Birthdays Books

Though this is a simple story it portrays family life in an inspiring and thoughtful manner. The author has a knack for drawing valuable lessons of faith and love from the ordinary events of a teenage girl's life. Anyone reading this book will be captivated by this charming setting and its inhabitants. I highly recommend this little book.

This was a great book and I really enjoyed it. I wanted to keep reading it and was annoyed when I was interrupted. I'm looking forward to the sequel because I didn't want it to end. My favorite part was when Peter looked at the snowman and saw that it did look awfully funny. The book was very captivating, it made me feel like I was in it. Double Thumbs Up!

Just the book you sought out to read in your early teen years. You know, when you wanted to read about someone like ordinary you going through the same usual daily life - with a few new life experiences, sometimes difficult to understand in the moment. A book that makes you laugh, makes you think. And wonderful artwork to boot!

Birthday Snow

Bravo to Mrs. Niemaszyk for writing an authentically Catholic story for our pre-teen and early teen daughters to enjoy! There are not enough good Catholic stories out there. Mrs. Niemaszyk's attention to details makes it easy for the reader to immerse herself in Gina's life. The family, the friends, and even the bus ride are all so real.

When I read this book I could not put it down. Now that I've found it here I can't wait to get a copy to share with my daughter. I'm sure she too will enthusiastically read it in one sitting.

Looking forward to the sequel!

Birthday Snow is a delightful read and a refreshing addition to the genre of Catholic literature currently available to our teenage children in today's culture!

The strength of the novel lies in the faithful portrayal of authentic Catholic family life, especially from the perspective of a young teenage girl. The incorporation of Catholic teaching, devotions, and piety, within the context of everyday life, gently achieves the goal of evangelization of the Faith.

I especially enjoyed the scene in the book between Rachel and Gina when they were discussing boyfriends/courtship. This short and simple exchange between mother and daughter was a wonderful and age appropriate explanation regarding the Church's teaching about the beauty of marriage and family. It was very well done

The characters and plot are extremely engaging, credible, and very well written. The author's writing style, particularly of descriptive passages regarding places and settings, is vivid and charming.

Birthday Snow offers affirmation and inspiration to all young teenage girls sincerely attempting to live out their Catholic faith in their daily lives. This is a gem of a little book that should be on the library shelves of every Catholic family!

Wish I would have had this guide when I was starting my family. It would have been much easier to folow than the trial and error method I experienced.
I bought a copy of The Get Organized Guide for New Moms for a young friend and will give this guide to new moms as the ocassions arise. It's the best gift I can think of for new moms. I implement the six strategies for staying organized on page 184 today and my life is simplified. Judy West

Judy West

I loved this chapter! Thanks to Stacey I can leave home with far less gear and know that I have all of the essentials.

I highly recommend The Get Organized Guide for New Moms. It is packed with great ideas and clear explanations. It's well-written and an-easy read. A very helpful guide in preparing for a baby and in how to remain organized and enjoy the first year of being a mom. It's the first book I've read with a clear explanation of an organizational system. A great book!

This book is a must-have for new moms! I wish it were around when my girls were born...it would have saved my sanity. All new moms or friends of soon-to-be moms should pick up a copy of this book. M.L. - Westchester, NY

I really like the content of the book. Great reference for first time moms. I would reccomend The Get Organzied Guide for New Moms to all my expecting friends and family.
Great shower gift!

This is an adorable story about two "Goodparents" agonizing over what to get their son for a present. They make guesses based on hints from their son. My three year old loves to squeal "no!" every time the guess is incorrect. I like reading it to her because it's very easy to become animated while doing so.

Great book about what really matters. Time, affection, guidance,etc are the real values that can't be replaced by all the toys and trinkets in the world!
Should be required reading for parents!

Thoughtful and insightful writing. The message is loud and clear
to parents as well as children. Deals in a very delicate way with
the trappings of materialism as a substitute for tenderness.
Highly recommended!

I like this book so very much, with its warm and beautiful message of love. Specially in these hard times. The story and the illustrations are simply wonderful.

