Book Description

Amidst the general magic and wonder of the animated Disney movies, there are moments that stick with us and come to define the movies they're drawn from. They are the moments that dazzle us with their beauty and their meaning. Now, Quintessential Disney presents five of these iconic moments in all their wonder in a sophisticated three-dimensional presentation.Author Robert Tieman will select five pieces of original art from some of Disney's most classic films. Each piece of art will then be crafted into an elegant pop-up piece, suitable for display. These pop-ups will be contained in a case that opens at the center, so that the book frames the three-dimensional rendering for viewing. Intended for an adult audience, the pop-ups contained within Quintessential Disney will not only focus on classic Disney films, but also will be visually and structurally elaborate to fascinate even the most sophisticated Disney fan. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Disney Fans Must Have
This is a must have for the Disney fan. This book gives in depth detail into the man who created the "happiest place on earth", from the people who knew hime best. His family, friends, and employees. I have read many books on Disney, and this ranks in the top 2(along with Imaganineering). It tells the stories of his triumphs as well as his tragedies. I highly recommend this book.

NIce story about a true genius
This book is not a complete and detailed biography, but is a nice tribute to Walt Disney. It has a lot of photos, and the most interesting parts of the book are "personal side" sections.

Proof That Walt Disney Was The Original Dream Worker!
Walt Disney is well on his way to becoming the most written about creative talent in American film.
This is the 100th anniversary of his birth and thankfully any examination of his life can still include careful interviews with people who knew him and worked with him. The book is less an in-depth biography and more like spending a long afternoon hearing how it was from those who knew him best and who can praise him at the same time they acknowledge his frailties. It's an earnest and heartfelt look at the heart and soul of the man, and the authors do their level best to take a frank and thoughtful approach while still being entertaining. Like everything else Disney, it's best to give in to the fact that you're about to be put under a spell. The sooner you give in, the more fun you'll have.
Though some may find it less satisfying than a more critical analysis, this reader is tired of deconstructing American icons and welcomes this lovely look at a historical figure whose impact went well beyond his filmmaking. Disney is arguably the greatest influence on American popular culture and family entertainment in the past 100 years. Most admirable is the way the authors address some of the detractors who've criticized Walt Disney over the years for such things as anti-Semitism or racism. Albeit sentimental, the authors maintain fairly good objectivity. Walt Disney remains enigmatic even to those closest to him. Thankfully, the recollections by family and friends are edited into the layout without making the entire book seem like a posthumous testimonial dinner.
Granted this Disney Editions publication doesn't come without its ulterior motives. With the kind of control Disney has always had over any thing profiling the company one doubts that a harsh light will ever shine on their founder in one of their own pubications. But dreams and dreamers always look better in a soft light, and who but a bitter DreamWorker would ever want to bother trying to detract from such happy success? (And if ever proof was needed that certain ex-studio head turned competitor NEVER was and NEVER WILL be the next Walt Disney, this delivers it!) Though you wish the current Disney brass would pay more attention to the underlying principals of what makes Disney 'Disney' that are spelled out in this book. Hey, we can dream, too, can't we?
Still, this deliciously illustrated oversized scrapbook-styled remembrance of Walt more than makes up for its obvious propaganda focused origins. Imagine(eer) that!
Even though the book serves primarily as a companion to the documentary film of the same title, it's a wonderful read. A gentle reflection with rich illustrations -- some seldom and never before seen photographs -- and a rich and handsome design. Endlessly entertaining. A lovely tribute worth adding to your library. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Unique Illustrations; Interesting Story
This 2004 Caldecott winner is based on the true story of Philippe Petit. During the contruction of the World Trade Center, he devised a plan to walk a tightrope between the twin towers. The illustrations are the main feature of this book. There are some wonderful overhead perspectives that allow the reader to get a sense of how it would actually feel to walk hundreds of feet in the air. This book does not dwell on the loss of the towers (although it is mentioned), but rather celebrates the courageous spirit of Philippe Petit. Both children and adults will find this story interesting.

A tribute to the WTC towers and one dream they inspired
On an otherwise normal day in August 1974, a young Frenchman pulled off what may be the most impressive (not to mention foolhardy) wire-walking exhibition in history. New York City's early commuters looked up to the almost-completed World Trade Center towers to see a man, experienced aerialist Phillippe Petit, walking back and forth across them on a wire. This amazing (albeit highly illegal) achievement has now been immortalized in impressive ink and oil paintings in Mordicai Gerstein in The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. Among the artwork you will find the ingenious use of two foldout illustrations, each one establishing an amazing change in perspective of Petit's wire-walking feat and making the drama of the event all that more palpable. Published in 2003 and the recipient of The Caldecott Medal, this book is sure to captivate many young minds with its story and artistry (with a sense of vertigo thrown in absolutely free of charge), and it does stand as something of a touching reminder of the two towers that fell on September 11, 2001 and the spell they cast in their own silent yet mighty fortitude.

