Mini Reviews

I can't say enough good about WIlliam Joyce. He's one of my two or three favorite illustraters. His drawings are so detailed that you can almost see individual leaves in his plants and bushes. Besides, his unbelievable technical ability, he also is extremely inventive. On one page in this book, the dinosaur and his friends aren't shown except in their shadows and like in all his books, the colors seem almost too bright to be real.

...Dinosaur Bob is one of those children's books you just read over and over to your kids. It is funny from start to finish, with Bob the Dino and his family the Lazardos. My boys loved it as kids and will pass it down to theirs.

The story's great, the illustrations are wonderful. Adults will enjoy this as much or more than kids.

This book made me see beyond prayers and meditations. It helped me understand God in the deepest level. Through my most inner thoughts and actions. I doubted my christian faith, now I've been explained so much, that my doubts have been answered. It showed me how the holy spirit and the church adapts to these fast times we live today, so we can become people of strength and Love through our work, charity and humility.

Josemaria Escriva challenges every Christian to unite his daily trails and ordinary duties with Christ's passion. Every short point in this book is a seed that can grow through prayer and meditation into an abundance of spiritual good fruits.

Escriva believes that every individual can become a saint. Every life has opportunities for heroic action in the smallest details of daily living. Sanctity is not just for priests and religious. Offering one's work to God is a simple, yet startlingly radical notion.

Note: This book IS still in print.

If you really want to grow in God's Way you should read this book. Can make you change your way of living life. The best spiritual author of the Century.

Suzanne has a wonderful spirit which is evident throughout the tape series. Her soothing voice and meaningful exercises make for powerful and moving experiences. I apply the various techniques on a daily basis, finding comfort, peace and deeper inner growth with each subsequent use. Suzanne has a gift, I'm so greatful to be experiencing! I highly recommend an explore with this tape series.

Suzanne's work has allowed me to open my heart, to be more peaceful and to reach some of my innermost dreams. I recommend her tapes as an introduction, an alternative and/or an adjunct to her work. Her workshops are incredibly powerful, and her tape series is a reflection of what she offers from her heart to ours.

I would reccomend this set of tapes for any healthcare professional interested in becoming more present for the treatment of their clients,or anyone interested in becoming more grounded and centered. Susanne's work in this set is rich with profound meditations. The exercises are challenging as well as liberating. As a Massage Therapist and CrainoSacral Therapist , I have used these tapes with many of my clients and had excellent results. Susanne is able to introduce the use of energy releases in terms that people can understand and utilize. I'm glad that I have my two sets . Now they will be available to all those interested in going deeper into thier mental and physical boundries. The tapes have an uncanny way of getting you to look at your present limitations as opportunities for growth. Absolutely 5 stars.

What a lovely book. My friend's little girl,who is 3, just loves this book. Her mum raves that she can't go to sleep without hearing it. They gave it to my 2 year old as a birthday gift. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is charming. It's fastly becoming my child's favorite book. It must be...I read it to him at least 3 times a day. Enjoy! I'm going to buy more of her books.

My youngest daughter checked out this book from our local library last year and fell in love with it. I borrowed it from her and read it to my students because my daughter insisted I share this story with her friends. My students fell in love with this story, too, and it was so much fun to read aloud to a group and get interaction from them about it. This year I ordered my own copy and a copy for the school where I teach. The story is wonderfully told because it is sweet and caring. The young listener fully understands the story and I think the author did a splendid job of presenting it. Many of my students identified with the little duck and they were so happy when the duck returned (and got things his way for a change). The illustrations are beautiful. The "scary" parts of the story are told gently, in wording and phrasing exactly right for the age group it is intended to reach. The little duck's rebellion is charming and the message stays with the children. This book is more than wonderful. It is tasteful, and appeals in a big way to the best critics and the only critics who really matter when it comes to children's books -- young children. Thank you Helen Cooper for a marvelous book.

There is something so warm, satisfying and homey about this book. The three animals live happily together in their warm and cozy house eating their regular supper of pumpkin soup. Each member of this little family has his own role in the soup making process; however, happiness cannot last forever and one morning the duck decides he wants to trade parts! HE wants to be the one stirring the soup... This wish causes chaos in the little house and the duck decides to leave....
I am sure you can guess the ending, but nevertheless this is a rich, beautiful and lovable story which has several surprises along the way.
The paintings are beautiful and colorful (I especially love the pumpkin garden) and my son always ends the reading with his wish "please make me a pumpkin soup"...

