Full Books

Jan Whybrow and Adrian Reynolds' HARRY AND THE DINOSAURS GO TO SCHOOL tells of Harry's first (scary) day of school. Not only is he afraid, but Stegosaurus is even more scared because they have to be left in the hall with the coats. When Harry discovers someone even more afraid he finds some of his fears vanishing in this gentle picturebook tale of a difficult first day.

You gotta love Harry. He carries his bucket of dinosaurs to school, but leaves it in the hall where it comes in handy when he takes the "new silent kid" to the bathroom. On their return transit, Harry introduces Charlie the Silent to Stegosaurus who wants to ride in Charlie's digger. Then they take the whole bucket of dinos to the classroom where the kids and teacher say, "Oh, good! I love dinosaurs. Do they "raaaah"? which of course they do, as they have done in the equally wonderful previous Harry and the Dinosaurs books. Harry is a no-nonsense, no tears kinda guy, and you gotta love him. The end papers of the book are decorated with all of Harry's dinosaurs (and some pronunciation for those of you who are not five). It's a great going to school book, a great dinosaur RAAAAHHHHH book, and a great friendship story for guys. No kissing. And of course, like all good picture books it has FOOD. In thebeginning when Harry RAAAHHHS his sister drops her jelly toast, so your young readers could gobble up the story by making their own jelly toast but not dropping it on the floor!

Finally, the HHGG radio series is complete. This story needs THIS cast and THIS medium to truly come to life (the movie can't hold a candle to this production). The ending is more upbeat than the book, but is just the kind of finale the show needs after 30 years in the making.

Well, that about wraps it up for...
Arthur Dent
Ford Prefect and
Trillian
...not to mention the galaxy of other characters who have appeared - even if only for a line or two - on the BBC radio series that has built a global and intensely loyal following for the past 28 years.
"There's nothing penultimate about this one: this - ladies and gentlemen - is the proverbial it."

Finally, there is closure. A conclusion that this listener has longed for ever since the original THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY invaded my awareness in 1981.

And what a conclusion! At the risk of spoiling it for other Hitchhiker wannabe's, BBC4 and Dirk Maggs have managed to remain faithful to Douglas Adams' final installment to the inaccurately numbered trilogy of books, spawned from the original radio series and then respawning into new radio shows. Go to their web for some priceless photos and other cool stuff: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hitchhikers/newseries.shtml

And yet, there's more. The book was as dark as the space encompassing the outer eastern rim of the galaxy, and closed on a note that I'd swear was written by Marvin, the paranoid android. A series that the Beeb billed as "light entertainment" can't leave its audience that depressed and morose, now can it?

As I listened to the last episode of the fifth series, I awaited the darkness of the book's conclusion. When I read the book, MOSTLY HARMLESS, on which this radio series was based, I wondered if Adams was so annoyed with the insatiable appetite of readers and listeners that he decided to dispense with his much beloved characters once and for all. Was this the final disposition of the everyman hero, Arthur Dent, his hedonistic traveling companion and Guide field researcher Ford Prefect, and the only other survivor of the Earth's demolition, Trillian? As I wondered and listened, I achingly mourned Adams' passing. I'll miss forever his command of the English language - weaving similes and other literary devices into a tapesty that delights the listener/reader as much on the 10th or even 100th time as much as it does on the first. Sure, those words would will last for a long, long time. But there would be nothing new from that well that watered and nourished so many of us over the years.

On a somewhat related tangent, I responded to a query on the IMDB web page for Farhenheit 451 as to what book you would memorize for posterity's sake if that book/movie's scenario came true. No question: the original HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY or any of its sequels.

Back to this CD collection: The producer, director, script-writers, performers and other talented members of the ensemble succeed admirably in this final reunion, ushering radio story-telling well into the 21st Century. Sure, the voices had aged. Some had passed and are dearly missed: Peter Jones as the Book and Richard Vernon as the definitive Slartybartfast. But to hear the final reunion was absolutely golden.

Years ago, when I began my career as a road warrior, I used to tune into CBS Radio's nighttime mystery series on a 50,000 Watt AM radio station. (Hey, this was pre-CDs, way pre- XM or Sirius). There's something about driving down a rural two-lane road in the dark that made those tales that much more spine-tingley.

In like manner, listening to any of the CDs of the BBC Radio4's productions of Adams' work makes the miles fly by so much more easily. Books on tape/CD pale in comparison, in much the same way that a black hole is outshone by a supernova or even a red giant. The sound effects and incidental music add such a rich and complex dimension to the story-telling that is so sadly lacking with all the audio books on the market these days. OK, Ok, the flatulence noice is a bit puerile, but it works so well in the scene.

Douglas Adams is a true artiste whose talents will be appreciated for years to come.

So long... and thanks!

