Reviews (6)

Great book!
This book had such a wide variety of games and alot of ones I hadn't even seen before. I do recommend this book!

Great for all Ages!
During my years studying drama in high school, college and in England, I've been exposed to many theatre games and activities. Since my summer school assignment this year was teaching drama to middle school kids, I thought I'd get this book as a back up to some of those games, especially since level might have been an issue. I was so surprised and delighted to see almost every improv, character, voice, etc. activity I've ever done in this book. It is thorough, creative and can be used with any age group, from pre-schoolers to college students. Don't be fooled with the "for Kids" part of the title...some of the games would even be entertaining at adult social gatherings!

Wow!
Mrs. Bany-Winters writes a great book! I've tried all of the theatre games and they are all very fun to do.. even if you aren't into theatre! I recommend this book to everyone.. try it at parties, try it by yourself, try with friends.. just try it!

Most Used Theatre Book I Own
I teach theatre courses for all ages of kids, and this is the book that I turn to most often for quick ideas. The illustrations and explanations are clear as day and the games themselves are alot of fun.

Great book for anyone who has works with children's drama.
I recently taught an enrichment course in drama and used this book as well as others to start off all sessions with the children. My drama students actually started to request that we play the games found in this book more than any of the other games I had available. These theatre activities can be used in concert with any dramatics program out there. It is a wonderful stepping stone for any dramatics instructor to add to their collection. ... Read more

Book Description

Transformers: The Ultimate Guide is a detailed look at the fantastic world of these mechanical marvels. Follow each character's history and witness the amazing evolution of the Transformers, from physical structure and weaponry to personalities, alliances, and important battles. Detailed illustrations show exactly how each character "transforms" from warrior robot to high-powered vehicle. Special feature spreads cover all aspects of the Transformers' world and include specially commissioned maps and detailed city plans of their home planet of Cybertron, descriptions of the giant space ark in which the Transformers traveled to Earth, major wars in Transformers history, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

How Ultimate Is It?
This is a book that has guts - with its back cover proclaiming it to be "the first fully authoritative history" of the Transformers, and the interior introduction claiming that it is the "one true history" of G1, hardcore Transfans would not be frowned on for finding such statements insulting, sounding for all the world like the book will be dismissing the original comics and cartoon in favour of what IT says is right and wrong.

Thankfully, the reader will discover that this is NOT the case. The "one true history" that the entire G1 section revolves around proves to be that of the latest incarnation of G1 - the Dreamwave comic book series. While perhaps a little disrespectful to the cartoons and comics that CREATED the universe that these comics have to thank for their existence, it's understandable that this is the route taken - and the cartoons and comics themselves are hardly set by the wayside, getting multiple pages to cover their own stories. With everything from the geography of Cybertron, the history of the civil war, massive cutaways of Optimus Prime, Megatron and Unicron, profiles on selected individual soldiers and sub-groups like the Dinobots, Constructicons, Headmasters and Pretenders, the book provides a wide, general look at the G1 universe. However, it is in the cartoons and toy sections that its weakness shows, as scribe Simon Furman's lack of knowledge outside of the DW and Marvel comics results in several niggly factual errors - he's done his research, but he hasn't gone far enough to eliminate all his errors. The look of the pages is worsened by the fact that many of the toys photographed are mis-transformed, or look somewhat worn. It would have been child's play to find fans with toys that looked better than this, but they didn't bother.

Of course, the book doesn't stop at G1. There are sections for all the ensuing series - Generation 2, Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Robots in Disguise, Armada and Energon. The Beast sections are some of the nicest-looking ones in the book, with beautiful CGI art from animation company Mainframe, but each section could have done with just one or two more pages to add a little more details on the events of their latter seasons, with information on the BW events relating to G1, Transmetal 2's, or BM's Noble, Botanica and Megatron's numerous bodies limited only to the vague episode guide page (like every section of the book dealing with cartoons, the episode guide only has enough to room to include selected key episodes, so the whole story evades the reader even in these entries).

The G2 and Robots in Disguise sections, however, leave a bad taste in the mouth. There is very little to say about G2, and the section required nothing more than a comic summary and toy pictures, but in addition to this, it's been padded with an entry on G.I. Joe crossovers and fanfiction - two things which, while presented and written perfectly fine, are simply needless, and whose pages would have been bettered served elsewhere - namely in the RiD section, which is stuck only showing pictures of toys, lacking any real information on the cartoon series or characters (speculation was that this was because Disney, who own the show, wouldn't allow competitors DK access to it in time for print, but other comments by Furman imply it was bumped for the Energon section). Worsening the matter is that most of the pictures for the section are taken from adverts and package art for the toys, and feature some pretty bad mistransformations and missing parts.

The book ends with a look at Armada and it's current, sequel series, Energon, then a brief look at the Dreamwave comics, two of the best-handled sections of the book.

Looking back at what I have written here, it seems overly critical - but please, make no mistake, I heartily recommend this book. It's a brilliant overview of the history of Transformers and as concise a written guide as you could want - but it's just infuriating to me that DK's other guides for characters like Superman and Spider-Man, with their 60 and 40 years of history, could be so comprehensive, and yet the 20 years of Transformers has to be so abbreviated, with so many characters and episodes flat-out left out, to make the book an acceptable length. I am not pointing the finger of blame at anyone, however - Transformers simply has a *massive* history of characters, concepts and scenarios, making it all the more impressive and enduring. Furman's name power may make him come off as the most qualified person to write a book such as this, but some fan assistance would not have gone amiss. This would have stopped the mis-spellings (Elita One becomes "Eleta-1", for example, or the Armada episode "Cramp" becomes "Clamp") which are just the result of carelessness and not enough research, and would have provided superior toy pictures, and more accurate information about them. The toy pages are truly the weakest sections of the book - not one of them goes by that a factual error is not made. A fact-checker who truly knows his stuff - or perhaps several of them, one to each category, toy, comic, cartoon - would have caught these errors, and the book would have felt as though more care had gone into it.

