Elephants Books

I admit, I'm not particularly religious, nor do I think I have many significant elephants in my life (certainly nothing that rises to the level of what the author went through), but despite all this, Ms. Renner's book was a fast and fascinating read. The book is searingly honest, which makes it not only a hopeful guide for others who seek healing through faith, self-awareness and sheer will, but for people like me, it is an open, honest and insightful portrait of someone who has survived an trauma most of us will could never imagine. I have to congradulate the author on such a brave and unflinching achievement. This kind of self-examination and self-critique takes a lot of guts to put onto paper and that it's put down so incisively and with such clarity and detail is truly applaudable.

There are books one reads that make you feel you will become a better person for having read it. Marlane's book is such a book. She has laid open her life, and brings the reader along with her in her physical and emotional trauma showing how her entire life was affected for years. She then shows how forgiving the one who wronged her so badly brought healing to her person. She shows how forgiveness gives a changing movement from negative emotions to positve.

I read the book before I attended a seminar taught by Ms. Renner. The Elephant in My Living Room helped me identify my own "elephant." While I was never sexually abused as Renner was, I learned that I did, indeed, have an elephant in my house. I thank her for sharing both her story and her faith. She offers help for anyone through faith in Jesus Christ.

Marlane Renner's book must be appreciated for its candor and bravery. Beyond that, she helps readers work toward finding our own elephants, or the destructive patterns in our own lives, as we try to understand the pain she must have felt in a life changed forever by rape. It is a fast read and an insightful portrait of a woman struggling every day to walk with God.

The Elephant In My Living Room is a captivating story of innocence and life - taken captive by control, distrust and silence - and the struggle to find release from the nightmares and pain inflicted by the consuming power of one dysfunctional person. Marlane's journey through the desert of this despair to find the Living Water for bathing and cleansing of her soul is a story that has changed my life forever. The book is so astounding that it must be devoured in one sitting. Then upon reflection of how Marlane overcame and herded the elephants from her life, I was drawn to read the story a second and third time to savor the Divine steps of her journey that helped me to crack the foundation - allowing walls of pain in my life to start tumbling down. My elephant was not like Marlane's, but still a very real unresolved issue that was clouding ALL my relationships and my close walk with Jesus Christ. Using the accompanying study guide questions related to my elephant facilitated the success of bringing hope and happiness into my life. Thank you Marlane for your transparency.

Last spring I attended a book signing and lecture by the author in Alexandria, Virginia at which Dr. O'Connell described her research into elephant communication and some of the adventures and misadventures she experienced during her years in Africa. I purchased the book and found it immensely satisfying. This talented young woman illustrates the principle of serendipity paying real scientific dividends. Acting on an informed hunch based on earlier work with insects, she embarked on years of exhaustive field research which demonstrated that elephants are able to communicate over substantial distances by means of subsonic sound waves propagated seismically through the ground. Field research does not occur under the controlled circumstances of the laboratory, and Dr. O'Connell sketches in the background with fascinating details of interactions with the people and wildlife of Namibia. In addition to achieving a seminal scientific discovery, she worked with local villagers to mitigate the impact of elephants foraging on their crops and mapped the way for shifting the local view of elephants to one of valued resource rather than as pests. This compelling memoir allows the reader to participate vicariously in the experiences of this courageous young woman as scientist, naturalist and good-will ambassador in southern Africa.
Phillip Peterson, Alexandria VA

One would expect that a book written by a research associate at Stanford University on elephant communication would be boring and pedantic, but not so with Caitlin O'Connell's The Elephant's Secret Sense. The daughter of a doctor, whose earliest memories found her carrying her father's medical bag in hopes that he would use his tools to examine her ears, O'Connell grew up to study the enormous ears and hearing systems that encompass the elephant from head to toe. Her studies led her in a quest to help the Namibian farmers, resettled from South Africa during apartheid, by using sound to protect their farms from hungry elephants.

O'Connell's work combines the suspense of a mystery writer with the lyrical prose of a travel writer, and reveals her compassion for all living things. In her book, she chronicles her adventures and misadventures as she strives to understand how elephants communicate with each other within their African environment.

In the Caprivi, violent death is as much a part of the landscape as the capricious nature of rain. Nobody knows when it will come or how much to expect, but in the end it always comes. Death can snatch people away without warning--for example, a leopard stealing into a hut leaving a faceless victim, a croc seizing a laundress off the riverbank, or an elephant using its powerful knuckle to smash the ribs of a hapless person lost in the forest...And a neighbor may disappear simply for being from the wrong tribe, or from the cold sweat of the ever-present malarial fever, or even from an unexpected twist in the night, silencing the cries of an infant.

