Tolya has created a challenging child who just won't listen. Fiesty Lucy bypasses the voices around her until nature causes her to stop and pay attention to its conversations. Neighbors, flowers and bees alike tell Lucy what she's been missing. Intelligent, Lucy learns to be here now. Insight into laryngitis, Lucy's minor medical ailment, provides an added attraction for parents. All my friends love Lucy and have purchased the book for the children in their lives. We can't wait to meet Tolya's next 'Smartie Pants'.

I am six years old. My mom and I read Loud Lips Lucy last night and I really liked it. I put the book under my pillow. Thank you and I can't wait to read the next book. I may be able to read it by myself soon.

Lucy is just like any other NYC public elementary school girl. She is exciting, anxious and finally grows up to realize that the world is changing every minute. Lucy's innocence provides the reality, that we all remembered as children. Our children must realize that Lucy is a very special child and her message is profound!

This book, a favorite in elementary school, haunted me for years...until I found a copy in a used book shop. Marvelous!
As an adult, I still return to its magic and poetry. A soothing balm for the old, cynical heart!

My mother, who is now 82, read poems from this book to her three children in the 1950s - I still remember sitting on her lap listening to "Animal Crackers" by Christopher Morley and my all-time favorite, "The House with Nobody In It" by Joyce Kilmer. I am delighted that it has been reprinted for me to read to my grandchildren.

I was introduced to this marvelous collection in an old copy held by a dear friend, who grew up with it. I received my own, reprinted copy last year, and it is one of the treasures of my book collection. Ms. Thompson has selected what were modern poems for her from the under-appreciated trove of early 20th Century American literature. Her eye for poetic gems is startling, and the book holds up to dozens of readings.

This book is great for those who love role-playing but can't always find others to play with. You don't need anyone else. The characters are easy to make for those who have no experience. The book can be used alone or wiht the rest of the series. The only thing i found wrong with this entire series is you can only get half of it. it is imposible to get the last six books. I have been trying for two years. If you start a character in the first book by the time you get to the sixth book you are stuck because you are too strong for the monsters and such. If it is possible to get all twelve books the series would be the best role-playing I have ever seen.

this is the the most detailed, flexible and playable choose your own adventure series yet. I have the first two and am desperate to find more. I thought they hadn't made more until I read here that others have them. PLEASE them me how you got them!!!!!!!! I'm addicted to these books, and I need more!!!!!

My wife found this in a clearance rack at our local Safeway store and thought I might like it. I actually forgot about it until 2 months later. I was drawn into it last week, and could not put it down. I think it is a wonderful role-playing adventure. I only have this one, and am searching for more books. There was a web-site that had the entire series, but it was taken off the web. If anyone can, please let me know where I can find more in the series. Thank you!

I bought this book to help me become a better grill chef. I love a steak cooked on my grill. There are tips for how to grill successfully here, especially on page 26 and page 6. There are several notable tips for insuring a great grilling experience, such as the admonition to use Salt on page 40 and 51. I love the composed butter recipe for T-Bone steaks.

The book is organized by types of "cuts". It is the uptown cuts that interest me the most. The sections about the T- Bone, Porterhouse, Strip, Rib Eye, and Sirloin. There are recipes for each type of cut. There are many asides in this book that describe the history of and tools used in cooking steaks.

I will not comment on the downtown or cross-town recipes because I've not spent much time with them.

I cannot help but favorably recommend a book the mentions a personal favorite steak house of mine in Ponder, Texas.

This book is filled with wonderful recipes. Last week I made the Strip Steaks with Spanish Cheese Sauce. It is absolutely delicious. The Calabres cheese is pungent, but it makes a wonderful sauce for this steak, so don't be afraid to try it.

My family loved this cookbook!

From Baked Steak to Pot Roast, learn how to cook beef in ways /everyone/ will love. This book does not 'talk down' to you like other 'cookbooks,' but lays out its recipes in a straightforward 'no nonsense' fashion. Like the title suggests, this book is strictly beef, but it covers all different kinds of steak and tells you how to cook it best in plain, 'no nonsense' language. In the back are several scrumptious sounding desserts! I can't wait to try.

This book is a must for anyone who wants to learn to do steak right!