Bottom line - this book is by no means an "Ultimate" guide. Entirely too much is left out, generalised or glossed over for that. But it's still a brilliant overview of Transformer history that both hardcore and casual fans should not hesitate to add to their collections.

More Than Meets The Eye
Every Transformer fan, new and old, needs to have this book. People who are only familiar with the newest incarnations can learn how it all started and long time fans will appreciate having a complete chronological account of the phenomonon. The book starts right where it should - before the original toy line or TV show and eplains the history of the Transformers homeworld Cybertron and the beginning of the war between the Autobots and Decepticons. What follows is a detailed examination/explanation of EVERY incarnation of the Transformers up to and including Energon. Character bios, selected show synopsis, toy descriiptions and inner workings of key players are all covered and supported by detailed artwork and photographs. Multiple pages are givin to the Japanese toy line and continunity as well as the US and UK comics, including the latest from Dreamweave. What more could you ask for?

Before reading this book I was skeptical about it's ablity to cover the entire Transformers universe with the detail it demands. Now that I've read all 141 pages, it has become a jewel in my Transformer collection. For once the title "Ultimate Guide" has been used appropriately!

These Transformers ARE more than meets the eye!
When I first picked up my copy(today) I thought "I'll just pick it up for Nostalgic Value and to put on my coffee table along with every other DK book" This book rocks!!!! It has like every thing Transformers ever! It has Transformers things that came out like 2 months ago! Thats really suprising to me. This book has toy guides, episode lists, detailed character bios, and comic book runs! My nitpicks about it are...
1.No prices on the toys(I have about 100 of them!)
2.Episode Listings only have about 10 eps for every season. If youre going to do it at all,do it right!
3.Major characters get 1/4 of a page bio. Bumblebee NOOOOOOO!!!!
Anyway, buy this book if you like any form of Transformers. If it be G1,Beast Wars, or even Armada...

This IS The Ultimate Guide!!!
As a longtime Transfan who hasn't even gotten halfway through this book yet, what can I say but...WOW!!!
I'm well aware of just how comprehensive and attentive to detail DK's series of guide books are - from the Marvel and DC Comics character guides to the Star Wars books, from that super-cool James Bond guide detailing every movie up to 'The World Is Not Enough' to the Lego Book which contained almost every bit of info on the Lego company you could cram into print. But the Transformers guide goes above and beyond to appeal to both the rabid fanbase and those uninitiated in the multiverse of the Robots In Disguise. If you're not a diehard Transfan but are fascinated by that little toy line that became something of a pop-culture phenomenon, then this is the perfect place to acquaint yourself with the Transformers saga.
For starters, the first part of the book deals primarily with the story that started it all - the Generation One saga. And it's pretty expansive. Everything you could possibly want to know about the Transformers - from the geological makeup of the planet Cybertron to the exact inner workings of Optimus Prime and Megatron themselves, to the personalities that make up the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons - is covered here in glorious full-color detail. Veteran TF scribe Simon Furman was the right man to put in charge of cataloguing every little detail, smartly melding elements of both Marvel Comics' continuity and that of the G1 cartoon AND the newer Dreamwave Productions comics into one cohesive timeline. Furman does pick a little at the continuity conflicts and errors that have cropped up in the past twenty years of the franchise, but it's largely unimportant as the most critical elements are still covered. And there are some elements injected therein that even a Transfan would crack a smile at: Macadams Old Oil House, for one (complete with a transforming bartender who more or less looks like an Old West barkeep in robot mode), and even a chapter outlining Optimus Prime's many deaths and resurrections (I'm not sure, but I think only Dracula has come back from the dead more times).
But there's more. The book also covers the ill-fated Generation 2 segment of the franchise, the Beast Wars days and Beast Machines, Robots In Disguise and even the Armada-Energon continuity, all with the same depth and informative style, although not nearly as much as G1 given the rapid succession of these later series. And apart from character schematics, historical data and episode synopses galore, the book also hits upon the toys themselves, detailing some of the greats and even touching upon their Japanese upbringing in lengthy exposition. It allows for a great sense of prehistory to the Transformers franchise, explaining how the original G1 line was culled together from figures included in a multitude of toy lines released in Japan by Takara.
The comic book continuities are not left out, either, making up quite a bit of the foundation of the G1 backstory. Publishers and entire story arcs are referenced here, as are some of the defining personalities who helped flesh out an ever-growing mythology - from original TF writer Bob Budiansky to innovative TF artist Don Figueroa. There are segments dealing with both Marvel's American comic and its UK counterpart (both written, at one point, by Simon Furman, which gives him further credential for bringing this thing together).
But I would be remiss if I did not mention some of the more tantalizing, more mystic aspects of the Transformers saga brought up in this volume. Specifically, the origin of Cybertron itself, and of the everlasting duel between the heralds Unicron and Primus. Their struggle adds something not expected in a toy brand involving robotic characters: a defined mythology to their world. The Transformers' religious reverence for their origins highlights another dimension to the saga that, in the big picture, may enable the unseasoned reader to understand why these big lugs continue to ignite the 'sparks' of countless legions of fans.
When they say the Transformers are 'more than meets the eye', you'd better believe it...and if you don't, get this book. Kids will be drawn in by the outstanding graphics, and the young-at-heart who enjoy all things sci-fi and fantasy-related will not be disappointed. It's worth ever penny.

the ultinate guide transformers
This book is absolutely fabulous. The illustrations and graphics are wonderful. Definetly worth the wait and money. My son is 5 and adores this book. This is his new bible. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Want to get a battle-droid's-eye view of the inside of an AAT battle tank? Care to see what Darth Maul's hiding in the trunk of his sinister-looking Sith Infiltrator? You're in luck: the crew that brought us the super-cool Star Wars Visual Dictionary and the Incredible Cross-Sections for the first movie trilogy is back. Boy wonder archaeologist-author David West Reynolds has put together another Incredible Cross-Sections guide, this time pulling apart the vehicles and vessels in Episode I: The Phantom Menace. DK has mastered the art of making Star Wars fans drool, and this latest guide is definitely state of the art, opening up everything from Naboo starfighters to Trade Federation transports.

