I bought this one for my daughter who was studying Robert Frost in first grade. The illustrations are lovely, and she treasures the book. The only disappointment was that it doesn't contain the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" (one of our favorites). From the cover picture, I'd expected it to contain that one.
Still, I'm glad I bought it for her.

I have read this book by Robert Frost end to end. When I first saw this book I had to read it. I read Robert Frost last year in school. This book can be read to any age at any time. I thik some of Robert Frosts pomes can tech kids about life. That is what I think of this Robert Frost book.

I love Robert Frost's poetry and was looking for a good way to introduce his wonderful words to young children. I have found that way through this beautiful book. I am an assistant principal and can't wait to share this book with my teachers and students. As I read this book, I felt like I was in New England during all four seasons. A must buy for poetry lovers and Robert Frost fans.

I give this book 4 stars not because it is a wonderful piece of literature nor because it is particularly insightful and will change your life in the travel business, but because it is easy to read, it is a good story and does share some very interesting perspectives with the reader. In short, it is worth the read.

As an owner of a corporate travel agency, i've seen all types of poor business decisions based primarily on frequent flier program affiliation. This book sheds light on how the process went from inception to some of the stangest travel purchases one can imagine. A must read for travel managers

This book does not take you where you think you're going to go. Most of us have been drawn into the frequent flyer miles game as consumers, and we see nothing wrong with it. But what goes on behind the scenes and what is revealed in this book's startling conclusion will change your mind. The book's "insider" style suggests a writer with an authentic knowledge of the world he describes. If you've ever worked in big business you will recognize the people (every company has them), but you won't predict how it ends. Or how blindly we all let it happen.

I'm 19 years of age and I loved it, I read the 1st, 2nd and 3rd series. I can really relate to the 1st series. I ran across the book at the point in my life when I was down. I read the table of contents and literally cried in the store, just thanking GOD for sending something similar to what I was going through. I bragged to my boyfriend on how wonderful the book was, and now he's reading them, and he's 21 years of age. The amazing part is he's enjoying them so much he's going to go buy the 4th book! I'm so proud of him, because this is my own little way of getting him back into church. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO READ IT!

Hi reviewers,

I am 15 yrs. old, and before I read the books in the "Payton Skky Series" (1-4) I was entering high school and I was really nervous about going. My friend actually was the one who let me borrow books (1-3) of the series. She told me how good they were and how they made her think of her life and how she handled situations similar to those in the books. I have to admit I was reluctant to read these books because I am really not a reader, but to my surprise I actually enjoyed reading the books. They were an inspiration to me. By reading the books I was able to help some of my friends and cousins through similar situations in "Sober Faith" (book 2). Not only did I enjoy reading the books My mother and best friend also enjoyed them. I can't wait to get book 5, "Surrendered Heart!" Even if you don't enjoy reading, you will learn from and enjoy these books as I did!!

I recently picked up Stephanie's Payton Skyy Series (all three) at a Christian Youth Conference. I am a parent of three and writer. I was thrilled to find books my daughter will one day be able to identify with being African-American, Christian and female. There are very few books out there for this age group. I decided to read them before putting them away for her (for when she gets older) and I found that I could not put them down. All I can say is God is good and finds wonderful ways to reach you. If I had books like these when I was in high school and dealing with the same issues, my life would have been a lot easier. Stephanie does not preach down at the reader. Instead the message is gently woven through wonderful characters. Payton Skyy is the type of girl most girls dream of becoming. This particular title was great because it deals with substance abuse. It not only helps the reader learn how to deal with it themselves, but how to help friends when they fall victim to it as well. Please pick this up and share it with any teenager you care about.

Storytelling with Children is a "how to go about storytelling with your children" book. It does NOT provide instruction on how to create a story. It does offer much information about why adults should be telling stories to their children. It also offers much about when we could tell stories. Included is a lot of anecdotal information about how people are actually going about storytelling with their children.

In reading, I found this book to be gentle and encouraging, with a spiritual (not necessarily religious) touch that seems badly needed these days. Children suffer from a real lack of connection with their parents. Parents suffer from a real lack of connection with their children. Although this book won't cure it ALL, it certainly discusses a large piece of the puzzle.

In closing her book, Nancy Mellon comments, "I like to imagine a world in the new millennium in which wise and playful storytelling surrounds all little children..." She goes on to describe this vision as a regular time for the gathering of family and special friends for an evening of storytelling and music. This would be time WELL SPENT!

