Birthdays Books

...it was old-fashioned even then: Twirling around the dance floor in a boy's arms? Yet I loved it. Wouldja believe when I was first married, my husband and I took turns reading it aloud for laughs? We still say to each other "Hello there!" a la Marcy Stokes. No doubt about it, it wouldn't have been the same childhood w/o Cleary.

This story is and older time story about a girl named Jane Purdy. She is a girl who isn't noticed all the time and spends most of her time babysitting. One day when she is babysitting a little naughty girl who is going to dump ink on the white rug runs into the Doggie Diner deliverer who is totally cute. Later he calls her and they start dating. When the school dance comes he says he is going with someone else and she is devastated. Is Stan like someone else? Read this book to find out what happens.

First off, let me tell you that I really liked this book. It was a little old fashion because it was writen in the 1950's, but it still had the same meaning.

Anyway, this book is about a girl, Jane, and her wanting to meet a boy very much. She keeps telling herself that she will meet this hansome boy thats around 16 and, they will fall madly in love. Well, it does happen for her, but just not in that order. She meets a boy while baby-siting for a little girl. They start to go out, but then he doean't ask her to the first high school dance. She is very hurt, but then he tells her its just one big mistake. Its really just about a girl going through her teenage years.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Great work from Beverly Cleary!!! Two thumbs up!! Read this book!!!

Jane Purdy is a girl who really just isn't noticed like Marcy Strokes, who is known by all. While Marcy is going around with boys in converertibles, Jane is babysitting. Jane dreams of the day when she has a boy to take her to dances and the movies. One who is not too short to let Jane wear highheels and is old enough to drive.
That day feels like it will never come, but it does sooner than she thinks.

One day, Jane was at her wits end while is babysitting a little girl who was about to spill a bottle of permant ink on a white designer rug. Totally unexpected, the boy of Jane's dreams walks through the door. Through finding a boy Jane finds herself.

The dating style of a 15 yr. old in the 1950's is very different from dating today. This is a incredibly clean romance for preteens. But like most of Cleary's work there are dull and boring parts which want to make you put the book down. I would recommend this book if you like a very girly story.

Jane Purdy is a fifteen-year-old girl live in a fifteen year old world where the coolest girls are the ones wearing cashmere sweaters with blonde hair and tan skin. Jane Purdy wants luck to be on her side and...it gets on her side right away. She meets Stan Crandall. He's the perfect guy! He's even tall enough for her to wear high heels around him!Yet Jane is nervous...is she ready for Stan Crandall?

I think every girl can relate in some way to this book. It's a great read, filled with romance. So do yourself a favor and pick it up!

Somehow, I expected introspection, character, and depth. I truly do not know why I did. Sylvia Plath was brilliant, but this is not about her genius. Her former husband, Ted, came along for the ride, representing a millstone about her neck, and found publication simply by association. Were it not for her, we would know nothing of this man and his jaunty verse.

Nothing about his poetry flows as Sylvia's did, and one would think he would have gleaned something from her, yet he failed. Is strange how one can live and love a person, yet not be influenced or inspired. In his case, it is as if she never existed.

While this is not a pity-missive about Sylvia, I would find it impossible not to be shaped by the opportunity to have known someone so utterly in touch with themselves and their art form. How he can remain unaffected in his work is beyond me.

In having read the memoir of Jillian Becker, "Giving Up, The Last Days of Sylvia Plath," there is noticeable resent and hatred on the part of Ted Hughes when he arrives at Sylvia's funeral. It seems obvious he felt more "polished" in his art than his wife, yet her pain spilled like liquid on paper and reached thousands of people. One can study language theory eternally, as Ted did, but if native talent is not present, nothing worthy can come about.

Ted Hughes is a jumble of meaningless words strung together. Sylvia Plath exposes her very soul and resonates, still, with the darkest days we have all experienced in our lives.

Sylvia Plath IS poetry, and, no, it need not rhyme.

Ted Hughes is not worth the paper he is printed upon.

British poet laureate Ted Hughes (1930-1998) was married to American poet, author, and feminist icon Sylvia Plath, who committed suicide in 1963.

On one hand suicide is shabby and unfair because the people left behind are made to suffer unjustly. On the other hand, who can judge when someone has reached their limit, when enough is enough and life has lost all its meaning and flavor? These birthday letters are by someone left behind.

