This is the second time I'm buying this book for my 4-year old girl. She loves the tattoos, which go on very well, last about a day or two, then come off with only a little effort.The story is nice, fairly short, and great before bedtime reading. I highly recommend this book.

This is a sweet little story about five princesses that live in a garden. Our young daughters (ages 6 and 3) really love this book, and they would still love it even if it hadn't come with glitter tatoos. Jerry Smath's illustrations are beautiful. They are very classic and they capture the spirit of a young girl's imagination. The only improvement I can think of would be to make this book available in hardcover also!

This turned out to be exactly what I was looking for when searching used book stores for a reference guide on the kings & queens of England. I've read it backwards & forwards and find that backwards is the best direction, as it is written in reverse chronological order. It's harder to keep track of your pages, but easier to keep track of the subjects of the book. I wish the book were longer.

A few years ago, I decided I wanted to learn more about the royal history of England. I uncovered Jane Murray's book on a dusty lower shelf of a bookcase, opened it, and, for the next few hours, thought of nothing but reading this wonderful book. The book is different from the beginning; rather than starting her narrative with the little-known history of Edward the Confessor, she begins with the reigning monarch and works back through history, going from the present day to the year 1005, rather than vice versa. The book is never dull; on the contrary, Murray's style is light and enjoyable, and I occasionally felt that I was reading a novel rather than a historical text. The novel is sometimes gossipy, which is, of course, quite interesting, in spite of the fact that most of the subjects have been dead for many centuries. Murray's ability to create a text that focuses on intresting bits of information while not neglecting important facts or major events makes her book fascinating. The only problem occurs when the reader, when trying to recall a particular order of events (such as who came first, Edward VI or Henry VI), may find that the reverse cronology of the text has made it difficult to remember.

Memoirs of a Korean Queen is a first person historical account about the Imo Incident (July 11, 1762). This novel was written over an eleven-year period by Lady Hong, the wife of Prince Sado, to show her grandson, King Sunjo, that her family was not at fault for the death of Prince Sado. Although she does not outright say that it is King Yongjo's fault for Prince Sado's death, she certainly implies that it is the King's fault because of his inadequacy as a father. Also, this novel is a fine example of Confucian values that were set forth in that time of Korea. It is these Confucian values that gave her the strength to continue; while at the same time it rendered her powerless.

Lady Hong, the grandmother of the King of Korea, recounts the terrible story of her young life: chosen from a group of Korean girls to marry the Crown Prince at the age of eight, she watches him slide into madness and rivalry with his father. The Prince's malady first shows itself as peculiar concern about clothing, and later turns to violent behavior towards his staff; finally to a life-and-death struggle with his father. The story itself is riveting,and is accompanied by fascinating details about the daily life of a traditional Korean aristocrat.

The pictures and words of this book mold together flawlessly, and the illustrations can provide vital information. The world setting is bright and intriguing, and the characters are lovable and distinctive. The plot is not too long, and everything ties together beautifully. It left me smiling the first time that I read it, and it's even better the second time.

Finally - Jane Yolen and Jane Dyer have done that truly rare feat. They've created a unique type story (series) that Adults and young children can enjoy together actively. This would be a delightful tale with deliciously detailed illustrations on its own. What makes this so wonderful is the placing of "illustrated clues" to the solution of the mystery (a theft at the title Wedding) throughout the illustrations. The pictures themselves are intricate and beautiful, it is a pleasure to review them over and over to spot the little details missed on the first read through. The girls liked this best at ages 5-8 but everyone, from baby Ben at age 3 to Nana at age 67 loved to participate. For a treat to pamper yourself (hopefully with a child at your side to help you spot any significant details you might miss), or as a gift to any family with young children who treasure a good read- I would recommend this book most highly. If you haven't read the original "Piggins"- be sure to put it in your shopping cart too!

This is the first volume in the Georgian saga by Jean Plaidy, a master storyteller and prolific writer of historical fiction. It is the tragic tale of a German Princess who would go on to become the wife and captive princess of the uncouth boor who would one day be crowned as George I of England.