The Gift is a beautifully and brightly illustrated book with foldout pages that makes both children and parents remember what is truly important. In this day of expensive toys and gadgets, The Gift reminds that the best gift we can give our children is our love.

My daughter is just 3 and she is loving the American Girl series. She likes getting to know the girls through the books and we enjoy reading them together.

Kit's tenth birthday is quickly creeping up, and while she would love to have a Robin Hood party like the one she saw in the newspaper, she knows that the Depression has left her family strapped for cash, and decides to put her party out of her mind. That is, until Aunt Millie shows up. Aunt Millie is an eccentric, thrifty woman, who helps to stretch the Kittredge budget quite far. However, within a few days of her arriving, Kit's mother becomes quite embarrassed by Aunt Millie's money-saving ways. Kit is unsure of what is embarrassing her mother. That is, until Aunt Milie shows up at her school, and announces to Kit's entire class that they are all invited to a Penny-Pincher Party to celebrate Kit's tenth year. Soon Kit is just as embarrassed of Aunt Millie as her mother, and wishes the kind old woman had never come to Cincinnati.

While many of the previous books in the KIT series have been quite happy-go-lucky, and haven't exactly pin-pointed how badly the Great Depression affected families, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIT does just that, showing the reader how families and their children felt during the Depression, and the changes they had to make in their lives. Kit, as always, is a delightful character, whose sour disposition at some of Aunt Millie's penny-pinching tips are uite understandable given her age and position, and readers will identify with her take on things. Fans of the previous books will also be quite excited by the arrival of two new characters: Aunt Millie, and Grace - a clumsy dog. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIT paints a wonderful picture of the tragedy revolving around the Great Depression, and will keep the reader turning the pages, until the very end. A wonderful piece of historical fiction for the young reader!

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

This is another in the American Girls Short Stories series about Kit Kittredge, a nine-year-old girl living in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is 1934, and Kit and her family are struggling to make ends meet as the Great Depression deepens. With her birthday approaching, Kit secretly dreams an impossible dream, that she could have a large, wonderful birthday party. Aunt Millie, Kit's father's adoptive mother, makes a surprise visit to the family turning their lives upside-down. With her country, make-do way, Aunt Millie seems to work miracles, but a large, wonderful party is out of the question, right?

As with the other Kit books, this one gives a frank look into life during the Great Depression, while also teaching a lesson. In this book, Kit learns about making do with what you have, and even having a good time while doing so. The final chapter is about life during the depression, and making do. This is another wonderful book, and my daughter and I recommend it to you.

Kit knows her birthday will not be like other years as the family is short on money and barely getting by. She wishes to have a grand birthday like the one in the newspaper but knows that won't be possible. However a surprise visit from her Aunt Millie brightens her hopes. As everybody in her family knows Aunt Millie is a person who knows what to do out of anything. Kit can't believe how many ideas Aunt Millie comes up with such as turning corn sacks in bloomers, planting gardens, buying cheap things from the grocery store, picking dandelions to make salads, and a bunch of other ideas. The ideas are so plentiful that Kit, Ruthie, and Stirling start an Alamac on all Aunt Millie's money saving ideas. However when Aunt Millie suddenly shows up at her school Kit feels embarrassed at how her aunts idea of a penny pincher birthday. Kit also feels embarrassed as the kids laugh at her Aunt's ideas. However surprises are in store for Kit on her birthday! Read this book to find out!

This was another great addition to the American Girls Collection! I have been reading them since I was 7 and even though I am much older and these books are much too easy for me I still enjoy them as if I were 7! I highly recommend all the books!

