I checked this book out at the library and both of my children love it! They are four and two. My two year old, when it is time to read books before bed, says, "Here comes train?"

Excellent read-aloud with plenty of opportunity for motions, volume changes, etc. It starts out so quiet, builds to a fevered pitch, then ends with the little boy going to sleep.

I'll be buying this one!

From the day we first read this to our 2-1/2 year-old, he could not get enough of it. It's an easy read, he loves the characters and the story line, and he talks about it incessantly. I think the beauty of the book is that kids can identify with it because it is based on actual experiences - the excitement of an oncoming train, biking with mom or dad, anticipating arrival of something exciting, and dreaming about it in bed later. This is a must for any kids book collection.

I originally found this in my local library 18 months ago. When we returned it after two weeks, my 2 year old kept asking me to read it again, so I bought a copy. We continue to read it often. It's a delightful story about Shabbat and family, and why it's all so special to a little boy. In addition to being a wonderful story, the illustrations are beautiful, and the typography is far better than most children's books. It looks like this book was an act of love for everyone who contributed to it.

This is a wonderful story about a young boy who is going on his first fishing trip with his Papa, and is determined to catch himself "a gefilte fish". Absolutely charming and captivating story that you and your kids will want to read over and over again.

I showed Hugs for Caregivers to my friend. She held the book like it was a kiss and didn't let go of it. If you could have seen her face. Without even talking about it we shared the pain. It touched a sore spot and took it all away. The book, it works.

This powerful book blesses people who care for an elderly parent, a chronically ill child, a shut-in or a retarded person. Short, honest chat room style dialog fits into the busiest person's day. The book has been used in support group role playing. Gathering experience in ordinary support group life, Hugs provides practical tools and personal insights to empower positive forces in caregivers' lives. There is a helpful resource section in the back.

Each of the 112 pages in this book offers a powerful source of strength and consolation.

I enjoyed reading this book from beginning to end. It was surprising to find humor along with good advice, and the relaxed tone and easy-to-read format made me feel comfortably at home. The characters seemed real, as if I have known them for years by whatever names they might have, and I found myself sympathizing with them. Perhaps it was the conversational atmosphere, warm and fun, that turned a serious book into a delightful memory. Certainly, that was helped by the attractive black and white pictures, all of people laughing, sharing family times together, suggesting that even in the worst of times, you can have some good moments. This book could be a caregiver's dream, a gift of comfort for a stressed-out family member or friend in the midst of troubled days.

Loved your book! Read it in just about one sitting. Left it with a psychiatrist friend. I know she'll identify. She is a poet and was professor of literature at MIU. I particularly was impressed by the intro where you explained the whys--beautiful. Great, funny/sad stories.

An intimate look at the relation between a mother and her daughter, each striving to do things as she sees fit, and bumping heads. And yet, there is a strong, loving bond between the two. The daughter seeks independence, the mother control. An intimate look at their lives and the others they love.

This is a story of Kori, of the island tribe, her persecution at the hands of her own people and her struggles to survive as an outcast.

Kori's people live on an island that was once an old lava flow off the coast of the mainland. Their fear of 'old ones' (evil ground spirits) has united the tribe in constant 'appeasement' rituals, and virtually eliminated tribal conflict.

Kori, 20, has always been different. She has always questioned the will of the "Old Ones," (the evil ground spirits who guard and harass her people) and the will of her mother, the tribe's shaman.

Unable to secure a mate because of her 'differentness', a conflict with her mother arises which leaves her an outcast.

I really liked this story. While the beginning was rather slow and a little dark (Kori's people's fear of the old ones is at times all-consuming), Kori was a believable heroine, with a likeable personality. Her struggles to be accepted by her tribe, her mother, were at times heart-wrenching. Her eventual romance with a non-tribal male was well-portrayed.

I recommend this novel for fans of 'prehistoric fiction.' You won't be disappointed.

I really enjoyed this book. It is one of those that you stay up really late at night saying "I'll just read one more chapter then I'll go to bed!" It is well written and not "overly symbolic" like you find in some books about this subject. I charcters are believable and the story is great. I already have the sequel on back-order!

There are not too many books on Jade, so I'm glad I found this one. It was pretty informative and had very nice photographs illustrating the author's points. It's worth it if you're in the jewelry business and want to know more about jade, and it's good for any jade collector. I found the information to be accurate.

Like all of the Fred Ward Gem Books Series, this is an instant classic. It features National Geographic quality photos, no surprise since Ward has photographed/authored a number of articles for that magazine. My favorite section deals with the jade from Meso-America, used by the Olmec, Mayan and Aztec civilizations. But it also contains much on Burmese and Chinese jade. This is simply an outstanding book. Buy it.

Anne Ford has written a remarkable book. This is tremendously helpful for all parents that have children with learning disabilities. Also, it is a great lesson that shows the rest of us to reach out to others with love, patience and dignity.

When a child is born, parents are filled with positive dreams for his or her future. These typically include success in school, supportive friends, good health and a life filled with joy. If the child were a painting, it would have bright colors, sharp focus, every detail in place. But that fairy-tale existence is just that --- a fable. We are imperfect, and so are children.

