Nonfiction Books

Next to the giving tree, this is the second most fondly remembered book of my childhood. The giving tree was read to me much earlier and more often and the strong moral message carried a deep resonance for a long time. This collection of poems was much lighter fare and entertained me for several years. There are a lot of poems and illustrations in here to tickle your childrens imaginations and help them think creatively about words. Fantastic!

Your child just might be more capable of appreciating this marvelous book of poetry than you anticipate.

Here's our story. We had brought our child of 20 months to Disney World, at the invitation of her grandparents (my parents.) Like the doting grandparents they are, they not only generously hosted her (and us) on vacation, but they sprang for some books to surprise her with, to keep her entertained in the hotel room.

My mother had ordered A Light in the Attic based on the recommendation of the History Book Club. She phoned me after it had arrived, saying, "I think I made a mistake. I can't see any way that a child of twenty months will be interested in these Silverstein books. They're volumes of poetry collections, with only crude sketches for illustrations, and at that, not even every poem is illustrated."

When I saw the books my mother had bought, I agreed with her assessment. I myself came of age before they were published, and wasn't familiar with them. And surely our very young daughter would get nothing out of these books. Even the packaging seemed aimed at an older audience - the author's photograph is on the back cover, for goodness sake. What child is interested in that? So we showed Juliana the other books first, opening up A Light in the Attic only on the last day of the vacation.

And, indeed, a light it was. What a revelation.

The first time I read these poems to my little girl, she would not allow me to stop until I had read 50 full pages. The second time - she wouldn't let me stop until I had covered 75! About two weeks later, she actually drove me to read the ENTIRE book, cover to cover - a process that was ended only twelve pages from the end, when we were called grudgingly to dinner.

There were certain poems that I just could never get past. "Read it again!" she would exclaim after these. Even five, six consecutive readings of certain poems was not enough to satisfy.

These poems, we have found, are like uncovering a secret language that only children fully and instinctively understand. The adult who reads these books aloud may also rediscover a few forgotten preoccupations, anxieties, questions, joys and sources of humor, of long, long ago.

The appeal of these poems for our daughter has been so intense that we have spent some time wondering aloud to each other about the components of Silverstein's genius. Here are a few, admittedly untutored, thoughts:

First, there is his flair for the amusing nonsense word: our daughter particularly loves the poems that contain such gems as: "loony-goony," "sploosh," "whoosh," and "fly-hi-dee, try-hi-dee, my-hi-dee-ho."

But it's not just silly words. Indeed, unlike the Seuss books, many of the Silverstein poems have much less disciplined meter. The subject matter, in addition to the sound, is a great part of the resonant quality.

Our child especially likes the subversive, satirical poems- revealing to us that she's aware of much more than we'd realized. There's a "Knock-Knock" poem in which a "Mehoo" with an "Exactlywatt" on a chain delivers a routine that sounds like something out of Abbott and Costello. Another poem is a take-off on "One Two Buckle My Shoe." ("Buckle your own shoe!" is the first interruption.) Who would have thought that our twenty-month-old would get the jokes? But she does. These satirical poems were among those that she requested be repeatedly read, giggling every time.

Silverstein has an impressive talent for remembering and conveying the wonder and anxiety that children find in domestic settings. Again, one wouldn't think a small child yet possesses these anxieties and fascinations, but these poems have enabled us to discover that she does. In one poem, there is a polar bear lurking in the refrigerator; in another, there's an eyeball in the gumball machine (one of several ghoulish poems in the collection, which we try to skip over - she won't let us flip past that one, though); in another, the child falling asleep is tormented by the "What ifs" ("What if I don't grow taller?"); another conveys the boredom of flipping through uninteresting television channels on a weekend afternoon. Both daughter and parent connect with these.

Our daughter's other favorites include: Picture Puzzle Piece, Messy Room, Squishy Touch ("Every single thing I touch turns to raspberry Jell-O."), Eight Balloons (each of which finds a different cause to go, "POP!"), -Ations (all about conversation, communication, cooperation, reconciliation, etc.) Overdues ("What do I do? What do I do? This library book is forty two years overdue. . . ") and Hippo's Hope.

In being asked to read these poems over and over, we have grown to love them too. How could one not love the chance to read such couplets to one's child as:

"How much good inside a day?
Depends how good you live `em.
How much love inside a friend?
Depends how much you give `em."

Our daughter has three Silverstein volumes: This one, plus Falling Up, plus the first in the series, Where the Sidewalk Ends. Where the Sidewalk Ends is the most renowned, but A Light in the Attic is our family favorite. Perhaps our daughter loves these most because she got to know this volume first; maybe, but so far it's our favorite as well.

Silverstein's poetry has plucked responsive chords in our daughter and in the process helped us to grow closer to her. For that, we are very grateful for his inscrutable genius.