William of Celle and his wife Eleanore had a beautiful, pampered daughter, Sophia Dorothea. His younger brother, Ernest Augustus, ruled in the rival principality of Hanover. He was married to Sophia, daughter of the King of Bohemia. Together they had a number of children, the oldest of whom was George Lewis, an ugly, coarse, and boorish man, born to be a soldier, rather than a statesman or diplomat.

There came a time when Sophia Dorothea, as a result of some underhanded political intrigues, was forced into a loveless marriage with her first cousin, George Lewis, much to her and her mother's despair and dismay. George Lewis was also not thrilled with the match, given as he was to coarser delights. Sophia Dorothea, however, tried to make the most of her unpleasant situation, buoyed by her own innate charm and disposition.

In the end, however, Sophia Dorothea became undone by her love for the dashing Count Konigsmarck of Sweden. Through the political machinations and intrigues of the jealous and sexually insatiable Clara von Platen, her father-in-law's long time mistress and Konigsmarck's spurned lover, Sophia Dorothea and Count Konigsmarck were betrayed. Ruined, Sophia Dorothea ended her days as a captive princess, the tragic and pitied Princess of Celle. George Lewis would go on to undeserved heights as George I of England, and the house of Hanover would become a force with which to be reckoned.

This is a wonderful account of the tragedy that befell Sophia Dorothea and an excellent one of how the house of Hanover rose to prominence in England. Well written and absorbing, it is a page turning book for all those who enjoy historical fiction.

Of Jean Plaidy's Georgian Saga books I've read so far, I rate this one the best because it has a more complex and satisfying plot. But then, this is one of the most fascinating of the romantic tragedies the British monarchy has given to the world. This book is a damned good bodice-ripper--full of lust, passion, jealousy and intrigue in the Court of Hanover. Unfortunately, the beautiful princess is not rescued by her handsome lover but is imprisoned by her loathsome husband who goes on to become King George I of England.

The story of the beautiful, tragic Sophia Dorothea is well told by this artful translator of historic biography. Plaidy's novels are fairly close to historical fact without being tediously so.

This is a wonderful study but a bit disjointed in the prose style and in the categories of analysis Stafford chose. It's less biographical and narrative than would be appropriate for those simply curious about the two women in question and presumes a lot of bacground knowledge about the period.

Like the other reviewer implied, don't buy this book if you just want a quick peek into the lives of 2 English queens. This book is more appropriate for people well-acquainted with the subject matter. The book is really well-written and will be a great source for history students for years to come.

Stafford presents an facinating view of women in the early middle ages, presenting their power as well as limitations. However, the book is rather confusing when it comes to keeping track of who is who. The genealogical tables at the back of the book are less than helpful. Stafford asserts that a good part of the power of these women was based on family relations and connections, but this was difficult to follow. Still, the work does present some very interesting ideas and is worth reading.

This book has been foundational in determining how we understand early medieval women's history and the role of marriage and marital politics in the period. I recommend it highly.

A great drug-prevention tool from the National Family Partnership. Use with K-3rd grades during your Red Ribbon Celebration. For a great team-building activity buy a spool of red ribbon and have the children pass it around the room as you read the book.

I have used this book with my pre-k class for the past 4 years. The children love the illustrations and can hardly wait to find out what the magic is. I love the book because it talks about how we all need to work together to make the world a better place. If we will stop and take the time to look around us we can find people who need our help and in return can also help us. We all are brothers and sisters in the same world with the same hopes and dreams. I would love to find this book to add to my collection. I have to borrow it from a fellow teacher every year. My hope is to find this book...

This is a charming book that lets children (and adults) know that sometimes what appears to be perfect, isn't. The pictures a lovely and engaging and the story moves along well. My four year old declared "it should be a movie". Definitley a good bed time story.

Okay, I wish I was a kid again. Can I be a kid again?! I bought this book because it was about a knight who was curious and I can't think of a more perfect quest for a knight than curiosity. This is a little gem of a book and it could be made into a wonderful movie. It's art. It's a wonderful story about a knight who goes on a quest and learns that everything perfect is not so perfect. But that's okay. Even flawed it can be magical. William is a terrific character. The art work is fantastic, and I want to be young again. Mothers of young children should read this to them often. It's got a great message and it's clever. Not enough books for little boys either, and this is a great one. Buy it now.

