Children Books

yet again mr. dekker has amazed me ! chosen is a action packed story that will blow your mind.
you will want to read it over and over.

The book came quickly and in excellent condition. I would definitely purchase from this seller again.

Chosen is the first in a series of 4 "the Books of History Chronicles" based in the Black-Red-White trilogy world. If you haven't read those, never fear, because you will still become enraptured by this series. You will travel with Johnis through his triumphs and defeats as he attempts to complete a divinely appointed task. It's an amazing little series that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Beware, you may want to order the next book as you begin the first because you won't want to wait to long to read the next installment.

If you are new to Ted Dekker's writings, then get ready for a suspenseful, unexpected ride because he is known for plot twists that will keep you addicted to his books.

In a grassy stadium field, twelve of the forest's strongest and bravest young fighters compete to determine who will be the four new squad leaders to serve with Forest Guard commander, Thomas Hunter. Johnis watches with his father from the sidelines as the twelve play this game called football, impressed with the strength of the contestants, but not their wit.

When the ball rolls into the audience and up to Johnis' feet, he hides it, rather than throw it back out. Thomas urges the contestants to find the ball, but they cannot. But Thomas knows Johnis has it and calls him onto the field with the declaration that he thinks Johnis can run circles around his mighty contestants.

Johnis is terrified but determined to show them all that the mind is greater than muscle. He uses his wit to prove Thomas right. Then Thomas announces that the Horde is gathering, and the new recruits, barely adults, will fight in four days time. But who will lead? Thomas calls out three names of the competitors, but instead of the fourth predicted leader, he points to Johnis. Shocked, Johnis shakily and reluctantly accepts his commission.

The four new leaders are first sent on a quest to prove themselves, but their mission changes when they meet a special someone who sends them on a new mission: find the seven lost Books of History before the Dark One does.

As always, Ted Dekker weaves a fantastical story with adventure, suspense, and danger. I loved his Circle Trilogy, and it was great to read a continuing story based in that world. Fans of the Circle Trilogy will love this story as will new readers. Highly Recommended.

Good story, Dekker rights well. Not what I call a 'page burner', but close to it. I enjoyed it, over all. At times I was frustrated with the characters because they didn't do what I considered to be logical things, but maybe Dekker meant it to be that way. I found myself drawn into the story and interested in what happened next. The book reads as if it is for late teens. It may be advertised as such, but I'm older and enjoyed it just the same. I would recommend the book. I read the Black, Red, White series and there a tie ins. I like that series more, but not a by a large margin. If you read the B-R-W series you would proabably enjoy The Lost Books series.

This book is very well written and has beautiful artwork! My Grandaughter will love it!

I purchased this book as a Christmas gift for my sister, who loves Barker's illustrations. It arrived even more quickly than scheduled, in great condition.

I showed this to my small children, older nieces, sister, mother, friends, and grandmother. It appealed to all of them. I bought the deluxe book of flower fairies, the complete flower fairy book and the paper doll book. I needed them for art reference books.

The difference in the first two is:
The deluxe book has a history of the author, her sketches and inspirations, timeline, her prosesses, lots of botanical notes. very collectiors edition, silver leaf and all.

The complete book has fairy's has a 1 page intro of the author then goes straight into images and poems. each has the seasons collections, but the complete has; in addition, the fairies of the garden, trees, wayside and a flower fairy alphabet.

Cicely Mary Barker's eight little flower fairies books were published between 1923 and 1985 making her a household name, especially in Great Britain. Published at the height of the "fairy-mania" that swept England during the early decades of the 20th century they captured in sweetly beautiful images and verse the wonder that many people felt about these elusive tiny creatures. Cicely Mary Barker (1895-1973) was predominately a self taught artist who during her lifetime suffered from ill-health and physical fragility, thus she escaped into the world of the imagination and make believe. Her unselfconscious, delicate and jewel like watercolors were influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, fellow women illustrator Kate Greenaway (1846-1901) and her love of England's many gardens.

