Book Description

Venus and Serena Williams have something to say. But it isn"t all about tennis. It"s about life and how to play it.

These superstars and super sisters share their secrets in this straight-talking smart guide. Speaking candidly about their personal experiences, the sisters give you the inside scoop on:

• What it takes to rise and stay on top.
• Who watches their backs when the pressure is on.
• How they spend—and save—their money.
• Dating—their real deal on romance.
• Book smarts—keeping grades up and study stress down.
• Loving the skin you"re in.

This book offers solid advice for getting an advantage in every game you play. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

No Shunning Allowed
Hilary Beard is a Philadelphia journalist who you can trust implicitly, she has a great even voice.Her previous book was the life story of enterpreneur Lisa Price, the woman who came back from financial ruin to found CAROL'S DAUGHTER the great herbal essence success story.Lisa got to meet many celebrities, in fact she knew them before they got big, and her cosmetic prescriptions, learned from her mother and Trinidadian family, helped Erykah Badu and Jada Pinkett among others,

Venus and Serena, who have collaborated with Hilary Beard on her new book, were famous when they were still girls, so their trajectory is somewhat different than that of Lisa Price, who struggled for artistic and commercial validation for many years and told the story in the fabulous SUCCESS NEVER SMELLED SO SWEET.Hilary Beard, who lost her father several years back, was drawn to the Williams sisters partly because of the strong guidance each received from their dad, a bittersweet association for Beard that accounts for some of the strongest writing in this book, SERVING FROM THE HIP.An avid tennis player, Beard knows what she's talking about, and she can help the Williams sisters structure a book and add depth to their insights about their own game.

Whether or not you're a Jehovah's Witness, this book has something for everyone, so don't shun the Williams girls just because their faith is a little bit different than yours!That's what America is all about--or it used to be!

Great book for teens and fans of Venus and Serena!
After seeing Venus and Serena on the Oprah show, I decided to get this book and I'm glad I did.The book talks about many of their on-court experiences so if you're a fan of Venus and Serena and have followed their careers since the mid 90's, you'll find out fascinating tidbits about their reactions to incidents on the WTA Tour.I also bought a copy for a friend's 11 yr. old daughter so as you can see this book is a great conversation-starter for parents and their daughters.All-around, well done.

Teaches Children JEHOVAH'S WITNESS CULT Religious Philosophy
Great Book if you want your Child to grow up to be a JEHOVAH'S WITNESS. The Williams Sisters should stick to writing books in which they use their tennis background and experience to teach children the fundamentals of playing the game of tennis.This Williams Sisters book, which purports to teach children the fundamentals of life, is actually a disguised attempt to teach children the fundamental religious philosophy of their own JEHOVAH'S WITNESS religion. People who are reared as Jehovah's Witnesses have been taught only one set of "rules for living, loving, and winning", and those are the rules of the WatchTower Cult.If you want your children to grow up to be door-to-door WatchTower salespersons then SAVE YOUR MONEY and simply ask the next Jehovah's Witness who wakes you up on Saturday morning for a FREE copy of the WatchTower Society's guide for rearing children as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Motivational and Inspiring!

I'm not a tennis fan, but you don't have to be to enjoy this book.

While the target audience is teenage girls, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and I'm a middle-aged woman!

It's easy to read, full of insight into the lives and motivations of Serena and Venus, and has great advice for teenage girls on dating and other issues important to adolescents. I especially liked their emphasis on the need for self-esteem.

I agree with the reviewer who questioned the so-called reviewers who lambasted the book, since nothing in their "reviews" indicated they've read it!

I think Serena and Venus (and their co-author, Hilary Beard) did a wonderful job, and I encourage anyone with a teenage girl to run out and buy this book.

Wonderful book for adults as well as young girls!
Wow . . . I can't believe the haters who have weighed in on this book! And nothing in their "reviews" indicate they've even read it!
"Venus and Serena . . ." is a well-written but easy read, doling out lifestyle advice and guidance for young girls and giving insight to the motivations behind decisions made by Venus and Serena. It details why their parents decided to pull them out of certain tours (I was surprised and delighted by the explanations), and how those decisions led to other life decisions.
I bought the book for my 17-year-old daughter, but sat down and read the whole thing. Feeling guilty, I ran out and bought another copy for my daughter. This is a book that I didn't mind buying twice.
I LOVED their advice on dating, and how girls need to love themselves first. The book is BIG on the importance of self-esteem.
I found "Venus and Serena . . ." to be motivational and insightful, and I highly recommend it.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

So Incredibly Awesome!
This book is so incredibly awesome! It should be rated like 1,000,000 stars! I love all the pictures, especially the ones of the Wild Thing!

