Out-of-print

I first heard the adventures of The Cinnamon Bear and twins, Judy and Jimmy on the radio back in the l940's and remember the excitment I felt in anticipation of each days episode where they were in search of the silver star. The magical happenings, and many unforgetable Maybeland characters make this a cherished childrens story.

Shortly after Thanksgiving I share the story with my grandchildren, playing one episode each day (over the phone) and in addition to the silver stars they have each found in their Christmas stockings, I am sure they have a happy memory of a special story.

I also grew up listening to this on a radio station in Portland. This story was so captivating that as a child I named one of my toys "Cinnamon Bear". Last year I bought a "silver" star to put on the top of my Christmas tree. I'm very excited that I can now share this story with friends who did not grow up with this story.

Since you get a little bit of the story each night, it is similar to an Advent Calendar.

There is danger, joy, water travel, air travel, friendly people, not so friendly people. Children get to listen to a brother and sister work together. It is charming. I suggest that all families add this to their Christmas traditions.

I'm the Cinnamon Bear
With the Shoe-button eyes
And I'm looking for someone
To take by surprise

I go growling and prowling
Each night after dark
But the folks say my growl's
Just a cinnamon bark...

So begins the enchanting world of puns and humor and fantasy and some superior caliber voice work which is the Cinnamon Bear. Who wouldn't want to meet candy pirates and gentle giants? And guess who the children meet at the end?...somebody very important in the world of Christmas, if you get my drift.

I also grew up in SW Portland in the 60s, listening to the Cinnamon Bear every Christmas on KEX. I treasure this as one of my favorite holiday memories. I used to sit on the floor and color pictures to go along with the fantastic stories. How wonderful that Smithsonian has now remastered this and re-released it!

Now my young kids can't wait to go to bed and turn off the lights so I'll play the Cinnamon Bear for them. What more incentive do you need? The 15 minute episodes are just right for getting the kiddies to settle. There is something fun about the live "feel" to the shows.

I would buy a CD version if I could find it, but this cassette holds up very well.

What a great medium for travel or just to pass the time.I bought this series after listening to old time radio program replays when i could catch them on my car radio.I am from Oklahoma and it was interesting to find that one of the programs that i really enjoyed originated in Oklahoma City.I also enjoyed the commercials which are humorous in todays context but give such a wonderful feel of the bygone era of my parents and grandparents.One commercial concerns sending cigarettes to veterans in a Muskogee,Okla. veterans hospital.I would recommend this series to anyone.It certainly makes a long drive enjoyable and is so much more stimulating and vivid than television.

I cannot recommend this product enough! I bought it because I've never heard an old time radio program like they used to put on before tv existed. It was amazing how the shows could come alive in your imagination without the aid of a television screen. The actors are skilled and the sound effects are wonderful. I wish they would bring back radio shows based on the mystery shows of the past. Its perfect for me because I can crochet and keep my eyes on my work while listening to the radio mysteries. Whether you're cooking in the kitchen or driving to work, you can still be entertained with these shows!

I can't recommend this one highly enough. From Suspense's "Ghost Hunt" (listen to this one with the lights off and see if the chill bumps don't grab you), to "The Uninvited" (which was made into a movie that's just as creepy as this story), to all 3 of the Inner Sanctum Mysteries - there are just too many good ones to highlight them all. I really haven't found a better collection like this yet, and I think you'll love it too. If you haven't been introduced into how good OTR used to be, then this is a great way to be introduced to it.

I'd like to know more about Nightmare Before Christmas.

Although this book is aimed toward the younger readers, it is the original poem of the Nightmare Before Christmas, so no matter if you are a Burton fan or study literature, this is an essential item to add to that collectio

I bought a copy of this book a couple years back, only to find my young nephew (only 5 back then) reaching to look at it often when he visited. I've now decided to buy him his own copy of this book, while it's still in print, because I see this movie's "legend" continuing to grow as an annual Halloween classic. Such is the unique and wonderful world of Tim Burton; his style often does not catch on immediately, but it slowly finds its way beyond "cult" viewing and into the hearts and minds of mainstream audiences. This book features a generous offering of pre-production designs (including many of Burton's own drawings) and behind-the-scenes photos, which are fun to look at again and again. A beautifully illustrated book, and fun to own

