MR

This book is a great children's book, as our ALL in this series. It is the one series that myself and my two children always look for on our bookmobile that visits us every week in town. They simply are great stories, that really leave you with a good feeling inside. You can really see the love in the stories.

Ted Tatosian Vernon Hills, Illinois

The flowing language and engaging text and illustrations encouraged my 6 year old son to try to read this "all by himself". Unlike many "early reader" books, the language is not awkward, and the repetitions are very natural. A pleasure.

My daughter, 4, loves this story best of the several Mr Putter and Tabby stories that we have read. Unlike so many children's stories, this one (and the others in the series) convey a sense of real sense of human (and cat)character. The relationship between Mr. Putter and Tabby is loving and supportive. Most important, each story -- and especially this one -- communicates a wonderful sense of life lived with joy, respect, compassion and the muted simple little "heroics" of everyday life. In this case, sharing a wonderful red-and-white remote controlled biplane with neighborhood youngsters, especially with one boy who reminds Mr. Putter of himself as a boy.

While directed mainly to children 4 to 8 years old, they have touched by wife and I as much as my daughter as we have read them at bedtime. The small price of these books is more than worth the time spent and re-spent in the simple, caring world of Mr. Putter and Tabby.

As a student at West Virginia State College I was required to view a Calecott honor award winning book. I chose this book because of the beautiful illustrations. A little girl asks the assistance of Mr. Rabbit in deciding what to get her mother for her birthday. Mr. Rabbit suggests some rather foolish gift for each of the colors the little girl says her mother likes. He suggests such things as a red roof and a blue lake. Each time he also suggest a fruit of that color. The little girls says her mother likes that fruit but she needs something else. After they go though a few colors the little girl relizes she could make a fruit basket. Mr. Rabbit says he has a basket.

This was my favorite book when I was little. The dialogue, which follows a clearly-defined pattern without being repetitive, and the gorgeous illustrations are calming without being boring. Now that I am expecting my first child, I am thrilled to see that this classic is still in print.

This book has been a favourite in my family for about 30 years! The central idea of the book is simple and heart-warming, and is demonstrated in an almost hypnotic formula throughout the text. This means that, after just a few pages, the child being read to can join in and have the satisfaction of guessing correctly part of what is coming next. The theme is one which can be applied in the child's own life, and from my own experience, I can promise that it stays with you for a very long time. The illustrations are beautiful; as far as I know, they are quite unique in Mr Sendak's output. They add meaning to the text, and help to make this a classic. I would recommend reading this to anybody from 3 to 7 (and any adults who happen to be around!).

I am passionate for non-fiction books about India so this book was on my personal reading list. I will mention this: Something about Mr. Dimock's writing reminds me of that "lost" writing style of the 19th century. This is an absolutely fabulous book that unfortunately will probably be overlooked time and time again by readers. This is a book I will buy and always keep because it is so perfect in every way!