Amusement Park Mania
I have read this book, much to my delight. The historical section reviewing roller coasters is excellent for this 4th to 7th grade reading level book. But do not let you think that it is only for school children. Adults will enjoy this quick read, too.

The pictures are excellent and are well supported by the text. The web links are dated, but not crucial to the understanding of the book.

The only reason why I do not rate this book higher is that in the physics of roller coasters section, there are serious errors in the science (pages 32-34). In particular, inertia, momentum, and energy are used incorrectly. Later in the book when discussing seat position for maximum g's, there is also an error.

Aside from the scientific errors, though, I would recommend this book and am happy that I have my own copy. ... Read more

Book Description

Cheerleading has undergone dramatic changes in the past decade. For the first time, those who have traditionally cheered on and supported athletes are themselves being considered athletes. Performing increasingly rigorous stunts, cheerleaders must now meet higher qualifications and follow stricter safety precautions.

With more than 700 all-new photographs, this handbook offers the latest information and instruction on: Qualifications, Conditioning, Tryouts, Cheers, Chants, Jumps, Gymnastics, Double Stunts, Pyramids, Pompom Routines, Leadership, Fund-raising Ideas, Pep Rally and Spirit Ideas.

With a detailed history of cheerleading and the role of cheerleaders in school life, and a discussion of the basic principles for understanding sports, The Official Cheerleader's Handbook is a book worth shouting about. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

It was very helpful and taught me alot.
This cheerleading book was extremely helpful for me to learn new cheers, chants, moves, and routines. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to any present or future cheerleader. It includes so much helpful information about cheerleading, and I am a 100% better cheerleader now for having read and studied this book. I went from living in a car with my two sisters and three brothers, to becoming a really popular cheerleader at my high school here in Alabama. I would like to say to all customers that this is a tight book!

Not for today's cheerleader
This book, while helpful in some ways, is not ideal for today's more active and athletic Varsity or All-Star cheerleader. I would definitely reccommend this book for less competitive squads, like Pop Warner or J.V. Beginning cheerleaders and new coaches may find this book useful. But personally, with five years experience, I didn't learn too much from it. Instructional videos or competitions on ESPN will benefit competitive cheerleaders more. The tumbling section has detailed pictures of performing a back handspring, and some of the spirit/fundraising ideas are good. The stunting pictures are very outdated, and could use some updating. There are very few free-standing stunts, basically everything is old-fashioned pyramids. The basic stunts they show are pretty innovative, and would be good for Pop Warner cheerleaders. If they revamped this portion of the book, I would give it a higher rating. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY CHEERLEADING!

Best Book on Cheerleading!!
What a great book! I'm a cheerleader and a gymnast, and I've found it to be a fantastic resource! This book is perfect for all levels of cheerleading, whether you're a Pop Warner cheerleader or a Varsity cheerleader. It has tons of hints, tips, and instructions. There are thousands of photos. In here, there are jumps, cheers, chants, gymnastics, routines, stunts, pyramids, tryout tips, and sooo much more! This book has helped me become a much better cheerleader and I've appreciated everything I learned from it. This book deserves three cheers!!

Great Book!! I loved it alot!!
This book shows you step-by-step ways to perform incredible stunts such as pyramids. Being a Varsity Cheerleader this was a great book for reference. It was very helpful. Thanks to this book we put on a good performence and really pepped up our players and had a year full of tons of victorys! Read it! It's incredible!!

Good for novice coaches
I coach Pop Warner (little league) cheerleaders. This is the best book I've found for cheer ideas, fundamentals, and stunt safety. The pictures are outdated, but the basics are all intact and correct. Highly recommended for new coaches. ... Read more

Book Description

Dog be gone!

The big old dog wants to play. Can the little boy make him go away?

Reviews (3)

Playful Pup Persuasively Pounces
A boy who is afraid of dogs meets a friendly long-haired barking fellow looking to play. He tells him to go away, but the dog insists on being friends. The dog instantly loves the boy, but the boy isn't so sure.

Your child will learn how dogs are fun to play with, and how some things aren't quite as scary as they might first appear.

The colorful, warm drawings have endured through the years, and will help bring a smile to your face.

