lightens language-learning routines with cartoon-style illustrations, language games, and puzzles. A set of vocabulary flashcards and a small staple-bound bilingual dictionary booklet are bound into the book's spine and can be easily removed for supplementary use. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A very good tool for the traveller
There are a variety of basic german books and book/tape combinations available for the person who wants to learn a bit of the language primarily for travel purposes, i.e., shopping, eating out, making hotel reservations, etc. This seems to me to be one of the best of that genre. I'm not quite sure why, but it seemed to work better for me than any of the others of this ilk. The text is nicely done with amusing illustrations; and, more importantly, the exercises and tapes seem to go a long way to achieiving their desired end of teaching and implanting a bit of German. For the person who wants more than a smattering of German, may I recommend the other Barron's course, Mastering German (the old Foreign Service Insititute course) and the Berlitz, Think and Talk German, both of which are superb, but rather more demanding and pricey than any "tourist" course.

An Opinion
This is a pretty good book, for the price. It has useful language themes (travel situations, practical things) and many good sample dialogs to model your language use on. The layout is visually appealing. Its coverage of grammar is a bit skimpy. Yes, it's very simple, but they may have gone too far. There is no grammar index so it's hard to locate various grammatical explanations. The past verb tenses are not explained in the book, which I think is a deficiency. There are a few typos, too. ... Read more

Book Description

The Cat in the Hat came to play one rainy, nothing-to-do afternoon--and

changed the world of beginning children's literature forever.His hilarious

antics are "recommended for all libraries" --School Library Journal

(starred)




... Read more

Reviews (109)

This Cat's ALL THAT!
"In a world gone horribly wrong,full of giant mutant cats attired in fancy costumes,baring boxes full of horrendous oddities,and overly dictative talking fish...a young boy and his sister Sally,find themselves trapped,and under the spell of the want to do bad things!".....that's how the movie trailer would read anyways. In reality....this is the classic book that nearly every child,and adult should read,or have read to them. Two children left at home by their mother,on a boring rainy day,and told to behave. Enter the Cat In The Hat....who's goal in life,seems to be doing anything but behaving! The childrens goldfish is the voice of reason,but he is easily out voted,by the want to have "fun". But as we learn,fun that is without boundries,is fun that causes trouble! I remember this book as a child,and we all delighted in a Cat in a Hat,but how soon we would wish we were as smart as a fish! A great read for ALL,and a must for any childs library.

One Classic that should be in every parents' collection.
As a parent of a toddler, I occasionally find myself losing interest in some items in our collection, especially in those that my child wants me to read over and over. Not that I won't acquiesce, mind you, but some five-page works that are perhaps less imaginative than others are harder to approach with a high degree of enthusiasm. This book is not one of those.

Thank goodness there is nothing in this book (written decades ago) that can in any way be deemed "politically incorrect." While my experience is solely with a two-and-a-half year old, I assume that this book would be interesting for older children, and is also geared to those learning to read. I can remember the animated feature that used to run on CBS every year (probably thirty years ago), but the book is far better.

It is the tale of a cat who attempts to provide entertainment to a couple of children on a rainy day. A terrible mess is made in the process, but the Cat in the Hat "always picks up his playthings," and I believe parents can get some use out of this desirable character trait evident in the titled feline.

The Suess rhymes and rhythms are terrible fun, and I have have yet to tire of them. It keeps the attention of my two year old, which is pretty good for a book of this length. The pictures, while a bit bland, are amusing. I recommend the purchase of this classic.

Satanic Undertones! Buyer beware!
I cannot believe that there are still parents out there who havent figured out the simple underlying theme to this book! Clearly the "cat in the hat" represents a satanic creature or symbol, whose sole purpose is the corruption and temptation of the children. He is DEMONIZING them! The fish represents reason and sensibility (God), and the author has made the cat satan... so look at this: Cats EAT fish! (...)Suess has basically said in his story that Satan will eventually devour all that is good and will corrupt all of his children while he watches helplessly from his glass prison. Parents BEWARE!

The Cat in the Hat
A book from my childhood - who could forget - it is Dr. Seuss, gang - you will love it I bet!