Old Time Radio's Greatest Shows clearly and fully lives up to its title as it showcases sixty of the finest radio program series to constitute the "Golden Age" of radio broadcasting. Ranging from Burns And Allen; The Lone Ranger; Dragnet; and Dimension X; to The Screen Director's Assignment; The Green Hornet; The Quiz Kids; and Songs By Sinatra; the 30 hours of programming in this magnificently presented anthology covers all of the diverse genres of popular radio programing from comedies, mysteries, and dramas, to science fiction, westerns, and variety shows. This superbly presented sampler is enhanced with a sturdy album case and a booklet which includes details and history for each show. A perfect introduction for new generations of listeners (as well as appreciative nostalgic old-timers!), Old Time Radio's Greatest Shows is very highly recommended for personal and community library audiobook collections.

If you're looking to get your feet wet in collecting recordings of American old-time radio, this is an excellent place to start. Every genre of '30s and '40s radio (except possibly news) is represented in this well-done collection. A great place to start what can become a lifelong hobby.

A very good deal, especially for those who are not sure which shows may be of interest to them. The booklet is excellant and contributes to the enjoyment of the programs. Many hours of entertainment for a very small investment.

I discovered this book 31 years ago, for my daughter and it is still loved by all the family. The illustrations are wonderful, warm, charming and delightful and bring a special meaning to the story. We still read it to all the young children on Christmas Eve and for adults we read the story and pass a grab bag gift every time the word THE is mentioned. It would not be Christmas without this book. It is magical.

We have an inexpensive paperback version (see our reviews) of this classic poem, and we said that's enough for us. That was before we looked through this beautifully illustrated (by Bruce Whatley) edition of The Night Before Christmas.

The lyrics are the same, from book to book, but the fanciful illustrations in this one are enough to engage adults and children as they read this book together.

The perfect gift for any family whose Christmas tradition includes reading this classic!

Each page in this book is definitely a piece of art! Mary Engelbreit outdid herself on this one. I initially checked it out from our local library and then decided I wanted it for our girls. It's a book I want them to be able to read to their own children one day! I would definitely recommend it!

Cute, funny, poignant, sad, etc.--all the adjectives you would expect to describe a book like this. Effie Wilder takes us on a tour of the retirement home and introduces us to her friends and acquaintences. Being able to take people's stories and use them to make people smile is what makes books such as this so endearing and special to read.

In this, her first book, the author uses her own experiences in a retirement home to illustrate her story. Her main character, Hattie, is a lovable & outgoing busybody, a habitual eavesdropper and journal writer, recording the day to day activities with a sense of humor and sometimes with a touch of sadness. She shows us that 's it's still possible to have a rich and meaningful life, no matter what one's age, with the right attitude. A good, clean book ( I especially enjoyed the humor and the light poetry).

I bought this book at a time when I could see that we were going to have to find a new, safe place for Mother to live. However, she resisted the thought of moving to an "Old Folks Home", as she put it. She had also fallen into the "I don't want to go anywhere, because it takes too much effort" routine. Since she has always been a very sociable person, she fell into a deep depression. As I read this book to her, we both saw that there was a better alternative for her, as she was not so far along, physically and mentally, as to need a nursing home. After she moved into The Reunion Inn, in Marshall, Tx., I started reading to the residents from this book on a weekly basis. I am scheduled on their monthly calendar as "The Whimsical Reader." The book has allowed the residents to recall a lot of memories, as well as opening their eyes to the humor around them. It has also given them ideas as to how The Reunion Inn can be improved for their convenience. They really liked the idea of the benches across from the cafeteria line. Reading to the residents has given me the opportunity to get to know them better than I probably would have otherwise. This book has given such pleasure to all of us that The Reunion Inn is going to buy the rest of the books in the series so that I can continue reading to their guests. I recommend this book to anyone facing the possibility of moving into or placing their parent in an assisted living facility. It certainly made the decision easier for us.