I fully recommend "Go Away, Dog."

Anthony Trendl

My "most favorite book"
I have the original version (1963) and mine has the following inscription written by my mother:

"This was a library book I checked out for Lisa when she was 4 and 1/2 years old. She loved it so much she kept putting off taking it back and one day 'could never find it again'. Later, she told me she hid it and by then I had paid the library for it. Her most favorite book then and for a long time."

I cherish my copy of Go Away Dog and am buying the new version for good friend's baby shower.

A Book for Young Dog Lovers Everywhere
This book is written in short, simple sentences, using high-frequency vocabulary that's sure to make young readers successful. It tells about a dog who wants to play and the little boy who wants that dog to go away. This little dog will win the affection of very young dog lovers and little boys everywhere with his antics and determination! ... Read more

Book Description

Who do you call when a squirrel is trapped in a mud puddle or a baby opossum is stuck in a drainpipe ?

Meet Jeffrey, Beaner, Raymond, and Mike--the Animal Resuce club! Adventures wait around every corner as this intrepid band of kids, working with a Wildlife Rehabilitator, helps the wild animals in our neighborhood.

John Himmelman's action-packed story and lively art is based on his firsthand experience with wild-animal rescue groups. This inside look at kids saving animals is certain to fascinate young nature lovers. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful Book
My son picked out this book when he was 2 years old and we were both hooked. Over a year later it is still one of his favorites. Especially good book for vegan children about compassion for wild animals. I always keep a copy on hand to give as a gift.

Girl Scouts loved it!
I used this book to help my Brownie Troop earn a badge. It was a wonderful introduction into discussion of helping animals. The exciting advenutre with its endearing characters is followed by a brief, but effective explanation of what children should and should not attempt with real wild animals. After hearing this story, the girls decided to take on a volunteer project at a local animal shelter. We are waiting for the next adventure of The Animal Rescue Club to see what it inspires.

7 year-old girl loves book!
My second grader is devoring books these days. She has been reading a number of the "I Can Read Chapter Books". Of these books, this was her favorite. She liked the characters - spunky girl, timid boy, and kind boy that took care of the animals. She is hoping that the Animal Rescue Club will come out with more adventures.

She found the story credible and exciting. She would give this book a thumbs up! ... Read more

Book Description

How can you reach an enthusiastic young sports fan—particularly boys—with biblical truth? Try this daily devotional that is full of sports history, heroes, and anecdotes that direct teen readers to scriptural principles.

Reviews (1)

This devotional book is the best thus far!
Hey teens who are sports fanatics out there! I am a 17 year old who loves sports of all kinds, and more importanly, I love my Jesus with my whole heart. I have grown so much closer to Him by reading Devotions From the World of Sports. John and Kathy are incredible writers which God has given the gift of writing to them. They make it so clear in this book how to live for God. Plus, you get to know some sports history on the side. I've had the pleasure of talking to John online, and he is an example to us all! Pick up his and his wife's book today, and I can gurrantee you will walk closer with your Savior! It is the highlight of my day. God bless you all out there. I love you all as a sister in our Lord God Almighty! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A book of exuberant charm
Sure, it might be a little outdated, but it's a great glimpse into a past time. And today's kids would probably enjoy the chance to do some old-fashioned things described in this book, like making their own hammock or refurbishing some old furniture. The instructions for painting and drawing and basic and useful, and many of the ideas presented are things forgotten about and could stand resurrection. Lots of attention paid to girls getting exercise and being healthy, contrary to modern perceptions of Victorian women. Good for parents and teachers, and kids who are fond of history and open to old-fashioned ideas.

A 1887 Gem!
For mothers who are not ashamed to have their young girls grow up knowing "feminine" arts, this book is a gem! There are some complicated projects (hammock making) which most of us would not have time or inclination to do, but others (corn husk dolls, botanic art, flower pressing, and home-made candy recipes) which any mother could help even very young daughters accomplish. In addition to the projects resource that it is, the book is a homey, nostalgic history of the things which used to occupy the time of young women preparing for homekeeping.

Low tech fun for children of all decades.
I used this book when a child. I used my mother's copy and never was bored during the long hot summer days before air conditioning in the 1950's. The partner book, American Boy's Handybook is also fun. Wow, what resources for parents and kids (especially for home schoolers and scout leaders)!

