MR

I liked this book - simple rhyming and bold colors in the illustrations make it appealing to children. It teaches a good lesson.

Front Frog Fred and Back Frog Jack is entertaining, a quick read and also teaches. My kids love this story!

This book is great for kids - it combines an interesting story line with practical lessons on life without being 'preachy'.

I had the opportunity to spend the day with Mary while visiting Anaheim and realized that she is a very amazing person with so much to share. I immediately went out, purchased her book, and read it cover to cover. Her book was very well written and very interesting. I couldn't put it down. I read it cover to cover. I know she has so much more to tell, I hope she has plans for writing another.

I just returned from L.A.yesterday where I spent 8 hours with this amazing Lady. I bought the book and couldn't put it down. How one person can accomplish so much in one lifetime is a story in itself.

Not only did I read and enjoy Mary's book, on a fluke I got to spend an entire day with her when I was in the Anaheim/L.A. area. She is so full of energy and life. She has packed in more than enough experiences in one lifetime and she isn't finished yet. This woman is for real. She is so matter-of-fact about her life experiences, as if they were everyday normal incidents everyone goes through. (Mary if you are reading this, say hi to Franny for me!)

I give this book a "10". I just couldn't put this book down. You think you know New York, but now you really know New York after reading it. It's a must have even if your not from New York. This book is proof of why there's no place like New York. New Yorkers are the most wonderful people in the world. Only a true New Yorker could write such a wonderful book. This book brings back such great memories growning up in New York. You cover 38 topics, 563 pages on sports, boroughs, politics, theatre etc... I had to go and buy another book because my friends took it and they won't give it back. Thanks for writing it.

I recently threw a party and this book provided hours of entertainment for my guests.

I took this book on vacation with me. I didn't get to finish it because everyone else in the house kept taking it. Its entertaining and educational. I'm buying more copies to give as birthday and Christmas presents. Mr. Barbieri deserves to be called "Mr. New York"

So much so, in fact, that we are now purchasing our third copy. Each of our previous copies has held up remarkably well considering how well-loved they were, but as with all books with moving pieces, eventually you need to reinvest. My son, now five, adored this. The page that introduces you to the 26 mice in Mr. Brice's house was a perennial favorite for him and taught him phonics as well as being just plain fun. Your child will get exposure to opposites, reasoning and problem solving, and to many other great skills, all while having a blast with this book. Well worth the investment, even the third time around (in fact, I'm counting on it keeping my two-year-old daughter occupied on a six-hour flight!).

This book is about the mice in Mr. Brice's home and what they do. It teaches the kids about so many different things like counting, alphabet, measuring, colors, telling time, and so many other things. The age level would probably be around the age of eight at the most that they would learn something, any older they would probably just find the pop ups and pictures amusing. I think the book was excellent for children and I think any child who reads this will enjoy it and learn.

This is one of the cutest childrens books I have ever seen. I bought one for my daughter when she was little and now I buy them as gifts for other young children I know.

I laughed so hard I pooped myself.

Absolutely scintillating. A must have! I bet you cant read just one! This book is the bomb diggity! It changed my life and helped me get through my latest divorce. For mature readers only! There are bad words here and there, so immature people might get offended.

A friend of mine recently showed me this comic, and my face actually hurt from all the laughing. The comics are not exactly politically correct, and do have a lot of jokes about crap and molestation, but hey- it works. I don't recommend this book to everyone, however, because the content is a bit extreme. If you're like me though, this'll be the comic you were always searching for and never found.

Mr. Modem has done it again with this new book helping all of us who have questions about our computers and the internet. With a thorough and extensive index and an easy-to-read question and answer format, you'll easily be able to find clear and concise answers to your questions.

How refreshing and what a joy to read a computer book that will make you smile and laugh along the way! Richard Sherman has a gift for demystifying the computer and making it fun. Forget the laborious manuals- just turn to "Ask Mr. Modem".

Five stars and three hearty cheers for Mr. Modem - keep those books coming, as you're the only one we know who can give us clear, easy-to-understand "geekspeak-free" answers. Bless you!

This book is fabulous! I use computers and the web a lot and there are PLENTY of things in this book I find useful. And the price is right: perfect to bring instead of a stupid bottle of wine when you're invited to someone's home for dinner! The recipients of Ask Mr. Modem have been tickled at this gift! Also a perfect holiday gift for someone who I know not that well but wanted to give something. I'm here ordering my fifth copy of the book!

