The Boy Under The Bed is a charming story. My Four year old loves baby monster Giles. He especially loves the illustrations of the great tree house in the sky where all the boys live.

I like the way the story teaches children to conquer their fears. The Boy Under The Bed is imaginative and fun. A great bed time story.

"The Boy Under the Bed," is about a little monster who insistently tells his parents there is a boy under his bed. His Father Tells him "There are no such things as boys!" The book then goes on a journey through one little monster's imagination and lots of boys! The story is a complete delight! The book is Fifty pages with around 25 beautifully hand painted illustrations!

Children live in a world of magic in which what they can imagine becomes real. As a result, most children are afraid of imaginary monsters in their rooms as some point. This story builds on that point to help children seen that this view may be a little foolish.

Instead of a child being afraid of monsters, this is a book about a little monster named Giles who's afraid of boys! And he has good reason to be . . . because when the clock strikes ten a boy dressed as in Native American headdress appears under the bed and dances all about. The monster parents are called, and provide the customary parental advice, "Boys don't exist today." The hijinks continue every night until dawn, when the boy disappears under the bed again. When Giles sings a song of prayer one night, the boy talks to him. Threatened with more prayers, the boy admits he needs help. "I've lost my way. Won't you please let me stay?" Giles learns that the boy is afraid of monsters, too! Giles helps the boy find his way home again and enjoys playing with the boy and his friends. Now, nights are a pleasure for both! So when a monster comes out from under the boy's bed, it's because they want to be together.

As interesting as the story is, the illustrations are the strongest part of this book. The colors are bright and the details are a little rough like a child might put into her or his drawings and watercolors. There are little surprises that provide delight. For example, Giles looks just like a little boy sleeping in his room on page two. Then you get a different feeling when he turns around on page 4. His "monster" exterior is softened by having him wear glasses! The action sequences by the boy reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are. In addition, there are subtle alterations in the same scene from illustration to illustration. Children can seek the changes . . . a childhood favorite in our household.

Alas, I don't have any young children to read this book to. I hope you do!

During the years that George Pickett so vividly describes in The
Brave, I worked in a neighboring fire company in the "west village." On many shifts, I worked in the Great Jones Street Firehouse that was the quarters of Engine 33 and Ladder 9. I knew most of the men who are mentioned in this action packed story. George Pickett's accounts of what went on in the firehouse, the detailed description of the firehouse and the unrelenting fire activity of the "lower eastside" is so real, that I felt as if I was working another tour there as I read The Brave. Pickett's writing style is superb as he takes the reader
from a harrowing fire then back to the mundane moments in the firehouse. He skillfully weaves the lives of the residents of the east village into this fast paced story that speaks of a changing society, changing fire service and a changing America. This book is worthy of becoming a movie.

"The Brave" is a must read for anyone in the fire service or is contemplating or training to become a firefighter such as myself. Mr. Pickett does an exceptional job of telling the history of the FDNY as well as,the fun, the sorrow, and the action he experienced as a firefighter in New York. His book provides a great portrayl of what trainees can expect when they become a firefighter, using his own personal story to tell the storyl. Mr. Pickett's writing style makes you feel as if you are there with him in the fire house or in a burning buliding. Mr. Pickett's book has inspired me to continue in my endeavors to become a firefighter. Thank You Mr. Pickett for writing an incredible account on your experiences as a New York Firefighter.

I read the book "The Brave" by George Pickett. It's about the personal life of a New York City fireman and the firefighter duties he performed throughout his career. The book is full of action, joy, sorrow, and personal accomplishments. It was an excellent book to read and hard to put down once I started reading it.

Nora's story drws to a close, as she tells the final, and scariest chapter in the Fear Street Saga. Here is where the Fear family meets it's firey end, and where the curse may have ended, but the terror just got started.

This Fear Street saga was a great ending to the other 2 sagas. I couln't put the book down! I would recommend this book to anyone. Another great edition to the books of R.L. Stine. :

New Orleans, Louisiana--1845

From the moment Simon Fear saw Angelica Pierce at her Mardi Gras party, he knew he had to have her, even if that meant killing her two suitors. However, Angelica has a surprise of her own--she is just as eager to get rid of them as he is. She later reveals to Simon that she, too, is involved in the occult and wishes to manifest her "power through evil". Clearly, these two are a match made in hell, perfect for each other.

Twenty years pass and Simon and Angelica Fear now live in Shadyside Village. They have five children and are extremely wealthy. It seems as though Simon has finally fled his family curse. That is, until one horrible afternoon when two of his daughters are brutally murdered in a twisted turn of events. Thereafter, the Fear couple shut themselves in and refuse to ever leave their mansion.