O'Connell traveled between two settings in Africa, one in the wild with elephants, lions, rhinos, crocodiles, and elands, and one in the villages of Namibia with unfamiliar residents, corrupt officials, and compassionate reserve stewards. As well, she dealt with various educational institutions in the US. Throughout the book, she shows the reader the contrasts between the different cultures.

...When it came time to leave the Caprivi, I was stricken yet freed. Which way did I feel? Which way should I go? How could I tease apart these feelings?...How is it that I had come to grieve for this land, for the animals, and for these people? How did I let it consume me? How could I put things in perspective? After leaving and gaining some distance, would I ever be able to return? I wanted desperately to help, yet my visions for the inevitability of failure paralyzed me. In the end, had I really helped these people?

Including pictures of many of the elephants she studied, O'Connell shows how a researcher can quickly become attached to the animal's personalities almost to the point of anthropomorphism. But she maintains the balance necessary to study the wild animals without interfering too much in their environment.

After reading this book, one will undoubtedly want to read more about preserving the last wild herds in Africa and support O'Connell and her husband, Tim Rodwell in promoting elephant conservation and scientific understanding around the world. For those interested in science and ecology, this very readable book also serves as an inspiration to the next generation of researchers.

by Susan M. Andrus
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

This book is filled with vivid characters both animal and human, heart-pounding adventure, and fascinating scientific and political information. Anyone intrigued with animal intelligence and personalities will be rewarded with this and much more. O'Connell recounts amazing adventures in a style that's both lyrically descriptive and gritty in details that bring the reader into the different world of today's Africa. Without an ounce of bragging, she reveals herself and her husband to be courageous, quirky and very smart action heroes that you'd enjoy seeing on the silver screen. Their heartfelt devotion to their quest - and each other - is compelling and very satisfying.

This is a frustrating book . . . just good enough to keep reading, but never really satisfying. If it had been a magazine article (say in "The Atlantic") centered firmly on the topic suggested by the book's title -- i.e., the unusual and surprising ability of elephants to sense and communicate via seismic vibrations -- I probably would have thoroughly enjoyed it (especially if it had also received the editing of a good magazine). Instead, the book goes well beyond the subject announced on its cover, so much so that it becomes more like a memoir of the author's 12+ years of research into elephant behavior, especially her 4+ years in the field in Namibia. Thus, the book is by no means limited to how she first formulated and then proved her hypothesis concerning elephants' seismic communication. In addition, we read a great deal about her work with African governments and villagers towards finding non-lethal ways of keeping elephants from destroying gardens and crops, about some quite personal experiences and anecdotes from her life in Africa, and, more generally, about other problems in contemporary Africa such as AIDs, poaching, and the nigh-intractable conflict between conservation and maximum economic return for natives. All of this is interesting; it certainly makes for a more exciting life than I have led over the past 14 years, and to a degree I envy Ms. O'Connell. But even so, I have better uses for my reading time, and in deciding how to allocate my reading time I wish I could rely on how publishers describe their wares. I purchased the book because I was interested in the subject of elephant communication, not because I wanted to read the memoir of a naturalist's career in Africa. To a certain extent, the publisher, Free Press, has engaged in a bait-and-switch.

Is this sloppy inability to limit what is essentially a work of reporting to the subject at hand, instead allowing the writer to wander off into various and sundry other matters that were encountered as a reporter in the field, a by-product of the "New Journalism"? In any event, I have encountered the phenomenon all too frequently in recent years. I might add that the writing is rather ordinary, and the book could have benefited from a stronger editorial hand. That, too, is a phenomenon far too frequently encountered.

I was expecting a book similar to Temple Grandin's Animals in Translation. Unfortunately, this book is very much unlike that book. I expected the bulk of this book to focus specifically on elephant communication, but that is not the case. Much time is spent on African conservation in general and the history of certain African areas where she was stationed. When I bought the book, it was not to read about local tribes or their politics, it was to read about elephant communication. Not saying the other topics aren't interesting, but if I wanted to read about those, I would have bought a book specifically on that. Making things worse, her style of writing is very disjointed and skips around.

There are not many books that I don't finish reading, but this was one of them. I was very much looking forward to reading this book based on the reviews. Not sure why there was such a disconnect. Maybe it's expectations. If you are expecting a more in-depth book specifically on elephant communication, with lots of scientific detail, this isn't it.

