General Books - Page 14

Paper Fashions (Klutz)

Amazon Price: $14.93 List Price: $21.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Klutz Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $5.89

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 43 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

My daughter's favorite Christmas present! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

My 10 year old absolutely loved this gift. She has spent countless hours creating outfits and is so serious about it that she has begun a portfolio of her work. It is so fun to watch her "at work". I can easily purchase more scrapbook paper to keep her going once she has used all the supplies the book came with. This is the perfect gift for the child that loves to make & create!

Welcome gift 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I gave this as a Christmas present to a 13 year old friend and she was just delighted with it and thanked me about twenty times!

Perfect for the "young" designer 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this as a christmas gift for my daughter, only because it was recommended by amazon. I had never heard of these books before. My daughter loves to draw and design outfits - this book is perfect. She plays with it more than any other toy, including nintendo DS and wii!!

Editorial Review:

Turn colorful paper, ribbons and beads into glamorous fashion and accessories. All designs are completely customizable and the provided stencils will have you creating boutiques-full of outfits for shopping in the city, or heading to the ball. Miniature hangers are included so you can turn your designs into fashionable stationery, bookmarks, magnets and more. Bellisima!

Hardy Boys starter set

Franklin W. Dixon

Amazon Price: $16.30 List Price: $25.98 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Grosset & Dunlap Amazon Marketplace: 34 new & used starting at $14.89

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Literature -> Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror -> Mysteries, Espionage, & Detectives

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Still good after so many years 4 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.

We purchased the Hardy Boys starter set after my 5th grade son had read the first book. He had to read a mystery book for school. He liked it so much we purchased the others.
He just finished the second book in record reading time. Even though these books were written quite some time ago, they still can appeal to kids today.

Non stop action 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

My 12 year old son loved this series..He was given these as a gift and has read one after the other..The decades old technology, motorcycles, speed boats kept him very interested..The Hardys are a classic that never fails to satisfy..

Hardy Boys starter set 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Books are wonderful. Grandkids are truely enjoying being introduced to these classics. Fast service during the holidays, too.

Great gift set 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This was a great gift for my teenage nephew. At least I think so, he appreciated it but would have prefered a game but he is now forced to read more.

Editorial Review:

It's 6 books about the legendary Hardy Boys! This boxed set - just right for any kid who hasn't yet discovered these mystery classics - contains: The Tower Treasure, The House on the Cliff, The Secret of the Old Mill, The Missing Chums, Hunting for Hidden Gold, The Shore Road Mystery

Silent Spring

Rachel Carson

List Price: $24.95 By: Houghton Mifflin Amazon Marketplace: 7 new & used starting at $3.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 139 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

