Really cute!

I came across this book in a farm shop and bought it for double the price here! I was so impressed by the moving pictures that I bought it for my two neices. It's a book for the very young but the pictures make it so interesting it's worth getting just for that.

Better than the first book....

Though it is best to read these books in order, this second book does stand alone but reading the first will help provide the reader with a clearer understanding of the plot. I found this second, in what I hope will be a trilogy by Jack Whyte, to be even better than his first book in this series. The story was much faster, now that we know the story of the mission of the friendly families using the Knights Templar as a front organization. <br /><br />Andre St Clair was a wonderful new hero to balance off the angst of his cousin hardened Templar Knight, Alec Sinclair . The political intrigue and historical events of the era helped to balance the story with the history. The author doesn't get bogged down with excessive descriptions but one clearly feels that they are traveling with the crusaders as they move toward their destiny in the Holy Lands. My only objections was the story ended so abruptly I was caught off guard, but was beautiful in Andre's dedication to his cousin and his own personal journey. Can't wait for number three!!!

A poor ending to a thought provoking trilogy

Whilst I enjoyed 'Northern Lights' as an interesting, pleasantly entertaining piece of fantasy writing, I became increasingly disappointed as the trilogy progressed. Once the action shifted into 'our world' in the 'Subtle Knife', I had difficulty viewing it as a piece of fantasy and then by the 3rd book, once Pullman had began his anti-christianity diatribe at the expense of meaningful story and plot, I was completely underwhelmed. As a Christian, it would be easy to feel threatened by the book that points to Satan as the saviour of all worlds but it is not that good a book to be remotely bothered by!

I couldn't stop reading it!

I couldn't stop reading it! I won't give away any of the story to people reading the review because that would spoil it but Cornwell again makes you feel you know the people he is writing about and, damn it, you begin to care about them. Uhtred is, without a doubt, a bit of a rogue but he insistently worms his way into your affections.<br /><br />The atmosphere was superb - there is a thick mist hanging around saxon times but Mr. Cornwell seems to offer us a set of foglights. Yes, some bits are not strictly bound to the historical record but it is downright believeable. His chracters are not bound to some higher cause, they are just normal people who make normal mistakes and have normal emotions.<br /><br />This book feels like a time machine for your imagination, taking you back onto the bloody battlefields of the time - buy it and enjoy the experience! Also, if you missed reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates, go and read it. <br />

Harry Potter!

This is a hefty volume: 636 pages, of which probably at least 200 could have been cut without detracting from the story. The weight and complexity of the book is perhaps a hint that Rowling now has her eye sharply focused on her adult audience, and the average child-reader (particularly one who is coming to Harry Potter for the first time) may well find its girth daunting. Rowling's ironic and pointed observations on tabloid journalism and the nature of media hype is just one of the references littered through the book that will tickle the grown-ups but may well fly over the heads of her young fans.<br /><br />However, after a slow start, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire really starts to sparkle halfway through with Rowling's familiar magic (and yes, there is a death--sudden and tragic--and yes, Harry does start to notice girls). The crux of this story, however, is Harry's gradual coming-of-age and his handling of the increasingly determined threats to his own life.<br /><br />This book is pivotal, not just for the author for whom the heat is well and truly on, but for Harry and his readers who, by the last chapter, are left in little doubt that there is much more to come. (Ages 10 to adult)<br />This is however, my favourite book of the seven and I think it is the same for lots of people!<br /><br />

Petal People You Make Yourself (Klutz)

My daughter and her friend age 7 had great fun making these petal people. Everything is supplied with the book with illustrations to help you along the way. The results were great and you could make every one different. We made flower fairies, my daughter has had great pleasure playing with them ever since, they are great for children with any sort of imagination. I have now ordered several more for gifts for her friends.

A really helpful book

I ordered this book for my 6 yr old who was battling with huge anxiety related to going to school. The book arrived on a Saturday and we worked through it that afternoon. She absolutely loved reading it and wouldn't stop when I thought she had taken enough for one sitting! It is very interactive and was so helpful in getting her to tell me more of her worries. I think she felt the book was written with only her in mind yet she was also relieved to find that there must be others worrying in a similar way! It gave me really helpful tangible things that I could try with her when previously I had been a bit lost. A month later I cant say all her worries are gone but we are managing it in a far more positive, constructive way I think.

Stitch This, Bigjobs !