Much to his credit, Ted Hughes does not judge his wife's act. He never asks her why she did it, he simply accepts without remonstration that she chose to end her days. He stands accused by many of Plath's fans has having driven her to this, and his poems show he does accept a share of the blame for the suffering he caused her. The collection shows his suffering, and Hughes' perception of hers.

For her suicide to have caused such pain in him, the bond between Plath and Hughes must have been strong and true. We find many intimate stories in these letters as well, as when Hughes describes his American trips in Yellowstone Park or on some beach picking up a horseshoe crab.

The poems are written in the first and second person, with all save two addressed to Plath. They are all in Hughes' own voice, resonating like an internal monologue, but with no one to answer his words. Hughes is talking to a ghost.

Vincent Poirier, Dublin

I have grown up reading Sylvia Plath, recently read the biography of Assia Wevill (the mistress), and have vilified Ted Hughes mentally for years... But now I have read these poems, and I can see now that there are realms of the heart that the eye never sees, and we will never be able to judge the past of two other souls. These poems are wonderful, and it is pleasing to see that I enjoy Hughe's poetry as much or more than Plath's. Read these and Hughe's other works before you rush to judgement, they are truly works to be recognized.

Ted Hughes' tribute to his first wife, Sylvia Plath, is encased in poetic richness, exposing their marriage and affection in a way that an interview never could. In Mr. Hughes' native tongue, poetry, he details their relationship and it's demise, with references to his infamous mistress Assia Weevil and shows a man deeply affected by the suicides of two women he loved. Yet, more so, it reveals the haunting effect Sylvia left behind, the same intrigue that continues to etch her mark on the literary world. In a moving and shockingly personal manner, he reveals a rare look into the other half of the pendulum swing that was the marriage of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes.

I have to admit that morbid curiosity drove me to buy this book. I was fascinated with learning more about a man who lost two wives to suicide. And, being an English major in the US, I read A LOT of Plath but was never exposed to Hughes' work. I think there is a prejudice against him, especially by female poets/scholars.

But, this quickly became my favorite collection of poetry. Hughes uses Plath's own mythology to eulogize her--her father obsession, her suicide attempts. But he also weaves the familiar into it--her attempt at making rag rugs and at domesticity in general. Any married person can understand his imagery and his heartbreak. Of course, my favorite is Dreamers, when Ted realizes he loves another woman. She seems as exotic to him as his marriage seems dull.

I enjoyed the book, I'm not real big on long drawn out reads, however I had a hard time putting it down. Rocky used true-life stories told with a good sense of humor and compassion as well as relating to larger life issues. The book gave me a bit of the feel of Alaska and how wild it can be.

I also spent a week up at Rocky's Lodge in July with my Dad, 3 Brothers, and all the sons and nephews 13 in all. We caught many fish (released most of them) along with some great fun with Rocky's family guides and staff. The accommodations of the lodge and the food were incredible.

Can't wait for the next book!

I picked up this book at the recommendation of a friend. I could not put it down. It tells one hair raising, exciting, interesting, and amusing Alaskan adventure story after another. I especially loved the story of President Bush tweaking the big Austrians and their star fishing guide with one amazing catch after another.
This book is much more than a collection of hunting and fishing stories though --it is the story of a passionate man, with the support of a long suffering, loving wife pursuing his calling with everything God has given him. This book captures the pure fun of living life to the fullest and bringing others along to share in the experience. It is obvious that the great delight of the author is to have others experience the joys of the Alaskan wilderness with him. This book is written in a way that allows many of us to vicariously share in the fun at a safe distance from grizzly bears and near fatal plane wrecks and boat crashes.

I must say, from the perspective of someone who has never experienced the Alaskan wilderness firsthand Wild Men Wild Alaska does an amazing job of painting the beauty and nostalgia for it's readers. This is definitely one of those books that you just can't put down, highly recommended!