Concluding note to parents: It's not always the lavishly illustrated, sensory overload books that will most appeal to a child, even a very young child. There are other ways to more directly touch their feelings, and this book is a rare, fine example.

I sent this to my grandsons, who love it as much as their mother did. It is a wonderful book to introduce poetry to young people. They read a few every night at bedtime.

This book is a classic, the poems are wonderful. I enjoyed reading this book when i was 10, and still do. It is a book you will read over and over or just open to look for your favorite poem. Shel Silverstein is an amazingly talented and imaginative writer. I often buy this book as a present for friends kids!

Silverstein is our favorite author of children's books. He is just perfect! In fact his works are as good for the parents as for their children. Whichever Silverstein's book I bought for any of my five children (each one of them has his own Silverstein), we have ALL read them. That includes my children, myself, and even sometimes my husband. "Light in the Attic" is no exception to that rule. I think that all of Shel's books are equally good. Check also Runny Babbit: A Billy Sook, A Giraffe and a Half, Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition: Poems and Drawings. If you are a loving mother that wants to see smile on your child's face, give him Silverstein - it's children's literature classic and a safe bet. A recent discovery for me is Boszenna Nowiki and her series Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 1, Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 2, Why Some Cats are Rascals ( Book 3) with some very touching stories of speaking cats...

This book was delivered to me very quickly and in very good condition. I am glad I purchased this book. It was a very good experience.

on time delivery. book was in perfect shape!! I would order again from this seller.

The laboratory manual is very helpful. It is to be used with the Seventh Edition of Puntos de Partida.

I'm usually concerned about purchasing items on line, especially books. I can honestly say that this experience was worth it. I would recommend this seller to anyone interested in purchasing good quality books at extremely reasonable prices.

Buy with confidence, I did!

This biology book is a written fairly well, but it could be better if more thought and organization were put into it! The only problem with it are the review questions and other questions at the end of the chapters. They are poorly written and when you're looking for the answers, they're not really in the section that it was intended for. Instead, the answers are in previous sections or chapters before!! It's a complete nightmare trying to answer them! How do they expect a student to learn from and focus on a section in which you have to stop thinking about it in order to review previous chapters or sections? Be consistent and organized please!!!!

Well written and illustrated. Easy for 3-4 year olds to understand.
I like the questions - they give an opportunity for kids to think about who has died.

This book was very matter of fact. As mentioned by others, it can be used by all. If you wish to add religious information to your explanations to your child, then you can emblessish using an example. I found to book to tell of death in a very matter of fact way that young children understand.

Reviewer's book: Overcoming Loss: Activities and Stories for Children Who Have Experienced Grief and Loss

This beautifullly illustrated book has a gentle story about loss and the feelings associated with it for young children.

This book met our needs when Nana died, though it specifically avoids presuming the age or reason of death of your loved one. It is gentle, honest, and brief. I found it perfect for our 6 and 4 year olds. On some pages there are questions that provide nice prompts for discussion (and tears).

Was age appropriate for my 4 yr old. My Father died a week after I ordered this book. It was useful for my daughter.

I have used this book for one semester in Advanced composition and conversation, though I have been using some of its exercises and suggestions for years before I decided it was going to be a required book. I find the articles very well chosen, most of them elicit a lot of discussion and the cultural topics are both varied and interesting, with enough detail to make the students ask questions and remember things. The discussion activities are also very creative. I also like its emphasis on vocabulary that causes problems to English speakers. However, if you are looking for a grammar book this is definitely not it. It does have a companion workbook that includes a grammar review and exercises.

Some books serve to improve grammar, others to improve reading comprehension, and yet others to teach spanish culture. This book, however tries to tackle so many different topics that it is not able to do any one of them very well. each chapter is divided into parts. many of the vocabulary words are things that a student at that level already ought to know. there is little taught about grammar in this book, however the workbook touches on some subjects, but only the easy ones. i would not recommend this book for a spanish class.

I never received the item from amazon. Had to purchase from a high school book store.

My daughter is entering Middle School this year. She is 10 years old and she and her friends love this book and have read it several times!

I got this book for my niece who was a little nervous about starting middle school. We both read it and I thought it had plenty of good information and tips. I think it also helped with some of her nervousness.

I bought this for a grand daughter who'ss getting ready for middle school next year. She's been 'freaking out' over the significant changes in middle school.

I haven't read the entire book but I've skimmed it enough to see that it will be a life saver for her, and I highly recommend it for anyone who has a girl leaving the comfort of elementary school.

Book outer cover & edge wear was inconsistant with the listing.
Book is great!

I was scared bout starting middle school and I read this book and it answered all my questions. Any girl starting middle school soon should read this book.