Cat in the Hat - a hard-hitting novel of prose and poetry
"The Cat in the Hat" is a hard-hitting novel of prose and poetry in which the author re-examines the dynamic rhyming schemes and bold imagery of some of his earlier works, most notably "Green Eggs and Ham", "If I Ran the Zoo", and "Why Can't I Shower With Mommy?" In this novel, Theodore Geisel, writing under the pseudonym Dr. Seuss, pays homage to the great Dr. Sigmund Freud in a nightmarish fantasy of a renegade feline helping two young children understand their own frustrated sexuality.

The story opens with two youngsters, a brother and a sister, abandoned by their mother, staring mournfully through the window of their single-family dwelling. In the foreground, a large tree/phallic symbol dances wildly in the wind, taunting the children and encouraging them to succumb to the sexual yearnings they undoubtedly feel for each other.

Even to the most unlearned reader, the blatant references to the incestuous relationship the two share set the tone for Seuss's probing examination of the satisfaction of primitive needs. The Cat proceeds to charm the wary youths into engaging in what he so innocently refers to as "tricks." At this point, the fish, an obvious Christ figure who represents the prevailing Christian morality, attempts to warn the children, and thus, in effect, warns all of humanity of the dangers associated with the unleashing of the primal urges. In response to this, the cat proceeds to balance the aquatic naysayer on the end of his umbrella, essentially saying, "Down with morality; down with God!"

After pooh-poohing the righteous rantings of the waterlogged Christ figure, the Cat begins to juggle several icons of Western culture, most notably two books, representing the Old and New Testaments, and a saucer of lacteal fluid, an ironic reference to maternal loss the two children experienced when their mother abandoned them "for the afternoon." Our heroic Id adds to this bold gesture a rake and a toy man, and thus completes the Oedipal triangle.

Later in the novel, Seuss introduces the proverbial Pandora's box, a large red crate out of which the Id releases Thing One, or Freud's concept of Ego, the division of the psyche that serves as the conscious mediator between the person and reality, and Thing Two, the Superego, which functions to reward and punish through a system of moral attitudes, conscience, and guilt. Referring to this box, the Cat says, "Now look at this trick. Take a look!" In this, Dr. Seuss uses the children as a brilliant metaphor for the reader, and asks the reader to re-examine his own inner self.

The children, unable to control the Id, Ego, and Superego, allow these creatures to run free and mess up the house, or more symbolically, control their lives. This rampage continues until the fish, or Christ symbol, warns that the mother is returning to reinstate the Oedipal triangle that existed before her abandonment of the children. At this point, Seuss introduces a many-armed cleaning device which represents the psychoanalytic couch, which proceeds to put the two youngsters' lives back in order.

With powerful simplicity, clarity, and drama, Seuss reduces Freud's concepts on the dynamics of the human psyche to an easily understood gesture. Mr. Seuss's poetry and choice of words is equally impressive and serves as a splendid counterpart to his bold symbolism. In all, his writing style is quick and fluid, making "The Cat in the Hat" impossible to put down. While this novel is 61 pages in length, and one can read it in five minutes or less, it is not until after multiple readings that the genius of this modern day master becomes apparent. ... Read more

Book Description

Enter the medieval, magical world of King Arthur! The sorcery, bravery, and chivalry of this long ago time continues to enchant listeners again and again. Performed by acclaimed actor Sir Ian Richardson, the splendor of these epic tales comes to life for a whole new generation of listeners.

... Read more

Book Description

Read by Hope Davis
7 hours 6 minutes, 4 cassettes

"You must understand that I did not become a resistance fighter, a smuggler of Jews, a defier of the SS and the Nazis all at once.One's first steps are always small:I had begun by hiding food under a fence."

Through this intimate and compelling memoir, we are witness to the growth of a hero. Irene Gut was just a girl when the war began:seventeen, a Polish patriot, a student nurse, a good Catholic girl.As the war progressed, the soldiers of two countries stripped her of all she loved—her family, her home, her innocence—but the degradations only strengthened her will.

She began to fight back.Irene was forced to work for the German army, but her blond hair, her blue eyes, and her youth bought her the relatively safe job of waitress in an officer's dining room.She would use this Aryan mask as both a shield and a sword:She picked up snatches of conversation along with the Nazis' dirty dishes and passed the information to Jews in the ghetto.She raided the German Warenhaus for food and blankets.She smuggled people fron the work camp into the forest.And, when she was made the housekeeper of a Nazi major, she successfully hid twelve Jews in the basement of his home until the Germans' defeat.

