I loved Happily Ever After. I think that Kate spoke very differently from the people in the story and she taught them a lot.

I love this book and have read it more than 10 times. One reason I like this book is because the main character, Kate, has mixed interests. She's a good athlete, and a tomboy, but also likes fairy tales. She's a real girl and not a goody two-shoes. The plot has lots of twists but is fun to follow. Kate is funny and shows the medieval court subjects that girls can be more than princesses. Every time I read this book, I feel like I am in the story, watching Kate. This book is like eating my favorite dessert and I love it!

This was my favorite book as a child and I still read it now and then. It's a wonderful story - funny and exciting - with plenty of twists and turns. It's about a boy who decides to become a king in the somewhat modern world of Katoren. Katoren used to have king but he died on the same night the boy was born and since he didn't leave any heirs the country has been run by a cabin of ministers ever since. When the 17 year old challanges them they are forced to come up with 7 impossibe-to-solve tests for him to prove his worthiness (fully expecting him to fail.) The tasks take him to several towns in the country where he is expected to solve various problems; among them cure a disease, disarm a tree, get rid of deafening birds and slay a dragon. Oh and jump out af a high tower without a harness. Recommended for everyone.

Hey to any adventure fans. This book is like a medieval hero story. It's about a boy who undergoes many challenges that involve wits in order to become king of the land..READ it..I loved it!

This is just the cutest book that I've had to read to my daughter at least 3 times a day! We love the style of writing that's teamed with precious illustrations. I also like the extended use of vocabulary throughout the story. A favorite!

A tale told in clever rhyme that lots of fun (especially to read aloud.) But as much as I enjoyed the tale of an incredibly hard-to-please queen, it's the collage of ingenious illustrations that make me giggle. This is the kind of book you read to your kids, then pour over the illustrations after thay have gone to bed! A wonderful book....I can't wait for more.

Based on exhaustive research of Biblical literature, this book expands the legend of the romance between King David and Batsheva. The second half of the book introduces us to Queen Berenice in her historical setting involving the Roman Emperors, Vespasian and Titus. The broad aspects of the story expose us to the complexities of Imperial might as mirrored by this last queen of Israel and her involvement with the mighty rule of Rome. The setting has both historical validity and romantic expanse. It is both gripping and tragic.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will enjoy this book. The plot's structure is inspired by the Biblical Story of the great King David and by tales of the provacative Queen Berenice, the last Queen of Israel. It sizzles with romance and the passions of these great, but tragically flawed rulers. Believe me, these are not the stories you were taught in Sunday School. (Panush never crosses any lines of propriety,however.) This book brings the ancient world alive. If you are a fan of historical fiction and enjoy reading some my favorite authors of historical fiction, such as James Mitchner, Pearl S. Buck, and Howard Fast, this is a book for you. I would also recommend this novel to book clubs, because it easily lends itself to stimulating discussions.

I bought this book for my 7 year old daughter while on vacation in California. Once we started reading it together we could not put it down. It has really interested her in the history of the period-13th century China- and the book has a very useful appendix called "The story behind the story" which explains what is known about Marco Polo. This stimulated a discussion about how much was real and how much was fiction in the book itself. Not many books have provoked such insights! The other big plus is that it is not overly sentimental or soppy but still managed to engage my daughter with its combination of suspense and magic. We've ordered all the other books by this author.

I really enjoyed this book. It showed a nice, loving relationship between aunt and niece. I liked the way the author stayed true to the time period and was conscious of not changing history. The author presents all female characters in positve manner. I feel this important to the young girls who will be reading these books.

I have recommended this series of books to my nieces and so far they have enjoyed the ones they have read.

I have included them in my children's book collection right next to the American Girl series and the Magic Attic Club.

For anyone who is a steamboat and/or history buff, this is a must book to read. Very clearly written and thoroughly descriptive of these 2 boats from their construction until 1999. Wonderful pictures! An interesting update should be written about the Queen's latest brush with going into oblivion in 2001. This is a part of our American heritage that all too few people know about. If I hasn't already been acquainted with the DQ after reading Mr. Garvey's book, I would have immediatly booked a cruise to find out what it's all about - once aboard that boat, a person becomes hooked on riverboat cruising. Next goal if to visit the DK in Sacramento! GREAT BOOK!!

