Book Description
John Wood discovered his passion, his greatest success, and his life's work--not at business school or leading Microsoft's charge into Asia in the 1990s--but on a soul-searching trip to the Himalayas. Wood felt trapped between an all-consuming career and a desire to do something lasting and significant. Stressed from the demands of his job, he took a vacation trekking in Nepal because a friend had told him, "If you get high enough in the mountains, you can't hear Steve Ballmer yelling at you anymore."
See how John Wood came to start Room to Read and write Leaving Microsoft to Change the World in this video clip: high bandwidth or low bandwidth |
Instead of being the antidote to the rat race, that trip convinced John Wood to divert the boundless energy he was devoting to Microsoft into a cause that desperately needed to be addressed. While visiting a remote Nepalese school, Wood learned that the students had few books in their library. When he offered to run a book drive to provide the school with books, his idea was met with polite skepticism. After all, no matter how well-intentioned, why would a successful software executive take valuable time out of his life and gather books for an impoverished school?
But John Wood did return to that school and with thousands of books bundled on the back of a yak. And at that moment, Wood made the decision to walk away from Microsoft and create Room to Read-an organization that has donated more than 1.2 million books, established more than 2,600 libraries and 200 schools, and sent 1,700 girls to school on scholarship-ultimately touching the lives of 875,000 children with the lifelong gift of education.
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World chronicles John Wood's struggle to find a meaningful outlet for his managerial talents and entrepreneurial zeal. For every high-achiever who has ever wondered what life might be like giving back, Wood offers a vivid, emotional, and absorbing tale of how to take the lessons learned at a hard-charging company like Microsoft and apply them to one of the world's most pressing problems: the lack of basic literacy.
Book Description
John Wood discovered his passion, his greatest success, and his life's work—not at business school or leading Microsoft's charge into Asia in the 1990s—but on a soul-searching trip to the Himalayas. Wood felt trapped between an all-consuming career and a desire to do something lasting and significant. Stressed from the demands of his job, he took a vacation trekking in Nepal because a friend had told him, "If you get high enough in the mountains, you can't hear Steve Ballmer yelling at you anymore."
Instead of being the antidote to the rat race, that trip convinced John Wood to divert the boundless energy he was devoting to Microsoft into a cause that desperately needed to be addressed. While visiting a remote Nepalese school, Wood learned that the students had few books in their library. When he offered to run a book drive to provide the school with books, his idea was met with polite skepticism. After all, no matter how well-intentioned, why would a successful software executive take valuable time out of his life and gather books for an impoverished school?
But John Wood did return to that school and with thousands of books bundled on the back of a yak. And at that moment, Wood made the decision to walk away from Microsoft and create Room to Read—an organization that has donated more than 1.2 million books, established more than 2,600 libraries and 200 schools, and sent 1,700 girls to school on scholarship—ultimately touching the lives of 875,000 children with the lifelong gift of education.
Leaving Microsoft to Change the World chronicles John Wood's struggle to find a meaningful outlet for his managerial talents and entrepreneurial zeal. For every high-achiever who has ever wondered what life might be like giving back, Wood offers a vivid, emotional, and absorbing tale of how to take the lessons learned at a hard-charging company like Microsoft and apply them to one of the world's most pressing problems: the lack of basic literacy.
Customer Reviews:
John Wood, you inspire me!.......2007-09-07
Reading about John Wood's motivations and personal sacrifices, I found myself re-engergized for the volunteer work I do. This book is not just for business people, but for anyone who wants to make a difference in this crazy, beautiful world we live in. Providing children with books whether on a global scale or locally is one of the best gifts (and investments) a person can make. Bravo John! And thanks for making your adventures accessible to the rest of us.
Life Altering Book.......2007-08-21
I managed to finish this book on a flu episode with a fever that lasted two days. It was a great companion at that horrible time.
Now, i read a lot of books. And over time, i got to quickly notice good books from bad books. And ever more, i get to know great books from "books you buy to balance your shelf" books. I try to buy only good books and strive to get all the great ones. This is one of the great ones.
