Chester Racoon and his mother prepare for Chester's first "night" at school. He is a little apprehensive, and, of course, he wants to stay home with his mom. Mrs. Racoon shares a secret with Chester called the Kissing Hand. She kisses Chester's palm and tells him to put it to his cheek when he begins to feel lonely at school. This book makes a great gift for a child entering school or going to camp for the first time, or for any occasion where a child will be temporarily separated from home and loved ones. It can also be used to help a child through the death of a parent or special loved one, and for children placed in foster families and residential facilities. For teachers, this book would be super to read the first day of school. It could also lead up to wonderful science, social studies, and reading/writing activities.

Poor little Chester, the racoon, it's time for him to go off to school and he doesn't want to leave his mother. Mother knows that Chester will love school once he gets there. There'll be new friends to meet, new toys to play with, new books to read and even a new swing to swing on. So she tells him a special secret about the "kissing hand". She takes his little hand, spreads the fingers and places a kiss right in the middle of his palm. Now when he feels lonely and needs a little love from home, he can press his hand against his cheek and know his mother's love will be with him. And, before he scampers off to school, he gives his mother the kissing hand too, so that she won't miss him too much, while he's away..... Audrey Penn has written a sweet, endearing story to help little ones face those scary feelings on their first days of separation. Her gentle text is complimented by expressive, detailed illustrations and together will let youngsters know that they're not alone out there in the world. The Kissing Hand is the perfect bedtime story, pre-schoolers will want to read again and again and makes a wonderful addition to all home libraries.

Chester is about to start school and he's terribly nervous. In a single, calming gesture, his Mom helps him feel loved and secure by kissing the center of his hand. She reminds Chester that her love is always right there and if he should feel frightened or scared or lonely he should simply hold the hand to his cheek and he will feel her love.
We read it just before our son began kindergarten on September 5, 2001 for several days in a row. Although he had been attending Day Care since birth, this was still a new experience for him and he was naturally nervous. So now, each morning we kiss his palm and send him off on the bus. It's a wonderful new ritual.
September 11, 2001 began a tremendously difficult time in our country. Our children are 4 and 5, and we have been reading this nearly every night since then. A friend's daughter was having terrible nightmares and great fears about not seeing her Daddy (he's a Police Officer currently assigned to Ground Zero). We lent them the book to read to her. Her Mom now tells me she is sleeping soundly as long as she has been kissed in the palm of her hand.
Sweet Dreams, America and the world.

In this Mary Kate and Ashley book the girls school is having a supermodel come to there school to do a photo shoot for one lucky girl who gets picked. Ashley really thinks she has a shot at it and really wants to be a model but Mary Kate on the other hand only wants to miss class. She never dreamed she would get picked but she did. Now Ashley is begging her to switch places. Will they? You'll have to read the book and find out. Oh and if you like the books check out the show on Fox Family Channel. Ta-Ta

In another 2 of a Kind book that reminds me of Sweet Valley Twins,a scout visits Mary-Kate and Ashley's school to choose a one-time model to appear in Real Teen magazine.Ashley couldn't be more excited!She starts turning up at school in sparkly dresses and high-heels.Mary-Kate thinks modelling is silly and playfully teases Ashley over her love of it.There is surprise in both girls when it is Mary-Kate who is chosen as the new Real Teen.Ashley begs Mary-Kate to swap places with her,but after MAry-Kate is conjoled into agreeing ,she starts to regret it.

"My sister the Supermodel" This book is about two girls,Mary-Kate and Ashley.Ashley wants to be a supermodel and she can't wait.The poeple from Real Teen magazine were coming to there school to pick a model of the month,and Ashley thinks or she knows that they are going to pick her.But when the day comes Mary-Kate gets picked.So ashley beggs Mary-Kate to make believe that she breaks her leg,so Mary-Kate did.But at the end it turned out that both of them were able to do the modeling.

I really liked this book because it was funny,interesting,and teaches us on how to handle our prblems. Yes I would definetly recommend this book to any one person.

Tara K. Harper's Wolfwalker series are the best books I've ever read! You feel like you are actually part of the action. While reading it, I had to check more than once that it was my lab and not gray Hishn breathing down my neck! This book is for anyone. It not only tells the tale of a couragous healer, but it helps you look into your own hopes and dreams and ambitions. It's one of those series you can read over and over and never get sick of it! Take it from someone who knows, I've read it five times!