Author Garvey takes us back in time, initially allowing us in on the construction of two steam powered stern-wheelers built in 1927 in Stockton, California. These craft plied the Sacramento River between San Francisco and the state capital from the late 1920s to the early 1940s. Both - however - served (in grey paint) during World War II

Garvey takes particular care in tracking the various machinations which leave the "Delta Queen" still steaming today on the Mississippi River. By means of the same careful process, Garvey indicates that the "Delta King" is tied up sans boilers or engines pierside right in the middle of Old Sacramento.....as a floating hotel and restaurant.

Commentary, photographs and interviews from the bygone days when these two ships carried passengers (and their automobiles) plus cargo in elegant style are reflected in this charming book which points to a differing pace of life. Included are such variables as fog, change of ownership, schedules, emergencies, piracy, lawsuits and the community leadership which befell this pair of 285-foot, circa 1850-ton displacement vessels.

I was on vacation when I checked this wonderful book out from the California State Library. The book took four delicious days to read and - to an admitted history buff - become touched by the sensitive and insightful look at the way it was on the Sacramento River - steaming at 8 to 10 knots - during 1927 to 1940.

I first read this novel about ten years ago, and reread it faithfully every year. It's a lyrical exploration of the lives of three generations of Irish women entangled by a supernatural force that they don't understand but can't escape. Haunting and riveting, it remains in my thoughts even today.

This story was so beautiful. It was very descriptive and captivating. I had to read it a few times to understand it, but I loved it.

I picked up this book at the library as reading material for my 17-month-old son. He (and I) loved the illustrations. I appreciated it being a real Bible story, and a history lesson--marvelously illustrated in 48 pages; but this books goes where most authors and illustrators don't. You won't see this version of the story in movie theatres. I did additional research to verify the accuracy of its' contents and I discoverd everything to be valid. This book should be read by all African-American children (and adults). They won't read about their kings and queens in textbooks as others are portrayed--which is a dis-service to their culture. I purchased three copies for myself and will be purchasing more as gifts.

This beautifully illustrated book provides children and their parents with a wonderful story that also has a powerful message. It teaches all of us that we can learn from each other and, more importantly, that every culture can learn from another. The book should be used in schools.

This is an incredible story about the life of Cathrine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife. The woman that came to England to marry Henry's older brother and then after his death married Henry against his father's wishes. The book tells about her support of the Catholic church, and the suffering she went through when Henry put her aside for his second wife Anne Boelyn. This book helps you understand how even after the public humiliation this woman could write one of history's most moving love letters to the man who had denied her as his wife and told the world that his daughter with her (To become known as "Bloody Mary")was a bastard and Catherine a wanton. Great story, well told, relaxing reading. Very historically acurate.

This is a novel based on the historical facts of Henry VIII's first divorce and subsequent marriage of Anne Boleyn. The story is entirely from the point of view of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife who never agreed to divorce him. The historical facts in itself are fascinating from the multitude of different conflicts going on: the monarchy succession, the budding religious wars, the national-state rivalries, the personalities, the class struggle, all these aspects combine at a crucial moment in history playing the background to the story of Catherine from her childhood to her grave.

Lullabyhullaballoo is by far my favorite children's book to read to my two, small boys. Every night they pick a book to be read, as do I, and we always reach for this one. It's full of fun book interaction, eye catching pictures and a story line exciting enough to keep their attention and not over excite them before bedtime. I've even taken this book to my oldest's son's kindergarten class for reading time, where it got rave reviews from 29 other five year olds!

I can't believe that no one has reviewed this book yet. It's one of the best kid's books I've seen lately, and my three year old daughter really likes it a lot. There's just enough repetition to make it accessable to young readers, yet keep it fresh each time it's read. The illustrations are cute and detailed, and the fold out pages work very well. This is a book that can be read every night without growing stale.