So, yesterday was the official kick-off of the Keep Portland Weird festival here in Paris, which meant that I had a reading/screening in the...
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This is one of the most delightful books I've read for children. It is so clever in revealing several of the "deadly sins" that when the book is over, the children learn (or at least have an idea) about how to manage their world (no matter how small it is).
The squirrels always began to collect food in the Fall for the Winter, but this year it was different; there were very few nuts. Mr. Squirrel brought his family into the search, and together they found enough to barely get them through the long, cold snowy season. Where there should have been nuts, there were silk worm webs.
Then the squirrel knew what had happened. The worm, greedy and mean, had destroyed the nut crop. Mr. Squirrel went to Mr. Worm to ask why he made the nuts rotten.
Mr. Worm told the squirrel that he could not use them, but loved to make them decay so the squirrels couldn't use them either. "Ha! Seems like you and your family will starve! Ha, ha!"
That year the squirrels just made it until Spring brought its small warmth; then the squirrels executed "The Squirrel's Family Plan and Goals". They spent hours on it during the winter with tummies only half full; the plans helped keep their minds off the lack of food.
In early Spring they began collecting some nuts and a few every day of Spring and through Summer; never really enough to be noticed by the Worm. In the Fall there were more that they added to their store house, but left enough to fool Mr. Worm. He laughed with his friends. He was happy thinking that he would starve out the squirrels this year.
They had so much they knew they would not go hungry; and that was a delicious secret.
This book shows what greed and avarice can do, and it shows that ingenuity and a whole family working hard together can avoid disasters.
The pictures are gorgeous, the colors vivid and bright; even Mr. Worm is cute. This is a charming and fun book for kids as young 2-3 and as old as anyone who likes delightful stories with bright, colorful pictures.
.
"Bouncing Billy" is A Learning Adventure book written by Ricky Pierce and Illustrated by Bobbi Switzer with beautiful pages of different balls and other toys that talk. The first ball you notice is the bright yellow of the sun, and this is a good place to talk a little about how clouds block the sun, but it is still there.
It is charming for a two-year-old; I just finished reading it to one of my favorite two-year-olds (twins) and he was enthralled. He pointed at the pictures of the balls and loved the bright blue cover.
Bouncing Billy has a very good moral to it; just because you are different, doesn't mean you are wrong.
It had been raining all week, and when the Friday morning sun broke through the clouds, all of the balls were excited. They hadn't been played with for a whole week, and each one wanted to be first. The balls and other toys which had been there the longest understood that each would have turns. They would be busy during recess. They were all chattering, except Billy.
Jan the Jump Rope asked why he wasn't happy. He told her about the round black spots on his side. Jan, wise as jump ropes go, told him that each toy was special. He would see. When kids wanted to jump, they chose Jan.
Billy couldn't imagine why anyone would want him, but didn't say anything to Jan. All of the toys tried to make Billy feel better, but it was the recess bell that did the trick.
Bouncing Bill was selected, and every time he went through basketball hoop he made a "Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh" sound. It was like Magic. He even found out why he had black spots on his side; to help with the swooshing sounds.
When the day was over. Billy declared it to be the best day ever. He wasn't worried about being different from the other balls, he knew he had a special purpose.
I love books that boost the self images of the kids who read them -- this one showed that being different was exactly what he should be, and he was happy.
This is an unusual book which incorporates text with pictures inserted rather than illustrations. Linda Bird tells the story of her own bird through several chapters (for the kids who want chap books), and a delightful array of pictures that can only be the real deal; cropped and dropped in the proper place in the paragraphs.
Charlie Bird is a small parrot, a Jenday Conure. His human sisters are Sara (age 9) and Molly (age 7). I mention the ages because these are the exact ages of the girls whom I tested this book. They loved it!
On the quixotic edge, the mischievous little Charlie makes friends with four wild birds -- and then in an almost human way, the pranks begin. Charlie trades places with one of Rusty, the ring leader.
