Nonfiction Books

This coloring book is the perfect coloring book. It's non-traditional, but it encourages your child to build upon his/her imagination and express their individuality as well as personal artistic flair. It provides the foundation for a lot of coloring fun!

Love this series of book!! I ended up buying one for each of my eight kids ranging from 16 to 4 years old.

My four year old got this out of my gift pile (to give to others), and had a great time doing the first half of the book. Needless to say, it works for almost any age! It gives you the beginning of a picture (usually) and gives you guidance on what to draw. Here's an umbrella, draw some rain. Fun and creative gift for any age!

I bought this book as something my 3 y/o and I could do together. We finally pulled it out tonight (I was saving it for some quality alone time) and I LOVE IT! This is just very basic generic coloring book and each page has a simple instruction to add to or finish the scribble on the page. You can interpret it however you want and do with it what you please. Follow the instructions literally, abstract something, create something completely different. This book definitely inspired creativity in both me and my son. My mom is pretty artsy and I am going to order one for her. I'd love to see what she'd do with it. Great choice if you're looking for something different and I totally agree it's good for any age.
As for the dead person...if your child can read, let them draw a dead person. It's about interpretation and creativity. They don't have to draw a corpse. Maybe they choose to draw Abraham Lincoln or Jesus. If they can't read, tell them to draw whatever you'd like to see.

I bought this for my 3 year old who loves coloring books, as long as they have dot to dots and "design the cookie" type pages. This is perfect for her. She loves it just as much as i thought she would. What I don't like is that some of the pages are landscape style. I mean, they go across the binding of the book which makes it difficult. I tried ripping the pages out, then glueing them to a bigger piece of construction paper. That can olny be done if you have already done the pages on the back sides (unless you want to waste pages out of a 20.00 book, i don't) it would be nice if the whole book were landscape, and the worst thing about this book is the page that says to "draw a dead person." What in the world? I ripped out that page, and good thing i saw it before she did. It has a box that resembles a coffin that you are supposed to draw the 'dead body' in. I would have considered returning the book for that reason alone had she not used over 1/2 the book already,a nd been in love with it. Seriously everyday since she got it, she has done 10-15 pages.

The right cover was bent but other than that the book is in great condition. I like this textbook because it is interesting and full of pictures. This is one of the best textbooks I have had to buy. I suggest this book for anyone who wants to learn some psych (like me)or needs it for class. :O

This book is well written and clearly explains all of the major concepts of psychology in a way which is both interesting and easy to understand. It covers all of the major perspectives and specialties in the field of psychology, and gives real-life scenarios and examples to illustrate the different ideas and concepts. The book encourages critical thinking and has a scientific/academic approach to the subject material, which is something I like to see in any textbook.

My Book arrived in excellent shape and was received in less than a week of purchase. I am very satisfied and would purchase a book again through this source.

I bought this book for my brother, who is an author. He is always looking for a good book to improve and/or diversify his writing techniques. He is thrilled with it. hasn't hardly put it down since he got it and uses it for referencing a lot!

"Telling True Stories" is 91 outstanding essays on what narrative nonfiction reporting and writing are and how to do both better. The book, described as "a nonfiction writers' guide," features many award winning reporters, editors and teachers who have presented during Nieman Conferences on Narrative Journalism and include Walt Harrington, Jack Hart, Tom French, Tom Hallman and John Franklin. The title could just as easily been "Telling True Stories Compellingly" for these essayists and others clearly describe how fact-based narratives, when employing the story-telling techniques described in detail, can produce truly memorable newspaper pieces, magazine articles and books. As a rookie newspaper reporter very interested in writing stories that will be read, this book is worth at least double the price - maybe triple.

"Telling True Stories" belongs on every serious writer's bookshelf. Including insights from many of the luminaries in the narrative non-fiction world, it is not only an essential read for someone working in this field, but a lively and inspiring one as well. Highly recommended!