The great strength of this book lies in its brevity. Two-hundred pages divided by twenty chapters makes for fast reading, covering a wide variety of subjects. Edward Dimock is a man of the world; his depth of experience allows him to write with both fondness and irreverence. Early on he confesses himself to be an old fuddy-duddy, guided by the ancient Manu (like Dante and Vergil), yet is not above numerous and much-appreciated pop references to anything from Mel Brooks to Star Trek. For those of us who know choice little of India (let alone been there) Mysteries of the East is both didactic and hilarious. Dimock's a wonderful writer, quickly establishing a humorous tone while discussing otherwise weighty matters. The rhythm he works himself into had me anticipating his editorializing, even in the midst of the more luxurious description. He's always "on", always has a little something to say about his travels and discoveries, be they an American movie star in Agra or the island of Diu where Dimock "communes with the spirits" (my realization of what he meant by this caused me to laugh out loud; I was finally hooked). Dimock is a witty observer of detail, with a well-educated sense of comparison and contrast. The similarity between Santa Claus and Ganesha is nicely drawn, while the author is careful to distinguish between Sir Richard Burton and just plain Richard Burton. The Indians and Sahibs are allowed to speak for themselves either charmingly or boisterously, quick character sketches that add flavor to the cultural mix. Dimock also knows his Vishvamitra and Herodotus and lets these old-timers have their say. But as he himself writes, "It is no news to anybody that language is more than words", and some very fine study is put into his silent characters as well, everyone from Yusuf the waiter to Nikki the German shepherd. Dimock takes an obvious delight in the menagerie that is India, from thieving monkeys to a charging water buffalo, and a most striking non-speaking role is played by Gopal the elephant, whose astuteness and venerability Dimock compares favorably to his own father. He's correct in describing the glance of the polite pachyderm as sagacious: some animals--say, cows,--look right through you, but elephants look right at you . . . appraisingly. The change of scene in Part III of the book caught me somewhat off-guard as Dimock leaves India and travels to Aden and then back to New England. I thought the whole book was supposed to be about India, but I got to thinking about the title; the East. After all, Aden is in the Middle East, and Massachusetts is on the east coast, and both are plenty mysterious to me as well. The most memorable advice Dimock provides if one is to truly see India is that one must: 1. Meet a maharaja, whether he be sober or inebriated, 2. Ride an elephant to see an outdoor drama without trampling any of the locals, 3. See a ruby-eyed idol deep in a rain-forest straight out of The Jungle Book, 4.Take in a live performance by a cobra and its handler in the street, or at least stumble upon one of the great snakes out in the bush, or (Shiva willing) in one's own bathtub.

Mr. Dimock possesses a perspective on India that, few if any, Westerners will ever have. He is probably the only Western author who has been able to notice and accept the chaos of India. Mr. Dimock aslo has the unique insight of perceiving the order that arises from this choas. In his book he presents India to us as a place of constant comedy the humor of which is best understood by someone who is fimilar with the region and it's people. India comes across as a place of extremes where even the animals have a personality and express it in their own right. The book was funny and nostalgic at the same time. The ideas would have been best expressed in an Indian language but the limiations of English as a language used to recount India is also very amusing. The book is very highly recommended especially to those who live in mortal fear and awe of the place. Thanks! B

I was kind of a food snob until I saw Mr. Food hawking this book on a shopping network. I phoned in my order and upon receiving this collection, I decided to try some of the recipes. My parents came for a visit one weekend and I treated them to Death By Chocolate. Well, by the time they returned home, they had purchased both this book and a trifle dish for that dessert! At work, the Applesauce 'n Spice Bread and Blueberry Crisp were particular favorites. A colleague and I are catering a luncheon on the first day of school for our staff and Death By Chocolate is on the menu. The real beauty of the book is its simplicity. The recipes have few ingredients, all readily available and take little time to prepare. And the book is not just about dessert. Sections on appetizers, soups, poultry, meat, fish, veggies and bread are also included. I particularly loved the Chicken Breast Scampi. If you love simplicity and flavor, not to mention the many compliments that will follow each recipe, give this book a try.

I have several cookbooks but when it's time for something new, I open up Mr. Food. There are two recipes in this book that are worth the price alone, "Fancy Fast Chicken" and "Macaroni Holiday". Macaroni Holiday is made with fresh mushrooms, celery, onions, macaroni, and cheese. I add a little Gorgonzola and halve the cheddar to give a more piquant taste to the dish. FF chicken is made with boneless skinless chicken breasts, mushrooms, cream of chicken soup, white wine, Swiss cheese, and stuffing mix. Sounds wacky doesn't it, but...put those ingredients together in the right combination and watch your guests beg you for more and the recipe. Those are just two of several great recipes in this book. What I love about Mr. Food's book is that you can easily substitute ingredients for lowfat cooking. Also, the recipes are easy and fast! Alot of these dishes can be made ahead and frozen for a quick reheat during the week. My husband and I eat out too often. We are staying home and cooking to save cash and calories. Honestly, I prefer anything in this cookbook to the cuisine at any chain restaurant.

