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Whether young or old, this book will bring a smile to your face with its gentle reminder of the true spirit of the holiday season -giving. Okay, so the gift is a dead mouse, but it's the thought that counts! Don't miss this first book in the Catastrophe Cat series. With great illustrations and witty prose, this book is the perfect gift for all cat lovers, whether two or ninety-two.

This is a wonderful, funny, sweet children's Christmas book that you will enjoy sharing with your entire family for years to come. The rhymes are cute and made me laugh out loud several times! The illustrations are adorable and match the poetry perfectly. This is a great book for children, cat lovers, Christmas fanatics and anyone who likes to read. Ms. Twedt also writes a hilarious humor column for the Hattisburg Gazette and posts online at www.kristentwedt.com. Talented, funny and beautiful, this writer has it all!

A charming book I only wish my sporadic spouse Bessie had written.

This is a must read for anyone searching for a connection that it WAS real...Daughters of alcoholic mothers may feel isolated in their childhood experiences due to the family secrecy. I'm thankful this book found me as I begin to remember the pain of my mother's death, and the struggle of her life. Thank you-

This wonderful book was written for those of us who have been held hostage by our alcoholic mothers for far too long. Eleanor Agnew and Sharon Robideaux have given me a gift. They have helped me to come to terms with the misplaced guilt I have felt for most of my life. Their stories and those of the women they interviewed for this book have an amazingly recurrent theme. I never knew that there were so many women out there like me. Adult daughters of alcoholic mothers carry an incredible burden which affects every aspect of their lives. Agnew and Robideaux have done an excellent job of organizing their book into a guide for understanding what has happened in our wacky lives and how we can move on to sanity. The women who shared their stories,including the authors,have done a great service to all of us daughters of alcoholic mothers by letting us know that we are not alone....... Thank you Eleanor Agnew and Sharon Robideaux,from the bottom of my he! art,thank you.

My mother was not an alcoholic, but her mother was. I helped me to understand my mother so much better and how being raised by an alcoholic effected her life. As a person in recovery 7 yrs and now a mom, this book solidified my sobriety to see what a burden an alcoholic mother can be to a child. Thank You.

My Golden Frosty's story in in Margo's book. I read it first when I bought it, I was so proud. Then I started reading each of the other wonderful stories and was feeling every emotion, from tears to happiness and whatever lies in between. Each and every story brought such emotion to me. There are so many out there who love Goldens so much they devote their lives to them. I am very proud to be included in this wonderful book and to have been owned by such a wonderful dog.

Marjories McHann's stories of rescued Goldens and their people are a must read for every dog lover. These stories and photos are a wonderful telling of what Golden Retriever Rescue does to help dogs and what these rescued dogs have done for the people who love them. Even the toughest reader may need a tissue or two - the stories are full of joy and a bit of sadness too...

I felt so honored when asked to provide my Golden story for this book, and when it arrived I let it sit for a few days. I was worried that some of the stories would be sad and open old wounds for me. One day I sat down and read it cover to cover and am a better person for doing so. Author Margo gently nudged each and every one of her authors to speak from their hearts in their own voices and each tale is utterly unique and beautiful. This book pays a fitting homage to the most loving and companionable breed of all time, the Golden Retriever. It is a wonderful testimony to what adopting a rescued Golden can do to enrich the lives of the adopter and adoptee.

