It's the illustrations in "Five Little Kittens" that make this book a pleasure. Elizabeth Sayles inviting pastel illustrations capture the essence of both human emotion and feline behavior with a charming balance of humor and mystery. It is the soft shapes and colors combined with the individual personalities of each little kitten that really make you want to snuggle up and share them with a little one....or two, or five. It's a must have for parents and children with a fondness for cats, a sense of humor, and an appreciation for art.

My daughter really likes this book. The story is about a mama and papa cat and their five little kittens. It begins with the kittens waking up in the morning and then being tucked into bed at night. They eat, bathe, and play with their little toy mouse during the day. My only complaint with the book (and it is minor) is that there are three pages that talk about the kittens bathing or washing. I would have preferred a little more variety in their daily activities, but it is still a wonderful book. My daughter really enjoys the rhyme.

Since I did the illustration for this book, I can't give a totally unbiased opinion. But I can tell you that this book is a labor of love. Beverly has put her heart and soul into the writing, producing and distributing this wonderful book. The story is great and I hope that the pictures are pleasing. A spiritual story of God's love.

This is a beautiful story, lovingly explained, about an angel and his journey of meeting his new mortal family. Sometimes it is hard to explain to a child the miracle of life. My Name is Jeromy simply explains childbirth in a way a child can understand. It is a must for expectant mothers of small children of all religious faiths. Jeromy will help young children become excited about having a new baby brother or sister added to their family.

I have just finished reading John P. Jewell's most recent book "New Tools For A New Century" and I must say it is terrific. He is director of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning at The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary where he deals in the latest technology and seeks ways to make it helpful for pastors and churches.

I have been a pastor for 41 years and in the last 15 years we tried to make use of available technologies for ministry at Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, Ct. We had services on radio and television, had our own Web page many years ago, a media center and so forth.I didn't find it easy to get my church to buy into all this new technology. But Dr. Jewell has done four powerful and necessary things in this book: 1st, he makes a persuasive case that it is ESSENTIAL for ALL churches to make use of email, the internet, LCD projectors and laptops, etc. in their whole ministry: in worship, Christian Education, Youth ministry, evangelism and so forth. 2nd, he describes the basics of each technology in a simple, clear fashion so even I could understand it. 3rd, he describes with persuasive illustrations ways in which these technologies can be used to improve the effectiveness of each program of the church. 4th, and finally, he describes how to deal with the human, personal, and political blocks to getting your congregation to give it a fair shake.

I don't know of another book like it and wish I had read it 15 years ago. But I am glad I have read it now and will send it along to a few special pastors I love. I recommend you do the same.

John P. Jewell's book "New Tools For A New Century" is an exciting and very readable book, which should be on every "must" reading list for pastor's, church staff members, and lay leaders, who are looking for guidelines to move their church into the world of digital technology. Not only has John Jewell captured the step by step process of making that move, but he has done it in a most readable and understandable way. This book is a valuable resource for both the absolute beginner as well as those who are experienced in technology.

This is one of those not to be put down books until you have finished it. Interrupted I couldn't wait to get back and finish reading "New Tools...". Church leaders, "New Tools For A New Century", provides the help needed to bring you up to date with all the new technology with as little pain as possible. Absolutly a "must" have book for your library to read and study over and over again. As Dorothy says in "The Wizard of Oz" to her little dog Toto: "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

This book is a user friendly guide as you seek to discover your way around the how too of today's new technology that is available to move ministry into "a New Century!"

Underneath the vast differences between the customs and way of daily life in this colorful Eastern land of long ago and the settings of the traditional Cinderella story are enough similarities to enlist the interest and sympathies of the modern-day reader. More important are the universal values which permeate this charming tale-compassion, fidelity to one's family (even if it brings pain,) and justice. An attractive, multicultural tale that can be savored by readers of all ages.

