In this West Indian version of Rumpelstiltskin, Queen Quashiba marries the rich and powerful Big King, but must produce three rooms full of gold cloth after a year and a day or be locked away forever and a year. How will she ever accomplish such a supernatural feat?

The book is richly illustrated with vibrant colors and the words are pleasing to read silently or aloud. Both Virginia Hamiltion and the Dillons prove to be masters of their respective crafts and together produce a winning combination in their version of this classic tale.

Crazy James

What a beautiful book! Beautiful language, beautiful pictures. Even my 3-year-old son, who usually just likes books about trucks, wanted me to read it over and over. I like it better than the German version (Rumplestilskin); Quashiba acts much more like a real person here.

Whatever Virginia Hamilton, Leo & Diane Dillon touch turn to gold! Hamilton's creative use of language and dialect give this retelling of the Rumplestiltskin story a sense of freshness and fun. The rich illustrations and the whimsical portrayal of the Lit'mahn character complement the text beautifully. As a read-aloud, the experience is delightful for both the reader and the audience.

John Constantine, the character this series is about, is a man who looks like any other man. Despite of his overconfidence, constant smoking and the trenchcoat he seems to be joined at the hip with. But Constantine practices magic and had words with about every demon in hell. He's an expert and he's cunning to boot, although alcohol seems to be more of his interest. This book collects #62-67 of the series, which isn't a standard "good vs. bad" title but deals with characters who all are somewhere in the middle. Along the way their private lives are not ignored neither.

The cover-story, which runs through 4 of the 6 issues, is about 'The Snob', formerly known as the archangel Gabriel. While John is very much in love with Kit, Gabriel is doubting his faith and the faith people have in him. His associates aren't happy with his behavior because of it and since it all leads back to something John once said, they're decided to make his life hell. Apart from that there are also stories about John trying to talk his niece out of getting into magic and about John's fortieth birthday (in the very first Vertigo Hellblazer issue).

Better than the earlier Ennis Hellblazer collection ("Dangerous Habits"), which wasn't bad either. The strength lies, next to interesting storytelling, in the fact that the story-arcs aren't out of the blue. They seem logical phases in Constantine's life and blend in with his everyday reality. Good and fluent Steve Dillon art in all the issues. Although it's before he realized his art doesn't need sketchy lines in it (as shown in 'Preacher'), it's close to what it is today. One of the best Hellblazer collections so far. Prior knowledge of the title is a pro, not a must.

Fear and Loathing was the first comicbook I read about John Constantine after I'd decided I'd take up collecting Hellblazer. And afterwards I sat on the sofa not knowing what had hit me. This bundel has such an impact I'd put it on the hazards list of heartpatients. Constantine's character is so human that it is very easy to identify yourself with him. Though I still think Ennis took all the bad things that can happen in life and made them happen to one person to see how long he'd be able to stretch such a persons life. Really great tradepaperback! We need more of these!

I'm surprised that there are no other reviews of this book, so I'll give one. It's actually a very simple chapter in John Constantine's life. It shows everything that Garth Ennis gave him, his humor, his horror, his ability to fight and be fought and to win out in the end. His roguish charm which takes him through so much, is shown not to be able to take him through everything that life throws at him. It is the perfect prelude book for Garth Ennis's run on the title.

The Pearl Harbor Papers is a great body of insight into the planning of the Dec 7, 1941 attack. Although some of the charts breaking down the unit compositions are redundant (due to the same information in several different accounts), a look into the mind of Minoru Genda, the brilliant planner of the strike, is invaluable. Another interesting account is the battle diary of the destroyer Akigumo, which offers a unique view from that of a screening vessel. A real good supplement to the three volumes authored by Gordon Prange about the "Day of Infamy".

Gordon Prange, the dean of Pearl Harbor researchers, and his assistants Donald M. Goldstein and Katherine V. Dillon, produced the essential trilogy on the before-during-and-after of the attack, "At Dawn We Slept" (1981), "December 7, 1941" (1988), and "Pearl Harbor: The Verdict of History" (1986). In this book, Dillon and Goldstein produce some of their essential primary sources, key Japanese documents about the planning, execution, and aftermath of the attack.