First published in 2004 and set on the Discworld,"A Hat Full of Sky" is the sequel to"The Wee Free Men" and sees Tiffany Aching return as the book's heroine. Tiffany, now eleven years old, has been brought up on a farm in an area on the Chalk. She has six older sisters, one younger brother, wields a mean frying pan, is very good with cheese and has already impressed the Discworld's greatest witch. Granny Aching, who dies when Tiffany was seven, continues to be a big influence on her grand-daughter. Granny was a shepherdess, very fond of Jolly Sailor tobacco and - Tiffany is convinced - a witch. Remembering how Granny said it was important to stand up for those who have no voice, Tiffany has decided she wants to follow in her footsteps. <br /><br />The book also features an exceptionally rowdy, and thoroughly entertaining, bunch of fairies. The Wee Free Men, we also known as the Nac Mac Feegle, are a Pictsie race who were thrown out of Fairyland for being drunk, disorderly and rebellious. They are covered in tattoos, have red hair and blue skin and wear little other thank kilts and swords. An extremely fast and strong race, they are fond of fighting, stealing and drinking - Granny Aching's Special Sheep Liniment is a particular favorite. There have been a few changes since"The Wee Free Men", however. The clan now has a new gonnagle, Awf'ly Wee Billy Bigchin Mac Feegle, and a new Kelda, Jeannie of the Long Lake. Jeannie, as tradition demands, has married the Big Man o' the Clan, Rob Anybody Feegle. She is also responsible for possibly the biggest change of them all. The Nac Mac Feegle had once been afraid of reading and writing, believing it to be a dangerous type of magic. Jeannie now wants the clan, beginning with Rob Anybody, to learn how to read and write. For a while during"The Wee Free Men", however, Tiffany was the clan's temporary Kelda - as a result, they have never forgotten her and still try to protect her. It also means that Jeannie doesn't like or trust the young hag at all. <br /><br />As the book opens, Tiffany is leaving the Chalk for a spell (boom boom !). She's been apprenticed to Miss Level, a very peculiar research witch but clearly with some talent. (Miss Level's cottage is also home to Oswald, a kind of anti-poltergeist : instead of messing things up, he's obsessively tidy). Tiffany travels to Miss Level's with Miss Tick : unknown to either of then, however, they are being followed by a hiver. This is a type of demon without a body, brain or shape of its own. Instead, they search for and take refuge in bodies of great power - and this particular hiver has targeted Tiffany. Tiffany has inadvertently learnt how to 'borrow', a trick which leaves her own body unattended. Unfortunately, this will makes things easier for the hiver to take up residence. Luckily, the Wee Free Men want to follow and protect her - if they can convince their new Kelda it's a good idea. <br /><br />Like everything else I've read by Pratchett, this is an excellent book. It's easily read, features plenty of likeable characters and there are plenty of laughs. Although I would recommend reading"The Wee Free Men" before this instalment"A Hat Full of Sky" is definitely recommended !

A Pokemon Drawer's Bible

A great way for children and adults alike to begin or improve their Pokemon drawing skills. My son certainly liked this item, as did I as it mademe remember when I was young and I had dreams of writing.
Great as a present or a treat for the younger you.

FANTASTIC, AMAZING, YOU MUST READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!

In a clash of heroes, a kingdom is born, and that kingdom is England. This story is based on real events and exellent research. Set in the 9th century this tells the story of England in the making when the 4 Christian Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England were struggling for survival against the Pagan Vikings. This tells the story of Uhtred,a 10yr old english kid who is destined to be King Alfred's greatest warrior. At the age of 10 Uhtred's family is slaughtered by Vikings and he is raised as a Pagan and trained as a warrior. But Uhtred is torn between his fellow Saxons and the Danes that raised him, but destiny is everything. And he soon finds himself fighting the greatest of the Vikings for a King that doesnt like him or trust him.(I dont want to say too much as this book is full of twists and suprises). This is the best book iv ever read and im looking forward to reading the entire series. It is so brilliantly written that i quickly got engrossed into the story and the characters are amazing, the author makes you care about them, its very violent, anti-christian, pro pagan, pro viking, pro english and it really brings the anglo-saxon period ALIVE and makes you feel you are really there. I cant recommend this book enough, it is fantastic.

Fascinating and Brilliant.

