Hilary Knight's Twelve Days Of Christmas tells of a bear who struggles with an overabundance of holiday gifts from her sweetheart. Whimsical animals parade in each scene as poor Bedelia struggles with a house increasingly filled with odd gifts. The illustrations are especially whimsical.

It's Christmastime, and Benjamin Bear looks out his window, and down the path to his beloved, Bedelia Bear's little cottage, and you can almost see the gift ideas popping into his furry head. So, on the first day of Christmas, he arrives with a partridge in a pear tree, and the fun begins..... Hilary Knight, author of Where's Wallace and The Owl And The Pussy-Cat, and illustrator of Kay Thompson's Eloise books, takes this old familiar holiday song, and turns it into a joyous and engaging picture book. His marvelous artwork, full of bold, bright color, and expressive detail, grows busier, and more intricate with each page turn, until it almost spills off the paper. Young and old alike will be mesmerized as they pore over the pictures, finding something new and fun each time they open the book. With a delightful and creative surprise at the end to get everyone in the holiday spirit, Hilary Knight's The Twelve Days Of Christmas is a wonderful read-aloud book the whole family can share together, and is sure to become a "must have" classic to help usher in the Christmas season, year after year.

I've loved Hilary Knight's work since I was a child feasting on his *Hilary Knight's ABC.* In his *Twelve Days of Christmas," Knight provides an original and meaningful interpretation of the traditional carol. I especially love the way Bedelia returns the "true love" of her beloved gift-bringer by making a fair for him to enjoy--love is reciprocal in this book! The second thing I love about this book is the subplot, in which the raccoon struggles to open the mysterious can, only to find a true love of his own. Finally, the concept of each day as a "pick-up," in which Benjamin brings a partridge and a pear tree (and ensuing gifts) on *each* day, adds a new dimension to the story. Well-planned, beautifully executed, and the finest children's picture book version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" that I've seen.

The greatest thing about this publication is that you are aware of the author's opinion, but no bias exists within the material. The suggestions presented are done in such a fashion that any revolutions made will seem to be made by you, not the author. This allows for an objective analysis of your current lifestyle and some possible steps you may wish to take to improve it. I am not one who is usually enlightened or easily motivated, but I can honestly say I believe this book is an asset to all and considering the E-Book is only ($$$), you can't go wrong.

Enjoy! I hope I was of some help.

Though it was written 90 years ago, "How To Live" addresses the inadequacies, frustrations, disappointments of people today in all walks of life and it does so with humor and wisdom. A daily dose of "How To Live" is at least as nourishing for the brain and soul as a multi-vitamin for the body. Arnold Bennett created a classic of its kind, a self-help book that really helps.

It is hard to imagine that this little book could be so persuasive. I consider it a classic, and an early precusor to many others that have attempted to demonstrate how time is our own and ours to manage and expand our boundaries of our selves. In the thirty minutes it takes to read, you will be left forever vigilant, and will never sit idle, unless you consciously choose to sit idle, while you ride a train, wait for plane, or drive home from what once may have been a routine. Read it, study it, and live again.

Last April I spent 10 days in Italy with my family. I am a language fanatic so I used the trip as an opportunity to try out a new language similar to two that I had already studied (French and Spanish). This book really helped me learn the basics of conversational Italian, without being bogged down by intense grammar sessions and cumbersome textbooks. It is arranged like a children's language book with pictures and workbook pages that really help you become interactive with your learning.

Despite some reviewers, I enjoyed the fact that there were no tapes or CDs attached to this book. Listening to tapes for long stretches of time is, frankly, boring, and I know that I can just as easily fall asleep listening to tapes than actually learn the language. This book is fabulous for learning some Italian for a trip, but probably not for a long term study of the language. It is only an introduction and I know that I said I like the minimum amount of grammar in the book but a serious student would be stunted by those missing lessons.

One more comment that I would like to add is that I did not have the recommended amount of time to study with this book before my trip. Nonetheless, I learned Italian that helped me be polite, but maybe not a stellar conversationalist. The people there (and I would guess just about anywhere) appreciate visitors attempts at the native language. It shows common courtesy and acknowledges that you are visiting them, and not vice versa. There is too much Anglophone superiority in our country and, no matter which book you choose, learning some Italian is really appreciated.

