Book Description

The perfect make-believe books to help inspire childhood dreams. Kids will love the stories, photographs, drawings, and activities that help put themselves into the role of a princess. Plus, there are easy-to-make crafts and fun fact that help children learn about princesses through pretending. ... Read more

Book Description

For Diana Spencer, the dream of becoming a princess was realized when she married Prince Charles. Throughout her often tumultuous lifetime, Diana touched countless lives and when she died, her spirit and genuine love for others continued to influence the entire world. Author Katherine Krohn tells the story of Princess Diana, from her privileged but sad childhood to the tragic accident that took the life of this extraordinary woman--whose charities continue to help people today. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wonderful!
I liked this book a lot.Diana had a very busy life and a lot to do but she always found time for other people.It is sad that she died but I think she did a lot of good things in her life.This book tells the story of abeautiful person.I give it a A+ !!!!!

A wonderful book!!!
My daughter read this book for a school report. I picked it up to look at it, & then couldn't put it down. I was impressed and touched by this well-told story. ... Read more

Book Description

In the grand tradition of fairy tales, a king becomes lost in an enchanted forest. In order to save himself, he strikes a dreadful bargain with an elderly witch: he will marry her daughter if only she will show him the way home.

The king fears that the daughter too is a witch, so he hides his eleven sons and his only daughter from the woman he has pledged to marry.

After his marriage, his new queen discovers the children and casts a spell, turning the princes into swans. But she doesn’t know there is a twelfth child, a princess. It is up to the princess to find her brothers and break the spell that binds them.

Renowned storyteller Ken Setterington has borrowed from European folk traditions, including the Brothers Grimm, to tell a timeless story.

Nelly and Ernst Hofer’s exquisite paper cut art make this a beautiful book for reading and for gift giving. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A little girls dream and reality!
Every little girl dreams of being a princess (at least I did) and when I watched Princess Diana walk down the isle, and watched it again, and again all night long since it was on for days....I never imagined the sorrow that would follow her or the tragedy which would send her beautiful soul to the next life. This book will take you on Diana's journey. She was at first hopeful, happy then completely consumed by her weaknesses yet showed an incredible strength. Her choices may not always been the right ones. She did try to be happy and the most important aspect of her life was her final triumph. She gave her sons an incredible gift. She taught them to love others and not treat them mearly as subjects. She showed the world that if you are going to live you had better do it well. If you are going to be on this earth, you have to look past your own pain, put on a happy face and do something for others. I think in this respect she has so much to teach us. The other lesson is to never marry someone who does not love you. That is the greatest tragedy of her life. Imagine what she could have done for the world if her husband had treated her as she truly was - an angel sent to teach us so many lessons. I hope this book will help you to see who she was and who you want to be. How will your life be remembered?

This book can be easily read in an hour.
The author tries to capture the essence of Diana, Princess of Wales. All one has to do is read of couple of British and American magazine articles, and one has the book. There are by far too many "A widely circulately rumor" and "Next came the story." One begins to question the authenicity when one uses these types of statements too frequently. This book relies heavily on magazine articles and Andrew Morton.

All pictures are in black and white which detract from the book especially when one has seen them and has them in other books and magazines in color. Diana is must too beautiful, too glamorous, and too charismatic to use black and white when the pictures used were originally in color. This book was probably written for the young, and they are attracted to beautiful colored pictures, not dull black and white.

This refers to the hardcover edition which contains 112 pages and measures 5x83/4 inches. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Waste of money
Was not even a book it was a phamplet. It was of good quality with pictures and basic information, but I was disappointed.