This book is about Kit, a girl growing up in the Great Depression. In this book, it's almost Kit's birthday! And when Aunt Millie, Kit's father's foster mother visits, Kit knows it will be fun. Aunt Millie is called that because they didn't know what to call her and Aunt Millie said,"Call me anything but late for dinner!"
But when Aunt Millie has an idea for a Penny Pinching party, Kit isn't too sure. Especially when her Aunt Millie comes to school to share the news of Kit's birthday party and embarasses Kit in front of her whole class. Now Kit's really mad and yells at Aunt Millie that she shouldn't have done that and that she didn't want a Penny-pinching party. But now Kit has caused her Aunt Millie's feelings to get hurt and also causes Aunt Millie to almost go back to her home.
Kit didn't mean to? In the mean time, Aunt Millie brings two chickens so Kit can deliver eggs and earn money. One day while she and Howard (a kid in the boarding house) go to deliver eggs door to door, they find a Basset Hound with a note on her collar reading: Can't Feed Her Anymore. So Kit brings her home and names her Grace. Will everything be alright for Kit's Birthday Party? Will Kit be able to convince Aunt Millie to stay? And will Kit have a Penny Pinching party and love it? Find out! Read this book!

Happy Birthday Molly

Molly McIntire is having a birthday. Birthdays were very special during World War 2, since sugar was rationed, and it was rare to have sweets.

Molly finds out that an English girl will be staying with their family for awhile, and she is very excited. When Emily, the English girl, arrives, Molly and her friends, Susan and Linda, try to impress her with the bomb shelter they built in the basement. Emily, is not impressed.

One evening, during a drill, the power goes out in the house. Molly's family gather, in their dining room, to wait it out. Emily is scared. She tells Molly that, in her country, they are not drills; they have real bombing raids. When the raids are over, homes are gone, and sometimes people are injured or killed. She doen't want to play in a bomb shelter, like Molly and her friends, because it brings back bad memories.

Molly finds out that Emily has not had a real birthday party, in years. She decides to share her birthday with Emily. Molly allows Emily to plan an English tea party.

When Emily says they can't have a cake at a real tea party and they have to drink tea, instead of punch, Molly is mad at the stuborn little English girl.

Will Emily ruin everything? Will Molly have a birthday cake? Will the girls ever be friends again?

My daughter and her two cousins planned a birthday party for their American Girl Dolls. They followed the recipes in the American Girl Cookbook and made food from the time period, for each doll. Karen dressed up her Molly doll, in her birthday dress, and the girls had a grand time.

American Girls Cookbook: A Peek at Dining in the Past With Meals You Can Cook Today

Kirsten Mini Doll (American Girl)[[ASIN:1584854715

Molly Mini Doll (American Girl)]]Samantha Mini Doll

Outfit Pattern Set 1 For American Girl Dolls

The American Girls, Molly, Doll Dress Patterns

Jill Ammon Vanderwood
author: Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)

An English girl is going to stay with the McItires! She's going to be there on Molly's birthday! One night while Molly and Emily get into a fight and Molly sayas that Emily can't come to her party. What'll she do?

I thought the book was so cool. How an eglish girl was there for Mollys birthday.I wish they could come out of more books with Emily in them.And I'm happy that they got there dogs that they wished for.

This is another in the American Girls series about Molly McIntire, a ten-year-old girl living on the home front during World War 2. In this book, Molly is excited when she finds that a ten-year-old English girl is coming to live with them. However, when she arrives, instead of looking like a fairytale princess, the girl is quiet and highly reserved. While getting to know her, Emily learns how different England is from America, and how tragically harder the war has been for the English.

This is probably my favorite Molly book! It shows how traumatic World War 2 was for those who lived it, and yet tells the story in an uplifting and entertaining way. My twelve-year-old daughter is a big fan of Molly, and so am I. We both highly recommend this book to you!

With the possible acception of Molly's Suppries, this was my favorit book in the Molly Micantier sieries. Molly and her friends don't realy understand the true gravity of the war. Oh, they know that Fathers and husbands are away on distant battle feilds, that mothers are working in Home-Front Red Cross orgonizations and that certin foods are rationed. They feel the war, but they don't understand the true eviles of the fighting- the innocent European familys starving, and rushing under bomb shelters in there living rooms at the sound of a warning sigren, the soldgers storming a far away beach on D-Day. THese are the things they see on News Reels and in Life Magizien. They even make a game out of it all, by bulding a pretend bomb shelter in Molly's basment! When Emily, a British girl comes to stay with the Micintiers, she shows Molly what the war is realy like. She tells here about distruction left buy bombs in England, about being traped for days in subway cars, and about Bomb shelters that, arn't just a game. Emily brings with her plenty of forgien British terms and ideas- some of wich step on Molly's toes. In the end, thogh, the girls learn to put aside there difrances and dissageements, and enjoy there birthdays as inter-national friends. I thought this book was wonderful. If you are interested in WW2, or if you just enjoy a good read, I recomend this book.