As always, Reynolds approaches the Star Wars universe with the respect and love of a fan, putting each ship in context with his characteristic friendly but scientific style. The clean chromium lines and meticulous wiring of Queen Amidala's Royal Starship reflect the order and honor of Naboo royalty; the flowing, shell-like details on a tribubble bongo sub show off the Gungans' organic aesthetic. The best ships, of course, belong to the bad guys: you can check out the secret weapons and cloak field generator packed aboard Maul's Infiltrator (which, we learn, has an "experimental" ion engine that will later put the I-E in TIE fighters), and the Trade Federation's droid starfighter and control ship get a full giant fold-out. From the "bunker-buster" high explosive shells spit out by an AAT to the flame emitter weapon on Sebulba's podracer, this inside-out tour makes all the stops you want it to. --Paul Hughes ... Read more

Reviews (67)

A Dream for Technophiles!
Where do I start? This book is amazing! I am a full fledged Star Wars fan, but since I don't own Fort Knox, I can't afford to buy all of the merchandise. As a result I have to be extremely picky about which items I purchase. I had only to see the Millennium Falcon drawing on the cover, and I was hooked!

I have read The Essential Guide to Vehicles and Vessels, but I found the information contradictory to previously published material, and a bit amateurish. Incredible Cross Sections does such a well-thought-out job, and is worded so well, that you almost forget these things don't exist! The gate-fold spread of the Death Star is absolutely incredible! The detail is also carefully executed, right down to the gold-foil insulation on the air ducts in the Millennium Falcon. Everything a Star Wars Technophile could want is in this book. I highly recommend buying the companion book as well: The Star Wars Visual Dictionary.

All I can say is, More! I would love to see another edition of this book containing some of the other vehicles.

Highly Recommended!

The Star Wars Universe has gotten bigger...and better!
I'm a big fan of the Incredible cross-sections books. I've read through all of the other cross-sections books for Star Wars, and when the edition for Attack Of The Clones came out I had to read it. Not only did it live up to my expectations, but it surpassed them. It is richly illustrated and has great information on most of the new vehicles from the Trade Federation Core Ship to the Republic Assault Ship to the revamped Slave 1. I highly recommend this book to those who love Star Wars. And even if you are a huge fan of the films it still makes for some good reading.

Very Detailed UnlessReallyinto Vehicles May Prefer Dictionar
Unless You are really, really obsessed with the star wars ships and other vehicles you are probably better off to purchase the visual directory by the same author. The directory has more pages and is more interesting as it looks at all the characters, creatures, weapons and everything else as well as the ships although the ships and vehicles are not in as much detail as the ones in this book.

The detail in this book is very extensive, so if you are fascinated by Star Wars vehicles then this is definitely the book for you. If you wanted a broader picture of the whole Star Wars world then get the dictionary instead. If your a huge Star Wars fan then you'll probably want both.

Yeap Dad this is a good one.
Ep 2's turn to have it's spaceships and other craft pulled apart and exposed in all their glory. Once again the foldout format is still the best and great for childern and grownups alike.

This Is Wizzard Anni!!!
This edition is devoted to the Spaceships and Craft from The Phantom Menace.

As with Star Wars Cross Sections it is very well detailed and even better with todays print technology. Great for children and first generation Star Wars fans alike. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A lilting story
I first bought this book because I was fond of the author. Reading it the first time to my daughters' first-grade class, I cried. The author, Libba Moore Gray, perfectly captures the dance of the changing seasons and how the mother and daughter celebrate. After I finished the book that first time, a very rough-and-tumble boy asked, "Is that book poetry?" Of course it is! The best kind: the kind that reaches children.

A Treasure
I gave this book to my mother for Mother's Day after being introduced to it in one of my teaching methods classes. Gray uses words like paint on a paintbrush, dipping into serious deep blues and greens while tossing in dashes of bright yellows. Colon's illustrations enhance the carefully chosen and eloquent words, bringing them to life. This is truly a book to be shared by daughters and mothers.

My five year old loves this book!
I have a five year old blind daughter who loves this book. We read it every night at bedtime, sometimes 2 or 3 times before she falls asleep. She cant see the pictures but she loves the combination of words. "With a grin and a giggle, a hug and a whistle, we'd slap our knees and mama would say, Bless the world, It feel like a tip-tapping, song-singing, finger-snapping kind of day. Let's Celebrate!" And so we did. I love this book as much as she does, And I love to hear her recite it to me word for word. If your thinking about buying this book, think no more. You wont be dissapointed with My Mama Had A Dancing Heart.

A great book for any daughter who loves to dance
I was immediately captivated by the cover of "My Mama Had a Dancing Heart." Raul Colon uses a unique technique that combines colored pencil and watercolor washes with texture added by using scratching tools. Now that I know that I can look at these gorgeous illustrations and see what that means. I especially like the way in which the scratches add a dynamic sense of motion to the pictures and will make a point of tracking down more of his distinctive artwork. Libba Moore Gray's story here is about the love of dance, passed from mother to daughter as a great gift of love. If you have a daughter who loves to dance, whether she dreams of being a prima ballerina or not, they will love this colorful and enchanting book.