I received a copy of "Ask Mr. Modem!" this past Christmas and it's the best computer book I've ever received (or purchased). I have a shelf of computer books, most of which I can't understand. This book, which is in question and answer format, is very easy to read. Just thumbing through it and seeing all the questions Mr. Modem answers, these are the same questions I've had. It's been a huge help to me and I've already given several copies of it to friends.

This book is the second volume in the Library of America set on American crime noir. I enjoyed the first volume so much that I decided to read the second one during Christmas break. Once again, the LOA has done a nice job of collecting a fine series of stories. These stories were written during the 1950's and 1960's. The book is nice to look at too; it's covered in red cloth with a cloth bookmark.

The first story is from the demented mind of Jim Thompson. This story, called The Killer Inside Me, is much better than The Grifters, a book by Thompson that I read some time ago. The Grifters seemed to be pretty one-dimensional with respect to its characters. This story is the exact opposite. A deputy sheriff in a Texas city has a terrible secret. He plays dumb on the outside, but inside he is a cunning sociopath. A long simmering resentment leads to a terrible revenge. Bodies quickly stack up as a result. This seems to be the story that Thompson is best known for and it's no surprise why. This is a dark, twisted tale with a grim ending.

Patricia Highsmith wrote a whole series of stories concerning Tom Ripley. The one included here is The Talented Mr. Ripley, probably better known due to the recent film with Matt Damon. This tale isn't as noir as I would have liked, but it still has enough twists and turns to keep anybody in suspense. Ripley is a low class conniver who ingratiates himself into a wealthy family who wants him to go to Italy and bring back their son. Ripley sees the potential for bucks and meets up with the kid and his lady friend. Of course, things take a turn for the worse and the bodies start stacking up. This story was probably my least favorite out of the entire collection.

The next story, Pick-Up, by Charles Willeford, is a depressing tale about two alcoholics who go bump in the night. The story follows the adventures of this alcoholic couple as they attempt suicide, check themselves into a mental hospital, and drink themselves into a stupor. After the female half of the couple dies in another suicide pact, the story switches to a prison tale. The end is somewhat of a twist, but really doesn't impact the story that much, in my opinion. Again, not really noir as noir can be, but still a fine story that can stand by itself.

Down There, by David Goodis, is a wild ride of a tale. Full of suspense and death, this is a great story that deserves to be included here. A family of ne'er-do-wells drags their talented piano-playing brother into their personal problems. The background information on Eddie, the piano player, is phenomenal. The tragedy that has struck him once is bound to repeat itself again. This story has great bit characters that really liven up the background.

The final story, by Chester Himes, is The Real Cool Killers. This is noir on acid: pornographic violence, massive doses of grim reality, and characters you're glad to see get killed. The story is set in Harlem and involves two tough cops named Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson. Someone kills a white guy in Harlem and the cops try and track them down. This story contains one of the funniest descriptions of a person falling off a balcony that I've ever read (and I've read a few, disturbingly enough). The writing has enough similes and metaphors to give Raymond Chandler an apoplectic fit. A cool story that certainly deserves a place in this book.

If you like noir, read these two LOA novels. They are long (together they're almost 2000 pages) but it is definitely worth the effort. These kinds of stories are just a great way to while away some free time and relieve stress.

I gave it 5 stars based on the collection as a whole, rather than each story individually. I enjoyed all of the stories, in that they were a good representation of the genre as a whole, yet they were all stylistically different.

Individually, I would rate the stories in pretty much the order they appear in the book. "The Killer Inside Me" is the most powerful, in my opinion, and is a great indroduction to Jim Thompson if you haven't read his work previously. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is also excellent, and is a must read for any fan of crime fiction. What I found more interesting was the contrast between the protagonists in the first two novels. Both are cold-hearted killers, but you couldn't find two more different voices. Its a tribute to both Mr. Thompson and Ms. Highsmith that you actually root for these people to get away with their crimes.

The other three novels are good, but they pale in comparison to the first two. "Pick-up" is a good study in a relationship between two alcoholics who know they are alcoholics and are okay with it. It takes awhile for the crime to be committed, but its an interesting journey. I didn't care for the twist ending, but that's just me. "Down There" was interesting to read, if only because it was the basis for a great movie. "The Real Cool Killers" was the only story of the five that I had trouble getting through. I think that was because I didn't really care (or even really believe) that A) a group of street punks would dress in the manner they were described in, or that B) a pair of street detectives would be as violent, feared, and given such free reign as the ones in this novel.