Alongside the artwork is the story, economically told, of Petit's dream and the manner in which he made it come true. It describes how he and some friends dressed up as construction workers, hid out on both towers until nightfall, and got the wire-walking cable (which was a mere seven-eighths of an inch wide) in place, after which Petit walked, ran, danced, and even lay down on the outstretched wire over the course of nearly an hour. He was then, of course, arrested but, to my surprise, ordered only to perform his feats for the children of New York City. This is a fabulous story that will literally take your breath away, especially if you are as afraid of heights as I am, but I can't get over just how dangerous and illegal this was (to his friends as well as himself) and can only wonder how Petit got off so easily.

Using lyrical words and ink/oil paintings
In 1974 as the World Trade Center was being built, young French aerialist Philippe Petit spent almost an hour on a tightrope walking, dancing and doing tricks between the two towers. Man Who Walked Between The Towers tells his story using lyrical words and ink/oil paintings which are endearing and revealing.

"This is a TRUE story, Miss Cameron?"
I have heard that very refrain from children time and time again while reading this book. In my Gypsy-like lifestyle of a substitute teacher, I took this book with me, knowing that it would enchant the students I had, no matter where I was. Every class I read this to was spellbound. They would gasp and stare and just could not believe that a REAL person ever did what Phillipe was doing! I had a first grader reach out to touch the sky under Phillipe on one spread, he was so enthralled. In a class of 29 very-hard-to-impress third graders that I was in for 6 weeks, we made a project out of it when they designed their own drawings on what they would walk between, because they were so inspired. During the reading, near the end, on the page that stated quietly "Now the towers are gone," I had very quiet acceptance of the missing towers. The author tells the story with such reverent delight (if it was ever possible to combine the two, Gerstein has) that children naturally fall in and accept the story as is. "The Man Who Walked Between The Towers" has become one of my favorite children's books and has earned a spot in my teaching "bag of tricks." It is very moving and inspiring, and highly deserving of the Caldecott Medal for 2004.

Dreamy & Wondrous
Children will fall in love with this book & Phillipe will surely become their idol. The text is gentle & romantic, and the illustrations evoke the magic of the Towers. The ending is both triumphant & heartbreaking. The hard part for parents is answering their kids' inevitable question: "What happened to the Towers?" ... Read more

Book Description

William Shakespeare was the son of a glovemaker, a small-town boy with a grammar school education. Yet he grew up to become the greatest English-speaking playwright in the world. Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare is both his story and that of a great art rediscovered in the modern world.

Drama had been forgotten since the days of ancient Greece, but it reemerged in Elizabethan London with the building of the first modern theater. Its impact can still be imagined today. There were the theaters, open to the weather and featuring neither sets nor curtains, but equipped with dramatic special effects. There were the companies of actors--the leading men, the comedians, the boys who played women's roles--and the playwrights who gave them all lines to say.

Best of all, there was William Shakespeare, who rubbed shoulders with noblemen and royalty as well as with the rowdy crowds at the foot of the stage. He was suspected of involvement in a treasonous rebellion, and his last play literally brought down the house when cannon effects set fire to the famous Globe theater and it burned to the ground.

Award-winning collaborators Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema have once again created a feast of words and pictures to celebrate the life of a remarkable person from the pages of history: William Shakespeare, a man for all time."

Reviews (3)

Watch for this Author she's a Gem!
This author was new to us and we will be looking for her from now on. The pictures are sooo wonderful they transport you. The information is well done and clear, yet not watered done. This is someone that REALLY understands writing books for children that adults can enjoy using as teachers or parents. I recently bought alot of books on Shakespeare, for use in the school room this year and we have found 4 authors that made the grade on this subject! This is a keeper!

Diane Stanley Is The Queen Of Longer Picturebook Biographies
Stanley is a masterful writer/illustrator when it comes to creating longer picturebook biographies (with heavier text). Her bios on da Vinci, Cleopatra and Shakespeare are fabulous. It amazes me that she has not won a Caldecott Honor yet! I can't wait to see her bio about Michelangelo!