It's not until 35 years later, in 1900, that the final climax to the Fear-Goode saga occurs when Daniel Fear (the grandson of the above couple) falls in love with Nora Goode, a descendent of the Fear's mortal enemies. Nora is the one responsible for starting this trilogy in the hopes that the centuries-old battle between the Fears and Goodes would finally come to an end. And it does, but not exactly as she had hoped.

"The Burning" is the third and final book in The Fear Street Saga, preceded by "The Betrayal" (#1) and "The Secret" (#2). This is a must-read for those of you who have already read the previous two books. Highly recommended for Fear Street fans.

-California Boomer: Keeper of the Story- was both a joy and trial to read. A joy because it touched me so deeply and showed me how important life truly is. A trial to read because it hits at the marrow of personal emotions; sometimes difficult to look in the mirror! This book is a gift of grace and dignity in its positive outlook, concerned nature, and ability to express at times conflictual themes in a profoundly honest way. "Boomer's" self exposure can, and no doubt will, make some feel very uncomfortable. If you've been hiding out in life this book will just scare the hell out of you. If you have a tidy, well tended emotional life you will be challenged by this book. Easy to read short stories that confirmed one thing for me, "never give up on life!" The author is unique, not easy to define, and just when you think you've figured him out BAM up comes something else. This book is worth your time and money.

As a media person I found "Boomer" an exceptional work. The book offers a tour de force of the California Boomer years with deeply etched personalities, emotional environments, and political-social life. This book is personal and yet cuts through many topics and insights. Any one story stands on its own, but all the stories together provide exceptional reading. Being in Hollywood media I was interested in the stories about Hollywood personalities, some mentioned by name others renamed (but I knew who the author was writing about). Yet the entire work has given me great pause, reflection and a thankfulness for the author's message. Boomer is a good read.

I was given a copy of California Boomer by a friend. Frankly I usually don't like people to buy me books. But this time it turned out to be the exception. I'm not a California Boomer, but a Boomer none-the-less. This book hit me deeply. I find it even now, two weeks after finishing the book, difficult to talk about "Boomer" without feeling emotional. This book offers many unique insights and life lessons. As a dad of 4, (3 boys and 1 girl,) I have taken a new and fresh look at them, our relationships, our lives together, especially as regards one of my sons. The author writes with an almost uncanny honesty and candor which seems to strip away all the fluff of life. This book has also taught me a lot about people from different backgrounds and lifestyles. It has opened me to a new level of compassion and care. This is a gem of a book, a bright soul, a book we all should read. I now have begun to reflect on my own life, and my own stories. I'm grateful to the author.

I have this book and i like it alot!!! I think the bears are cute in it!! i love to read it over and over again!! Great Book!!!!!!!!!!!!=-}

What a wonderful book for children and how many great memories! I can't even think of the title of this book without a grin plastered to my face. When I was very tiny and first learning to read aloud, I used to read this book to my younger brother. He found it riveting and it quickly became his favorite book and a nightly ritual to "read" the book. Ordinarily, no reading took place because the book was so simple to memorize. I can still recite the entire volume, cover to cover, almost thirty years later!

My brother now has two sons and the first present I bought for them was a spanking new copy of "Bears in the Night." The elder of the two has it commited to memory. Since the younger boy is only six months old, I'll give him a few more months until he has done the same!

Seriously, this book has a simple but attention grabbing plot where the kids are mischevious and sneak out of bed after dark. They go exploring and soon find that scary things lurk in the dark on the top of Spook Hill. Thankfully, they make their way home to safety. Somehow, you know that Mom was completely aware of what they were up to but knowingly let the children learn this lesson for themselves.

I am in my 20's now, but I still have my copy of "Bears in the Night" that was passed on to me from my cousin in the 1970's. That book holds so many great memories for me. My mom and I read it together many, many times and was it especially helpful in teaching sight words. It is funny too, I still laugh everytime I think of the bears sneaking up "Spook Hill"!

the book was about when there was a drought and the cows did not
have anything to eat or to drink. The cows were sick and then a bird drops a feather and then it brought rain to kapiti plain. I liked the story because it was a good book and i understood it! I would reccomend it to anyone who likes indian tales

The PBS show "Reading Rainbow" featured this book; James Earl Jones read it; I fell in love with it and have been giving it as a gift to friends ever since. The gentle story unfolds line by line, with a tender rhythm that entrances: "These are the cows, all hungry and dry, Who mooed for the rain to fall from the sky..." Ultimately Ki-pat, who's watching his herd, brings rain to Kapiti Plain by launching an arrow into the sky. But the charm is in the telling. My 11-year-old still obliges me and lets me read it to him every once in a while.