Storytelling with Children is an inspiration - with a very practical outlook. As a teacher, therapist and workshop leader, Nancy Mellon shows you how to pull stories from your own experience or a child's, using small anecdotes, memories or observations. She helps you overcome fear and doubt, and discover the wellsprings of your creativity. With a lighthearted touch yet a deep respect for children and the adults who love them, she acts as a guide to one of the oldest and greatest acts of communication and sharing - that of spinning a tale out of shared experience or sometimes (it can seem) out of nowhere.

Parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone with a child in his/her life will discover how to make up stories for birthdays, and for important events such as birth, death, or moving house. They'll learn how to incorporate a child's fears and difficulties - or simply the ups and downs of everyday life - into a story that will help to resolve them. For those who worry that their kids are spending too much time with the TV and computer, this is the perfect antidote. For those who love reading aloud to children, the magic of creative storytelling offers something even more nourishing. Adults who start off feeling tired or uncertain find themselves "enlivened and cared for" as much as the children do. They feel closer to their child and more in touch with themselves. For children, the gift of a story made especially for them, is priceless.

Diana Reynolds Roome...

This phenomenal book not only explains why telling stories is important, but also gives many examples of how to get started. The author provides lots of inspiration and encouragement and gives you the tools you need to weave stories into your everyday routine - "transition times", traditional reading times, times when children are doing something you'd like them to stop doing, to pass time waiting in lines, in the car, etc. I've learned a wonderful new way to interact with my children. Once you start telling stories - your children will never let you stop - and you won't want to either.

She writes with a style of simplicity and rhythym and ease that you can sit down and read the book in one sitting. There are few if any dry spots. It flows very well, and you can see the characters and events clearly. She must be proud to be a new author and have produced such a successful work.

Ms. Moore is a captivating author. Once I began reading this novel, I couldn't put it down! The author takes the reader on an emotional journey through the ups and downs and twists and turns of life. The characters are very realistic and easy to relate to. Anyone who experiences conflict between family members regardless of a strong love for and bond to one another will feel the joys and pains of life that are evident in this novel. Ms. Moore's style is unique and inventive. Journal entries and poetry between chapters provides an insight into the mind of the main character. Anyone who doesn't read this novel is missing out on a captivating and entertaining experience!

This is an engrossing novel detailing the effects of divorce on a family. It shows the negative aftermath of a divorce but also paints a picture of hope for future happiness. It is a page turner that I read in one session. I would highly recommend this book to all who have suffered through a divorce or to just anyone looking to read an excellent and entertaining story. I am anxiously awaiting the second novel by this dynamic new author.

Entertaining, suspenseful, believable. I stayed up all night to finish the story. I'm looking forward to Moore's next novel.

After reading Weekend Warriors, it was a completely different view of the Cuban missle crisis. It holds your attention until the very end! - truly a cannot put down !

Highly recommend this book - 2 thumbs up !

This was a great book. I couldn't put it down. The characters seem so real. I dreamed about them for weeks.

My daughter is not an avid reader, but she started this book and could not put it down. Obviously the book teaches godly principles and keeps the reader totally engaged in the story. We are ordering all of Moore's books for our daughter to read---And they all get passed around to all teh junior high the girls at the international school here.

I have read the book, but my wife has looked it over and confirms that there is a strong moral message as well as being well written.

A few of my friends read this book and thought it was wonderful, so I had to read it. Once I started, I couldn't put it down! This book is exciting to read, and also has extremely important life lessons behind it. And because it is told from a teenage girl's point of view, I can relate to it even more. I would recommend this Laurel Shadrach series to any girl. A+! :)

"Purity Reigns" is an excellent book, and I love it! My father bought it for me because he realized how important the message was. This book is great, because it gives a realistic situation of a girl struggling with what God and the Bible require of her; peer pressure, and her own personal desires. It accurately portrays the life of a high school girl with a boyfriend who wants to take things further than she is ready for, and her friends who must face the consequences of their actions. This is a great book for teens and preteens, even if they aren't struggling with the battle of sexual purity. I definitely recommend this book to anyone, Christian or not, and give it five stars and two thumbs up!