Excellent children's biography
Our family has recently discovered the wonderful Peter Vennema/Diane Stanley biographies. They are vivid, engaging, and thorough, yet short enough for younger readers to sit through (my daughters are 4 and 6). Bard of Avon and Good Queen Bess are our favorites so far, and they go very well together since neither Shakespeare nor Queen Elizabeth would have been the same without the other. Unlike other histories or biographies for children, this book makes a destinction between what we know about Shakespeare's life and times and what are only guesses. It is nice for children to see that the study of history is not just memorizing facts and dates, but piecing together clues in the context of what is known about a time period. As a former high school English teacher, I wish that I had had this book when I was teaching Shakespeare plays because it would have been a wonderful introduction. ... Read more

Book Description

Building on the success of such titles as Toy Story: The Essential Guide and Dinosaur: The Essential Guide, the DK creative team has been given unlimited access to Disney's considerable archives to chart the development of the Disney Company, from its early days in the 1920s to the present. Disney: The Ultimate Guide includes a wealth of images -- from specially photographed memorabilia to familiar scenes from favorite Disney moments -- to create a visual experience of the number one name in family entertainment. Disney's most-loved films are the focus of this charming collectible, but all facets of Disney's universe are represented in this wonderful volume. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent visual survey
Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide will make the perfect family Christmas present for families already interested in Disney's wonders. Disney has touched lives for decades: Disney: The Ultimate Visual Guide provides an excellent visual survey of the extent of the animated creator's works and the logical progression of Disney talents and creations. A fine oversized picture book the entire family will enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I hope more people read this exciting book.
This book was enjoyable. Marie Hammontree described how a person can be a big success while being a little poor. It shows the ups and downs of Disney's life. She describes what it took to get to the top of his career. This book tells who he was inspired by and how they helped him. She told me his problems in his life and how they were solved. It gave me the puzzle pieces to his life so I could better understand it. All in all I think it was a really informative book. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Vin Diesel's come a long way since his syage debut at the age of seven -- a gig he was offered after getting caught breaking into a New York City theater! But these days Vin's getting noticed for other talents -- and this time they're legal.

There is more to Vin than his pumped-up action-hero exterior. He's a serious actor who's written, directed and produced films that have been screened at the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Vin's got the skills and determination that took him from earning $20 a week to $20 million a film, and he knew he would be a star all along...He was just waiting for the rest of us to figure it out. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Everything you wanted to know about Vin, and probably more.
There really aren't words for this book. I thought it was great. It is a must have for every avid Vin Diesel fan. It reveals a great deal of his personal history, which is saying a lot for someone who keeps his past underwraps. It also give a little heads up on up coming films as well. Every one wants to know who this mysterious guy from NY is thats taken Hollywood by storm. Well this book will tell you his story and so much more! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great book
Super book, very informative, my daughter couldn't put it down. has alot of great pictures in it also great buy!

Awesome Hilary Duff book
Get all the Hilary Duff information and facts you want with this awesome book! This book is a compilation of Hilary Duff information and over 50 beautiful, high-quality photos. This book is stuffed to the brim with quotes, secrets, facts, and interesting information that Hilary Duff fans will all want to get their hands on. It gives you a brief biography of Hilary Duff, including her early movies and her Lizzie McGuire fame, up to her Metamorphosis CD and singing career. Plus, the book even includes facts on Hilary's upcoming projects, such as her new movies, and her new project, Stuff by Hilary Duff, a girl's clothing/product line. Not only that, but you'll also get information on other Hilary Duff stuff such as a day in the life of Hilary (with cool facts like what her bedtime is!), her fashion style, boy rumors uncovered, and Hilary Duff on her friends, family, singing career, acting, and more. For all Hilary Duff fans out there, this is a wonderful addition to your collection of Hilary Duff stuff. Just make sure to watch out- this book is unauthorized, so some of the facts may be wrong. Other than that, it's a fabulous Hilary Duff book!

Beautiful Hilary Duff Scrapbook
HANGIN' WITH HILARY DUFF features 48 full pages of some of the greatest photographs ever taken of Hilary, and fantastic Hilary facts that all Hilary fans will love to read. This book features information on Hilary from birth, to dance, to CASPER MEETS WENDY, to LIZZIE MCGUIRE, and so on. With information about her upcoming movies (CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, A CINDERELLA STORY, etc.), that will have fans jumping up and down about. HANGIN' WITH HILARY DUFF also features a day in the life of hilary, her pet peeves, information about her upcoming clothing/accessories/make-up line, and even contact info for her fan club.

This is a must-have for any Hilary Duff fan, as it features everything you've ever wanted to know about America's Teen Queen.

Erika Sorocco

She's a hottie
And a great influence for teens everywhere, I think she'll be a great star!

Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff is a teen pop sesation adored by tweens all over the country. This is the have-to-have book for all of her faqns. if you live Hilary Duff you will love this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

He's not just a Star Wars Star!
I read this book in anticipation of knowing more about this outstanding actor. The author talked only about SW, and briefly talked about his best film to date, "Life As A House". This is a serious actor, no matter what people think about his performance in Star Wars. I don't reccomend this book. You will find a much better bio of him online. Check out his fan bases.