One of the key distinctives of Prange's research and writing was that, unlike so many other writers about the attack, he never forgot the Japanese half of the equation. In fact, the Pearl Harbor attack was a massive tactical undertaking, and the Japanese carried it off brilliantly. Focusing entirely on, for example, how much FDR knew and when, means ignoring the magnitude of the Japanese accomplishment.

Prange never made this mistake. And it's his research and interviews in Japan that produced this important work, assembled and published by his two assistants. While "The Pearl Harbor Papers" may be too esoteric for casual students of the Day of Infamy, people with a more serious interest in the attack, or the Pacific War generally, will find much here to keep themselves occupied.

Of particular interest are several papers and affidavits by Minoru Genda, the key planner of the attack. Also very interesting is "An Intimate Look at the Japanese Navy," by Masataka Chihaya, a former officer of the Imperial Japanese Navy, who shortly after the end of the war cataloged his services' successes and failures. It's a very clear-eyed document, and deserves a close reading.

On the whole, this is a very good book to add to your shelf of Pearl Harbor books (and anyone who has such a shelf unquestionably needs this).

What stopped the invasion of Pearl Harbor? Who protected the valuable oil supplies? How much did FDR know about Japan? The Japanese side of the story as told by the folks who brought to life the US side,(AtDawn We Slept, etc) Prange, Goldstein & Dillion. These source documents explain how and why the Sons of Nippon choose the course of action that resulted in the attack on Dec 7, 1941. This is the true story of the story behind the headlines and the hysteria, based on the ACTUAL historical documents. Interpret history for yourself. A must read for anyone who wants to understand today's and yesterdays JAPAN.

Dillon's book is the first book talking about Muslims in China written by a European writer that I read. The book gives a wealth of information starting from the origins and characteristics of Chinese Islam to the complex relationship between Islam and the Chinese State. While reading the book I discovered the myriad of ethnic groups who consitute the Muslim community in China. I was fascinated by their culture and traditions. When talking about the origin of Islam in China, I think that the author should have gone into more details and should have consulted more references especially by Muslims Chinese and non-Chinese. Although the author stated that most Muslims are Sunni Muslims, I think that too much emphasize was given to other groups. The author described many cultural aspects of Chinese Muslims, but I wonder what about other aspects like poetry, literature, scientific work, etc. Regarding the complex relationship between Islam and the Chinese State, the author should have spent more time and give a better picture on how this relationship is seen from both sides. Finally, I was pleased by the many black-and-white and colorful illustrations.

An excellent, factual review of China's Muslim minority. Dillon reviews the broad, ethnic diversity of China's Muslims and their evolution within the fabric of Chinese society.

Recommended for the casual reader; but likely not those who seek in depth academic study.

I've used Director for 5 years and i found this book full of good examples. I found the Object Oriented Programming chapter so exciting...Probably one of the best book on Director i've read (i'm waiting for Gary's new Book - Using Macromedia Director 8.5).
Buy it, non ve ne pentirete !
ciao

This is awesome! I've used Director for 2 years and was really excited about the new 3D features in 8.5 but thought I'd have to spend months learning how to use the engine. In 1 week of reading this I made my first user activated 3D projector that plays sound relational to my world.

I know why this book is so good: I looked at these guys sites in the front of the book for these authors - these guys really know how to create. Examples are inspirations!

This is the juice. I want more. Give me more.

PG Juice.

I agree that this is a great book. It really helps me with my care plans and is easy to use. The only reason it only got 4 stars is that I HAVE seen more user friendly diagnosis books for beginning students, but for that same reason I can see this book helping me in my advanced studies down the road.

This textbook on nursing diagnosis is an indispensible guide in creating the nursing diagnosis. It is well organized and easy to read. The diagnoses are grouped according to the 11 functional health patterns. Interventions are simple and broken down into easy to apply format. Additionally, interventions are listed for adults, women, psychiatric, gerontic, and for the home health care situation making this text useful in a number of clinical situations. Rationales are included with each intervention saving precious time for the nursing student writing nursing process papers. This text does not link medical diagnosis with nusing diagnosis which may make it difficult to use for some students. I, and my fellow nursing students, have found this text to be an indespensible guide in developing our nursing diagnoses.