I received this cookbook as a wedding gift 5 years ago and it is the one cookbook that I use most often. The recipies are practical, easy, and I have gotten compliments on everything I have made from this book. It also often gives variations of the recipies for those who like to be a little more creative. I like this book so much that I have actually bought several to give to other people as gifts.

this book has great fast recipes and fun ideas for every week of the year. my family loved the blueberry custard pie and the salisbury steak !

i love this book! try the blueberry custard pie

I have never bought a Mr Food's cookbook that I was disappointed in or tried a recipe of his that didn't work and that goes for this one too! Because I love extending hospitality and often have additional dinner guests, this book will sure be a big help. It has themed menus for every week of the year which focus upon those food items that are in season. Not only are there menus & recipes for all our favorite holidays but those minor & forgotten ones, too! And like all his cookbooks the recipes call for easy to find ingredients & with easy to follow instructions. Like always.."OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!"

In 'Mr. Jones meet the Master', you are allowed the privelege of reading just a few of Dr. Marshall's sermons. Being only sixteen, I have not found many friends my age ready to read this book, and that is awful. When most people (Especially teenagers) hear that you're reading 'a book of sermons', they think 'boring!' Not so with this book. Last summer, I decided to read 'Mr. Jones, meet the Master', and I literally could not put it down. Dr. Marshall has a captivating writing style that keeps you reading and keeps you thinking. I really love the way he pricks your conscience and lays it on the line. I really got things right with God after reading 'Mr. Jones, Meet the Master'. If you're looking for something to boost your Christian walk, please, READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can safely promise you won't be dissapointed. I have recommended this book to everyone I know, and now I recommend it to you! And if you enjoy this book, I also recommend 'A man called Peter', which is the biography of Peter Marshall. Though he went home to the 'Chief' years before I was born, I can't wait to meet him in Heaven! Beg, borrow, or buy a copy of this book TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A book to be kept near during your life. Dynamic presentations of thoughts brought out by stories of our everyday lives. If you feel removed from The Lord, this book will point the way, and give you a very gentle push in that direction. I truly regret the fact Peter Marshall left to be with the "Chief" so early in his life. I wish I could have heard him preach, and meet him.

I am planning on buying five additional copies for my children to keep in their homes.

Thank you Rev. and Mrs. Marshall

This collection of Peter Marshall's sermons is thought provoking and deepening for those who would grow in their Christian faith! I found the sermon labeled "By Invitation of Jesus" to be excellent. This is not a dry series of discourses, but a living breathing set of gems! Highly recommended.

I wasn't familiar with Mr. Lunch products before I ordered the address book, but I trusted the reviews I read and ordered it anyway. I love this address book! The graphics are really cute without being overdone. Also, the tabs stick out and make it easy to find numbers. The thing I like most is that it's small, but they've only allowed 3 names to be put on each page. This makes it easy to write legibly without having to cram information into a tiny space.

I bought this address book as a back up for my PDA. Well, that's what I tell everyone, but the real reason is that it's just so darn FUN! Every aspect of this address book oozes quirky, irreverent, fun. The bold colors and designs grab your attention, but it's the cute and playful retro feel that kept me hooked. The dividers are strong plastic coated paper with colorful drawings of Mr. Lunch and his antics. The alphabetical posts are easy to find and sturdy. Typically you'll have space for 18 names and addresses for each letter. You also get two lines for phone numbers, a line for a fax number and another for email addresses. A real cute feature is each entry has a spot to stick a Neo-Print sticker of the person. I love this feature because it makes it so easy to remember people or a fun time you had with them. The only thing is if you don't have a sticker of them you'll have to leave the space blank or draw one yourself. Also included is one sheet of some really cute Mr. Lunch stickers and 6 blank pages for notes.