Her inspiration for the flower fairies came from the lush English countryside and observing young children at her local village kindergarten where her sister worked as a teacher. Her fairies are delicately and truthfully observed depictions of these young children in naturalistic poses and postures, standing on or clinging to botanically correct and beautifully rendered flowers. Being no bigger than 20cm tall they live and sleep in their birth flower taking care of their respective tree or plant, as the tree or plant grows so they grow in wisdom and power too. Fairies were most popular in the late Victorian and the Edwardian ages but they continued to hold sway over the imaginations of countless children (primarily girls) up into the early modern era... and beyond.

This enchanting and wondrous volume is a collection of all eight flower fairies books including: flower fairies of the spring, summer, autumn and winter and the flower fairies of the alphabet, trees, garden and wayside. As some of the most timeless depictions of the world of faery Cicely Mary Barker captured the innocence and naivety of childhood in exquisitely rendered illustrations and simple verse. While some may see these fairies as "safe" and "tame" depictions of the primal and elemental forces of nature, in my mind they capture the spirit of a bygone era when peoples mores and values were just plain different to ours, if not in some ways better. As such her little fairies lack the cynicism, artificiality and worldliness of the modern age and will continue to hold sway over the minds of generations of fairy lovers to come and will bring out the child within in anyone willing to let themselves go.

Sixty Five years ago, when I was a little girl, I sat at my fathers feet looking at a book that had marvelous pictures of beautiful fairys, so stunning were their bright colors and silky wings that it completely took my breath away for never could I have pictured anything quite so awsome as these tiny little creatures, that I was sure were hiding beneath the petals of flowers in mothers garden, that I had yet to see. I kept this memory all my life sharing it with my children, when they were little, and now my grandchildren. Imagine my astonishment to once again see these beautiful little people again. Take a trip back to childhood and enjoy this beautiful book, share it with your children but keep it for the child that is you.

I had never heard of the Fancy Nancy series until my daughter was given this as a gift. I love it, and both my daughters love it (ages 5 and 2). There are only a few sentences on each page but they are filled with [...] words, like "exquisite," "thrilled," "scowl," "ecstatic" and many others. Plus it gives a little French lesson ("Oui" and "Bonjour").

I highly recommend this book!

Excellent book . My granddaughter has enjoyed all of the Fancy Nancy books. Great messages for children

My daughter absolutely loves Fancy Nancy - these books make for great reading and the illustrations are perfect!

This book is really cute and has a nice story. I enjoy reading it to my daughter.

Fancy Nancy Bonjour Butterfly is a wonderful book that i gave to 2 pre-schoolers and they both loved this book- both the text and the wonderful pictures in the story. Kudos to the author.

My four year old daughter loves the books. For her age group the only downside is "not enough illustrations". But that does not stop her from asking to have two chapters read to her each night.

Thought it was a good product for our grandson, but he did not like it.

Books were in good quality and arrived in time expected. My kids love all the Magic Tree House books.

My 7-year-old can't get enough of these Magic Tree House Books. He loves to read them and his reading improves with each book. I highly recommend these books to any parent or grandparent!

Kids of all ages love these books,both boys and girls find this series of stories fun and enjoyable.

This book was EXCELLENT!! I love it!

The excitement of the book kept me reading!! Even thought there was fictional parts in the book, like how Man O' War's Dam was not gentle and sweet but nervous and A LOT like her Sire. And other fictional things like how the new owner did not see Man O' War until after he bought him. Even though these things were false in the story, I think it is great and helps people learn the life of one of the greatest horses in history!! When I read the book I felt like I was there, And I love when books help you do that! I really hope they can mke more books like this on othr famous horses!

I was able to enjoy this book immensely! The details Walter Farley gave were incredible. You didn't miss a thing! You always knew everything that was going on with Man O' War. There wasn't too much detail either. It wasn't 350 pages of blah. In this book you were able to live through all of the races, dissapointment, and momentous occasions of Man O' War and his stable hand Danny. Danny was a loyal young man who more than anything wanted to be with his horse Man O' War. Any horse lover who has a special horse close to their heart or just loves horses in general will be able to relate to Danny's love for Man O' War!
I definitely recommend Man O' War as a must read for any horse lover!
I hope this was of some help for you! Happy Reading!!