This is the first book in Harper's first series. I read this book after 'Cat Scratch Fever' and 'Cataract' were finished. I was hungry for more writing by the artist, and so I searched high and low to find all three books in the series.

In this first book, we are introduced to Dion, a very unusual woman. One day I hope the author writes a prequel, that details some of what the girl's growing up years must have been like. Suffice it to say, she is warrior trained, a healer by choice dedicated to saving lives, and a wolfwalker. Wolfwalkers are introduced to the reader in this series. They are humans who are drawn to wolves, and capable of working/communicating the wolves.

In this story, Dion begins a tale that will last 5 books and three generations of children. Dion begins the road to becoming a legend. It's interesting how a few twists in circumstances can completely change the road you walk. She faces a few very important decisions: the large sense of responsibility she has for those around her, because she has knowledge and skill that others don't have, and how far that responsibility should extend; the decision to save lives, following her healer-rank oaths; the responsibility to take lives while protecting herself, her loved ones, and those that are defenceless. It is the conflict between these three that sucks in the reader and refuses to let go.

I highly suggest this book to anyone who likes action, adventure, tough decisions, great fighting scenes, and personal relationships. This book was quite an eye opener, and a great introduction to the amazing worlds out there waiting for us to visit. (Or maybe not waiting.. maybe dreading..)

With "Wolfwalker", Tara Harper has succeeded in creating a rich and detailed environment filled with interesting characters and an exciting story. Dion, the main character, is delightful as a woman who is strong and compelling while not defying credibility. (Based on her biography at the back of the book, one gets the impression that Dion is very much like Ms. Harper herself.) She's a terrific female lead, one of the best I've seen in Sci-Fi and Fantasy stories.

I recommend this story to anyone who loves fantasy, science fiction, wolves, or all of the above -- and while you're at it, pick up the other books in the series, too! You won't regret it.

With its adorable illustrations, lyrical text and message of nonviolence, this book is a hit in our house. One of the most difficult jobs of a parent is to break up their children's habit of squabbling. This book has been a delightful antidote -- showing my sons that it can be just as fun to get along as it is to launch into the usual sibling rivalries.

After reading and thoroughly enjoying the high-spirited book, I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today,I began using it as part of my book list to teach English as a second language to 4 to 7 year-old children with whom I work. The book, along with its delightful and humorous illustrations, is a wonderful tool for introducing children to the joys and engery of the American language. The book has many common expressions in it, which are repeated so they can be learned not to mention reinforced by the colorful pages filled with animal and human antics. Word and phrase repetition helps children become comfortable with language - strong illustrations give language life and clarity. My young pupils clearly enjoy the book each time I use it, and ask for it over and over. It provides a story whose actions and attitudes they can understand, with a meaningful and gratifying ending. I'm sure other teachers and parents will find the strengths and delights of this book to their liking, and certainly in line with their children's tastes and emotions.

i'm not going to chase the cat today is a fun, fresh and funny tale told with vibrant whimsical illustrations. my kids love it. they make-up stories based on these lovable characters.

Ok, the Book Dragon singer was awesome. In the distant future, humans travel to a distant planet, that is like Earth. Here, to combat thread(an organism that eats any thing organic spontaneously)they develop an animal, Dragons. This book takes place several centurys after landing on the Planet, Pern. Menolly,the main character, has nine small dragons, that are her pets. she has a wonderfull talent in singing and playing music. this book is about her adventures in the craft hall of music.She has to work with mostly boys, and the girls that are at the craft hall, are jelous of her talents. She finds friends, and has some rather strange adventures. I strongly recomend you to read DRAGONS DAWN first, just because you get more of a feel for the senerio. I love the setting, and the way the author portrays the characters. The climax is also very awesome and belivable. and it's not boring, either. especially the way the charachters have all the qualities a real person has, fear, uncertainty, happiness, and etc. It's a great book,but a little bit slow paced. That, however, is not bad.