I seldom write reviews on children's books, although I love them with a passion. My children are now mothers and my grandchildren are past young childhood. However, I believe that somewhere deep inside each of us remains a small child that still loves fairy tales, cotton candy, and walking barefoot in the grass. This book was one of my children's favourites, along with "Charlotte's Web;" both were also my own personal favourites. When my children were six years old reading this book became a nighly adventure until I knew the words by heart. For the reviewer who rated the book with a one star due to a spelling error, my heart goes out to you; you have sadly missed something very important - the message. The book is not about spelling, editing or lack thereof; it is about encouragement and love.

The book tells the story of a toy, sawdust-filled rabbit who wishes with all his heart to become real. The message contained in this book is poignant, heart-warming and touching, and one that you will never foreget as long as you live. It is a story of beauty, wonder and love. Any child who misses out on "The Velveteen Rabbit" is missing out on one of life's greatest lessons. I cannot say enough good things about this wonderful, wonderful book and highly recommend it to children...and the grown-up child in all of us.

It's a sweet story of a 'simple' stuffed rabbit amidst the more 'complex' modern toys in a boy's "toy collection". The rabbit starts to believe that in order to get the love of the boy, he needs to appear 'real', or be able to zoom about like the motorized toys...
(And I'm not going to tell you the end hahahahaha!!!)
It was great having that read to me, while I was hugging my stuffed animals in bed.
But -- in a way, at first glance it looks like a simple story, but it is actually a surprisingly complex story. Leave it on your child's bookshelf as he/she grows up and he/she will reread it again and again as he/she questions issues such as "who am I?", "what does it mean to be 'real'"?, "what is my role in this world?", and even "what is death"?

This was a favorite childhood book of mine, and this touching tale stayed with me even as a grown-up lady. I lost my copy in a move long ago, borrowed the book from someone else, and I loved it as much as I did as a little girl (I went and bought my own copy, plus the sequel THE SKIN HORSE)
Yeah, I know that the "Product Details" list it as "for ages 4-8," and you know what? I don't care! To cram it into a box marked with an age group doesn't do it justice, for it has themes that are timeless and universal -- love, friendship, feeling appreciated and cared for, meaning something to someone and having them mean something to you, aging, social hierarchy. If this is a children's book, then it's a children's book you never outgrow! 5 stars? I'd give it 10 if I could!

This is a very nice book and doll package containing 'a sweet-talking man-doll and 64-page owner's manual with helpful tips on use and care.' Author Karen Salmansohn is superb. In part of West Africa, people have carved statuettes of their "spirit spouses" -- here is a good contemporary American version. Highly recommended.

Karen Salmansohn is the best -- I love her books !! What a great combination of humor (comic relief) and penetrating insight into contemporary life. This one is for those times when you'd rather laugh than cry. And don't miss her new one about doing absolutely nothing as a way of changing -- improving your life. She just keeps hitting the target in the right creative key in her wonderful series of books.

I got one for Christmas and am going to buy one for every girlfriend I have. The doll is great, but the user manual is even better. We were laughing so hard we cried.

This is a book that I was first introduced to during an English lesson during my PGCE course. After just one reading I have had to go out and buy my very own copy.

I was in awe of the magical combination of rhyme and illustration.

The rhyming text is based aroung a game of 'I spy'. There is a lot of rhyme and repition which is very appealing to young children.

The book is cleverly crafted to incorporate many well known fairytale and nursery rhyme characters and your job as the reader is to spot them!

The Rhymed verses give youngsters clues about who they can look for in each beautiful picture.

The book is a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of rhyme and with a second reading the children will be joining in with you.

As a basis for classroom work it could be used in many different ways. The children could be encouraged to create their own 'I spy' stories with hidden characters to fool the reader.

'Each Peach Pear Plum' is an excellent example of the joys of picture books, it is simple and fun yet intricate and detailed.

I challenge you to be unswayed by its charms.

Two and one-half year old Matthew fell in love with this book the first time his mom and dad read it to him and has now heard it at least 200 times since.

