For-Children Books

Easy to understand, very informative and much more detailed than any other book on the subject that I've come across. We used this method as our form of birth control for 2 years effectively. When we were ready to conceive, the information in this book as well as in Choosing the Sex of Your Baby helped us conceive in a matter of a few months and we now have a 10 month old son, thanks in part to this book :).

This book is a great educational tool. Even if you do not want to practice FAM, it educates a woman on her body beyond what you will get in any biology class. Definitely a must have.

Considered the "Bible" of Fertility Awareness (FAM), this book is a real eye-opener for women and girls of all ages. The information about our bodies that is contained in this book is invaluable, and should really be taught to every girl approaching puberty (or sooner!). You will wonder why you weren't taught/didn't know the secrets that your body shares with you every month or so during different steps in your fertility cycles. Do you realize that the "due dates" doctors project for their pregnant patients can be completely inaccurate, depending on the length of your cycle and when you ovulated the month you conceived? Really awesome information. (FYI, This is not your mother's "Rhythm Method" of the past.)

To complete the journey from preconception health, to pregnancy, to birth and beyond, look to Healing Our Children: Because Your New Baby Matters! Sacred Wisdom for Preconception, Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting (ages 0-6) by Ramiel Nagel. The Fertility Awareness Method or Natural Family Planning is recommended by Ramiel as the only method of contraception safe enough to ensure the healthiest pregnancy and child possible.

This is a great comprehensive book! I learned a lot of information about my body that I was unaware that I didn't know. Why isn't this anatomy information taught in high school health?

I have only had this book for a short time, but it has already been very helpful. It is simple and informative. Exactly what I was hoping for so I am very pleased.

Review: These books are my comfort books. In fact, all of the Tamora Pierce books from the Tortall series' are in that category. This is the first of Pierce's quartets ever published, starting with Alanna: The First Adventure. They all have a very strong female protagonist, who takes her destiny head-on and finds a way to train as a knight, even though such a thing is only for boys and men. She is a lovable, and tough character, who is very full of honor, pride, and hard work/determination. She goes through her moments of confusion, especially in times where she is out of control, but it never stops her for long. It's just enough to add a dynamic and believable honesty to her character.

Recommendation: This should probably mainly be read by kids/young adults. While I have known people who read them only when they were older, they generally only ever liked the books, not loved them. As I re-read them now, I do notice the lack of development in the writing style and story lines - but I still love them, because I have loved them for a long time. They are generally appropriate for middle school students.
--Note that I say "middle school", because there is some confusion about menstrual cycles and sex. Nothing is very explicit, and all of it is done in a very naive sort of way, since Alanna doesn't understand much about womanly things. However, there are some parents who wouldn't think such things were appropriate for their little girls until at least middle school - if you make them wait until high school, however, they probably will miss out on the wonderfulness of the tale and the great values that are displayed. Personally, I read these in 6th grade.

Here are the other books in this wonderful quartet, in order:
#2: In the Hand of the Goddess (The Song of the Lioness)
#3: The Woman Who Rides Like a Man (The Song of the Lioness)
#4: Lioness Rampant (The Song of the Lioness)

The first two books in this series are a good read for 6-9 graders (advertised for these grades) but the 3rd and 4th series have some serious moral issues for this group. Alanna sleeps with three different guys in the last two books. I don't want my 6th grader to read these.....

A tale of growing up and acceptance with a strong female lead who shows, without being ultra feminist, that girls can accomplish anything that boys can.

Admittedly a huge fan of the "women-warrior, disguised as a man" characters, I have been disappointed time and again by peoples take on them, but not this time. The take on magic, the involvement of the gods, and the world, which holds different morals, gave to a very interesting atmosphere for the books to be set in. Alanna is a character that I couldn't help cheering for, and identifying with.

Granted as others point out, this is very obviously a first novel that will kick-off a series. And while I did enjoy it, I do prefer to have series of novels have the ability to be stand-alones.

A terrific kick-off, to what I hope to be a wonderful series.