The girls I read it to were delighted in the story, the antics, and the pictures. Also, they learned about a bird, which is the best gift a child can receive. Not just the joy of reading, but finding out there is something in a small chap book that gives them knowledge.
Beginning with the basics size & shape of your man, Betsy Durkin Matthes asks questions that are easy to answer, but very important in picking the right kind and color of clothes for your man... or men, for yourself.
Chapter 1: Classifications include: the perfect (and not so perfect) man; the string-bean - or lanky; the short challenge; the larger man and his needs; ironclad men (those with the 6-pack belly and muscles like The Rock. Additionally a chart with suggestions for the body types helps pick out the right items.
Chapter 2: What colors are best? Years ago I was classified as an Autumn, and found that the fall colors enhance my appearance; I also buy clothes in the other seasons such as bright yellow (spring), black (winter), sky blue (summer). With the colors outside my season I change the way I do my make up. Since most men do not wear makeup, the choices are more important. Keeping the seasons in mind is helpful in buying the right color clothing and accessories to bring out the best in your guy.
Chapter 3: This is tricky because there are probably a lot of clothes that need to be tossed out -- so you attack his closet...but don't shock him, get him to help you and to understand why his wardrobe needs an update.
Chapter 4: If you don't generally shop in the men's department, just take the plunge and browse. Follow the guide she provides, and fill in the form for your man. Some of these items are jacket size, sleeve length, pants around the waist and to the floor, even tie length because a tall man needs a longer tie. This is filled with good information.
Chapter 5: The salespeople -- if they are on commission, they may try to get you to buy more than you need. That is the value of all the previous questions, answers, and guides. You'll know if they want you to buy everything or the ones that are right for you. You are in charge.
Chapter 6: Now the suits - every man should own at least one suit. This chapter is loaded with pictures that display the cuts of jackets, pockets, lapels, etc. We see the current fads everywhere, but the classics are sharp and can make the man.
Chapter 7: What's the best fabric for a suit? There are a variety of wool types and other fabrics, and some are better for the cut and type of a jacket than others.
Chapter 8: The covers patterned fabrics such as: pinstrip, chalk stripe, window pane, and more. The chart Matthes provides has clear pictures of each type, thus making it easier to discuss with your man and the salesman to find the right one for your man.
Chapter 9: How do you get the right trousers. Suit trousers really don't work as dressy slacks. With a bunch of pant types pictured for you, you'll know cuts, cuffs (yes or no).
Chapter 10: Covers vests -- to wear or not to wear?
Chapter 11: The Tailor is truly the person who can make an off the rack suit look custom. When you find a good one, consider him a jewel.
Matthes' Glossary will answer all of your questions so that if the tailor asks if you want barrel cuffs on a broadcloth pant, you'll know what to say.
With 25 fascinating chapters, you'll find that you are able to choose the best way to dress your man, or for a man to dress himself.
Planning a laugh fest soon -- here it is!
Fast paced, quick wit, and lots of fun! If you've ever taken a taxi ride through busy streets and traffic jams trying to get some place quick, you'll get the deft wit and sardonic jousts of the San Francisco Taxi Driver in his daily chats. It's easy to imagine the partial conversations the cabby captures in his quick and thoroughly entertaining treks. The pace of the chatter pulls you into the action, swerving with the moving traffic, flinching with the close calls because you are part of the taxi ride. Try explaining gorgeous transgenders to bug-eyed boys from back home where girls are girls and look like it. Every page is loaded with the unexpected, and you'll find yourself shaking your head wondering why anyone would want to be a taxi driver. It does take a very special person! The four and a half stars are only because of some of the rough language -- they live with it, but not everyone wants to read it. It's top notch laughter!
Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.
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Victoria Tarrani has commented on (6) products.
The Squirrel the Worm and the Nut Trees by Jimmie Powell
Victoria Tarrani, April 23, 2008
Start saving early so you have enough to get you through.This is one of the most delightful books I've read for children. It is so clever in revealing several of the "deadly sins" that when the book is over, the children learn (or at least have an idea) about how to manage their world (no matter how small it is).