This young woman was determined to deliver her friends from evil.It was as simple and as impossible as that. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

Truth is beauty
I have read many books about the Second World War, and the Holocaust. This is one of the best.For those who ever read Diary of A Young Girl by Anne Frank, and wondered what life might be like for a Gentile girl at the same time, this book answers that question.Irene Gut's strong faith, and loving family led her to make the right, if very difficult, choices.The contributions by Jennifer Armstrong are seamless, the true voice of Irene never falters.I have only a few slight quibbles. I wish that there had been more followup on Irene's post-war life, and on the post-war lives of those she saved.Irene Gut Opdyke's faith is as clearly presented as the late Corrie Ten Boom's (The Hiding Place), however, I found In My Hands to be a much more gratifying book.I deeply hope that this book becomes part of the standard curriculum in schools worldwide.However, adults who have any interest in the Second World War and the Holocaust will find this to be a well-written, encouraging book.

A True "Profile of Courage"
I am so grateful for having read this book. It was deeply moving. I am a seventeen year old girl, as Irene was when the war began, and I cannot even imagine having to experience all of things she did....being raped, a mistress, etc. I admire this woman so much, her courage and determination are one in a billion. It's incomprehensible to know what she went through during those dreadful years, yet through it all her faith is what helped her to survive. I will never forget this book for as long as live...I've read so many books, and I have to admit that I think this one has truly moved me the most. I've read many Holocaust stories as well, but this had a profound effect on me. Please read this book--you'll gain not only a better insight of World War II and the Holocaust, but also how to appreciate life more and realize how much you take for granted.

Awesome
I just finished listening to this book on tape. It was extremely well done from Irene's recollection of events. The Holocaust was an atrocity to society, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't study the topic. Hitler and his regime need to be understood to prevent similar occurences in the future. I can't image what she was going through during those times and I wonder how many of us could even begin to imagine her anguish.

AMAZING READ!
This book was awesome! I've read it numerous times and each time it gets me hooked. The plot is heartwrenching and the bravery Irene shows is inspiring. Anyone interested in reading about WWII/Holocaust should read this book! You won't be disappointed!!

Irene Guts Memories of the Holocaust
I enjoyed this book very much. It gave me a better understanding of what the Holocaust was really all about. I couldn't believe some of the scenes that she described about what was happeing to the Jews. The courage of what Irene did to protect people that she didnt even know amazed me. She never gave up on herself and believed that one person could make a difference. I was touched by the way Germans could treat such innocent people and was amazed at the scenes that she described in the book. Irene knew what she was doing was right and the more she saw such behavior the more determined she became to fight. One of the things I did not like about this book was that they focused more on what was happening to her and the people she was protecting then all the Jews in general and what was really happening in the concentration camps. Also it was hard trying to follow up on what was happing in the war. I got confused on when they were being helped out by other forces or when Germany was in complete power. I also would have liked to hear more about Hitler and the evil that he aroused. Over all I believed this was a very good book to others interested in the Holocaust. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Lana Quintal
approx. 2 hours
2 cassettes

What kind of mess has Junie B. Jones gotten herself into this time?Listen to four Junie b. Jones favorites in one audiobook collection.
In Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake, Junie B. wins the Carnival Night Cake Walk and chooses the bestest cake of all.How was she to know it was lethal weapon?
Guess who's NOT invited to Jim's birthday party in Junie B. Jones and that Meanie Jim's Birthday.
In Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren, Junie has tofigure out how she can get the handomest guy she's ever seen to love her.
In Juine B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed, Junie worries that Paulie Allen Puffer is right and she really does have monster under her bed.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

Lana Quintel's voice is perfect for Junie!
My daughter absolutley loves Junie B. Jones, so I thought these cassettes would be great for long car rides. The first thing that I got a kick out of is Lana Quintel's voice--she is just perfect as Junie. She's got a little-girlish, slightly nervous tone, which really fits. Some audio stories can really bore you to tears, which is bad for the adult driving the car, but these keep you listening and aware.
The story lines really fit for young kids (older 5's+), since Junie has to get through typical situations like loose teeth, "boyfriends", self-inflicted hair cuts, etc.
Some of the books show Junie's more obnoxious, negative self, so I just avoid them and go for the cuter stories.