It is really goood
the beginning is a little slow but then it grips you and you can hardly put the book down!
it is one of the best books that he has ever written!
If you love horses, or horse racing then this is the book for you!!

This is one of my favorite books ever. I read it a few years ago (in 8th grade), and am still looking for another racehorse book like it. Farley throws you into the story of a colt and his groom. Although in real life, Danny didn't exist, "Red" did and the information on the horse and his races is true. It gives all of the history without getting boring and sounding like a History book. I think everyone who even just likes horses should read it.

I adore this book, though it is not completely factual. Of course, Walter Farley never says it was:) It is extremely well written and I strongly recommend it to everyone who enjoys Walter Farley's books, horse racing, Man O'War, or just plain horses!

However, there are a few little facts that are incorrect. In the book it is mentioned that Mahubah, Man O'War's dam, is a gentle, good-natured mare that they bred to "tame the hot blood of Hastings". But in real life, Mahubah was noted to be a nervous, rather high-strung mare, much like her father Rock Sand. Rock Sand was very alert and nervous and had to literally have a padded stall because he would pace and kick so much they worried he would injure himself!

Second, Mr. Riddle did not see Man O'War until after he was purchased. He had an agent buy him at the Saratoga Sale.

Also, I think Walter Farley should have given some credit to Preston M. Burch and his book "Training Thoroughbred Horses" because Man O'War's entire training process was copied step-by-step from that book (which I also own).

Overall though, a great book and one of my favorites by the author. Very much recommended and enjoyed!

The Olivia series is always a hit in the library. The students love to check out these books. I so enjoy sharing the books with the students as we read the story and look at the wonderfully eclectic illustrations. Ian Falconer, the author and illustrator has captured the best part of Christmas and every holiday, waiting for its arrival. After all, Christmas is a spirit, not the 10 minutes of ripping paper in a frenzy. This book focuses on Olivia celebrating the traditions her family has created and the pleasure she gets from being asked to participate in certain special activities.

I love this cute little pig... this book has started a collection for my baby sister who is almost 4 yrs old. I plan to get her the entire Olivia book collection over the next few birthdays and christmas holidays. I'm sure she will giggle as she learns to read the funny antics of such a super cute character.

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house Olivia was stirring up cheer and a bit of mischief waiting for Santa's arrival. Ian Falconer's lovable and spirited porcine heroine is back in her fifth feature, OLIVIA HELPS WITH CHRISTMAS, about the anticipation of Christmas Eve and the magic of Christmas Day.

From setting the dinner table to trimming the tree, from last-minute shopping to singing carols, Olivia and her family have a full day preparing for the holiday. When finally tucked into bed, Olivia cannot sleep; she is sure she hears Santa on the roof (but, alas, it is only a raccoon). Still, in the morning, Olivia and her little brothers find a pile of wonderful (skis!) and not-so-wonderful (sweaters and pajamas) gifts under the tree. They look forward to a day of playing together in the snow and a night of Nutcracker dreams. While Olivia is focused on the presents, she is also having fun just being with her family and adding her own touches to their holiday traditions.

Falconer's story and drawings are as charming as ever, and there is just as much for adults to enjoy here as there is for kids. This lovely book captures the energy, willfulness and imagination of children, as well as the weary patience of parents. OLIVIA HELPS WITH CHRISTMAS is a perfect holiday read, but it's sweet and funny enough to be savored at any time of the year.

--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman

Do you like Christmas? Then this is the book for you. I chose Olivia helps with Christmas because it is really funny and each of the characters has their own personalities. The book is about a pig named Olivia who helps with Christmas. She helps set the table, helps feed her baby brother and they have trouble. Olivia loves making messes, getting into trouble, and she loves lying. She thinks that she can't sleep at night when she really can. She is a very funny pig. The setting is in her house and in her room. The problem is that Santa is not coming. The big idea of the book is to be patient and be able to wait until Santa comes because that is what happened to Olivia. If you want to know if Santa comes that you will have to read the book.

How can you say anything but "wonderful" when you review an Olivia series book??...Olivia is one of the most endearing characters in childrens' literature!