Jessica found a new man,Nick Fox,He's good looking, but he hides a secret. Celine is back,and wants to be a Theta,she hides Drugs,and blames it on Jessica. Elizabeth helps her boyfriend,Tom Watts celebrate his 21st birthday,then this man comes in,his name is George Conroy,he is Tom's biological father,and Tom's also got 1 half brother Jake 8 Years old and Mary 10 years old.Tom meets Mr.Conroy at his birthday party,now you remember Tom lost his father,mother,older sister and 2 brothers during his freshman year of college or high school,in a snowstorm.

This book is really great. Some parts of it were predictable, others weren't. Jessica meets Nick Fox, who's cute and mysterious. She knows he has many secrets, and she wants to find out every last one of them! Elizabeth Wakefield is working on two projects- planning her boyfriend, Tom Watts's surprise birthday party, and helping George Conroy find his missing son. Could both projects be combined? It's pretty exciting, but a little predictable how that scenario turns out. Celine Boundreaux is back at SVU and wants to fit in. She tries to buy her way into the Thetas, and steal Jessica's boyfriend, Nick Fox. Tom Watts is really sad because of his family, but Elizabeth ahs two surprises for him. Jessica is trying to figure out Nick Fox's secret. It was really exciting, and very romantic. This book is great!

I couldn't put it down, i know what's up with nick fox and oh poor tom, he doesn't know his surprise yet though, and Nina why would she change I've read it at least three times, I need to read the next one, i need to know what happens. Read it!

Jessica has found him the perfect guy. Nick fox is As savy as you can get (and i mean rell savy). Things start to heat up as Nick and Jess started getting to know each other a little bit more! But Jessica knows Nick Has secrets to hideand she wants to know every single one of them. (And she will trust me she will) but more interesting things start to happen as the book goes on......................................................

How come the summer's events were never metioned in this book? Did they just forget that Liz cheated on Tom with Ryan? And that Jessica was going to visit Ben Mercer all the time? What about Nina Harper's guy, huh? I think that they should of metioned the summer to get in some controversery in this otherwise kinda dull book. (Busted's ten times more exicting.) It would be so cool if Ben Mercer just showed up at SVU to make trouble in Nick's and Jess's realtionship.

The "Little Rabbit" series of books are wonderful for preschoolers and early readers. The illustrations are gorgeous and detailed, the text is simple and easy to read, perfect for early readers and also for reading aloud.

In this book, Little Rabbit celebrates his birthday with his family - they all take a trip to Rabbit World, a huge amusement park. Little Rabbit exhibits the typical characteristic of a little child who is getting older - fierce independence! He goes about on his own, refusing to listen to his parents' advice to stay close in case he gets lost, and lo and behold, that is exactly what happens to him!

There is a good lesson to be learnt in this story - little ones will learn caution and the importance of listening to their elders and paying attention. But the lesson is presented in a fun way with Little Rabbit's antics eliciting much laughs.


All in all, this is a wonderful book to be shared with preschoolers and beginner readers.

This is a wonderful book. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful and I highly recommend any book by Harry Horse.

My 3 year old loved this book and wanted it every night. She identified with the little rabbit growing up and wanting to be independent, and of course the happy ending at the end. The pictures are very detailed and she loved to point out little details like the mice houses at the tree base and the giant mushrooms.