My Mom bought me the series 10 years ago when I was 13... Since then I have read them over and over and over... I find them impossible to tire of and once I start reading I don't want to put it back down... although by now I have half the books memorized.
I started reading these books when I was 13 years old and loved them... now at 23 years old- I still love to read this series.
The Immortals series is excellent as well.

My daughter started reading this book at age 12, and has had it for 2 years. She still loves to go back and read selections of love, hope, courage. Give your teenager something worth reading! :)

I bought this book as a gift for my 16yr old niece. The very next day, she told me how much she loved the book. She even cried reading it. I think it's nice to find reading materials that can move the minds and feelings of teenagers.

I skimmed through the book before I gave it to my granddaughter who just turned 13. I thought it had some well written stories that a teenager can relate to and a lot of food for thought. She was so happy to get it, since she had the one for pre-teens also and really liked it.

Once again, "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books has a hit. This is a wonderful gift for young teens with its easy read of short stories on pertinent topics and experiences teens face. Teens I have given it to as a gift have loved it and purchased the next in the teen series. Also a source of good talking points for those anxiety ridden moments or social issues teens face.

I am a teacher in two high schools and I like to read the stories of the book to my students from time to time to inspirate them and reinforce their teenage self esteem! I suggest it to all teacher to make the same with a nice calm background music.

Oh how I felt for this child. My heart was torn in two. Child abuse just astounds me. How does it happen. And then the ignorance of the legal system! The school dragging their feet along, knowing something was wrong. I cried through this book.

Some of the writing is uneven, the plot a little bit disjointed, but in fairness to the author, he is writing from the perspective of a twelve-year-old boy.

This book is vitally important, because there still isn't much in the way of non-fiction written by grown men who were abused as children. Their needs are completely different from those of girls. Pelzer's reaction to being placed into his first foster home - literally bouncing off the walls, jumping on all the beds, is perfectly normal behavior for a boy who has been abused. At times, boys taken into foster care are doubly abused, by well-meaning caretakers who don't understand the unique temperament of the abused male child.

In my view, the system very nearly failed Pelzer by shifting him from one placement to another, often at the last minute. However, his positive attitude is truly inspiring, and he has only praise for the social workers and foster parents he dealt with as a child.

It is impossible for a normal person from an intact Brady-bunch family to understand why a child, placed into a loving and safe second home, would start acting insane and doing everything they could to get kicked out of that home. It's a child's fantasy that holds out even into teenage years, that somehow, being kicked out of a foster home means that they're one step closer to going home, even if deep down, they honestly know that they can't ever live with their parents again.

I highly recommend this book to any person considering becoming a foster parent, and for people who are employed as caretakers in group homes or who work with children and young adults in placement. The writing style is easy enough to appeal to even a middle-school age child, especially one that is already in foster care.

I also enjoyed this book as much as A Child Called "IT". This also made me cry as much as as the first one. I could not put it down as well.

This book among others written by Dave have left me riveted. I can't put them down. All I see is a man who has overcome the circumstances placed before him. He is such an inspiration, I only wish more people would read his books and make something out of their lives, instead of playing the victim (which is much easier to do)

The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family by Dave Pelzer is a sequel to the heartbreaking memoir, A Child Called "It". Pelzer explains what happened after he was taken away by his abusive mother and neglectful father. This book is really uplifting and moving. I highly recommend this fascinating story and his quest to find a foster family who will love him unconditionally. Enjoy!

I started reading this author's books a while back and now my kids have started The Kingdoms and the Elves books. With excellent writing, a strong plot and great characters, this is a great read. I enjoyed the marvelous illustrations as well, the rich detail made it feel like a graphic novel at times.

The books tell the story of Great Kingdom and the Reach Elves. The main characters are Adrina Alder, Vilmos Tabborath, and Brother Seth. In the early books the main villains are evil shapeshifters called wolmerrelle. Their queen is vile and cruel and has an evil plot in the works against mankind. The evil shapeshifters aren't the only villains, however, and as the story continues the full details emerge of the great change taking place.