This book was fascinating! I am finding out all kinds of valuable info! Highly recommended!

This is a great book for parents who have no idea how to deal with their child's issues. We were clueless and frustrated and now we can actually enjoy family time and day to day activities. It also helped relieve a lot of guilt knowing we are not at fault but there are many things we can to to help our son cope. I would definitely recommend this book to parents and teachers.

I'm a mental health therapist as well as a parent of a child with SPD. This is my favorite book both for myself and the parents of my SPD clients. This book is great for family members of kids with SPD, without additional disorders.

Generally, the book that is most recommended is The Out of Sync Child, which is a wonderful book. However, the Out of Sync Child is geared more toward SPD kids with more severe disorders (autism, Asperger's Disorders, etc). Raising a Sensory Smart Child is a perfect reference for children with SPD without accompanying disorders. It provides answers and guidance for for families who have been wondering "what's wrong" for a long time. I'd recommend this book not only for parents, but for teachers, therapists, as well as grandparents, daycare providers and anyone dealing with SPD kids. Truly an educational read.

Everyone should read this book! I cannot think of a person out there that would not benefit from the wealth of knowledge contained in its' pages. If you have a child or even know of a child that might have sensory issues but are unsure, this book will help you decide through many easy behavior checklists as well as more detailed narratives and descriptions of what to look out for. If you know your child does suffer from sensory integration dysfunction, then this is truly the ultimate resource. It includes endless lists of appropriate toys, activities, therapies, further reading, organizations to contact all geared towards helping you help your child navigate the world more joyfully, with significant less stress and discomfort, and more awareness. It explains the condition so thoroughly, in such simple language, with such clear examples, you will feel you really understand what is going on with your child and hundreds of ways you can help. Even if you known about your child's sensory issues for years and have been having regular therapy, I still think the book offers insights and advice that go way beyond the standard information and activities suggested. It goes into great detail, for example, of what to expect in an occupational therapist, what not to settle for, how to handle communication with therapist, your own role in therapy and many other valuable topics that even in a very aware parent could miss or learn from. I would even think parents or those involved with kids who don't necessarily have problematic sensory issues could benefit from reading the book; I know I read the book because my second daughter suffers from sensory integration dysfunction but found as I was reading that my first child really had touches of it earlier on that still come up at times today. Though they were not disrupting her life in any glaring way, I wasn't always compassionate about some of her seemingly exaggerated requests or complaints that after reading the book I could see where actually quite valid for someone who is even slightly more sensory sensitive. This book will make you a better, more aware, more effective parent or child care giver. I can't recommend it highly enough!

With my son's recent diagnosis of sensory problems, I have really been accumulating a library of books on the subject. This books is BY FAR my favorite... I am only half-way through it and have already dog-eared half of the pages I have read. It is packed with practical suggestions/solutions on how to help your sensory child cope with everyday life. If you are only going to buy one book, this should be it.

A picture book for ages 4-7, and perfect for adults of any age, the story of family visiting brims with positive energy, and is vividly descriptive of the sights and sounds the visitors brought. "The Relatives Came" provides material for discussion of family roles and expectations. I sent the book to my sister after our family had come through some intense time together.

I'm giving this book to lots of grandmothers!! All 7 arrived quickly and it was a great transaction.

This is one of my favorite books and also of my daughters. The illustrations are beautiful, and the heart warming story of family visits, appreciation and love just makes you feel good. I like this book so much that I will add more Cynthia Rylant books to our home library.

We're from a large family and the images and descriptions of the family reunion really touched home. I've given it to two different sets of nieces and nephews, and hope they'll have the same great stories to tell about our family that Cynthia Rylant relates.

I bought this book to use for a discussion about how authors can paint pictures with their words. My first graders loved this book and we were able to talk about our favorite parts in the book and all the children can relate because they have either gone to visit relatives or relatives have come to visit them. They loved the pictures and the story!

Like all of us, the main character in Where Peace Lives longed for true peace. Each night she wished for peace and then fell into a deep sleep, as if wrapped in the arms of an angel. However, when she awoke each morning, she returned to reality. It seemed to her that despite everyone wishing for peace, that end seemed impossible.