I purchased this book with high hopes that I had come across something really good. However, upon reading it, I unfortunately became quite disappointed with the man and his book. My main complaint is that he seems to exercise poor judgment in many of his expeditions. He makes many careless mistakes in the wilderness which needlessly jeopardize himself and his clients. One example is where he does not take his rifle with him to the creek knowing there are bears in the area. That is a careless mistake. Any guide worth his weight always carries his gun with him, always. He cited stories of sleeping in blood-stained clothes. That is another careless mistake. He cites examples of harrowing rescues, but most of which occurred due to his poor planning and recklessness with regard to his environment. Most of his scary situations probably could have been avoided if he had shown better judgment and had planned better. I also found his analogies to the faith rather forced. I paraphrase: "Alaska is really tough, so is the Christian walk." Or another example, paraphrasing once again, "There are some nasty people in life who want to get you, just like some mean animals in Alaska." Another criticism is that the book seems to have been written by a 4th grade student. The vocabulary is too basic; sentences are very poorly written throughout the book, i.e., his syntax and morphology. He uses exclamation points and italics almost in every other sentence, which is a substitute for poor writing. I really wanted to like this book, but it was almost insulting that a Christian book is so poorly written. I am wondering how this book made it past the editors in it's published condition. Furthermore, he doesn't seem to have much respect for the beauty of the land and the creatures he is killing. It never seems to enter his mind that he is a steward of God's creation and Alaska is place of unsurpassed rugged beauty. I am not opposed to hunting, but he rarely speaks of conservation or stewardship. I don't want to just disparage the book without offering some solutions. If you want to read a book about real adventure in Alaska, not unnecessary adventure due to carelessness, please read "Alaska's Wolf Man" which is the story of Frank Glaser. You will gain a perspective on Alaskan adventure that you will not get from "Wild Men, Wild Alaska." I am sure Rocky is a great guy, but he is a careless guide. Most of his mistakes are careless mistakes that someone with a fair amount of rugged wilderness experience would never make. If you want real adventure, head off to Sweden for moose hunting or to Norway for reindeer hunting with a Laplander. Wild at Heart was a good, not great, book on the idea of men discovering their passion, but this one is exploitative of this new genre.

I found this book to be refreshing, honest, creative, vulnerable and challenging. Even if you're not an outdoorsman par excellance like the author, his style draws you into the great adventures of Alaska. I not only appreciated the raw realities of hunting expeditions, but also the tender realities that were revealed in the partnership Rocky has with his wife, Sharon. Here's a good read. Enjoy!!!

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 5 year old loves Fancy Nancy books! Great colorful, detailed illustrations and very girly stories.

This book is pretty good. Teaches some big words. My daughter is 5 and liked it.

Leap Day is a book about a a girl named Josie who is turning 16 years old, but she has her birthday on February 29th which is "Leap Day",but her official birthday only comes only once every four years so she tell people that its her fourth birthday. In the book she has friends all around the world that she talks to that also has a birthday on leap day, and every year they give each over weird gifts to each other.Also Josieloves to act so she is trying out for her school play "Romeo and Juliet" and goes and trys for her driving test to get her license.And she also has has her three best friends Megan, Zoey and Katy and they throw her a 16th birthday at the lake.
My favorite part of the book Leap Day is when her and her friends go on a scavenger hunt. I like this part of the book the best because I thoght it was the most intresting and I could't put the book down because i wanted to see what happended next and see if they are going to win. Also when they have to get a teachers clothing i thought its was pretty funny when Katy goes upstairs and steals there teachers clothing in there house.Thats why I think it is the best part of the book, when they all go on the scavenger hunt.
This book is one of my favorite books i've read i read the book twice because I liked it so much and I will probably read it again too.So yes, I do recommend this book to others because I like how after each chapter they show he other thoughts and opinoins.I liked the book how it was set up lke that i think other books should be like that because then you will no what others really are thinking and how you would not think that they are really thinking that.So that is why I recommend this book to others.

Leap Day, a follow-up to Wendy Mass' A Mango-Shaped Place, is equally as fun and unique as its predecessor. Leap Day follows Josie on her 16th birthdy, but since she was born on 2/29, it's only the fourth time she has celebrated her birthday on the actual day she was born. This book's unique format is such a cool idea - Josie narrates through her day for one chapter, and after that, the chapter rewinds and goes again, this time from the perspective of all the other characters in the chapter. It's so interesting to see who Josie understands and who she doesn't, and how many assumptions everyone makes of everyone else. Josie is a prism, viewed by different people from a different side, and then we also get her own perspective on herself as she goes through her day at school, takes her driver's license test, goes on a scavenger hunt, and undergoes the secret rites of all 16 year old Orlando teens at a mysterious lake. This book is so fun and different from any other YA novel I've read, and is easily appropriate for middle school and up but will still keep their attention. Wendy Mass is a sure bet.