A breath of fresh air!
Originally published in 1887. Not politically correct! And lots of fun. My daughters and I can learn how to: make Easter egg dolls; weave a rope net for lawn tennis or a hammock; make May-baskets to hang on neighbors' and friends' doors; plan a picnic, burgoo, or corn-roast; make our own daytime "fireworks" for Independence Day; make leaf prints, cornhusk dolls, flower sprays and a variety of seasonal garlands; host autumn nutting parties; understand the decorative language of flowers and heraldry; furnish a seaside cottage with beach-gathered items; and make fairy-dancer boxes and sachets to give as Christmas gifts. This book shows girls how to: be creative, curious, and crafty; make lots of fun out of very little material; notice nature and nurture their bodies, minds, and spirits. This book is a marvelous antidote to everything that irks me about the end of THIS century. A breath of fresh air. ... Read more

Book Description

When you grow up in a small town in the north woods, you have to make your own excitement. High spirits, idiocy, and showing off for the girls inspire Gary Paulsen and his friends to attempt:

• Shooting waterfalls in a barrel • The first skateboarding • Jumping three barrels like motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel–except they only have bikes • Hangliding with an Army surplus target kite • Bungee jumping • Wrestling . . . a bear?
Extreme sports lead to extreme fun in new tales from Gary’s boyhood. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Richie's Picks: HOW ANGEL PETERSON GOT HIS NAME
I was laughing so hard that I woke up Shari AND both dogs!

A longtime friend of mine, who works as our school's counselor--and who gets to borrow the books that I write about--has occasionally asked me very sweetly whether I could find more funny books for our students. J.T., this one's for you!

"We built countless ramps with old boards laid on barrels or boxes, at the bottom of a hill if possible, and we would try to jump over things with our bikes.

"Remember, these were one-speed fat-tired bikes with a crowned-up, castrating brace bar and the things we tried to jump were fences, wooden walls, barrels, bikes, each other. On one memorable occasion Alan--after carefully calculating distances and angles--tried to jump his stepfather's Ford coupe end to end. He didn't...quite...make it and left a face print on the windshield of the car, but that might have been because he was distracted by the scream when his mother came out just as we finished the ramp and Alan made his jump..."

Now, I can remember some of the "really neat stuff" we did when I was young: There was a telephone cable hanging from a wooden utility pole in this vacant lot filled with mounds of dirt left over from digging foundations in he neighborhood. It made for great swinging (à la George of the Jungle) until Jimmy Dean got a concussion by swinging straight into the pole. There was "skitching" --kids in Beatle boots grabbing onto the back bumper of any car that was cruising through the snow-slickened parking lot behind Modell's. I can also recall the thrill of aiming our banana bikes full speed over the edge and down the big drop-off at Sunshine Acres Park. But my sitting here today (in one piece) attests to the fact that I did NOT spend my impressionable years hanging out with Gary Paulsen and his buddies:

"Alan, again after carefully calculating and measuring..., decided that if you got up to twenty-six miles an hour and angled a ramp to ensure (that's how he put it, 'to ensure') that you got at least seven point six feet in the air, it was possible to do a complete backward somersault and land on your wheels upright. Alan, having gotten at least seven feet in the air after a screaming run down Black Hill, landed exactly, perfectly upside down, bicycle wheels straight up, spinning, in a cloud of dust and gravel."

Decorating the cover of HOW ANGEL PETERSON GOT HIS NAME AND OTHER OUTRAGEOUS TALES ABOUT EXTREME SPORTS is an illustration of a young man on snow skis. He is wearing one of those old leather flight helmets (à la Snoopy) and flight goggles, and he is being pulled through the snow behind a sporty automobile that dates back to my father's adolescence. The young man is Angel Peterson who in 1954, inspired by a newsreel proceeding the Saturday matinee, decided he'd break the speed record for skiing despite being a thousand miles from any hills. Such was passion for scientific curiosity (and impressing girls) amid the "Brain Trust" that hung out with the young Gary Paulsen.

"Alan tried once more, getting a lift from an unsuspecting truck by hanging on to the rear corner and hitting the ramp so fast that it gave way and he went through it like a tank, barrels and boards and splinters flying everywhere."

"Wayne completed the only true backward flip off a bicycle but he didn't take the bike with him..."

Of course Shari, ever-the-mom, shakes her head, appalled by what I'm reading her from the book--a sure sign that this book will be absolutely worshiped by young boys. (Shari says that's why I like the book so much.) No, really, it's a book for girls, too. (Rosemary, who can tell you about trying to bounce through the air from the trampoline to the rope hanging from the tree, is going to love this one.) In fact, the only fault that I can find with the book is its size: One hundred and eleven pages is way too brief for so funny a book. Guess I'll just have to read it again...right after I take my government surplus target kite out in the next heavy wind and see if I can...