A knock at her door would change everything. There stood Luther the Bear. Luther was king of The Mountain Where Dreams Are Made. He came with news that the angel Peace had been locked in a glass box and only the three keys to peace could set her free. The two set off to The City of Right and Wrong where the debate over milk had completely divided the city. Their real journey was about to begin.

Where Peace Lives is a beautifully woven entertaining tale from which we can all gain insight. The story and the characters are inspired by and based upon the historic Buddha, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, Jesus, Moses, and Muhammad. I love the interfaith quality of the story showing that we may all think and believe differently but ultimately we all want to be treated fairly and live a peaceful life.

Where does peace come from? It isn't something born of war, or won through argument. Author Debbie Robins explores peace and finds three keys to it in her book, "Where Peace Lives." A book for all ages, children and adults, it is sure to become a classic along the lines of "The Little Prince." More than that, it is a delightful read, and a tool for spreading some very valuable lessons.

The narrator is worried about the world and wonders why everyone can't just get along. One night, a visitor comes and insists that the angel, Peace, needs to be set free. Peace is trapped in a glass box and three keys are needed to open the lock. They need to find the keys, and they begin by looking in the City of Right and Wrong. There, terrible things are happening. The residents are divided and each side insists that the other side is wrong. What's even worse is that the Cube of Bitterness hovers above and devours those who are the "right ones". Donkeys and elephants play tug of war, only it isn't a game. It looks like there is no hope for peace. However, Mister Buddha, a poetic cat, is sharing a potion called Acceptance, and so there is hope after all.

Mister Buddha introduces our narrator to the concept of acceptance and the fact that kindness begets kindness, and also to his best friend, Mahma. The adventure continues with a story of understanding and Oneness, and then on to the Sea of Forgiveness, where two orangutans, Chris and Mo impart more wisdom. Through a desert and to a waterfall, and up a mountaintop, the keys are sought. Will they be found in time to set Peace free?

A parable, the story can be taken at face value, with lessons still understood. Upon further reflection, deeper meanings come to light and the reader can see how important choices are. The colorful characters' teachings are inspired by and reflect those of Ghandi, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad and Martin Luther King. With exquisite illustrations, a delightful cast of characters, and a most important plot, "Where Peace Lives" rates my highest recommendation. Additional biographical information on these key people is included at the back of the book, as well as journaling space and an exercise to "strengthen your peace muscle'. Well written and enjoyable to experience, this book is a must read for everyone you know.

In this lovely fable, Peace is an angel who appears in the narrator's dreams--and then is suddenly the object of a quest. She has been locked inside an unbreakable glass box, and three keys must be found in order to free her before the evil Cube of Bitterness devours the world.

In the search for the keys, the narrator meets and is assisted by a bear named Luther, King of the Mountain Where Dreams Are Made; Mister Budd Ha, a Siamese cat who peddles bottles of Acceptance; and several other creatures who promote peace. Philosophically, the characters are based on the peaceful teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Moses, the Prophet Mohammad, and Jesus Christ. Debbie Robins portrays their ideas with both humor and understanding.

While the outcome of the story is fairly obvious, the language used to tell it is lyrical and peaceful in and of itself. The pen and ink illustrations by Victor Robert are also fantastic. I loved the Roomy Tea Garden and the tree named Bodhi. This is not just a picture book, but a book to be shared by child and parent/caregiver. It should appeal on different levels to both reader and listener. I read several sections aloud and found the words and phrases to flow in a charming way. I especially recommend it to those like their children's books to have a bit of substance.

At the end of the book, Robins also provides the reader with biographical information and philosophical summaries of those figures whose philosophies of peace she incorporates. There are also a few pages to jot down the reader's own ideas of how to bring more peace into today's world.

Armchair Interviews: An unique children's book about peace.