My daughter just started the specific carbohydrate diet and we had been brainstorming on different, yet appetizing foods to work with, especially in the dessert department. When I purchased this book and experimented with the recipes we were both extremely happy with the end results. The recipes make it easy to create mouth watering, delicious and creative meals! I had used several of the recipes for Thanksgiving and family members were intrigued and I will say, very surprised, that the taste of the food was "normal"; which I think is a major misconception with this diet. Instead of focusing on the "cannot haves" we focus on the "can haves"! Thank you so much for making the transition into SCD land easier! :)

Really enjoyed looking through this book can't wait to start using it but it makes it hard when there are so many to choose from.

The photos in this book are exceptional. The recipes are delicious. This cookbook is a must for anyone who wishes to augment their SCD cooking library. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet has completely healed me of Crohn's Disease. I have been free of disease for over 5 years and am taking no prescription medications, all thanks to this diet. This diet is the only way to control my chronic diarrhea.

Healing Foods is a helpful adjunct for a specific carbohydrate diet recipe collection. The photography is especially appealing. I would suggest that the author make a few changes to a possible next edition; a) include a "what to order in a restaurant" section, b) find a more successful bread recipe to accommodate sandwiches (those in the book are either too sweet, or break apart and can't be used as sliced bread, and c)proof the text more carefully as there are some errors. Finally, and important, would be a section listing sources for internet or phone orders for hard to find, organic, and vitamin orders. In summary, buy this book, as it's worth the money.

I am sort of collecting SCD books now! I have really been enjoying this book. There are many great, well-thought out, tested, recipes. There are comments and how-to's with recipes, which I appreciate. The recipes do not call for the dried curd cottage cheese which is impossible to obtain in Northern California--so I am appreciating that. There is a website mentioned in the book which I have checked out--it is just getting going it seems.
Oh, there are also beautiful pictures in this book. This book is really worth the price--I highly recommend it.

Treves' writings I would give 5 stars, but the book as a whole I give 3.

I would only recommend this book for the short story that Frederick Treves wrote and for the pictures, paintings, etc., that are in this book. I believe Ashley Montagu did an extreme disservice to John Merrick (Joseph as he likes to call him and was his given name, it seems). He also did quite the disservice to Treves. Using Treves' book, only to discredit him! It looks to me that Montagu only wanted to further his own book and his beliefs on people who can't quite come to grips with what John Merrick went through. It is unbelievable how much Montagu contradicts himself --- and he doesn't even seem to notice. He was boring ... and this is not the book I thought I was buying! Treves' story of the man he knew and helped, was so beautifully written, so real, and so touching. Montagu tries through out the book to almost say, "I am right and Treves is wrong." His findings have no proof. His logic makes no sense! Either Treves is a liar and Montagu is right --- or Treves is telling the truth and Montagu is just furthering his beliefs on people and because he thinks every person has to have a loving mom to be nice, etc. Treves had no reason to lie. All he says makes sense. I believe Treves without a doubt. I just wish there was more that he had written. Montagu would have you believe that John Merrick was only maltreated severely (if that) for a few years. Treves says it was all his life. There is no way that Montagu could be correct (and most of what he says has no proof) and for John Merrick to be who he was ... i.e. react to things as he did ... to not want to talk about the past, etc. A few years just isn't going to do to a person, what your whole life would ... meaning, being treated horribly, no love, no talking, no nothing ... a nightmare. John's earliest memory is the workhouse. How, then, could it not be of his mother, if what Montagu says is true that John had her up to almost eleven years old? Because it's not true!

As you read Treves beautiful story of John Merrick ... don't let Montagu ruin it for you. Read it to see how much Montagu doesn't make sense, how it doesn't add up, and how he has no proof. Even the so called "Autobiography of Joseph Carey Merrick" supposedly by Merrick, has no proof of authorship! His handler could have written it, or told John what to write. Then, when you're done with the book, read only Treves again, and take in what Treves was telling us. What a humble, gentle, loving, true human being John Merrick was. And realize, that yes, anything is possible through the Lord ... and I believe the Lord was with John and that John trusted in the Lord, and that he is in Heaven today.

The book is worth it to buy for the Treves story and the pictures. But that's all.

Like others I purchased and read this book after reading the book by C. Sparks based on Joseph Merricks life. I also purchased "The True Story of the Elephant Man" by Howell and Ford. I found that to be a vastly superior book in detailing his true life and the ways of the London in that era. Montagu did not enlighten me with any new facts, and filled the rest of his pages with his thoughts.

I read this book after reading Christine Sparks' novel, "The Elephant Man", which is based on the movie based on the true-life story of Merrick. Reading Montagu's book helped me realize which parts of the story were from Merrick's actual life and which were artistic creations. Montagu includes a number of primary documentation in presenting the history of Merrick (including Treves' memoirs, Merrick's autobiography, Carr-Gomm's letters to the Times, etc.), as well as what later researchers have found out about Merrick's history and a description of the disorder he was inflicted with, neurofibromatosis.

