At first this book strikes you as being visually stunning and eccentric. I thought "Wow, I could never make something like that!" But with the wonderful directions my egg plant shaped bird house is really starting to take shape. And my dad has finally found a bird house book that matches his enthusiasm and creativity! I think we will have a lot of people slowing down to look in our backyards this summer!

At last a book on gardening that doesn't assume the reader has unlimited money, and space, to work with- and best of all, Dillon admits to her gardening failures so you don't feel too bad about your own. I thought her wry humour on the subject of water features worth the price of the book in itself.

HONEY, I LOVE and other love poems is simply put, one of the all-time best books of poetry ever written - and it is loved and enjoyed by adults as well as children. Eloise Greenfield's poetry is full of wisdom, simplicity, and elegance. The title poem reflects a childhood any child would be privileged to have - a "flying pool," a cousin from the South whose words just kinda "slide" out of his mouth, a Mama whose arm is for holding her child...and for being kissed. What more could anyone need? The other poems are brilliant as well - especially HARRIET TUBMAN who didn't "take no stuff." This poem, in fact, is an anthem for school children everywhere, who love a hero and aspire to be one as well. Poetry doesn't get any better than the stuff that comes out of Eloise Greenfield's experiences, heart, and pen. As an author and teacher myself, I admire the timeless nature and awesome craftwork in this book, and I share it every chance I get. Honey, you'll love it!

Island of ghosts is not a horror book, but a spectacular book. Eilis Dillion is very descriptive. I enjoyed reading it although the ending gets kind of ironic.

Having lived in Druid Lodge, a charming early Victorian house overlooking beautiful Killiney Bay, Dublin, Ireland, for more than 20 years, and given the prominence with which Druid Lodge features in Brendan O'Cathaoir's book, I read with rapt attention from start to finish.

The story is told with genuine affection for its characters and subject matter, and provides a snapshot of Ireland in the latter half of the 19th century, a time of social upheaval and change, increasing positive foreign influences on our way of life, and captures the mood of the nation at that time.

Interesting parrallels may be drawn between the changes afoot 130 years ago and the current economic boom Ireland is enjoying.

I have loved biographys for a long time now, this is one of my favorates. Her life style is intreaging, and it boggles me to know that each page in this book is true. Jane is far from being a good person, but her passion for life, love, and writing supass any wrongs she has done. If you love life read this book; and if you don't, find out what your missing.

This was my first Eilis Dillon book and after I was finished I was hooked. the description of the journey to the island is so detailed that I looked up my map to find out precisely where they were and I was disappointed to find out that they didn't exist. The father has been living a Robinson Crusoe lifestyle and with a lost island there is always treasure involved!

I am fairly familiar with the art work of Leo & Diane Dillon from the covers they have done for various collections of the work of writer Harlan Ellison. Consequently, I knew even before I really looked at the cover of "Mansa Musa: The Lion of Mali" that the two-time Caldecott Medalists are particularly well-suited to illustrating the story of one of Mali's most celebrated kings in the 14th century. Author Khephra Burns tells the story of young Kankan Musa, who is taken one night by slave raiders. However, ironically, this is a story of self-discovery for the boy who has become a slave. When he was younger and asked his mother about his father, she told him "To know your father, you must first give birth to yourself." Now he is told by the man who betrayed his village to the slave raiders, "You are your own slave...You don't know who you are." Although a slave, Kankan begins to discover "Il-Rah," the Way, the Path, on which he will be tested. The story of "Mansa Musa" tells of the adventures Kankan had upon his journey through the grandeur of Africa's ancient cities.

The Author's Note in the back of the book addresses the question of how much of "Mansa Musa: The Lion of Mali" is fiction and how much is fact. The history of the Mali Empire is well documented and there are several scholarly sources that tell of Mansa Musa's golden caravan crossing the Sahara. When Burns has to fill in the gaps in his narrative, he does so with places and customs that are historically accurate (e.g., the salt city). Consequently, what we have here is a philosophical story of self-discovery, invested with the rich cultural history of a land most young readers have never heard about, and illustrated by gorgeously crafted paintings. "Mansa Musa" is a real treasure of a book, which will impress even older readers.

I'm not a history buff, but you don't have to be to be completely engaged in this book. It is so amazing to read an autobiography from an aristocrat who lived in France and in America three hundred years ago. If you are short on the historical details, start with the appendices in the back of the book. My favorite section was the period when she lived on a farm in upstate New York. It was incredible to learn some of the homey details and I nearly wept when she described our land and worried that clear-cutting would ruin our country. It could have been briefer, but even so, it is so disarming I can't put it down. She's a wonderful writer and her story is action packed and incredible.

11 year-old Jessica Slocum's wish for a mother for the holiday season results in some wacky, yet endearing, adventures with a mannequin mom named Amelia brought to life by the powers of magic.

"A Mom by Magic" is one of the most wonderful childrens books I've ever read. The storyline is interesting, the illustrations are very unique, and the way the author puts everything into words is perfect. The first time I read this book, I finished it in two days. The second time I read it, I finished it in one day. "A Mom by Magic" is actually that good! Even though this book is currently out-of-print, I suggest you ask Amazon.com to search for it for you. FIND IT AND BUY IT TODAY!