I really love the book "Bringing The Rain to Kapiti Plain," by Verna Aardema. I have enjoyed it so much that I am planning to give it as a gift to my sister who has two young children, ages 4 and 7. This is a simple story about a cattle herdsman and his wish for rain on the African plain. The narrative structure of the story is based on a sequence of events that builds suspense and interest in children until the end of the story. This is a memorable story; it is very simple to understand and has a powerful musical quality that, as a young adult, I enjoy reading aloud. The rhymes and rhythms are so strong that all young children will be wide eyed with suspense and interest until the very end of the story. I particularly enjoyed one line where the author rhymes "fat" and "Ki-pat": "So the grass grew green/ And the cattle fat!/ And Ki-pat got a wife/ And a little Ki-pat-." This story is suitable for young children because its tone is happy. It deals with the relationship of humans with water, plants and animals. Scientifically, it is unconceivable, but 4- to 8-year-old children do not have to understand the facts of science. From this book, however, they will learn about the connection between humans and nature by enjoying the colored pictures. The pictures are so vibrant that it is easy to imagine the world of Ki-pat. As an adult, I enjoy this book because it describes the cycle of life in a very interesting way. Readers of all ages will see that human life is totally dependent upon nature, and the existence of human beings without nature is nearly impossible. Readers will also learn how the lives of humans and animals are dependent on rain; people and animals need each other and every part of nature for their perfect existence. I highly recommend Verna Aardema's "Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain" to anyone who has young children and is looking for a book that illustrates the relationship between nature and human beings. The colorful, detailed pictures will keep the children interested while they are learning about the connection between nature and human beings.

What's this? Charlie Kaplan turned into a bug! Find out how, by reading Bug Boy by Carol Sonenklar. It's about a boy who can turn into bugs when he gets a Bug-A-View. Charlie has many adventures while he is a bug. I liked this book because in the beginning it was suspenseful when he didn't know what the Bug-A-View was. I think it would be so cool to be a bug. The author's message is of friendship. Even though you make new friends, you don't have to give up your old ones. Charlie has some exciting adventures. How will Charlie change back into human form? Read this book and find out!

How would it feel to be locked in a garbage truck? Well, that almost happened to Charlie Kaplan in the book Bug Boy, by Carol Sonenklar. This book is about a boy who changes into different insects. One day on his porch he finds something that looks like a flashlight. It says, 'See the world from a bug's eye view,' and that's exactly what he does. I liked when he turned into a tarantula and crawled onto his mom's face. She sneezed and he flew all the way to the back of the room. This story has a lot of insect adventures. Read this book to learn more about what happens to Charlie.

Bug Boy by Carol Sonenklar

Would you ever want to get eaten by another bug? Charlie turns into a bug and tries to find a bug they lost in the room right before recess. Charlie turns into a bug himself at recess when everyone else is outside.
This book is exciting because you get to visualize the story in your own pictures. So visualize good! I like when Charlie got turned into his pet spider. I also like when Charlie starts looking for a spider he dropped and he has to turn into a spider to find it.
I learned not to be afraid of spiders and leave the fright behind me. I don’t want to spoil the ending for you but here is a clue. A bug is missing. Are they every going to find it? If you want to find out you have to read this book!

This book is a really good read, but must be read twice due to the intracacies involved, i.e. names, places etc. I recommend you keep a pencil and pad nearby and make a chart for convenience sake. However, sadly, this same thing is probably taking place in locations as well, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, etc. I do think some things were obvious at the time and failed, or ignored, to be followed up, but I guess that's the name of the game. I would strongly suggest it as good reading for anyone interested in this sort of thing.

This book tells the detailed story of how a handful of Lexington socialites organized a crime ring that became a (maybe *the*) major smuggler of cocaine and other drugs into the Eastern United States. Complete with cover-up and contract murders, the author pieces together an intricate story that, before it's over, includes state and federal government officials as well as organized-crime syndicates from all over the country. Also recounted in the book is the life of Ralph Ross, the Kentucky State Policeman and electronic-surveillance expert, whose single-minded perseverance finally brought about the end of the smuggling ring.

It's informative as well as it is entertaining, and I recommend it to all true-crime fans, mafia buffs, conspiracy theorists, and Kentuckians.

One of the best books I have read to date. A definite must read for any Kentuckian or just anyone interested in a good true crime story. You'll be suprised at just how much money and violence was being spread around Lexington from the late 70's through the 80's.

I do not often read westerns, however I thought I would give a book like Brules, touted to be more literature than genre, a try. I'm sorry I did.

Brules is too long, too wordy, and unnecessarily racist. Yes, the white men and the indians didn't love each other. We know that. But having that driven home without redemption for over 400 of the 500 pages is nauseating at best. Brules himself is mostly without redemption. There is little to love in a man who views his woman as a beautiful piece of flesh and shoots and kills people to get whatever he needs. Yes, I'm sure there were lots of cowboys like that out there, but do we really want to spend a whole 500 and some pages in the company of one?

