Birthdays Books

The events in The Assassins of Rome follow about a month after the events in The Pirates of Pompeii, and is the fourth in Lawrence's Roman Mysteries Series. Here we rejoin Flavia, Nubia, Jonathan, and Lupus just as they return home to Ostia. As with the previous books, this volume is set in the first century, 79 A.D. As we start out here, the group has joined together to celebrate Jonathan's 11th birthday...and as usual, something bad always happens on his birthday....he breaks a an expensive perfume bar, royal guards show up at his house, and much more. The net result is that Jonathan turns up missing and the others find themselves desperate to solve the mystery of where he has gone.

The Assassins of Rome differs slightly in form from the previous books in the series because it is told from two different perspectives, and alternates between the two. The first perspective is that of Flavia (and her group, consisting of Falvia, Nubia, Aristo and Lupus) and the second perspective is that of Jonathan and his uncle as they travel to Rome looking for his mother. This makes the story a bit more exciting and confusing that previous books...but it's welcome deviation from the regular formula and helps keep the action going, I don't think it would have been as enjoyable if there were big breaks while a narrator explained what was going on. This device made it easy for the story to remain fast paced and exciting.

As with previous books, the author tackles the ins and outs of daily life in 78 A.D., as such we get a look at various people's perceptions on slavery (including the slaves), life in the royal city, various opinions on the Emperor (and his predecessors), and this book takes a more in depth look at the fall of Jerusalem, which as a theme introduced in The Pirates of Pompeii.
Lawrence's series is an excellent glimpse into the daily life of the Roman people.

Overall, this was a highly enjoyable mystery/thriller/adventure book for young readers that is heavy on the details of Roman daily life and is highly descriptive with likable and believable characters (for the most part). Previously, what I felt that there was a bit of a heavy handed Christian message to the series, however it's much more subtle in this book and is more welcome...woven into the story with more skill. I give it four stars, The Pirates of Pompeii strength is in details and overall, it is a light and entertaining read.

This is the best so far. Johnathen gos in search for his mother will he find her i wont tell you. His dad is also having problems for himself. I will not tell you any more but trust me this is a must for your book shelf.

The Asassins of Rome is once again another great book written by the tremmendous author Caroline Lawrence. If you liked the other books then you will love this one. With secrets and asassins this is one of the best yet, enjoy.

I bought this book for myself, however after receiving it I decided to give it to one of my daughters. She and her sister live about 5 miles apart and both have small children, so they can share the book. They are both enjoying it.

This book is very inspirational and gets your creative juices flowing. Every recipe is very easy to follow. Now I am ready to add my own personal touches.

This book has such fun cake and food ideas that are so cute yet so easy to make! I love this cookbook!

A side splitting send up of the misunderstood artist.

One of the funniest plays of the century, by one of England's greatest playwrights.

Bring your knife and fork!

Harold Pinter's _The Birthday Party_:

A young man lives with his mother at a run-down boarding house near the beach. Two visitors come and shake things up. They don't do anything wild or unusual, but they question and intimidate the young man, until the reader becomes unsure what sinister plans the two men have in mind.

Pinter's strength lies in his dialogue, which is thoroughly believable and memorable. Not for a moment does the reader doubt that these scenes could happen (and may HAVE happened) in real life.

As this reader read the play, the tension built and built, as I became more and more sympathetic to the young man, awaiting to learn his fate, as his own will seemingly deteriorated.

I would agree that this play is a funny read, but it's certainly very unsettling as well.

If you haven't read anything by Harold Pinter, or are curious because you've read his other plays, _The Birthday Party_ is worth checking out.

ken32

The Birthday Party is a very good play about a young man and his inevitable and perhaps unavoidable fate. The plot is quite simple, yet it is also elegant in its simplicity. Without saying too much, the story is about a young man who has been living for some time in a beach-sited boarding house owned by a mid-aged couple. These characters lives' are invaded by two men who for some unknown reason want to catch the young man. The story evolves...