The Right to Know 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Every once in a while a book comes a long that has such a profound effect on society that it creates a movement for awareness and betterment. Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring, is one of those. Silent Spring did for the environmental movement what Upton Sinclair's The Jungle did for the labor movement and Uncle Tom's Cabin did for the anti-slavery movement. Carson took a stand on environmental abuses, especially against the chemical industry in this work of social criticism. Carson opened the eyes of many and forced many to take responsibility for their actions, which sparked a modern environmental and awareness movement that is still active today.
Silent Spring discusses the implications of using harmful chemicals to all life--plant, animal, human and the like. They cause negative cyclical reactions--the processes do not continue to work, so it is the harmful chemicals to the Earth are repeated year after year. Though the chemical industry would make you believe the levels in use are not harmful, that is a fallacy. They are extremely dangerous chemicals and poisons, which build up over time in one's body and in the Earth, over time make them lethal.
Carson did well in creating a book that everyone, not just science and environmental enthusiasts could both read and understand. The information presented captures the urgent and sincere trouble that the United States was heading down during the time Silent Spring was written. The use of chemical insecticides and pesticides was going against nature and creating irreversible damage to all living things. The Earth and its facets have its own built-in system to correct problems and to make it work in harmony. Industry, farmers, and others trying to self correct these--mainly by using large amounts of dangerous chemicals, upsets this balance and creates even more problems. It is a cyclical action where there is no positive end in sight.
The actual idea of a "silent spring" which Carson helps the reader visualize in chapter one is a dreary one. Carson goes on to describe specific chemicals (especially DDT), their make-up, and specific hazards they pose. Pesticides and insecticides are both broken down into the dangerous poisons that they are. Carson discusses how these poisons are passed through the food chain, therefore leaving every living thing at risk. Unhealthy consequences, such as disease often occurs, resulting in death if exposed heavily. It is important to understand that the use of these chemicals creates the decline of the Earth's natural defenses against insect populations. By understanding that these poisons exterminate insects only temporary, it's clear that most insects develop resistance to the chemicals rendering them useless. For example, once insects become resistant they can take over in even greater numbers.
Carson uses several chapters to focus on specific aspects of the Earth and how they are specifically affected by these poisons--water, soil, and plants are examined in detail. Carson goes into specific massive spraying campaigns that were used rigorously, but at the expense of the health of the planet and those inhabiting it. One in particular included the spraying in the Midwest for eliminating the Japanese beetle. The Japanese beetle became resistant to the chemicals and has now increased their population. The Midwest completely disregarded the fact that other parts of the United States had successfully used natural predators of the beetle. Again the "easier" and cheaper plan was used at the cost of much of the wildlife in that area.
There was much research and reference to the effect this all had on the bird populations in the United States. This is likely because birds were greatly affected, but also because Carson began this book project after hearing about her friend's experience--many birds died in this friend's hometown as a result of a spraying campaign of DDT. Since birds eat insects and worms (which feed on the insecticides and pesticides) they are extremely vulnerable to being poisoned. Birds were also greatly affected by the mass spraying of DDT for Dutch elm disease. The birds' natural habitat was once again being negatively harmed.
Rivers, streams, and lakes, along with the life that goes with it have also been greatly influenced. Groups of salmon were killed in the campaign against the spruce budworm in forests. Another forest campaign was against the gypsy moth--many people were affected by this (along with many other campaigns) as areas outside of the forest region were sprayed. This is not an uncommon occurrence though. There are few people in the world who do not carry residue from these chemical poisons in their body. Carson uses some of the last chapters to explain the human body's make-up and just how detrimental chemical insecticides and pesticides can be. This leads to diseases such as cancer and eventually death.
As far as some negatives of the book--obviously since the book was written in the early 1960's it is not all up-to-date and relevant. Also, Carson becomes repetitive throughout the book. Though it may not be specifically relevant, it did occur and therefore it affects us nowadays in some way. Not all has been resolved as well--we have a long way to go to become universally environmentally friendly. This book should be used as a tool to help present day and future generations learn from the mistakes of the past. Also, it is fairly one sided with the information. Carson is presenting her findings, but not exactly presenting valid counterarguments.
Carson does not just go over all that is wrong and leave it at that--she wraps up by explaining possible alternative methods of insect control, including some methods that have been tested and proven valid. These "biological" methods are based on understanding the living organism that needs to be controlled, as well as the environment surrounding it. Alternatives include the "male sterilization" technique, using natural enemies of the insects, creating weapons from the insects own life--understanding and then using the insects' venoms, attractants, repellants, and secretions against it. Also, sound repellent and the use of natural diseases of the insects and crops are also alternative ideas.
Overall, Silent Spring is an incredible wake-up call for the fragility of earth and for the dangerous "butterfly effect"--one mistake can set off a chain of events critical to all life as we know it. Silent Spring is a classic work of literature that should be read by school children and adults alike, as a reminder to how vital it is to respect our amazing planet. Because it is not just the birds in danger, it is all of nature and all of humanity.

Editorial Review:

Now recognized as one of the most influential books of the twentieth century, "Silent Spring" exposed the destruction of wildlife through the widespread use of pesticides. Despite condemnation in the press and heavy-handed attempts by the chemical industry to ban the book, Rachel Carson succeeded in creating a new public awareness of the environment which led to changes in government and inspired the ecological movement.