From my review in the January 2008 newsletter of the American Society of Journalists and Authors:

In nearly 100 short essays, this book offers an unbelievable wealth of excellent advice and information, from 51 contributors such as Tom Wolfe, David Halberstam, Susan Orlean, Tracy Kidder, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc and Gay Talese. It's like attending a "who's who" conference on nonfiction writing, all for the price of a trade paperback. The book is helpfully divided into categories; you don't have to read the whole thing (although you'll be a better writer, guaranteed, if you do). Categories include finding topics, settling on your sub-genre, structure, building quality into your work, ethics, editing, narrative in news and building a career in magazines and books. The best parts of the book are the tidbits of insight dispersed by pros who have had decades of experience to figure out what makes them so good at their jobs. Gay Talese talks about his decision to spend more time "with people who were not necessarily newsworthy . . . that the role of the nonfiction writer should be with private people whose lives represent a larger significance." Katherine Boo reveals that she finds her stories "because I never learned to drive. . . . I take the bus. I walk around. By being out there -- not the driver of my story but the literal and figurative rider -- I have the opportunity to see things that I would never otherwise see." S. Mitra Kalita offers the startling -- but obvious on contemplation -- observation from her colleague Mirta Ojito at The New York Times, that "the more you know, the less they tell you." This is a book you'll speed through and quote to your friends, read over and over, and find new insights on each pass through.

I have a system when I'm reviewing books of putting Post-It notes on the edges of pages that seem especially cogent, well-written, etc. I usually have 8 or 10 Post-Its on a book that's finished, but on this one, I had so many it looked like the book had sprouted its own little line of prayer flags!

Every writing teacher needs this book. One of the best I've found. Already teaching from it. Plus, The Nieman Foundation Website offers more useful writing & teaching tools than most fee-based services. Should be required reading for all creative nonfiction and journalism undergrad and grad students.

After reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, I bought this for my 12 year old nephew who is a real "idea man". Before giving it to him, I read it and gave it to my 17 year old nephew to read. It's essentially like re-reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, but it stops periodically to ask questions of the reader, and my 17 year old nephew really thought about what was being asked.

Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens gets the reader thinking about himself/herself, where they "fit", what special gifts or talents they may have, and what they might need to improve on. Anyone with teenagers knows kids are all about themselves at this age, so this approach really seemed to strike a chord. The kids could relate.

This is an excellent place for kids to start, but keep in mind that after the book has been read through, that's all you've done - start. You've peaked their interest. Without some sort of follow through and guidance, kids probably won't know where to go from here.

If you want to introduce your teens to some of the inspirational ideas in Rich Dad Poor Dad, if you want to get them thinking about who they are, what there strengths are and get them started thinking about money, assets vs liabilities, saving vs investing, etc., this is a great place to start.

Bought this as a followup for my daughter after letting her read "Rich Dad Poor Dad." She is highly-motivated to save and invest. We try really hard to teach our kids about not getting sucked in to all the "stuff." This gives some good reasons in black and white(that aren't coming from mom and dad) to do so, and how it can really pay off in the future.

I'm 16 and I've read many books about finance and investing including Rich Dad Poor Dad but this book is just to simple it's just a cut down version from the original book if you want to read a Kiyosaki book just get Rich Dad Poor Dad

I really enjoyed Rich Dad, Poor Dad (the original) and since I'm 17, I thought I'd read this book because it might be easier to understand and more applicable to me. It is that and really got me started thinking about my financial future etc... But most of his insight I had already read in Rich Dad, Poor Dad, but if you're a teen or pre-teen this is a good book to read if you want to get ideas on what you can do now to get a head start. The information is a little simplistic and vague, however, and I am now going to start reading Robert Kiyosaki's other books for adults. Most of the stuff he covered in this book I already knew or heard before to some extent, so no new info here, but it is a great read for teens that don't think about financial matters AT ALL, or for kids. If anything, it'll get you thinking. Great book! I recommend using a notebook to take notes during your reading of the book; it really helps!

The "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" series has been enormously popular on the lecture circuit and in book stores. Authors Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter have distilled a fair amount of useful financial advice using the medium of Kiyosaki's autobiographical remembrances of the lessons his two 'Dads' taught him. In brief, one father (his biological father) is a teacher who stresses education and finding a 'good' job, while his other father (actually the father of his best friend Michael) taught him how to manage money, seize opportunities, and build financial independence. Like many other self help financial books, this series has a good mix of practical advice and a fair amount of platitudes designed to give readers confidence in themselves so they will take some risks in the pursuit of their dreams.

I was expecting a slightly easier to read version of the same message from this book. My wife asked that I skim it to see if it was appropriate for her grandchild. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find that this book was not just a easier to read version of the original 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad.' Instead, Kiyosaki and Lechter have moved beyond the usual boundaries of the financial self help guide to discuss multiple intelligences and (surprise) the value of education in all its forms. Of course, the best of the advice found in 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' is repeated here as well. You should buy assets, not liabilities. Debt is a tool for developing assets, not means to purchase the latest gizmo that you absolutely have to have right now. But the authors also talk extensively about Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences. They correctly recognize that kids (indeed, all of us) have certain innate intelligences not all of which are developed in a traditional classroom setting. They encourage young people to develop and use their own talents and gifts in pursuit of a financial education. They rightly remind their readers that all of them are born geniuses.

