I truly enjoyed my time reading Book of the Hopi. It is low on cutesy Native "folk tales" and packed with actual information about Hopi clans, ritual, and migratory history. It walks you step-by-step through a series of ceremonies in striking detail.

I admit that I found Frank Waters writing style to be clinical at times, but the information he is presenting was interesting enough to overlook this.

By the time you are done with this book, I imagine there is very little you won't know about the Hopi.

Frank Waters' excellent BOOK OF THE HOPI is probably the most complete collection of Hopi stories, language, rituals, and photographs in one place. Waters wrote this book with assistance from thirty-two Hopi elders back in 1963. Much time has passed since then, and while the way of the Hopi remains mostly unchanged, access to their sacred ceremonies and rituals has been greatly reduced in the last several decades.

While BOOK OF THE HOPI was written through the eyes and ears of an outsider, it contains much of the spirit of the Hopi, and countless fascinating insights. One such example is the explanation of how one sacred ceremony (the Ya Ya) was profaned and is no longer performed, since much of its powers were taken for evil. "When you receive a wonderful power and use it for evil you lose the power. You have to use it for good to keep it."

I love the richness of information contained in this little book: symbols, the tablets of the clans, a glossary of Hopi words, thrilling tales about the creation of the worlds, and detailed descriptions of sacred objects such as the Paho (prayer-feather). This attention to detail is marvelous, but it's the heart of BOOK OF THE HOPI that makes me feel at home with the Hopi and at one with their spirit.

I give this book my highest recommendation.

This book is my first exposure to the historical, spiritual and cultural history of the Hopi, both prehistoric and modern. A must read for anyone interested in the honorable traditions of the first American inhabitants whose history predates that of European biblical history, and how the introduction of the European has completely altered their ritualistic practices. This book has opened my eyes to a people whose lives are rich in dedication to the preservation of peace for all living entities on this planet and throughout the cosmos.

Who this book is not for is the UFOlogist, Hollow-Earth and Alien-Conspiracy theorists who believe the Hopi people have come from the purported middle-earth where an evil alien civilization still exist to this day. However, who this book is for are those who respect life as the Hopi respect life and who want to these peoples through the early migrations. From this book you will see that the Hopi have traveled throughout all of the Northern and Southern Americas, as well as Canada and the Artic polar regions long before the European traveled to these parts of the globe, and whose religious practices are older than that of any religion in the world. Where the Christian religion (through the teachings and historical records of the Bible) only know of two worlds the Hopi civilization have memories of four worlds, but both have records of the exact same destruction of the last world, i.e., its destruction by water. Also the Hopi are privy to the knowledge that we will face three more worlds.

I rate this book wonderful, enlightening, educational and spiritually edifying.

This book is written as a journal of a sailing voyage. Although the authors had previously visited the remarkable areas they photograph and describe six times before, the seventh visit is chronicled in these pages. Thus there is a great depth of knowledge and experience inherent to this work which transforms a simple if elegant journal into a powerful, somewhat doleful, environmental monograph.

This is a beautifully done book with many fascinating photographs of rainforest topography and the diverse life forms which abide therein. The accompanying text is well-written and consistently informative and interesting. But the overarching theme here is that pristine environments which are critical to the survival of untold species of flora and fauna are in jeopardy. Grave jeopardy. Moreover, the McAllisters take great pains to point out that the small islands of preserved and protected ecosystem created in compromise between commercial interests and environmentalists are insufficent to protect wildlife (bears, for example) that depend upon an interlinked vastness of unspoiled terrain in which to flourish.

So this book is as much an alarm and a plea for action as it is a wondrous presentation of its picturesque subject matter. As such, it is urgent reading for those of us concerned about the ravages unleashed when a society values short-term economic advantage (as when untouched river valleys are clear-cut by logging companies) over the work nature takes eons to complete.

This is a wonderful book for both nature and bear lovers alike. It is packed with beautiful color photos. Many interesting facts about the wildlife & plants of the area are detailed in the captions.

The landscape photos feature vibrant wildflowers, ancient forests, & mountains. There are also many remarkable pictures of several bear types. I loved the close-up shot of a bear eating a fish & another of a sprit bear on a log.

Stunning photos of some other animals include a puffin close-up, a bald eagle mother with baby, & an elephant seal gathering. If you can tear yourself away from the pictures, the text is equally impressive.

The authors tell of their experiences while exploring the rainforest. They also discusses the environmental concerns of the area. Journal entries from the trip are scatted throughout the book.

A powerful book on this special place. But, now she's discovered

Just a masterfully written book. Couldn't recommend highly enough. Really makes you think!