When first browsing through Amazon(yes, i am a very loyal customer), i noticed the title. And being the geek that i am, i wondered what it would talk about(you have to admit, MS and changing the world do not mix easily). I was afraid it would turn out to be a lame book as many books which carry a similar title are. So i took a gamble and i bought it.
It talks about the story of a man(John Wood, marketing executive working at Microsoft) who took a "no-computers" vacation to Nepal. And this vacation changed his life. He describes his life in detail. The details are typical of a modern young successful man working in a high-tech firm. Basically his life consisted of work, work, work and an almost non-existent social life(or any other kind of life for that matter). He thought he was happy this way, we all do, until we stop and take a good look at what we have accomplished.
In Nepal, he noticed that even though some provinces had schools, there were no books and no libraries. So he started out with a little project of collecting a few books for one particular school in Nepal. This all started with a promise to return to Nepal with books. And the whole idea avalanched into one of the most successful projects. An organization that builds schools/libraries and provides books and scholarships for young girls.
I don't want to give out too many details. The beauty of this story is in the events that took place and their chronological order. So i don't want to spoil it. However, i will talk about why i liked this book so much.
John saw the kids in Nepal. He saw that they were trying to learn, but with very poor resources. He also understood that education is the most important gift that you can bestow on a child. Especially girls, since these girls will grow up with this education in mind and carry this belief over to their children and families. "You educate a girl, you educate an entire generation."
After John returned from Nepal, he tried to get back to his old lifestyle. But he could not. How could he? Everything he will do now will seem so empty. How can he go on working knowing that there are children in the world that are not getting the opportunities that we take for granted. He felt so empty. And even if, according to our standard, he is very successful....his life felt meaningless in light of this issue. Everything he accomplished looked so insignificant.
What is truly remarkable though, is that he ran his organization in the same way he would run a normal business. So unlike the other charities around, he never asked people for money out of pity. So instead of showing children with sad faces and sick people like all charities do, he showed the schools he built and the books that he got and the children making use of all of this. It is his belief that contributers do not give money to charity because they don't know where their money is going. They never see results.
I also believe that any book you read must alter your life in some sense. This book did just that. I learned that you shouldn't listen to all the nay-sayers. I learned that for every 1 idea you come up with, there will be a 100 people telling you how it won't work. I also learned to never give up.
If i would only take away one thing from this book, it would be my current favorite quote(which according to the book is an old Chinese quote)
Those who say it cannot be done should not criticize those who are doing it.
This books is highly recommended with 5/5 stars.
great inspiration along with fantastic advice for those who want to change the world.......2007-08-20
Wood brings a fresh, business-like perspective to the often stale world of not-for-profits. His personal journey from career success, to existential angst, to leaving the rat race to change the world is a true inspiration.
Giving back by giving effectively.......2007-07-06
There are plenty of books about one individual's accomplishments in the march to change the world. This book is different because--along with his passion for education and libraries--John Wood brings a model for transforming that passion into sustainable organizations on the ground. If you are actively involved in a nonprofit organization, you will enjoy John's down to earth advice about focusing on results, fundraising, and having fun while you're doing the hard work.
going from corporate executive to do gooder champion.......2007-06-05
This is a good book to understand risk that is inspired by passion. this guy had everything to lose and so much to gain and he did it. Kudos to him and kudos for a well written book.
Book Description
In this influential work about the staggering divide between children and the outdoors, child advocacy expert Richard Louv directly links the lack of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation—he calls it nature-deficit—to some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as the rises in obesity, attention disorders, and depression.
Last Child in the Woods is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. More than just raising an alarm, Louv offers practical solutions and simple ways to heal the broken bond—and they are right in our own backyard.
Customer Reviews:
Last Child in the Woods.......2007-10-09
As humanity goes deeper and deeper into materialism and our children are displaying symptoms in their emotional, behavioral and physical health, this book brings us back to the understanding that children are not little adults and human beings are not machines. The importance of self-discovery is being undermined through our over intellectualization on one side and on the other side the over protectionism of little ones. This surpresses the development of the imagination and intuition, which is so needed if our society is to refocus on humanity instead of amassing material good and consumption!!
Thank you Professor Louv for your timely and VERY important book!!