In conclusion I liked this book considerably more than the original volume of the 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' series. In that volume, Kiyosaki concluded that he learned from both of his Dads, but the Rich Dad gets a far more positive portrayal. The teacher father comes up short in many ways. But in this book, education is correctly seen as one form of wealth. It is not the only form, despite what many of my colleagues in the teaching profession might say. But it is one form. A life with great books and music is also wealth. And so is financial independence. Indeed, without the latter, it is difficult to appreciate the former. And I think the authors give both forms of wealth their due in this book. That is a good message for teens to read.

The President of the Czech Republic has survived "Central Planning" with all its' pitfalls giving him a unique perspective to the "solutions" being promulgated by Gore, Hansen, Stern and the IPCC.
Excellent dissection of warming alarmist dogma with a definite Libertarian slant. The chapter on Cost-Benefit analysis of the Precautionary Principle alone is worth the cost of the book.

Whatever your opinion is on the subject, I recommend this book for a dose of sanity. There are a few difficult spots in the book for non-economists, and Mr Klaus does overgeneralize a bit using the word "environmemtalists", but his points are sound and backed up with scientific references and hard economic and climatological science. Just read it. Please.

This is a very important book which should be widely circulated. In particular, it should be read by those who consider themselves good citizens and are 'concerned about the environment', but who have not really looked into what this movement is all about, what's driving it, it's origins and implications, or the science behind 'global warming'. I would also very strongly recommend the British documentary entitled "the Great Global Warming Swindle", which is even more compelling (available online in the US, just do a Google search, or through Amazon). After reading this book and conducting a fair amount of reseach on the subject, I am stunned by the disappearence of common sense among the public and frightened by what the future may bring. We should have learned our lesson with Marxism, but that is clearly not the case.

The only draw-back is that, given the importance of the subject and the stature of Dr. Klaus, it could have been edited a bit better. Hopefully future editions will correct this.

BLUE PLANET IN GREEN SHACKLES is Czech President Vaclav Klaus's contribution to the debate over global warming. Klaus points his readers in some useful directions. As a longtime advocate of market economics, Klaus worries that peoples' inordinate fears over global warming will reverse the positive trend toward decentralized economies that we've seen since the 1980s. He has watched the environmental movement embrace planning, centralization, and top-down control: the tenets of the old-style Soviet Communism, which his country suffered under for so many years. Klaus suggests that when governments control economies, people cannot creatively adapt and moribund societies result. For this book's author, Czechoslovakia is a case in point. People will make a better world, less polluted, healthier, and more vibrant when they are allowed to respond to social challenges with freedom and autonomy.

In his book, Klaus is not denying the possibility of warming. In fact, he admits, "I, too share their [environmentalists'] concerns and anxieties." Nevertheless, he reminds readers that, "the average global temperature in the 20th century increased by a mere 1.1 degree Fahrenheit." In response to this small variation, environmentalists--such as Al Gore--are "creating an environmentally obsessed society." What does Klaus suggest to counter our society's mass paranoia? He proposes that we try to answer four questions, scientifically, and without prejudice. 1. Is there global warming? 2. If so, have people caused it? 3. If so, can we do something about it? 4. Does an eventual moderate temperature increase matter?

It is easy for environmentalists to dismiss Klaus as irrelevant: environmentalists have already won the debate in terms of public opinion. Nevertheless, thoughtful people should read Klaus's book. Right now, a far-reaching proposal--selling carbon credits--is being debated, and this debate would benefit from Klaus's insights. Before we jump on board the environmental bandwagon, we owe it to ourselves to consider the long-term social consequences. For example, are the various proposals for governments selling carbon credits of any use in changing our environment? How much? And, at what cost? Klaus reminds us that the costs are more than just a matter of dollars and cents. Everyone can benefit from this book's easy to understand analysis. Get it; read it; enjoy it, and share a copy with friends.

President Klaus has written a superb economic critique of environmentalism. With justification Mr. Klaus critiques environmentalism as the statist anti-free enterprise descendent of communism. Like communism environmentalism wants to restrict both liberty and prosperity in the name of an ill conceived public good.