An excellent picture book for all
Melodic memories touch a young ballerina's heart as she recalls dancing with her mother through the seasons, stopping for sassafras tea in spring and hot cocoa in winter. Together, author Libba Moore Gray and illustrator Raul Colon mesmerize readers with rhythmic text and surreal paintings, setting the dancing mood. Tip-tapping, plash-splashing, and squish-squashing are the musical words Gray plays for ears, engaging listeners and giving the text a natural flow. Text separated from illustrations allows for appreciative rather than overwhelmed eyes. The text and illustrations follow a seasonal pattern, making the story predictable. Colon effectively portrays the ballerina's fond childhood memories by combining watercolor, colored pencils, and etching, creating a distinctive texture, while his use of cool colors and light hues accentuate the mother-daughter bond. With a white background border for each painting, illustrations resemble a photo album. Reaslistic characters in action result from the incorportated use of curved line and shape. Continutity in artistic elements reflects the serene tone and allows for natural movement from page to page. Share this mother's dancing heart with young listeners. This picture book warms the heart and will be enjoyed by all readers. ... Read more

Book Description

A little boy must come to terms with being teased and ostracized because he’d rather read books, paint pictures, and tap-dance than participate in sports. “There is a good balance between the simple text . . . and the expressive pictures . . . an attractive little book.”--School Library Journal ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Oliver Button is a Sissy by Will Herman
I really enjoyed this book. It is about a little boy named Oliver Button. This little boy doesn't really care what other people think, he likes to do what he thinks is fun, and that is it. He doesn't do normal things like other boys, he dances, and jumps rope for exercise. He got a new pair of tap shoes and the older boys teased him and called him a sissy and wrote it on the wall. Oliver still kept going to dance school and practicing and practicing.
When there is a talent competition, Oliver signs up to be in it. During the competition he did a tap routine and ends up losing. His parents still thought of him as a champion and when he goes back to school, instead of Oliver Button is a sissy on the wall it says Oliver Button is a star. I would recommend this book to a lot of people because this is a very entertaining book. It shows that if you have fun doing something thats a little different, keep doing it no matter what other people say.

It's OK to be Different!
This is an excellent book that confronts gender stereotypes and the importance of accepting people for who they are. Oliver Button does not engage in the traditional activities that boys do, and thus, he is faced with repercussions and consequences (based on how others feel Oliver should behave/act). I teach fourth grade and - though a picture book - it is the ideal book to discuss self-confidence and diversity and the significance of accepting individuals while recognizing their accomplishments and contributions.

Learning How Not To Be A Non-Conformist...
When I first read this book to my library classes, I was a little curious on how they would react. Yet I was suprised to find that after the story was finished, the children cheered and clapped. There were many attentive children throughout the story and some(whom I personally believe)were wondering why Oliver was so 'different.' Maybe it could be that more than a handful of children could relate to this story. It was fun for me acting out the different parts, and the children enjoyed these visuals also. We also shared how we would feel in the situations Oliver was set in. I recommend this book to all!

Wonderful, a very special book
I watched a special on TV about this book. It's a story about a little boy who gets picked on and eventually finds good things about himself. It was similar to what my nephew experiences in school. He is a boy who loves playing with the girls and isn't real "tough", so he has a hard time with some kids. This book was wonderful for him to read. I sent it to him through amazon. He got it in the mail, read it that night and then took it to school and read it to the class the very next day! He brought home a special award for sharing such a wonderful book! I think all teachers should share this with their classrooms and use it as a way to address bullying!

OLiver Button is a Sissy It's a funny book
Once Oliver did thing that girls did. He didn't play with boys or didn't play any spots. All he did was to play with paper dolls, pick flowers, jump rope, draw and dance. He asked his mother if he could take some dance lessons so he went to Mrs. Leah's dancing class with other boys and girls.

My favortie part was when every one said he was a star at tap dancing because he has been practicing really hard at home and at Mrs. Leah's class. At home he was practicing when he got home from school everyday.

Tomie made it for his mother named Flossie his mother is still alive. His mother is in her 90s.

I liked it when he practiced with his black pair of tap shoes and when a girl told the other kids to leave him alone two girls said to five boys in the schoolyard. ... Read more

Book Description

The only all-access AUTHORIZED behind-the-scenes look at the making of the smash TV show, with reflections and anecdotes that readers won't find anywhere else - from cast members, writers, and creator/executive producer J.J. Abrahams. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

You need this book!
"Alias: Declassified" is THE book you have to get if you're into "Alias" or want to get into the adventure that is "Alias". Between the cover, which contains amazing graphic work, you find the absolute coolest information on all things "Alias" :there are character dossiers, behind the scenes info on stunts, special effects, costumes, and so many wonderful pictures. Mark Cotta Vaz takes the reader on a totally unique journey behind the scenes and into the world of "Alias".

While this might seem only like a great read for a true fan of the show, we all know there are people out there who are interested in the show but a little bit put off by the Bristow family tree and Rambaldi's prophecies - now, in detail every plot line is uncovered, getting you fully informed. "Alias" is honestly too-good to miss, and with this book, you'll only feel like you are more and more a part of the wonderful mythology behind the most creative and well-written television show on primetime today.

So buy "Declassified" - between the excellent photography, the fast-paced facts and details, you'll more than get your moneys worth!!

Declassified - The Best
Well, I am a huge Alias fan, and when I find out there was a book, I definitely needed to get it. It is an AWESOME book. If you've missed out on episode reviews, then this book has it. If you want to find out behind the scenes from the show, this book has it! And plus, you get one awesome DVD. FOR FREE!! It's so awesome. Totally worth it. Anyone would enjoy it. 220+ plus of PURE enjoyment!

Alias review
This book was a great read. I think that all fans should have a copy! I couldn't put it down for hours!