Good concept, but not worth the bother
I like the idea of "fold-out", roadmap-style basic histories. They are colorful, convenient and provide more than the basic facts but not enough for a full-length book. However, in this case I have to say I am not impressed. I have studied the Romanov and Anna Anderson stories for 25 years so it's easy for me to spot errors. Because the case of Anastasia is fraught with controversy, I am accustomed to finding errors in books, but this one takes the cake! I actually took a pen and marked through or corrected dozens of mistakes. They begin with Anastasia's last name, which was not Romanov, but Romanova. That may be hair-splitting to some, but it gets much worse. Here are just a few: 1. the book states that Anastasia and her sisters "tended to the sick and wounded" during WWI. This is not exactly true. Anastasia and her sister Maria were too young to be nurses. They sponsored a hospital but only visited there...there was no "tending." 2. The room where the Romanovs were supposedly shot was not a basement, yet this word is repeatedly used in the book. 3. The book states that Anderson could barely speak English. Not true. 4. The book states that Anderson had a son, whom she "named Alexei, after her brother", (the child was called Alexander, after the father), then goes on to gloss over what happened to the child and the husband, and without explaining how she got there, says she jumped into a Berlin canal (from Romania)because she was upset over the death of her husband!! This is outrageous. In a story such as Anderson's, writers need to be very careful to explain things thoroughly, offer other views and make certain to get what few absolute facts are available completely straight. The text is poorly written and provides very slight information about certain aspects of the Anderson story without providing details, motives or even completing the story! I have added this book to my collection, because of my strong interest in the subject, but I absolutely do not recommend this book to anyone new to the subject. I also think the publisher should consider a re-write. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This book is written for the young, but all ages will enjoy.
This is a delightful and charming story of Diana which begins with the Spencer family.Diana was born into an aristocratic family; however, she was thirteen years of age when she became Lady Diana.

Diana loved herfather deelpy and was upset when he married Raine, his second wife in 1976. At age nine, Diana's father sent her to boarding school.On holiday fromschool, it was not unusual for the younger royal children, Prince Andrewand Prince Edward, to visit the Spencers and use their private simmingpool.In Diana's own words, "I loved being at school.I was verynaughty in the sense of always wanting to muck about rather sittightlooking at the four walls of the schoolroom."

This book takes onefrom Diana's early years, school years, her royal romance and engagement,the fairy-tale wedding, the Shy-Di era through her various roles - workingprincess, motherhood, hier hidden pain and suffering, her years with thepress, the breakdown of her marriage, going public with her marriageproblems, her work with aids, cancer, landmines, her work with streetpeople, her work with leprosy, and her tragic death.

Of all these manyroles, Diana relished the role of Motherhood the most.She resented thetime she had to be separated from her children for any length of time.

Diana's friend, Rosa Monckton, once stated in an England newspaper,"Diana had huge courage, and whenever things got too much for her shewould say to herself:'Diana, remember you're a Spencer' ( she was farprouder of this than being royal), and she would then get on with whatevershe had to do." Page 35.

Each short role is told in words andaccompanied by beautiful colored pictures on each.Diana hadadmiredMother Teresa for a long time.The last time they met was in New York Cityin June of l997.Diana and Mother Teresa were different, yet when they metin Calcutta, India, they shared a common love of poor and outcast people. Mother Teresa once told Diana, "To heal other people you have tosuffer yourself."When Mother Teresa was told of Diana's death, shedescribed Diana as "a very great friend who was in love with thepoor." page 39.

Unfortunately, Mother Teresa died the day beforePrincess Diana's funeral services, and the world lost two outstandingladies within one week.

When Diana was in Bosnia, Lord Deedes said,"One boy took off his boots to show what his feet looked like.But hedidn't have any feet left.Diana picked him up in her arms.There were nophotographers there.She was not showing off.It was a genuine impulse... instinctive," P. 41

There is a glossary of terms on P. 46 tohelp the youngster who might not know the meanings of some terminologywhich is used.

A beautiful story of the late Diana, Princess of Wales,which is written in such a manner that all people can read and enjoy.

This refers to the paperback edition.48 pages. 81/2"x101/2" ... Read more

Book Description

One of the most well-known figures of our time, Diana, Princess of Wales, lived a short but meaningful life.She used her royal status and high profile to help many people and to give the royal family a human, approachable face.This book follows her life from childhood to its sudden end and examines the challenges she faced being in the public eye. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Once upon a time
If you like fairy tales you'll love this true life one, Diana, Princess of Wales, in the series They Died Too Young, by Vicki Cox. Lady Diana Spencer met her prince charming, married him, and found that real life fairy tales don't always have a lived happily ever after ending. Cox's book reveals the rest of the story. ... Read more

Book Description

What child hasn't imagined life as a prince or princess? We read fantastical stories about them when we are young, hear about them in the news, and wonder what it would be like to be in their shoes. Growing Up Royal is a fun, informative, and realistic look at a royal upbringing - a true behind-the-scenes peek at what a life of splendor is really like. Filled with humorous anecdotes and engrossing stories of royals past and present, it soon becomes clear that despite some obvious differences, kids in a royal family are much like kids everywhere.