Tom La Farge is enchanting in his vivid descriptions of the Crimson Bears that are. "A diamond rill, a writhing crystal rope!" Wonderful story and beautiful vivid descriptions make me want to live in the world of crimson bears. Tom La Farge is the next big thing... Buy this book and you will never regret it.

THIS IS THE MOST INTRIGUING BOOK EVER! IT IS WRITTEN WITH SUCH BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE IT MAKES ME WANT TO CRY! YES! LAFARGE IS GOOD.. OH YES.. LARGE IS GOOD!

I found this book because my name is also Leola. I was so excited to see something that shared my name I had to buy it. The frist thing i noticed apon receiving the book was the beautiful pictures. This will be a book that your children want to read over and over again!

This book is a wonderful addition to your home library whether you have a youngster or not. My 3-year-old daughter actually received this book as a present from her nana and made her read it about 5 times that same evening. It is a delightful re-telling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears that you don't mind reading over and over again (as most children insist that you do). The southern flavor and colorful pictures make it a very unique treasure. Not to mention that now the typical blond and blue-eyed Goldilocks is now a bright-eyed, brown-skinned beautiful little girl whom my daughter can better relate to. A definite must have!

First I must say 5 stars do not do this book justice. I read this book to my Kindergarten class and ALL were enraptured by this wonderful retelling of a classic fairy tale. They wanted to hear it over and over. It was such a popular book among my grade level collegues that the school librarian requested the ISBN number to order a copy for the entire school. I must say this book deserves 10 stars.

Looking for a smart, funny, verbal frenzy to delight school-age audiences? This one is a MUST DO! Reading it with carte blanche playfulness a la "Southrin' Stah-yle" you will have as much FUN reading this one aloud as any of your listeners. Don't forget to glance up now and then to see all the twinkling eyes. I read this two years ago and maybe stunned the 1st graders into silence with the roaring of the bear but the 3rd grade today quickly piped in the chorus of "...EAT...YOU... UP!!" (heavy emphasis on the "puh!") Dare I say more fun than sharing the stories of Brer' Rabbit? Same vein, but updated/smarter/slicker with Kesey's savvy vocabulary. (4.9 AR level - or, "fourth grade, ninth month" for independent readers). Anyone who loves language, acting, humorous moral tales will LOVE this one.

The illustrations are drop-dead gorgeous but the story really steals the show. My husband and I are always quoting from this one--"and then I'm gonna DRINK SOME BUTTERMILK!" I love the dialect and the wonderful similies ("like an elevator up a greasy groove"). Can't wait to have kids so I can read it to them.

I loved reading this book to kids in the library. It has tons of great adjectives. It's full of fun and keeps kids guessing as to 'what will happen next?' I want to own this book!

This is an exceptional book for young children whose family is going through a divorce. It has a nice "Note to Grownups" in the front which explains the age appropriate fears of preschooler, kindergartener ages. It helps quiet the child's main fears about loss of the people most important to the child. Routine and how the grownups handle things around this age group is so important for their needs to be met during such a stressful time. This book could be helpful at such times. I plan to use this book for some relatives, and do use it in my therapy practice. Youngsters I've worked with have asked to read this one again.

I've recently purchased this book to help my three year old son understand why mommy and daddy are not living together anymore. He was only two and a half years old when our divorce happened, but as parents, we've never really explained to him about the divorce since we thought he's too young to comprehend it. However, this book, when I read it to him the first time, has helped him make sense the feelings that he's currently experiencing. He can relate his feelings to this book, and every time I read it to him, he would ask me to read it over and over again. To me this is a very good book for my toddler because, it's not very direct about the divorce issue, and it makes him feel comfortable about the book when I read it to him at bedtime. I would recommend this book to divorced parents who have little ones. This book would surely help the little ones ease the emotions that they're experiencing.

As an attorney and divorce mediator in New York and New Jersey I try to keep up on all of the children's books put out on the topic of divorce - in order to give my clients recommendations. This book is WITHOUT A DOUBT the best book for young children on the topic. It doesn't try to get too into the topic (like Dinosaur's divorce - which is better for kids a bit older) and stresses the two (2) most important themes for children experiencing divorce to learn: (1) some things are changing - but many things are staying the same; (2) you didn't do anything to cause it - and you can't do anything to stop it. This is a GREAT book and a great resource for professionals working in divorce to recommend.