After presenting this information, Montagu continues by explaining the moral lessons that come from the story of Merrick. This is where Montagu's book starts to reveals its dated-ness. Though the lesson of the importance of loving a child will never be outdated, Montagu insists on the special role of the mother, whereas modern anthropologists have conclude that fathers can nurture children as well as mothers (men are not as inclined to participate, but do have the ability). In the 70's when this book was written, child rearing was still looked upon as being the sole domain of the woman. Mother-love should be read parental-love.

The second complaint I have is Montagu's actual writing style. Though he has good thoughts and ideas, he has little skill in expressing them and has a tendency to rehash the same thought over and over again. His writing is not well organized (beyond being divided into chapters) and his presentation of moral truths comes off more like pleading rather than as a well-presented argument. The language is simple and easy for children to understand so it is a great book for young readers, but the adult reader will feel the book lacking.

I am glad I purchased this book, and I recommend it for people who want to know more about the life of Joseph Merrick, but the rest of the content must be read with a grain of salt - realize that the writing is poor and the analysis is somewhat outdated. I could not give it 4 or 5 stars because of these faults.

I really liked reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone. It is about the life of Joseph Merrick. It shows people how that it is what is inside a person that counts. What is in their heart that counts, and not how they look. It's one of the best books I've ever read.

Upon seeing the movie "The Elephant man" I was immediately possessed by an overwhelming urge to know how much of the movie was true, and how much was false. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book answered every question I had, and more. Ashley Montagu has researched the subject with such a tenacity that it truly boggles my mind that he was able to collect all this information

Though I respect the reviews of others here, I have to respectfully disagree with what some have said doubting the influence of his mother, for two reasons. The first and foremost being that Mr. Montagu gives more than enough information as to allow the reader to make their own informed decision, even if they do not agree with his views. The second reason being that the idea of Joseph's father being the shining beacon in young Joseph's life is very unlikely. Joseph Merrick's father let him be sent away to work at age 12. Keep in mind, a hip injury had left him practically lame, and he had almost no use of his right arm. One day his father beat him severely when he spent too much money, which money he earned himself, on food. There is no record of him making any attempt to recover Joseph when Joseph left home for good at the age of 14. (Mr. Treves thought Joseph's mother had sent him to the workhouses, however, Mr Montegu proves this assumption wrong) I would say that Mr Montegu places such importance on Joseph's mother simply because it seems quite impossible that such an importance could be ascribed to the father given the facts.

To this day, I can not fathom Joseph Merrick; by all accounts, after everything that happened to him, he should have been bitter and spiteful to the core, yet he was was instead a shining example of courage, dignity, and the human spirit. This book illuminates that undying spirit in a way that is hard to describe. I would recommend this book to everybody.

Ernest Hemingway was one of the first celebrity writers. In fact, his life was so interesting that, for a time, it looked like he was more interesting than what he wrote. While I read A Farewell to Arms and The Sun Also Rises relatively early in life, I remember really getting into Carlos Baker's biography of the "larger than life" author. At first, I steered clear of Hemingway's short stories; on the whole, I am not a big fan of short stories. They're over too fast, for one thing, and add to this a professor I had along the way who likened every short story to the archetypical story of Adam and Eve, and my interest in the short story form evaporated like yesterday's rainwater. Then in the 70's I saw a Hollywood adaptation of Hemingway's Nick Adams stories (and especially after seeing Paul Newman play the washed up boxer in "The Battler"), I dusted off my copy of EH's short stories, and read them all over the course of a couple of days and was blown away by them. Later, when I taught "Big Two-Hearted River" and "My Old Man" to the American Authors class in a local high school, I had some of the most soul-searching discussions with the students. Often, I would read one of the stories aloud to them and then we'd talk about it. What was there about these stories that brought the class alive and so open to discussion? One reason might be that they are written so simply and, yet, pack such an emotional punch the reader hardly sees it coming. In "Big Two-Hearted River", for example, he's not just telling about a fishing expedition, catching and cleaning fish, packing them up for the trip home; he's got that bit about the ants on the burning log which transfers quite nicely as an allegory for human existence. In his laconic, yet sophisticated style--unparalleled by any author before or since, Hemingway creates a visceral reaction in the reader; the reader, without a lot of fancy footwork, EXPERIENCES what the first breakup feels like ( "The End of Something"), or how it feels to get drunk for the first time ("The Three Day Blow"). The plight of the returning soldier ("A Soldier's Home"), and the desperation of the dispossessed (Old Man on a Bridge) are unearthed in the reader as though he is returning home or sitting alone at the bridge during wartime. We all know, that in life Hemingway was all for grace under pressure and possessed an almost manic push to experience everything. In his short stories, especially, we can truly experience what it really feels like to be alive and never have to leave our recliner. Heartfelt thanks for that, Ernest.