This is a coffee table sized collection of photographs of the persons and events of the Battle of the Bulge. Although it does contain a text with information about commanders, weapons, and the overall course of the battle, the book is mainly interested in describing what is happening in its numerous photos. Of particular interest are the photos made by the Germans. The German photographers paid close attention to the large numbers of stunned American POWs, wrecked and abandoned American vehicles, and the corpses of fallen GIs. It's a different perspective from the usual pictures of advancing and victorious Americans. Also of note is that this book finally lays to rest one of the biggest inaccuracies of the photographic record of the war- proving that the famous picture of cigar chewing SS trooper next to the Malmedy sign is NOT infamous SS Lt. Col. Jochen Peiper.

The losses of American soldiers was the greatest in US military history. With all of the attention of D-Day this may be the forgotten battle of WW2 in Europe. The authors take us to the sights of this most gruesome and costly battle. It was at the BULGE that Hitler and Company made their last stand to protect the FATHERLAND.

This book gives one insight into the dangers of coal mining and the cultural aspects of it historically. Extensive interviews, with those actually involved. Humanity interwoven with hard facts. I actually cried during some accounts.

I bought the books (2) when they first came out and Mr. Dillion signed both for me. He was born in the coal field and knew the subject of which he wrote. Just within the last year I have obtained a copy of the report on the fire from the Federal Mine folks. I wonder why it took them 39 years to make the report public.... and one name was wrong in the list of those that were killed in that fire at the Holden 22 mine. The man's name was Isom Ooten, not Isom Hooten.

This book is worth buying for the illustrations alone. Although the story is not terrifically compelling, and some of the words are too difficult for young children, the book as a whole is a pleasure - endless fun for reading aloud, quite enjoyable for adults and children both.

The rhymed verse tells of the woes of Bosch's beknighted housekeeper, who must do all the standard house chores while caring for - and being harrassed by - Bosch's collection of weird creatures. She decamps, but finds she can't live without Bosch or his menagerie. Naturally, they live happily ever after. Some of language here is a little advanced, and most kids will understand the book better if an adult helps read it the first few times through.

The real heart of the book is not the story but the menagerie - the fish with pickle wings, the dandified oven, the three-legged thistles, the assorted dragons and reptiles - that lives all over and through Bosch's house. The illustrations perfectly capture the peculiar creatures, making them oddly appealing as well as just odd, in lovely, richly-colored and highly detailed renderings. The special frame (the work of the artists' son) is also wonderful.

So, although the story is a little weak, this book as a whole is a treasure; it's a literate, intelligent work that acts a springboard to fun and imagination for readers of all ages. The hardbound edition makes an excellent gift for adults who are fans of Bosch or just fantasy, as well as for kids who are tired of cute little stories about Squishy-Wishy Squirrel.

This is a magnificently crafted tale, full of whimsy and gorgeously illustrated. It makes a great gift for children as well as adults, of all age groups. You don't even have to be an avid Bosch enthusiast to enjoy the title.

"Once upon a time there was an artist named Hieronymus Bosch who loved odd creatures. Not a day passed that the good woman who looked after his house didn't find a new creature lurking in a corner or sleeping in a cupboard..." So begins Nancy Willard's inventive picture book about this mysterious Dutch painter who filled his canvasses with fantastic and intriguing beings of all shapes and sizes. This poor housekeeper couldn't take it anymore. "I'm quitting your service, I've had quite enough/of your three-legged thistles asleep in my wash,/of scrubbing the millstone you use for a dish,/and riding to shops on a pickle-winged fish." She packs her bags and leaves, but once out on her own, finds she misses all the chaos her employer's imagination brings to life, and comes flying back home on that pickle-winged fish to a happily-ever-after ending..... Ms Willard's clever, rhyming text has a medieval look and feel, and a lyrical cadence that begs to be read aloud. But it's Diane and Leo Dillons' amazing and evocative artwork that really makes this book stand out and sparkle. Youngsters will enjoy poring over and exploring the bold and engaging pictures of two headed dragons, dancing cucumbers, monkeys, and lizards, and beehives in boots... and are sure to find something new and exciting each and every time they open the book. Perfect for kids 5 and older, Pish, Posh, Said Hieronymus Bosch is a creative and entertaining introduction and includes a short biography at the end to complete the story. This is definitely a picture book budding art lovers shouldn't miss.