This is a small book, almost a pamphlet, so it works very nicely for readings during a quiet retreat. Nouwen reminds us of the importance of solitude for service. The book is composed of a few sermons he gave at Yale and is one of those books where you'll find yourself wanting to excerpt quotes to stick on the wall by your computer. I'll give you one as an example: "It is in this solitude that we discover that being is more important than having, and that we are worth more than the result of our efforts." The book is an affirmation.

This was a very informative and a very simple read. In a nutshell, it defines how important solitude is in terms of how we can't get caught up impressing life judges. Also, "It teaches us", not to become restless of our actions for our only way of aquiring self pride.

Henri also shows people how to be glad by applying the example of jesus to your life. Also, to deal with the challenges which God applies for you, only to make youself stronger.

I find it amazing that he could put all this very enlighting material into this very short read. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about life. To various people who want to find the ticket to extreme happiness, this book is for you!

This book spoke deeply to me. As a parent with young children, I have often felt guilty for needing "my space." Nouwen removes my feelings of guilt and selfishness by explaining this need for time alone as being a spiritual need where growth and connection with God are possible. Contains few pages, but a big message.

This is theatre of the mind at its best.I like Bud Collyer,the voice of the Man of Steel, better than ANY movie or TV Superman.I love the way he did Clark Kent as a tenor and Superman as a baritone-especially when Clark turns into his alter ego and Collyer would change mid-sentence-"This looks like a job FOR SEPERMAN!"The stories are action-packed and the serial format keeps you on the edge of your seat!Once you start listening,you won't want to stop!If you only know the man from Metropolis from books,movies nad TV you should get this.

I bought a copy of this great audio collection last weekend! I am a big comic book fan, and enjoy listening to and reading the classics. This is a must have for any comic book history collector! The quality is superior, and the great plots have you listening for hours on end. I enjoy having the tapes run in the background while I do my work in the office. I almost feel like I am reporter at the Daily Planet!

I love this CD set. This 5 CD set containing 27 action-packed radio episodes starts off with the explosion of Krypton and works in all of the classic Superman elements. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, Clark Kent and the Man of Steel. Did you know Jimmy Olsen appeared in the Radio Series long before his freckled face showed up in the comic?

This box set starts off with Supermans origin. A hero being useless without villians, he quickly faces off against serial style villians like the Yellow Mask and the Wolf. All the sound has been remastered and it comes in a great box set. I love it!

This is a book about a young girl, whos father marries into a family that does not like her. The stepmother and her two daughters treat her very rotten. They make her do all the chores, and they wont let her go to the ball. Well one night when she was sitting at home, by herslef, (while her stepmother, and two stepsisters are at the ball) she gets a visit from her fairy godmother, the fairy godmother tells her that she could go to the ball, as long as she was back by 12:00 midnight. When she was at the ball, she met this handsome prince, and she fell in love with him, but it was time for her to leave, and as she was running out (because she didnt want to be late) she lost her glass slipper, so the prince had to go all over the village and try this slipper on all of the womens feet. The slipper fit Cinderella and they got married and lived happily ever after. I feel that this book teaches that in the end it doesnt pay off to be mean to people. The age level i would recommend this for would be about 8. I think this was a very good book.

What a beautiful storybook version of a Disney Classic! This book tells the Disney Cinderella story, and includes all the story elements and characters from the movie. Each page has the gorgeous artwork from the film, along with a short paragraph.

Other Disney versions we've read don't include Jaq and Gus, which is NOT acceptable to my 3 year old daughter. This book is one of the longer stories we read (it takes me 15 to 20 minutes to read), but my daughter is engaged for the whole thing.

This book is wonderful by itself, or as a tie-in to the video. (I limit my daughter's video time, and this is a very acceptable alternative for her). It is definitely deserving of space on your bookshelf!

Cinderella

I rate this book with 5 stars.
In Cinderella a little house cleaner gets no attention,
Until her fairy godmother comes and makes her beautiful.
Then she can go to the ball.
I would recommend this book to anyone.
This is Walt Disney's version of Cinderella.

This is an utterly charming work. It has been retold myriad times, but nobody else has done it as well as the original teller, J. M. Barrie.