I recently reviewed this same compilation of short stories in an edition that included the short play The Fifth Column that I was interested in discussing concerning the problem of spies and infiltrators from the Franco-led Nationalist side-and what to do about them- in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39. This edition does not contain that play and therefore I can discuss the short stories on their own terms. Although Hemingway wrote many novels, most of which I have read at one time or another, I believe that his style and sparseness of language was more suitable to the short story. This compilation of his first forty-nine although somewhat uneven in quality, as is always the case with any writer, I think makes my point. In any case they contain not only some of his most famous short stories but also some of the best.

The range of subjects that interested Hemingway is reflected here, especially those that defined masculinity in his era. Included here are classics such as The Snows of Kilimanjaro about the big game hunt, The Killers- a short and pungent gangster tale that was made into a much longer movie, many of the youthful Nick Adams stories tracing his adventures from puberty to his time of service in World War I, stories on bullfighting- probably more than you will ever want to know about that subject but reflecting an aficiado's appreciation of the art form, a few on the never-ending problems of love and its heartbreaks including a metaphorical one, reflecting the censorious nature of the times, on the impact of abortion on a couple's relationship, and some sketches that were included in A Farewell to Arms. Well worth your time. As always Hemingway masterly wields his sparse and functional language to make his points. Again, as always read this man. This is part of our literary heritage.

Love Hemmingway so the book was great. I expected it to be in fair condition and it was, no complaints.

I have bought and enjoyed the first volume of the CD set of Hemingway's stories and am thinking of buying another volume, but it would be very useful if you posted a list of all the stories on the CDs so I know exactly what I am getting.

There is little that I could say about Hemingway's short stories that hasn't been said before. But while Ernest Hemingway had magic with the written word, his old recordings of reading his own stories on tape are not good. Instead of sounding like how I would expect the story to be told (out loud), the author's voice is shrill and, in places, sounds more like an impression of Mark Twain. Stacy Keach is hands down the ideal voice of Hemingway's short stories (although I give four stars to Charleton Heston). His readings are straightforward, he employs accents where applicable, and minimizes the "he said" and "she said" words, making them place holders rather than part of the story itself. Based on the three volumes of Hemingway short stories, I am sufficiently enamored of Keach's readings to make me delve into other works of fiction that Keach has recorded on CD.

Something even Mom's can enjoy! Kids will love it so much they'll memorize it. Quick read, not too much text on each page, but enough to engage kids anywhere from 2-6 years old!

Such a cute book, great way to explain how a mom needs a break sometime too! We really needed this!

I love to give this book to new mothers. It was given to me when I had my first daughter and it made me laugh! How true it is to try and get a simple bath or shower once you have a child.

After ranting on the phone to a friend about my life with twin toddlers, she sent this book to me as a gift. What a gift! It was a huge hit for the whole family! It made me laugh because it captured my exasperation with mothering toddlers in an honest and humorous way. My girls loved Jill Murphy's amusing illustrations and the funny chaos that the Large kids create. And most importantly, they were able to empathize with Mrs. Large. Woo hoo! It gave us the perfect set up to teach our kids that parents need breaks too (and that even a shortened break of 3 minutes and 45 seconds is a welcome respite to refuel the zapped energy!)

I don't understand all the positive reviews for this book. It goes against so much of the parenting we practice in our house. First of all, the mother, Mrs. Large, says something we'd consider hurtful in our house--she says she wants a bath "Because I want five minutes' peace from all of YOU." The artwork shows a really cross mom looking at sad, hurt little kids.

Then, to top that off, the pattern of the book is that the mother lets the kids walk all over her. She asks them to stay downstairs and they don't (no consequences from the mom). When interrupted in her bath, she asks her older son to limit his interruption to one song, then he plays it over three times (no consequences from the mom). She asks her daughter to read one page, and her daughter reads five (no consequences from the mom). All the while, Mrs. Large looks more and more frustrated, and more and more the "pity-me" victim.

Finally, fed up with the kids trying to be with her and not listening to her, she leaves the bathroom and again (angry looking while her kids look sad) says "I want five minutes' peace from all of YOU."