Junie B. Jones First Grader at Last
I have been reading the Junie B. Jones collection to my kindergarten class from the beginning of the school year. They absolutely love the collection. At times I have found the language inappropriate for kindergarten. I have chosen to change some of the words as I read. The children do not realize and the books still remain enjoyable and fun. Barbara Park is a great author and has truley captured the uniqueness of a child's kindergarten career. All books are HIghly remcommended. I tried to keep this book until the last day of school when my students would have officially been first graders. They wouldn't let me. One of my students brought the book from home and we finished it in two sittings. Junie B. Jones First Grader at Last is a great book to read to the child who is anxious about first grade and the changes that my come with growing up. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

delightful read for all ages
this adventure book is a wonderful read for everyone! i read it when i was a young teenager, and fell in love wih it! now i have read it again and still enjoy it. the sequal to the castle in the attic, this book was filled with more adventure and suspense. recomended for anyone that enjoys fantasy and adventure!

Welcome Home to the Castle
It has been around 2 years since we read The Castle in the Attic which was one of the best adventures my son and I shared together. I was previously unaware that there was a sequel to this engaging book. After reading the first couple pages my son's came to rapt attention. "I remember this now," he said excitedly. He began remembering the charecters and adventures of the first story. Almost immediately we were captivated by this next adventure - familiar, but new. It was like coming home to the castle. Each chapter of Battle For the Castle brings a new depth of feeling and connection with the charecters - and, yes,each chapter opens to greater surprise and suspense. My son said feelingly, "I love this book." Even on Saturday morning when his favorite activity is to watch cartoons on TV, begged, instead, to hear "one more chapter!"

A great sequel to A Castle in the Attic
In this book, it has been two years since William first went with Sir Simon to save his kingdom. William is turning twelve and has to jump a train to prove that he is a man. He fails while his best friend, Jason, suceeds. Mrs. Phillips gives William the Janus tokens back. William thinks that this would be a great chance to get some training in, so he and Jason shrink themselves to start training.
Soon, they go to visit Sir Simon. Unfortunately, there is another danger in the land. Rats that eat everything living or not. William is left in control of the castle while Sir Simon goes to a tournament.
With Sir Simon gone, can William gather enough courage to save the castle and defeat the killer rats?

TOKENS OF APPRECIATION
William (who received THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC) is now approaching his 12th birthday, but dreading the townkids' dangerous rite of passage called Jumping the Trains. Although skilled in tumbling and gymnastics, he feels outclassed by Jason, his best friend, who is both taller and more athletic (on a bike). He secretly mourns the fact that he is shorter, fearing that his stature will predestin him to failure in the world.

Then William receives a special gift from Mrs. Phillips, his former nanny now living back in England. Although she had promised to destroy the statue of the evil wizard, Alastor, she changed her mind about disposing of the special Token. This coin depicting two-headed Janus possesses dramatic magical powers. Wiilliam confides the secret of his neglected castle in the attic to Jason, who is eager to make the trek through space and time to reach the medieval world, but not without some modern conveniences: two bikes, a flashlite and;
binoculars.

Their return is timely, for Sir Simon's realm is threatened by a floating horror; a skeleton ship inhabited by fierce rats. Accompanied by young Tolliver, who learns to ride a bike, and 12-year-old Gudrin, the boys undertake to rid the land of the nauseating rodent meance. But how much can one trust a fool--a court jester named Deegan? Is it wise of Sir Simon to depart for a tournament despite the ominous warning signs,
leaving the castle in such youthful hands? This sequel is light and fast-paced. One wonders if Winthrop will consider a third one, before the boys are too old for such fantasy games. Even if she does not, heed crypic messages, trust in feminine clairvoyance and don't forget to treasure your old toys!

Teen's review
This book was wonderful. In the book William proves that although he may be looked down upon he can still do great things. Also no one believes another character. This book has alot of action but it also sends messages about how the smallest or seemingly unsignifigant people can be great. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (97)

This is probably my favorite of all the Time Trilogy books!
After reading A Wrinkle In Time and A Wind In the Door, (both of which are also fantastic) I had to read this one. I was blown away reading this! This IS a complicated book-many times while I was reading I turned back to some of the other parts to understand a bit better. But that was the delightful and interesting part about it! I loved the whole "mad dog" name thing and the way each of the people Charles visited were connected, and yet very different.

I disagree with people who talk about how it's bad that Meg is only a pregnant housewife and Calvin is a famous scientist. It says in the later books about Poly (Meg's oldest daughter) that Meg works with mathematics, numbers and all that.