Reclaiming Childhood.......2007-10-08
I grew up in a very small and rural town. Growing up I was surrounded by nature and even though video games were popular neither my siblings nor myself nor any of our friends ever had to be forced to spend more time outside. We liked being outside. We enjoyed playing in the fields, woods, yards, and vacant lots that were around. Having become a secondary teacher and also having spent many summers working at a summer camp, I have noticed that many children and young people no longer have the same connection to nature that I had as a child. There are some who may ignore this shift in child development and reason that it's not significant and is simply an expected result of an increasingly technologically based society. But, as Richard Louv points out in LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS, such an attitude is severely misguided and ignores the disturbing consequences of what can happen if children aren't connected to nature. Though scientific in nature, the book is written for lay people. Therefore, the text is fairly easy to read and comprehend. Highly recommended for parents and people who work with children.
Too much of the same thing.......2007-09-27
The whole concept is an interesting one but the book drug on with the same message.
Taking Back Nature ...........2007-08-05
I would have never heard of this book if it wasn't for my sister-in-law, who is battling lung cancer. She and I were talking about whether or not I should bring her some books to read while she was undergoing chemo and she happened to mention this book, as her school system was recommending that she read it before school starts in a few weeks. Naturally, I had to pick up a copy of it and was sold.
This book (with a wonderful front cover, by the way ~~ my boys kept saying, "Mom! That kid's going frogging too!" ~~ they love frogs) is chock full of information and data and statistics. It is a book full of common sense and while Louv was very very careful to say that studies have not been done yet to proven that kids with ADHD disorders can be weaned from their medicine if they were outside in nature more, he offers that as a possible solution to solve a lot of mental disorders in today's society among kids and adults. He also offers a lot of other solutions as well ~~ different types of studies or programs that other people are trying to start up to recruit people back into living in a greener world.
As a kid, I was not very interested in playing outside. I lived in a neighborhood in a small town. BUT my parents signed me up for junior naturalist programs, they took my siblings and me camping, they took us to the parks, they encouraged all kinds of outdoor activities. I did not get a chance to go into the woods by myself in the morning like my dad did while he was growing up (he lived in a very rural area), but when we were camping, I took advantage of playing in the woods. We were not encouraged to watch a lot of tv. That is a trend that a lot of my friends look down on me at ~~ I only have one tv in this house. My boys probably do watch a lot more tv than they should but whenever we get a chance, we are outside, working in the yard, playing or going camping someplace now that they are older and we can start introducing canoeing, hiking ... things that take you back to nature.
Louv writes very compelling though throughout this book about today's generation and how they are drifting away from nature. He writes about the irony of people driving ATVs into the desert with their children to look at wild life and basically destroying the terrain with the automobiles and kids are "being exposed" to wildlife but from the safety of the vehicles. Or encountering kids who show no interest whatsoever in the wild life that the author had just spotted. There are a lot of stories that he shared ~~ personal and from other people. He also writes of the connection between kids being locked up in their houses all day and the rising concidences of obesity among today's children ... and so on.
This is definitely a book for parents to read. I cannot write an accurate review of this book because there are too much information in here and one cannot honestly know where to begin. Yes, it can be dry reading in spots, but keep on reading because it gets better and more interesting. However, I do have a question for all those global warming experts out there ~~ how come none of you have read this book and tried to implement some of the theories into practice? I'd like to see this book touted more in the media.
8-5-07
Finally, a ray of hope.......2007-08-02
Until I read Richard Louv's book, "Last Child in the Woods," I only had two books on my shelf that merited permanent allegiance: Aldo Leopold's Sand County Almanac (Outdoor Essays & Reflections)" and Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring." Both works were thoughtful and intelligent observations on the natural world and how we affected, and were affected by it. But they also left me slightly depressed. I felt hopeless and unsure of how to regain the ground we had lost. Although "Last Child" has numerous examples of what we've lost (including old-fashioned goofy play outdoors and an early-learned appreciation of nature), his research and interviews also focused on ways individuals and communities are turning dire predictions into positive ways to return childhood to children, and nature to families who have forgotton, (or maybe never learned,) how much we need it to survive and be healthy. Louv gathered and stitched together ideas that previously many others have tried to communicate, and this book is now my backup when I am trying to explain why I am hopeful about the future. What started as a catchy phrase ("nature deficit disorder") has morphed into a growing movement, and maybe this time the children will lead us all back into a more healthy and balanced way of living.