Seriously, this book is a twisted view of how we should communicate and treat our kids--and a really sad portrayal of how some moms think they're the victim of their own kids, when really all the kids want is clear communication, fairness, and respect. If you don't want your kids to treat you like a doormat, don't *be* a doormat...and certainly, don't get angry at your kids because you've taught them you ARE a doormat.

If you're looking for a book with this same theme, but not nearly so troubling, try "The Seven Silly Eaters." There, too, the mother gets stressed and overworked by her kids, but there isn't passive aggressive nastiness in that book...and in the end the children learn how to help out.

When is a circus more than just a circus?

In Juggling Elephants, a recent publication by the pair Jones Loflin and Todd Musig, the authors use a fictional character, Mark, whose life is in turmoil because he has so many things going one he cannot seem to get them done. His wife insists that he take his daughter to the circus where he meets a vacationing ring master who shows him that the circus itself is a metaphor for prioritization in his life.

The premise of this short, easy book is that to gain clarity we should all look at our life priorities and divide them into three groups (three rings of a circus). The rings are professional, family / friends and self. Whenever the rings are unbalanced life is in disarray. They go on through this fictional story to give anecdotes and hints on how to obtain a happier, saner and more effective life in general. The book ends by Mark passing the wisdom of the ring master down to his own daughter who is having her own struggles with balancing the job and family life.

With less than 150 pages Juggling Elephants doesn't take too long to read, even if you consider yourself a slow reader. Jones Loflin and Todd Musig are no strangers to what they are writing about either. Both are speakers and trainers and have been associated with the self help industry for a while. The book is in a similar format to the Who Moved My Cheese? phenomenon that Jones Loflin was previously associated with.

Does the premise of Juggling Elephants work? The proof is in the pudding. I have already been playing with the ideas of this book in my own life and find them to work for me. I think that if you are one of the many people who might need some clarity in your life you would benefit by reading this book and implementing the three rings into your busy lifestyle.

If you enjoy business parables, this is a good one. The images of trying to juggle elephants and becoming the ringmaster of your life are all vivid and instantly memorable, as is the parallel of life management mapped as a three-ring circus. Jones Loflin and Todd Musig keep the story engaging and emotionally involving while presenting their lessons clearly. Nothing in this book is very deep or innately innovative, except the metaphorical imagery, but getAbstract thinks that several things will have you saying, "Right on!" as you recognize your problem pachyderms and learn positive ways to handle them.

This book is wonderful!
"The result of juggling elephants is that no one, including you, is thrilled with the performance."
There were several "ah ha!" moments as I was reading this book. I realized that part of the reason I feel so overwhelmed sometimes is that I try to be in all three rings of my "circus" at the same time. When I am doing one thing, I am thinking about all the other things that I am not getting done. (Sound familiar to anyone?) This book has helped me learn how to focus on the important things, and figure out which "acts" belong in my circus.
As a full-time mother of three my rings may be somewhat different from the typical reader of a book like this, but it was very easy to apply this metaphor to my life, and I already feel more in control as the "ringmaster" of my own crazy circus!
A quick, easy read, a great tool to help you take control of your life. I highly recommend it. :)

Even if you're always aware of your priorities, this book takes it a step further and gives the simple visual imagery of a 3-ring circus to quickly remind one of what has to be done now.

We hear it all the time at seminars from business owners, "my life is like a circus how can I fit everything into my already full schedule?" We give sound solutions for managing your marketing activities online in our book, How to Say It: Marketing with New Media: A Guide to Promoting Your Small Business Using Websites, E-zines, Blogs, and Podcasts.

This book, "Juggling Elephants" can only enhance your productivity, throughout the day, when you periodically ask yourself "which ring am I in now?" Then stay in the ring, completing your acts, until it's time to move to the next ring.

It's a simple and excellent visual reminder that we can all use to stay on track of our myriad activities.

This book made some of the complications of tme management easy to understand and implement.

There's really no other way to put it: this book is amazing.

Let's start with the narrator. Jade is new, fresh, and the perfect representation of a high school girl with a Panic Disorder. Her thoughts are witty and entertaining to read. Deb Caletti did a really brilliant job on writing in her perspective. Every word had me captivated.

Then there's Sebastian. He's mature beyond his years, and Jade's attraction to him is predictable, but still beautiful to read about as you learn more and more about this mysterious character.

Of course, then there's the DeLuna family. From Jade's mom who loves going to school dances and is way too involved, to her father who spends hours working on his mini train station, to her little brother who wants nothing more than to read about Narnia rather than tackle other people in football.

You'll fall in love with the elephants Jade knows as if they were real people, and all the side characters are beautifully developed. The plot was twisty and had you wondering about what would come next. The ending was a little abrupt, but still great.