Little Rabbit couldn't be happier that his birthday is finally here, and it's a bigger birthday than ever for him, as he is no longer little, but a big rabbit now. Little Rabbit quickly opens his gifts, and is quite satisfied with them, especially with the big red balloon, and the tickets for his whole family to visit the theme park Rabbit World. However, Little Rabbit is nothing but frustrated at Rabbit World, for he is unable to go on the jungle gym or roller coasters due to his small size. Soon Little Rabbit has wandered away from his family to take a peek at the other rides that Rabbit World has to offer, and realizes that he is lost, and suddenly sees that he's not as grown-up as he originally thought he was.

It is a known fact that young children always want to feel grown-up, which is why Harry Horse's LITTLE RABBIT LOST is the absolute perfect addition to a home with young children, male or female, as it teaches them the lesson that wandering away from their parents, or elders, will quickly get them in a bind. The short amount of words on each page of LITTLE RABBIT LOST is perfect for children with short attention spans, and the illustrations will quickly have them wanting to know more about Little Rabbit. This is an adorable book for all.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I bought this book for my three and a half year old daughter. The story centers around Little Rabbit who is having a birthday. As a special treat mommy and daddy rabbit pack up the family and take them to the Rabbit World amusemant park. Little Rabbit is very excited to go but his happiness turns to disappointment as he learns that he is too little to go on some of the rides that he wants. In his frustration he rushes ahead and gets seperated from the family. Once he is lost he realizes that he is not the big rabbit he thought he was. Of course Little Rabbit's mommy finds him and the book ends on a happy note as the family celebrates Little Rabbits birthday with a picnic and cake. This book really struck a chord with me because like Little Rabbits mommy I see my three year old daughter daily experience frustrations about being too little to do something. My daughters favorite expression to use is babies need help and big girls don't need help. She always says this to me whenever I try to assist her with one of her struggles. It is a constant challenge to make her realize that it is okay to accept help. Before I had a child I never realized how determined nad independent preschoolers can be. Both my daughter and I love to read this book together. The illustrations are so adorable. We especially love going over all of the rides at Rabbit World. I highly recommend this book to all parents of preschoolers.

I love this book so much. Every child knows that their birthday is a special day, so to compare that event with Jesus' birthday is excellent. The book is relevant and easy to understand--more applicable to children than every other Christmas book I've ever read.

It outlines both the similarities and differences between Jesus' birth and our own. The message is profound, explaining that Jesus came to be our savior. And yet it is simple enough for a child to grasp. The illustrations are beautiful and the entire book is just outstanding. It's so well done that my toddler literally kisses baby Jesus each and every time we read it!

This book is a fiction book about a seven year old girl telling about how her's and Jesus' birthday are celebrated each year. The author, Holly Davis explains how the little girl's birthday and Jesus' birthday are very similiar. She tells how the little girl and her family celebrates her birth and how the families picked out or found names for each baby. Nancy Munger did a really good job with the colorful and childlike illustrations in this book. I would recommend this book to every child in America because it is very interesting,even to me,and it helps to teach children about Jesus.

It totally cuts through the commercialism of Christmas to explain the true meaning in a way a child can understand. In the age of Santa, toys, Frosty, Rudolf, etc., it's refreshing to see Jesus' birth explained in this innovative and child friendly way. Read it to your child throughout the Christmas season.

Excellent book for children to help them better understand Jesus' birth--how it compares with their own and how it is different. The illustrations are beautiful. I have given this as a gift at baby showers, and it has been well received.

The cover says for 2 to 6 but I feel this will appeal to a broader group than that. Read this lovely little gem to your children, grandchildren,child care group,Sunday School class,or as part of a little primary program about Christmas or BIRTHDAYS. If it is a one-on-one situation, take advantage of the opportunity to answer questions that might arise.

Olive Parrot Shares her Birthday is a real find. It is one of those rare children's books that combines clever humor with a compelling and exciting storyline, allowing an adult to enjoy it as much as any child. It serves to bring out the child in an adult while challenging a developing youngster with its clever puns and twists of fate. The book is also beautifully illustrated and bound with such high quality materials, that it looks and feels as good as any coffee-table glossy. Olive Parrot would make a truly magnificent birthday gift, but it is also a fantastic gift for any occasion. A classic in the making.