Average customer rating:
- cute story line
- Repetition, repetition, repetition!
- My children's favorite book , , ,
- Kids love this book
- Our family loves this book!
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The Napping House
Audrey Wood
Manufacturer: Red Wagon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
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ASIN: 0152026320 |
Amazon.com
There is a house,
a napping house,
where everyone is sleeping.
"Everyone," in this case is a snoring granny, a dreaming child, a dozing dog, a snoozing cat, a slumbering mouse... and a wakeful flea! Uh-oh. Looks like the napping house won't be napping for long. With their very own brand of humor, Audrey Wood and Don Wood create an appealing bedtime book compatible with Margaret Wise Brown's classic Goodnight Moon. This small, square board book, with its rhythmic, repetitive text and witty pictures in shades of ever-brightening blues and greens (as the night turns to day), is sure to be a winner with preschool insomniacs. The sleepy household congregates on Granny's bed, slowly building a very relaxed pile of bodies in shifting positions. Young readers will enjoy tracking the critters as they make their way, one by one, to the bed--and then guessing what will happen when the wakeful flea joins the heap. Be sure to look for this author-illustrator team's other hilarious collaborative efforts, including Piggies and Silly Sally. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter
Book Description
This beloved and bestselling book from Audrey and Don Wood has been delighting
children--and sending them off to bed with laughter and sweet dreams-for years. The infectious cumulative rhyme of The Napping House has made this book a classic. Now here is the new sturdy edition just right for tiny hands, making them a must for every family's board book collection.
Customer Reviews:
cute story line.......2007-09-09
It has a cute, predictable story line. The illustration is top notch, with incredible attention to detail about time of day. My infant likes it, but it's not one of her favorites.
Repetition, repetition, repetition!.......2007-09-04
I was a preschool teacher, and used this book a lot in my class because the children loved the repetition, and it was great for large group time! I recently ordered this book for my 1 year old son, and find it to be too long for him, and does not keep his attention like other board books, so we put it away until he gets a bit older. Happy Reading!
My children's favorite book , , ,.......2007-09-02
I am a firm believer in reading to children and this was one of their favorite and a wonderful lead into "naptime"
Kids love this book.......2007-08-25
We just adore this book. Well, we pretty much love anything by Audrey and Don Wood. The story is so sweet. And as a co-sleeping family it is nice to see everyone end up in grandma's bed. Plus the detail in the pictures is so stunning. Watching how the weather changes out the window, the flea moving around the room, all the characters expressions... just great.
Heather mama of 5
Our family loves this book!.......2007-08-19
We received this book as a present from someone who didn't even know about the CD inside; her own kids had loved the book when they were small. And my little ones (who are 4-1/2) loved it too! Then, we put the CD on in the car when we happened to have the book with us--I had to leave the kids in the car with a friend while I grocery shopped--and they were totally charmed. I was too, once I got a chance to listen to it. A delightful reading of the book, plus 6 songs which each give a different rendering of the book. I can't say enough how appealing this all is. The Napping House will definitely go to the top of my list of presents to give people with babies or small children.
Average customer rating:
- Original and funny.....
- A wonderful book for a little girl
- Stars for Silly Sally
- great rhythm!
- I think more for girls?
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Silly Sally (Red Wagon Books)
Audrey Wood
Manufacturer: Red Wagon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book
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Quick as a Cricket
ASIN: 0152019901 |
Book Description
Dance a jig with a silly pig. Play leapfrog with a silly dog. And that’s just the beginning of all the fun! Come along and join Silly Sally and her outrageous friends as they parade into town in a most unusual way.
Customer Reviews:
Original and funny............2007-09-15
Great book as it plays on the the silly humor that we all share. Simple story line with colorful illustrations that my 3 year old could relate to. I sent this book to my daugher's daycare and her teacher commented how the other children loved the story too. That really made my day. Its a great book to make kids laugh.
A wonderful book for a little girl.......2007-08-29
I bought this book for my daughter after reading the reviews on amazon. She absolutely loves the book and has memorized the book from front to back. At 2.5 years old, she can repeat the text in the book word for word when I read it to her.