Before I brought Empress Orchid I read a review written by someone else that said that it was such a super book it had inspired them to want to visit The Forbidden City.<br />Having read the book myself, I have to say I agree. <br />Brilliantly written, the storyline itself was gripping as well as eye-opening and fascinating.<br />As someone who was totally ignorant on matters such as Chinese history, Emporers, Eunuchs, etc. I didn't find it hard going at all and in fact, couldn't put it down - Anchee Min's writing style is amazing.<br />I thoroughly enjoyed every page and would recommend it to anyone wanting a gripping read.

A certain slant of light

I loved this book, it has quickly become my favourite novel yet. I can't believe it's Laura Whitcomb's first novel. It's very well written and drawes you in right from the start. I had coincidentially just finished 'twilight' when i started this book, yet I can't see that they have that much in common. <br /><br />This book is absolutely Outstounding, The story unfolded just how i wanted it too, yet had enough differences to still grip me. I bought it on a whim before it had had any reviews and i must say that the five stars the other reviewers have given it are very well deserved. <br /><br />STORY OUTLINE:<br />The main character (Helen) is a ghost, or 'light' who is forced to be attatched to live people. The way it is written from a ghost's perspective is done really well. It soon becomes a love story as she meets a mysterious boy who can see her. The story unfolds as the too struggle to belong to each other in a world where they are almost the only species of their kind, yet are forced to live completly different existences. <br /><br />I wouldn't know what gengre the book fits into which makes me love it all the more. I would say fantasy / Romance / Tragedy. <br /><br />I definately recommend this book to anyone.

Good but needs one more page

I am 5 months pregnant and have been reading this book with my 3 year old. It's good that you make up your own words as I can add detail about anything she's been asking about the baby (such as can she help give the baby its breakfast). I am planning to breastfeed so I'm glad there are not too many pictures of bottles.<br /><br />My one complaint is that the book ends with the child and father going to visit mother and new baby in hospital, there is no homecoming shown. It took us a day or two to work out why my daughter started saying"Mummy I think we should all live in our house together" and"I don't want to live here by myself". So now I end the last page by talking about how they will all go home together in their car.

Gets better with every read!

When I first got this book, when daughter 1 year old, we really just looked through it at the pictures, focussing on the baby. Now, at 20 months, it's a real favourite of both of ours- she really spends a long time with each page, noticing more and more things in the fantastic drawings every time- the pictures are like a treasure trove to her. <br />It's a book for quiet times and a slower pace of life- there are very few books (or anything) that encourage young children to take their time, so it's a real gem. I feel all lovely and warm and at peace with the world after it...I think she feels it too!<br />Because of the repetition and rhyme she can join in some bits, too.<br />As an added bonus, the illustrations manage to entertain me, even after the umpteenth time.

A classic in every sense

Beautifully written, wonderfully illustrated, this is a truly wonderful book. My children are big fans of Julia Donaldson & this is a little more"grown up" but not in any way in a negative sense, it's just a step up from"The Gruffalo" &"Room On The Broom" etc - a real treat for all involved, the teller & the listener.<br />A little girl is given a magic paintbrush by an old man & is told to use it only for good - this she does,painting things which then become real or come to life, allowing her to help her village & the people who live there...then the greedy emperor hears about the magic paintbrush & takes the girl prisoner...what happens next ? Buy this fantastic rhyming story book & find out.

A very good purchase!

I have been very keen to teach my son the letters of the alphabet but wanted to do it the right way. Having visited his school he will be attending next year, they do follow the Jolly phonics scheme and therefore these books have been great along with the work books. It's given me the confidence to teach and he has enjoyed the colourful pictures and tracing with his finger the letters. We are now moving on to book three after he has managed to read and write the letters in books one and two. Being a working parent and mum to a one year old aswell we are only able to do learning for an hour on a friday so these short to the point books are great. My husband also helps by going over a book for 5 mins at bedtime before reading a short story. It certainly has been a fun way to learn.

not as good as the first, but still captivating

I've just reread both books for the 3rd time. I still find Eragon an easier read. Not just because its shorter etc. It might be a slow starter but about 70 pages in it gets fast paced. In eldest you get thrown into the action straight away. I like the training bit. It adds a 'realism' to the story in how eragon still has a long way to go if he is able to defeat Galbatorix. But there are chapters which seem unnessicary or longwinded ( the journey to ellesmara (the land of the elves) took about 80 pages) but I still find myself gripped. An engaging read, but eragon is still my favourite.<br /><br /><br />It could change when Brisingr comes out.<br /><br />September 20th - can't wait