I think this book was all right, though not as memorable as the first novel of Ms. Pierce's other series. I agree with what someone said...a central villain is needed...several steps further than the bullies among the pages and the 'Stump.'

However, I strongly disagree with what some readers are saying: that Kel is boring. She isn't boring at all... she just lacks the awful temper and sharp tongue that most of Pierce's previous heroines have. As for how one person said she lacked strength...not at all! It must take a lot of guts to be the only girl among so many boys, and be ridiculed by them. And about Kel being a 'nice girl.' I think Daine is a fairly 'nice girl' (even if she has a temper), and nearly everyone thought she was a great character. I like Kel's more predictable temperement, for a change, and I am very glad that she doesn't have any magic. (Alanna had TOO much magic, in my opinion, for instance.)

Pierce still has her bad habit of elaborating too much on unimportant details. We don't NEED to know exactly what the pages ate for dinner, or every article of clothing that Kel put on for a certain day.

I thought the ways that the bullies thought up of ways to torment Kel was clever, especially the weighted lance.

The plot was a little slow. Kel is still a page at the end of the book, and she'll be a page in the next novel (I suppose, considering the title -Page-.) Maybe Pierce should speed things up a little (though I understand that the author needed to emphasize the trouble Kel went through).

My other complaint is that there are too many names being thrown at the reader. It gets confusing at times. Some of the names we don't even NEED to know.

Overall, -First Test- was a good book, with a solid character and a nice lead.

I read the Alanna books several years ago and thought they were ok. A little bit too light for my taste, but clever and funny nonetheless. I tried reading Tamora Pierce's other stuff - the series about Daine and the Circle series, but could never get into them.

So it took me awhile before I convinced myself to give the Protector of the Small series a try. I gotta admit I'm glad I did. I've only read First Test so far and am half way through Page, but am finding that these books are better written than the Alanna series. First, the characters seem more developed. I love Kel. She's a true herione because she is real. She has her insecurities and weaknesses, but is willing to fight through them and do her best. The plot is also thicker in this series. I like the fact that Kel doesn't turn into a Knight for 3 full books. And the book maintains the cleverness, charm, and humor that was abundant in the Alanna series.

Not that the book is perfect. I wish Tamora Pierce would stop creating bad guys who you know are bad from the beginning and who never change or develop. In the Alanna series, it was the Duke. In this series, it is Joren (I think that's his name). I kept wishing and hoping that Joren would grow up into a more sympathetic character. He doesn't have to be a good guy, but just have more shades of grey. But I'm told by someone who has already read the books that Joren remains the same evil badass throughout...

And this is a minor complaint, but what the hell. Why don't Tamora Pierce's characters ever end up with the guy that I like? I loved prince John. Alanna dumps him to be with the other dude. I don't even remember his name. Oh wait...its George I think. And now I bet Kel will go for someone other than Neal. My bet? She'll go for someone way older than her. That seems to be the pattern of Tamora Pirece's heroines. Oh well. Neal is the man. But I look forward to seeing their friendship grow.

Overall, Kudos to Tamora Pierce. She's done a great job...

Ten-year-old Keladry wants to be a knight like her hero Alanna the Lioness. After she rescues some kittens from a spidren monster, she becomes more determined than ever to go to knighthood-training school, so she can learn how to protect the weak and small. Kel is the first girl page since Alanna (who was disguised as a boy at the time), and the odds seem to be against her: The training master thinks girls shouldn't be knights; some of the boys play vicious practical jokes on her, trying to get her to drop out. Kel shows her courage when she is the first student to stand up to the school bullies. As always in Tamora Pierce's fantasies, there are plenty of good, likable characters, such as the Shang Wildcat, Daine (who converses with animals), King Jonathan, the mage Numair, good old Sir Myles, Neal of Queenscove, and Lord Raoul. And then there are the animals: Kel's faithful horse, Peachblossom, and the sparrow Crown and her flock, who prove quite dangerous to Kel's enemies. There are some exciting confrontations with immortal monsters. "First Test" is the first book in Ms. Pierce's third Tortallan series, Protector of the Small, and it's just as much fun as the two earlier series. I'm now looking forward to reading the next book, "Page."