When I picked up "Somewhere Today: A Book of Peace," I assumed it was a recent publication, one of many focusing on helping children cope with the aftermath of September 11th. But this book by Shelley Moore Thomas with photographs by Eric Futran was published in 1998. Of course, it is so easy in these present times to forget that peace was a good idea way back then as well.

This book provides simple examples of ways in which both children and adults can bring about peace by doing things to help and care for one another and their world. It begins with the simple idea that "Somewhere today...someone is being a friend instead of fighting." Futran's color photographs reinforce the simple gestures that make peace possible, from making sure children do not get sick to fixing old toys to give to new friends. Young readers will certainly be able to relate to these simple ideas and incorporate them into their own lives. To underscore this idea the last pages shows a young boy reading "Somewhere Today" while the text adds "someone is reading a book about peace and thinking about making the world a better place." These simple proscriptive ideas are well worth sharing with your children or young students, who will probably have some equally good ideas to add to this list.

This is an excellent and accessible book for young readers which makes the concept of nonviolence a personal thing. Given the recent frightening episodes of violence in our schools and communities, this book contains a valuable lesson for us all, and has a thought-provoking ending which gives the text a real immediacy. The photographs are beautifully done and fully complement and extend the text. What a good job the author and photographer have done in bringing us this gentle and useful book!

It is time that we got back to teaching our children the basics of life -- love and kindness! This is a great book for parents to read WITH their children. What a better way to teach your children about life, than to read and learn with them.

You should read her first book -- "Putting the World to Sleep"

This is a wonderful author!

This is the third Strangers in Paradise trade paperback, and compiles the following issues into one volume: Volume 2, Issue 10: The Homecoming; Volume 2, Issue 11: Queen of Hearts; Volume 2, Issue 12: Goodbye; Volume 2, Issue 12: It's a Good Life. If you have not read the previous two volumes (Volume One and I Dream of You), I recommend you do so before reading this volume, otherwise you will be missing vital backstory.

This collection continues with the stories of Katchoo (the tempestuous blonde with a heck of a past), Francine (the neurotic brunette with self-confidence problems), and David (the keeper of the torch for Katchoo). All three are in need of some peace and quiet and recovery time from their adventures in I Dream of You, but the world isn't content to let them get it.

Above all else, this issue is about defining relationships. Where do Francine and Katchoo stand? How about David and Katchoo? Can Katchoo forgive him for the role he played in her betrayal and injury? What about Freddie, who's decided that he can't live without Francine? Does Casey even figure into all of this? And what is it with these people's fascination with Hawaii, anyway?

If you're reading Volume Three because you enjoyed Volume One, you'll probably be pretty pleased with the story. If you're looking for more of the over-the-top intrigue and violence and mystery of Volume Two, this book is significantly more calm (at least, in that sense) from the previous volume. All in all, however, it's a great continuation of an interesting story.

After all the events and revelations that took place in "I dream of You" this book is a little more at ease and is really wrapping the volume up. No new big events come into play but instead things that emerged in "I Dream of You" are being worked out between the characters (Moore doing a very good job at that I think). Terry Moore does some of his best 'dialogue-writing' yet in here. He's making it funny, he's making it dramatic and most of all, he makes it all logical. These characters aren't your everyday comicbook-characters. They act like REAL people would (slightly exaggerated and funnier now and then, but in essence they do).

About the story: Former events have really made a big impact on all three of our main players (Katchoo, Francine and David) and now all three of them are trying to sort their feelings, and where to go from here, out. Be it through arguments, be it through conversations, be it through acting on impulses. David is trying to convince Katchoo that despite everything that happened he never lied about his feelings for her. Meanwhile both Katchoo and Francine aren't really sure anymore which gender they love, let alone who in specific. And to make things worse Francine's former boyfriend Freddy tries to become a part of her life again.

For people who've read "I dream of You" this book will be a very welcome continuation (and ending) of the volume. You've seen how the adventure ends, now see how it all affected Katchoo, Francine and especially David (who turned out to be something more than expected at first in the previous volume). The quality you've seen in "I dream of You" stays at the same good level here, only there's a lot more room to expand on the relationships between the characters (meaning that as a positive thing). For people who haven't read "I dream of You" (collecting #1-9) I would suggest to either get "I dream of You" and read that first (which would be a smart thing to do in my opinion because I really think this is one of the best non-superhero books out there), or don't bother at all. Without knowledge of the events that took part in the previous volume this book (which collects #10-13, the last four issues of the volume) won't make sense at all.