Wow - Exciting, Interestering, and Fun to Read!
I am a huge Alias fan. I found this book to be a great addition to my Alias collection. The book is very interesting with details about the characters, actors, design sets, and just about everything. I was interested in how some of the actors and actresses have kind of created their own characters behind the "script". It was a very fun and exciting read. I would reccomend this to anyone who is a fan of alias. You will not be disappointed as this book is entertaining AND informative, which is quite hard to find these days. If you enjoy Alias, you will love this book.

A must for any Alias fan...
This is a great book for anyone that is hooked on the spy show, Alias. I didn't start watching until the second season, so I got it to give me background on the episodes, characters, and stories. There's lots of great behind the scenes info, and facts about the cast. It's a fun, must have book for everyone that's been sucked into the world of Alias! ... Read more

Amazon.com

If I Ran the Circus is a grand rhyming Seussian hymn to every child's grandest and wildest plans. Behind Mr. Sneelock's ramshackle store, there's an empty lot. Little Morris McGurk is convinced that if he could just clear out the rusty cans, the dead tree, and the old cars, he would have no further obstacles to using the lot for the amazing, the world-beating, Circus McGurkus. The more elaborate Morris's dreams about the circus become, the more they depend on sleepy-looking, innocent Mr. Sneelock, who stands outside his ramshackle store sucking on a pipe, oblivious to the fate that awaits him in the depths of Morris's imagination. He doesn't yet know that he'll have to dispense 500 gallons of lemonade, be lassoed by a Wily Walloo, wrestle a Grizzly-Ghastly, and ski down a slope dotted with giant cacti. But if his performance is up to McGurkian expectations, then "why, ladies and gentlemen, youngsters and oldsters, your heads will quite likely spin right off your shouldsters!" Welcome to the big top. (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (10)

for circus fans
My 6yr old daughter picked this book out at the library because she saw a poster of it being held by Jonathan Lee Iverson - the ringmaster for Ringling Bros. She fell in love with the circus at age 4 and had to read this book when she saw the poster. She was so upset when it was time to return it that I decided to buy it for her and give it to her when she completes kindergarden. She looks for it every time we're at the library. It's a tongue twister for adults (what Seuss book isnt't) but actually kind of fun as you get into it. Lengthy too but if you have a circus fan I'm sure they'll love it too.

Perhaps the most perfect Seuss!
If I Ran the Circus is a delightful cross between the tongue-twisting Fox in Sox and the classic Cat in the Hat. I read it to my children until they begged me to stop. Then I read it to my wife. It demands to be read outloud with the greatest of enthusiasm, almost child-like glee, drawing out the unique word combinations and stunning metre and rhyme. Fabuluous.

One of Seuss's finest
Absolutely topnotch Seuss--a rollicking, over-the-top display of his art, word play, imagination, and humor. The Foon, the Drum-Tummied Snumm, the Organ McOrgan McGurkus, the spouting whales--all are among Seuss's most delightful creations. This book is bursting with optimism and energy, and to read it well to a child you have to give it your all.

I'm surprised this book is not mentioned very much in the current burst of interest in Seuss (2004 is his birth centennial). It's a marvellous tale and it would be a shame for someone to go through a childhood (or parenthood) and miss it.

If I Ran The Circus
My dad bought me this book when I was quite young and to this day it is still my favorite book. I read it when i'm having a bad day and it always makes me smile. It has something for everyone. As a kid I liked the language and the amazing drawings. As an adult I like the idea of the dream of running a circus, so to speak.

From Childhood to Adulthood
This is the one book I would not let my parents put down as a child and now with my first child on the way I have a new copy to read aloud to him. The book is a fabulous adventure that never gets old. If you need a reason other than the wonderful story and its characters, try challenging yourself to read it all the way through with out getting tounge-tied. My father never could! ... Read more

Book Description

"We're the protectors of the innocents.
We're known as the Charmed Ones."
-- Phoebe Halliwell, "Something Wiccan This Way Comes"

When Phoebe Halliwell returned to San Francisco to live with her older sisters, Prue and Piper, in Halliwell Manor, she had no idea how much her life -- all of their lives -- would change. Because when Phoebe found the Book of Shadows in the manor's attic, she learned that she and her sisters were the Charmed Ones, the most powerful witches of all time.Battling demons, warlocks, and countless evil spirits, Piper and Phoebe lost Prue but discovered half-witch, half-whitelighter Paige Matthews, the sister they never knew. The Power of Three was reborn.

Now go behind the scenes on television's sexiest supernatural thriller with The Book of Three, the first fully authorized companion to Charmed. Featuring:

• Exclusive in-depth interviews with the cast and crew
• An introduction by Executive Producer Brad Kern
• Episode guides
• Character profiles
• Notable quotes
• Color photo insert

and more! The Book of Three -- your essential companion to the witty, witchy world of Charmed! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

I can't complain
This book rocks!!! It's really cool! Definitely a must-have for any Charmed fans. First of all, the appearance is cool, it has great pictures, nice printing, easy to read fonts.
It contains so much information about the show including episode guides, history, the characters, and interview with casts and crews!
I think the writers have done the best they could. I'm willingly give it five stars.
I'm really satisfied with this book. And if you like Charmed and thinking of buying it, buy it NOW!

The Best First Only Charmed Companion
The book is great, it has eveything you need, except color photos. It has the episode guide, character profiles, the spells used in tht show defenitons of terms, evey good witch's name, interviews and biographies of the charcters. Also for those of you in the dark side, it has the Grimore(think that's how you spell it), the name of every evil person, and some of the Grimore's spells. There is a speacial intro by Aaron Spelling. Just buy it and find out more, it's the best and only OFFICIAL Charmed companion.