The play is captivating and exciting, at some points also downright scary. Pinter has obviously used techniques of how to seize the attention of an audience, something a reader will surely experience. The incertainty and unease that fills the story is highly credible, as one easily can identify the feelings that fills you when something sudden, dangerous and unavoidable happens to you.

I think Pinter perhaps has found inspiration in other authors works. As I read it, I came to think on Hemingways short story "The Killers" and the sense of utter despair of Kafka's "The Trial". Please do not shoot me should you disagree..

As a play, one recognizes elements that characterize most great playwrights, both classical and modern, due to its "actor-friendliness" and room for interpretation.

Recommended, indeed.

And one last thing to Ken (The reviewer): Unless you follow the idea that Meg has a brain-disfunction, She is definitely not Stanleys mother.

This book is not only informative, It is an enjoyable read. take it with you to dinner parties and you will be the center of attention!
A fun book to go back to time and again! You'll always learn a little more. at 73 I'm still learning.....!

This book caught my eye because of the beautiful cover. The introduction intrigued me with the author's honesty. Not really believing the numbers would match me very well, I proceeded. Yes, I was surprised. It did sound like me.

I have two friends though, that the numbers nailed! They were almost embarrassed that someone could know them so intimately without meeting them!

The book has been fun and the workbook is filling up with friends. I am really starting to think about numbers when I meet people now. Who knew how much this applies to our daily lives. Great book that will be dog-eared and by my side for years to come.

Great book that leads to an understanding of behaviors and eccentricities in yourself. Understanding the connection and differences between my number 5 and the other numbers is enlightening. I was traveling to stay with a friend for a week and I read up on her profile which helped me sort out our differences......staying a week and going out for dinner require different mentalities, and appreciating those differences for my long stay made it more compatible.

A great gift book to give to friends for their birthdays! It's total entertainment at the birthday party!

Tulsa, OK

Perhaps our 15-month old is too young for this book, but it just doesn't quite work for him. Though he loves books that are interactive, the fact that the ribbon that holds the single moving part (the cardboard truck you move from page to page and place in the proper outline) is too short - it frustrated him to the point that we ended up snipping the ribbon with a few days of getting the book. He can still use and and occasionally will ask us to read it to him, but it just doesn't hold his interest very well. The narrative is dull and the illustrations are not very engaging. I really wanted to like this book, but it just doesn't work for us.

This is a great beginning puzzle for small children. It's a one piece puzzle that can be moved from page to page and then the last page they have to try to fit it and figure out that they have to turn the puzzle around to fit the puzzle in. It's beautifully illustrated, colorful. A great book to read to them and has something for their hands to do. Very cute and educational for small children. Great buy.

I think it's a shame no one has reviewed this great book so far, so here goes:
We borrowed this book from the library and my son couldn't have enough of it so I bought it on Amazon. He simply loves books and trucks and this is one of his favorites. I have to animate it a little for him as I read (like, we pretend we open the door and put the balloons in, he makes the truck go and so on...) and he wants us to read it over and over again. He needs my help to fit the truck puzzle piece on every page but since he believes he does it all by himself it thrills him to make the truck stop and go at each shop and at his house with all the goodies displayed (truck puzzle flips over on last page) in the end :)!

This book was not nearly as good as "Winning Words" by the same Author. Many of the quotes were the same as in "Winning Words", but they weren't as "right on". I've read "Winning Words" over and over again because the contents really hit home in the way I live my life.

This is an amazing book that should be in everybody's reference section. I use it when I'm trying to find the appropriate quote for a special occasion. With sections divided into Birthdays, Graduation, Valentine's Day, Winter, Fall, Grandparents, Children etc...it's easy to find the right quote for the right person.

What a wonderful collection of inspirational quotes, one dedicating to celebrating life, yours and others! Not only quotes such as Mary McCarthy's "We are the hero of our own story," which remind us to honor our own path and experiences, but quotes that remind us of the joy others bring to our lives, such as Sam Levenson's "The simplest toy, one that even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent."