This is the superb final BBC radio series of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, this one adapting Douglas Adams' final book Mostly Harmless. It features the same creators and cast from the recent Tertiary and Quandary Phases (which means that most of the original cast from the 1978 to 1980 radio shows appear.)

While the book itself was a major disappointment, the radio adaption manages to be funny, interesting, thought-provoking and very satisfying. The writers have focused the story, created new scenes, included characters which Adams had apparently forgotten about over the course of the "trilogy," brilliantly converted the novel's rambling prose into dialogue and guide entries, stayed true to Adams' original intentions while simultaneously improving them considerably, and have created a new epilogue for the story which takes us beyond what Adams ever wrote and ties up the entire saga in a way so clever and sweet as to make a grown man cry. Such a brilliant adaption stands in stark contrast with the abysmal, dumbed-down script which was used for the recent film. THIS is the way to adapt a Hitchhiker's book.

Since the book concerns a parallel Earth and features two versions of the character Trillian (each from a different continuity in improbability,) it's of particular fan interest that the two Trillians are played by Susan Sheridan, the original radio actress, and Sandra Dickinson, who created the role for BBC television. As in the Tertiary Phase, Douglas Adams himself appears as Agrajag. I won't spoil the surprise of who else shows up.

As with all the previous radio entries, it's odd, brilliant, confusing and dense enough to warrant an immediate second listening, and has enough depth to offer new discoveries several listenings later. I couldn't be happier with how it all came out. Which leads me to wonder...

Why does this have to be the last one? If the producers don't wish to invent their own H2G2 episodes, I hope they turn their attentions to Dirk Gently, Douglas Adams' other comedic book series. A creative unit as successful as this shouldn't stop now.

Novella. I love the way this book weaves the story. It was fun reading it. I couldn't wait until the end so I could find out how they were going to tie everyone together.

The story of a broken family torn apart by poverty, but then, brought back together by Love.

A very good book. I'm not a big fan of reading and haven't finished a book since who knows when. But I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. It's very intersting!! I wish I could fine more books like it!

My husband and I both have employment backgrounds which are based on mathematical concepts.
So when chooosing a math program for our homeschool we had the following criteria:
1. The mathematical concepts had to be in a precept format, with the reviewing of concepts already learned for reinforcement.
2. The program had to be parent/child friendly.
3. The program had to "engage" our child in the world of mathematics.
After looking at every homeschooling math curriculum available on the market we chose Alpha Omega's Horizons Math. Our entire family has enjoyed using this curriculum, it is a joy to have fun with math!
The only thing I would point out is Horizons is an advanced program. The kindergarten set is first grade level, the first grade set is second grade level, the second grade set is third grade level and so on.

This is a hassle-free book that teaches 5 years old the basics of mathematics. Preparation time to use this is minimal and my kids enjoys the different activities. It doesn't try to teach a lot at the same time so kids feel confident to learn new concepts a little at a time.

I had the pleasure of hearing Robert Stevenson speak at one of our client conferences. His book has great short chapters on all stages of life and his logic on home and work situations are easy to understand and implement....

I ordered several to send to my clients and was delighted to find the books were hand signed! Not sure all are, but it was a nice touch.

We all know Turkey's...learn ways not to be one....

I found this book to be exceptionally good at cutting through the baloney that we so often find ourselves confronted with, and helps to set us in the right direction. I recommend this to anyone who wants to succeed in business -- whatever it may be.

I have used this book as text for a Basic Computer class that I have taught three times for adult students. I have used it both as a preparatory refresher text for myself and also have recommended it for my students. They were very satisfied with it also. The best part of this book is that it gets down to the basic level and covers computers and everything concerned with computers on a level that everyone can understand. The illustrations are also first rate. I heartily recommend this book as a basic text for anyone that does not have any knowledge of computers. It is also an excellent review for anyone who thinks that they know it all. It is well written, well-organized, and has a wealth of easy-to-understand illustrations for all to follow. It covers all aspects of computers from the basics to the internet. The only complaint I have is that the binding leaves a little to be desired, however for its cost it is a good buy.

This book is perfect for the beginner--full of basics & easily read & followed. The later edition in 1998 was equally as informative, and also full of really helpful how-to tips. Nowhere in the books do you get bogged down with information you really don't need as a novice---TERRIFIC!!!!

We bought this for our massage school teachers. It was in great shape as promised, arrived in a timely manner and the price was great

We got this book for our daughter's 5th birthday and she is in love with it! She carries it everwhere and she can now easily identify areas of the eye, the inner ear, as well as many other body parts. We are beginning to see how she is able to apply the knowledge she's acquired from this book.

I can see how this book will grow with her over time as she is able to read at a higher level and she will be able to understand some of the more complex text. For now, she enjoys looking at the illustrations and describing all of the body's functions to anyone who will listen!

