Easter Books

This book has been around a long time (both hardcover and paperback), but is still the best overview of the craft of pysanky. It is balanced, comprehensive, and very well illustrated. And it is *extremely* practical. My only caution: the book is published by a supplier (Ukrainian Gift Shop), and the "dye tricks" in the book only work with *their* dyes! Still, the book is outstanding, and one of the best values for pysanky artists and fans!

If you want to make Ukrainian Easter eggs for all your life, you must have this book. Since 1984, it has been a companion. In a delightfull writing, the authors introduce the reader to the culture, the tradition and the craft of the Ukrainian Easter. The book is full of beautiful pictures which are a source of ideas. There are also many drawings of the symbols depicted in the eggs. From page 55 to 59, there are the essential instructions to begin with this art. There are no secret to be learned: just follow the directions. From that simple egg, you will progress every year. There other examples of eggs to be done. Enjoy this very spiritual and healing craft. Enjoy the opportunity to know this distant culture. (And forgive my "bad" English writing...)

If yo want to make ukrainian Easter eggs for all your life, you must have this book. Since 1984, it has been a companion. In a delightfull writing, the authors introduce the reader to the culture, to the tradition and to the craft of Ukrainian Easter.Beautiful pictures illustrate the book, which is also full of the symbols depicted in the eggs.From page 55 to 59, you learn how to make a simple Easter egg. There is no secret: just follow the directions. From this egg, I started and have been progressing every year. There are may others eggs to be done. Enjoy this unique and soul's healing craft. (Reader: be sorry for my "bad" english...)

Katerina Whitley's ability to take the reader into the hearts of her characters is beautifully continued with this book. She and Noyes Caperhart have worked together to bring out the humanity inherent in the walk to Calvary. For each of the stations Whitley has written a monologue for one of the observers in her honest, natural voice.
Our adult Sunday school class spent each week during Lent reading and exploring our reactions to the monologues and blockcuts. I would highly recommend the experience to any one who wishes to deepen their connection to Christ's walk during the Lenten season.

Before reading this book, I was only vaguely familiar with the Stations of the Cross. Though the illustrations are powerful enough to tell the story of each station on their own, the author has done an excellent job of placing the reader inside each station. The writing style the author uses enables the reader to be witness to the stations as they happen ~ as if you were actually there. The reader is moved to tears as the author sheds light on the gravity of the reality of Christ's crucifixion.
I read this book before seeing "The Passion of the Christ" recently.... had I not read the book, the movie would have been profound enough on its own, but the knowledge and perspective I gained from reading it added to the power of the movie and I am very thankful that I had the chance to read the book first.
If you have seen the movie, you will remember each scene distinctly as you read the book... If you haven't seen the movie, read the book first and the movie will be so much more powerful... Either way, I think anyone who reads this book will be so thankful that they did. For both the monologues as well as the illustrations. The artist is incredible ~ you will LOVE the pictures. They are so real and heartbreaking... you just have to see for yourself.

Walking the Way of Sorrows, Katerina Whitley's third book of biblical storytelling is both similar to and quite different from her previous books. In her earlier books the characters are all women. Each women's story stands alone, connected only by their mutual connection to God. In Walking the Way of Sorrows Whitley chose the linked narrative of the Stations of the Cross. The major change is that the presence of numerous men along the Via Dolorosa necessarily expanded her exploration to include men's reaction to meeting the divine. She speaks, in the introduction, of her trepidation at entering the unfamiliar territory of the male reaction to Jesus. But she needn't have worried. The men all come across as thoroughly masculine and as individual all any of the women she has written about.

The first narrative is of the soldier who escorted Jesus back to Pilate after his examination by Herod during the long night after his capture. He makes sure we understand he is a Roman soldier, not some barbarian riffraff, and that he is tough enough to do his job. But, "I looked into his eyes!" he cries, sorrowing for the good man who must go to underserved punishment because Pilate is afraid of political repercussions.

After a quick read I am looking forward to exploring each story in depth. I read through it in an afternoon, hoping to find material for a family Lenten study. The difficult part is not in deciding to use this book in my education ministry this Lent, but in finding the best way to present it to a group. With each monologue conducted by a different actor the book could lie at the heart an excellent Good Friday liturgy. On the other hand, read and discussed week by week, the narrations in Walking the Way of Sorrows would expand to fill the whole season with Whitley's vision of humanity's response to God.

This book is beautifully illustrated by Noyes Capehart's woodcuts. These illuminations enhance the reader's understanding of the people in the stories. Rather, since the woodcuts were the inspiration for the monologues, the stories enhance the illustrations. Whichever way you see them they also make admirable meditation pieces on their own.

This book and the other three in the series will give you a new appreciation for hymns that you probably learned a few years ago. Besides background on the hymn, the authors have also supplied a CD with a nice choral arrangement of each song. The art work, print quality, and music is all excellent.

I am listening to my copy of the CD as I order three more copies of this fabulous book and CD to give away. What a deal! Easter is only a week away and the hymns in it are most appropriate to express our joy at Christ's redeeming work on the Cross and His glorious resurrection. Today's modern "worship" music can NEVER compare to rich and beautiful hymns of better days.

I heard about this series of three books with their accompanying CDs from from a radio interview with Joni. She was expressing concern over how Christian music is losing its depth of meaning and its doctrinal reinforcement.

Joni has succeeded in selecting and rendering some of Christendoms most relevant hymns to encourage and edify the Church and the Lord jesus Christ. The reader/listener will find him or herself elevated and singing along with these classic hymns (words and music are included in the book). If you have never been moved to tears over a hymn, these renditions may do it!

"What Wondrous Love Is This" captures in a very powerful and moving way what Christ has done for mankind.