With an "I Spy" format, this delightfully illustrated book brings together many of the characters familiar to us all from nusery rhymes with a humor hidden in the illustrations that adults can appreciate. We visit Mother Hubbard's house where Tom Thumb hides in her cupboard and see "Bo-Peep up the hill" at the well where Jack and Jill have just been fetching their pail of water. It is written in a a simple rhyming format perfect for preschoolers and Matthew proudly memorized it all after the first several readings.

However, the illustrations are what make this book outstanding. Each picture is so chock full of details that readers are able to spot something new everytime they read this book. (Very helpful to parents who know that they will be reading their children's favorites over and over again!)

I held off buying this book until my twins were over 1 1/2 yrs old, and it paid off, because now they can appreciate the wonderful illustrations and "I spy" game. The illustrations are pleasing and detailed, and the little story is fun. My children always pull it out of the pile and sit together through the whole story, something they won't do with all books. A great book, highly recommend.

The Black Dog Opera Library Series had outdone themselves once again. In this 1972 recording of Mozart's last opera, we are treated to a fine performance by fine singers, a fully illustrated book with liner notes and commentary, as well as information useful in biographies on the composer and his time. Mozart was close to his death bed at the time he composed The Magid Flute. He made an opera that could be enjoyed at many levels. At one level, it is a comic, brilliant fairy tale for children, at another level, it is deeply symbolic and layed with Masonic ideals of universal brotherhood and love. Mozart and his librettist were both Freemasons, a religous "sect" that was under hot water in 18th century Vienna for its pagan origins and its advocation of ideas of the Enlightenment. The story is about Tamino, a prince who is lost in a strange land (originally, a mystic Egypt), who is rescued from a serpent by three mysterious women and promised the hand of the daughter of the Queen of the Night if he saves her from the wizard Sarastro. Together with the help of the comic bird-catcher, Papageno, he sets out on his adventure. But halfway through the opera, he discovers that he has been deceived. The Queen of the Night is the true villain and Sarastro is really a holy man. After many trials, the forces of evil are defeated and the opera ends blissfully with a victory.

Musically and dramatically, it is Mozart's greatest opera. From the striking Overture to the use of dark strings, trumpet and soaring flute passages, the individual arias which express intense emotions to the neverending theme that good triumphs over evil, the Magic Flute stands out as a great opera to begin with for newcomers and a favorite for old time opera fans.

In this recording, conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch leads the Bavarian State Orchestra in a highly effective, thoroughly dramatic and sentimental, full interpretation of Mozart's score. Tenor Peter Schreir as Tamino is exceptional, passionate in his aria "Dies Bildnis" (This portrait), and again as he plays his flute in "Wie Stark ist Nicht dein Zauberton" (How powerful is your music, magic flute), his individual lines in the ensembles and his duet with Pamina as they undergo the final trial of fire. Annelise Rothenberger, a sublime German lyric soprano, is moving in her portrayal of Pamina. She has her moments in this recording. Note how her high, melodic voice seems to come from nowhere as she confronts Sarastro and Tamino for the first time "Herr! Ich bin zwar Verbrecherin ! (Sir! I am the transgressor). Her aria "Ach Ich Fuhls" (O, I feel that happy days have passed) is the finest interpretation, full of pathos and a kind of melancholic madness, as well as her lines in her suicide attempt, finally, she is sublime as a strong woman ready to face trials with Tamino, especially striking when she sings the line "Tamino!".

Kurt Moll's Sarastro is without question the best. His voice is suited for God. So divine and sonorous and full of grace, his voice is especially noticeable in the aria "O Isis and Osiris " and "In deisen Heilen Hallen"( In these holy halls). Finally, and not to be missed, is Edda Moser's incredible interpretation of the Queen of the Night. You have not heard the true Queen of the Night, until you've heard Edda Moser. She has a Wagnerian intensity and neurosis in her lines, apt and effective for the role of a Queen bent on deception and the murder of her rival, Sarastro. Her aria "O Zittre Nicht, Mein Lieber Son" (O tremble not, beloved son" is full of lyric dramatic passages and coloratura at the end. The vengeance aria "Der Holle Rache Kocht Meine Herzen "(Hell's Anger Burns Within My Heart) is full of fire. The way she attacks the dramatic, powerful lines is out of this world and the high F's she escalates are unsurpassed.

