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Wordless picture books have always held an honored place in the hearts (and lesson plans) of all teachers who promote a love of reading. YOU CAN'T TAKE A BALLOON INTO THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM takes that tradition to new heights with its exquisite detail, subtle parallel events, humor and excitement. It has all the elements of story: setting, lively characterization, the conflict and the chase...not to mention a most satisfying ending! But beyond all these delights, teachers of children of all ages will be drawn to this book for its potential to lead young minds on a quest for further information in many areas: art, art history, cultural tradition. It will find its place in creative writing lessons and in lessons about cultural history. And it will inevitably fix the images of a great museum in the minds of "readers," many of whom will find their way to The Met to discover these visual treasures in "real life." --Ann P. Kaganoff, PhD, Certified Educational Therapist; President, Association of Educational Therapists

Once in a long while a book comes along that is so simple yet so complex and innovative that it can be enjoyed time and again by both children and adults and is destined to become a classic. This is one of those books.

Having myself been taken at a very young age by my father to the Metropolitan Museum, this book has awoken within me wonderful memories that have instilled me with a love of museums (and especially of the Met). Although my children have not had the experience of seeing the Metropolitan as we live outside the U.S., this book has afforded me the opportunity to describe the museum to them and relive my experiences with them and at the same time take a rollicking educational ride through this romp.

I can actually feel the joy these two sisters must have had in working on this project. It is a work that comes from the heart and kudos to their collaboration of story and artwork that raises the story above the mundane.

So much fun! We love it as much as our daughter does. Wonderful illustrations.

With all of the recent information floating around about "High-Speed" internet connections, one can literally go insane trying to decipher fact from fiction, not to mention attempting to figure out which service is right for YOU. When I came across this book, which I did here on amazon, I was very excited, but still unsure of what I would be getting my hands on. I thought that perhaps it would assist me a little here or there, and help out with the most basic information possible.

To my surprise, and delight, this book was truly AWESOME. So much so that I just received it a couple of weeks ago, and I'm now on my second reading. The book is packed with information. It not only delves into the aspects of Cable Modems and DSL(which is does so very intensely), but also tells you how you can optimize your standard dial-up modem connection to the internet. You can't lose with this book--if you already have an internet connection, the knowledge on getting the most out of THAT hook-up is worth the price of the book. In addition, the author definitely has a sense of humor, and that REALLY helps when you sit down to read a book, and along with educating you, you're also given a dose of humor that's JUST ENOUGH to make the education FUN.

The book also gives the reader information on what to do in order to have your computer completely in order BEFORE the installation of a broadband hook-up takes place, whether you do it yourself, or somebody's going to be installing it for you. This book even delves into how computers work, and the processes of computers connecting to one another to put the wheels of the internet into motion. The reader won't be BOGGED down with this, however, as the book is written in a very clear, concise manner. You'll also learn little tricks here and there throughout the book on how to maintain your computer for overall optimal performace. What a great book--I couldn't recommend it more highly!

DSL? Cable Modem? Satellite? Wireless? These are among the choices you will have to make if you decide to "upgrade" to high speed Internet access. It's difficult to know which one will work best for you. This book helps to explain the differences between each of them. The introductory part explains ways to get higher speeds from your current analog modem before diving into the different kinds of high speed Internet options you have.

The second part of the book is divided into chapters explaining ISDN, DSL, satellite, and wireless Internet and how each one works. It also gives you an idea of which specific type might work best for your individual needs. The next part of the book is divided into chapters explaining how to install whichever service you've decided on, complete with "installation checklists" at the end of these chapters.

There are also a couple chapters devoted to keeping your PC secure from "hacker attacks," which is always a problem, but even more so if you have this kind of Internet connection. Finally, there's a section devoted to troubleshooting problems, even a glossary at the book's end so you can familiarize yourself with related terms, and if nothing else amaze your friends with your knowledge of this technology!

This book provides an excellent overview of the high speed Internt technology available today.

I have read some of Mark Soper's work before (Upgrading and Repairing PCs, SmartComputing, etc.) and have always found it to informative and relevant to what I needed. This book is no exception. Incredibly readable and humorous for a computer book, it provides an excellent balance between technical detail and practical knowledge. Easy to understand and yet packed with information, this is a must have book for anyone even slightly interested in high-speed Internet access. I recommend this book to anyone who is considering broadband, anyone who already has it, or just anyone who enjoys emerging technologies.

This book was an inspiration to me. Since reading it, I've added many of the plants discussed in this book to my garden. I've also found the author's ideas on shade gardening to be very helpful as I, too, have a shady garden.

Although I've got a shelf full of every conceivable type of gardening book, there aren't many out there written specifically from the Midwest gardner's point of view. And this is the first gardening book that I would call a real page-turner! Joan takes the reader on a gardening adventure, giving us invaluable tips and opinions along the way, and showing us wonderful photos of her garden. Based on her perennial choices for sun and shade, I've already put together my wish list for next year!