The squirrels always began to collect food in the Fall for the Winter, but this year it was different; there were very few nuts. Mr. Squirrel brought his family into the search, and together they found enough to barely get them through the long, cold snowy season. Where there should have been nuts, there were silk worm webs.
Then the squirrel knew what had happened. The worm, greedy and mean, had destroyed the nut crop. Mr. Squirrel went to Mr. Worm to ask why he made the nuts rotten.
Mr. Worm told the squirrel that he could not use them, but loved to make them decay so the squirrels couldn't use them either. "Ha! Seems like you and your family will starve! Ha, ha!"
That year the squirrels just made it until Spring brought its small warmth; then the squirrels executed "The Squirrel's Family Plan and Goals". They spent hours on it during the winter with tummies only half full; the plans helped keep their minds off the lack of food.
In early Spring they began collecting some nuts and a few every day of Spring and through Summer; never really enough to be noticed by the Worm. In the Fall there were more that they added to their store house, but left enough to fool Mr. Worm. He laughed with his friends. He was happy thinking that he would starve out the squirrels this year.
They had so much they knew they would not go hungry; and that was a delicious secret.
This book shows what greed and avarice can do, and it shows that ingenuity and a whole family working hard together can avoid disasters.
The pictures are gorgeous, the colors vivid and bright; even Mr. Worm is cute. This is a charming and fun book for kids as young 2-3 and as old as anyone who likes delightful stories with bright, colorful pictures.
Bouncing Billy by Ricky Pierce
Victoria Tarrani, April 23, 2008
."Bouncing Billy" is A Learning Adventure book written by Ricky Pierce and Illustrated by Bobbi Switzer with beautiful pages of different balls and other toys that talk. The first ball you notice is the bright yellow of the sun, and this is a good place to talk a little about how clouds block the sun, but it is still there.
It is charming for a two-year-old; I just finished reading it to one of my favorite two-year-olds (twins) and he was enthralled. He pointed at the pictures of the balls and loved the bright blue cover.
Bouncing Billy has a very good moral to it; just because you are different, doesn't mean you are wrong.
It had been raining all week, and when the Friday morning sun broke through the clouds, all of the balls were excited. They hadn't been played with for a whole week, and each one wanted to be first. The balls and other toys which had been there the longest understood that each would have turns. They would be busy during recess. They were all chattering, except Billy.
Jan the Jump Rope asked why he wasn't happy. He told her about the round black spots on his side. Jan, wise as jump ropes go, told him that each toy was special. He would see. When kids wanted to jump, they chose Jan.
Billy couldn't imagine why anyone would want him, but didn't say anything to Jan. All of the toys tried to make Billy feel better, but it was the recess bell that did the trick.
Bouncing Bill was selected, and every time he went through basketball hoop he made a "Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh" sound. It was like Magic. He even found out why he had black spots on his side; to help with the swooshing sounds.
When the day was over. Billy declared it to be the best day ever. He wasn't worried about being different from the other balls, he knew he had a special purpose.
I love books that boost the self images of the kids who read them -- this one showed that being different was exactly what he should be, and he was happy.
Charlie Bird by Linda Bird
Victoria Tarrani, April 23, 2008
.Kid Tested and passed with A's everywhere.
This is an unusual book which incorporates text with pictures inserted rather than illustrations. Linda Bird tells the story of her own bird through several chapters (for the kids who want chap books), and a delightful array of pictures that can only be the real deal; cropped and dropped in the proper place in the paragraphs.
Charlie Bird is a small parrot, a Jenday Conure. His human sisters are Sara (age 9) and Molly (age 7). I mention the ages because these are the exact ages of the girls whom I tested this book. They loved it!
On the quixotic edge, the mischievous little Charlie makes friends with four wild birds -- and then in an almost human way, the pranks begin. Charlie trades places with one of Rusty, the ring leader.
The girls I read it to were delighted in the story, the antics, and the pictures. Also, they learned about a bird, which is the best gift a child can receive. Not just the joy of reading, but finding out there is something in a small chap book that gives them knowledge.