MY SOUL SAID TO ME intimately engages you in the vision and mission of transforming the criminal justice system into a contributing and restorative justice power for good. Currently the system costs billions, destroys lives, and inflicts more pain than healing on everyone in United States. In his own life's journey, Bob Roberts shares "keys to open the doors" of the prison industrial complex in ways that can solidly change lives and communities in a pro-social, cost-efficient,and collaborative manner. The reader is captured by Robert's life and work and how he has impacted thousands of people to become contributing citizens. Clearly, the replication of his project could help tens of thousands of lives. It is said, "an educated consumer is our best customer." Today the American public is the consumer that needs educating. This book, if read by the masses, can shift the correctional industry into an evolutionary and restoring direction, as well as, personally impact the life of every reader. MY SOUL SAID TO ME is an inspiring journey of life, love, community, and commitment. I am recommending this book to everyone. People (offenders,staff,families) caught in the quicksand of the criminal justice system most often live in a culture without hope or "a way out." To paraphrase the book, could there be a greater vision or mission than to give hope to someone that he or she is still valued as a human being? Bob Roberts gives all of us, the hopeless and the hopeful, hope. Audre Londe's words best describe Robert's philosophy at every crossroad in his life: "When I dare to be powerful...to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid..." In Robert's story of life you will find the truth applies to all aspects of our life and to all people in our society, even those in unlikely places. I share his call for a return to community.

This book is fascinating. I read it in a weekend. It's the story of a man who transforms his life. Bob Roberts was a successful dentist in the New Orleans area who had a personal crisis prompt him to change. He gave up a wealthy lifestyle and ended up founding an organization called Project Return that helps ex-cons make the transition to a legitimate life in society. It seems most ex-cons end up committing further crime and returning to jail. The graduates of his program have a huge success rate at staying out of trouble.

The book gives some interesting insight into the "Drug War." One of its inadvertent results is that you have non-violent drug users arrested and sent to jail where they are so brutalized that when they are released, they sometimes turn violent, usually against someone more helpless than them -- a child victim perhaps.

However, this is not a grim book. It's a pleasure to read. There's a lot that is inspiring and hopeful. Parts are funny and triumphant. I really enjoyed it and endorse it wholeheartedly.

A moving account of one man's search for a path to truth, a path by the following of which society as a whole can benefit. While this book is subtitled: An Unlikely Journey Behind the Walls of Justice, it is so much wider in its applicability than to the insitutions wherein it was born. In his exploration of 'community building', Mr. Roberts has written a remarkable prescription for society as a whole to adopt and apply to heal the profound wounds caused by the segregation of its members into disparate islands of fear, hurt, and hate. As for the application of this process to both the incarcerated and returned prison population itself, truly remarkable results have resulted from so doing. Mr. Roberts has addressed a core concern: "Without proper support, however, transformation is a long hard road. Because most of (the incarerated) are unprepared, most of them fail [become recidivists upon being paroled or pardoned]." Robert's combination of community building and techniques developed from his insights into the human social condition garnered while studying prisoners directly should be seriously examined by all states concernd with reformation of those who offend its rules. The results from so doing offer a path to real freedom, the transformation of a person rather than the brutalizing perpetuation of antisocial behavior consequent from incarceration as it is currently administered. Finally, this is a remarkable and inspiring read.

This book is one of the greatest out there for young children. My son loves the Little People toys from Fisher Price and I thought this would be a nice addition. I had no idea how much he would LOVE reading this book. We read it EVERYDAY!!! There are so many concepts to learn from animal identification to shapes and colors. Each time we look at it I find something new to teach him. It is a wonderful and fun way to introduce basic concepts to toddlers. My son wants to go through it over and over again and when he gets to the last page which is a night time scene, he says "Good Night" to all the animals. It is so important to read to young children and this book makes it not only educational but fun. I would recommend this book and the other two in the series to anyone who wants their toddler to begin to love books. All three are excellent and must haves.

This book teaches numbers, animals, colors, shapes, and opposites! Quite a bit of information packed into one book! AND it is fun! My daughter loves lift-the-flap books! This one goes with her Fisher Price Barn, too. She matches the animals in the book to the ones on her farm... Great activity book!

This is the greatest book ever... Both my three year old and one year old love for me to read this book with them. They are so delighted to see what is under the flap. They both seek out this book so they can sit and look at it quietly by themselves. The three year old loves to talk about what is going on in each scene and guessing what is under the flaps. The colorful illustrations can't help but keep little ones interested as well.