Love Christensen did not love author
Being a large fan of Hayden Christensen, I pounced on the chance to read a biography on him.
However, I must say, I was very dissapointed! Though there were some nice photographs of Christensen, the author published this book before Star Wars came out, which I thought a mistake, because everything the author said was a perdiction!
Other then that, the author made everything too brief and talked more about his Star wars movie then the rest of his life. I was sad as the author went into painstaking detail on lightsabers, and yet said only a paragraph about my favorite film of his, "Life as a House." Overall the author used fair language, and for the most part Hayden Christensen deserved a better biographer. Maybe I will try to some day! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Martha Graham (1894-1991) referred to her dancers as "acrobats of God," but in truth it was she who seemed divinely inspired. Graham was a dancer, choreographer, and teacher for more than 70 years, and during that time she changed the landscape of dance forever. An unlikely candidate for a dance diva, she was shorter and more muscular than the principal ballet dancers of her time and she didn't start dancing until age 22--a flower long past her bloom in the eyes of most choreographers. Nonetheless, Graham managed to turn the dance world on its tutu with her innovative approach to movement and teaching and her clear understanding that feelings are not always graceful, but always intense.

Russell Freedman, who won the Newbery Medal in 1988 for Lincoln: A Photobiography and Newbery Honors for The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane (1992) and Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery (1994), has once again crafted a beautiful, intriguing biography. He traces Graham's remarkable life from a childhood filled with imaginative play, to her decision to attend dance school instead of college, through her departure from the Broadway Follies to pursue her own dance style, and onward through her late life, when she continued teaching and creating distinctive performance pieces. The fascinating biography is complemented by exquisite black-and-white photographs that reveal Graham's sense of beauty and her remarkable ability to translate pure, raw emotions into expressive movement. Freedman's lovely tribute makes us fully believe Graham when she says, "I did not choose to be a dancer, I was chosen." (Young Adult/Adult) --Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Elegant Trio of Words, Pictures and Feelings
This book is a beautiful, concise study of her life. Studying Martha Graham's life is an awakening experience. Reading Graham's memoir "Blood Memory" simultaneously provides a beautiful counterpoint, knowing the subject will not observe herself in the same way as her biographer.

I dance away from this book with a definite appreciation for Graham's brilliance in creativity and willingness to navigate the many rough patches she encountered AND give such a gift to humanity at the same time.

The numbers of influential people she touched is amazing and enlightening.

I suggest this book for any creative thinker: there are applications for all of us.

The Life of a Dancer
Martha Graham: A Dancers Life by Russell Freedman, the full-length biography of Martha Graham, takes a deep look into Martha and the peole around her. She was a dancer, teacher, and choreographer who changed the world. Her life began in Pittsburg where she was born in 1894. The book also tells about the lives of her dancers, students, close friends, and lovers. The biography goes into great detail up until the day she died in 1991.
I liked this book because of all the details it gives about her life and the way it tells about all the heroic things she did. I would recommend this book to dancers and people who enjoy the things Martha did in her 97 years of life.

Gorgeous pictures; no depth
I bought this book after reading an interesting article about Martha Graham in the New Yorker about a year ago. I was attracted to the book by the beautiful photography, in evidence on the cover (and throughout the book, as I soon learned). However, I was interested in reading about Martha's "demons" and character flaws, as well as her relationships and focus on archetypal figures in dance. Unfortunately, this book is a pretty happy-go-lucky, bland account of her life. In fact, it's so bland that I would have given it three stars if the pictures in it were not so beautiful and well-suited to the descriptions given in the text.

EXCELLENT!
This is a wonderful book and story. Being a dancer myself, I am very inspired. You'll enjoy Martha's "positive" attitude and wit throughout this story of the growth of a piece of history. Please, read this book, I recommend it!

Simple, and clear...
I am a former Graham Dancer, and when I saw this book, I had some very intense emotions, it shows Martha in her best years, the pictures are beautiful, some of them are very rare to see, and if you want to see the beauty, or the drama, of that Incredible American Woman, this is the book you need to own. As a Graham Based Dance Teacher, I use this book to show some intentions in the movement, or I simply quote her, I wish you a wonderful Journey in the world of Martha Graham... ... Read more

Book Description

This revised edition of the official biography of Mary-Kate and Ashley contains new, never-before-seen photos from the Olsen family album, info on behind-the-scenes action from their movie sets, updated fun facts, personal anecdotes and much, much more. There's a whole new chapter devoted to fashion describing what it's like for Mary-Kate and Ashley to design and own their own fashion line. They have also added insights on being executive producers and what it's like to have fashion dolls made in their image, as well as personal information about what kind of clothes they like to wear, what kind of guys they like, where they'd like to go to college, and what their plans are after college. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

MKA, teen millionaires maybe, but won't get 1 million starz
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen grew up on TV and still are on TV to this day. This is the biography written about their lives.