Tradition, politics, privilege, and restrictions all play out in the life of young royals. Learn of the many ways the current British royal family is adapting to the changes brought by modern times, and how these events have shaped the lives of future royals, particularly Prince William, second in line to the British throne and a heartthrob for young girls everywhere. Is it really so glamorous to be born into royalty? What's it like to have your every move watched by the public and the press?

From birth through to the teen years, all stages in the life of a young royal are explored, from the palace nursery to learning one's place in society. The book discusses the social scene behind the castle walls, royal leisure pursuits and sporting activities, and education (will it be private tutoring as in times past, with no schoolmates, or a private school?). Then there are the challenges of one's private life. Imagine a royal teen on a date - with bodyguards!

Growing Up Royal is divided into sections: What Does It Mean to Be Royal?, In the Palace Nursery, Realizing You Are Different, Behind Castle Doors, Royal Pursuits, Entering the Big, Bad World, Mad About Royals and Being a Royal Teen. Sidebars with interesting facts and tales are interspersed throughout the text. Get the inside scoop on Royal Families in Europe, Royal Servants, Royal Birthday Bashes, and much more! A table of contents and an index are included for easy reference. The sixteen-page photo section captures a broad spectrum of images that reveal even more about the life of young royals. ... Read more

Book Description

An international team of scholars offers: - modernised, easily accessible texts - ample but unobtrusive academic guidance - attention to the theatrical qualities of each play and its stage history - informative illustrations, including reconstructions of early performances The Merchant of Venice has been performed more often than any other comedy by Shakespeare. This edition pays special attention to the expectations of its first audience, and to our modern experience of seeing and hearing the play. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Not Shakespeare's best work
As another reviewer mentioned it is a totally different experience to read a play (especially Shakespeare) when you haven't seen it performed. Yet I decided to do just that with Merchant of Venice, and though my opinion would undoubtedly be different if I had seen it performed, as it stands I can only offer my opinion on it as a written work. As I read the work itself I had a difficult time seeing past the blatant anti-Semitism to analyze the work itself. After reading the play however I went back and read the introduction [...] and the introduction pointed out several things that if they are to be believed would help alleviate my dislike of the treatment of the character of Shylock the Jew. First apparently Shakespeare's prime target in making Shylock a sort of villain was really moneylenders in general, people mostly disliked by those making up much of Shakespeare's audience. The fact that Shakespeare made his moneylender Jewish is more of an exotic touch having to do with the play's setting in Venice. Apparently Jews were incredibly rare in England in Shakespeare's time and though the audience would of course know of them the chance that any of the commoners in the general admission area of the Globe had ever seen a Jew themselves is about as likely as them having seen a Moorish prince like the one courting Portia. As to Shakespeare's cruel treatment (or rather the other characters' cruel treatment) of Shylock's faith, Kenneth Myrick explains that during Shakespeare's time Jews were known particularly for their love for the letter rather than spirit of the law, and were disliked for that attitude. Apparently the characters in Merchant of Venice showing animosity towards Shylock and his faith would be similar to characters in a modern day tv sitcom making fun of a fundamentalist right-wing Christian. Which is not to say that that makes the behavior of either group acceptable, but for myself it puts it into a different light than if people were saying the same thing to a Jew today. Anyway when I was able to look past the anti-Semitism of the play and look at its other qualities here is what I thought: Shakespeare is creating with this play a kind of fairy tale. The caskets that challenge the various suitors to Portia, so that only the noble Bassanio might marry her; the villain who in a jealous and vindictive rage plots to end the life of Bassanio's true friend; and the deus ex machina appearance of Portia in drag to save the day and make the villain pay. This last bit is what makes it more interesting than the classic fairy tale, as it is the fairy princess that swoops in to save the hopelessly trapped knights. And in that it has strong and liberating roles for the female characters, Merchant of Venice succeeds. However I must admit that even without the anti-Semitism holding me back a bit, I just didn't find this work as humorous or as well written in general as some of Shakespeare's other play. Certainly his tragedies surpass it in writing skill, and of his comedies that I have read, this is the least humorous. I must qualify that however by saying that this is Shakespeare nonetheless, and even if it can't compare with his other work, he still is one of the greatest playwrights in the English language.