It's difficult to know what to say about a book like this... everybody knows the story. But I guess that unless you've read this book (not just seen a movie or read a retelling), you don't really know the character Peter Pan, and without knowing the character, you don't really know the story. So read it.

By the way, if you enjoy this, you probably would also like "Sentimental Tommy" and its sequel "Tommy and Grizel", both by Barrie. There are differences (for one thing they're not fantasy), but there are also compelling similarities. Anybody who found Peter Pan a deep and slightly bittersweet book would be sure to enjoy them.

-Stephen

The book 'Peter Pan' by J. M. Barrie is a truly beautiful work. It is never too cloyingly sweet or too harsh, and the child's perspective of the world is beautifully crafted. It does, however, bring you along on a journey to the Neverlands, and perhaps for a little while we can be reunited with our dreams.

Although Wendy seems a little prim, she is sweet and motherly. John was offhand and brave, Michael was tiny and believing. My favourite character was, however, Peter. The author really outdid himself on this one. Peter's innocent cockiness and love for dangerous adventures endeared him to me at once. He still has all his first teeth, and his first laugh - what more could we ask of him? His frightful happiness in danger reminds me of my seven-year-old self.

The book retains a magical quality right up to the last page. The midnight scene where Peter coaxes them out of the window has always stood out in my mind; there is a kind of magic in an ever-young boy, small and innocently cocky and always up to some mischief. The ending of the book is very sad, for only those who are gay and young and light-hearted can fly.

Definitely a book worth reading. Adults, trust me on this one: you might think you're too old to read this book, but once you do you'll find that a piece of Neverland still resides in your heart.

In almost a hundred years 'Peter Pan' has become a universal kiddie literature classic. Mostly basing on his personal experiences and people he knew, J.M. Barrie created a work full of subtle undertones that have been subject of deep controversies.

Rather than the story of a boy who refuses to grow up, a new approach on 'Peter Pan' has been developed. One of the most interesting is the one which is based on the analysis of the three primal female characters: Wendy --and Mrs. Darling, as well--, Tinker Bell and Tiger Lily. According to experts, they represent aspect in women that Barrie found intolerable. It is largely known that Barrie had serious problems with his mother, which may have led him to use such bipolarity on motherhood in the book. While on the one hand Mrs. Darling is a loving and concerned mother, on the other, Peter's --and the lost boy's as well-- mother abandoned him -- leading him to an eternal search of a mother figure, however unconscious it is.

The sexual aspect of the novel is so subtle that for many people it may be unnoticed. However, it is clear that the book deals with several taboos, being incest the most recurrent. Peter and Wendy have both a mother/son relationship, and also there is the wish of being 'lovers' --recurring to Oedipal myth. This is one of the most interesting aspect for the books --at least when it comes to an adult approach on 'Peter Pan'. According to Jacqueline Rose's 'The Case of Peter Pan, or, The Impossibility of Children's Fiction', "The sexuality which matters is both more and less explicit than this. It is sexuality in the form of its repeated disavowal, a relentless return to the question of origins and sexual difference which is focused time and again on the child". This is what makes the novel so intriguing: it is possible to read 'Peter Pan' is more than one way --and all of them are more and more interesting.

When it comes to kids themselves, this book is part a fairy tale, part an adventure and a familiar ode. These aspects make 'Peter Pan' appealing to both boys and girls. The characters while archetypical --this is unnoticeable to children-- are very vivid and it is not hard for young readers become their 'friends'. At the same time, all the 'sexual' aspect of the book is so subtle that parents can't be afraid of allowing their children to read the novel.

However, the unabridged 'Peter Pan' is not advisable to very young readers due to its fanciful language. When it was written in the early XX Century, that was the current language, but, nowadays some words like 'ofttimes' and 'diffidently' are not very common in a 10 year-old lexical. The narrative is told in first person, and the narrator used a lot of 'I''s which only bring the children closer to the story making it easy to feel part of the adventure --it was very smart of Barrie, because with that he makes friend with the child, and the story flows as if they were exchaging confidences.

All in all, J.M. Barrie's 'Peter Pan' will always be a children's fave and it deserves its place in the Fantasy Literature canon and will amuse young --and not-so-young-- readers forever.