That said, Brules is fairly well written, and Harry Combs did manage to create one character I really cared about--the young man we meet at the beginning of the book and to whom Brules tells his story, Steven Cartwright. I hear Combs wrote a whole book about him, The Legend of the Painted Horse, and perhaps I will go give that a try.

All told, Brules is probably a good read for Western readers. I think the rest of us, however, will find it a bit nauseating.

This is one of the best books that I have read about the old west. The detail that Mr. Combs puts into this book is just awsome. After you read this book you will want to go and saddle a horse, strap on you .38 Smith & Wesson, put your model 66 Winchester in its sheath and have your own adventures. If you like Louis L'amour's books then you will love Brules. He is the man that we all wish we could have been, in the time of history when survival of the fittest was the way of the land. This was a hard time that demanded hard men to tame the "wild west". What they got in Brules was one of the harderst and most dangerous men(when rialed) they could have imagined. Brules is one of the men that legends are made of. This IS the best western book that I have read and I highly recommend this book to any person who is fascinated about the time and people.

THIS BOOK BY HARRY COMBS IS FABULOUS. THE DETAILS OF THE AREA ARE SUPERB. AS WE LIVE VERY CLOSE BY AND HAVE BEEN TO THIS SPOT MANY TIMES, WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH HIS PRECISE DETAIL. THE STORY IS SO EASY TO FOLLOW AND CAPTIVATING, WE COULD NOT WAIT TO OBTAIN THE NEXT 2 BOOKS. MANY OF OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN NORWOOD HAVE ORDERED THIS ON OUR RECOMMENDATION. THANK YOU HARRY COMBS.

Love story. Epic. Adventure. Travel essay. There are many aspects and genres Gilman's novel "Caravan" can be attributed to. Perhaps it is its emotional and physical range that makes the novel so appealing to so many readers. I myself had never read a Dorothy Gilman novel but knew of her series of books, such as "Nun In The Closet" which I began to read shortly after finishing this book.

The number of books I read every year has slowly been dwindling due to unseen circumstances, but of the books I have read this year, I am most grateful that I chose to read Caravan over them all. Gilman's style and prose, though well researched and pleasant to read, might lack a certain degree of complexity, but she makes up for it with a plot and cast of interesting characters that is unrivaled, say that of the classic epics.

Yet, what I found so alluring and intoxicating of Caravan, was the scenery and montage she depicts so aptly, that I too crossed the desert at night. I was there in Tripoli, smothered by the smells and masses of people. And I finally returned to England, to reminisce the adventures, places, and people from my life in Northern Africa.

Gilman is able to transport the reader in a way that is magical, allowing you and I to feel the sorrow, joy, adventure, and love felt by Lady Treal.

My greatest dissapointment ... finding The Nun In The Closet mediocre in comparison to the wonderful story of Caravan.

Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax mysteries have delighted me. I am late in coming to them. They have been out for years. But I love the pattern of suspense and the new cultural treats that are in store for her readers. I always learn in a Gilman book. And her sense of respect for other ways of living, of relating to God and one another, enrich the tales she gives us.

I recently gleaned the shelves of Half-Price Books and found a few of her titles I had not read, among them was Caravan. And it is a true jewel of a tale.

One feels a bit like this character, a carny child sent to finishing school, is historical, a veritable Unsinkable Molly Brown, and yet the story, as told in retrospect by Lady Teal, encompasses only a small part of a very rich life. And what a vibrant small part that is!

Caressa's survival in the stark desert life of the early 1900's is impressive, and Gilman's finesse in presenting a foreign world and its pecularities make for suspenseful reading beyond the norm. One thing that Gilman never does is shy away from the brutal and the violent realities of her character's situations.

In the primitive 1914 imprisonment that Caressa faces among the conquering Tuareg tribesmen, there are an amazing set of obstacles that just shouldn't have been lived through. No Indiana Jones character could out do Caressa's challenges.

Most beautiful of all are the endearing friendships that she makes with the unusual likes of a fellow slave, a black boy, Bakuli, and earlier with Mohammed, her Arab host in Tripoli.

Delightful endings wrap up Gilman's books with happily ever after as their due. But one is not disappointed with Lady Teal's surprise to readers. In fact, one should have guessed such an ending would be in store.

Typical Gilman in some ways, but very nice escapist reading overall. Brava!

If you like being captivated and lured away to exotic locales for breath-taking escapades, this book is for you. Most of the novel is set in the years just prior to World War I, and a lot of the plot takes place in Northern Africa--a strange and wonderful and sometimes terrible place, as author Dorothy Gilman paints it. The American heroine is strongly etched and unique and her character development fascinating as she manages to overcome a series of hair-raising adventures that would have felled a woman of frailer spirit. In sheer power of storytelling, this novel makes one think of the novels of Rider Haggard (She, King Solomon's Mines). It's adventure on a grand scale.