An entertaining and great book for little girls. I am glad that I bought it for my daughter..
Stars for Silly Sally.......2007-05-23
Can Audrey and Don Woods go wrong? I have not seen a single book by this pair that I haven't liked. I love the illustrations as usual, but I really love the meter of the text and the way it is combined and placed with the illustrations. It has a very musical quality and really lends itself to being read aloud. I have it almost memorized after only a few readings. I think I probably like to read it more than my daughter :-)
great rhythm!.......2007-04-24
My children have loved this book from the very first reading. It has a nice pace and the notions are silly (as advertised in the title)--great for preschool kids who are prereading. It is one of the few children's books that I never (truly NEVER!) tire of reading to my kids.
I think more for girls?.......2007-02-03
Not to be gender biased, but my boys just didn't enjoy it as much as some of the reviews on here had suggested they might. It was cute, sweet, giggly. Perfect for a giggly sweet little girl.
Average customer rating:
- Great Historical Fiction for Kids!
- A Book Filled With Adventure
- Tolivers secret
- Toliver's Secret
- Toliver's Secret Book Review
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Toliver's Secret
Esther Wood Brady
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Guns for General Washington: A Story of the American Revolution
ASIN: 0679848045
Release Date: 1993-10-19 |
Book Description
When her grandfather is injured, 10-year-old Ellen Toliver replaces him on a top-secret patriotic mission. Disguised as a boy, she manages to smuggle a message to General George Washington.
Customer Reviews:
Great Historical Fiction for Kids!.......2007-02-18
This book was a perfect novel to illustrate the perils of war, and the American Revolution for my fifth grade class. I used it as the middle level novel for my American Revolution literature circles. It worked extremely well, and I felt my average readers got as much out of our studies as my advanced readers who were able to read a more challenging novel. I highly recommend this book.
A Book Filled With Adventure.......2007-01-18
Tolivers secret is a book full of adventure. In this story Ellen Toliver is asked to deliver her grandfathers message. If it falls in the wronge hands it would be disastrous.Along Ellens journy she comes to close incounters with Red Coats, animals and her idenity being uncovered. This is the perfect book for people who like adventure, exitment and stunningly written books. This book made me relise alot of things about the revolutionary war. don't turn down a opportunity to read this book!!!!!
Tolivers secret.......2007-01-18
Toliver's Secret
*****
I am not a big fan of historical fiction novels, but there were a few which I enjoyed reading and Tolivers Secret was one of them. What I liked about this book was that there was always somthing going on. My favorite part of the book was when Elen found out that inorder to not let her grandfather down she had to do somthing she was not that comfortable doing. Anyway if you ever need to read a historical fiction novle, Tolivers secret is a book you will definatley a book you will enjoy. Alot of people that I know who have read this book enjoyed it . I will recomend this book to anyone exept people who like boring historical fiction novels.
Toliver's Secret.......2007-01-18
"Toliver's Secret" is a book about a young girl named Ellen Toliver, whose grandfather sprained his ankle the day he had to deliver a important message to George Washington in New Jersey. So Ellen delivered the message for her grandfather with a little encouragement.
"Toliver's Secret" is an amazing book, and if you like adventure then this is a good book for you. An example of it is when Ellen has to dress up as a boy and make it through the British lines . A different example is when she had to get out of a farm house or have her secret revealed. Like I said before, it is a great book and almost any one will like it.
Toliver's Secret Book Review.......2007-01-18
Toliver's Secret is a book that will have you at the edge of your seat! Ten-year-old Ellen Toliver (the main character) goes on many adventures in this beyond belief historical fiction book. For example,--- Ellen is asked to complete a mission for her grandfather because he is injured the day of the mission. She has to complete this mission so General Washington gets an important message that will change the war.
I give this book a five star review because of the cliffhangers at the end of each chapter that make you want to read forever. Also the great character Ellen that pulls this outstanding, adventurous, amazing, inspiring book together.- I highly recommend this book to any historical fiction lovers.