All in all, a good book to add to your collection, if only for the one-two punch of Thompson and Highsmith (by the way, that would be a great name for a law firm).

I usually don't like genre fiction, but this book is a great collection of "Noir" novels. Film buffs will be particularly interested in reading the novel on which "Shoot the Piano Player" was based, as well as the first "Mr. Ripley" novel (much nastier and darker than the recent film). Most highly recommended.

Both these stories were wonderful. I particularly enjoyed Cheryl St. John's tale. Humor and pathos, beautiful writing. Cheryl gives us everything we could want in a story, except maybe to get more of them. Write faster, Cheryl! I want more!

Cheryl St. John has done it once again! Her current release, "This Week I Thee Wed" is certain to pull at heart strings. Her detailed description of the characters involves the reader before they know they are entwined within these characters lives! Bravo Cheryl! Lori Kolin Mofield, Fan, Friend, Author

She fibbed to her beloved grandmother by telling the elderly woman she recently married. Now photographer and all around flake Francie Karr-Taylor needs a temporary spouse to accompany her to her high school reunion because her grandmother will expect to meet her new relative. When Ryan McNair offers money to buy a family heirloom that Francie purchased at an auction, she sees her opportunity. Reluctantly, he agrees to be her husband for a week, tossing in his two kids in the bargain, in exchange for the brooch. This duo will soon learn what they really gained and lost with this trade. "For This Week I Thee Wed" is a warm, humorous relationship romance that shows the talent of Cheryl St. John to write an entertaining contemporary tale.

Over the years, the changing staff always paid homage to the first issue of "Real Men" magazine, considered a collector's item. Now five decades later, reporter Tara Butler is assigned to update the classic article Forty-Nine Things You Need to Know about a Real Man from that first edition. To help her, writer Chase Montgomery teams up with Tara. As the couple begin to work closely together on "50 Clues to Mr. Right", they fall in love. However, Tara seeks a real man based on her list of traits. She initially believed Chase lacks these qualities, but now wonders if her list needs revising. Alyssa Dean completes her pairing with a wonderfully droll tale that provides insight into romance during the baby boom era.

Both stories are light, but enjoyable romps. This collection adds to the fans' appreciation of the Duets concept of providing double the please for a single cost.

Harriet Klausner

Mr. Wishmadoo Takes You To Zarr Zoo! is a delightfully written and vibrantly colorful rhyming picture book by Duane Curtis about a magical visit to Zarr Zoo, a place filled entirely with original and fantastic creatures of the imagination. "And just to the left in the rocks you must look. I think it's a... Yes! It's a Silly-O-Sook." Mr. Wishmadoo Takes You To Zarr Zoo! is commended as a lighthearted and totally fun "read-aloud" book for young boys and girls.

This is a great, colorful book. The kids love to read it. In fact, my 12 year old son just ran down the street to read it to the neighborhood daycare. Thanks for a great book, Mr. Wishmadoo!

This is such an imaginative book and a great story to share with the children in your life. My new granddaughter loves books and especially enjoys the vivid, fun characters portrayed in this one. As she grows, she will learn to experience her "imagination" and the positive traits of each character. These are great rhyming words and very original characters. We can't wait for the next books to be published - the list of those included on the back cover just makes us more anxious for new Wishmadoo adventures in learning !

Danny's mother's birthday is approaching and he has no idea what to get her. He wants to give her something special, but just can't think of the right present. Not coming up with any ideas, he asks a hen. Not finding help there he goes to a cow. The cow tells him to ask the bear. It is here that the bear offers the gift Danny has been searching for.

"Ask Mr. Bear" has been a classic children's story for a long time, and will surely delight future generations of children. The only thing bothering me, now that I am an adult, and can look upon the story in a different light is - what would have happened if Danny had asked his father first?

I do child care in my home,and all the children can read this book to me!
We love this book,and the pictures are so cool.
Keep printing it!
I would like it on a DVD.

This is a childrens classic as far as I am concerned. The pictures are a bit dated, however that only adds to the charm of this book. Danny travels from animal to animal looking for the best present for his mother and everything that is offered by the animals his mother already has. Finally it is suggested he goes and asks Mr. Bear. What a wonderful present Mr. Bear suggests. Wonderful.