First time I read this, I just thought B-O-R-I-N-G cos it wasn't exactly interesting enough to hold my near-to-zero attention span. I paid about the equivalent of $6 for this book in hard back, but personally I thought that I'd put this book in the trash and read the Harry Potter books I bought in that same day.

However, then maybe I thought that I'd just give it 1 last chance. I read it again, trying to pick it up and make it as interesting as possible. No result - my brain found it boring. I DID put it back of the pile, and I DID read the Order of the Phoenix. When I finished that book and started re-reading the Goblet of Fire, but I had an overdose of Potter Magic, and I needed to get down-to-earth. I was rummanging through my book case for a factual book to help me, and my only choice was "Our Story."

I read it, reading slowly, I only planned to read it for 10 minutes, but i got hooked and read it for 1 hour. It just made me think, but it was short, so I got back to The Goblet of Fire.

Then, I read it through the day AGAIN and I found it fascinating and sooo good, I was shocked how down-to-earth they were. However then I read it again a few weeks later, and I hated the book again. So I gave it to MY twin sister Ryoko "Dark Willow" Kravaya and she h8ed it and reviewed it too. I had to do the same.

Though I enjoyed the book, I got bored of it, and probably won't read it for a while. I liked the photos, but it was not only short, but hard to make interesting...really. So I had to be patient. My sister gave it 2 stars, I gave it 3. But personally, I liked the book (after ages) but now it got boring.

Just Olsen, Just that
Mary-Kate and Ashley olsen are twins. They are actresses. So what? Tons of girls are!
This book reflects the lives of these girls. How they made it big. How they live their lives. And it explains all their endorsements. Big whoop.
This book (on the whole) is quite boring. Unless you have young girls (age 5-11) then buy it. I personally am 11, but I don't act like bubblegum pop, I listen to Good Charlotte and admire Emily Strange. That's what a real pre-teen should be doing, not some pink twins.
The Olsens are 17 years of age. I thought they would have grown up from the "Miss Popular" routine. Though they said in OUR LIPS ARE SEALED: "Life's not about being popular, it's about being yourself," does anyone actually believe them? They're actresses, they're supposed to say that! But I think that beneath all that, they're just saying to girls to be stuck-up and popular, like the Olsen twins.
These girls are Barbie Dolls, and it shows in their movies with yucky smooches and poor acting.
This book explains a lot about their lives, but I really don't think there's much truth in it.
okay, 3 or 4 years ago, I was a die-hard MKA fan. But now I've said "Bye-bye" to the movies, books and clothes, and made way for Emily Strange books and accesories.
I BEG YOUNG GIRLS TO STAY AWAY FROM THESE BUBBLEGUM SUGARY TWINS. IF YOU DON'T, YOU'LL BE ON THE RIDE TO NOWHERE! THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY ...! GET A HOLD ON YOURSELF, THE OLSEN TWINS WERE HISTORY EVER SINCE WINNING LONDON. AND THEY WILL BE 4EVA.

DARK WILLOW/RYOKO816
Emily Strange and Tenchi Universe/Tenchi In Tokyo fan. (Not Ayeka, just Ryoko/Tenchi)

Mary-Kate and Ashley: Our Story
Before I first ordered this book, I was skeptical as to if it would actualy be interesting. It sure is interesting! Evreybody loves The Olsen Twins, right? In this biography, many facts are revealed, some ones that you would never even know! For instance, Mary-Kate and Ashley lead somewhat normal lives. They have squables between their siblings, as well as homework trouble, just like any other teen. The book tells secret crushes, favorites, and their big break into showbiz. It is also packed with quotes straight from the girls. I recommend this book to any Olsen Twins fan!!!

Very Interesting
When you look at famous celebrities like Mary-Kate and Ashley, you'd expect them to go to the coolest parties ever and have very different lives because they always seem to be in the industry.But you'd be surprised what you'll REALLY find out when you read this novel.
Even said by themselves, MK & A lead very normal lives. Though it may be very hard to believe, it is true and when you read this interesting book you'll realise that being famous IS alot of fun, but it isn't all its cracked up to be!
Everyone leads normal live, including MK & A and other famous people, when they are off screen.
There are many interesting facts and funny and memorable moments that you can read over and over again. Celebrities are just like us, remember that!

The Olsen sisters sure have grown up!
Mary-kate and ashley are sixteen now and have grown up from their " Full House" days to being teen stars. This book has photos of them from cute, little michelle to where they are now. It tells how they grew up on TV, video, and movies. Today, they are teen millionares. ... Read more

Book Description

At six years old, Hilary Duff was following in her big sister's footsteps and traveling as a dancer. But she knew that acting was her true passion, and before long the precocious preteen had charted a course for Hollywood. Little Hil wowed fans with her performances in Soul Collector and Casper Meets Wendy, but it wasn't until a television show called Lizzie McGuire that Hilary became a household name.