Vocals range from solos to choral music accompanied by the humble piano or full orchestra. The tone is not loud or brash. Joni's humble character comes through in the way the book was designed and the way the music is performed.

I highly recommend adding all three books in the series to your library. I give copies away to encourage others spiritually.

People have wondered for centuries how and why the great
statues on Easter Island were constructed and how so many of them were destroyed or damaged after being made. This very appealing book lays out these mysteries and gives background information suitable for grades 3-5. My wife is a pediatrician and this book is a great hit in her waiting room.

Easter Island is one of those places in the world you'd most like to see; but probably never will. Fortunately Deborah Underwood has taken us there in this fascinating book. Her strong writing accompanied by great photographs and illustrations give us a sense of place and help us understand the history, environment, and oddity that is Easter Island.

Adding to the 'Wonders of the World' series is a special focus on the mysterious Easter Island statues, a topic generally not given complete coverage for this grade group of 3-5. 48 pages discuss Easter Island history, the investigations into the statues, and theories about how the islanders moved them into place. An appealing title packed with visual backup.

This book is very easy to read. It helped me to understand what really happened in those 18 hours. I highly recommend reading this book & others by Carl Holland.

Best book I've ever read on this subject. Carl makes it so clear and easy to understand. He lets you see what jesus suffered for us. This is a must read.

My daughter loves books and especially Arthur books. I asked her if she would rather have Princess books or Arthur books and she said Arthur books. I was really surprised because she loves everything Princess. I love these books also. They are the perfect lenght and teach lessons. I got her two more for Christmas, I want to get her all of them.

Muffy is throwing a Spring Fling party! Arthur, Francine, Binky, Fern, Buster, Muffy, and The Brain play games like the Egg Push and the Bunny Hop (sack races). In each even, Arthur finishes last-and his friends tease him about being slow. The highlight of the party, however, is a huge solid chocolate egg. Whoever finds the most jelly beans in the Jelly Bean Hunt wins the prize! Will Arthur finish last again? Who will win the huge chocolate egg?

Beautifully illustrated in pastels and bright colors, Arthur's Jelly Beans is a fun book celebrating spring and Easter (although Easter isn't mentioned). On the back of the book is Arthur's Jelly Bean Game featuring a game board. All you need to play is a penny and a few jelly beans as game pieces!

Kids love this one. The illustrations are wonderful and bright and it contains all the most popular children's Bible songs that are easy for kids to memorize and sing. They also like to open and close the little clasp in the middle of the book. Highly recommend!

This is a wonderfully constructed carry along book for children.
With it's own little snap and handle they can bring it with them with ease. Colorful cover and durable, this book will last a long time.
Inside we find the words to many of the bible songs children love to learn, such as, " Jesus Loves Me," and "Kum Ba Yah."
The illustrations are very colorful and flow nicely with the words.A great way to teach your little one the songs that praise their Savior.
It is a beautiful work and I highly recommend it.
Shirley Johnson

The book is delightful. I have a 17 month old grandson who sits very attentively when I read it to him. He brings it by the handle and asks me to read it over and over. Well done.

I have been reading books to my 6 month old baby since he was about 3 months old. He absolutely loves it!

My daughter loves all of the fairy books by Daisy Meadows. Thanks for such a great series of books.

In this story the two girls help Bella find her magical bunny! It is a great story that I really enjoyed reading.

I want to thank you for the "beneath the cross" series. The response has been great, not only because of the little take home handouts, but because of your gift of bringing the message alive through the letters. We began using it the Wednesday after Ash Wednesday. I asked a member who has a strong voice to read and not what one would call a "warm" or one to show emotions woman. She took the material home and asked me a couple days later if she could cry during the service because that's what happened reading it at home.

That has been the case to date - each of the readers has been overwhelmed themselves during the reading -

I can't wait for next year's follow up J

Thanks! And blessings as you share Jesus in Pittsburgh

Earl J. Pierce, pastor

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Valley

Bullhead City, AZ

When I opened my box that came today, it contained not a book but a whole assortment of goodies. First was a plastic-encased set of 15 loose pages: the "book." This contained the scripts for 7 letters and suggestions for discussion of them.

Then there were 7 "prop" letters: a sympathy card on which was written a letter from Mary the Mother of Jesus to HER mother; a scroll from the Centurion to his commander; a suicide note on 6-column accounting pages written by Judas Iscariot; a memo in an inter-office mail envelope from Caiaphas to the Sanhedrin; a letter from Simon Peter to the Acme Fishing Supply Company; a note on purple paper from Mary Magdalene to her sister; and a letter from Joseph of Arimathea to his brother, explaining why he had allowed an outsider to be buried in the new family tomb. It would be very effective, though not necessary, to have the person reading the letter be costumed as the sender or recipient.

Also in the box was a packet of miniatures of the letters, meant to be given to people to take home to engender more discussion. You would have to order additional ones of these in order to use them, as they are not reproducible. And there were a couple pages of explanation.

The letters are very imaginative and promote discussion of all sorts of issues that we normally don't think about. We can only imagine: What did Mary's own mother think of Mary's pregnancy and her grandson born of that? Did Judas expect Jesus would die as a result of his betrayal, or did he have other ideas? In so imagining, we can discover more about our faith and about ourselves as the biblical characters come to life in a new way.

The point of all of these letters is to show what a difference the resurrection makes. Since all were "written" between the time of Jesus' death and resurrection, they were written from desperation or despair or deep grief; however, the whole world changed a few days later. It is now a world of hope.

I can't wait till till next year when the opportunity will come to share these wonderfully written, thought-provoking "letters" with the people in my church. They would be good as part of a worship service as well as in a class or other type of discussion. The box I opened was actually a treasure chest.