In the book leap day by Wendy Mass the main character is Josie Taylor. Leap day the title, goes along with the book because Josie is born on leap day, February 29. So it is only her forth birthday when she is actually turning 16 years old. In this book there are many conflicts that arise in this book one of the conflicts is Josie and taking her driver licenses test. Another conflict is she is trying out for the play the role is Juliet and her crush is trying out for the same play. She has three close friends Katy, Zoey, Megan. She thinks that her friend Megan is hiding some big secret from her. Meanwhile all this is happening Josie's friends are planning a sweet sixteen party for her at the lake.
I really enjoyed reading this book! This book is very interesting to read because it gives all the view points on the characters not just Josie's view point. At some parts of the book it is kind of boring but most of the story it pull's you into the story and made you think and read more of it. I recommended the book leap day to everyone I just think it is a fabulous book and everyone should read it!

In the book leap day by Wendy Mass the main character is Josie Taylor. Leap day the title, goes along with the book because Josie is born on leap day, February 29. So it is only her forth birthday when she is actually turning 16 years old. In this book there are many conflicts that arise in this book one of the conflicts is Josie and taking her driver licenses test. Another conflict is she is trying out for the play the role is Juliet and her crush is trying out for the same play. She has three close friends Katy, Zoey, Megan. She thinks that her friend Megan is hiding some big secret from her. Meanwhile all this is happening Josie's friends are planning a sweet sixteen party for her at the lake.
I really enjoyed reading this book! This book is very interesting to read because it gives all the view points on the characters not just Josie's view point. At some parts of the book it is kind of boring but most of the story it pull's you into the story and made you think and read more of it. I recommended the book leap day to everyone I just think it is a fabulous book and everyone should read it!

If you like books about real life situations, this would be a great book for you to read. Leap Day, by Wendy Mass, is about a teenager named Josie Taylor. On Josie's fourth birthday, she is turning sixteen years old. It might seem strange, but her birthday is on February 29, leap day. One of the problems Josie faces is getting her drivers license, since she is turning sixteen. She is trying out for the school play, Romeo and Juliet. She has a huge crush on an older guy named Grant, and he is trying out for the same play as Josie. She thinks one of her friends, Megan, has an eating disorder, and has a big secret that she wont tell Josie, or anyone else. Also her friend Zoey has an accident with self tanner. Then a group of her friends, Megan, Zoey and Katy, are all doing the sophomore scavenger hunt. Josie's friends are also planning a birthday party, or sweet sixteen initiation at the lake. Josie also has to deal with her brothers girlfriend breaking up with him, and a girl at school getting pregnant. I really liked how this book can relate to your life.

The author of Leap Day, Wendy Mass, writes this book in a really different way. After saying what is going on in Josie's life, she tells the different view points of the other characters. I thought it was very interesting to hear the other characters views other than Josie's, on the same subjects. After telling the other view points, sometimes she tells what is going to happen to them in the future. I would recommend reading this if you are looking for a great book to read.

This is another great book by Colette Peters. She is extremely creative. If you have some good cake decorating experience under your belt, some of her cakes are very doable! Awesome photos! This book is very inspirational and chalk full of new projects to try! keep the great ideas coming, Colette!

Some amazing pictures, Mind blowing cakes, alot of fun just to look at, And some great tips to get started making these beautiful cakes

There are so many whimsical cake designs that it's hard to choose one. I had the pleasure of taking a class at Colette's shop in New York and got to see some of the designs in person. The attention to detail is amazing, and the colors are so vibrant. I absolute love the fish cake on the cover but the purse cake is my favorite.

This book has lots of great ideas. Its just not what I expected. I love colette's newer work and i think shes incredibly talented BUT this book lacks INTEREST.The best cake was the one on the cover.. Also the cakes seem extremely time consuming using tons of Fondant. I hate to sound so negative because there are good ideas but i dont think i'll be making many of these cakes. But i will use some of the techniques she uses.

This book gives me something to work up to. Initially it is a little intimidating to the novice decorator (such as myself), but Colette Peters does a great job of breaking down the instructions so that it seems easier than it looks. Even if you are not crazy about every design in this book, it is sure to inspire.

Pretty cute book for 18months and up. Our 18 month old is obsessed with moons so he loves it.

This is the best book ever... My mother used to read this book to me at bedtime every night and I loved it so much. It was also one of the first books I learned to read on my own. It is great that I could find it on here. I gave the one I had when I was little to my nephew. I am going to purchase this one for myself and for the friends of mine who already have children...This will definitely be on my childrens' shelves when I plan to start a family. A Great and simple read that teaches children to appreciate the little things..
Thanks for reading...

(on behalf of my 6 year old son). I like this book because nothing went wrong except one thing, and it was when bear said, "Hello" but it echoed. I recommend this book because it is a pretty good beginner book.

