I read this book again and again from the time I was 8 years old until I was 10. It never ceased to fascinate me as a child. I can't seem to find a copy for my own kids. If you are looking for a good bedtime story for children it is a must read.

A 1000 yr. old King is dying and only the Wonder Doctor can save him by collecting a magic plant which blooms but once a year. On his travels to find the plant the doctor tells all the animals he meets to go the the Copper Castle and tell the king a story, only these will keep him alive until the doctor returns. The animal's stories are both enchanting and captivating fitting together like the pieces of a puzzle. Dwarves, dragons and magical lands will keep your interest until the end which, like a good malt whisky, is rounded and smooth. I first read this book at the age of 8 and have read it at least 15 times since. I am a primary school teacher and have read it to all the classes I have taught. This books is appealing to all age ranges, including adults. If you find a copy BUY it! You will not be disappointed.

I couldn't agree more with the earlier reviewer. Mundy is one of my favorite 'adventure' novelists, and this is one of his better works. He's almost forgotten today, but as a pulp writer he kept many on the edge of their seats 60 years ago. If you like E.R. Burroughs, Sax Rohmer or Robert E. Howard, this is one you shouldn't miss (Howard based one of his characters, 'Francis X Gordon on Mundy's King) If you liked R. Kiplings 'Kim'...imagine Kim grown up. Exotic love interest, intrique,a keen eye for native customs of 100 years ago, swords and blazing pistols, charging lancers on a path 6 feet wide, with death inches away over the edge 3000 feet to the canyon below...'King, of the Khyber Rifles' is about a British officer involved in the 'mysticism' of then-forbidden Tibet, includes frequent skirmishes with skulking mountain warriors, the old 'keeping the Khyber pass open' ploy, oh just read it. Mix up a peg of whiskey-soda, and escape the mundane last years of the 20th century. You can't go wrong with Talbot Mundy.

Imagine Kipling writing about India... now imagine the same stories as rewrittten by Edgar Rice Burroughs, but an ERB that actually sounds as if he's been in the places he's writing about. And all the detail of a George Macdonald Fraser novel... Then you throw in some mystic stuff that makes William S. Burroughs sound illiterate, add a pinch of "Boys Own Stories" or "Biggles" or whatever then light a match... this is one amazing novel, it really is.

If you saw me on the street you wouldn't think of me as a fan of westerns. A 14 year old wearing a Bush t-shirt is not the type of kid that even usually likes to pick up a book. But David Thompson is one of the most captivating writers I have ever had the opportunity to read. My grandfather let me borrow "Wilderness: Spanish Slaughter" and I immediatly became a fan. I have since read quite a bit of the series, with these two titles being two of my favorites. I have yet to read a bad Thompson book, but these are great!

THE BEST ONE OF THE COLLECTION

This book will definitely appeal to many children, especially those who may be dealing with a bully. Everyday Kevin walks to the neighborhood playground in hope of having great fun. But each day, without failure, a boy named Sammy is there. Whenever Kevin approaches a piece of equipment, Sammy will say he can not go on it because he is the "King of the Playground" then threatens to hurt Kevin if he does not listen. Together, Kevin and his father discuss what Sammy is doing to Kevin, and they work through the difficult situation. Soon Kevin gains enough confidence to stand up for himself, and does with remarkable results! I enjoyed seeing how Kevin could open up to his father and how they, together worked out the problem. The understandable text and colorful illustrations flow together smoothly, and add a great deal of feeling to the plot.

As a Kindergarten teacher I make a point to read this book every year to my students, to show them that a scary or seemingly hopeless situation can result in a good friendship with a little perservernce and creativity. I like the fact that the Dad was a good source of support for the child, and that the Dad is shown working outside and inside the house in some non-traditional roles. Buoyed by his father's support, Kevin returns to the playground, always trying new ways to secure a spot on the playground. Children need more tools like this for resolving conflict in a non-violent manner.

King of the Pond is about a big bully named Tombo. He boasts to all his friends that he is the biggest, strongest and fastest tadpole in the pond. As the story continues a boy named Alex comes to the pond to catch fish. But instead sees Tombo and catching him for a pet. After Tombo returns to the pond as a frog he realizes how important friends are, as he returns now as the smallest FROG in the pond. Tombo learns a good lesson in the importance of friendship, forgiveness and of being a good sport.

King of the Pond, was a cute book as well as a book to learn from. It could be used in a science class for children to learn where frogs come from. It had excellent illustrations and a very good storyline. I'm sure glad that Tombo made it back to the pond. He learned a valuable lesson about boasting. Thanks Sommer, I will use this one in an integrated science lesson.