I am a college sophomore and I recently read this book for the second time. As a senior in high school the book touched my heart and my life, but I attributed that to the proximity of the year that I was reading about. Now, two years later, the book spoke to me with an even louder voice. It evoked nostalgia, which in turn made me both laugh and cry hysterically. A book that is meant to transport you into the life of a senior in high school should do no less...anyone who has ever been at that point in their life knows the unbelievable highs and lows that will be encountered. Michael Fitzgibbons' accurate, satirical, purposeful, and piercing characters, themes, and story lines cut right to the heart of matters. This man surely was writing about something of which he has a distinct and thorough knowledge. If you've never been a senior in high school read it and marvel at what you missed. If you have, read it and be amazed at the truth it reveals. I can't wait to see what else this author comes up with!!!

I am a student of Mr. Fitzgibbons and he showed me a copy of the manuscript before it was published. When it was published and able to be sold, I bought it and read it within two days. The only time I put it down was to eat, take a shower, and for the few hours of sleep at night. I would read until 2 am and wake up at 5 to begin reading again. This book goes into the world of a senior in high school and gives life to the ideas that truly go through our heads as students in high school. It helps us realize the difficulties of being a teenager, and the many trials that we have to over come. I recommand this book to anyone in high school and anyone who has ever been through high school. It's a great read! It can make you laugh, think, and even get mad at certain characters. You can relate to what Sully has to go through...Congrats Mr. Fitz, you did it! I love the book!

I read this book through a friend who knew the author and I was amazed at how accurately a high schooler was portrayed by this author. It brought back some fond and not so fond memories of my own high school experience. I have since passed the book on to several friends, as well as my mother and they have all said the same thing- it is awesome. It evokes such emotions and memories it is hard to put down. I really think that students should read it before their senior year to know what they might encounter, parents should read it to know the difficulties their kids are up against and teachers should read it to see why students sometimes have their problems. All in all a great book.

The book On the Far Side of the Mountain is an instant classic. This book keeps me on the edge of my seat. When Sam loses his best friend and greatest survival tool it looks like that is all the book is going to be about. It turns out that Sam learns to survive all over again on new places of his mountains. He also learns how to use a sling (like in David and Goliath). Then when his voyage was complete he found himself in a mess of criminals and thieves. Read it!

Before I read this book I looked at nature a different way.I didn't know one survival tip. Now I know alot and I'm looking at nature as a place to live.It isn't just a free time book, it's a good to read anytime.It's better than the sequel, & most other books. It shows bravery, wisdom,inspiration and ,for me humor. I'm lucky this site has it because I can't find it anywere else.I recomend you read this book, it's crushal to your health!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In 1959, Jean Craighead George invited us all to visit the Catskill Mountians. She introduced us to a boy who lived there with a weasel, racoon, falcon, and an assortment of other friends. His name was Sam Gribley, and his year there would change his life.

That is the plot of the modern classic "My Side of the Mountain". Sam's coming-of-age is contained within the pages of that novel. The reader will feel like he/she is Sam when they read it because of all of the vivid descriptions. I wasn't me when I was reading it. I was on Sam's mountain, with his falcon, living his life. I didn't want it to end--and pleased to discover the sequel, "On the Far Side of the Mountain".

While the book isn't as classic as "My Side" is, (and a bit disappointing because of much change) it's good in its own way. Female fans of the author (Jean Craighead George) will enjoy this very much because of the spunky new herione, Sam's sister Alice, who has come to live with him on the mountain--or has she? The plot thickens when she disappears (just a day after Frightful is confascated by the confasation officer!) While the book can bug you at some times, finish it. The last three chapters make up for any and all of that with a powerfully heart-wrenching ending, which will strongly move you. I even cried after it, even though I know what happened--I'll leave that a mystery--was for the best.

Jean Craighead George has done it again. These two books are genuine treasures. This gift set is a must-have, and any nature lover would love to be given it. I'm as sure of it as Sam Gribley's falcon is Frightful. It also may be enjoyable to compare Sam to Julie (from "Julie of the Wolves") and Liza K (from "The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo"), both also authored by Jean. Any way you look at it--I don't see one reason why this isn't a good buy. You won't ever forget Sam, Frightful, The Baron Weasel, Jessie Coon James, Bando, Zella, Crystal, Miss Turner, Mrs. Strawberry, or Alice. I know I'll return to their mountain again soon.