I reccomend this to L'Engle or fantasy fans, especially those who've read the first Time Trilogy books. But if you can't handle complicated plots, numerous characters and different settings, wait a few more years to read this so that you can fully appreciate this book!

A Suspenseful Fantasy of Time Travel
A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle combines the threats of nuclear war in today's society with the more complicated science of time travel. Mad Dog Branzillo, a South American Dictator, frightens the whole world with possibilities of dropping a nuclear bomb on America. It is up to Charles Wallace, a 15-year-old genius, his sister, Meg, and a mysterious rune to save the world from destruction. Charles' mission is to travel back in time with a unicorn named Gaudior to alter the past. In order to do this incredibly difficult and dangerous task, he must venture inside of people's souls to live with them and change the course of their lives so that Mad Dog Branzillo will not be born as a nemesis. Guided by this almighty rune, calling on all heaven with its power, and kything, or sending messages through the mind, with Meg, he fights to triumph over evil and to seek peace.

This book delighted me because of the great mystery of the time travel. I would recommend this book to anyone else who enjoys time travel and good fiction. I would not suggest this book to a person who does not enjoy fantasy or other books of the sort. A Swiftly Tilting Planet is fun to read and I would suggest that everybody read it and the others in the series.

My absolute favorite
Out of the Time Quarter, this is my favorite, although I still haven't read Many Waters, yet.

In A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Charles Wallace must go through time and "inhabit" the bodies of various men, might-have-beens, to somehow alter the course of the present and prevent nuclear war.

I loved the concept on how everything is connected and how each of the people Charles Wallace inhabitted through each time period were all interrelated. The story ties each person in to the next, crossing thousands of years and showing how one decision from each person can change the future of the world.

It was fascinating to go back in time and experience what it was like during the Salem witch trials, the civil war, the early 20th century. It was like I was going through someone's attic and finding all this history or like I was going on an archeological dig, finding out about the past centuries.

I felt like I was actually with Charles Wallace, as if I was actually Meg, Charles's sister, watching him travel through time to save the planet. After reading A Wrinkle in Time, and then this one, I must say that there is a marked improvement in Madeline L'Engle's writing and this book captures you and takes you away to the world of the Murray's to the point that you lose all track of time in the real world.

Buy or borrow this book! But make it the book! NOT the tape!
(...)

Madeleine L'Engle is a FABULOUS author, and this is my favorite of her stories, and one of my favorite stories of all time. However (ignoring gender for a moment), I am reminded of a famous Clint Eastwood movie line:

"A man's gotta know his limitations."

Madeleine L'Engle is a fabulous and highly skilled AUTHOR. The audio edition of A Swiftly Tilting Planet shows that narration is NOT her strong suit. Do yourself a favor. Definitely GET this book, but get it in the PRINTED format and READ it rather than listen to the author's narration.

It goes without saying that my 5-star rating is for the book and not the tape.

"A Swiftly Tilting Planet" (printed) is NOT to be missed. Read "A Wrinkle in Time" and "A Wind in the Door" first.

A Little Disappointing
A Wrinkle in Time was one of my favorite books ever, so I read the sequals with much anticipation. This book was a little disappointing mainly because Meg and Charles Wallace are not featured that often. Most of the book revolves around a historical family, one side bad and one good, and the attempt to go back in time and change the outcome of events in order to prevent war in the present. The time travelling aspect is interesting, and the talking unicorn is very lovable, but I just did not find these historical characters very interesting. Also did not care for the idea that one family line can be inherently bad. Still an enjoyable read, and L'engle has many heartfelt quotations, and Meg's family is still as loving and inspirational. I was also disappointed that Meg has lost her spunkiness. But I guess that is just part of growing up, and she is growing up into a beautiful woman, just like her mother. ... Read more

Amazon.com

For all those kids who love to be scared on Halloween--but not too scared, award-winning director and comedy writer Carl Reiner produces a real spine chiller. He also offers plenty of outs for the faint of heart: "Is it getting too scary for you? Should I keep going? Okay, if you say so." No red-blooded young reader will be able to resist this tantalizing tale of monsters and mystery. The narrator (depicted by Jerry Seinfeld's Halloween illustrator, James Bennett, to look exactly like Carl Reiner) cozies up with his granddaughter to tell her all about the man he met when he was a child: Mr. Neewollah. Mr. Neewollah has a crooked smile (we have several creepy child's-eye views) and some very strange hobbies. Young Carl is lured into his basement workshop only to be scared out of his wits by fake eyeballs, creaking doors, and creepy things covered with cloth--not to mention hideous monsters. But is Mr. Neewollah truly as sinister as he seems?