The "10 minutes a day" books are a simple introduction in learning the basics of a foreign language. The layouts are in a workbook format that include puzzles, cut-out flash cards and sticky labels that you can place around your house to help you build your vocabulary. Easy to read, easy to follow and enjoyable. You'll build a vocabulary foundation that includes numbers, colors, how to tell time, the question words (who, what, when, where, how)and more. The simplicity of the books makes learning fun and you'll find your are spending more than 10 minutes. As a beginner in learning Italian myself, I paired this book with the Pimsleur Italian CD's. Reading vocabulary is one thing, but Pimsleur is really idea for comprehending how the language is spoken by native speakers.

I really enjoyed Italian in 10 minutes a day. It is well laid out, and fun to study. A perfect introduction to learning Italian. After this book I can recommend Italian Made Simple, which will then take you through most of the Italian grammar.

"Japan's Longest Day" is an invaluable historical resource for understanding Japanese wartime behavior, the end of the Pacific War and the decision to use nuclear weapons to end the war.

Much anti-A bomb literature is premised on Japan's supposed eagerness to end the war. This book shows the actual state of mind current in the Japanese military the week that the war ended. It also shows just how close Japan came to continuing the war even after the atomic bombings.

To understand how the war ended, one has to understand the ACTUAL conditions on BOTH sides. This book provides that context.

This book is probably the most detailed english account of one of the most fascinating events in modern Japanese history: the Japanese government's pained decision to surrender in August 1945 amidst falling atomic bombs. For a translation, this book is surprisingly readable. Although the story skipped around a little more than I would have liked, many of the details I was thirsting for were present. I particularly wanted to know how close the attempted coup d'etat came to succeeding, and why it didn't succeed. This book gives a complete accounting of the mind-set of both the young officers who attempted the coup, and the more numerous senior officers who made sure it did not succeed. Enjoy!

This is absolutely the best book to read about the end of the Pacific War. Based on a newspaper series, it covers the last week and especially the last day of the war from the Japanese perspective. Never mind the revisionists, and never mind the flag-wavers--this is what the Japanese were thinking and doing as the Americans closed in, the atomic bombs blossomed over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and Russian tanks drove through Manchuria and Korea. -- Dan Ford

This book is a must read for all ages. Touches the heart, and takes the reader back to long forgotten feelings and memories. Sweet and poignant. Arlene Millman, author of BOOMERANG - A MIRACLE TRILOGY (The tale of a remarkable Boston Terrier).

I am a book reviewer for a large newspaper and an author of numerous books, so I see MANY books come across my desk. When this one did, it stopped me right there. I found myself feeling many buried emotions from losing my own dogs and bolstering the feelings I have for my two present buddies. This book is wonderfully told and beautifully rendered. It is a very sad (ala Where the Red Fern Grows) book, but provides a moment of therapy as well. Overall, it is a celebration of the wonderful relationship shared with "man's best friend".

Jasper's Day is a not only a must for every dog owner of the world, it is also a must if you own or have ever owned and lost a pet. This is a perfect addition to every home library. Not only is it a tender engaging story, but it can be used to help kids understand and work through their own feelings of loss and grief.

The entire series is wonderful, and its a crime that they are out of print. "Keeping Days" and "Flower" are on a lot of school reading lists, and rightfully so. Ranks right up there with the "Little House" series-Tish Sterling is a wonderful heroine!

Handles coming of age more realistically than Little Women, and much more intelligently than the modern teenage series. I don't know how Johnston remembered what it's like when everyone else forgets, but The Keeping Days, its sequel Glory in the Flower, and also the Johnston's Bridget Vandever books spoke directly to me when I was about 12 or 13. It's comforting when *someone* else in the world goes through the same things, even if she is fictional.

This novel, and its sequel, Glory in the Flower, spoke deeply to me when I was 14 (a scant 6 years ago), and are still worth reading. It is compelling without melodrama and familial without schmaltz. Buy this for any bat mitzvah, confirmation, or junior high graduation. Better than Little Women, even.