"Why Mosquitoes Buss In People's Ears" is a wonderful tale that teaches children about the cyclical paterns that are found through out nature. This retelling of an old African folk tale attempts to explain why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears. The story unravels a world in which a mosquito said something annoying to the iguana. The iguana placed sticks in his ears to ignore the mosquito. A series of reactive animal behaviors unfolds until eventually a monkey inadvertently killes a baby owl which causes the mother owl to forget to wake the sun. The mosquito was blamed for the fiasco and now mosquitos buzz in people's ears because they are whispering to see if we are still mad with them. The illustrations in the book are vivid and colorful, and drawn in a simple and artistic manner. This story is a great read for the developing child. There is much to think about, to joke about and to laugh about in the telling of this story. It also does a great service to the child by introducing them to a form of african literature that they might have never seen before. The only reason I do not give this book five stars is because I do not consider it an ultimate classic children's book, but don't let that turn you off from reading this wonderful story to your children.

This is a folk tale from West Africa. As a teacher, I would highly suggest it when working on a unit of multi-cultural literature. The story is circular, and offers an opportunity to explore cause and effect. Beautifully illustrated, and unique in it's writing style, I would recommend it to children from 1st to 3rd grade!

The book was the Caldecott Medal winner in 1976 for the best illustrated children's book of that year. The book is a retold version of a West African folk tale which will charm anyone who hears it.

This book is not only good for parents to read to their children, it is also appropriate for use in the classroom for K - 2nd grade. The book subtly explores the unseen hand of causation to expand children's horizons about the effects of what they do. In so doing, it raises a number of interesting issues that you can discuss together.

The story is organized as follows. A mosquito sets off a string of causation. At the end of the causation, there is an investigation which gradually unveils the causation. Realizing the causation solves the problem, and has an unintended consequence.

The book's overall point is that we all need to be better listeners. Since poor communication and listening are the most important causes of problems, this story can be the foundation to focus a child on improving in both of those areas.

"The mosquito siad, 'I saw a farmer digging yams that were almost as big as I am.'"

"I would rather be deaf than listen to such nonsense!" was the Iguana's reaction. So he put 2 sticks into his ears to block out the sound of the mosquito. (Hardly a good role model for listening.) Because Iguana could not hear, he ignored Python's greeting. Frightened by this, Python dived down the nearest rabbit hole. Doing this caused the rabbit to scurry away. Crow spotted the rabbit running, and raised the alarm that danger was near. Monkey heard the cry and leapt through the trees. One of the branches broke, and Monkey fell into Owl's nest killing an owlet. When Mother Owl returned, she was so heart broken she could not hoot to awaken the sun. So night continued.

King Lion called a meeting of the animals to investigate. Beginning with Owl, he uncovers the source of the problem. The last to be questioned was Iguana. "Yes," said the iguana. "It was mosquito's fault." The cry went up, "Punish the mosquito!"

"When Mother Owl heard that, she was satisfied. She turned her head towards the east and hooted . . . ."

"And the sun came up."

Mosquito has listened to all this from a nearby bush. Mosquito crept away.

"But because of this the mosquito has a guilty consicence."

"To this day she goes about whining in people's ears. 'Zeee! Is everyone still angry at me?'"

"When she does that, she gets an honest answer."

The illustrations are based on cut-outs of vivid pastel shades that make the story even more lively.

As you can see, the book takes causation past where responsibility really goes. So you will have a chance to discuss that mosquito wasn't really guilty of the owlet's death. It was just an accident. The mosquito was an indirect cause of the owlet's death, but not a blameworthy one. Iguana plays a much bigger and more blameworthy role, but is still not a murderer. But everyone tends to see the blame lying elsewhere (in this story, as in real life).

Obviously, the science facts are not all correct here. The sun would rise anyway, and the mosquito's sound probably plays some role in reproduction. You should discuss with your child how the human mind makes associations that are not logical and miss the real causes.

Also, who should be punished in this story? Actually, no one, but societies tend to create punishments even for innocent activity. This animal group is no exception.

Despite not being guilty, mosquito still feels uncomfortable. This is a good thing to discuss. Victims of crimes often blame themselves for somehow causing their own victimization.

Finally, what would have been a better response by Iguana? Why did Python run rather than sticking around to get better information? You can use these areas to help you child understand the important role of questions in unlocking solutions.

I also suggest that you practice a little together. Find some event, and try to trace the causes of the event back to the contributing origins. Perhaps you'll help stimulate a better thinker as a result!

Ask questions until you understand!