In his first book for children, Reiner gets that kids love to be spooked--and to know that all is well, too. Bennett's exaggerated illustrations, featuring weird angles and vivid, in-your-face close-ups, are a good match for Reiner’s Halloween tale. Too busy in your own evil workshop to read aloud to the kids? Fear not! The book includes a CD featuring Reiner reading the story accompanied by eerie sound effects. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (5)

We teach our kids NOT to go inside a stranger's house ....
I was unsettled reading this book -- regarding the reference in which the young boy enters a (very) stange man's house, and is pulled down the basement stairs into his "evil lair", if you will.

Loved the quality of the illustrations -- but, being a mother of young children, and visually seeing a boy being pulled down into a basement by this strange man, was much too unsettling for me! We all teach our children to avoid stangers at all cost .. this book just encourages it.

spooky fun for kids AND adults!
My 4yr old found this book at the library and HAD to borrow it. Looks like we'll end up buying it because it really is a fun one, esp on Halloween! It comes with a CD and is narrated by Carl Reiner.

The story is about a boy who doesn't like his neighbor, Mr. Neewollah, who has a crooked smile...but one day finds a "staring" marble drop from a box his neighbor is carrying.

Terrific illustrations that are fun and spooky for children AND adults!

This will be a fun one to pull out every Halloween for a little spook!

What fun!
Carl Reiner is the perfect cozy grandfather to tell this somewhat spooky tale. The art is great and the audio even better. A fun tale for Halloween.

Empty Story with Outstanding Illustration
I bought this book on the strength of the excellence of James Bennett's work with Jerry Seinfeld, and the quality of that story and its companion live CD. Unfortunately, however, Carl Reiner has written a bland and empty story which my kids and I found totally uninteresting. Ditto for the unimaginative reading on the accompanying CD. James Bennett's illustrations saved this from being a 1 star review.

hilarious--just scary enough for 6-8 year olds!
kids love to be scared a little bit.. this book does just that and if you read it with the carl reiner audio cd in it the kids will love the sound effects, too!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Berlitz Kids' The Five Crayons is the introduction to theAdventures with Nicholas series. Featuring easy German vocabulary and simple sentences, this story teaches colors, numbers from one to ten, rooms and furniture, animals, weather expressions, means of transportation, locationwords, and more. There is a catchy, thematically related song for each chapter.Listen to the audio story and sing along with each of the songs--it's a fun learningexperience for students, parents, or teachers. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Product is OK; Berlitz gives poor customer service.
I bought all three books in the series: A Visit to Grandma, The Missing Cat, and Five Crayons, all in one order. I didn't use them for a couple of weeks, and kept them in their boxes. Finally getting around to the books, TWO of the three audio cassettes broke within the first week of use. It has been more than a month and a half, and I've been emailing and calling Berlitz (multiple numbers; I feel like i'm getting the run around) to see about replacements, but to no avail. After all the emails and calls, Berlitz says that the best the can do is sell me the items again for half price. All I desire are the tapes. I have the books, of course. It's disheartening that this large, multi-national corporation 1) does not stand by its products, and 2) can't afford to send a customer two tapes.

With that out of the way, I do think the series is pretty good, though I've (obviously) really turned sour on the company. I've read the other reviews of these prodcts, and by and large agree. The illustrations are nice, and the narrations on the audio are professional enough. Some issues I do have:

They advertise that the tapes are 60 minutes long. They are, but they're playing with the language. While the cassettes are actually 60 minutes long, there is about 20 minutes of silence on the second side. So if you buy all three, you're purchasing 60 minutes of quiet time.

Speaking of the second side, it is interesting because that is the side containing songs--songs go along with the story. Apparently all the songs are the same (i.e., same music, lyrics, etc. just translated into different language) regardless of the language you are learning (French, German, Italian, etc.). This makes for some contorted lyrics at times. The writers really had to make it stretch in some parts to get all the syllables in, or to spread them out. So for example, in the back of the book, where the lyrics to the songs are, they give you the German on the left, and the English on the right. The English goes along quite well the song (it must have been written or drafted in English). It has even numbers of syllables per line, rhymes when it should, etc. The German, on the other hand, is almost unwieldy. Don't get me wrong. If you listen to it enough, you will learn, but it's clear that the song was not written in German. If the lines rhyme in German, it's probably a random event.