WHERE PEACE LIVES is a captivating adventure for children and adults alike. It teaches us that peace requires a profound internal shift in how we perceive and respond to each other. This book is essential for those of us who seek to transform ourselves and change our world. Eleanor Barr

I have to agree with the only other two-star review of this book: I'm rather amazed by all the praise. The message the book conveys is a fantastic one, true, but that's all it is~a message. In my opinion, Where Peace Lives is a "peace class" masquerading as a story. The metaphors all exist right on the surface; there is no need to look deeper. Because of this, the characters are not real~they're just different mouthpieces for the author's "message," like puppets. And the main character (the "I" of the story) is not developed at all. We know almost nothing about her, except that she likes the taste of orange popsicles and she's felt bad because other children have made fun of her or refused to play with her. She also doesn't seem like a child, despite her juvenile speeches. Writers need to understand that talking about tasty popsicles and play-dates is not all it takes to write for children.

I realize this all sounds pretty scathing, and I need to apologize somewhat for that. It's just that I was really looking forward to reading this book because of its premise, and now that I have, I feel immensely let down. I don't mind the idea of educating children about peace~in fact, I think that's great~but I expected more of a story from a book marketed as one.

Hi, how are you all? Well I know this book is wonderful! Acually i never read the book charmed but i did read the book so little time, which is by the same author. That was a very good book. So if that was a good book that she wote then this should be good also. The book is very intersting and tells you alot of information and some good heads up and tips. Kids my age would like the book, i would belive..... I might not be giving alot of information right now but the more information you want is right inside the book. So i would suggest to read the book and i think you will injoy it! I also think Charmed is a good book to read too.!.!.!.!.! Well i hope i at least helped you out a little bit. And i hope you read BOTH books because reading is good for you , and just enjoy them! Thank you for taking your time out to read this.

I have a penchant for time-travel stories, as they are striking, interesting, not to mention compelling. This book is inevitably one of them. Phoebe being abducted into past by a time-demon during the times of the Salem Witch Trials was huge (amazing)!! I'm not going to reveal details of the story, but what I don't get is that how on earth could the Charmed Ones use their powers in the past, and how the Law of no coincidences is oblivious to the author.


But as this is not the tv show, I suppose authors are able to use their imagination freely. My fave bit of this book is how Piper and Prue was under the evil influence of the root tea Prudence drank, given by Hugh, and they acquired amazing powers, which included being "evil" themselves and coming in handy to rescue their sister. I especially like the fact that Prudence did not succumb to the tainted root tea to nearly kill her own descendant, as the power of good always prevails!!! Also, its nice to involve the Charmed Ones' ancestor to this book, as readers somewhat know more about certain witches from the Warren line. Rosalind Noonan did a good job portraying each sister's characters, and how all their different and unique personalities combined together can pack a huge wallop. True to the series, with dry humour added and the Power of Three situation makes Whispers from the Past all the more enjoyable. And the fact that poor Phoebe, despite "stuck playing cinderella", she was determined to stay focused on the path to solving the problem, is also rather warmth-evoking.

In a nutshell: If you like Charmed, there's no doubt you will like this book. Not as excellent as Soul of the Bride, but close. One of my all-time faves. Well worth it!!!

Finally, a Phoebe episode [well book] that any Charmed fan can get behind. It's a time travel piece and a family get-together. Need I say more?

Fantastic addition to the Charmed series :) Not as good as 'Soul of the Bride' but up there with the best of the books.

I always love a good time-travel story if it's: 1) Well-Written, 2) Believeable. This book gets it on both counts.

The evil piper/prue angle was kinda amusing *ducks* The new powers they got were awesome too (though Piper's was kind of an extension on her stopping tme power)

This book does have a couple errors (Girls using their powers in the past to get home) but considering these books aren't written as fast as the series is ('least most of them seem that way)... we need to give the author's a break. We can't expect them to keep up with the pace/storylines of the show.

Considering SOME of the storylines 'Charmed' has taken, maybe the creators should look to some of these books for plot ideas.

I hope Miss Noonan puts in another contribution to the Charmed series again sometime.

This was the very first Charmed book I read and it was solid. I have now watched every episode of every season and there were no holes in it. I love all episodes that the sisters go back in time or forward or relive memories etc. If you are like me, then you will love this book too!