Almost perfect book
I am obsessed with the charmed show!! This book almost a perfect companion. I am also a Prue fan, and it did not have a interview with Shannon. It also did not have a very good review of when Prue died. Otherwise, this book is really awesome! I loved the spell part of the book. The "demon-dictionary" was another highlight! I gave this book 5 stars because other than some minor glitches, I would reccomend this book to anyone in a heartbeat.

Charmed at heart

Wonderful !!!
Well, I have spent a really long time waiting for a book of Charmed like this !!! It's a treasure, a Bible of every kind of informations we could expect for about the show : the démons, all the spells until the 5'th saison, interviews... and several things moreover. Besides, it's a very confortable book to read since there is a great distribution of all the chapters. for the fans of the show, you should buy this book!! I swear you won't be dissapointed!!!

Charmed forever in our heart

The Book of Three
This book is like all the charmed books. It has a picure inside. (thats cool!)Its like this ....... Piper, Paige, and Pheobe wake up in the morning. A demon attacks so they try to find ways to kill it.So they call leo to see what he knows. If he doesn't Know anything they look in the book of shadows. They can't find anything about it in the book of shadows. Finally the Demon attacks again. So they check in the Book of Shadows again. They see a spell and potion. They make the potion and write the spell. When the demon attack the third time everything is ready so they kill him. That's mostly what happens in the charmed books. ... Read more

Book Description

"Tom The Turtle" walks children through the stages of moving. Forty six beautiful color illustrations using animals, insects, and reptiles invite moving as a positive adventure. In sensitive words, Tom walks children through feelings, thoughts, and action stages.The child participates in simple exercises that make the concepts come alive to the young reader. Tom captures the world of children for spontaneous interaction with the illustrations designed to enhance each move. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A "moving" book for all ages!
This is a "moving" book for children and adults alike. It is well written and the illustrations are adorable. The charming Tom explores many fears and feelings that we all experience in a move or transition. Highly recommended for children and adults of all ages.

Author's Update
"Healthy Kids" magazine endorses 'LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' to all pediatricians and families. The American Academy of Pediatrics identifed ''LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' as ideal for children who will move. Moving is traumatic for children ages 4-11 and children need special help. 'LET'S MOVE TOGETHER' provides the reassurance children need.

Recommendation
"Healthy Kids Magazine" distributed to Pediatricians in the United States recommends 'Let's Move Together' for children and families who are moving in the October/November issue. The American Academy of Pediatrics identifies moving as one of life's most stressful events for children. 'Let's Move Together' provides the discussion, tips, and coping suggestions for a successful move.

From One Parent To Another
"Let's Move Together" captures all the emotions around moving and fitting in once a child gets there. Schubeck writes honestly about all the feelings we can have surrounding a move from one home to the next. This book allows parents to manage the moving process along with their youngsters. What a great way to reconnect with our children! Clanuwat's illustrations are clean and refreshing--They come to life!

A Valuable Resource
The well illustrated characters guide the young readers in understanding the feelings, thoughts and actions involved in making a transition. This book is a valuable resource for those families in careers that keep them on the move. ... Read more

Book Description

Phillip comes from a circus family, but all he really wants is tobe a regular kid. After persuading his parents to let him move in with his aunt anduncle, he winds up in Hardingtown, where everyone is wild about dodgeball. Whenhe gets slammed in the face with a speeding ball in gym class, he decides totake the dodgeball bully to court. But can a circus boy take on the UnofficialDodgeball Capital of the World?

This uproariously funny middle-grade novel carries an inspiring message aboutsticking to your beliefs, however unpopular they may be. ... 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

Reviews (3)

My kids love these books!
I have 2 sons, ages 9 and 11, and they both love Lois Burdett's Shakespeare books! These books make the story lines accessible while providing the flavor of Shakespeare through the wonderful rhyming couplets. I first used one of these books to "preview" the story of MacBeth to my younger son, who was going to be in a children's musical production of the story. He loved the book and often asks me to reread it to him, and we have since acquired several other of the Burdett titles. My sons also enjoy the whimsical illustrations and sidebars done by the children.

Excellent Introduction to Shakespeare
I am a third grade teacher on Long Island. Last year I introduced three of Willaim Shakespeare's plays into our classroom. My children loved Macbeth. We studied Macbeth, The Tempest and Hamlet. The way Mrs. Burdett wrote in rhyming couplets really made the reading enjoyable! I plan on using her books throughout my teaching career. Thank you Lois Burdett! Shakespeare can be fun thanks to you.

-Michael Hynes

Macbeth For Kids: Shakespeare Can Be Fun
What a wonderful way to introduce Shakespeare to children! I used this book as a third grade teacher to teach inner city kids about Macbeth. It was amazing to hear the students discussing all of the characters and their actions. They were proud of themselves for learning about Shakespeare "like high school kids." If you make it fun, they will have fun! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful way to introduce Shakespeare to kids
As a homeschooling parent I was looking for a way to introduce Shakespeare to my kids (9 and 10) -- they have loved these stories -- which we read aloud and then discussed (plot, characters, themes, conflicts, setting, motivations, etc.) -- the verse is enjoyable and effectively incorporates selected passages from the original in a seamless way. My kids have also enjoyed the illustrations and writing samples (all by 2nd-3rd graders) included in each book. After we read R&J, we watched the old Zefferelli film version and my kids got much more out of it. We've also read the Evelyn Nesbit prose versions but they didn't "feel" like Shakespeare the way these do...I have already purchased the exisitng Burdett versions and hope she has others in mind (PLEASE do Merchant of Venice!). ... Read more

Reviews (5)

It was O.K........
I didn't really enjoy this Junie B., First Grader book as much as the other ones. I read the book to my little sister, and she thought that Columbus REALLY did swim to America. Junie B said it herself: YOU CAN'T CHANGE HISTORY! Yet Columbus didn't swim to the U.S., but the Junie B's class "changed history". I'm twelve and it confused me why Junie B took the blame, and seemed to make herself look good to do that and wanted people to thank her from taking the blame to make her look good. She is such a show-off, and Renée (my little sister)got mixed-up and thought the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria really did shipwreck. And she didn't get Junie B's grammer/speech.