I purchased this book as a graduation gift for my granddaughter. Of course, I had to read it first, just to check it out. ;)

I wish I'd known before what this book reveals. Mz Thompson's behind-the-scenes knowledge of the ad industry, how to use and misuse words to entice us to "buy" what someone is selling, whether it's a product or just some B.S. was enlightening.

I hope she writes another one. I'd purchase that one too.

If you know a parent struggling with communicating with teenagers or preteens, this book would be a real help. And any
married couple would find it helpful in discussing decisions or disagreements without loss of harmony.
The book would also be a boon to a youngster. Remember all the difficult situations when you weren't sure what to say, or what to make of what was said to you? Imagine having a book that could tell you how to use words to help you progress in life, and how to deal with verbal abuse!

This is a defense manual for everyday life! The book's interactive, with each chapter's method of detecting and coping with words clearly and vividly explained. The concepts in it provide skills that empower the reader, and can improve your life!

If you are a fan of the Lone Ranger, movie serials and/or Clayton Moore, this is a must read. Moore is quite possibly the only movie serial star alive today. He provides a wealth of inside information on how they were made. His insights into the production of the Lone Ranger series is also quite facinating. His feelings on portraying the Lone Ranger come across as sincere and genuine. He also seems to be a very pleasant person and a real pro. However, what keeps the book out of the five star rating are a few details that he skips over. For example, he glossed over why he was replaced by John Hart in the role of the Ranger for a year. I think there is more to the story. Moore also describes his longstanding friendship with Tom Neal. I would have been interested to learn about Moore's feelings about the murder that Neal committed in the late 60's. Maybe that kind of sordidness doesn't belong in a upbeat and positive book like this. All in all, a great book that must be read by Lone Ranger and serial fans everywhere.

Massive doses of nostalgia are guaranteed upon reading this book. Clayton Moore takes us on a ride to the thrilling days of yesteryear in a very pleasant account of his days as The Lone Ranger with many anecdotes and behind the scenes stuff. The book not only covers the TV series, but life after the series making personal appearances and continuing with the tradition of living up to the high standards set by Moore's masked alter ego. Of special interest is the part where Moore talks about his feelings with the movie The Legend of The Lone Ranger and the period of time when he was forbidden to wear his mask in public. Highly recommended to all fans of The Lone Ranger.

Clayton Moore's book is a treat for aging baby-boomers who still return to those thrilling days of yesteryear. Even with his respectable work product as a B movie actor in the '40s, Moore ("Jack" to insiders) was relatively unknown when he first appeared as The Lone Ranger in TV's version of the classic radio series. The best parts of the book are the behind the scene details of the famous TV show. Moore recalls his friendship with Jay Silverheels, a full-blooded Mohawk whose real name was Harold J. Smith. Tonto's dialogue both annoyed and amused Silverheels. Silverheels joked about it with Moore, but he also worked to improve the film image of Native Americans. Two horses portrayed Silver. We also learn the story of Lone Ranger Rock, featured in the opening sequence of the show. For decades, Moore made personal appearances in character. Wherever he traveled, everybody loved him for what he meant to Western folklore and us. He was careful to preserve the integrity of the image in his private life. In a conspicuous public relations blunder, The Wrather Corporation, because of a new movie (circa, 1980), took Moore to court to prohibit him from wearing the mask in public. Loyal fans united in protest and stayed away from the box office in droves. After the film flopped, Moore got the mask back. Moore says he knew there was a private person besides the public image, and that he was careful to keep the two identities separate. Regardless, Clayton Moore was that masked man. Recommended reading for nostalgia buffs and generations of loyal Lone Ranger fans. ;-)

There is a lot of good information in this book, but most of it can be found toward the beginning. The tips on predicting the weather alone could be worth the price of the book. However, the maps of the various waterways were absolutely terrible. I would recommend this book for a general overview and lots of tips and tricks for paddlers, and the two "Canoeing and Kayaking the Streams of Florida" guides for detailed information on specific waterways.