Book Description
A citizens' guide to what's wrong with the nation's radical federal education legislation-and a passionate call for change The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has become the most fiercely debated education issue of this election year, and it will be at the center of the national conversation about schools for the foreseeable future. NCLB, signed into law in 2002, purports to improve public schools-and especially the way they serve poor children-by enforcing a system of standards and accountability through high-stakes testing and sanctions. It is radically affecting the life of schools around the country. Many Children Left Behind is a devastating brief against NCLB. Far from improving public schools and increasing the ability of the system to serve poor and minority children, the authors argue, the law is doing exactly the opposite. Here some of our most prominent, respected voices in education-including Deborah Meier, Alfie Kohn, and Theodore R. Sizer-come together to show us how, point by point, NCLB undermines the things it claims to improve: - How NCLB punishes rather than helps poor and minority kids and their schools - How NCLB helps further an agenda of privatization and an attack on public schools - How the focus on testing and test preparation dumbs down classrooms - How we need alternatives to construing the idea of accountability in terms of test scores and sanctions. Educators and parents around the country are feeling the harshly counterproductive effects of NCLB. This book is an essential guide to understanding what's wrong and where we should go from here.
Customer Reviews:
A must read.......2007-08-05
This is a must read for anyone who is impacted by public education in this country - parents, educators, businesspeople. We need to get angry about the No Child Left Behind Act and this book will get anyone who reads it angry. It is a series of well written essays by educators and it does an excellent job of exposing the damaging nuances of this Act that are not widely broadcast. If the concept of public education is important to you, read this book.
Not Perfect, But Essential Reading.......2006-11-18
As a mother of an elementary school-age child as well as one of the decisionmakers for her school, I see firsthand the damage done by No Child Left Behind. This book, while not perfect, is a clarion call for those who have not woken up from the fever-dream that hatched this onerous legislation that was designed to dismantle the public school system in the US.
Every fact in this book is corraborated by scholarship. It details why the "Texas Miracle" was overrated PR at best--and a total fabrication at worst. After reading this book, I was not surprised by the intent of NCLB. With my experience and involvement with a local elementary school which predominately teaches English Learners, I have seen the truth behind what this book presents. It is not propaganda, as some have charged. Rather, it is a frightening reality that I have seen for myself.
If you are a knee-jerk follower of FOX News, then read this book at your ideological peril. However, if you approach it with an open mind, your life will never be the same again.
Brainwashing propaganda but well edited.......2006-09-14
This is a classic circle jerk book that consolidates a number of articles from educators and educational researchers who talk about the same thing, and cite each other or similar data and research. The authors do write well, so I gave it two stars. But it has under/overtones of the same old myths in erroneous educational ideology that is actually the malaise killing our educational system - dump more money into schools; teachers are underpaid and overworked; high stakes standardized testing is bad. Folks might be well advised to pick up a copy of Jay P. Greene's "Educational Myths" to run a little de-tox on the stuff they read here.
Ditch the NCLB Act in the Dust!.......2006-05-31
In the book the author says:
"We continue to confuse test scores with quality schooling, even though there is no evidence that high scores on these tests predict anything about a child's success in life after school." It would have been better if she explained why. Some reasons why are that students cheat, or that they will memorize answers, but that the answers they memorize are not always beneficial (depending on what they memorized and if they can find no use for it.)
This book thoroughly exposes the NCLB Act as garbage. I now see the NCLB as the educational version of the U.S. Government's land grabs. They are trying to have greater control over the public schools of America, and not to make them better I'm sure.
An Interesting Book.......2006-05-09
This is a very interesting book with some great opinions of the No Child Left Behind Act. I feel that the authors really found the holes in the education act and in the way in which states are being held accountable for their schools performances. I found some of the information to be shocking because it seems as though the public should know all of the facts but they do not have any idea. I also really appreciated the fact that with each critique of the act, the authors offered up some alternative solutions that might work better. I am not sure if these solutions will ever be seen through but they were all really nice ideas.
I will say that this book was extremely one sided and it was difficult to read without getting a chip on my shoulder. I ended up having to go and find more information about both sides of the arguement so I could make a more educated decision on my thoughts about the act. As a future teacher my life is directly influenced by this act so I need to make sure I know all of the facts before I start being someone within the system of education.