And then there are families that get an extra helping of imperfection. Instead of dreams, they get challenges which can either pull them together or fracture them. In Anne Ford's case the "perfect world" dream dissolved when she learned that her daughter Allegra had learning disabilities. While they were not visible to the naked eye, what was going on inside Allegra was impeding her development and her ability to learn. It's never easy to accept a dark, definitive verdict, especially when it concerns a small child. To her credit, Anne did. And then she became Allegra's advocate and cheerleader, as well as her mother.

Few books have moved me as much as LAUGHING ALLEGRA. While the story of our family is different from Anne's, I do know what happens when the picture gets blurred. What works about this book is that Anne writes this memoir with candor and feeling --- right from the heart. She captures the swirl of emotion that surrounds this diagnosis, the questions that every parent asks and the path through what is always uncharted territory, as each child is his or her own mosaic. At the same time, she offers concrete information that parents of learning-disabled children need. Most important of all: Anne Ford shows us, beat by beat, how she helped her daughter build a world in which she could laugh instead of cower, succeed instead of fail. She empowered Allegra and along the way empowered herself as well.

The book is by no means whitewashed with only upbeat anecdotes. In her writing you can feel the pain that filled many of these years, as well as the uncertainty. The book took four years to write and along the way Anne had to dredge up some feelings that readers will see are still raw. There is no quick patch when you have watched your child hurting; clearly, she ripped the bandages off to write this.

Often when people learn that things are not "perfect," there is a natural feeling of being overwhelmed with the unknown. For parents who have found themselves either on the cusp of the diagnosis, or grappling with its meaning, or even those who are further along the path and want to read how another family grew with this, I recommend LAUGHING ALLEGRA. I also recommend it for parents of so-called "normal children," who may want to understand rather than dismiss the schoolmate their child knows who is different, or special.

Anne's book stresses that this is a family issue as it affects the entire family. She was a single mother, but also had a son, Alessandro, whose role as Allegra's older brother took him on a journey that he also had not expected. The effect on him is spoken about with enough depth to ensure that readers realize that that all people in the family must grapple with the challenge.

One thing to note here. Allegra is now thirty and living independently. As I read I thought about the great strides that are being made every day in the diagnosis and treatment of learning disabilities. Anne and Allegra came to tackle many of the challenges without the tools that are now in place. This, as much of any of Anne's stories, can bring parents great hope.

The back of the book has appendices with list of resources and excellent guidelines on such topics as Questions Parents Ask, Mothers and Fathers Understanding Each Other and Your Legal Rights. They are as well-written as the rest of the book, and provide more nuts and bolts information.

I cannot recommend a book more highly than this. Halfway through I found myself making lists of people who would enjoy it. I encourage you to pick it up --- and then spread the word.

--- Reviewed by Carol Fitzgerald

Once again Ms. Mosley has submitted for public consumption a fascinating collection. The letters that flew back and forth between these two literary giants are sparkling, witty, nasty and fabulous. They shed light on a glorious world of nobility and debauchery. Their correspondence fixes in my mind the fact that Nancy Mitford is the greatest mind of this century. Genius! Sheer genius!

Brava, Ms. Mosley, brava!

Poor Evelyn (talented, grumpy, constantly worrying about money) writes to lovely Nancy (talented, cheerful, constantly worrying about her Colonel) about real or imagined slights. Nancy charmingly takes him down a few notches when he deserves it (sometimes he's a bit of a bully). It is a joy to read the letters, even the squabbles (but especially the gossip - I'll never think of Graham Greene in quite the same way again). The comfort of old friends. How I shrieked!! (as Nancy would say)

The Lonely Planet guides are excellent for any locale..but this edition (covering Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Portugal and even Morocco) is a must-read for the quintessential backpacker jumping on a plane for Europa. These guides excel at recommending lodging of many price ranges (from youth hostels to 5-star hotels) and meal choices of the same range (excellent recommendation for outdoor markets.."buy a loaf of bread, a block of cheese and a bottle of wine here"..which is a plus as many guides catering to this area focus on only older travels with large budgets..or persons seeking to spend only a dollar a day or some insanity..it's always good to have the most information possible..and it's included here. Entertainments ideas from free plaza and park visiting to museums, discotechqes, architecture, boat rides etc. etc. are included..good for young and old. It even lists culture-sensitve information such as appropriate dress for visiting churches and monasteries as well as travel-safe tips for women. Book your Eurorail pass and get going.

Lonely Planet has great books and this one certainly was. It's very thorough and tells alot about things that interest travellers. They are up to date and tell you the pros and cons of the different countries. I liked it alot and I know that other people will too.

Having just finished the last of the short stories in the book "Love Mystifies", I can only ask myself "When will the next anthology from these gifted authors be published?". This, the second anthology of their short stories, proves even more enchanting and delightful than the first. And who thought THAT was possible? These tales weave romance with mystery, magic, supsense, vampires, reincarations and loves from the past, all into spellbinding and seductive webs of intrigue. My favorite stories were those of Betsy Norman's; my favorite being "The Talisman" for it's eerie, yet sweet ending, and "Imagine" which actually gave me chills in one part. Kudos to a wonderful romance writer! If you believe in romance and the mystery and magic and the surreal happenings that it can bring, this book is for you. My compliments to all the authors on another terrific anthology.

Or buy the book yourself, if you don't have a sweetie! Love Mystifies is the perfect book to warm up the chilly winter nights. Every short story in the collection is a gem, crafted by talented artists. Don't wait another minute to get swept away by this book!