The Secret Language of Birthdays

Alicia Thompson, Joost Elffers, Gary Goldschneider

Amazon Price: $8.79 List Price: $10.99 Not yet published By: Razorbill

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Editorial Review:

A teen version of the wildly popular adult book The Secret Language of Birthdays, this book provides astrological insight into the character of people born on each of the 365 days in the calendar year. It is the perfect gift item for birthday parties and sleepovers.

This smart book is jam-packed with completely new content, including illustrations and unbelievably fun extras, with tips on everything from Best Accessory (Box of tissues for when your drama queen BFF starts crying!) and Best Pet (Puggle!) to the Best Date idea (hot air balloon ride). The teen version is colorful, dynamic, and totally addictive.

How to Draw 101 Animals

Dan Green

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A good idea, but probably not for children. In fact, probably not a good idea for adults either. 3 out of 5 stars.
15 of 20 people found this review helpful.

Well, it started out good enough. Owl, pig, dog, crab: easy peasy, mac and cheesy! I was in a drawing frenzy by animal number 8, which was a lion. I could draw a lion with my toes, and even then I could draw a decent one with only my left pinkie toes using one of those useless tiny stub pencils that you find in public libraries.

So then I turned the page and there was animal number 9: The Fishhawk. I had never seen a Fishhawk before, but there are a lot of animals I haven't seen. So I learned how to draw this half-fish half-hawk thing and continued on to number 10, which was a Fishbook. Now, Fishhawk, I'll buy. But I don't see how something could be fish and book all at once. Furthermore, the Fishbook was pictured as if it was reading about itself in a book called "Fishbooks: A True Story".

Well, there's a lot about science and zoology that I don't know, and I can't argue if there's a book out there called "Fishbooks: A True Story". So I drew this and continued on to number 11, which was, literally, the "Elevenosaur". Easy enough, I guess, but numbers 12-18 were, in order, the Twelvopotamus, Thirteentelope, Fourteencat, Goatifteen, Sixteengoose, Seventelephant, and Monkeighteen. Each of these was an anthropomorphized version of the number itself, only with some sort of vague animal resemblance.

Nineteen was actually just directions for writing the number "19". Under the side notes, called "Quick Hints," it says, "First draw the number 1 and then the number 9! Now combine them!" Number 20 was finally a real animal. It was some guy named Dave who, technically, is a human animal. However, 21 was "Doubledave" and 23 was "Tripledave" and so on until 29, "Polydave." Each of these was exactly the same drawing as the previous one, only with one more Dave.

The thirties were actually animals 1-10 again, but now with hats or actually themselves in the form of hats. For example, "Cat in a Hat" and "Lionhat" and "Dave wearing a pig hat." Although, I admit, #35 Crabhat looks pretty cool, but I don't see how it's kid-appropriate to have him injuring Dave's head with instructions on how to realistically draw arterial spray.

At this point, I started to skip ahead. Some of the notable animals in the remainder of the book are listed below:

#40. Beezoriite. A bunch of human-like bees coming out of a nest that looks like, I kid you not, the US Capitol Building. Bees aren't animals, but at this point I'm not going to nitpick. They are, however, illustrated with a strange accuracy. The queen is apparently Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, and several painstaking steps are included as how his "lipless smirk" should be precisely drawn.

#41. Jackelopemesopotamia. Described as "half jackrabbit, half antelope, half Mesopotamia".

#42. Dave, once again, but wearing a shirt that reads: "The Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything." I don't get it.

#52. The Syrripidon. The author took a full 80 pages to describe how to draw everything involving The Syrripidon. This apparently includes a pencil-like arm that the Syrripidon uses to draw other body parts onto itself. I supposed that explains why it has 4 beaks, 12 sets of legs, and something like 70 arm-like appendages that include a grappling hook, can opener, and "arm made of money". The final illustration is largely kid-inappropriate because the Syrripidon is pictured in a cartoon saying, in a vulgar and uncensored manner, how he cannot stop drawing things onto himself and that "no eraser can erase this pain."