This was one of the best children's books I have read, and I recommend it for children that are getting ready to move. This book was written by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
Moving day is about a family of bears, they are Papa bear, Mama bear, and brother bear. Before they moved to the valley, they lived in a cave. Mama had a vegetable garden, and Papa cut down trees and made furniture. Brother kept busy playing with his many friends, which were animals. Then Papa bear said that they they needed to move because the trees were getting farther and farther away and Mama bear agreed that they needed to move because the soil was getting too hard for her vegetable garden. Brother bear was very sad about moving because he would miss his friends. Mama bear said that he could write his old friends and make new friends when they moved into their new house. They moved into a treehouse that needed alot of work. As they looked at it and imagined how it would look after it was fixed up, the neighbors came over to say "hi". Now the bears had new friends and after they fixed up the treehouse it was just perfect!

This book is set before the bear family has moved into the tree house. It tells about why they are mvoing and how sad brother is but how he does have even more fun when they get to their new house.

If you have read any of the story books in this series you know how great of books they are. I suggest this book for any kids who loves great book!

In 1981 we moved cross coutry with our three year old son. This book helped "develop" the pictures of the process for him. Now I am in the "mentor" position for other young mothers facing long distance moves. This is my first gift choice for them and their three or four year olds to make the process understandable and FUN. Patricia Smith, RNS, MS

Most children are afraid of going to the doctor (well a lot of adults are, too, but for completely different reasons). When the word doctor is mentioned to kids images of needles, blood, bandages, and strange looking objects come to mind. Reading THE BERENSTAIN BEARS GO TO THE DOCTOR may help relieve some of the fears that children have when they know they are going to the doctor.

In the story, Brother and Sister Bear have to go to Dr. Gert Grizzly to have a checkup. Brother isn't too bothered by the whole thing, but Sister is a bit worried. The next day Sister is able to help out some frightened younger cubs while she is in the waiting room and sets an example for all the children to follow.

Overall, a delightful little book that helps relieve children's fears of going to the doctor and gives them a broader perspective about life.

Its the cubs time for their first check-up. Sister is VERy nervous, but both of them are worried because they thing that they might get a shot.

It is a good book to read to your kids if they are going to be going for their first check-up or anytime.

The berenstain Bears Go To The Doctor is a great book.I especially like how it has the cubs (brother and sister) going to the doctor for a check-up. They ended up not finding anything wrong with them and getting a shot anyway so they don't get sick. It turns out that papa, whose convises them that he never gets sick, gets sick. This is a really good book and fun to read. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I gave this book four stars because it is a great book for children dealing with questions about Santa Claus. Papa Bear answers all these questions with a simple answer, "Christmas is such a special time of year that very special, almost magical things can happen. And the most magical thing of all is Santa Bear."

Plot: The family arrives at the mall, with the parents worried about the cubs' reaction to all the excitement of Christmas rolling around. Papa tries to assure Mama they're calm cubs... until they see them fired up in front of the new toy store, and then Sister gets even more fired up when Brother points out that Santa Bear is coming.

Eventually, Sister gets a little too carried away and makes her Christmas list a mile long. Brother explains that Santa's probably gonna think she's greedy. Sister worries about that and the times she hasn't been good. She then learns from Brother and the parents that Santa doesn't expects kids/cubs to be perfect. Then Brother tells her that presents for parents is the kids' jobs. So they get out their money and Sister shortens her list.

While visiting Santa and buying presents for their parents, Sister can't help but wonder... what Calvin wonders about Santa in "Calvin and Hobbes". By the end, Sister (and the readers) learns the true meaning of Christmas.

Bloopers and Plot Holes: I guess Stan and Jan had the artists make names for the bear-hug teddy, the pink pony, and the RC robot.

Just curious... shouldn't Papa look a little embarressed when Mama says "Calm and sensible, eh?"

Hey, how much did those gifts cost?

This book is a good book about caring, especially during the Christmas season. At first Sister wants to receive many presents, but latter realizes that Christmas is about giving. it deals with Santa Bear and even wonders how he does such magical things. This book answers these questions in a way children can understand.

My 3-year-old girl got this for her birthday, and just loves it. It's a bit scary, as the bear misbehaves, but it's also silly, and she enjoys seeing him get his come-uppance. The rhymes are fun, too. The art is a bit crude, but the story is very enjoyable.

My first graders LOVE this book!
They begged to hear it again and again. It has a fun rhythmic story line that the kids love to repeat, and the pictures are really fun. They also wanted to act out the story.
I'm going to get a few of these books as holiday gifts!
A must-have!

My two daughters (aged 4 and 5) say this is their favorite book. We've been reading it over and over since they were babies. They love the naughty big black bear who turns out to be a child just like them (and is forgiven in the end, of course). The rhyming text is very catchy ("come in, please, wipe your paws on the mat...I'm a big black bear, I don't have to do that"). Don't let your kids grow up without reading this and the other Wong Herbert Yee books!