I'd also recommend Keeper Martin's Guide to the Fantastical Beasts and Faerie Peoples of Ruin Mist and The Art of Ruin Mist: Heroes and Villains. The best editions of this book are The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 1) (Keeper Martin's Tales), The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches II (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 2) (Keeper Martin's Tales), The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches III (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 3) (Keeper Martin's Tales), and The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches IV (Reader's Choice Edition, Keeper Martin's Tales Book 4) (Keeper Martin's Tales).

About a year ago I decided to start reading 'The Kingdoms and the Elves' series because I had heard so much praise about them. When I read the first one, I was totally amazed and by the second one Robert Stanek was my new favorite author.

In this opening volume, Stanek takes you into the unforgettable fantasy universe of Ruin Mist. Ruin Mist was once ruled by mighty dragons and titans, but now ages have passed and most have left the world of men and elves.

His writing is so descriptive that you can imagine everything perfectly in your mind's eye. It has something for everyone, including action, adventures, battles, deception, intrigue and will make you care about the characters you are reading about.

I definitely see why this book has become a classic. It really is one of the best books of all time. If you haven't read it yet, I highly suggest you get a copy and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

I got fooled by the reviews for this book. It's pure fantasy! Just do some research on the web for yourself before you buy these books. If an author is so good why does he not register on wiki? Come on Amazon, your review system is being exploited.

I am a reader. I read 4-5 books per week. My children are finally adults and I can return to my love of reading. I am always looking for new authors and research and google to expand my author lists. I did this before buying The Kingdom and The Elves of the Reaches books. Even with this research I did not discover I was duped until I purchased all 4 books through Amazon. Since I purchased these books from Amazon, and have acually read them all, I believe I have the right to make this post.

These books were so awful, after I read them I HAD to research them. With over 300 positive Amazon reviews, I just could NOT figure it out. I have read fantasy off and on for years, and these books are not good. No one reading them could even begin to consider them good. They are not even coherent, just when you think you will learn something about the story, another character interrupts the first. I even considered they were a type of quasi-intellectual-clique that was escaping me, but I don't think so.

Research these boooks yourself on google with certain words that may occur to you, and you will find many articles referring to this author. Also keep in mind, that among his non-fiction listed at geocities.com is "Increase Your Web Traffic 3rd Edition (2000)".

DO NOT BUY THESE BOOKS.......THE "STORY" IS SIMPLY NOT THERE.

No redemption, no growth of loveable characters, children could not possibly care one way or another because there is no cohesive story to follow. It is like gaps of conversations at the end of a telephone game. I am intelligent enough to follow a book that jumps around with its characters, I enjoy those books. These do not do that successfully. I am totally amazed at how truly awful they are.

I normally would not post a review like this, some books are simply not to my personal liking, and I appreciate that. However, I feel I need to dispute the inordinate amount of positive postings that would lead others to buy these titles. I certainly fell for it. These books are really, really not deserving of all those five stars. I should have listened to my instincts, even my favorite authors have a variety of reviews and stars, but for some reason these do not.

Buy at your own risk.

This book pulls you in from the first few pages. The writer does an excellent job of getting the reader to immediately empathize with the main characters - Vilmos, Adrina, and Seth. The story is interesting and intriquing, and the author develops many of the other characters fairly well.

The book was enjoyable, and even several years later remains as one of the few fantasy series that I often recommend to people who are not devoted fantasy readers.

We follow Vilmos, Adrina, and Seth through his many trials and tribulations. Throughout most of the book, the author gets the reader involved in all aspects of their life and makes us care about them. They become like friends.

I also found the end notes about the peoples, places and things in the world interesting. Without giving too much away about the ending, be prepared to listen to -- or read -- Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches #2.