Britt Towery has written a beautiful tale of a family called to missionary service at the turn of the twentieth century. It reads like a novel, with a gripping plot, fascinating characters and an unbelievable story. But this is not fiction: this is the true story of Jewell and Carey who met in Texas but had to go all the way to China to fall in love.

I first became acquainted with the story of Jewell and Carey when I researched and wrote All That Fits a Woman: Training Southern Baptist Women for Charity and Mission (Mercer University Press). Towery has more thoroughly researched their fascinating story, finding little known details about the family and their Christian service.

Using personal interviews, letters, diaries, and other historical documents, Towery skillfully weaves the stories of the two Southern Baptist leaders, keeping readers intrigued all the way through until the final outcome. Jewell grew up with missionary parents in South Texas and went to Baylor where she studied theology in preparation for mission work. Carey attended Baylor as well and interrupted his studies periodically to preach in rural churches around Texas. Both Carey and Jewell ended up in Louisville, KY for further preparation. When Jewell set sail for China as a single woman in 1909, she did not realize that Carey would sail the following year and the two would eventually be married in 1914. I won't spoil the story by telling the ending: I hope you will read it for yourself!

One of the most helpful aspects of the book for me as a researcher was the Introduction, which describes the Shandong Province where Jewell and Carey were serving. Towery provides a summary of Chinese religions and a useful glossary of places, including how to pronounce their names. Towery has the expertise to provide these summaries, as he served over 30 years as a missionary in Asia. He thoughtfully reproduces some of the original materials in an appendix; the most touching is a letter Carey wrote from China and sent to his father.

Towery uses such good information, and serious researchers may be frustrated that he has not consistently documented his sources with footnotes. However, his purpose was to tell a fascinating and inspiring story of two dedicated servants of the Lord, and that he has done very well.

This small book is a great afternoon read for anyone interested in missions and missionaries, and it is accessible enough to be used in mission study groups with young people or adults.

T. Laine Scales Baylor University

By bringing back Elizabeth and Rico, the author manages to recreate the incredible characters we came to know in Controlling Time and Love. This one is a little more romantic and a little less suspenseful, but every bit as good.

I have been looking for this book for two years, after I borrowed it from a library. Both of my kids, 3 and 1 at the time, loved it, but so did my husband and I. This is a sweet story about the animals who come to give their gifts to the baby Jesus. The text is in verse and is easy to understand, but will appeal to all ages. The illustrations are photos of beautifully painted scenes on a wood background. It will be a family favorite in our house for many years.

By creating a believable and likeable heroine, Jewell has become what we can only hope will be a series featuring Elizabeth Rome and Rico Chavez. The author manages to capture all of the necessary elements of suspense, romance, and wit without overdosing the reader on any. Highly recommended.

It's hard to believe, really, that my friend from before the procedure has put out such a marvellous book with such tantalizing quotes. She dishes on so much -- the unprofessional slug that is Lisa "The Wench" Whelchel, the philandering Charlotte Rae, and so much more. Gary Coleman, don't go there! LOL, that means laughing out loud! It wasn't always cherries jubilee for Geri, this Katzenjammer Kid of the small screen whose halcyon days radiated with a 1000 points of light. No, no, no; Can you believe JohnSununu actually pulled her off stage at an RNC bennie (that's benefit, to those of you out of showbiz) with her own cane. Pluck! Good thing Rich Bond was there to lay the smackdown on Sunny John Subaru Xanadu chitty chitty bang bang we didn't start the fire!

This is an absolute gem, due to its tracing a person's theological journey. From being captivated by fundamentalist group's wrapping their arms around him, to his subsequent need for scholarly background, back to solid ground of Scripture.

Most memorable is his antics with fellow students making fun of bankruptcy of the "God is Dead Movement" at Cornell, one of its central powerhouses.

Each time I reread this, I'm impressed by the man's honesty and compassion. He certainly has been down the roads that most of us don't ever take, and can only speculate what it would be like. Here, that view is provided.

Provides interesting contrast to such as "The Flight of Peter Fromm" and Thomas Oden's revealing spiritual journey.