Dragonsinger is the second book in the Harper Hall Trilogy and is the sequel to Dragonsong. It starts right after the previous book ends, with Menolly arriving in Harper Hall a-dragonback. There she begins her musical education with the masters of music. Menolly always thought that harpers would be different and that she would fit in among them, but she finds that people are the same wherever you go. All of the other girls are jealous of her musical talents and do not want her living in their cottage. The boys insist that she has no place with them and her nine fire lizards make her stand out even more. Still, she is Masterharper Robinton's special apprentice and he seems to believe in her and to love her new songs. As Menolly struggles to find her place among the harpers of Pern she will discover much about herself, as well as the remarkable secrets about fire lizards and eventually find an honored place among the Harpers of Pern.

Even though I have enjoyed all of McCaffrey's books, the Harper Hall trilogy has always been my favorite. I first read this book when I was in junior high school and simply loved it. I have read my copy time and time again. McCaffrey has a nice, smooth writing style with great descriptions so readers will have no trouble visualizing the life on Pern. She also does a nice job of throwing in little recaps so that those who have not read Dragonflight and Dragonquest can still understand what is going on. I simply loved the world of the Harpers and think that any reader of fantasy will enjoy this enchanting series.

I first read this book in the early 1980s when I found it in my elementary school library. This was the only time I have ever been justified by judging a book on it's cover! I devoured the whole series by the age of 12, and though I enjoyed all the books, this one stands as my all time favorite. There is real emotional depth in McCaffery's characters. Unlike a lot of fantasy and SF novels you can really relate to all her characters. Menolly in particular is as "real " a person as you can get in fiction. Her isolation and depression as a result of her neglect are all too common among young women everywhere. It is not fiction that girls are passed by in favor of men still. Her eventual rise out of her depression and acceptance of her own talent was encouraging to me as a creatively stifled young artist. When I had no Petiron or Robinton in my life it gave me hope. It has always been my favorite novel. I strongly recommened it. I am reading it again right now!!

This is the first Heyer book I've read--some bookstore clerks insisted I had to try it. In many ways, the book seemed like fake Jane Austen to me, but it was written with so much humor and good will that I ended up really enjoying it. The opening scene is rather tedious, but it's clear sailing once heroine Kitty Charing makes her appearance. Heyer excels at creating memorable and unusual characters, and enjoys playing with her readers' expectations.

This book has been described as one of the greatest Regency romances of all time. It subtly and with cracking good humour subverts all the expectations of the genre with a great deal more subtlety, humour and cunning than most deliberate parodies. Heyer builds up her usual cast of powerful and memorable characters - no two-dimensional characters for her!

She gives us a vain and slightly selfish, yet also totally generous and completely charming heroine, who you cannot dislike; a delightful, stammering and ineffectual dandy who turns out to have gumption beneath his affectations, his lovely, silly sister with no fashion sense, but a great deal of kindness, a wicked rake who yet fascinates and interests us - a cast literally of dozens of characters, all of whom are distinctively portrayed.

There are no less than four romantic plots in this book, interthreaded and interwoven out of each other with exquisite grace - (hence the title - "Cotillion" - basically a gay little dance). In less skilled hands this book would have become heavy-handed and ponderous, exquisitely tactless. In Heyer's hands the book is light and flowing, fluently written, complicated and yet not at all hard to follow. It is a book for the fan of Heyer, and is best read after you have cultivated a familarity with Heyer's traditional Regencies - for example, Regency Buck. She subtly and wickedly subverts traditions she herself established.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, your emotions will all be twanged one by one. It is a very fine book. A very fine book indeed. I won't tell you who the hero is, because it would ruin the book for you - but you won't be disappointed. Cotillion is a happy book, written by Heyer at the very height of her powers. It is not just a Regency Romance. It is a novel about history - Heyer's Regency novels have, collectively, been described as the most important set of books about the Regency middle and upper class lifestyle ever to be written. It is a novel about real people. It is also a novel about the Regency Romance. And it is also a seriously comic novel. Read it. Preferably after you have read several others of her Regency Romances (I recommend Regency Buck, Sylvester, Faro's Daughter, and The Corinthian as the best examples of Heyer's traditional Regency - that she subtly teased in this book), so you have the right expectations.

As usual, Georgette Heyer creates the perfect Regency Romance with unforgettable characters and a cast that will entertain and amuse. Heyer has an uncanny ability to transport the reader to the Regency era with her vivid detail and witty dialog. If you are are a Regency fan, then this book is a MUST.