Mr. Klaus writes very clearly in introducing such economic concepts as prices measuring scarcity, discounted future consumption, opportunity cost, and cost benefit analysis to demonstrate that environmentalism egregiously neglects and denies economic reality. Mr. Klaus propounds the benefits of technological advance on human living conditions.

This work is not long but very profound, unique, and necessary. The book should be and I believe will be widely read for what it is, a readable economic critque of the common place eco-freakery.

My son read this book to me for reading but it can just as easily be read for health or science. He really likes these books while he does not care for the shows much. In this one they take a trip through Ralph's body and learn about the main systems - digestion, circulatory, nervous... Recommended for ages 6-9 years and 3rd grade reading level.

My daughter has been reading Magic School Bus books in school and we bought this one for her this past Christmas. She probably enjoys this one more than any other so far. It is well written and very educational with great illustrations. If your young reader likes science, then this is definitely a great choice!

Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen outdo themselves in "The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body." It is their most ambitious collaboration yet, and it definitely doesn't disappoint.

As is the custom, the third book in this science series (written in 1989) picks up where the second story left off. Ms. Frizzle is showing her students a filmstrip about the human body. "We're going to learn all about ourselves," she says. Then she announces the next field trip - the class is heading to the museum to "see an exhibit about how our bodies get energy from the food we eat." However, anyone who has even an inkling as to the kind of person Ms. Frizzle is should know that things rarely, if ever, go according to plan. A field trip is never just a field trip when you're taking a ride aboard her magic school bus.

The Friz and her students stop at a park for lunch before arriving at the museum. Afterward, everyone goes back to the bus . . . except for Arnold! He's still sitting at a picnic table, daydreaming and eating a bag of Cheesie-Weesies. And before the class realizes what is happening, the bus shrinks to the size of a Cheesie-Weesie . . . where it is promptly downed in one gulp by Arnold!

"I thought we were going to the museum," says one student.

"There's been a slight change of plans," explains Ms. Frizzle. "We're being digested instead."

Why visit an exhibit about the human body when you have a magic school bus and a teacher like Ms. Frizzle who can take you directly to the source?

If "At the Waterworks" was like priming the pump, and "Inside the Earth" was like getting the ball rolling, "Inside the Human Body" is like plowing full-steam ahead. Cole and Degen have firmly established themselves as a literacy force to be reckoned with; this is proven in the confidence of the writing and the boldness of the illustrations. There is so much going on in this story that you almost need a scorecard to keep track of it all. It seems as though Cole and Degen are bound and determined to one-up themselves with every book they come out with.

A list of some things Ms. Frizzle educates her class about would include: blood cells (red and white), blood vessels, digestion, germs, the heart, lungs, molecules, oxygen, plasma, the small intestine, etc. Do you know what villi are? You will after you read this book! Any idea what the cerebral cortex does? Ms. Frizzle will show you! Ever wondered why you sneeze? The answer resides in this story!

"Inside the Human Body" deserves just as much, if not more, a home on a person's bookshelf as does "At the Waterworks" and "Inside the Earth." Cole and Degen loaded their latest adventure to the bursting-point with information. You can see the growth author and illustrator have taken since their inaugural effort with "At the Waterworks." They prove that some things do, indeed, get better with age.

At the end of "Inside the Human Body" is a true-false test to help readers distinguish what things were true in the story and what things were made up. And, of course, Ms. Frizzle drops another clue as to where her next great adventure will take us. I'm pretty sure the class will think of their next field trip as out of this world!

It doesn't seem possible, but Cole and Degen managed to improve upon an already-winning formula. They are both in top form with "Inside the Human Body," a field trip that will take you from the brain to the small intestine and back again. Well, what are you waiting for? Hitch a ride on the magic school bus!

As Ms. Frizzle herself would say, "Seatbelts, everyone!"

This book is really out of this world. I have been hooked on the magic school bus series. I can't wait to read more books in the series. The inside the human body book is full with very interesting facts and I learned so much from reading it. Arnold doesn't know where the bus is and is trying to find it. He doesn't even know that it is actually inside him. Then Arnold sneezes and finds the bus right next to him. He doesn't understand how he didn't see it before.

Ms. Frizzle is taking her class on a memorable field trip through the human body in this entertaining book featuring the beloved eccentric teacher and her curious class. My only complaint is that the pages are so busy with information that it's impossible to sit and really read the whole book, but perhaps it's best to let a child's curiosity guide you through a number of readings rather than trying to get everything in at one sitting. Concepts are expressed clearly and with humor. Justly popular with young students.