The re-release of the legendary 1972 recording of Die Zauberflote, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch, is a great blessing to all who know and love this great work. Edda Moser's interpretation of the Queen of the Night is justly celebrated, achieving not only transcendently perfect delivery, but also a chilling portrait of pure evil. All of the other cast members are excellent. The spoken role of Papageno is particularly striking, sounding sufficiently pungent to remind us that the role was originally played by Emanuel Schickaneder himself. The tempi are, for the most part remarkably well-chosen. In addition, the Masonic gravity of the subject matter is constantly respected. The chorus of the armed men is properly alarming, the cantus firmus stridently insistent above the counterpoint of the strings. Even more uncommon is the treatment of the secondary scenes of Act II, especially the chorus Welche Wonne, in which the evocation of the candidate's future "new life" is infused with the trepidation inevitably attendant upon any trial of life and death. All too often, this work, which is gravely serious in its intent, is presented as a fairy tale. This recording successfully conveys the philosophical context, and does justice to Mozart's attachment to Masonry. [The only flaw which I could detect is the inclusion of a very questionable musical fragment, inserted into Act II, Scene 11 {"Pamina, wo bist du?"). I could locate no reference to this anywhere in my extensive library on the subject, and can only speculate that it might be some unacknowledged retention from one of the infamous "reworkings" of the opera which occurred after Mozart's death....At any rate, it requires an explanation....]

In view of this, it is sad to see this beautiful recording issued in association with a perfectly vile and disrespectful book about the opera. The author has the temerity to liken this work to "a Broadway musical", "a rollicking entertainment for the common man" simply because it was composed as a Singspiel, or German opera with spoken dialogue. This is equivalent to likening one of Shakespeare's comedies to a street farce. The book also suggests that Zauberflöte was composed for purposes of pure entertainment, unless it is, perchance, a "work of profound insight" dressed up in the trappings of a "cartoon". Obviously, the writer is ignorant of the significance of the Egyptian setting in the time of Mozart, when it was a clear symbol for rational ideas and liberal politics. The details of the setting delineate the struggle which was then taking place in Europe, over the true nature of Masonry, philosophy and music, and which soon came to a terrible end, for that time at least, with the banning of Freemasonry in Austria, and the loss of much of the learning about ancient philosophy which had been so laboriously gathered in circles such as that frequented by Mozart. It is largely on account of Zauberflöte, which alludes with precision to much of that learning, that it was not entirely annihilated in the chaos of the revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. Rather than misrepresenting this vitally important work, those who have the privilege of coming into contact with it should do all in their power to contribute to the very difficult, vital, and continuing attempt to understand it. While the availability of this recording is of great value, it is scandalous to see it associated with a contribution to the generally prevailing ignorance about this extremely important, and very difficult, work.

An irate Mozartian

The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflute in German) was Mozart's final opera. It was his favorite and undoubtedly his greatest achievement. When he was in his deathbed, it was said that Mozart requested to hear the score to the Magic Flute one last time. Mozart was a Freemason, although he had been raised as a Catholic and enjoyed sponsorship by the Archbishop of Salzburg for some time. His conversion; into what was a religious and philosophical organization that praised the Englightenment and mystic Egyptian/Zoroastrian beliefs, effected and influenced his musical composition. He had already written music for a Masonic Funeral and Freemasonry deeply influenced the Requiem in D Minor.

This recording is out of print in cd form and was probably an LP in the 70's. In 1972, Walter Sawallisch, the Bavarian State Orchestra and the talents of Peter Schreir (Tamino), Annelise Rothenberger (Pamina), Walter Berry (Papageno), Kurt Moll (Sarastro) and Edda Moser (The Queen of the Night) put together what is the definitive, the greatest, the most perfect, the one and only Magic Flute. If you've heard the rest, now try the best. Contrary to the negative comments of the other reviewers, the Black Dog Opera Library has done an excellent job of making this opera accessible, a book full of great illustrations and liner notes on the singers, Mozart and his era. Yes, the Magic Flute has been unjustly considered and theatrically treated as a children's opera, a fairy tale with no real substance, a great work sugar coated into something like Broadway musical or cartoon. Singspiel was great opera (Mozart had tried the form previously with Abduction From The Seraglio) but unlike grand opera, it was more accessible to the ordinary people, to folks who loved catchy tunes they could whistle in the streets on organ grinders or for children to sing at play. It was a people's opera, not a stuffy, overly pompous piece of work. In a way, it was like Broadway or cartoons, simply because people could have fun at the opera. (For an example, take a look at the film Amadeus, in which Mozart is commissioned to write the Magic Flute for a more folk-oriented, Vienna lower class who drank beer and played games on stage while watching the opera, in a nearly circus like environment).