I have in my short life have read maybe 200 or 300 self-help books. Thse books vary from "The Power of Positive Thinking" to "How to Win and Influence People." Throught all these books, I have never seen a real good method to be happy. TO be really happy.

This book is the excpetion. This book can help almost any person to be happy.

The basic idea of the book is this: People have certain beliefs about things. For example you might have the belief that you must be liked by everybody. Beliefs like this cause you to become very upset when you realized that this belief is being broken and twisted by the world in which you are living. For example, if you believe that the world should be fair, then anytime the world treats you unfairly, you will very depressed. Or if you believe that you must be liked by people, then anytime somebody insluts you, you might become depressed.

So point A= Our beliefs cause our distresses and emotional problems. Eg. if I want everybody to like me, I will feel depressed when someone doesn't

To stop these "irrational beliefs" you have to put in place of them "rational beliefs" such as "I want people to like but if they don't it's ok and I should rather accept myself as I am." When you have rational beliefs than you will not feel depressed at all.

The book talks about ways to refute your irrational beliefs and uses examples from case histories on how this can be done.

The point of the author is to make you understand these irrational beliefs and dispute them using various methods. Once you do that, then you'll be happy.

The authors, want you to be rational in your living.

I also recommend that you read; Feeling Good, books by John Sarno, and books by Aaron T. Beck and other Cognitive Therapists.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is perhaps the most effecient psychotherapy. This is a self-help book detailing the workings of REBT, and how to apply it to life. It isn't one of those psycho-babble books on how to feel happy in three days. This book helps you focus on what you're doing to upset and disturb yourself, and what you can do about it. This edition is a bit dated, but the new edition (titled A Guide to Rational Living, 1997) updates the excellent work by Ellis and Harper. I heartily recommend it to my clients, who frequently tote it around with them for a workbook.

In this classic book, Ellis and Harper provide a useful guide on how our irrational beliefs lead us to experience emotional disturbance and on how to change our irrational beliefs to more healthy ones. Although the book feels a little repetitive at times, this repitition helps to reinforce the authors' main points. The case examples given throughout the book hepfully demonstrate how the reader can learn to identify, dispute, and modify his or her irrational beliefs. If you think seriously about the advice in the Guide, it can have a positive impact on your life.

Lee J. Markowitz, Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology

I thought Night Kites was a good book. I usually do not read books,but this book was good to read. I am glad I readed it. The book was about. Erick liked his best friend's girlfriend and she liked him back. But Erick had a girlfriend too. He broke up with his gf to go out with his friends gf Nikki. That would have made me mad. If a friend did that to me. Erick's brother Pete was gay and got AIDS but did not tell anyone at first. Pete told his mom. He trusted her not to tell anyone. At the end of the book. Erick lost his bestfriend Jack and his new girlfriend Nikki because her father find out that his brother had AIDS and he did not want her around him anymore. YOU SOULD READ THIS BOOK. YOU WOULD REALLY LIKE IT.

Night Kites is a book about 2 guys and their girlfriends. Erick falls in love with his best friend's girlfriend and then he breaks up with his girlfriend and goes out with Jack's. They got to the dance together and Erick gives Nikki his High School ring. (Nikki)Erick's gay brother finds out that he has aids and then Nikki's dad doesn't want Erick around Nikki. Then Erick is left all alone with no friends.

The book that I am reading is Night Kites. The book is fiction, which I really enjoy reading. So far in the reading the charters grab your attention. This book sort of pulls you in; my personality is like just like Dills so far I am only on page 54. I can definitely tell in Chapter 3 that Eric's brother had something wrong with him. I can sense that someone else might be sick. Or perhaps maybe Eric and Nikki might be together, after you have to admit Nikki does flirt with him lot. I like how much the book empathizes Eric's character. He is very plain in every way rather than he's Brother Pete. I like Petes character because he is very dangerous and I absolutely love his personality. Actually he reminds me of my brother; you know more about the book than what I do. I don't usually read books because they never interested me, but this book dose. I LOVE IT. EVERBODY SHOULD READ THIS BOOK.

Okay, maybe this is a terrible way to review a book, but I have to say that Earlene Fowler has created a character that I know if he were real I would have a major crush on!! Gabe Ortiz! I am absolutely addicted to this series of books and I am not sure I can make it until the next one. But on a serious note I think the reason Seven Sisters and all of her books are so enjoyable is the character development. I wish Dove were MY grandmother and all these characters were part of my life.