I'm an old lady and I laughed and laughed and laughed
I adore Junie B. and this was one of the best books in the series.

I loved the two plot lines intertwining neatly at the end and, frankly, I laughed out loud through the whole thing. I wasn't even reading to my kids.

Every Junie B. book is fresh, never formulaic. Her grammar is better as a first grader, but she's just as funny. I'm looking forward to the next volume coming soon.

A good theme
This story seemed to have a twist to it. I didn't expect for Junie B.'s class to have a shipwreck. I thought the title meant they were stuck, and felt trapped since so many kids were sick. And THAT was the shipwreck. I liked the little twist. When I read the first 2 chapters I thought: "Hey! When's this whole play deal come in???" I sort of wondered why there was no play yet. I didn't like how Junie B. wanted to be the star. Life isn't about being the star. I did like how the book added facts about Columbus's journey to America. Kids can get confused, thinking it was the Mayflower that came before the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María. AT LAST!!! A Junie B. Jones book that actually is a bit educational!!! It was a good book, except that Junie wanted to be star. (...)

Verry funny for a first grader
VERRY FUNNY! I have to admit I didnt like when May was
bragging about being the santa maria in the play or when
Roger threw up. YUCK! Well it had a happy ending.

P.S. I think a mouse play is the way to go too. HA!

A good lesson...
I'm 10, and I love Junie B. Jones. She's really goofy. I liked this story because it shows kids how easy it is to become sick. Junie B. isn't as funny in 1st grade, but I still LOVE her. The Junie B., First Grader stories seem to be different. They have a bigger problem or plot, unlike in kindergarten. This one has a lesson to it. And it shows that even though things can be bad, but then get better, problems and "shipwrecks" can happen. Then, you gotta think fast to help fix them, or disaster can strike. What was confusing about the book was that it just ended. Just ended. It never said what the class thought about Junie B.'s "I'm Sorry" note. I don't know if they forgave her or not. I wish it did. It would make it longer. Plus, I got a bit annoyed at her when she wanted to be the STAR. Being the star doesn't mean you'll be famous or the center of attention. That's what I hate about Junie B. Overall, it's a recomended book. ... Read more

Book Description

OLIVIA, the spirited heroine of the bestselling books Olivia, Olivia Saves the Circus, and� Olivia...and the Missing Toy, has a new showcase for her inimitable talents and imagination; her very own theater designed to introduce children of all ages to the magic of the stage.

OLIVIA is good at lots of things, including singing, dancing, and being in the spotlight. Starring in productions of Swan Lake, Turandot, and Romeo and Juliet, Olivia is in her element as leading lady extraordinaire in this elegantly constructed set that promises hours of fun.

TEATRO OLIVIA INCLUDES:

• Enchanting scenery, including three full stage sets!

• Six Olivia paper dolls in ravishing costumes, and three Ian paper dolls!

• Teatro Olivia's very own Playbill (trademark sign), featuring revealing plot summaries and scintillating biographies of the players!

• Extra stock for budding set designers to create their own backdrops!

Pull the doors open. Fold down stage. Hang backdrops. Play! ... Read more

Book Description

JoJo's Circus is a stop-motion animation series which follows the adventures of JoJo, an adorable and curious clown who lives in Circus Town with her family and best friend, a pet lion named Goliath.JoJo's Circus encourages kids at home to try movement activities along with JoJo and her friends, while learning about the values of kindness, teamwork, and a sense of belonging. ... Read more

Book Description

A complete drama course for kids in a book. BREAK A LEG! teaches budding thespians everything they need to know about stagecraft and the production of performances, in home or out.

Illustrated throughout with informative how-to and candid shots of young working actors, BREAK A LEG! is as comprehensive as it is high-spirited. There are sections on body preparation, including warm-ups, stretches, and breathing exercises. Theater games, improv, miming, and other fun ways to develop technique. Important acting skills, such as voice projection, crying on command, learning accents, and staging falls and fights without getting hurt. The performance: analyzing scripts, building a character, what to expect from rehearsals, and overcoming stagefright. A backstage look at blocking, lighting, and other technical aspects of theater production. And for the fun of costumes and make-up, a 16-page color insert. In addition, it covers legends and lore (Why is Macbeth cursed? Why do we say "break a leg"?) and offers dozens of must-see movie recommendations. Plus, for the ambitious, talented, and just plain curious, there's advice on how to make a career of it all, with tips on agents and auditions and getting jobs in theater, film, TV, and radio. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The perfect gift book for aspiring young performers
Break A Leg!: The Kids' Guide To Acting & Stagecraft by Lise Friedman (former dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and an Adjunct Professor, new York University) is a charmingly presented, authoritative, resource-filled "how to" book for young actors and actresses from grade school through high school who would like to act their school theatrical productions, in community theater, the professional stage, or in television and film. Individual chapters address simple warmups, learning to project one's voice, theater games, staying in character, and much more. Break A Leg! is the perfect gift book for aspiring young performers and a highly recommended addition to school and community library reference collections! ... Read more