Hilarious! What were Paulsen and his friends thinking?? :)
It's the 1950's and Gary Paulsen and his friends are 13 years old. For whatever reasons, they chose this year to be the year of "extreme sports"-Paulsen's term for the outrageous dares they took.

These days, extreme sports refers to organized teams and individuals who participate in sport activities that involve rules, certified equipment, and lots of padding and head gear. For Paulsen and his buddies, the equipment was usually purchased at the army surplus store and converted to fit their needs. Their padding and head gear? Didn't exist.

They jumped off of things, help onto things, went fast, went high, broke records, turned, twisted, and rolled along all in the name of "What's the worst that can happen?"

Just one page into this autobiographical sketch of life at thirteen, the reader can perfectly imagine the northern Minnesota town in which Paulsen grew up and can picture the adventurous, comical moments that made up this crazy year of his life. The dialogue brings to mind so many young adolescent boys, all trying to fit in another ten minutes of fun before their parents call them to dinner.

These stories are laugh-aloud fun, and they make the reader want to go out and put some wheels on something!

A knee slapper
This is a great book for the average male reader who needs a quick funny read. This book tells the story as it unfolds of thirteen year olds back in the fifties after the Korean war and how they spend their spare time. These daredevils perform the unthinkable just because they don't have anything better to do. Gary Paulsen twists a wacky sense of humor into this piece that will keep your side splitting with laughter. A must read!

How Angel Peterson got His Name
The Book How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulson is a fun, and hilarious book to read. If you are looking for a funny book, pick this one. It is for the grade level of 6-8.

This story takes place in a small town in Minnesota in the early fifties. They barely had television, mostly radio, and all the kids want to do is have fun. They had fun by doing daredevil stunts. The book is based on Gary Paulson's stories from when he was a 13 year old boy and the crazy things he and his friends did.

Throughout the whole book Angel and his 13 year old friends do crazy dare devil stunts. Such as, break the record for the speed on skis, trying to go down a waterfall in a barrel, hang gliding with an army parachute, and trying to wrestle a bear. These boys did anything and everything possible. They also tried to put dynamite in a box, go in it, and have it blow up. Jumping through a ring of fire was another one of their wild stunts.

The point of this book is that you can do anything you want as long as you put your mind to it. I recommend this book to anyone that likes to laugh. I also recommend the book to anyone that likes humorous books

Wild and Crazy Kids comes to a Book.
If your looking for an absolutly hilarious book, you've found it. Gary Paulsen does it again with a wonderful book for when you just want to kick back, relax, cut up, and laugh in this book about best friends who think of crazy stunts to do.
This book has five different stories about best friends who live in Minnesota and just want to have fun. All of the stories or most start out with the guys going to the Army surplus store(because this is just after the Korean War and all of the left over equiptment in on sall dirt cheap)to buy things like skis, parachutes, jackets, gloves, and other things that you could use to do anything stupid such as try to break the world record for speed on skis, which they try to do by the way. Or see how high you can get in a parachute, or even try to wrestle a bear for crying out loud these guys will do it all.
Look I don't care if you don't like to read when the names of the stories include, How Angel Peterson got his name, The Miracle of Flight, Orvis Overson and the Crash and Bash, Girls and the Circle of Death,(which is definitly my favorite, if may bring memories to you guys that make you say, "man i was dumb")and last but not least And Finally, Skateboards, Bungee Jumping and other Failures. How could you not want to read this book.
So take it from a person who absolutly hates reading. If you truly enjoy outragiously funny things then I would by, borrow, or even rent from the library. So whatever you do, just read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the world of sports in close-up -- the history, rules, equipment and techniques.

Here is an exciting and informative guide to the history and rules of the world's major sports. Superb color photographs of modern and antique sports equipment offer a unique "eyewitness" view of the development of each game, its most exciting features, and the special skills needed by the players. See the inside of a baseball, how tennis rackets have changed in the last 100 years, how soccer balls are made, and how "antifreeze" liquid helps prevent injuries. Learn which athletes wear "warpaint" and why, which judo belt ranks higher than a black belt, the difference between snooker and pool, and what each golf club is used for. Discover what a modern running track is made of, the difference between bowling and boules, which sport was first played inside a prison, what kind of feathers are used to make shuttlecocks, and much, much more! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Book for Sports Nuts of all ages
I highly recommend this book for both readerly and non-readerly sport nuts.

