I purchased this book for two reasons. It brings to light the true meaning of Christmas...Jesus and sharing love. This story provides another format to talk about the birth of Christ to your children aside from the traditional manger story. There's a light introduction to the biblical significance of Christmas, in addition to the treasure of family unity. I found that this book helps reinforce the values which I am trying to emphasize in my own family, while also cherrishing old time family traditions. In case you were concerned, I don't think it dilutes the truth of the bible...Also, as a mother of two young elementary school-aged children, I also have the opportunity to be a guest reader in the classroom. It is totally appropriate reading for public schools, even though there is biblical reference. This book offers a refreshing change from the fantasy holiday stories and commercialization of Christmas. It will be a special story to your family and it will set a warm-hearted atmosphere to your tree-decorating festivities.

Rick Osborne's The Legend Of The Christmas Tree: The Inspirational Story Of A Treasured Tradition is a delightful kids' book, for which every page spread has charming text on the left and a full-color, realistically painted illustration by Bill dodge of a family celebrating the joy of Christmas on the right. The story is about the legend behind the tradition of searching for a Christmas tree, which dates back to the Reformation: when Martin Luther brought a tree into his house, he set candles on it to celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World. The Legend Of The Christmas Tree is in many ways about the need to make Jesus Christ a larger part of Christmas. Since the Biblical foundations of Christmas are often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of rampant consumerism that marks the season, The Legend Of The Christmas Tree is a very good introduction for young Christian readers to the holiday's origin. Also very highly recommended are the other fine books in this educational series: The Legend Of The Candy Cane (0310212472, $14.99), The Legend Of The Easter Egg (0310224470, $14.99), and The Legend Of The Valentine (0310700396, $14.99).

Inspired! Hope is present on every page expressed beside the stark protrayal of the consequences of carbon combustion. The analogous use of mythology creates a balanced view of timeless humankind. The message of this book has been inside of me since birth and looking for kinship expression for at least thirty years. Thank you Michael Osborne!

Lightland presents a truly global perspective on energy. It makes connections between the factual and the intuitive that are rare in other books on climate change science. This fascinating philosophical discourse should be essential reading for anyone involved in making energy policy.

The authors have a wonderful gift for connecting the mystical to the everyday. They also prove very conclusively that spirituality and abundance are not mutually exclusive, and that money is a form of energy that can be invoked, directed and amplified. The technique that they teach here is built around the sign of increase. Further magical techniques and exercises include the rituals of the black mirror, getting help from your subconscious, reading your dreams and the fivefold Prana sequence for increasing psychic energy. The style is simple and engaging, making for reading enjoyment and stimulating the reader to go through with the interesting exercises. This is an excellent manual on achieving personal prosperity, probably one of the best. The book includes an illustration of the Sign of Increase, a catalog of dream symbols and an index to the practices of creative money-making. It will amply reward the reader if you put the exercises and techniques into practice.

If you are serious about money, energy, and magick, then this book is a must-read. From personal experiance I can tell you that, if you're motivated, apply what is taught, and are willing to give money a new place in your life, this book will pave the way to greater wealth. Enough said, just do it!

I cannot believe how my son is reading! I bought him the first 8 books for Christmas and by New Years he had read all but one - on his own! He'd rather books than movies!

Meet Jack and Annie. Jack is an eight year old boy who seeks adventure. In every trip, Jack takes notes to learn more interesting facts. He carries his little backpack almost everywhere with his useful supplies inside. Annie is Jack's little sister. Annie is just one year younger than Jack. These two siblings have great times together in many different places. Annie is a sweet, honest, considerate girl who looks up to Jack.

Jack and Annie go lots of places, in lots of different times, helping others in their time, in the present and in the past. For example, in another book, in the same series (Magic Tree House Series) I read a book about Jack and Annie with George Washington! That was a long time ago!

Afternoon on the Amazon is an exciting book about Jack and Annie who try to help Morgan le Fay by finding four special things. (Everything they find starts with "M".) In the tree house, every time, they climb up the ladder, look for their trusty friend, Peanut the mouse, and point to a picture in a book while wishing to go there. The tree house starts to spin, spin, and spin faster until they appear in a tree in the place they wish to go. In the rain forest, Jack and Annie have trouble with the following animals: a mother cheetah, a crocodile, a monkey, an army of ants, piranhas and a snake. But in the end, Jack and Annie find out that the animals were just being themselves, with the monkey just trying to be helpful.