I think the summary on the back of the book is a little misleading, but still a killer hook. It brought me in, and I honestly couldn't put it down. Please buy this book. It's Deb Caletti at her best.

This is one of my favorite books. I have read everything by Deb Caletti, and I would have to say this one is my favorite by her. The characters, the details, the plot--everything's there.

It's not a mindless romance at all; it definitely makes you think, and there are other elements to it besides Sebastian and Jade's relationship. Like Jade's college, and obviously Bo and Sebastian's messy ex-girlfriend. It gives it an edge, and makes you want to read it over another book about a girl who's just on vacay for the summer hoping to find a hot guy.

All in all, a great book--for everyone!

The Nature of Jade follows Jade DeLuna through her senior year of high school. In the beginning of the year Jade is facing anxiety and a low self-esteem. Later on she meets a mysterious guy in a red jacket, and things begin to change for Jade....
Deb Caletti writes about Jade in a way that makes you feel her problems as if they were your own. There's some stuff going on for Jade with her family, at home, at school, and at the zoo where she volunteers. All of these problems are problems that young adults can relate to, and I think if you were reading this around the young adult stage you would enjoy this book the most. Anyone from young adult on could read the book, but it's more geared towards young adults.
I enjoyed reading this book once it got going a bit. The beginning didn't totally catch my attention, but it kept me interested enough to continue the book. The beginning is really almost like a background about Jade, and I think that once you keep read the book the beginning is needed. If you continue the book you should find the rest of it much more entertaining to read. It got to a point in the book where I just didn't want to stop reading because I wanted to find out what was going to happen next.
When I got to the ending I was a bit disappointed with the fact that it ended the way that it did. It fit the book, but personally I wish the book had continued on. Caletti has made a book that has some surprising twists and turns that make for an enjoyable read.

"The Nature of Jade" can be dismissed as unrealistic (as I once heard someone say). Except it can't. This most intriguing and wonderful story about a girl who falls in love with a mysterious boy with a baby will keep readers awake late into the night to find out how the story develops.

Okay, so because of the book jacket and descriptions, we know what will eventually come to pass. But how author Caletti gets us there is emotional, impressive, and enjoyable. Jade is a perfectly real character, one with whom many different readers can relate (studious, a good friend, nervous, etc.). Her worries and anxieties are perfectly believable and are well-played. Her relationships may develop quickly and almost abruptly, but they maintain a well-rounded feel to them.

Caletti's writing is great. Not only is "The Nature of Jade" really well-written, but it's also got great characterization, believable dialogue, and a comfortable yet interesting plot. While it will appeal to readers looking for books on slightly different sorts of situations, it will also appeal to "fluff fans", those in search of heart-warming (at times) books that will make the reader cry. "The Nature of Jade" has that without succumbing to cliches and dull plotlines.

It's a really great book, one that touches on a really interesting topic. Sebastian's relationships with everyone provided me with a lot of food for thought, as did Jade's take on it. Wonderfully written, engaging, intriguing... overall great. Animal lovers may also find how the elephant theme is played. Jade's work with elephants and relationships with them give a sort of clearer mirror of human behavior. There, Jade sees her family problems, her social problems, and her anxiety. And is almost able to overcome it.

Certainly recommended.

After reading "The Nature of Jade" you would definitely find it on the bookshelf of any library. This book has everything a young adult book should have. I do find it a little slow at times, but reflects what a young female mind would feel in these situations. I do a few parents would restrict this book from their child, because Jade, a high school student is dating a slightly older gentleman and Jade does it behind the backs of her parents. At the same time, any parent who does not read this book from cover to cover should not make that judgement. My recommendations for what teens should read this book are:
-Any female high school student
-Honors student (it might help with the fear of moving away from home to college)
-Teens who are dealing with divorce
-Teens dealing with panic attacks or OCD (This would be the first book I hand them)
-A zoo loving teen (this book might inspire them to volunteer for their local zoo.)
-Any teen psychologist
-Teens who are going to a psychologist

I got this book for my little cousins (3, 3, and 5) and they loved it. So much so that I think I know it by heart from reading it to them so much. The story is sweet and the pictures are cute. If you have children, have friends or family with children, or you are just a sucker for anything that rhymnes GET THIS BOOK!

Ed Baker's adorably insightful and sweet "The Story of Kitten Cuckoo" has earned a most coveted place amongst my little boys' nightly must-reads. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is relevant. There aren't many books that as a parent, I thoroughly look forward to reading each night. "Kitten Cuckoo" is definitely one of them. B-R-A-V-O Ed Baker!