This book is a valuable resource to anyone who is caring for an elderly family member. While reading the often funny, always touching, occasionally horrifying memoir, I learned so much about caring for my aging mother. This is rich with advice, examples, and brilliance. Thank you, Jackie, for sharing your story with us. I will buy more copies and give them to my friends whose parents are approaching the age where they'll need some care. I am also now taking assessment of my own behaviors as I get older; I don't want any of my bad habits following me into my golden years! It is clear from your Jake Tales that these habits may become exaggerated as we get older and I don't want my kids to have to deal with me if I'm going to be difficult

This is an excellent book for those who find themselves frustrated by the behavior of elders who are suffering from just enough dementia to be wreaking havoc, but not enough to be institutionalized. I read the book in one evening because I was desperate to learn how I might deal with an elder's belligerent outbursts, illogical thinking and unwillingness to accept help. The author faced similar issues with her father and her examples rang 100% true to me. At the end of the book, the author provides specific techniques and tips for modifying the elder's behavior. I tried some of her suggestions the very next day, and it worked! The sense of calm that I gained, knowing that I now had a "toolkit" of resources and ideas from this book, was invaluable to me. Save your sanity - get this book if you are dealing with demented elders now, or think you might be in the near future!

As a professional caregiver coordinator for a local Area Agency on Aging I read a lot of books on caregiving and Alzheimer's disease. This is the best book I have read on the subject. The story is told with humor, but it is full of excellent tips and education on the subject. A must read if you are a caregiver caring for an Alzheiemr's loved one.

I got this wonderful book about a year after my mom passed. I still refer to it so much that it is dog-eared, for information, resources and to enjoy Jackie's humorous writing style. (Okay, I admit it, I stole her idea of quoting artists and thanking them!!! I thought that was brilliant and it added a whole new dimension of enjoyment of the book for me!!!)

The book really helped me understand that the many feelings I went through while my mom was ill were NOT abnormal, and that my attempts to help were not in vain, although with this resource, I could have figured out even more and better things to do - - especially calling in APS early on. I truly think my mom's frequent infections were caused by lack of cleanliness at home and I COULD NOT get my parents to accept help with cleaning. I even hired a geriatric care manager, who recommended services that my parents would not accept. I think I would have been able to get them to accept a lot more services had I read this book first - - or at least I would have had some ideas to try.

I had the additional drawback of living 1500 miles from my parents, which is why I ended up hiring a geriatric manager (who saved MY life by just BEING there so many times when I needed someone to talk to, which Jackie points out is so important - - to have people to talk to about the elder you are caring for.) But I found that even on two extended trips to be with my family, I was unable to get the concrete results I wanted. That's why I think involving professionals, such as APS and the police, would have been so helpful if I'd thought of it at that time.

In a nutshell, this book made me feel like I was hearing from a very dear and knowledgeable friend with reassurance on a most confusing and difficult situation. I continue in my quest for info on elder care, but this remains far and away the most helpful and most enjoyable book I have read on the subject. Thanks Jackie!!!

This is a good book for anyone trying to help elderly parents. I found the style of writing, relating all things to old tv shows, sometimes distracting and confusing but the information in the book was so worth the read. It gave me strength and focus on dealing with my Mom. I am still continuing to find resources through this book and it is really a valuable tool.

Wonderful book for young preteen girls. My daughter loved the book and was excited to learn more about her body and ask me any questions that she had.

I bought this book for my 12 year old daughter and she loves it! She was so excited about this book, she shared it with one of her friends.

This book is exactly what we needed! My 8-year-old daughter and I just finished reading it together and it was a perfect way to introduce her to puberty and all it entails. It is written for young girls in a way that doesn't talk down to them but is also completely appropriate for girls 8 and up. I appreciated the discussions about the emotions and difficulties girls face during puberty, beyond just the "facts." My thanks to the authors! I will be recommending this to all of my mom friends who have girls.

This book is a great introduction for 8-9 year old girls on how their bodies work. I thought it had just the right amount of information for my 8 1/2 year old. She is not ready for, or interested in, detailed scientific descriptions about the "facts of life." The material is presented in a very straightforward way and covers a wide range of topics from dental care, to shaving, to menstruation. The book helped me introduce topics to my daughter in a very matter-of-fact way without embarassment or making a big deal out of it. I will be recommending it to my friends with young girls.

The Care & Keeping of You:
The Body Book for Girls

Where was this book when I was growing up? What a great book for girls.