Eyewitness Sports has provided both my sons, ages 5 and 2, with hours of reading pleasure. It provides pictures of "old" and "new" pieces of sports equipment along with photos of people playing the sports. The text gives enough information that it's interesting to read from the adult point of view, and the pix provide plenty of interest from the non-reader viewpoint.

This book is one of very few decent sports picture encyclopedia-type book that I've found for kids. Most of the other sports books, in my experience, focus only on one sport. Eyewitness Sports, however, provides readers (and non-readers) with info and pictures about a wide variety of sports from the vastly popular (basketball, baseball etc) to the vastly not (curling for example). :)

My kids love the Eyewitness series of books, and this edition is no exception. I highly recommend it for sports nuts of all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

In "It’s Just The Beginning" NBA Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony opens the door to his inner and outer life journey. From the streets of Baltimore to winning a NCAA championship his freshman year in college, Carmelo has packed an amazing range of experiences into his first two decades of life.

Carmelo’s path has not always been easy. In fact, it’s been a steep climb out of some hard places. Carmelo talks about how he overcame these trials in order to achieve key goals and find personal fulfillment. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Sports Science Projects: The Physics of Balls in Motion
Lots and lots of experiments in this science book. It contains black and white illustrations. I especially liked the ideas for projects and further investigations at the end of some of the experiments. Recommeded for the 4th grade through the 10th grade class. Teachers should read this one, also. ... Read more

Book Description

This book follows hot on the heels of the first two levels in the series. Written by K-3 educator Nora Gaydos, this book provides a simple color-coded, step-by-step approach to reading with the appropriate sequence of phonetic sounds and whole language necessary for the beginning reader. Humorous stories combined with zany illustrations will delight children while they learn to read. The simple repetitive text in each story builds page-by-page and more difficult skills are introduced book-by-book to reinforce a child's reading ability. The cool CD-like package contains:

* 10 removable storybooks * Parent Guide * 40 incentive stickers * Enhancement activities at the end of each book * A magnetic closure ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Irresistable for New Readers
Everything about this set is attractive for preschoolers and kindergartners learning to read. The small books in plastic sleeves are fun for the kids. Breaking the material up into small booklets also helps to provide a lot of reading material without making it overwhelming. Each booklet has a fun rhyme, strengthening the use of a particular vowel sound. The color illustrations are cute and funny. (A similar preschool reading book with black-and-white illustrations just didn't hold my child's interest.) The Animal Antics' parent guide and comprehension questions are very useful. And the stickers included with the books reward a child's repeat visits with each booklet. I give this book an A+ for helping preschoolers beginning to read.

The best beginning reading set
These are the best books I have found for learning to read. Level One contains ten short books each emphasizing a short vowel sound. Each book starts with just a word or two and adds another word or two on each successive page. For example, "A cub," "A cub dug," "A cub dug up mud," "A cub dug up mud in the sun," etc. They are wonderful because they are so simple and consistent. My five-year-old loves them because the pictures and text are pretty silly. Ten books are found inside sleeves inside a folder with a magnetic closure. The set also includes a parent guide and forty stickers (four for each book) to be placed inside the covers of each book. At the end of each short book there are comprehension questions and questions asking the child to make up his or her own sentences using three words from the lesson and also to find a rhyming word for three words from the lesson. I love that each book focuses on just one vowel sound and doesn't include words which distract the child from learning just that one sound. It makes it easier to focus and less likely to frustrate. Also available are three other sets in the series. Level 2 is long vowel sounds, 3 focuses on longer words and blends, 4 introduces contractions, compounds, and multi-syllable words. All around just a wonderful introduction to reading--quality text and materials.

Simply incredible - my child WANTS to read more!
This series of books has been so enjoyable for my daughter. This is not the first beginning to read series that we have tried, but it has had the most longevity. This is the set that she chooses over Bob Books or the other beginning to read sets we have here. I purchased this book set to work on over the bridge from Kindergarten to First Grade and the excitement that she receives from finishing one of these is wonderful. She wants to read 3 or 4 a night! The drawings are bright and attention getting - and I can usually tell if my daughter is trying to "read" the picture rather than the words by her description of the picture. If you have a child who has learned the early soft phonics sounds and is ready to start applying this knowledge, this set is for you!