Steve Abee is the BOMB! If you haven't read his book...read it! You haven't lived until you've read King Planet! Steve makes you see sides of Los Angeles that you wouldn't be able to notice in a lifetime. He is a true writer.- he keeps it real and at the same time keeps it beautiful. He is beautiful.His words are meaningful, true, real, beautiful, crazy, nerotic, awsome! Read it once, twice, a million times! But read it! It's a privellege! Believe me! P.S. I was NOT payed to say this!

READ IT! READ IT! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

KING PLANET DESERVES 100,000,000 stars!

If you live in Southern California and you haven't seen Steve Abee read in person, you should be forced to sit on the 101 at rush hour with a full bladder. This collection of stories and poems is funny, sad, hopeless, glorious,and, finally, real. Steve Abee may not get the press of other writers of short fiction and spoken word, but he doesn't need it. He's got the talent.

I picked up this book at the library as reading material for my 17-month-old son. He (and I) loved the illustrations. I appreciated it being a real Bible story, and a history lesson--marvelously illustrated in 48 pages; but this books goes where most authors and illustrators don't. You won't see this version of the story in movie theatres. I did additional research to verify the accuracy of its' contents and I discoverd everything to be valid. This book should be read by all African-American children (and adults). They won't read about their kings and queens in textbooks as others are portrayed--which is a dis-service to their culture. I purchased three copies for myself and will be purchasing more as gifts.

This beautifully illustrated book provides children and their parents with a wonderful story that also has a powerful message. It teaches all of us that we can learn from each other and, more importantly, that every culture can learn from another. The book should be used in schools.

While this book is an excellent aid to the memory for those who desire to be proficient in the Masonic ritual work as practiced in Texas, please be aware that possession or use of this cypher is a violation of the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. (1999 edition):

"Art. 506. Certain Other Offenses. It shall also be a Masonic offense for a Lodge, a committee or any combination of Masons, or an individual Mason:

21. To use cypher work relating to the esoteric work of any of the three degrees, or to have and retain in his possession such cypher work, or to sell, give, barter or exchange, any code book or other publication, the use of which is prohibited by the laws of the Grand Lodge, or to be employed in the business of anyone doing so."

I am not here to judge my brother Masons who may purchase this book for their own reference or to refresh their memory in the Work. Eventually, the laws of the Grand Lodge may change to allow the use of cyphers, but until that time comes, please exercise the strictest discretion in using this 'valuable aid to the memory'.

If you are a Texas Freemason, you need this book. I use it frequently when I am trying to remember a particlar verse and mentally "get stuck." This book ranks second in my home only to the Holy Bible. It is an indispensible aid to the memory, particularly if you can't regularly attend meetings to freshen your recollection of these very important lessons.

THE KING'S GIRAFFE is a delight. The story succeeds as an enchanting and exotic narrative while it empowers its young readers by portraying the child characters, Abdul and Henry, as problem solvers for their bewildered masters, the Pasha of Egypt and the King of France. The story, while fanciful, is well-grounded in history and geography and would be a wonderful aid in preparing children for their first visit to France since the illustrations and the story refer to actual cities and locations. The illustrations are evocative, gentle, exotic, richly textured and whimsical as befits the text. The authors have a gift for appealing to the fantasy life of children while captivating the adults who will undoubtedly be asked to read this story aloud over and over again.

Few childrens books captivate and charm like "The Kings Giraffe". Poulain's illustrations captivate adults and kids alike, and Colliers storytelling evoke the magical true story of a african giraffe in Paris.

This is an incredible story about the life of Cathrine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. The woman that came to England to marry Henry's older brother and then after his death married Henry against his father's wishes. The book tells about her support of the Catholic church, and the suffering she went through when Henry put her aside for his second wife Anne Boelyn. This book helps you understand how even after the public humiliation this woman could write one of history's most moving love letters to the man who had denied her as his wife and told the world that his daughter with her (To become known as "Bloody Mary")was a bastard and Catherine a wanton. Great story, well told, relaxing reading. Very historically acurate.

This is a novel based on the historical facts of Henry VIII's first divorce and subsequent marriage of Anne Boleyn. The story is entirely from the point of view of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife who never agreed to divorce him. The historical facts in itself are fascinating from the multitude of different conflicts going on: the monarchy succession, the budding religious wars, the national-state rivalries, the personalities, the class struggle, all these aspects combine at a crucial moment in history playing the background to the story of Catherine from her childhood to her grave.