I must also be a bird since I just loved reading the book, looking at the illustrations, and laughing at so many references to adult culture. The idea is so clever and so well written that it's fun over and over again, not to mention the brightly colored and detailed pictures. What a fun gift for a birthday at any age.

I recieved this book as a birthday gift from a very good friend that always has great taste in gifts. He hit his peak with this purchase. I enjoy this book every time I pick it up. The story made me feel good and enjoy an adult birthday. The art work is fabulous and comical. If you have a big friend or little friend with a birthday this will be the perfect gift.

Received as a gift from a bird-lover friend, I read this wonderfully funny and witty tale to my small children and my dog Jegs. They love the characters and the whimsy of the tale. They usually laugh at loud (especially Jegs).

Like Bugs Bunny cartoons, it appeals at all levels of development - arrested or not - with sophisticated charm. My wife and I have shared it with our family on multiple occasions and it remains fresh and funny.

We give it maximum stars (Jegs too).

This book has it all. Kids will love the gorgeous illustations, the "happily ever after" tale that is neither trite nor too predictable, and most of all, the lyrical flow of the prose. Grown-ups will enjoy the jokes thrown in just for them and will find a story that wears well with each and every reading. Olive is definitely NOT (just) for the birds!

this volume was a pleasure to read: hilarious, thought-provoking, and enlightened. Kona Lowell is a wonderful writer and I look forward to reading more of his work! I recommend this book to all.

Kona Lowell is hysterical! The "fables" told here don't have a moral, nor do they instruct. These delightful stories make you see through multidimentional "eyes". They are fairy tales for adults, full of wonder and the joy of everyday life.

In this day and age we need someone pied-piperish to lead the way to the other side of the mountain.

Whimsical sounding, but reads with so much insight you find yourself just sitting thinking over each short story and what is really being said. Truly wonderful.

A hilarious (refreshing) read... Well worth the money and a special place on your bookshelf... Share in the merriment by reading it aloud to your partner (it's only 112 pages long). A REAL GEM! Henry White, Colorado

- - -
Kona Lowell has produced a collection of vignettes that will charm and delight the most jaded reader.

This stuff is different. The flavor is suggested in the dedication: To Chee: for saying, "I don't get it" instead of "That's really stupid."

It's not stupid. Just different. Delightfully different. Fifty-five mostly humorous and insightful essays on life, the world, Kona Lowell's world of Hawaii, and into the strange and wonderful mind of Kona Lowell.

Typical are:

"The Atheist Who Couldn't Swear Too Good -- One day when I was driving to the grocery store to get some socks, I accidentally cut another car off. I guess my mind was somewhere else. I was thinking about my new socks and sort of mentally rearranging my sock drawer to accommodate the newcomers. I didn't notice he had gone into a ditch. I just saw him waving at me. Anyway, this guy was awful mad . . . . "

or "My Miniature Girlfriend [this must be Chee] -- I have a girlfriend who's very short. A few more inches and she would qualify for midget status. She is not happy about this. She would like to be very tall, and probably willowy and blond, too, but she isn't. She's short and brunette and Chinese. My girlfriend does not like short people jokes. She isn't too crazy about Chinese people jokes either, so I try to avoid combining the two. But I can never resist, when someone asks me, 'Where's your girlfriend?' answering, 'She'll be here shortly.' I am usually the only one who gets it. . . . "

or "I Hate Clowns -- I hate clowns. I have always hated clowns for as long as I can remember. This may be one reason I never ran off and joined the circus when I was a kid. I would have had to hang around clowns all day and I hate them. Never was too crazy about parades either. Too damn many clowns . . . . "

Read on. Kona Lowell will tell you about "The Monster Under My Bed," "The Day the Cats Took Over the World," "The Very Bad Grocery Store," "So You Want to Be a Writer," the title essay, "The Solid Green Birthday," and many more tales of life and Lowell. All will bring you a bit closer to the strange and unusual world of Kona Lowell, and every one will help just a bit to make this a slightly better day.

Enjoy!