Also, this is the first time I have ever seen a cassette no labeled with "SIDE A" or "SIDE B."--so you don't know what sire you're puttin into your cassette player. In the great scheme of things, I guess this is no big deal, but it shows the attention to detail that was *not* paid to this project. Related to this is the fact that I am surprised that there is no audio CD available.

Given the paucity of German language materials on the market, purchasing these books, for children, unfortunately, is a must.

I Need More Like This!
I am teaching my 5 year-old son to speak German, and having trouble finding materials. The three Berlitz "Adventures with Nicholas" books have been a tremendous help. My son asks me frequently if we can "play" German--he enjoys the stories so much! "The Five Crayons" has especially caught his imagination. My only complaint is that I'm not sure that the voices are those of native speakers; at times the accents don't sound quite right, particularly the final "g". On the other hand, a friend of mine who is a professor of German has complimented my son on his accent. I know he didn't get that from me! It must be the tapes. If only they had more titles!

A 1950s production
I bought "The Five Crayons" to teach German to my 4-year old daughter and her friends. The book is lovely and works very well with that age group. My axt to grind is mostly with the songs that come on the accompanying tape. As everything Berlitz has been putting out there, it's freshly out of the ... 1950s! Some of the "timeless" song choices are still OK (ABC die Katze lief im Schnee), others are unappealing AND have vocab that's too hard for kids to deal with. Moreover, the perfomance is pretty lousy and uninteresting - don't they know at Berlitz that kids like to hear other kids sing? Adult voices without much instrumentation are boring to grownups and, even more so, to children. In sum, the song side is useless, the story itself good and the illustrations great.

Stuck in the 1950s
I bought "The Five Crayons" to teach German to my 4-year old daughter and her friends. The book is lovely and works very well with that age group. My axt to grind is mostly with the songs that come on the accompanying tape. As everything Berlitz has been putting out there, it's freshly out of the ... 1950s! Some of the "timeless" song choices are still OK (ABC die Katze lief im Schnee), others are unappealing AND have vocab that's too hard for kids to deal with. Moreover, the perfomance is pretty lousy and uninteresting - don't they know at Berlitz that kids like to hear other kids sing? Adult voices without much instrumentation are boring to grownups and, even more so, to children. In sum, the song side is useless, the story itself good and the illustrations great.

Excellent book for young German learners!
I teach German in a K-5 program. From day-one in Kindergarten we are supposed to speak German-only. As a result, our students have a large vocabulary and wonderful aural-comprehension. Therefore I am always searching for new books to share with them, books which will bring into play as much vocabulary as possible, but are still understandable. I'm so excited that I found this book, as well as "The Missing Cat" and "A Visit to Grandma", all put out by the Berlitz language company. This simple, yet wonderful, story introduced colors, numbers, rooms of the house, items in the house, animals, vehicles, and so much more!! And the songs at the end are cultural-specific to Germany, including "A,B,C, die Katze lief im Schnee" and "Alle Voegel sind schoen da!" I can't wait to play the accompanying cassette for my students--a definite plus because they can hear a different accent from mine, which is so important in second-language acquisition. THANK YOU!! ... Read more

Book Description

Eric Jerome Dickey's boldly sensual new novel centers on what his fans love best - steamy romance and shocking betrayal. This is an edge-of-your-seat novel about a good man who loves his wife, Genevieve, but finds himself drawn against his best intentions into an affair - with his wife's sister. Both women have a mysterious and tragic past that raises the stakes in this fast-paced novel. Genevieve hits all the crowd-pleasing notes that we have come to expect from a Dickey novel, delivered in a style that is sexy, raw, humorous, and thrilling all at once. It should once again place him on the nation's bestseller lists. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Simply Amazing!!!!
That's all I can say. To date: I thought THE OTHER WOMAN was his best effort. Not anymore. Having heard an excerpt of this story in Battle Creek, Michigan over the winter, anticipation gripped me as I sat there spellbound, enjoying every word.

Then, it dropped. I had to take a break from my my own novel writing to take a peek at unquestionably, undisputably, the best out there in terms of African-American Male Fiction.