Amazon.com
"I'm as quick as a cricket, I'm as slow as a snail. I'm as small as an ant, I'm as large as a whale." Parents and teachers choose this big square book for the message of self-confidence. Toddlers love it for the singsong phrases and Don Wood's large, silly, endearing illustrations, which feature a boy mimicking different kinds of animals. At one point, he is pictured sipping tea formally with a fancy poodle ("I'm as tame as a poodle") and on the very next page he is swinging through trees ("I'm as wild as a chimp"). Whether brave or shy, strong or weak, in the end the young boy celebrates all different, apparently contradictory parts of himself. With a confident grin, he lifts his arms up and declares, "Put it all together and you've got ME!" (Baby to age 6)
Book Description
Mrs. Honey and her cat find themselves in each other's dreams. They fly and fall and fight off sharks with knitting needles. They almost drown and are rescued by sailors, attacked by pirates and saved by Mrs. Honey's cakes, only to end up walking the plank into the briny drink! And then...and then...they wake up! So, that's how you get rid of pirates!
Customer Reviews:
test of time.......2007-09-05
This book made its way to our home from my in-laws' home. It was my husband's book when he was a child, and now it is our daughters FAVORITE book.. It is such a great book, so much fun to read, and she's only 13 months old so it's nice to read a non-board book for a change! I am now looking for other stories by this author.
Great.......2007-05-12
One of the best illustrated books for young children. I read it to my children and now my grandchildren love it.
Big Fun.......2007-04-26
Kids love it. This is a consistent 'go to' for my my infant daughter, and we enjoy reading it to her too. Big, bright, and imaginative pictures and a warm little poem. The premise is simple: a child imagines that he/she has all of the superlative attributes of several different animals ('quick as a cricket'). I don't know if this is considered a classic (yet), but I think it's a must for the kids' shelves.
A favorite book!.......2007-03-08
Let's be honest....Don't we as parents dread reading some books to our kids?? (If you are like me, some end up 'disappearing' after a while!) Well, this is one book that I enjoyed reading as much as my dds enjoyed listening to it! The pictures on each page draw you in, and the dialog is fun to read! (I had fun changing my voice around according to the animal on each page!) Though my dds are almost teenagers, we still can't part with this book!
Love this book.......2007-01-17
My kids enjoyed this book and, as a speech therapist, I love using this book for language lessons for ages 3-7. The younger ones enjoy the story and get in some practice using opposites. With the older ones, I have them practice using comparisons (I'm as ___ as a ____)after hearing the story. I've even used it in a K-1 Sunday School class for teaching the idea of how a person feels differently at different times.
Book Description
No matter what grade you teach, what state your school is in, and what level of diversity is present in your classroom, students have the right to be shown real-world examples of the kinds of writing they're asked to produce. For Katie Wood Ray, this foundational idea is also the beginning of an important way of approaching rigorous writing instruction.
In Study Driven Ray shows you that encouraging students to read closely can improve the effectiveness of your writing instruction. Detailing her own method for utilizing the popular mentor-texts approach, Ray helps you immerse children in a close study of published texts that supports their learning, leads them to a better understanding of the traits of good writing, and motivates them to become more accomplished writers.
Ray shows you how to set up your writing workshop to facilitate close study. From grounded understandings to informed practice to supportive resources, she demonstrates:
- how to find a rich variety of texts that give students a clear vision of the writing you want them to do
- how to strategically select texts to support whole-class learning as well as individual choice
- how your teaching language gives structure to curriculum development and student learning
- how good planning turns curricular standards and objectives into sensible units of study
- why depth can be a more practical and effective curricular goal than breadth in writing instruction
Study Driven also gives you the ideas and resources for thirty units of study, ranging from genres to punctuation and appropriate across grade levels.
Get students into the habit of studying what they read to help them plan their writing. Give them examples of real-world texts as well as the structure, the space, the time, and the guidance to change and grow as writers. Give yourself Study Driven and find out how.
Customer Reviews:
A Great Book for Writing Teachers.......2007-05-16
Why isn't this book more widely read? Wood-Ray offers excellent direction to teachers - at all grade levels - who are seeking to improve the instruction of writing. Her central ideas are:
1. Texts should be used to mentor students to write real things in the ways real writers write.
2. Writing needs to be `studied' and not `taught.'
3. Teachers need to be writers and gatherers of mentor texts, but curriculum can not be determined before the students begin to study.