Now this talented teen is destined for success! With a smash hit television show, a new career as a recording artist, and a line of merchandise in the works, Hilary just keeps getting hotter! Packed with trivia, quizzes, and fun facts, Hilary Duff: A Not-So-Typical Teen will give you the inside scoop on all the Duff stuff! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Awesome book!
Thinking I had already known everything about Hilary Duff that there was to know, I picked up this book just so I could have something to read.
And you know what? This book has the things I know, PLUS the things I didn't know!
This is one of the best biographies of Hilary Duff I have ever read.
It includes fifty fast facts about Hilary, from her favorite lip gloss to what kind of shampoo she uses, a list of all of her TV and movie roles, a list of all of the songs she's ever recorded (as of early 2003), websites where you can find things about Hilary, and my favorite, the "Are You A Duff Buff?" quiz!
This book includes 16 chapters-
1. "I Think I'm A Regular Kid"
2. A Star Is Born!
3. The Soul of an Actress
4. Stepping into Lizzie's Shoes
5. Out of Platforms and into a Uniform
6. Saving the World, and Other Secret Agent Tricks
7. Lizzie Goes Rome-in'
8. Dozen This Seem Fun?
9. A Week in the Life
10. Peer into the Crystal Ball
11. A Lovable Libra
12. Here's Hil's Number (it's not what you're thinking...)
13. Words to Live By
14. Fifty Fast Facts
15. Are You a Duff Buff?
16. Hilary Site-ings

This book is 105 pages long and includes 12 glossy photos of Hilary in all different sizes!
I highly recommend this all Hilary fans of all ages and genders!
Hope that helped.
~Ashley

A Must for Hilary Fans
HILARY DUFF: A NOT-SO-TYPICAL Teen is a must have for all Hilary Duff fans. It features information about Hilary from her birth until now. With info on how she got started in acting, what her first roles were, her work for different charities, her love of animals, how she put together her album METAMORPHOSIS, and all of the stress that goes into making a movie/TV show. Also included, a day in the life of Hilary journal, quotes from the star herself, an interview with Hilary, fifty fast facts about Hilary, a quiz to see how much you know about Hilary, her life, her career, her family, and her friends, links to different Hilary Duff fan websites, and a special numerology chart that you can perform on yourself or your friends to see if you are destined to be Hilary's lifelong bud.

As someone who has read many books about Hilary Duff, I found this one by Nancy Krulik to be one of the best. She includes a lot of fun stuff for Hilary's fans to do, which will keep the interest of even the most reluctant reader, and features special bibliographies about Hilary's career, so her fans will know what other movies/TV shows they can check out to satisfy their Hilary craving. A must-have book for all fans of Duff.

Erika Sorocco

Not-So-Typical Book!!!
This book/biography is amazing. From the young Hilary to the teen sensation! The author's way of writing this book is incredible and I got all the info on Hilary! I loved the facts and quiz at the end of the book and the pictures are remarkable!
In other words, I totally loved this book!

A nice, thourough read
Dying to know everything possible there is to know about Hilary Duff, one of America's most famous teenagers? Well, this book may not tell you EVERYTHING, but it's a great start! "Hilary Duff: A Not So Typical Teen", targeted to ages 9-12, is about 150 pages, and includes an eight-page full-color photo insert. Like another reviewer has mentioned, it was written by Nancy Krulik, who is a GREAT celebrity biographer. Although I'm past the 9-12 age range this book recommends, I bought it one day at Barnes & Noble because I was feeling curious. So I read the book in about 30 minutes, and I was very pleased. You'll find out all about Hilary Duff- from her todler days; to getting started as an actress; to her days on "Lizzie McGuire", and now, her singing career. Plus, the book lists her upcoming movies and plans. At the end, there's a quiz with questions to determine how much you really know about Hilary Duff. You'll also find lots of cool facts and trivia. If you know everything that there is to know about Hilary Duff, you probably wouldn't find this book to be very interesting, but other Hilary Duff fans would agree that it's great! I enjoyed reading this book very much, and I think other Hilary Duff fans would like it too. Also check out "Hilary Duff: Total Metamorphosis," and "Hanging With Hilary Duff", two other great books about this talented teen.

this book rocks the hilary duff world!
oh I ordered this and another h.d. book from amazon on the 22 of december it said it wouldnt arrive 'till after the 24th but it came ON the 24th
its so cool
well it said hil was born in houston but she wuz born in la moved to tx and then back 2 la when she became famous.

on the r u a duff buff quiz i got all 40 of them right!wahoo! ... Read more

Book Description

Edwin Booth and his younger brother John Wilkes Booth were, in many ways, two of a kind. They were among America's finest actors, having inherited their father's commanding stage presence along with his penchant for alcohol and impulsive behavior. In other respects, the two brothers were very different. Edwin was more introspective, while John was known for his passionate intensity. They stood at opposite poles politically, as well: Edwin voted for Abraham Lincoln; John was an ardent advocate of the Confederacy.