The writing of this book was a self-fulfillment project. A graduate of Wisconsin's Master Gardener Program, I am pledged to do what I can to further gardening. Speaking to groups of people is nice, but a BOOK can reach many more people! I write to help beginners and intermediate gardeners come to terms with making gardens. I favor the organic way, but not exclusively. I love native and common plants, but not exclusively. I specialize in shade gardening, but, you guessed it, not exclusively! My book is meant to be encouraging. I am a senior citizen and I do all my own work. It keeps me young.

I've owned this book for many years now and revisit it often. It goes into excellent detail about the history of particle physics and the cast of characters but it also gives great explanations that make the complexity of the field quite clear.

From the discovery of the electron to the current understandings of the Standard Model (current as of the date of publication), the mysteries of the hidden world of particles is brought to life in lucid detail.

It is not oversimplified yet it is not overly complex. The examples clarify things in layman's terms yet there is enough to keep the person interested in the more technical and mathematical also occupied. While I am no scientist nor am I mathematically inclined, I did not feel left out reading this book. In fact, if one is feeling compelled to dive in a bit more deeply, this book has the information.

The graphs and the photos enhance the text. Of all the books I've dabbled in pertaining to the field of particle physics, this is the one that has perhaps grounded me the most. I never feel too 'esoteric' in my understanding nor did I become bogged down by technical language.

On top of that, there is a bit of a sense of humor on the part of the authors that is quite refreshing. A good book if you are interested in diving in a bit deeper than many of the more general books in the field.

This is definitely one of the best books I read in particle physics. It is written for non-experts by a well-known authority in the field. The book has sufficient details, along with historical perspectives and anecdotes, to satisfy the curiosity of a non-expert in the field. Contrary to most other popular science books, one can actually learn something from reading this book. I am a computer engineer by profession and I understood the material well. Reading this book is a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I wish more books were written for non-experts in a similar style with as much details.

Particle Hunters goes into enough detail for me, a mechanical engineer, to understand appropriately. It has just about the right amount of history to support the details of the particle's development. I found the book at the library and checked it out and read it. Now I am going to be buying it soon for a reference.

This book never ceases to amaze me when I pull it off the shelf for a little inspiration or food for my soul. Chris Giftos is aptly named for he gifts us with this book and his designs. Each arrangement featured suits the area and rooms of the Met as just the right thing for the surroundings. His knowledge of color and combinations of flowers is insightful. Fabulous photos and design aside; it is also an interesting read.

"A Bouquet From The Met" is well worth the price if you are at all interested in floral design, either professionally or as a hobby.

Lila Acheson Wallace was an incredible woman to have allowed New Yorkers the enjoyment of Giftos's flowers at the Met. I can't wait until the day when I can see it all up close.

An amazing look behind the scenes at the unsung work of a true Master Artist. Thanks to a generous gift from the late Lila Acheson Wallace (Reader's Digest founder), Chris Giftos brings colors and life to an already breathtaking architectural wonder, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The book is full of rich photographs that showcase his talent in different environments. The Temple of Dendrum, The Cloisters, The Great Hall. A wonderful gift for anyone who loves flowers!

This book gives general principles of gardens with prairie plants, examples of actual gardens, a few plans and lots of information on specific plants. The information on the plants is the highlight of the book. The plans that they show are excellent.

[Gardening with Prairie Plants by Sally Wasowski], Native Plant Society of Texas News, 20 (March April 2002): 5.

Convincing people that native flora are ideal for their home landscape should be easy. Colorful native plants flower as early as late February and continue to bloom until late June. After a respite during the intense heat and withering drought of summer, a riot of blossoms emerge again from September until the first frost of late autumn. Few gardens comprised of commercially popular non-native plants can compete with the duration of such a showy display. And few can match the low maintenance, the reduced water requirements, and the environmental benefits of native-flora horticulture.

Sally Wasowski's latest book, Gardening with Prairie Plants, is aimed at converting skeptics who doubt that native-plant landscapes can make any difference in the world. These are people who argue the futility of trying to reverse the course of things in any given region. In reply, Wasowski points to native-plant landscaping as one way to preserve biodiversity. Biodiversity is like the human auto-immune system; it provides an eco-system with the means for successfully adjusting to disruptive new conditions.
Wasowski has a good chance of succeeding against the skeptics because her volume-reasonably-priced and readily available in Texas bookstores-is excellently produced. Not only is her well-informed commentary accessible to the average reader, but Andy Wasowski's accompanying color photographs are spectacular. The publisher wisely opted to print large illustrations, and the 241 that appear in Gardening with Prairie Plants prove the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. Since Texas is a prairie state, there are attractive photos of Brown County, Quitaque, Gruene, Fort Worth and Lubbock, among other Lone Star State locales.

Gardening with Prairie Plants commences with several instructive definitions, such as the difference between short-grass prairies, which tend to be found in dry regions subject to very hot weather, and long-grass prairies, which tend to be found in wet regions subject to very cold weather. But such distinctions can become somewhat more complex, and Wasowski negotiates various qualifications in an easy-to-understand way. Her book then proceeds to consider the design, installation and maintenance of prairie gardens. This section is highlighted by photographs of homes, schools and museums exemplifying successful transitions to native landscaping. The impressive experiment at Selah Ranch in Johnson City is also featured.