This a perfect address book for home use as it's size and weight make it impractical for traveling. Besides it looks great on a desk! The book is sturdy yet the pages easily open on the spiral binding. I can't think of a better address book for a fun-loving, free-spirited person. What a delight!

Mr. Lunch's address book is great. It not only has enough space for all the addresses you need, but it is wonderfully organized with GREAT Mr. Lunch pictures!

Freud said on many occassions, "Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar. . . "

This novel begs the question: is the proverbial cigar just a cigar?

This novel will have you laughing out loud to the point of tears. However, beneath this laughter you cannot help but get caught up in a surreal sort of paranoia that, by the last page, leaves you in awe.

A truly magnificant book by a truly magnificant man. But I ask you, Lou, is a cigar just a cigar?

I read another of this writer's books, one called "But When She Was Bad," so I searched out "Mr. Mahoney Has Left The Building" to see if it was as good. It is, but it's a totally different kind of novel.

While "But When She Was Bad" is more a touchy-feely kind of novel, this one rocks and rolls. I'm not sure if it's a mystery or a comedy, but it had me up until 2 am a couple of nights and roaring with laughter more than once, so I suppose it's both.

The basic story (there are aliens tinkering with the earth and all its inhabitants) might seem far fetched, but the way it's written here, it's not at all unrealistic. Whenever I try to read science fiction, I eventually throw the book against a wall after four or five "groaners" -- bits of ridiculous nonsense about time travel or shape shifters or whatever. That's not at all the case here, because the book isn't presented as science fiction. It's about an ordinary couple who are suddenly wrapped up in some situation they both agree is ridiculous, but they know they have to get through it anyway. While they're at it, a whole other story unwinds in the background. This underlying story is funny as hell, but at the same instant, it's incredibly thought provoking. Like one of the characters says to another (and to the reader, too), "There's more to your world than you think . . . and less, too."

What impressed me is that the novel is totally believable and the action sails right along. So the book is a little bit like Stephen King in that sense -- except you don't have all the ghosts and the ooze. There are real people in it, doing real things.

My wife says "Mr. Mahoney" reminds her of Tom Robbins, but I have to disagree. It's funny but it's not goofy-funny and it's not as preposterous as the couple of Robbins books I've read. It's incredibly well written and it takes some real jabs at your preconceptions, all the while entertaining you with lives that seem genuinely real. I'd recommend it -- it's a hoot.

Mr. Mahoney Has Left the Building is quite possibly the most hilarious book I have ever read. It is a compelling and thought provoking drama that wraps the reader in a blanket of mystery right from the start, and doesn't fail to intrigue or amuse. With plot twists and turns that will send your mind spinning, Mr. Peddicord has managed to make an outrageously off-beat plot scheme come to life with an astounding realism. Witty and sometimes cynical humor is to be found within every introspection and dialogue, making the entire novel a page-turner from start to finish. It does not fail to open the reader's eyes to a slightly different perspective on the world, and grants a taste of the universe from the "what if?" perspective. This book is a creative work that takes a different approach to literature - with an intent to amuse and satisfy with a classically heartening storyline. Definitely worth reading, it is unfortunate that it hasn't made it to the shelves of the bestseller racks in major stores, as it very well deserves. Without question, it is the most entertaining and enjoyable novel I have had the priveledge to read this year.

A charming and fun book for children -great charachters, well written, a childhood favorite of mine that I've passed along to others. Part of the fun is the behind-the-scenes look at a traveling old west magic show!