As a mother of three girls and a grandmother of four girls, I give thumbs up to The Care & Keeping of You.

I began reading this book with my nine-year-old granddaughter, Autumn. She enjoyed learning about how to brush her hair, and her teeth. She loved the illustrations and the advice. We each took a turn reading.

When it came to the chapter about her period, she said, "Please don't make me read that part, right now. I want to read the rest of the book, but I want to wait until I'm around 12 to read that part."

I told her, "Sure, we can wait. But at least you know the book is here, if you need to know about it."

She is growing up in a home with a mom and two older sisters, and her mom as already had "the talk" with her.

The chapter about developing is great. All girls don't develop at the same rate. Some are uncomfortable because they aren't developing, while others are unhappily, developing too fast. It tells the girls that they are all different and that they have many other great things about them. They should focus on their smiles, or their talents, not what others think about them. Above all, hold their heads up and keep good posture.

I think a book that answers all the questions a girl will have, growing up, is a great idea. This book also encourages the girls to talk to their mothers or an adult they can trust.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat

Beautiful book, great going away present or changing life/adventure present. I find the book to be a realistic view on life, it doesn't sugar coat the turmoils of life's experience. However, it gives a great sense of when life doesn't go to plan everything will be good in the end and encourages us to embrace life's curve balls.

This book is great for ALL ages! I originally read this book when it was given to my dad by a friend as he was starting his own business. And now I read it to my 18-month old, who seems to love it. Maybe it's the rhymes and the pictures that my little one loves so much right now, but the message of the book is great for ALL ages.

This classic Dr. Seuss book is not just for kids. It's probably not even especially for kids. This classic book is the perfect gift for transitions: graduation, weddings, adoptions (my favorite paired with Dr. Seuss's "Horton Hatches An Egg"), new job, getting fired from a horrible job, ....)

And this deluxe edition is especially perfect for that gift at a special landmark occasion.

Ted Geisel might have crafted a book that gets shelved in the Children's Section in libraries and book stores, but he was writing especially to those of us who periodically forget, and want or need to remember, how magical and special every day of life can be.

Oh, the Places You'll Go! is a very good graduation gift, and my traditional gift for such occasions. But in regular bookstores, the cost usually averages at $18. Now, used books are great ideas, usually about $5, but not for graduation gifts. So when these $12 per arrived in perfect NEW condition I was thrilled. Go Amazon.

We use this book as a completion/graduation gift for a summer program for high school students that gives them experience in working at a university-level research project. The program is called SHARP. The book edition is hardback with a color-embossed jacket, so it will hold up as a keepsake, and the kids use it as they would a yearbook--collecting autographs and keep-in-touch messages from their friends and teachers.

I read this before I read the other series (Song of the Lioness)so I really had no background info on the setting. The plot is intriguing and the details back it worthwhile.

Daine is a young girl, newly orphaned who applies for work at a horse fair. The horse trainer, Onua doesn't want to take on such a young girl but gives her a chance and sets her in among the horses she has already purchased. It's not a problem for Daine that those horses are wild, untamed and unruly because Daine has wild magic and can speak to the animals.

Onua takes her on and they set off for the capital of Tortall because Onua is the horse-mistress of the Queen's Riders. Daine makes herself invaluable on the way by keeping the horses in line and fighting off immortals.

She meets Numair who plays a huge role as her teacher in the rest of the series. Numair is 27 at the start of the series and Daine is 13 so there is a huge age gap there.

Daine's magic grows leaps and bounds under Numairs tutelage and Daine's wild magic becomes instrumental in saving Tortall from Carthaki invaders.

Daine is probably my favorite character in the Tamora Pierce world of Tortall. She's got this natural thing with animals that I would love to have... She's not overly stubborn (like Alanna) or boring (like Kel - she was my least favorite heroine) or mischievous (like Aly, who is my second favorite (^_^) ) or even determined (like Pierce's newest heroine Bekka). Daine is just nice and has a lot of common sense and is brave.