Odenville is the setting for many revelations: The admissions of sexual vulnerabilities and the uncontrollable release of all inhibitions, the stark truth that shudders bones when truth of secrets are revealed, and, after confrontingall of this, the answer to the most important question: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?Crafting a story that touches you with insight and intensity, heats you up, makes you culturally aware of where we have been, it makes you wonder if we should reveal all in our quest of finding perfection in imperfection. That what Love should do.

While I was at my own signing in Maryland over the weekend, I got got into a convo with a friend over this novel, and we both agreed that this was, by far, the best one yet. WOW!

So far it is garbadge to me!!!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong folks I love EJD, but so far as I have been reading it is boring me, can someone make me feel better and let me know when it is going to pick up b/c i am so ready to find out all these secrets she has.I am on page 97, please tell me in the next 10 pages I will soon be in awe please tell me. Someone personally email or send something threw here b/c so far i am not impressed, it seems to me after Liar's Game everything went downhill for EJD.AND I TRY GIVING HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT BUT LATELY I HAVE NOT BEEN IMPRESSED. email is jerseychick28226@yahoo.com

His Best Yet!!
I read Genevieve this past weekend and I absolutely loved it~! It is his best work to date. It was intriguing, and captivating from the beginning to end. I have been reading his books since his 1st one and I must tell you that he has gotten better with age. This book shows me that he have achieved a maturity and has honed his writing skills and I can hardly wait for the next one.
The Story of Genevieve started with suspense... and ended with the story of her life explained in detail.The surprises and twists that the story took made it a page turner.Definitely a must read!!

Over the top but emotionally involving
As usual, EJD makes you feel like you know all his characters, and you really want to know what will happen to them. There's Genevieve, a girl from a trashy town in Alabama who's remade herself into a hotshot Ph.D. who complains when hotels aren't up to her standards; her husband, who feels inadequate because she's frigid; and Genevieve's younger, uninhibited sister, Kenya. When the husband accompanies Genevieve to her hometown for a funeral, he learns a whole lot about what she came from, and falls under Kenya's spell.

Parts of the book were unbelievable - how could a wife hide so much from her husband? would he really dive into an affair with his wife's sister just like that? - but EJD works his usual magic with vivid descriptions and compelling characters. Another page-turner.

Not One of EJD Best
This is book was full of stereotypes that took away from the novel. Plus the plot of the book was so slow that the time it becomes interesting. I've frankly just stop caring. The novel Genevieve Forbes seems to have the world on a string. Great job,husband and a brand new life. But she just can't escape her past. Her husband is basically a horny idiot. But the surprise ending is the only thing good about Genevieve. ... Read more

Book Description

Joyful Noise

Written to be read aloud by two voices, sometimes alternating, sometimes simultaneous -- here is a recording of irresistible poems that celebrate the insect world, from the short life of the mayfly to the love song of the book louse. Funny, sad, loud and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. Winner of the 1989 Newbery Medal.

I Am Phoenix is an exultant celebration of the sounds and essence of the bird world. A companion to Joyful Noise, written to be spoken aloud by two voices and masterfully performed by Lloyd and Twomey, these poems perfectly capture the beauty of birds in their singing, soaring and rejoicing.

Performed by John Bedford and Anne Twomey

Book Description

Hundreds of thousand of parents have attended Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish's patenting workshops; now, this unique audiobook will allow every parent to bring that experience home with them. Hear the inspiring real-life stories of parents who have put these ideas into action, and you'll soon realize that you can do it too.

By listening to this groundbreaking audiobook, you'll learn how to:

* Deal with you children's strong emotions.
* Set firm limits and still maintain good will.
* Express your angry feelings without being hurtful.
* Engage your children's cooperation.
* Resolve family conflicts.

With How To Be The Parent You Always Wanted To Be, Faber & Mazlish bring their invaluable patenting expertise to anyone striving to be the best parent they can be. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A MUST FOR PARENTS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A BETTER WAY
This was recommended to me by my therapist when I went to her and said, "I think I'm a bad parent".I don't have very many positive role models to learn from and was just trying to do it by myself.But I was surprised to hear from the authors of this book that many parents experience what I have.I loved the examples they gave to handle every day power-control issues, temper tantrums and arguments.When finding myself in a difficult situation with my son I turn inwardly to information I heard from this cassette and it helps to keep me from doing or saying something I may regret later.Most importantly, it has helped me to learn to communicate with my child and to listen to what he is saying which has helped us grow closer. ... Read more