Most of Wasowski's book is devoted to plant profiles, which comprise a richly illustrated section of the volume and are accompanied by helpful horticultural data and numerous floral distribution maps. The flowers populating this portion of the book are so appealingly presented that it will be hard for some readers to resist wanting to adopt all of them. Consider, for example, the allure of the beautiful photograph of needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata), accompanied by this description: "Needle-and-thread sways in the slightest wind with a motion like water, and the awns have a silvery cast. ... Wind blows the 'needle' onto the soil. The threadlike 5-to-8-inch awn is twisted behind the needle, and as it unwinds, the seed is literally drilled into the soil."

Gardening with Prairie Plants is an admirable work. It will be cherished by anyone devoted to native flora, but it will appeal equally to those who have as yet made only a modest foray into native-plant landscaping. Gardening with Prairie Plants is not only extraordinarily useful, it is also exceptionally beautiful-a lavishly designed book for enthusiast and dreamer alike.

William J. Scheick, a former NPSOT vice-president, is also a member of the Central Texas Horticulture Council and a frequent contributor to Texas Gardener.

magic eye is one of the best books to get your imagination going and it helps to keep your eyesight great. The only thing is you cant find this book in any shops so look online!

I think Magic Eye is a fabulous book for children, and adults. It really brings you into the book and shows you the wonderful world of 3-D. Once you open this book, your eyes will stick to it, and you can't put it down until your done. So please buy this book, you will be happy if you do. Magic Eye is really what I'm saying, it's great!

I purchased this book for my public library and it has been very popular. This is a fantastic gardening resource for all green thumbs in Illinois because all the information is specific to growing in Illinois. Wonderful color pictures on every page. I can't wait to purchase Aldrich's other books! Highly recommended.

I picked up a copy of this book at Chicago Flower and Garden show recently, and found it written to reach not only the master gardener, but also the novice or inspired homeowner wishing to fill their gardens with perennials native to the area. The photos are clear and precise, making identification easy for the untrained eye.

The book provides accurate information for growing conditions in Illinois. I will recommend this book to my college interns and fellow members of several garden clubs as well as homeowners I design perennial gardens for.

Highly recommended.

Ohio is not the most hospitable place for gardening. With cold winters and hot often dry summers, gardening can be a balancing act. This book is a terrific guide for selecting and cultivating plants in this area. This book has helped me improve my black thumb to almost green. Recommended for all Ohio and surrounding areas.

If your grandma were an expert gardener, this is like having all her advice right in one place. I have used this inexpensive, thorough gardening book much more than my expensive hardcover gardening books. This book is great for a novice gardener, and also for more experienced gardeners. He gives a full 2-pages for each plant, telling where to plant, when to trim, when to plant, varieties/cultivars, and much more. He answers pretty much any question you could have about a certain plant. I take this with me when I'm shopping for my plants, because he tells you lots more than the plant tag will. I highly, highly recommend this book for anyone who likes to garden! Too bad he doesn't cover vegetables or herbs, though.

Very readable and useful book. Tells you when to plant, where, and how, along with maintenance and other information about add'l species and cultivars. Tells you the type of sun needed and advantages of the plant, and zone where it belongs.

I could wish that the pictures were a little more close up, and listed with the flowers so you don't have to keep flipping to the middle section - but this is quibbling. Highly recommended.

This book goes above and beyond anything I have read. Her other book, "At San Jose Make a Left" was so good, that when I found out she had another book, I just had to have it for my library. I love this book! It is so deep and profound that I found myself staying up just to read one more story. The wonderful thing about it is that I can read these chapters to my children and they enjoy them as much as I do! She takes everyday happenings, adds deep, profound Spiritual Insights and makes them so easy to understand that it does not insult an adult's intellegence, but even children of 10 or 12 can grasp the concept. We often use these books for devotions and have intense discussions that are truly enlightening. You will not want to miss these books as they are straight from the Throne of God and are a blessing beyond compare!

This book was so outstanding, that I could not put it down! It is a magnificent book written to the public in general and to me in particular. I saw myself in each story that Cherone wrote and I must say that the insights she gives is straight from the Throne of God. Totally annointed. I love the word pictures at the end of each chapter, and that she includes bible verses to back up her insights. Truly she is a gift from God!

I highly recommend this book to every one. The auther really hits the nail on the head with each and every chapter. Men will relate to this volume as well as women. Great from cover to cover.

I also recommend "At San Jose Make a Left" by Cherone also. You could use them as devotionals, or as a 'quick read' when you need a pick-me-up. Uncomparable.

Every short story just grips you and will not let you go. Interesting lessons, and Cherone just tells it like it is, and does not back down. The short stories start out with a real happening, then followed by the Insight she received and Bible verses (KJV) to back up what she learned, and then an original drawing that takes a word that embodies the lesson, and swirls designs around it to create a very plesant and wonderful picture. I have never seen anything like it! These stories are powerful, and are wonderful to read. Each one only takes a few minutes, so you can get an uplift where ever you are or what ever you are doing!

Don't miss this Amazing Volume! (Do not miss "At San Jose Make a Left", either.)