Educators Recommend!
For several years the phonics vs. whole language arguments could be heard nearly everywhere---from classrooms to the halls of Congress. Thankfully, we have come to realize that teaching a child to read requires a balanced approach. Yes, phonics should be taught. Yes, children should be exposed to literature. Teachers have known for years that the best reading programs for beginning readers combine both.

With regard to phonics, you will find advocates for one particular approach or another. When I gather with my reading teacher colleagues, however, all agree upon the following: the absolute necessity for early phonemic awareness, the need for the child to be able to decode sequentially, and the importance of engaging text.

When I examine the various reading programs available, I look specifically for these three things. If they are present, I then look at the program as a whole. How is this program different from others available? Specifically, are the books leveled? Do the illustrations enhance the text? Will the books grab and hold the child's attention? Are the books easy to hold and manipulate? Do the stories encourage fluency and comprehension? Is there a parent or teacher guide available?

In reviewing the Now I'm Reading™ program I found all that and more. Six levels comprise the series, from "Pre-Reader" to "Independent."

In this review I will discuss the Level 1 books. Each hardbound holder contains 10 paperback books. The holder itself is cleverly designed. The paperbacks are held inside and in place by a large magnetic flap on the outside and individual plastic holders on the inside. There is a parent/teacher guide in the front. Each book comes with a sticker that the child places on the inside front page when he or she is finsihed reading it.

In Level 1, beginning readers are exposed to predictable, patterned text. The ten books provide readers with short vowel sounds, simple consonant sounds, and sight words. Fat Cat, for example, exposes the reader to the short vowel a, the sight words "a" and "is," the word ending -s, consonant blends cl, gl, and -st. Sound dry and dull? Not so! It does all this through a delightfully engaging tale about a cat.

Pig Jigs, another Level 1 book not only had our beginning reader laughing out loud, but our adult reviewer as well. When both reader and reviewer came back begging for some more books, I knew we had a winner on our hands.

As a parent, and now a grandparent, I have had the opportunity to experience several times over the joy of watching a child learn to read. As a reading teacher, I have had the opportunity to experience the heartache of watching teenagers struggle to read simple declarative sentences. After talking to our reviewers, readers, and reading teachers who scrutinized these books, I would, if I could, put a program such as this into the hands of every beginning reader in our nation's schools.

Wow, finally books my child won't put down!
My five-year-old just can't get enough of these books! The colorful and comical illustrations keep my child's interest and the incentive stickers are a real self esteem booster! My child's teacher commented on his outstanding reading skills and I attribute that to his interest in this great series.I plan on purchasing every level and look forward to passing them down to my younger children. The sturdy books are easy to store. The price is astounding! ... Read more

Book Description

My Dad The Rugby Player is a picture book that introduces basic rugby rules to children. The book is colorfully illustrated with both drawings and photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Enjoyable for little kids
As an ex-player and current referee I found this book a pretty accurate description of rugby. The pictures and graphics are great. My two year old enjoys having me read it to him. I am sure most little kids would too.

Lovely book
This can be a good book for children who play rugby and also for them who want to play rugby. But I want to say that the people who love rugby can enjoy reading this book. This is a simple book, but one can feel the atmosphere in the rugby field. ... Read more

Book Description

Vroom! Vroom! puts young readers behind the wheel in an exhilarating, fast-paced auto race. After turning the steering wheel and shifting the clutch, the reader can even change a tire at a pit stop and help refuel the cars by fitting the gas nozzle into the fuel tank. Then as the blue car and the red car speed around the track, the reader can actually change the outcome of each race by pulling a tab.Children love the excitement race cars provide, and from the drop of the starter's flag to the cross of the finish line, this brightly colored racing adventure is sure to receive an enthusiasticread it againresponse. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Wonderful Book
I purchased this book for my 3 and 5 year old grandsons. It is probably their favorite book. They can't put it down! I have never seen such a clever book for children. They love using the steering wheel, filling car w/gas, popping the cork at the end of the race, etc. If your child likes race cars, this is a great book for them. I let the 5 year old look at it by himself, but I always supervise the 3 year old--he doesn't always remember to be gentle w/pop up books. And I still can't believe it was a "bargain book"--it's an incredible value and tons of fun for children. I also recommend "Garage" by the same author. ... Read more

Book Description

Dive headfirst into the science behind sports——and come up a winner!