Book Review- Paddler's Guide to the Sunshine State by Sandy Huff

Coming from a whitewater paddling background, my first thought on looking at the river descriptions in Huff's book was, "Hm, not very detailed." On further reflection, though, this makes sense. Details of how to run rapids aren't needed in Florida, and the lack of details makes visiting the waterways described much more of a voyage of discovery- as paddling should be.
Huff has logically divided her book into three major sections. The first part contains tips for paddling in Florida, and includes chapters on gear and clothing and how to pack it, staying healthy, staying safe, and camping in Florida with sections on cooking and camp activities, all delightfully written by someone who clearly has had an abundance of paddling experience.
The second section describes in detail all the wildlife you might encounter on any trip on Sunshine State waterways, and your best strategies for safely dealing with those critters (Do NOT feed the wildlife!). Aunt Sally from Ohio will survive her first alligator encounter if you follow Huff's advice. There is even a short chapter on fishing.
Finally, the last section contains descriptions of over 200 trips on 91 waterways across the state. Every description contains all the information you'll need to make that trip: a map, where to put in, where to take out, the length of time and/or mileage involved, skill level needed, and local emergency phone numbers (great idea!). The descriptions are also keyed to the corresponding DeLorme atlas page numbers, and include a brief outline of what you can expect to encounter, all written in a tastefully understated manner.
It's difficult to find any flaws in this book, or figure out how to improve upon it. For every Sunshine State paddler or anyone who wants to become one, Huff's book is a must read.

-John Kumiski

If you want to have just one book on paddling in Florida then this is the one to get!! It has easy-to-read maps, web sites, addresses and phone numbers for further information. Paddling a river or creek is more than just knowing where to put in and take out. Sandy gives you all kinds of information on the area, fishing, wildlife, weather, safety and much more. I must have every book there is on paddling in Florida but they're going on the bottom shelf because this is the one I'm going to reach for when planning my next adventure!!

Jean Thompson's Who Do You Love is an incredible collection of short stories featuring lives in various states of repair. Her turn of phrase is absolutely remarkable--I found myself re-reading paragraphs just to savor the stunning expression. The reader cares about every character. This collection is a real work of art--if I worked in a bookstore, I would press this book into the hands of every intelligent customer who loves Alice Hoffman, Elizabeth Berg, Barbara Kingsolver, and Flannery O'Connor. Thank you, Jean Thompson!

It is appalling that a writer of Jean Thompson's talent needs to have her book nominated for the National Book Award before a store like Borders will carry more than one copy of her work. It is appalling as well, that said store will only carry copies of the work that was nominated, not her other two short story collections or two novels. I read her original collection of short stories, "The Gasoline Wars," about ten years ago and was extremely impressed. I wasn't even aware of the three published works in between that and this newest collection.

"Who Do You Love" is a fantastic collection of stories dealing with sad individuals, at difficult times in their lives, reacting to various stages of their latest love interests. The collection takes us through various landscapes, from the northwest rainy Oregon all the way to the grubby southeast states. The individuals vary from young to old; the only constants being the state of sadness, and the fact that the reader cares about them.

It is Thompson's use of language that is most impressive. There are times where she goes above and beyond what you would expect in her character dialogues or descriptions. There is a specific point that you find yourself believing most writers would have stopped, but she goes on and does so successfully. Only a confident writer would go this far. As an observer, she obviously has a tremendous ear. You find yourself re-reading full sections of her work just in appreciation of her art. She is by no means a minimalist but she does not waste a word. The stories have an intelligence to them and while melancholy in nature, there is a stunning use of wit as well.

Search out her work and put it on your shelf next to the Huddle's and Bell's and others who have mastered this craft.

5 stars.

Though Jean Thompson was nominated for the National Book Award last year (and should have won, in my opinion), it is almost bewildering to me that her work is not as well-known as some of her contemporaries. This collection is a masterpiece by a writer whose sensibility blends dark and gritty subject matter with sublime language -- a bit like Alice Munro in tone, though at once both more stylized and more viscerally felt, unlikely as that may seem. The opening piece, "All Shall Love Me and Despair" (which was included in the 1996 Best American Short Stories) is as gorgeous as the Oregon coast that is its setting, as unsettling as its compassionate depiction of the character Scout's battles with heroin addiction, and as heartfelt as the woman, Annie, who tries to love him. Another fine piece is the story "Mercy," a close character portrait of a nightshift police officer and his relationship or lack thereof with a tough, unforgiving woman whose reckless son dies in a car accident. The 15 stories collected in this book date as far back as 1988 and represent a substantial body of work that deserves great acclaim and attention. I can't say enough about Thomspson's stories. They are simply marvelous.