I once saw a talk by science fiction author Ray Bradbury, when he became exasperated with a audience member and said "The Grapes of Wrath is a great book because it's about a family!" And that's what this book is about: a family.
Mr. Mysterious & Co. a family headed west, twenty years after the civil war, performing a magic stage show in small, western towns. The three children, ages 12, 9, and 6, each have their own conflicting dreams, fears and desires.
But what really makes this book work is not just that it is well written, and the characters are supurb, it's that it is about a family, and some of the struggles that familes have. Jane, the oldest, wonders when she can have real friends and stop being a child. Paul, the middle child, wants to keep traveling and "having adventures." Anne, the youngest, looks forward to "settling down," and living in a town.
Even though this book was written forty years ago, it still holds up well. It was one of my favorite books as a kid, and remains so today. I must have read this thirty times, and have given away at least twenty copies.
If you're looking for an interesting, funny, gentle, and simply altogether charming book about the old west--this is it. ...

My 11 year old and I both enjoyed this book. The story is set in the Old West and holds one's interest with lots of humor and suprising twists in the adventures.

Mr. Nick is a knitting enthusiast. Looking like a jolly Englishman in bowler hat and moustache, he spends every day knitting on his daily train ride into the city for work. At one stop, his friend Mrs. Jolley joins him, and they both knit, clickity-clack clickity-clack, for the 45 minute ride into the city. They're both the best of friends and help each other with their knitting. Even the other passengers on the train are quite contented and comforted to hear the 4 needles steadily go (sadly, this proves this book is a work of fiction).

However, one day, Mrs. Jolley doesn't ride the train, and Mr. Nick is understandably sad. He is sadder still the next day when Mrs. Jolley still is missing. He gets sad enough by the third day that he's not knitting at all, and the other passengers are beginning to miss the gentle sound of all that activity. So, Mr. Nick goes to visit his friend in the hospital.

Mrs. Jolley is sick and she will be in the hospital for some time, Mr. Nick finds out. Readers will immediately notice something unusual in Mrs. Jolley's room: no color. Like early hospital rooms, there is nothing colorful to see or look at in Mrs. Jolley's room. This is in stark contrast to the previous pages where there was ALWAYS something to see from the train, ALWAYS some bright colored yarn that the two were knitting into beautiful creations (Mr. Nick was perpetually working on sweaters for his 23 nieces and nephews). Quietly, Mr. Nick sets out to change this.

He knits day and night-- on the train, on his lunch hour, while eating (a wonderful watercolor picture of his yarn getting tangled up with spaghetti lights up this page) and even while taking a bath. Instead of sweaters, he's making squares. When next he visits Mrs. Jolley, he presents her with a beautiful afghan for her hospital bed with scenes of all the things she loved to look at from the train knitted into them-- trees, butterflies, two smiling friends hugging, the train, etc. So, while she's in the hospital at least, she and Mr. Nick can both look at beautiful things and knit for those 45 minutes, even though they're in different places.

I liked "Mr. Nick" for a number of reasons, not the least of which are the bright and bold watercolors that grace each page (and make for an obvious and immediate contrast when they're gone in Mrs. Jolley's room). It's a perfect jumping-off point for topics such as similarities and differences, hobbies, friendship and even gender roles (who says men can't knit??). I especially liked the way the book *ended*-- Mrs. Jolley was still in the hospital, her room was still devoid of anything even remotely interesting to look at save Mr. Nick's afghan, and she was still sick. Mr. Nick was still riding the train with interesting things to look at, knitting sweaters for his 24 nieces & nephews now, and the passengers were content to listen to one pair of needles going. So, not everything was neatly finished where it began... Very much like life itself.

This book has been a long time favorite of my daughter's (now age 4). I actually bought it because I'm a knitter and was pleasantly surprised by how the story normalizes knitting (and male knitters). The pictures are beautiful. The story, about a friendship which revolves around a common hobby (knitting), is very touching. Definitely need this if there is a knitter in the house but, will enjoy it even if there is not.

At first I thought the illustrations were the best part of this book. They are so brightly colored in water color. But the story was intriguing to my daughter at two, and still is at three. It can help children understand what friends can do for friends who are in the hospital. It also shows how people can connect through their hobbies or crafts. I recommend this for anyone looking for an option to the average fairy tale story.