My three year old loves this. Easy, quick bedtime book.

I have the original printing of this book that my mom bought for me when I was little and I still read it to this day just for sheer enjoyment. This is the perfect book for toddlers (I read it to my little brother when he was very young and he loved it!) I considered giving away my copy as a gift to a friend of mind who is having a baby soon and I decided to buy her her own copy because I couldn't bear to part with mine. This is a book to pass down definitely!

I agree with the review of J. Arena that this book is a wonderful, warm introduction into the world of books. It has an uplifting family message featuring colorful and cute artwork that holds my children's attention. It's among many of the books my children ask me to read to them. I'm also happy to know that it's helping the food bank.

This is a great picture book. It's a fun book to read to your kids.

Since retiring, I love reading to my grandchildren (kind of a new hobby) and this book is one of their favorites. The book has an important message of the love a family provides. My grandchildren like the end of the story when the baby bug is thinking about her family. In my opinion, it's great for toddlers to first grade. Cute artwork, too.

My daughter that just turned 3 loves this book. She loves looking at the pictures and when she sees a ladybug outside, she says "Look, it's ladybug baby bug". I know it's a bedtime story, but I read it to her at breakfast. It's a nice family book.

This book is so cute. My kids love ladybugs and this book. It also is helping the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Whimsical illustrations hold your children's attention. A very sweet story. Highly recommended.

This book is the best one I've ever seen of this type of publication. The pictures of these glorious cakes and petit fours are fabulous and you feel inspired just by viewing. I can't wait to attempt some of the featured desserts. I'm delighted by this book and so is everyone else who sees it. A great purchase!

Wow what an inspirational book - so pretty, girlie and divine. I already have had success with one of the recipes.

Beautiful ideas here. Has some nice designs that would work for a variety of events. She organizes her books in sections, cookies, minicakes, and large cakes. Her ideas are very fresh and pretty and also within reach for most people with a little experience decorating cookies and cakes. There are even a few designs that are more masculine, which can be hard to find.

This is another of those step-by-step cake guides that was very well worth the money. This particular book kept selling out at Michaels so I had to go online and purchase. Definitely not disappointed

This book is small, but mighty! It is amazingly simplistic yet provides a wealth of inspiration for you creative ideas. The photography is breathtakking.

I think that with practice you can master the cookies, marzipan, gumpaste and fondant decorations in this book. Piping royal icing flowers is a bit more daunting. I would suggest a class or video for royal and butter cream icing flowers, Wilton How to Make Icing Flowers DVD because they can be a bit tricky (at least for me.)

This book provides six basic recipes for cookies, cakes and frostings. My hope is that you are purchasing the book for decorating ideas and instruction, not for the recipes. The author's decorating syle is clean, but very elegant. The book provides a strong decorating foundation -- you can use this as a springboard for your imagination.

This is the perfect book if you want to make your first decorated cookies or petit fours. If you are making your first tiered cake this book will provide inspiration, but you may need to supplement it with other sources for complete instruction.

This was a fun little work book. I used it as a wedding gift to my husband. He has really enjoyed reading through it--and all of my little comments. Basically, its a series of fun, serious, and quirky questions about how you feel towards your significant other. It makes a fun gift...but it isn't anything that would qualify as a marriage fixer or relationship rescue.

My husband is deploying to Iraq soon for 12 months and while he's away I'm going to complete this and ship it to him at the half-way mark. It will remind him that while he's gone things haven't changed about how I love him, and will make him feel a little closer to home at the same time. It will be the little things like this that will help us out.

I got this to give to my boyfriend and filling it out was so much fun. There are still many pages to go but, I let him read it. He said it was a very touching gift and he was so greatful that I thought enough of him to do something like this book.

This book is only any good if you and your partner are super lovey dovey and sugary sweet. I bought it for my husband for our 1st wedding anniversary and I struggled through the first 20 pages or so and then it got so ridiculous that I just gave up. I told my husband about it, read off a few of the questions, and he agreed that it was pretty darn stupid. It was supposed to be super sweet since for our very first anniversary I bought us the book All About Us and we loved it. I wanted to follow up with What I Love About You, and I do love my husband very much, but I don't know what kind of fruit he would be.

I absolutely love this book. I bought it to fill out for my fiance to give to him as a wedding present. You shouldn't be able to fill it all out at that time, so it can be an ongoing project that the two of you can do together. I highly recommend this!