I especially think women should get this for thier daughters, and a second copy for themselves. It is amazing and easy to relate to. But, I don't want it to be written off as a book for kids, I'm 25 and WOW! While somethings don't relate to me specifically, I can reflect on those choices I made or watched my friends make. I took a closer look at me and ask questions and was really truthful with myself. Also, for those ladies that feel there is something missing; while he dosen't tell you what your missing, if you follow the little steps he suggest you to do (no matter how silly you feel doing them)you will figure it out on your own..and that feeling that your waiting for is so much more amazing when it comes from yourself and it's not someone telling you what THEY feel you should/shouldn't do. Anyway, I'm a pretty strong-minded female and this book did put somethings into perspective for me, about me. I'm appreciative of that. I wish him much success, he has done an amazing job. Little by little you'll find your way! God Bless....GOD BLESS

This is a book that every young lady should read, no matter what race color or creed......EVERY young lady should read this book and know that they are not alone. They will gain a different outlook on life and become stronger in every day life.

In his latest book, LETTERS TO A YOUNG SISTER, Harper answers to the other half of the population not spoken to in LETTERS TO A YOUNG BROTHER - young women. Though he was inspired by a comment from a young woman of color, this book reaches across cultural and racial differences to speak to young women about issues they face growing up.

The narrator, Hill Harper himself, is writing to a hypothetical "young sistah," a young sistah who could be any young woman. The way Harper addresses issues like drugs, relationships, family life, and future plans for this young sistah is informal and unpretentious because of the medium he's chosen. In responding to questions and concerns from this young sistah, it is not a forced conversation or one set up like a customary teacher/student. In the beginning, Harper even admits that he might not have all the answers, but if he doesn't, he'll find a woman friend, teacher, or mentor who does.

Harper includes real emails with questions from real girls around the country, a great addition. In this way, sistahs get to see what other sistahs are thinking, feeling, and worrying about. This feature was also a great way for Harper to reach out and include some very influential women's responses to these emails - real women talking about their experiences as young sistahs.

Reviewed by: Erikka Adams, aka "The Bookbinder"

I commend Mr. Harper for yet another inspirational book aimed at encouraging a generation that needs all the positive encouragement it can get. His committment to not only succeed in his own life; but to also enspire others to do the same speaks well for him and should be applauded. Thank you Hill Harper for not sticking your head in the sand.

After purchasing Mr. Harper's earlier work, Letters to a Young Brother, I eagerly anticipated Letters to a Young Sister. Upon viewing it (prior to giving it to my teenaged daughter), I was not disappointed with the contents. It comes with one hundred pages more and almost twice as much stimulating advice for budding young ladies.

All young girls will appreciate the introduction to the book written by the talented actress, Gabrielle Union. She reveals a gut-wrenching saga in her life along with an uplifting message of survival. Mr Harper leans heavily on contributions from her and other well known and talented women to help give his efforts added dimension and credibility.

It is interesting to note that all the doubts, inhibitions, and self-esteem issues young boys have, can be equally applied to young girls. There are slight variations in the way girls view their problems in way of priorities, but the list of issues is still the same. The bottom line is they want to be on the same page with their peers in appearance, attitude, and aptitude.

I thought I understood (almost) my teenaged daughter. However, after reading Letters to a Young Sister, I realized (in her vernacular) "that is not the way she rolls". There are many things young girls (and boys) will not share with their parents, no matter how much we urge them to do so.

"Letters to a Young Sister" and "Letters to a Young Brother, "... can be viable alternatives towards mentoring young people in need of an outlet ... for expressing their innermost feelings. I recommend both books, to one and all. Reviewed by Reginald V. Johnson, Upper Saddle River, NJ

The book is really good. This is one book you don't want to get rid off?

I ordered this book because of a course that I am taking. It is a much needed book and I am learning alot about business. I would fail the course without it.

I brought this book to study for the PHR exam and to have as a resource. I self-studied for the exam with this book and the PHR/SPHR Professional in Human Resources Certification. I recommend them both. It is laid out really well - with good charts, examples, and listing many websites to use for resources. I also like that the terms and definitions were listed in bold on this side of the pages. It is a good resource to have at the office.

I have been recommending Human Resource Management to clients since the first edition. The authors Robert L. Mathis and John H. Jackson have kept this bible of the industry ... relevant and updated throughout the years.
This latest edition continues the trend, pace, and level of excellence since its inception. It is a perfect reference source and deals with the theoretical as well as real world situations. All companies can benefit from its practical applications whether they are start-ups or major corporations.
Reggie Johnson, President, Success-Tapes.Com

There's a reason this book is a standard in the field. It explains both fact and theory, in just enough depth, to support HR generalist efforts. The current edition -- for those of us who haven't seen the inside of a school for quite a few years -- features on-line resources that are particularly useful in work situations. Call it a textbook for OJT.