THE best book on Basquiat out there! A very talented New York artist that started out doing graffiti on the New York Subways as SAMO and instantly became famous after one day meeting Andy Warhol and giving him a postcard of his artwork. They became quick friends and Warhol had a great influence on his very short career even though Jean-Michel's work is totally different. Jean Michel died tragically from a drug overdose. Cool little known fact - He dated Madonna! Great photos of the Jean-Michel and an incredible extended chronology in the back of the book. Best yet info on the artist existing anywhere in the the book. Color plates of his art work are superb, large, and mostly one per page, incredible color. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of Jean-Michel or his friends Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, or Andy Warhol.

This is a great book with many of Basquiat's paintings and drawings. It also has various essays by art critics and people who knew him. I suppose the reviewers who slammed Basquiat also think anybody could knock over a couple of paint buckets and be Jackson Pollock. The genius of Basquit in my mind is his ability to create truly beautiful paintings while painting in a seemingly uncontrolled, primitive (I hate that word) fashion. The way he layered colors, and added details is incredible. My favorite is "Untitled (Skull)" 1981. Here is a brilliant example of how Basquiat combines dissarray, ugliness, harmony, and beauty all into the same striking painting. I know Basquiat idolized Hendrix and ultimately went out much like he did, unable to cope with his talent and the attention it brought. To me Basquiat's painting very much mirrors Hendrix's musical talents. They both created wild, noisy, seemingly unharnessed, unpolished art. But to the careful, sensitive observer the true beauty and magic is revealed.

Such a tragedy for a talented fellow like Basquiat to succumb to the temptations of drugs at such an early age. His paintings are so raw and fresh. I feel as though he used canvasses as giant doodle pads which he displayed to the world. Many of our own doodle pads (next to our phones, on our office desks, etc.) end up in the [bin] but Basquiat's ended up in the galleries and museums of the world. Some think of his work as [bad] but I view it as a treasure. Fine art, cartoons, grafitti and doodling...the best things in life. This book is the best collection I've seen of his work. The reproductions are well done and the essays are enlightening. For the art afficianado, this book needs to join the collection.

Hunter S. Thompson is the craziest author that I have ever read. He has a specific style that I have never really seen before. He will go from one idea directly into a totally different one, and then back. The book itself is basically little stories composed on Thompson's experiences as a journalist. The stories take place generally in the 70's, and they are crazy. His constant religious metaphors are often hard to follow. My favorite story in the book is "Fear and Loathing at the Super Bowl." This is about a time when he was covering the Miami Super Bowl game. He is in a hotel and spends his time gambling and drinking. Drugs are a major influence on his life, which is one of the reasons he writes the way that he does. Throughout the story, you are introduced to many strange characters. These characters are described through the eyes of Thomson, which makes them all the more stranger. Thomson talks about preaching from his 15th story hotel room and in the lobby. The next second he is paranoid that the manager is after him. Thomson is an incredible journalist and writer, and his stories are outrageously interesting and thought provoking.

"Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas" is his most famous book, and rightly so. But that was just one notorious blip in a long and notorious career. "Shark Hunt" collects Thompson's best work from the 60s and 70s, which is when the man was at his best, smartest and funniest. Read here his profound and alarming stories on Ali, Jimmy Carter, death and distaster in East LA, the Kentucky Derby, wars, riots, booze, himself, himself and himself. This is the stuff that made HST one of the greatest and most unconventional (and influential) journalists of his time. To understand Hunter S. Thompson and his work, the place to turn is not "Las Vegas," but here. The only complaint is that the Ralph Steadman drawings that accompanied the stories when they first appeared in Rolling Stone are sadly missing. A new special edition is probably in order...

I first read this book when it came out and it is one of the few books I return to read over the years. Of Thompson's "Best Of's" (he has three "best of" volumes the author titles as "Gonzo Papers"), The Great Shark Hunt is easily the best. The book has very rare articles by the author in his formative years in So. America, as well as his best work from the height of his talent and fame (the 1970s). A good companion piece to "Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas" (the author's finest work and recently inducted as a Modern Library piece) and his insider look with "Hells Angels". The man has a mastery of the English language in a simple, flowing, humorous way