What is more, is how the book is organized. Quotes are broken down into sub-categories based on celebrating Today, Special Days, Special People, the Seasons and Yourself. Have you ever gotten stuck about what to write on that birthday card or Mothers Day Card? Choose from the selections to make a simple I love you come across as more thoughtful, as it inspires your own expression!

My son who is 2 1/2 loves this book, its very colorful and the pictures are great. Corduroy definately knows how to have a party.

Researchers constantly find that reading to children is valuable in a variety of ways, not least of which are instilling a love of reading and improved reading skills. With better parent-child bonding from reading, your child will also be more emotionally secure and able to relate better to others. Intellectual performance will expand as well. Spending time together watching television fails as a substitute.

To help other parents apply this advice, as a parent of four I consulted an expert, our youngest child, and asked her to share with me her favorite books that were read to her as a young child. Corduroy's Party was one of her picks.

When a child either goes to her or his first birthday party or is the birthday boy or girl, this can cause a lot of puzzlement for your child. What better way to help fill in this ignorance than by seeing what Corduroy does?

The book starts with Corduroy working on his birthday party. First, he invites all his friends. He also gets the house ready by decorating it, which includes blowing up some large balloons and putting up a donkey's picture for Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

Then Corduroy's friends come bearing presents. My daughter really loved that part. Corduroy opens his presents and loves them all.

Then, he blows out the candles on his cake while the other guests wish him a happy birthday! The other children are playing with horns and confetti.

With the blindfold on, Corduroy tries to pin the tail on the donkey on the wall.

Then everyone goes home, and thanks Corduroy for having had a good time!

As you can see, this book not only covers the fun and details of a birthday party, but it covers all of the essentials of appropriate behavior (except for thanking others for the gift, but no book is perfect -- this leaves something for you to talk about with your child).

Help your child develop an interest in social events by reading and talking about this delightful book! People often think that children aren't interested in social activities, but very soon they start enjoying being with each other. This is a good way to start developing that healthy interest.

The true test of a preschooler's book is whether the child ignores it or simply can't put it down. Corduroy's Party passes that test with flying colors at our house!

Corduroy?s Party is about a teddy bear who throws a birthday party. When we first saw the book at the library, we thought it would be a good tool for teaching our daughter about her upcoming 2nd birthday. She really loves plush toys and teddy bears in particular. Corduroy is an especially cuddly little bear. Our little girl simply adores balloons and this book is profusely adorned with balloons, confetti and other festive decorations! Overall, the watercolor illustrations are very pleasant.

The book covers the entire process of having a children?s party, from sending out invitations, to welcoming guests, blowing out the candles and saying goodbye. Corduroy?s guests are of course various plush toys, including a dog, bunny rabbit and rag doll.

Your child will have fun learning about a party and looking at the various toy guests. The opening of the gifts will also introduce him or her to the concept of giving.

When it was time to return the book, our daughter kept taking Corduroy?s Party from the stack of due library books. We had to hide this book in order get it out of the house! Which is of course why we?re here at Amazon to order it. We hope your child will enjoy Corduroy?s Party as much as ours did!

My opinion about Don't Wake Up Mama is that i think it is a very good childrens book. It is a good book for young children to start reading, it has easy words, that young kids can understand. For English, I have to read three childrens books, and write a review on each one. I think that this book is a really good, well written book. My favorite part of this book is how they are treating their mother with a happy birthday. I also thought using monkey's in place of children was a great idea. It gave the book a more interesting twist. The pictures were also great. They all went right along with the story. I highly suggest this book to other children.

My opinion about Don't Wake Up Mama is that I think it is a very good childrens book. It is a good book for young children to start reading, it has easy words, that young kids can understand. For English, I have to read three childrens books, and write a review on each one. I think that this book is a really good, well written book. My favorite part of this book is how they are treating their mother with a happy birthday. I also thought using monkey's in place of children was a great idea. It gave the book a more interesting twist. The pictures were also really great. They all went right along with the story. I highly suggest this book to other children.