Warm, Witty, Morality Play
This is a wonderful play - and unless you have seen it or read it you don't know it at all. That's because everything the popular culture tells us about this play is false (for example; how many of you think this play is about a merchant named Shylock? ;-)

The Merchant of Venice is a lively and happy morality tale. Good triumphs over bad - charity over greed - love over hate.
There is fine comedy. Portia is one of Shakespeare's greatest women (and he ennobled women more than any playwright in history). There are moments of empathy and pain with all the major characters. There is great humanity and earthiness in this play. These things are what elevate Shakespeare over any other playwright in English history.

Plays should be seen - not read. I recommend you see this play (if you can find a theater with the courage and skill to do it). But if it is not playing in your area this season - buy the book and read it.

Katherine's book review ( MOV anti semitic? NO WAY!)
How can people say that The Merchant of Venice is an anti semitic book???? Have the people that said this ever actually read the book? How can people call this anti semitic when it contains one of the greatest anti- racist speeches of all time?
'To bait fish withal: if it will feed nothing else,
it will feed my revenge. He hath disgraced me, and
hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses,
mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my
bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine
enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath
not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs,
dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with
the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject
to the same diseases, healed by the same means,
warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as
a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed?
if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison
us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not
revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will
resemble you in that. If a Jew wrong a Christian,
what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian
wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by
Christian example? Why, revenge. The villany you
teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I
will better the instruction.'

Think about it. That speech is a masterpiece. One of Shakespeare's best plays.

One of Shakespeare's Best
This play was actually intersting and had superb characterization. I actually found this work riveting - it had a great plot. I highly recommend this play because it is one of Sharkespeare's best. It is a great play to start with because it is easy to understand.

Mixed emotions.
First off, one thing needs to be made clear: in rating this play a mere "2 stars", I'm rating it as opposed to other Shakespearean plays; if rated against the general run of books available, it would be at least three stars, maybe four.

The problem is, there are some very good things to be said about this story, but also some very bad things. A modern reader almost certainly takes a very different message from the story than one in Shakespeare's time, when it was perfectly acceptable to stereotype Jews as venal moneylenders, and when forcing a Jew to convert to Christianity at the end of the play could be considered to be in keeping with the "happy ending for all" required of comedies at the time.

Granted, Shylock is not a particularly attractive character, so it is difficult to feel much sympathy for him, but as difficult as it is to make him sympathetic, Shakespeare (apparently unintentionally) manages. The man is not only cheated out of his (contractually due) spiteful revenge, but is not even allowed to accept a lesser payment once it is made apparent that he dare not hold Antonio to his word. He loses his daughter; she not only runs away but steals from him in the process, and yet he is not even allowed to disinherit her. And, of course, he's forced to convert to the religion of the people who did all of this to him. He may have been unappealing, but not enough to deserve all of THAT.

Further, although Antonio is shown as being generous and brave enough to accept his fate when he thought it was unavoidable, he is a fool for allowing himself to be in that position to start with, and is all too quick to allow Shylock to be cheated of ANY recompense once he's given leave to do so. A TRUE hero would have INSISTED on paying the man his principle and more once let off the hook for his life, even when the "judge" ruled that Shylock had refused any payment other than his bond.

In spite of all of this, the play is not unenjoyable, and is as well-written as one expects from Shakespeare, with some interesting plot twists and some good lines (ironically, some of the best being given to Shylock, making it clear that Shakespeare wasn't COMPLETELY unaware of the humanity of the character). The language is also somewhat less obscure to the modern reader than in some of Shakespeare's work, especially his comedies.

Definitely worth reading, but be forewarned that the attitude toward Shylock (and to a lesser extent, toward his daughter) will be downright offensive to most in the modern audience. ... Read more

Book Description

Tropical Princess Leela is searching for seashells one day when she finds a map leading to buried treasure! But when her pet tiger cub Tiki dashes into the jungle tofind the treasure, Leela must set off on an exciting adventure to find Tiki—as well as anunexpected surprise! ... Read more

Book Description

Only the Berry Princess can rescue Ambrosia, a magical unicorn—but Strawberry Shortcake and her friends are determined to try! Come along on an enchanted adventure as Strawberry discovers that she is the Berry Princess. With lots of charming add-ons—barrettes, lip gloss, stickers, and tiara—and lots of glitter, this is the perfect book for every little princess. ... Read more