This is a great book. If your child enjoys The Magic School Bus then I'm sure he or she will enjoy Human Anatomy in Full Color

Inclusion is considered to be Special Education's largest bandwagon ever, as seen by editors, James M. Kauffman and Daniel P. Hallahan. In the mid 1980s, The Full Inclusion Movement (FIM) offered an attractive platform of general and special education merging into one with a system that supports all students' regardless of abilities or disabilities. After twenty years, the editors claim that the devastation of full inclusion is evident, leaving Special Education in a precarious position of trying to salvage it's original mission for students' with disabilities. This book is a collection of essays that throws light upon how FIM is nothing but an illusion of support for students in the classroom. The book is divided into three parts with twenty-three separate chapters. The first part addresses FIM from a historical context and addresses the issue of merging special and general education. The second part of the book discusses policy analyses, commentaries and research. It addresses topics such as the need for diverse environments in order to provide for an appropriate education, and the lack of preparation of teachers for the FIM. Finally, the third part takes a look at specific disabilities, such as blind, deaf and emotional or behavioral disorders, and it's appropriateness in the FIM.
One of the reasons the editors claim that the FIM gained such momentum was the availability of books that supported the rationale of Full Inclusion. As I set out on my research for a book on Inclusion, it was quite easy to find a variety of titles for Inclusion that discussed its rationale, the research, and its successful implementation. In fact, so convincing was the rhetoric of Full Inclusion that going against Inclusion, almost made me feel as if I were an insensitive, prejudiced human being and that I should reconsider my position on this issue. I was relieved to find this book, The Illusion of Full Inclusion: A Comprehensive Critique of a Current Special Education Bandwagon, by James M. Kauffman and Daniel P. Hallahan, this book gave me the necessary resource and support to write about this controversial issue.
This book represents as a complete source for my topic for many reasons. First, the editors are credible experts in the field of special education. James M. Kauffman is Professor Emeritus in the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. He has experience in both the general and special classrooms, and received an EdD in Special Education from the University of Kansas. In addition, he has served as President of the Council for Exceptional Children, and was a co-editor for Behavioral Disorders. Daniel P. Hallahan has a PhD in education and psychology and has served on numerous editorial boards for various Special Education journals such as Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, and The Journal of Special Education. He also has been honored by the University of Virginia for Outstanding Teaching in 1998 and for Outstanding Faculty in 2003. Second, the intention of the book was take a position on the issue of Full Inclusion, and to make educators aware of the other side of Inclusion, as indicated by the book's title. Third, the book covers an array of topics as it relates to Full Inclusion, such as the Least Restrictive Environment, an Appropriate Education, the purposes and outcomes of Special Education, and specific disabilities. Finally, as stated, this book is a collection of articles written by experts in the field of Special Education from all over the country and not just a concentrated area.

Sure to be controversial, this important collection of essays challenges the glib assumption that "inclusion" is best for all students. While acknowledging the huge benefits that inclusion holds for some students, the authors put forward the case that for other students, it may have equally huge disadvantages, both educational and social, and that by jumping on the bandwagon of "full inclusion", educationalists are actually seriously failing some students with disabilities.

Instead, the book argues, a range of educational possibilites are needed, so that each student's individual needs can be met most fully, with the goal being inclusion in society as a full and equal participant (which includes the right to be different). The essays include both those attacking the theoretical arguments involved and those which examine the issue with respect to specific disabilities such as autism, learning disabilities and deafness.

As a disabled person whose life was very nearly ruined by my experiences in the "mainstream", I hope that this book may cause some educationalists to think twice before sacrificing the rights of students with disabilities to the cause of "educational correctness".

I had the opportunity to watch the video at an Alpha retreat and was deeply movtivated. He gives a wonderufl explanation of how we all have a "language" of love and that we have to fill others with their "language" or "fuel." The humor also keeps you captured. He is definitely hilarious!

An awesome book that explains how we can be motivated to love others with their "fuel." If you've been trying to reach someone and nothing is working, you may be using the wrong fuel. What do I mean by "fuel", read the book and see!

Kane and Abel is a book that grabs your interest from the first page to the last. Following the main characters lives through the years,literally from birth to death. Watching them attain their goals and achievments, and also watching all things we learned about in history class,but now being able to see how these events affected lives. It will stay with me forever and I absolutely recommend this book to everyone that I know loves to read.

A wonderful collection of stories from a brilliant storyteller. The kane and abel and prodigal daughter(sequel) has got absolutely superb plot to trod through and author builds up a wonderful climax. Story about persons of integrity, moral, determination and grit. A quiver full of arrows is an astounding collection of short stories. Absolutely terrific stories! Not a penny more is another brilliant plot. Superb storyline The whole collection can be described as "JUST SUPERB"