A GREAT book. My 21/2 year old loves this book. He loves the pictures, and the repetition of the phrase "shhh, don't wake up mama" is fun for him to say as we read. My 6 year old loves the book, because the monkeys are so sneaky as they try to bake a surprise cake for their mother's birthday. All of the Five Little Monkey books are wonderful.

"Emmie's Birthday Party" teaches an important lesson about Christian sharing and love. Children will enjoy the colorful illustrations.

Emmie's Birthday Party teaches children compassion and the sharing of joys and blessings with others. The message and the illustrations are great.

Emmie's Birthday Party tells a story of a young girl who wants everyone to focus on her on her birthday. Gently she understands how easy it is to be selfish but how much better it is to 'look to the interest of others'. Emmie's Notes is a great idea that add her thoughts to the narrative. This book illustrates the Bible being taught through every day family life.

I actually "met" Ernst, the little blue crocodile character in Kleven's book, "The Wishing Ball." I loved the sweet, imaginative character in that tale and thought: how unique, a gentle, blue crocodile--a lovable reptile! The concept and the story appeals to me; both are worth sharing with children and with classes. So, later as I was poking around on Amazon, I discovered this book, simply titled, "Ernst." Well, one look at the joyful cover sold me on the product, and I purchased it. :)

"Ernst" is a beautiful book--in illustration and in story. I love the magic of "What If.." that is the centerpiece of this story. Children ask it. Teens ask it. Young adults ask it. Actors, artists, writers, directors, inventors, dancers, musicians, architects, philosophers, detectives, doctors, scientists, teachers, futurists--well, all people ask it, at one time or another. "What if" combines mind, emotion, imagination, hope, wishes, spirit, and energy into a marvelous cauldron of thought that gurgles, swirls, and bubbles, turning and churning. "What If" is a very human question that can spark in reality and then ignite into dreams. "What if" signals the beginning of something new and exciting.

For Ernst, the very question whisks him away from the mundane and ordinary and takes him into wonderful worlds of his own vivid imagination. Ernst teaches that it is okay to ask our "What If's" and follow dreams so long as we also embrace and appreciate our life moments as they come to us (in his case, his birthday celebration) and the people who populate those life moments. This is a powerful message, especially for the dreamy, questioning child who loves to explore possibilities and ideas. Kleven's book celebrates the "Dionysian" youngster in the often "Apollonian" world of kid-dom and the Virtues of the Small.

In truth, this little book contains many, many teachable elements and universal themes. The detailed art teaches viewers to look carefuly into the illustrations rather than just give passing glances. Truly, the more you look the more you can see and know. For me, one of the most important illustrations is the one were Mamma crocodile is putting quizzing Ernst to bed. The image appears warm; the colors are vibrant. It is the perfect picture of motherly love, patience, and home-building. There seems to be a little "stuffed" crocodile with Ernst as he snuggles in his bed, and the cat sleeping on the window sill is curiously similar to the character, Nellie, from "The Wishing Ball." (I thinks this book was produced several years before "The Wishing Ball," but I find the tiny connections intriguing.)

This book is a treasure, full of childlike observations ("What if sand were fudgy instead of sandy?"), exquisitely detailed art and birthday joy! I was glad to see that the character, ERNST, is also found in another Kleven book, THE PUDDLE PAIL.

Ernst is the story of a young crocodile who lives with his mom and dad and grandma in a comfortable home where daydreaming is an artform. Ernst starts many of his sentences with "What if..." and Kleven has captured, in both words and images, the passing fancies of many a four or five year old. Her illustrations are small in scale but envelop the reader with a sense that the intricacies of the universe are worth paying attention to. Ernst is endearing and Kleven's fans know him also as the protagonist of the later-published The Puddle Pail. As a second grade teacher doing a class author study of Elisa Kleven's works, I have delighted in watching my students delight in Ernst! We all need permission at times to nurture the dreamer within ourselves and Ernst does that and more; Ernst is a celebration of the small and the grand, in daily life and in our dreams.