My favorite part of the book is when Jack is trying to stop their boat, and he accidentally snatched a snake. It really shakes up the story. Jack and Annie try to push the boat fast and duck their heads. They safely escaped, scared to death!

This is a very exciting book. In every book (from the Magic Tree House series) behind the cover, it says good things about the author and her books. By reading her books you can see if you think these words are right. I personally think this book matches what the people say. I recommend Mary Pope Osborne's books to everyone!

This book is perfection! It is a dreamy and exhilarating combination of beautifully evocative artwork and imaginative, spare, yet poetic text. A little girl rocking on the front porch with her dad one starry summer night wishes on a star and the constellation Pegasus comes to life as a huge white horse with powerful milk-white wings and a flying mane and takes her on an adventure through the constellations. The atmosphere of the darkness, the whispy night clouds, the stars and the stillness completely transports one. The balance between the magical fantasy of the moonhorse and the natural and grounded personality of the child combine in a subtle way to make this fantastic journey happily believable. This book will become a favorite. Don't miss it!

It seems that I often go through my child's books and think, great story but illustrations are mediocre at best - or brilliant artwork for an odd story. Moonhorse is absolutely the most beautifully compatible blend of imaginative work of author and artist. To read this book is to recall a mysterious, yet delightful dream of my 1950's early childhood. I want to know how Pope Osborne and Saelig came together to do this and will they do 1,000 more?

This book is great for all ages.This 119 page book is filled with lots of information from everyday life to egyptian religion. this book talks about the pyramids, funerals,and the most famous mummy of all king Tutankhamun better known as king Tut. If you have children you should buy this book.

jack and Annie made a guide about their research on mummies and pyramids. I leared girls & boys in anincent egipt wore their hair in a ponytail called sidelocks. when people were making a mummy.they didn't know what a mummy's brain was for....so they took it out and got rid of it!gross! I can wait to get MAGIC TREE HOUSE research guide#4 PIRATES.

I agree with the other reviewer. NOT a novice book by any means. Excellent if you are already well studied in Magick. It was originally a set of five volumes. They have re-released the first three and are finishing the last two right now.

Primarily ceremonial magic, this book is very deep, and should be recommended to only the very advanced practitioner of magic. It is complex, and a good deal of it is written in the latin, and greek languages. It is NOT a single book either, it is a series of books, six I believe, which is an error. Highly recommended.

I was featured in this book along with my mother(pg.22)and I remember when it was just a homework assignment in elementary school. When I was told it was a book I was amazed to see all of the people I knew and the moving stories it consisted of. I enjoy that book everytime I pick it up. It is especially easy for children to read because it was written by people aging 10-14. I especially love the foreword that was written by Rosa Parks herself. Very insiteful.

There are many wonderful stories told within the context of this rather difficult subject. For those who use writer's workshop . . . this is an excellent example of the use of interviews and other nonfiction techniques.

just got back from a hot summer in Paris and read this every night - a bit lush for my taste sometimes, but I really got into the layers of architecture, food, urban design, political satire, word-play and sex...it's a really original book, violent and brilliant, if a bit immature in places ( understandable for a writer still in his 20's I guess ). Some of my friends agreed, some disagreed. The chapters on courtesans and Turkish baths rock!

This is the most brilliant book on Paris ever written in English - quirky, infuriating, uneven, but definately original and fierce and permeated with amazing erudition. Osborne has written for the Voice here, the New Republic and Lingua Franca - he's a superb essayist all round

This book is invaluable tool for parents to use in helping the younger children find the answers to their real life difficulties. My children would come home from school and over milk and cookies would discuss the days trials and tests, and we we're able to go to this book and get God's wisdom on the situation that was easy for them to understand. As my daughter moved into preteen age she was able to use this as her devotional and read the scripture references at the bottom of the page for deeper revelation. I love this book because it grows with your children. Both my children are grown and serving God with all their heart. I know this is one tool this mother had to help lead their hearts to God.

This is a must-read book for anyone having a hard time with life. It is organized by subject, and it brings ancient wisdom to focus on everyday problems in an easy-to-read, quick reference.