This is the most disappointing thing I have ever bought online. Actually, I don't know because it hasn't come yet. I ordered it over a week and a half ago and it still hasn't come. Why sell when you don't deliver?

Wild Magic, a book by Tomora Pierce and the first book in the series The Immortals, is about a girl named Daine. Daine was always good with animals. Then she leaves her home and realizes she is more than good with animals; she has magic. Her magic allows her to talk to them and they obey her. Her magic is about to run away with her when her new job sets her in the company of a kind mage named Numair. Numair helps her learn how to control and use her magic.
My favorite part was when all the birds in the story help Daine fight off several Stormwings. Even though they all die, Daine's powers seep out and bring the birds back to life, fix broken wings, and heal their wounds. This book would be great for anyone in to fantasy and fiction books, more for someone in 6th too 8th grade. I don't really know, older groups of people might like it as well. I give this book a 10 on a scale of 1:10.
This book has sparked my imagination. I am always thinking about how life would be if we had magical powers. This book is very entertaning and keeps the adventure going. I hope you read the other books in the Immortals series. This book captivated me. I hope you enjoy/ enjoyed it as much as I have.
-- Skylar Rowan

This is an excellent book. Tamora Pierce is a great author. I just bought another copy of this book because I misplaced my first copy.

To get the most enjoyment from this beautiful book, buy the original Katherine Woods translation.

This is a wonderful story and a great book I was able to share with my students. The only drawback with the book is that the pages are not in color, but the extremely low price allowed me to purchase the books for my students out of my own pocket.

Katherine Woods' translation is the only English-language version of The Little Prince which captures the beauty, simplicity, clarity, and profundity of the Antoine de St. Exupery's classic, penned in French.

(The newer translation is appallingly horrid and bland, mistaken, and frankly perplexing.)

This is really not a children's book, although older children will appreciate it.

Don't measure the value by the thickness of the book. De St. Exupery, himself a WWI pilot, writes with a great economy yet produces here the most beautiful poetry with a delightful playfulness and childlike innocence -- a fresh vision which thus sees clearly and does not obscure the profound.

Mr. Fred Rogers used to quote from de St. Exupery, whose image and illustrations once graced the 20-franc note (in the days before the euro).

There simply is no other work like this one. It is an exceptionally rare treasure, a masterpiece.

Be sure to read Katherine Woods' translation. Read it privately, when you have time to savor each word. And keep a box of tissues nearby.

I was an adult when i read this book, and i really appreciated the lessons in life that Saint-Exupery shares through the Little Prince.

A great book, full of beautiful illustrations, easy to read, while fun and sad at the same time.

I personally read it as if Exupery is sharing with us the conversations he has with his own inner child, in the image of the Little Prince. That is why the Little Prince would ask many questions, but rarely answer the ones he was asked. Like all our inner children he's been hidden inside and kept silent for a long long time, and now that he was given his chance, he will speak. And we better listen, for he is an integral part of our psyche, who will take us through the most unbelievable adventures.

The Little Prince has often been heralded as a youthful book, required reading in elementary and high schools alike. In delivering it this way I think The Little Prince is missed by the only audience that is likely to truly appreciate it, that is adults. It is not an uncommon misconception that this is a children's book. Indeed, I keep the pictures stored on my computer, and am often asked where they came from. I reply that they are from one of my favourite books, and without fail the response is along the lines of, 'I don't mean to be rude but is that a children's book?'. 'No', I explain, 'it is not'.

The Little Prince is most needed, I think, by adults. It is easy to be caught up in, as De Saint-Exupery describes it, 'matters of consequence' and forget that it is not these matters which bring meaning to life. By pointing out the futility of professions practised endlessly and in isolation of other people, it becomes clear that the Little Prince, with his rose, is the only character with a life of consequence.

This book is beautifully written and translated by Katherine Woods. It speaks volumes through its simple tale, strange though it seems that matters such as these only become clear when they are somewhat removed from reality. Matters such as love, innocence, imagination and priorities. The Little Prince is a gentle and stirring reminder to never forget to see the boa constrictor from the hat.