As of the date of my writing this, Google cannot find one instance of the word "Syrripidon" on the internet.

#70. Cow. Strangely enough, these are well-written instructions on how to draw a pleasantly-cartoonish barnyard cow.

#72. Dogcow. Okay I see where this is going, all the way up to...

#79. Catdogcowcrabowlpigdavegooserabbit. As a "Quick Hint" the author instructs you that goose genes are the dominant phenotypes here, with rabbits coming in a close second.

#80-89. Multiple poses of the author's cat, Jinx, who is described as his "only friend now."

#90. A bottle of whiskey, but with arms. The bottle is drinking a smaller bottle of whiskey.

#98. The Authoridox. I believe this actually some sort of animal incarnation of the author. Included are several pages on how to draw everything from his "heart injured from the evil Exwifica", to his bloodshot eyes, and his "back, stabbed by the backstabbing best friend I once had." This is a very challenging animal to draw, which is probably why it's at the end of the book. I found the Authoridox's cirrhotic liver to be difficult to render, and I've never before attempted to illustrate the effects of a retrovirus-suppressed immune system.

#99. Daveasaurus Rex and Exwifica Regina. Well, this one really isn't child appropriate, and I don't see how the publisher failed to edit out this horrible, horrible image. There aren't even instructions on how to draw these "animals", but I don't see why you'd want to draw them anyway. Incidentally, Rex and Regina are the proper Latin words for king and queen, which tells me that a scary amount of thought went into this particular drawing.

Overall, I give this book a 3. I would have rated it lower, but it's difficult to fault a thorough, 900-page children's book for being incomplete. I would have rated it higher if not for giving me nightmares.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Michael Rosen, Helen Oxenbury

List Price: $51.15 By: Scott Foresman & Co Amazon Marketplace: 2 new & used starting at $42.75

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 59 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Have you ever gone on a bear hunt? Come along on this one with a brave young family -- four children (including the baby) and their father. They're not scared. With them you will cross a field of tall, wavy grass ("Swishy swashy!"), wade through a deep, cold river ("Splash splosh!"), struggle through swampy mud ("Squelch squerch!"), find your way through a big, dark forest ("Stumble trip!"), fight through a whirling snowstorm ("Hoooo woooo!"), and enter a narrow, gloomy cave. WHAT'S THAT? You'll soon learn just what to do to escape from a big, furry bear!

With tremendous pace, humor, and verve, Michael Rosen has retold a favorite tractional story. The pictures by Helen Oxenbury, one of the most widely loved contemporary artists, are full of masterly characterizations, delightful comedy, and high drama, set in lovely sweeping landscapes. This is a book not to be missed, one to be chanted aloud and acted out, to be enjoyed over and over again. It is a picture book on the grand scale.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl

Amazon Price: $6.99 List Price: $6.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Puffin Amazon Marketplace: 71 new & used starting at $1.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 460 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A wonderful book 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is about Charlie, a generous boy whose family is very poor. Charlie hopes to win admission to Wonka's fabulous chocolate factory which is finally open to five people. I enjoy how Roald Dahl describes imaginary characters and the interesting machines in the factory. At the factory, Charlie meets four other children who have one thing in common: they all represent naughty children in one way or another. The other children can be described as sassy or obsessed or bulging or lazy. They are all extremely unhelpful, and they expect other people to do all the work for them. Charlie is different. He is helpful, and he works hard to make his family happy. I think that there should be a scene that shows Charlie making a good choice in the factory instead of just standing there watching other kids make bad choices. I think that the book is good for readers in second to seventh grades because it is a complicated story with exciting and unpredictable characters. I liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory so much that I chose to read the sequel!

Editorial Review:

The gates of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory are opening at last . . . and only five children will be allowed inside.

Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World... One Child at a Time

Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin

Amazon Price: $8.99 List Price: $8.99 Not yet published By: Puffin

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Editorial Review:

This young readers edition of the worldwide bestseller Three Cups of Tea has been specially adapted for younger readers and updated by Greg Mortenson to bring his remarkable story of humanitarianism up to date for the present. Includes new photos and illustrations, as well as a special interview by Greg’s twelve-year-old daughter, Amira, who has traveled with her father as an advocate for the Pennies for Peace program for children.

Castle: Medieval Days and Knights (A Sabuda & Reinhart Pop-up Book)

Kyle Olmon

Amazon Price: $9.99 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Orchard Books Amazon Marketplace: 17 new & used starting at $7.12

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 50 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

An engaging pop-up book on castles and knights 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Both my preschooler and I love pop-up books and we've been finding titles to add to our collection. I came across this Castle pop-up book at a local chain bookstore [retailing for about 6 bucks] and snapped it up! We were both extremely pleased as the book took us on a journey through a medieval castle and its inner workings. Each page unfolds a pop-up and there are also inserts on each page that one can open to reveal smaller pop-ups [this was a great joy for my little one], One learns about the various parts of a castle, where the different classes of people reside [it was a feudal system with people ascribed certain stations in life, and passed down through birth], One particular pop-up that I found fascinating [and which elicited lots of giggles from my little one] was the mini pop-up explaining how toilets worked in medieval times - so the man poops up above in his fine room, and a lowly peasant shovels it down below and cleans the pit - gross but informative!

Another feature I really liked was the pages that portrayed various people at work in their respective occupations - there was a pull the tab feature that showed how a man [atilliator] made a crossbow and a woman worked a spinning wheel.

The book also has a full page jousting pop-up scene where a pull-the-tab feature allows one to 'work' the jousters. This was something my daughter really enjoyed!The last pop-up scene features a feast and explains the various dishes, utensils etc used during a feast.

All in all, this is a wonderful pop-up book that not only entertains but educates as well. Highly recommended!

Editorial Review:

Over fifteen intricate pop-ups accompany Sabuda and Reinhart's fascinating text, which guides readers through the different aspects of life in a medieval castle. Readers will learn about knighting ceremonies, battles, and feasts. The true majesty of castles is fully realized when this book is opened to reveal a stunning 3-dimensional medieval world.

The Wednesday Wars

Gary D. Schmidt

Amazon Price: $6.99 List Price: $6.99 Not yet published By: Sandpiper

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Loved it, Different Perspective, Not a Synopsis 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I went to a presentation by the author, I sat next to a kid who probably didn't think reading was cool, and going to see the author was less cool. I asked him which book he'd read, he said the Wednesday Wars. I said what did you think? He said it was good, you know, for a book. After the author finished discussing the Wednesday Wars and his inspiration for the book I elbowed the boy next to me and said What do you think now? He said I think I like, you know more than before.

This book is just what I like, it makes you laugh, it makes you cry, it makes you think and it makes you smile. I read Macbeth for the first time in 7th grade, I had to read a play for school, and my dad handed me MacBeth and said I think you'll like this, I groaned heavily, but I read it, and then I read the rest of Shakespeare's plays. I got an A for being the only kid to tackle Shakespeare. I will leave all the other reviews to disect the plot for you. I think to really benefit from a book this good both the young adult and the parents should read it. As for Mr. Schmidt he is still one of my very favorite writers for young people, and I hope he writes for a very long time!

Editorial Review:

This Newbery Honor tale is now in paperback!

Holling Hoodhood is really in for it.
He's just started seventh grade with Mrs. Baker, a teacher he knows is out to get him. Why else would she make him read Shakespeare . . . outside of class?
The year is 1967, and everyone has bigger things than homework to worry about. There's Vietnam for one thing, and then there's the family business. As far as Holling's father is concerned, nothing is more important than the family business. In fact, all of the Hoodhoods must be on their best behavior at all times. The success of Hoodhood and Associates depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has Mrs. Baker to contend with?