'Have You Heard the Cricket Song' is a timeless book that all of us ought to have in our libraries. Both simplistic and profoundly complex in its message, the author and illustrator together have created a respite, a safe-haven, for our souls. All we need to do is listen. Through descriptive, poetic images, and serene, gentle illustrations, Abbott and Bossin capture the essence of the human spirit's unrelenting search for meaning and purpose and show us all how we can find it. To experience the full richness and depth of the message, readers will want to ponder and savor each page time and time again, and go on to share it with those they love.

Of all the volumes of Doonesbury book I have unearthed in one of my buried boxes this week, the best walk down memory lane comes from "He's Never Heard of You Either." The title and cover shot for this collection of G. B. Trudeau's daily strips from 1979-1981 comes from John Anderson's run for President in 1980. A Republican congressman from Illinois, Anderson lost his party's nomination to Ronald Reagan but ended up running a third party campaign. Of course, when Mike Doonesbury decided to work for Anderson's campaign he was the only one sitting in the audience, totally impressed by Anderson who certainly did not sound like a Republican (but what would Mike know? As he points out, he is a Democrat). I remember hearing Anderson talk early in his campaign and sitting around with people in college talking about how this guy had some good ideas but no change in the world of ever getting elected (but what do I know? It took me four Presidential elections before I ever voted for a party twice).

In this collection you will also find one of my favorite Doonesbury strips of all time depicting a press conference with Senator Ted Kennedy, who was challenging President Carter for the Democratic nomination in 1980, and who is constructing a run-on sentence of great length before the press corps pleads "A verb, Senator, we need a verb!" That was a punch line for months after we read that one. However, there is much more than losing candidates running around in this collection (although Phil Slackmeyer is supporting John Connally). Joan brings home Zeke Brenner to meet mom (he is working on an expose about Duke), Ambassador Phred is chatting with the Soviet Ambassador to the U.N., "Conscam" has Congressmen (posing as themselves) breaking up the largest entrapment ring in FBI history, and Zonker is working on this year's tan.

I told you this was good stuff.

But politics remains the focus of Trudeau's best materials. After attending a Reagan press conference, Rick gets to see the Governor's amazing clipping collection (including a clipping on "Wilson to sign treaty at Versailles"). Meanwhile, the White House gardener is talking about what all these signing ceremonies are doing to the rose garden and Reverend Scot heads to Iran to try and see if anything can be done about the American hostages. Meanwhile, Mike is trying to help Anderson meet all those pesky deadlines for getting on state ballots. "He's Never Heard of You, Either" is a choice selection of Doonesbury cartoons from this period and a walk down memory lane well worth the taking.

Edited by Bernice E. Cullinana, I Heard a Bluebird Sing is a selection of poems by NCTE award-winning poet Aileen Fisher, whose work was first published in 1933 yet is timeless in its simplicity, wonder, and joy. Illustrated with delightful black-and-white sketches by Jennifer Emery, the poems comprising I Heard A Bluebird Sing were selected and recommended by children for their enjoyable, simple, read-aloud fun. "Who tells the little deer mouse/before the year is old/that she should wear a warmer coat/to shield her from the cold?/I'm glad that someone tells her/and she does as she is told."

As a teacher of 8th graders, I read this book every year on the last day of school. It talks about the courage to be who you are and not to conform to those around you. It has an outstanding message for kids of any age. Adults should keep a copy in their desk drawer and read it as they think about taking risks and making a difference in the world. It's great.

Doris Faber presents a fine overview of one of the most dedicated leaders of the 19th century abolitionist movement, William Lloyd Garrison. Garrison devoted more than 30 years to the cause of freedom for all blacks suffering under the lash of slavery. He often found himself under attack from Southerners, or Northerners sympathetic to the Southern cause. The story of his courage under fire is concisely told by Ms. Faber. Her spare prose makes for a quick, exciting read, and she leaves you wanting to know more about this amazing man. A great introduction to Garrison and the abolitionist cause.

Silly and fun. Every child will love the story about poor Jonathan who couldn't clean his room thanks to the crowds of people leaving the subway station that was magically connected to it. The illustrations are wonderfully rendered.

This book captures and preserves the robust atmosphere of a truly unique place - the Southeast Alaska logging camp - from an insider's point of view. And it is a rare view, indeed, as little has ever been recorded, or likely ever will be...a whole way of life has nearly vanished away in one generation. To a veteran of the camps, the book brings a warm reminiscence. To other readers, a warm invitation...

A dark book from a dark political era claims that self-interest and arrogance is at the root of it all. It is pithy and cutting and entirely worthwhile and unfortunately neglected. Even though it has great observations, people should fight against its crippling realism.

This book is a great tool for new and advanced actors. I have been having my acting students use it to retreive audition material for the past nine months and they have been very sucesfull in getting those hard to get roles. The author has written the material so even a new actor performing in their first audition can be sure that they have left a strong impact. If you haven't had any luck in the past using someone elses material, then give this one a try and i am sure you will be very surprised at the result.

The world has just lost Doug Adams, author of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe, but have no fear, a new eccentric writer has arrived on the scene to take Adams' place - Johnny Pepper. His first novel, THE PLOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD, is a masterpiece of witticism, political/social satire, and lightly dusted philosophy.