ALSO RECCOMENDED: "Frightful's Mountain" "The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo" "Julie of the Wolves" "Hatchet" (by Gary Paulsen)

I read this autobiography many years ago, and recently, decided to give it another look. Mr. Williams pulls no punches in this very honest, entertaining, and well-written story of his life in and out of baseball. Unfortunately, due to the strange circumstances surrounding his recent death, many fans will forget his tremendous achievements in our national pasttime. Along with the fact that Mr. Williams lost five or six prime years of his career due to his military commitments. He was a true patriot, and his war anecdotes are entertaining, educational, and provocative. He flew planes with the same focused determination as hitting a baseball.

Reading the book again also reminded me of a childhood memory. My father, Michael, was a batboy for the Washington Senators during the 1940s. He knew Mr. Williams, along with Mr. DiMaggio and other stars of that era. I used to ask my father about both of them. "DiMaggio was a complete all-around player, but Williams was the better hitter. He used to stay for hours in the clubhouse after the game. Weighing his bats. Sanding them down. They both were very quiet men, but Williams was even more taciturn. But writers of the day used to goad him on, and he would take their bait. That's how he got his tempermental reputation."

When I was a child, I attended the Ted Williams Baseball Camp in Lakeville, MA. It was run with military precision, and even as a child, you were treated as an adult. Coaches never berated you in front of your teammates as was customary in the Little Leagues or Boy's Clubs. The whole atmosphere and environment were conducive to promoting your best efforts. The presence of Mr. Williams was felt everywhere. On rainy days, we used to watch countless films about the science of hitting.

This book is an excellent story, and for many of us, will take us back to our youth. But young baseball fans also can benefit from this tale of one of our greatest athletes and patriots.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book.

If you ever end -up talking baseball for hours with your friends then pick this book up. Because it is like talking about baseball with Ted Williams. You get to hear how an ecenteric kid grows up to be the best hitter ever, but still be an ecentric man. I never read a book by someone who loved his work as much as Williams, even with the disapiontments of his life. The book is realistic in its prespective. Williams is matter of fact (endless cool facts and pitching hitting deuls) about the negatives in his carrer. He shows his obessive side and professional drive all at once. BONUS GREAT PICTURES OF WILLIAMS AND OTHER GREAT PLAYERS! I also suggest my favorite baseball book of all time My Luke and I by Elanor Gerhig (OUT OF PRINT BUT DEFINATLY worth the hunt)

The story is an entertaining look at Williams' career as a ballplayer, fisherman and ex ball player. It talks about his strange career with the Red Sox fans that would boo him in spite of his brilliant hitting. His study of the game, especially batting and dedication to being a near perfect hitter is a pretty good insight into why the booing bothered him so much and led to some bad displays of resentment by him to the fans. The spitting incidents and the time he accidentally threw a bat into the stands and hit a lady spectator on the head are well covered. His resentment toward most sportswriters is a continuation of his reaction to the reception he received in Boston. It's a large contrast to the welcome given to Joe DiMaggio in New York and the rivalry between Williams and DiMaggio is covered too. In later years, Williams mellowed and so did the fans so that their relationship was a good one. One wonders what kind of statistics Williams would have had if he had not missed five years in the military service, being a pilot in World War II and in Korea. One of his statistics that I don't often see mentioned is the fact that he is one of only two players to win the Triple Crown twice.

Besides being a "Hall of Fame" ball player, Ted Williams was also a hall of fame fisherman and there is a lot of fishing talked about in the book.

Ted Williams was definitely one of Baseball's greatest hitters and an individualist, plus being quite a character. This book gives a good insight into these things in his "own words". It should be a must for any baseball fan.