I know I'm new to Strangers in Paradise, but of the few issues I've read, these have been the best. Buy if you're a fan. Buy if you're not a fan. You'll still like it.

The next installment of Strangers in Paradise, Volume 4: Love Me Tender contains the following comics: Volume 3, Issue 1: Love Me Tender; Volume 3, Issue 2: A Beautiful Day; Volume 3, Issue 3: She Has Reasons; Volume 3, Issue 4: Dance; Volume 3: Issue 5: Stranger in Paradise. If you haven't read the first three volumes (The Collected Strangers in Paradise, I Dream of You, and It's a Good Life), you should do so before reading this book. At least, I hate jumping into a story mid-stream.

The beginning of this comic really threw me for a loop. I mean, I think that's Francine, but ... maybe not? Or maybe she's the kid? What? Where are my beloved characters! Oh. Wait. There they are. Panic averted, persistence pays off.

Katchoo and Francine, back from Hawaii (see It's a Good Life and evicted from their home, move into a teeny garage apartment provided - free of charge - by Margie McCoy (who you might remember from Volume 1). It's time for life to get back to normal for these two, and they take their best shots.

Francine re-enters the working world, which turns out to be anything but normal. Between the manic, stress-loving boss, the artiste director, and the conniving co-worker (you remember Rachel, don't you?), and the wardrobe (oh my), Francine is in for more than she had ever anticipated. And she can take little comfort in the fact that Katchoo's life isn't settling down any more readily.

Katchoo, who is singularly unsuited to working life in the regular world, decides it is time to go back to her art. And David would be the perfect subject... even if he doesn't think so. But turmoil sets in when David has second thoughts, and it may be too much for their relationship to handle. What will happen there?

All in all, this is more of what we've come to expect from Terry Moore: Tight storytelling with interesting characters who get into situations that make your head spin. Good stuff!

Strangers in Paradise is the tale about three friends who seem stuck in their love for each other. Each one trying to figure out what to do with their feelings, they get confused, surprised, disappointed and cheered up during events.
Where most titles start off strong and then fall into the big grey area, this title keeps me interested and entertained. This here is vol. 4 of the collections but it can also be used as a jump-on TPB for newcomers to the title. It collects the first 5 issues of volume III.

First off we make a jump in time, many years past the events in the previous collection ("It's a Good Life"). Francine is a middle-aged woman now, with a little daughter, and has been married for ten years. It's been equally as long since she last saw her best friend Katchoo. When she's sitting in a restaurant oneday an old acquaintance walks by and mentions she just saw Katchoo sitting in the lobby. Right there memory-train leaves the station for Francine. She starts thinking about how things were when she and Katchoo used to live together.
The rest of the paperback is about those memories (which are the real continuations from the previous volumes). We see Francine trying to get a job and trying to gain some self-esteem. We see how our main three characters (David, Katchoo and Francine) keep on struggling with their feelings in their little love-triangle where nobody really oversees it all. Katchoo realizing how she really knows little about David, and off course there's still the humor in the dialogues (or else it wouldn't be Strangers in Paradise).

The colors in the first few issues seem a little strange at first. That's because this trade is in black-and-white and the original issues collected here were in color. Imagine making a black-and-white copy of a colored page and you know what I mean. Luckily that's only in the first few issues, the rest is back in original black-and-white (as seen before). The art is as good as it ever was (fluent, realistic and clear) and the story never stopped being interesting. Although I would advise to get "I Dream of You" and "It's a Good Life" (they together collect vol.2 in its entirety) first, it isn't really neccesary. You should get them to get to know the characters and because they're good, but this is a good jump-on point as well for new readers. There's minor hinting to what happened previously in this volume, but it's nowhere essential.
This title is a good diversion from most other comics and can best be described as a action-humor-dramatized-soap-opera centered around three characters. And it works ...

People who like this title should also keep an eye out for "Box Office Poison" and "The Waiting Place".

"Strangers In Paradise" is the wonderful story about the friendship between Francine, Katchoo, and David. All three of them seem to be from opposite ends of just about everything, but they learn to live together and love together.

It is a wonderful story, even for those who do not particullary like comic book stories. Volume 3 is one of the few volumes that are in color and is a great place for readers to pick up on!