Enjoy this with a child or on your own.
Victoria Tarrani
.
Dressing the Man You Love:: A Woman's Guide to Purchasing, Coordinating, and Caring for His Classic Wardrobe by Betsy Durkin Matthes
Victoria Tarrani, January 28, 2008
Beginning with the basics size & shape of your man, Betsy Durkin Matthes asks questions that are easy to answer, but very important in picking the right kind and color of clothes for your man... or men, for yourself.Chapter 1: Classifications include: the perfect (and not so perfect) man; the string-bean - or lanky; the short challenge; the larger man and his needs; ironclad men (those with the 6-pack belly and muscles like The Rock. Additionally a chart with suggestions for the body types helps pick out the right items.
Chapter 2: What colors are best? Years ago I was classified as an Autumn, and found that the fall colors enhance my appearance; I also buy clothes in the other seasons such as bright yellow (spring), black (winter), sky blue (summer). With the colors outside my season I change the way I do my make up. Since most men do not wear makeup, the choices are more important. Keeping the seasons in mind is helpful in buying the right color clothing and accessories to bring out the best in your guy.
Chapter 3: This is tricky because there are probably a lot of clothes that need to be tossed out -- so you attack his closet...but don't shock him, get him to help you and to understand why his wardrobe needs an update.
Chapter 4: If you don't generally shop in the men's department, just take the plunge and browse. Follow the guide she provides, and fill in the form for your man. Some of these items are jacket size, sleeve length, pants around the waist and to the floor, even tie length because a tall man needs a longer tie. This is filled with good information.
Chapter 5: The salespeople -- if they are on commission, they may try to get you to buy more than you need. That is the value of all the previous questions, answers, and guides. You'll know if they want you to buy everything or the ones that are right for you. You are in charge.
Chapter 6: Now the suits - every man should own at least one suit. This chapter is loaded with pictures that display the cuts of jackets, pockets, lapels, etc. We see the current fads everywhere, but the classics are sharp and can make the man.
Chapter 7: What's the best fabric for a suit? There are a variety of wool types and other fabrics, and some are better for the cut and type of a jacket than others.
Chapter 8: The covers patterned fabrics such as: pinstrip, chalk stripe, window pane, and more. The chart Matthes provides has clear pictures of each type, thus making it easier to discuss with your man and the salesman to find the right one for your man.
Chapter 9: How do you get the right trousers. Suit trousers really don't work as dressy slacks. With a bunch of pant types pictured for you, you'll know cuts, cuffs (yes or no).
Chapter 10: Covers vests -- to wear or not to wear?
Chapter 11: The Tailor is truly the person who can make an off the rack suit look custom. When you find a good one, consider him a jewel.
Matthes' Glossary will answer all of your questions so that if the tailor asks if you want barrel cuffs on a broadcloth pant, you'll know what to say.
With 25 fascinating chapters, you'll find that you are able to choose the best way to dress your man, or for a man to dress himself.
No Guns, No Knives, No Personal Checks: The Tales of a San Francisco Cab Driver by Larry Sager
Victoria Tarrani, January 28, 2008
Planning a laugh fest soon -- here it is!Fast paced, quick wit, and lots of fun! If you've ever taken a taxi ride through busy streets and traffic jams trying to get some place quick, you'll get the deft wit and sardonic jousts of the San Francisco Taxi Driver in his daily chats. It's easy to imagine the partial conversations the cabby captures in his quick and thoroughly entertaining treks. The pace of the chatter pulls you into the action, swerving with the moving traffic, flinching with the close calls because you are part of the taxi ride. Try explaining gorgeous transgenders to bug-eyed boys from back home where girls are girls and look like it. Every page is loaded with the unexpected, and you'll find yourself shaking your head wondering why anyone would want to be a taxi driver. It does take a very special person! The four and a half stars are only because of some of the rough language -- they live with it, but not everyone wants to read it. It's top notch laughter!
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