Martha Pearl is a spunky wonderful character. More than that, she is a wonderful Southern cook. Her son,James, shares her sense of humor and love of cooking. I adore the way she puts him in his place when he wants to "fuss" with her recipes. I am almost through with the entire cookbook. I have laughed and underlined and referenced. It is a great, wonderful read. Knowing recipes as I do, I can tell you that you can trust this book to give you great food. Don't wait. Don't even put this on your wish list. It's a keeper. Yum

This is the cookbook I can pull out and count on to produce a wonderful dish every single time. I haven't come across a dud yet. Martha Pearl is delightful (and yes I AM hinting for a dinner invitation) and so are her recipes. The macaroni and cheese is a family favorite that already has stains on the page because I make it so often. The pecan coffee cake is another recipe I have made many times and always get compliments on. I live near Charlotte and keep hoping to run into Jimmy and Martha Pearl picking over the Silver Queen corn at the farmer's market. I would unabashedly tell her what a devoted fan she has made of this transplanted Yankee.

If you're someone who consantly worries about gaining weight, measures all your food, and consistantly checks the labels of food for caloric and fat units, this cookbook will be the temptation you must resist. This is OLD SCHOOL cooking; food fried in 6 inches of animal fat, lard or similar. TONS of butter, biscuits, gravy and grits.

According to Villas, "the Southern day begins with a hearty breakfast" such as Ham with Red-Eye gravy, fresh country sausage, crusty Green Tomatoes, and Real Grits (recipes for each are found within, of course). Villas's Mother, Martha Pearl, has combined backgrounds from the Greek and Swedish heritage both families share and adds her own special Southern touch to create fabulous luncheons for bridge clubs, church bazzares and charity get-togethers. My favorite is a lovely recipe for Lemon Tea Bread- light and rich all at once, it's a perfect bread for a light tea, or, as I often do, to bring to a get together when a dessert is requested (never fails to draw "oooh's" and "ahhh's"). From her homemade Macaroni and Cheese to an impressive recipe for Shrimp Bisque, you'll find this cookbook is a great investment. I love the way Martha Pearl watches all her family members, her children included, as they embark on trial recipes of their own- she then adopts these recipes herself, but adds her own little touch (Villas lovingly included Martha's recipe cards and notes- such a personal touch!). Still, she always gives credit to whom it is due. The hallmark of a truly great cook!

These are not recipes, however, that one can consume on a regular basis. Almost every recipe calls for either butter, cheese, heavy cream, lard, bacon and/or bacon grease, sausage, etc. Some recipes are lighter than others, but believe you me, these 'aint "low-fat recipes", and that's just fine with me, baby. I'd rather eat the hard-core real stuff in a limited manner than gorge myself on tasteless, fun-free low fat foods (ugh, ugh, ugh). If truly great food is a party for all five of the senses, "My Mother's Southern Kitchen" is your ultimate party guide. Forget the usual shee-shee-poo-poo ingredients fancy-schmancy recipes call for (you probably can't locate in your supermarket anyway)- this is where taste sensation begins!

The sticker concept is a great idea. Although the stickers aren't brightly colored and glossy my two year old still jumps up and down with glee when I give him one.
Hey, kids love the simplest things and this is a great aid for a child going through the potty training process. Definitly recommended.

This book was a big hit for my 2 year old. Stickers make it so much fun. He looked forward to going. We were going in all day trying to get the next sticker. We completed potty training in less than 4 days and I truly can thank the author of this book! You will not be disapointed. I even use it for my two year old neice and nephew when they are over, they look forward to using my potty! ;-)

I was having trouble motivating my son to use the potty. He wasn't interested in candy or other rewards, but I gave the stickers a try and they are a big hit. We hung the chart in the bathroom so he can see his progress. Plus, he shows all our visitors all the stickers he has earned. I let him choose the sticker and he really enjoys seeing the little boys and the ones with toilet paper and sinks. When his dad gets home from work, he takes him by the hand to the bathroom to show how many stickers he has gotten that day. All in all, I think the stickers have helped us speed up this process.