San Celina Police Chief Gabriel Ortiz is going to become a grandfather. Rookie police officer Bliss Girard became pregnant after making love with Gabriel's son Sam. Bliss is part of the close knit, prestigious and powerful ranching clan, the Browns. Gabe, Benni, and Sam are invited to the ranch to celebrate the upcoming nuptials. Also invited is Sam's beautiful mother. At the party, Benni senses an undercurrent of unease that ends with someone killing a Brown family member.

Transplanted Texan Ford Hudson is assigned as the investigation officer. He expects civilian Benni to help him solve the case, but she resists the lure because Gabe hates her getting involved in a homicide case. Still Benni cannot help but start sleuthing, which places her in the line of fire.

SEVEN SISTERS is a powerfully moving drama that will be award winning Earlene Fowler's breakout book if justice is served. Benni is shown in a different light than in her previous novels as she struggles with feelings of jealousy and inadequacy whenever Gabe's ex-wife appears. The competition between Hudson and Benni for top investigative dog is like a heavyweight title fight, this adding to the fun and the sense of knowing the star better. SEVEN SISTERS is much deeper and more complex than the previous Harper stories, earning it a special place on the keeper shelf that contains the other six books.

Harriet Klausner

Earlene Fowler did it again-Seven Sisters is a hit! I enjoyed the reunion with several characters from earlier in the series-like D-Daddy. Earlene has a magic feel for just when to add a new character or revisit the old ones. I never get bored. Benni Harper is so easy to get to know. It is no wonder that clues fall into her lap-folks just want to share their lives with her. I enjoyed sharing a late evening with Benni myself, as I couldn't put down this book.

Anne of Green Gables is about a skinny red haired girl who has both a short temper and a very colorful imagination. She really loves the little farmhouse but the Cuthberts might send her back to the orphanage because Matthew needed a boy about 11 or 12 to help him on the farm.

Sometimes her imagination gets her in trouble. For instance when Marilla asks her to get a pattern from Mrs. Barry she doesn't want to because she imagined the woods between the houses were haunted! The book tells about her life growing up in the 1930's. As she grows, she learns many lessons and meets many friends who help her to become Anne of Green Gables.

This book is wonderful. It is a great book for girls to read. I loved it because the character was funny, spunky, and could talk forever. She reminded me of my sister. Anne never gave up trying to reach her goals. She will keep you interested throughout the whole book!

This is one of the best books ever written and the credit goes to spirited Anne (make sure it's spelled with an "e"!) Shirley. It's not often you find such a charming heroine as Anne. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is the first of a series on this lovable orphan, and it begins with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a respectable brother and sister, living at Green Gables. They are both growing old and need a boy to help out on the farm. But they got a talkative redhead girl instead. Before they can send her back to the orphanage, Anne has managed to win the hearts of Prince Edward Island with her wit and imagination. She seems to affect everyone around her - from busybody Mrs. Rachel Lynde to handsome Gilbert Blythe. And now, Green Gables will never be the same! . . .

It's not often you find such a spirited and lovable heroine as Anne. Captivating and captivatED, Anne is full of enthusiasm and fun, which gets her into all sorts of scrapes. This book is one that you are guaranteed to laugh over, cry over, and never want to put down! It is an ideal novel that you won't want to pass up! (Even if you don't read the rest of the Anne books, read this!)

A few weeks ago, I got really sick of today's children's literature. I had read enough mysteries and trashy books about romance to last me a lifetime. So I wanted something else to read, something well-written with a good plot and lifelike characters. I had to look no further than the first book I picked up- Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery.

Anne of Green Gables is the first book in the Anne of Green Gables series. It takes place, as most of L. M. Montgomery's books do, on Prince Edward Island in Canada. This particular story takes place in the town of Avonlea. It follows young Anne Shirley, an orphan brought to Green Gables to help Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert on their farm. Much to Anne's dismay, Marilla tells her that they wanted a boy to help around the farm, not a girl. However, Marilla changes her mind and decides to keep the dynamic young girl who would become Anne of Green Gables.

This novel is incredibly written, with well-developed characters and an intricate plot. I absolutely loved it. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great example of children's literature at its height.