Book Description

Aunt Cora is determined to turn two orphans, perky Hilary and sullen Rachel, into members of her dance troupe. But Rachel wants to keep Hilary from being one of Wintle’s Little Wonders–is it selfishness or something else? Misunderstandings and a spoiled cousin combine for a tale full of high drama. Originally published in 1957. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Dancing Shoes
I think this book is really great and is one of my favorite books. Ten year olds Rachel and Hillary Lennox have to go live with their Aunt Cora in London after their Rachel's mother dies. Rachel is a worry rat who is always worrying about Hillary. Hillary is an oraphan whom Rachel's father adopts when Rachel was 6. Before their mother died, Hillary was doing ballet with Madame Raine. Madame Raine thought Hillary should go to the Royal Ballet School. Aunt Cora to Hillary's luck teaches a dancing school but Aunt Cora doesn't want Hillary because they had no realation. When Aunt Cora sees Hillary doing ballet on the front lawn she imeditley changes her mind and wants to take both of them. Rachel has a cousin named Dulcie. Dulcie is a spoiled brat and always gets her way. Her father Uncle Tom doesn't like that though. Uncle Tom was Rachel's mom's brother. A few days after their arrival Aunt Cora starts traing them to be Mrs. Wintle's Little Wonders. (Aunt Cora is also known as Mrs. Wintle) Read the book! you'll probably enjoy it!

"Dancing Shoes" will waltz away with your heart
How can it be that a book about a dancing school in 1950s London would make such an impression on a klutzy American 12-year old in the late '70s and early '80s? A compelling story and appealing, cleancut prose have made "Dancing Shoes" a staple -- albeit dog-eared -- book in my library for more than 15 years.

"Dancing Shoes" started my long "pas de deux" with Noel Streatfeild's "Shoes" series. Streatfeild describes the day-to-day lives of Rachel and Hilary -- two orphans who find unexpectedly themselves living in a stage-training school with their brusque, stage-mama Aunt Cora -- in such a way that the reader can feel the warmth of the footlights and the pinch of their tap shoes. The plight of untalented Rachel among the dancing troupe of Mrs. Wintle's Little Wonders was very true to life, and her triumph over her spoiled cousin at the end of the book gives hope to all little girls who aren't so light on their feet. This and other "Shoes" books will be passed on to my own daughters.

A MUST READ LOVABLE BOOK!
I received this book when I was about 8 years old. I took one look at it and thought, "I am NOT going to read this. It's a BABY book!" I never touched the book again until 3 years later, when I was 11 years old, and decided just to try out the book. OMG! Was I wrong! This was not a baby book! The story of Rachel and Hilary Lennox and their lovable (in a villainy way)conceited cousin, Dulcie Wintle, is a charming book that every one (and I mean EVERYONE) will love.

Rachel and Hilary come to live with their Aunt Cora, who runs a dancing (ballet, acrobatics, musical comedy, etc.) school, when their mother dies. Aunt Cora is set on making them both "little wonders" but Rachel finds that she disdains it, having no talent for those types of things. Hilary, however, finds that she loves it, and has a real talent for it, too! But Rachel doesn't want Hilary to be a "little wonder," let alone love it! Hilary was going to go to the Royal Ballet School of Dancing before their mother died, and Rachel is set on making her go after her mother's last words for her were to make sure Hilary went on with her dancing.
Misunderstandings will get in the way, as Hilary grows more and more with the "bad" type of dancing, becomes competition with Dulcie, and Rachel comes to find that dancing may not be her thing, but that doesn't mean that stage is not...

Dulcie -- my favorite childhood villain!
I've always adored books set in England ... and it started with the Noel Streatfeild books that I devoured as a child. Of all of the Shoes books -- and believe me, twenty years ago I read every single one I could get my hands on -- this is still the best.

The two heroines are so likable and yet so different from each other; Rachel is introspective and quiet, Hilary is vivacious and fun-loving. What this means is that every little girl reading it can identify with one or the other. Streatfeild is at her best when it comes the book's character development. Rachel's reaction to her mother's death, and her changing relationship with her sister, are very well-drawn and utterly convincing.

Best of all, this book has Dulcie -- the character you love to hate. And every single person gets her comeuppance in the end; the reader's desire for poetic justice is fufilled in a most suprising but totally convincing way. It's a wonderfully satisfying read, and the kind of book that you can read again and again ... even as an adult.

Absolutely brilliant
I can't remember when I first read 'Dancing Shoes' - judging by the writing in the front cover, I must have been pretty young - but I have never stopped loving it. Though my copy is now dog eared and I practically know it off by heart, I read it about once ever four months.

It is the involved and moving tale of Rachel and Hilary, both ten years old when the book begins. Hilary was adopted by Rachel's parents when they were both four, and has always felt part of the family. She is a promsing ballet dancer (her real mother being one) but is lazy, and doesn't take the work seriously. Rachel, who is serious in everything she does, watches all of Hilary's lessons and keeps her working hard. Their father, a famous film star, died when they were seven. When the book opens, their mother has just died too, leaving them orphans.

They are taken to live with Rachel's aunt and uncle, Cora Wintle and Tom Lennox. Aunt Cora, or Mrs. Wintle as she is commonly referred to, runs a stage school for children called Wintle's Wonders. Throughout the book she is mean, oppressive, selfish and cold hearted torwards first Rachel, and then Hilary. Uncle Tom is an artist, and the opposite of Cora. He nurtures Rachel, who feels misunderstood and out of place in a dancing school, and tries his hardest to make things better. Their spoilt cousin Dulcie is a brilliant dancer, and thoroughly conceited. Pursey is the kindly and fat house keeper who becomes their mother figure.

'Dancing Shoes' focuses on Rachel's trials and tribulations, mainly trials though, and how she reacts to the situations and characters around her. Everything about it will pull you in and make you feel like you're really living her life. Although at times it is heart breaking, it is suitable for children and adults of all ages. The ending is very fitting, even though it is somewhat bitter sweet. Please, do yourself a favour and buy this for yourself, your daughter, grand daughter, neice, cousin, sister... whatever. It is fantastic! ... Read more