• Have you ever wondered if there’s a secret to stopping a soccer ball, why ice skates have metal blades, or how a boat can sail into the wind?
• Would you like to learn to balance like a gymnast, how to improve your free-throw ability, or how to swim like a shark?
• Are you looking for exciting ideas for your next science fair project?

If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, then Sports Science is for you!From basketball to biking to snowboarding and more, you’ll discover the science behind all your favorite sports.Dozens of fun-filled activities help you see for yourself how a batter can hit a 90-mile-an-hour pitch, why a "spiral" is the best way to throw a football, how the surface of a ball affects its bounce, and much, much more.All of the projects are safe and easy to do, and all you need is everyday stuff from around the house.So take the plunge and get ready for Sports Science fun! ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Simply the Best
I used this book and the beanbags to learn to juggle two years ago. The book is lots of fun and the beanbags are easy to learn with. I have moved to rings, clubs, torches, and even toilet brushes(new in the store), but I keep coming back to the beanbags for an easy break or to learn new tricks.

You can't beat the value of the Klutz products [another website] for juggling.

Some design flaws can't mar great instruction
The book will do what the liner notes suggest: teach a complete klutz how to juggle. By taking the book's instruction, someone who's never picked up a juggling ball in their lives can learn the basics quickly. The inclusion of bean bags adds significant value to the product. For a genuinely modest price, you can give someone the complete ability to start juggling immediately.

But it fails novice jugglers in at least two ways. Most importantly, it's not really made to be used while you're trying to juggle. It's too small to lay flat on a table. Other juggling books know that you need to read them WHILE you're juggling and so have either ring-bound them or made them magazine size. Also, I'm not crazy about the illustrations. Sometimes they're clear enough, but often, the black and white printing of line drawings doesn't really show you where your juggling objects should be in three dimensions.

Still, this fault is more than made up for by an engaging, clear writing style. The instructions are highly understandable, and the text is large enough to read from a distance. Thus, though I think the book could do with a few, essentially cosmetic changes, it's a great first step.

You can juggle...
This book is the best way to learn how to juggle. I've looked at other book's sections on learning the basics, but they don't compare to this book. After a very detailed section on learning the basics on how to juggle (with will take from hours to days to actually do), the book tells you how to do a few tricks, as well as juggling 4 balls, 5 balls, and clubs. And best of all, it comes with free juggling bean bags that are really well made (I still have mine 10 years later).

The only problem with the book is that once you learn everything in the book, there isn't any tips after that besides from telling you that anything works and be creative. I did learn how to do everything described in the book (besides from juggling 5 balls), and I found that once you learn everything in it, the Complete Juggler by Dave Finnigan is a nice book to teach you more stuff once you learn the basics from this book.

Juggling For the Complete Klutz
This is such a great book to learn to juggle with. One night i decided i wanted to be able to juggle so i bought this book. In a matter of days i had learned to juggle. It was GREAT. It does take practice, but if you put some effort into it you will get. I would highly recomend this book to anyone that wants to juggle.

What Fun!
When I was an undergrad, a bunch of my friends and I wanted to to become Juggling Ministers. We spent ten bucks on minister licenses from an ad in the back of Rolling Stone and then we learned how to juggle. We were a hit on campus that year. Anyway, this was the book that taught us how to juggle. We spent hours with this book and learning how to juggle. It was great fun.

It starts off with a bang. The first lesson is to drop the bags right on the floor. Get used to it, because you'll be doing a lot of that when you first start learning.

The writing is humorous. And best of all it works like a charm.
Very easy if you keep at it. I can now juggle four things at a time and haven't lost a step. Once you learn, it is difficult to forget. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Lives of the Athletes
The Krull and Hewitt series of books is wonderful. I'm an adult and I find them fascinating reading. There is a great amount of information about each character in only a couple of pages. The description of each athlete is informative, interesting and witty. Hewitt's illustrations are chock full of information. I found myself turning the page to look at the illustration as I read the text because I had missed some of the details when I first looked at the pictures.

The Lives of the Athletes
This book was filled with humorous, little-known trivia andanecdotes about famous sports figures. I was especially impressedwith the wide variety of athletes that were included-Sir Edward Hillary, Bruce Lee, Gertrude Ederle, and Babe Didrickson Zaharias to name a few. As a classroom tool, this book is tops! Students in my class were entranced and could hardly wait to learn more about the other figures in this book! I highly recommend this and other Kathleen Krull books! ... Read more