Award-winning author James Cross Giblin draws on first-hand accounts of family members, friends, and colleagues to create vivid images of Edwin Booth and his brother John Wilkes, best known today as the man who shot Abraham Lincoln. He traces the events leading up to the assassination and describes the effects of John Wilkes's infamous deed on himself, his family, and his country. Comprehensive and compelling, this dual portrait illuminates a dark and tragic moment in the nation's history and explores the complex legacy of two leading men—one revered, the other abhorred. Notes, bibliography, index. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As this skilled duo did with Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, Pam Muñoz Ryan and Brian Selznick bring to life the story of yet another remarkable American woman, gifted black contralto Marian Anderson.

Undoubtedly one of America's greatest singers, Anderson was hardly known in her own country because of her race--music schools ignored her applications ("We don't take colored!") and even after she began singing professionally, many venues only featured white performers. Ryan's well-paced story becomes especially poignant as she recounts Anderson's overwhelming success in Europe ("one newspaper in Sweden called it 'Marian Fever' ... In Austria, the world-famous conductor Arturo Toscanini announced that what he had heard, one was privileged to hear only once in a hundred years"). The book reaches its climax with a wordless, deep brown two-page spread from Selznick, a crowd's-eye view of Anderson singing at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, an historic concert that drew an integrated audience of over 75,000.

Ryan's simple, metered text (punctuated frequently by lyrics) captures the quiet drama of Anderson's story, and kids will especially identify with the confusion and frustration of young Marian. And as with the pair's previous collaboration, Selznick's rich illustrations ably convey the undeniable strength and courage of a talented, determined woman. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Singing for the Soul
A little black girl named Marian Anderson loved to sing . She would sing to her baby doll everyday. Every Sunday she would go to church and sing with her sister. She and her family were very proud. She grew into her teens and still loved to sing. People say when Marian sang she would sing with her eyes closed ,as finding the music within. As marian sang her heart filled with tragedy and sometimes her songs.
Marian was a full grown adult and Marians parents past away She was sad but still sang.

She went to a music school and she patiently in line for an application. The girl behind the counter helped everyone else but Marian. The lady didn't let her have an application because she was colored. She grew older and married a fine man who respected her singing. She went to a master singer and he loved her singing so she sang and sang till the end of her days.

The Best Book
This book is undoubtedly one of the best books that I have ever read for my class. It teaches people, both young and old, a little piece of our American history including the Great Depression and segregation. With it, the tandum of Ryan and Selznick provide a general overview of history realia. Overall, this piece is a great resources to read for all people.

One of my favorites for my own classroom!
When this book first came out, I was ecstatic that someone took the time to make the life of Marian Anderson accessible to children. Too often classical singers of the Civil Rights era are overlooked and forgotten. The combination of the gorgeous illustrations and lovely text make this book exceptional. Although not the easiest book for children to read on their own, as a read-aloud in a classroom setting, it can make an incredible impact. It is an excellent book to incite discussion on many subjects and it truly inspires children to pursue their dreams despite the troubles they may face.
The timeless lyrics interwoven within the story comment wonderfully on Marian's life and the perseverance with which she dealt with her struggles. The beauty of this book is that it focuses on the accomplishments of her life and the overcoming of disappointments, not the actual disappointments themselves. This lack of sensationalism gives the book dignity. This is definitely one book that I will treasure and hope to share many times over with students in my own classroom.

Singing for the Soul
WHEN MARIAN SANG beautifully depicts the life of Marian Anderson, a wonderful singer who broke racial barriers to become one of the most world-renowned performers. The story tells of her humble upbringing in Philadelphia and the support she garnered from her family, her church, and her community. It also tells of the discrimination that Marian faced when trying to learn music and later when she attempted to perform. Yet, Marian persevered. She went to Europe where she received so much attention and acclaim that it was said the people suffered from "Marian Fever." She later returned to the United States, and fought prejudices and discrimination by performing at the Lincoln Memorial. She was finally able to break down racial barriers and perform at the Metropolitan Opera. At last, Marian felt free to sing.

WHEN MARIAN SANG is an inspirational and educational biography of a great performer. The book gives details in a poignant, yet simplistic way that people of all ages will be able to appreciate. The illustrations are truly breathtaking. I enjoyed the fact that verses of songs that Marian sang were intertwined within the text to add depth to the story. I was also impressed with the detailed information about Marian's life and the fact that her discography was included in the back of the book. Pam Munoz Ryan and Brian Selznick have done an excellent job in telling the story of Marian Anderson. I look forward to future works from this dynamic duo...