I found this book to accurately describe contemporary mormon beliefs (unlike other books that site early mormon sources from the 1850s and then claim that these sources represent what average mormons believe today). I was curious about what mormons thought about such controversial topics as polygamy, for example, and this book addresses the topic. I asked a mormon friend about several points in the book and was pleased that the book seemed to accurately describe my friend's beliefs.

The title of the book is accurate--it is an "insider's" guide in the sense that it is written by a mormon convert. What you get is a concise, clear and accurate representation of mormon beliefs from a sincere mormon believer. It's a good read--I had a hard time putting the book down.

This is a great book written by a long-time member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). Being a convert, I could appreciate the straightforward way that the history of the Church was presented. Mr. Newell takes us from Joseph Smith's "First Vision," to the death and persecution of early church members, to the pioneer trek led by Brigham Young into the Great Salt Lake Valley and lastly, to the very modern Church of today. The people in these stories were real, and their stories are told to us, very often, in their own words. From a historical standpoint, the book serves as an excellent resource.

Additionally, and more importantly to the eyes of the Church faithful, Mr. Newell makes the events of the past relevant to the Church today by reminding us of prophecies and visions given throughout time. He reminds us that the pioneers struggled across thousands of miles, so that they would have the right to worship their God in what way they chose. He explains clearly and without apology, because there is nothing to apologize for, Mormon beliefs and doctrine.

Finally, Mr. Newell does not seek to convert others to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through this book. Rather, he presents the events of the past, our hopes for the future, and the tenets of the Gospel to which we prescribe, as set forth by various sources of Scripture. It is for the reader, then, to take from the book what he will and let his increased knowledge take him where he will.

As a life time member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I was very encouraged to see a no nonsense description of LDS theology directed toward a general audience.

I must admit that I learned a few things while reading Latter Days. Latter Days does describe the doctrine with a high level of detail. While I believe it to be accurate, a reading of the without further research may leave the reader a bit confused as to which doctrines listed are "core tenants" of the LDS faith and which are lesser known or not emphasized. As a compliment to your reading, I suggest talking to a friend familiar with the LDS faith or spending some time at the Church's website (...) to get a better feel.

That said, I give the book my highest recommend.

I have ALL of the Razzle Dazzle books and this one is my favorite. It is in the form of a poem, with each page being a line telling something else that "I love". It's fun to read and easy to learn. When I am somewhere with my son and he is getting fussy, I start reciting, "I love the sun, I love the moon, ..." and I have his full attention and he settles down to hear the rest. A wonderful book!

I think this book is great for infants it really attracts them because of the dazzle and the book also ryhmes. my baby loves it and always smiles when i read it to him.

I think this is a great book for infants. the dazzel atrracts the baby and he laughs and smile everytime I read to him it is great.

I didn't do it in a day, but the instruction is pretty easy to follow. Color pictures. Highly recommended.

This is like most of Eleanor's books well thought out. A very easy step by step approach to the quilt, with good directions and fabric amounts for just about any size quilt you care to make. I use this book in my beginning quilt classes.

Eleanor makes this complex-looking quilt simple. Cutting and assembling the fabrics in strips makes the chain pattern come together beautifully. Might be too much for a beginning quilter; perfect for someone who has already made a quilt or two.

My daughter, just entering kindergarten this year, adores the Junie B. Jones books! While I admit, that I'm not overly fond of the grammatical mistakes (I tend to edit while reading aloud), the books are great fun for adults as well as kids. These books have helped my daughter deal with everything from a new sibling, to the start of kindergarten. I recommend them highly.

Junie B. Jones books are so funny! Barbara Park has a real talent in being able to write as if she is really a little girl... Some parents might complain about Junie B.'s "bad grammar", but the fact is that she is only a kid trying to immitate the way adults act and speak around her. Read them and laugh out loud, they're so good---for kids and for adults with a sense of humour!

These books are terrific for kids in a wide range of ages--mine are 3, 5, and 8, and they all love them (they are over the head of the 3-year-old, but he's still mesmerized). Amazingly, the audiobooks are even better than the print versions. Lana Quintal, whose child-like voice seems a little grating at first, stands up incredibly well to repeat (and repeat and repeat) listening. She gets the tone just right. My kids are happy listening to these tapes in the car even on those long journeys that are usually occasion for hours of complaining. Worth gold! Check out the collection of books 9-12 too; if anything, it's even better than this one.