I love this book, my kids adore it. The message is important and relevant.
A must have for any children's library.
Mom in Los Angeles

This book is not only visually stimulating but really teaches kids something truly important. I received the book as a gift for my 6 year old and we read it again and again. The illustrations are gorgeous and vibrant. It also taught my daughter that true friendship is not based on looks, the color of your skin or your size or shape. Teaches kids with simple text and rhymes that love and friendship goes beyond physical appearance and teaches them acceptance and tolerance. A wonderful read and kids of all ages will love it! Highly recommended.

Ed Baker, The Story of Kitten Cuckoo (Centro, 2006)

Kitten Cuckoo is a kitten. His best friend is an elephant. This makes the rest of the animals wonder. After the two of them do themselves something of a mischief, Kitten Cuckoo's friend is taken away. What will he do?

An odd little book, this, definitely not the kind of thing one expects to find in a book for a juvenile audience. It reads almost like a fifties dime novel in verse-- hero loses friend, devolves into a life of crime, hits bottom, resolves to find friend, etc. It's a very interesting concept, and I'd like to see what could be done with it in the hands of a real master, but Baker's take on it is wry and amusing, and worth looking into to see if you feel it appropriate for your little one. ***

I teach yoga to children ages 4 and 5, and I have been searching for some good resources to share yoga with the children.

Babar's Yoga for Elephants is a very sweet concept for a yoga book. For children who know who Babar is, this book is a treat. For those who don't, it could be confusing. The flow of the book is OK, and the landmark-inspired poses are excellent. First, Babar explains the history of how elephants discovered yoga as it was done by ancient elephants through a series of cave drawings. Babar then takes us through a few series of poses, as well as some good stretches. Babar then travels around the world, copying landmarks with yoga poses. The writing is very "stream of consciousness" without a lot of structure, so it's definitely not made to aid instructors in shaping lessons.

I only have 2 small issues with this book. First, there is a lot of information about "how elephants started doing yoga," and while this is amusing for myself as an adult and Babar fan, the children were confused and bored during those sections. Second, the pictures of Babar doing the yoga poses are sort of difficult to understand. I can figure them out and show the children, but when they take the book in their own hands they have difficulty figuring out what Babar is doing in the pictures.

The kids have enjoyed pawing through the book and doing the poses, and I have enjoyed a renewed love for Babar the Elephant. While the book is sweet and a nice addition to a yoga book collection, it is by no means a sigular resource upon which to build lessons.

What a fun, colorful book! If you are interested in the poster (it is adorable) be sure you purchase the correct format, the book comes in two: a large format 11.5 x 9 inches with the accompanying 22x26 inch poster and a smaller 8.5x 6.5 inch edition without a poster. The reviews on Amazon suggest that the poster accompanies both formats, this is not the case.

My daughter (almost 4) loves this book and asks for it frequently. Several of the poses are far too complicated for the little ones (under 8), but with Babar as our guide we've worked through about half of the poses and had a blast doing so.

The book offers a nice visual breakdown of several basic asanas/poses. It not only introduces kids to yoga, but prompts skill building by teaching kids how to decode sequence and movement through static visual cues. Watching my daughter work through the poses based only on her "reading" of the detailed illustrations is great fun.

Cute book, which shows various, popular yoga positions and how to do them. Plus demonstrates some great warm up stretches as well!

Babar's Yoga For Elephants comes with a full size poster & the book itself is very well illustrated! It has a very cute story about elephants & yoga that will captivate children's imagination. Have fun and happy reading!!

This is a super cute yoga book for children, starring (and narrated by) Babar the Elephant. It talks about the earliest days of yoga (apparently, yoga was actually invented by elephants, although they looked more like woolly mammoths in the illustration), and then tells of how it was rediscovered and spread once again through the elephant world not long ago. Babar then takes us through his daily practice, and ends with some ideas of yoga to do on vacations at a variety of famous places (including the Golden Gate Bridge).

Today, I used the book to teach the class at my son's school (children ages 4 through 7), and it worked out very nicely. I read the intro, then we did the asana practice (beginning with Sun Salutations, which is how I always start the kids in their practice anyway), and I finished by reading the last section of the book, which was all text. The kids were particularly interested in seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, since we live near enough that it's a familiar landmark to everyone. It was a very nice way to do our practice today, and it is a lovely book for anyone who wants to introduce yoga to young children.

I disagree with the reviewer that said the poses are too difficult for small children - the only pose I didn't have them do was headstand. Also, they didn't find the instructions at all boring, since they were actually doing the poses as I was reading. It worked really well.

The poses are too advanced for younger children. The book cannot be used to read to children, since it is boring reading instructions.