From Jean Craighead George, the Newbery Medalist and renowned nature writer, comes a collection of heroic and uplifting animal stories. This author of more than eighty books shares her love and awe of our planet's creatures in this unique book. Some of the stories are familiar--like that of Balto, the courageous sled dog, the most famous of all canine heroes, or Koko, the gorilla who uses sign language, teaching us more about animal intelligence and the gentleness of her species. Other stories bring some not-so-famous animals to life, such as the the Pacing White Mustang--"fastest horse in the West"--and the Hemlock Pair, two eagles who successfully raised several broods of young even when threatened by extinction. Each story is short, but beautifully written, and conveys the message that all of our animals are special, no matter what the species, or the deed. Other animals included in the book are Punxsutawney Phil, the rodent who rules on February 2; Smokey Bear, a real bear who told us in his own way that "only you can prevent forest fires"; Scannon, a great Newfoundland who was an important scout on the Lewis and Clark Expedition; three gray whales who managed to stay alive when trapped in Arctic sea ice; Sugar, a cat who made an incredible 1500-mile journey to find her family; and Blind Tom, a blind workhorse who helped to complete the first transcontinental railroad more than 100 years ago. Each story is graced with fine writing and beautiful paintings and drawings by Christine Herman Merrill. This is a collection special because of its loyalty to the dedicated animals who inspired it. This edition of the book is out-of-print, but recently it was made into a paperback children's chapter book called INCREDIBLE ANIMAL ADVENTURES, which does not carry as much beauty and dignity as this hardcover version. Also read Ms. George's other stories featuring remarkable animals--THERE'S AN OWL IN THE SHOWER, which is also illustrated by Merrill; THE TARANTULA IN MY PURSE AND 172 OTHER WILD PETS, Ms. George's autobiographical portrayal of the many animals she has known in the past; and her classic young adult novels JULIE OF THE WOLVES and MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, which each have two sequels.

A great deal of thanks should go to Bonnie Kreps and Charlie Craighead for there many years of work dedicated to the life of Mardy Murie. Their double-barreled presentation, first the wonderful film "Arctic Dance, The Mardy Murie Story", and now this fantastic book, tell the story of Margaret "Mardy" Murie like nobody else could.

More like a scrapbook, Arctic Dance brings readers on a journey as rich as any trip to the Brooks Range. Mardy, known by many as the Grandmother of American Conservation movement, has been an inspiration to several generations or activists, policy-makers and wilderness afficionandos. Her experiences and deeds as a child in Alaska, a lover and wife, a wilderness adventurer, an advocate for wild places, and a mentor to so many, give us all an example for how to live life to its fullest with meaning, and grit. Her times with husband Olaus Murie are a testiment to the power of love and partnership and how determination and humility can bring anybody far. Without her, our lives and the state of wilderness would be very different.

Craighead and Kreps bring you on this journey through stories, letters, vivid photographs and telling testimonials from those who knew Mardy best. Reading this book is the next best thing to having tea and cookies with Mardy at her log house in Moose, Wyoming.

This is a gorgeous book, from the author of the Julie books (JULIE OF THE WOLVES, JULIE, JULIE'S WOLF PACK, and NUTIK, THE WOLF PUP). Jean Craighead George, writer of more than eighty books for children, naturalist, and expert on Eskimo culture and the Inupiaq language, does an excellent job with this recent addition to her works. Not to mention the illustrations by Wendell Minor, who has illustrated more of Ms. George's books. They're wonderously beautiful watercolors, filled with expression that highlight Ms. George's words equally fine words. The story is that of Ms. George's grandson, Luke, who lives in Barrow, Alaska, near the top of the world. Though his parents, Craig and Cyd, are from the lower forty-eight, Luke knows a lot about the Eskimo culture around him, gathering knowledge over the years from an Inupiat friend of the Georges. Luke is referred to as Kupaaq, the native language name that the friend gave to him when he was born. The beautiful Inupiaq language is seen many times through the course of the book, as are details of the culture and the tundra life surrounding Barrow. This is an excellent choice for a cold winter's night by the fire, for children to learn about others like them, who may live thousands of miles away.

Bears Of The World doubles as a coffee table addition and as a generalist's natural history of bears, describing the history, behavior, and habitats of all the world species of bear from the panda to the sloth. More than a eye-catching set of photo, Bear conservation and natural history are thoroughly covered in the process.

I have used this book at several libraries and found it very interesting and informitave in Northern-Ireland life and reasons for moving to America.

Although I was looking for Genealogy on my wife's side and this book ended about the period of time we had traced to, it is written in such a way that I found Great Grandfather's siblings names but it listed him with a different wife and two daughters. All relatives told us that was not him as Great- Grandmother was his only wife. We have sence proved the book was correct and in his later life after Grand-mother was killed in a trolley car accident in Kansas City he remarried a third time but had lost all ties to our family. His Obit confirms this.

This book than became much more interesting as it related the life and times of hundreds of Craigheads and their friends as they moved to and around this great county of ours. It is hard to understand the hardships incountered by early day Americans from any part of the world.

I was very satisisfied. I found it to be very helpful in teaching a club about wolves. I think it would be helpful for teachers as much as it helped me.

for investors, managers, and inspectors of tall buildings, this is an exceptionally useful book. Mr. Graighead combines his Australian roots and his California experience in a clear guide to fire safety and security management of these "vertical villages." I have quoted from this work in forums around the world, and have made this book a special present for colleagues in the fire service and architecture and "authorities having jurisdiction." It is a how- to and why guide to active systems. I recommend it highly. And, given that so many skyscrapers are now being built in Asia and in Latin America, I hope this is translated into Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese. - Richard A. "Nick" Candee, Executive Director, Global Operations, NFPA International

This is an excellent book for geneology buffs that was written by a Craighead County native and copyrighted in 1930. It covers the time period before Arkansas was a state and includes sections of Craighead County history that include the people who settled and developed this county up until the time that he wrote the book.

This book also contains chapters of information about the growth of the county and about towns and villages, cemeteries, churches, schools, civil and world wars plus many other informing and amusing stories about Craighead County.

It is an excellent source of information for historians and people searching their ancestry. It also includes a "Who's Who" section of prominent citizens and also has an excellent index that was added in 1977 that allows for easier research of names.

This book really seemed to affect me when I was young. I first read it in fourth grade and continued to read it at least once each year until I was in high school. The story centers around fishing, backpacking, and nature. Two young cousins go hiking looking for the origins of a very large Rainbow Trout.

Read this book in leiu of a vacation--it is just as relaxing and you don't have to travel!

My daughter finally caught the reading bug at 11 1/2 thanks to this author and the Julie Wolf Pack series. My daughter can't put these books down! I am so grateful she finally found something she's interested in. Great stuff!