Good drawings, very poor text
While the artwork illustrating this book is beautiful, the text is sorely lacking, being at the same time both too complex and too narrow, besides being confined by the device of using song lyrics to illustrate Anderson's life and feelings.
The text is overly long, and some concepts in the book are more complicated than needed, such as specifying that "the Department of Interior of the United States invited Marian" and "teachers ... marched ... in front of the Board of Education" to an age group which is grappling with the concept that our country is the United States of America. The report of the actual concert at the Memorial is short. There's no discussion of how the concert, the controversy surrounding it, and Anderson herself may have influenced the country's views on civil rights. The author uses the word "Negro" to refer to Anderson's race; that term was appropriate in 1939, but not now.
The afterword by the illustrator is just silly, since he spends much of his time telling us how his uncle knew both Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson, until he gets to the end of his afterword and says, paraphrased, "just kidding -- my uncle made it up!" The illustrator continues this joke at our expense by making his absent, lying uncle a primary character in the drawing of the audience at the Lincoln Memorial.
The afterword ("Encore") by the author is helpful, as are the suggestions for further reading and viewing.
The theme of Ryan's book is that Anderson fulfills her girlhood dream of singing at the Met, and is the first African American to do so. Everything else is essentially an incident along that road. There's more to Anderson's life than that.
The main flaw of this book is that the text uses too-complex terms to convey a story which is paradoxically too simple. It leaves out important parts of Anderson's life, such as her first "flopped" concert in New York, and her life after the Met. There are other books which provide more reality, and/or a more child-oriented text (such as Patricia and Fredrick McKissack's _Marian Anderson: A Great Singer_). Click on "see more about me" above for a review of and link to McKissack's book. ... Read more

Book Description

One of the most beloved child actresses of all time, Shirley Temple continues to delight fans of all ages with her timeless classic films. Shirley made her movie debut at the age of three and became a star in the 1934 film Stand Up and Cheer. Her ability to draw an audience to her films some seventyyears after they were made speaks volumes for this child star. ... Read more

Book Description

Born to save tap

Fuh-duh-BAP! Fuh-duh-duh-BAP! A new language, a new sound. Savion Glover has redefined tap dancing, and it can never be the same again. He speaks to the world with a power and ease that has stunned and captivated millions. This exciting biography captures that essence--often in Glover's own voice--and treats readers to an inside look at his work while also providing a brief yet compelling history of tap dancing. Reverberating with the rhythm of a unique musical language, the book includes more than 50 photographs and features an eye-catching two-color design.

"He's the greatest tap dancer to ever lace up a pair of Capezios or any other tap shoes."-- Gregory Hines in the Foreword to Savion: My Life in Tap

2001 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)

"He's the greatest tap dancer to ever lace up a pair of Capezios or any other tap shoes."--Gregory Hines in the Foreword to Savion: My Life in Tap ... Read more

Reviews (6)

For all you tappers out there
Hello to all those tappers out there - I love all of you - Including you Savion. My name is Vaughan and I am actually Australian. My mother taught me how to tap ever since I could stand on two feet. Now, I'm 19 years old. And I'm a professional tap dancing teacher in Japan. Let me just say that I could relate a lot with what Savion was talking about. His views on tap and the way he wants it to go.

It's a fun book to read - with some great action tap shots of Savion throughout his life. The layout is very original, and very creative - it was nice to take my mind off my uni degree for a couple of hours and learn about this extremely successful tap dancer. Someone who I didn't know too much about, but now somehow believe that I've known him all my life.

It's a great art - Tap Dancing. And I wish there were people who could indulge themselves in a couple of professional / guest classes. I go around all of Japan teaching in my holidays, and I try to get as many people involved. Maybe because not many people do it, thats what makes it so unique. Thanks Savion - for following your dreams and publishing this book. It was a great read.

Your fellow Tap Dancer... Vaughan

Best book I've read for a long time
I couldn't put this book down. As a tapper, who is into hoofing and rythm tap, this book was amazing. It explains not only Savin's life and his career but how he uses his shoes to do what he does. This book brings an element of percusion into the dance world that needs to be more widely used.

His Voice Is Finally Heard
We've been hearing his wonderful rhythms for years, now we finally get to hear his voice. What a true inspiration! This book just makes you want to jump up and start moving your feet. Believe me, this book is not just for children. I used it as required reading for my advanced tap class at the local college.

Keep Rockin Savion!
Great design, photos, behind the scenes of one of the greatesttap dancers, Savion Glover! All the info on Savion in one quick read- great for all ages.

Way to Go Savion!
Thank you sir for sharing your wonderful inner world of rhythm with the world! You are an inspiration to all of us who make a living lacing up those tap shoes everyday. Your loving and pricelesss contribution to this wonderful artform are greatly appreciated and honored. ... Read more