The poem, "Over in the Meadow" by Olive Wadsworth is one of my all-time favorites. It is from this poem that the song, "Over in the Endangered Meadow" is taken, upon which this book is based. Given that it is a counting poem, not only conservationalist ideals are presented, but a progression of numbers as well. My two-year-old and I both enjoy the lush, rich, saturated illustrations that depict a variety of endangered species in their natural habitats. Notes on the animals and what is endangering them, as well as the musical score, are included at the back.

Since, in the book, the song is sung from the perspective of grandparents to their grandchildren, environmentally conscientious grandparents might want to add this book to their collection, or choose it as a gift for their young loved ones.

Another fine nature/counting book inspired by "Over in the Meadow" is "Somewhere in the Ocean" by Jennifer Ward and T.J. Marsh. We bought that book for our son following a trip to the aquarium nearly a year ago, and it continuities as one of our toddler's most requested favorites.

Having grown up in the East Bay, I found the book fascinating -- could have used a few more pictures but the maps were great.

I have ordered at least two copies for family who have relocated to the East Bay so that they have a walking tour guide.

This is a treasure for any of us with connections to the area.

THis book was well written

It seems that Dana Gioia can't do much of anything without turning the poetry world upsided down. More controversy, and all collected in this slim volume for us to take in. It starts with Gioia's essay "Fallen Western Star" which chronicles San Francisco's fall from it's height as the second largest literary center in the US. Like most of Gioia's essays, it is well-written, well-though out, and pertinant. It applies to more than just San Francisco, but discusses the danger we are in of losing all regional literature. And from there it was a hornet's nest had been poked. There are some well written discussions from Jack Foley (who edited the collection) and Richard Silberg (who opposes Gioia). Silberg makes a good case and writes almost as eloquently as Gioia does. I leave it up to the reader to decide which side is right. There are also well written responses from Dave Mason, Jonah Raskin, Micheal Lind, and Scott Timberg. There is also a letter from Howard Junker, which really doesn't belong here because it is a rant against Gioia, which is not thought out at all and clumsily written. The book is one that is essential to understanding the state of American literature. As usual, Gioia is in the center of some flurry of anger or controversy, but as usual Gioia makes a point that all of us need to understand to help save the state of American Letters.

This volume is the introduction to one of the finest Horror cities ever created. Though in later volumes the class of writers isn't as good as this one. There is a Lucius Laffing mystery by Joseph Payne Brennan, a fantastically melancholy "Something in a Song" by Galad Elfonson (spelled wrong). There are also stories by Robert McCammon, Robert Vardeman, Reginald Bretnor (or is it Ronald, been awhile since I read it) as well as others. If you can find a copy, buy it, readit and pass it on to others.

Got it, love it ,"hooked" on it. This is a great, first "fossil"
book or an excellant addition to an existing library.Kent manages to cover 88 million years in 146 pages. The novice collector will find the 11 sections and 5 appendices well organized .The numerous line drawings make identification of common specimens easy. Every question about collection and preservation is answered.

This book was the only source that I could find that would provide such detail on things to to do in the Traverse Bay Region. It lists tons of resteraunts, lodging sites, and things to do (very detailed social night life section). I only wish they would rate the lodge sites and resteraunts. That may have been a tall order though, considering how many they list.

What is it like to teach Inuit children in Canada's Arctic? What is it like to be a first-year teacher? What is it like to be thousands of miles away from one's home and family? These are just some of the questions that the author addresses in this slim compilation (l54 pages) of 38 letters, 65 journal entries, and 4 pages of pictures.
Pelly Bay, now called Kugaaruk, is in Canada's central Arctic. Ellen Langs Gray, a young teacher from southern Ontario, taught there for four years starting in August of 1990. The letters she wrote home and her journal entries depict her first year of teaching and living there. Through Lang's writing we experience northern life and culture and gain insights into the challenges and joys of being a teacher of Inuit students.This book is full of terrific descriptions.
Some examples include a church service:
"I went to church this week. Not only was I the only non-Catholic there, I was the only non-Inuit. Talk about being a minority. When I arrived at 10:55, there were two people there. I couldn't understand why they'd set up so many chairs. The service started at 11:05, and people drifted in at 11:10 or at 11:20, right up until 11:40. By then, there were about 150 people. You couldn't hear the priest at times because of all the babies and toddlers, not that it bothered me, who couldn't understand a word. I quite enjoyed it, though."
everyday life in the north:
"There is something wrong with the water system at school. We run out of water a couple of times a week and have to phone for an emergency refill. I haven't yet run out of water at home. I've learned to time my laundry, etc. around delivery days. You can get extra or after-hours delivery if you run out, but it costs 15.00."
and the challenges of teaching:
"I've got my class routines more or less under control. The slang word the kids use here is "boring." Everything is boring" reading is boring, math drill is boring, not letting them chew snuff is boring, falling in the mud is boring, lining up quietly is boring, and they groan it with such a look of disgust. It hurts my feelings somewhat to have all my carefully-thought-out ideas dismissed as "so boring", but I'm getting used to it now. I just groan back at them."
This book is an enjoyable read. For anyone interested in teaching, working in the north, or the life of the Inuit it is a bargain!

This is a nice representation of Chesapeake Bay lighthouses, with great pictures and some interesting stories. Very visually pleasing with good content!

Basically, Rene di Rosa took one of the finest pieces of property in the world--a vineyard in the Carneros region between the Napa and Sonoma valleys--and built himself a home and an art collection which is open by appointment. This book catalogues his collection which is heavily (or you could say patriotically) skewed toward Norther n Californian artists--Wiley, Arneson, Michael Alfe and others. The di Rosa art preserve is exactly what I'd do if I had the money; two medium sized galleries and a three story home covered from floor to ceiling with art works, surrounded by an inviting but unostentatious garden. A flock of more than 50 peacocks yelling their empty little heads off wander around the place. I don't think I've seen a place that sums up the creative, pleasurable side of what it meant to be in the Bay Area in the 1960s. This book gives you a taste of di Rosa's collection, but for the real thing arrange a trip out to see the preserve; you won't be sorry.