Discreetly embellished with Masonic symbolism (the three opening bombastic chords in the Overture, the Three Ladies, the Three Young Boys in the Balloon, the Egyptian rituals of purification, the choruses and the Zoroastrian figure of Sarastro) are all examples. Allegorically, it was the struggle between the ruling court of Empress Maria Teresa and the supression of Masonry in Austria. This book clearly states this fact. Thus, the powerfully evil Queen of the Night, whose arias are icy coloratura, represents Maria Teresa, Pamina represents the beautiful and faithful Austria, Tamino evidently Emperor Franz Joseph or simply any good person who is beckoned by a noble human cause and finally, Papageno is the earthy, common folk who is no less a great one. This recording is absolutely the best. Peter Schreir is a superlative tenor di grazie, highlights being his aria Dies Bildnis and his scenes with Pamina, Annelise Rothenberger a lyric soprano who reaches perfection in her aria "Ach Ich Fuhls" and her union with Tamino in the trial of fire. Kurt Moll's Sarastro is poignant, spiritual, a voice suited for God, whose low F's are contrasted by the sinister, neurotic, tempestuous raging scales of Edda Moser's Queen of the Night, who reaches high F's. The score to the opera is spiritual. Nothing Mozart ever wrote could be more spiritual, full of majesty, obscurity, joy, awe and power. Five stars for this excellent recording.

We've finally grown out of this book at our house - but it took a long time. My soon-to-be 9 year old will occasionally (in secret)read this book now, but from age 3 to 6, it was a bed time favorite!

The story is funny, as are the illustrations of the little mouse, making a mess and asking for more things - and it all started by just giving the little fellow a cookie.

The hardcover book alone is a great gift item, but it's better yet as a mini book with the cute little stuffed mouse. If you add a small package of chocolate chip cookies, this would make an exceptional gift. Or, if not cookies, a crayon set with some paper is ideal (you have to read the story to understand why!)

For kids who want to read and listen, the audio tape will be listened to again and again. This is also one of those books that adults enjoy reading to their children!

Simply put, this is a wonderful book. Our 19 month old daughter has enjoyed this book since she received it on her first birthday. The story is simple and easy to follow and the pictures are big and bright and wonderfully drawn. There aren't alot of words on every page so if you have a younger child that likes to turn the pages frequently, this makes it easy to keep the story going. Although the story is whimsical and involved enough for an older child to enjoy as well. We have read this book so many times that my daughter has memorized some of the words on every page and pretends to "read" it herself. Personally, I feel this is the best of the "If you give a ....." book series (we have them all). I think the only improvement this book could use is if it came in a board book version as the paper pages in our hardback version are quickly becoming worn from all the frequent reading and toting around! A true classic that I feel any parent with a young child can't go wrong with.

As a mom I love these fantastic books! "If you give a Mouse a cookie" is so much fun to read. There are many others in the series as well. Great!

this is the first 'book of wisdom' that I have actually found fun to read. I enjoy just opening up to a random page each day and reading something from it. it always appeals to my life somehow at just the right time. I am looking forward to the larger volume II coming out in september as well.

This has become pretty much one of my favorite books. Open Your Mind, Open Your Life contains clearly written thoughts that are simple yet immediately strike a deep chord. The statements are common sense yet inspiring and profound, beginning with the very first sentence. The thoughts are encouraging and helped me to realize I don't have control over certain things and to let got of them.

I liked it so much that I have recommended it to about five of my friends and they in turn have recommended it to others and given the book as a gift. Because this mini version was so wonderful I also recently bought the larger version, which I have yet to read.

This is by far the best little book of wisdom I've ever found. Packed with hundreds of uplifting thoughts and advice, I keep copies of it around to give away as well as to read from every day.