For teachers who want their students to write well, this is a text that lays out options for letting this happen. You'll want to spend a summer reading it and thinking, so that when you return, you'll be ready for superior kind pedagogy. It is rare for a book to speak so compellingly to all teachers, Kindergarten to College, but I believe that Study Driven is the wonderful exception.
Average customer rating:
- great
- Moving and beautiful - like Hollis' pictures
- Pictures of Hollis Woods
- Hollis Woods has one Wish - to have a family of her own...
- read this Review! Pictures of Hollis Woods is the best book ever!
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Pictures of Hollis Woods
Patricia Reilly Giff
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0440415780
Release Date: 2004-05-11 |
Book Description
Hollis Woods has been in so many foster homes she can hardly remember them all. When Hollis is sent to Josie, she’ll do everything in her power to make sure they stay together.
Customer Reviews:
great.......2007-09-19
This book is great. It is and orphan girl who has flashbacks that rremind her of her life. It is a good book to read if you like exciting books!!!
Moving and beautiful - like Hollis' pictures.......2007-08-29
I'm rediscovering my love for juvenile fiction and this book has definitely found a place in my heart. "Pictures of Hollis Woods" has two stories interwoven throughout: the past (as seen through the sketches of the talented but troubled 12-year-old Hollis) and the present (her current foster home with a beautiful yet needy artist). This is a girl who has run away from too many foster homes, described by one as a "mountain of trouble". The poor thing is just misunderstood. Throughout the entire book, I found myself silently rooting for her to find what she has always wished for: to belong in a family. I love when an author is so skillful in creating a character who will remain forever in my mind. Patricia Reilly Giff has certainly accomplished that through the unforgettable Hollis Woods.
Pictures of Hollis Woods.......2007-08-21
Pictures of Hollis Woods is by far my favorite book. It tells the story of a girl named Hollis who has been through such a hard life, that she shuts everyone out of it. She trys to hide how sad she is inside by being angry and mean. " I read in a book once that if a person looks into your eyes they can see into your soal. I didn't want anyone looking into my soal." Hollis is an artist that was left on the road to die as a baby, and since that travels from foster home to foster home. Hollis dreams of a family, and wants nothing more then to belong.Each chapter of the book switches settings (from the preasent to the past). The chapters that are set in the past time tell us about a foster home Hollis lived in, how it was everything she ever wanted. Each past chapter leads up to the middle of the book where we find out one of the main reasons that Hollis is so sad, and then the rest of the chapters continue in preasent time. Pictures of Hollis Woods is an inspiring story that will have you looking for the things in life that matter. I truly feel sorry for the people who rated this book one star because oviously they don't have a brain big enuff to understand the story. That or they're too shallow to understand the story.
Hollis Woods has one Wish - to have a family of her own..........2007-07-15
Hollis Woods was abandoned in a place called Holliswood when she was one month old. The note left with her asked them to name her Hollis Woods. Since then, Hollis has moved from foster home to foster home. Through it all, she drew pictures of her life. Hollis was good at drawing but had trouble with the rest of her life. When one foster parent told her that she was a mountain of trouble, Hollis believed it.
We are introduced to Hollis as she is being placed with a woman named Josie Cahill. Josie is an older, beautiful woman. She is known to be good with her foster kids. Hollis likes her from the start. Josie is an artist who carves characters from tree branches. Josie is also becoming more and more forgetful. This works in Hollis' favor for a while because she can skip school and Josie doesn't seem to mind. The problem is that eventually the school will mind and so will the foster care agents. What will they do if they find out that Josie doesn't remember as well as she used to? Hollis might not get to stay.
And that is not the only problem Hollis faces. Through flashbacks which are really descriptions of pictures that Hollis has drawn, we learn that Hollis recently ran away from a family called the Regans. I appreciate that the flashback descriptions and Hollis' thoughts about the Regans were italicized. Through these italicized pictures/descriptions, we learn about the time Hollis spent with the Regans. We learn that even though she loved the family and they loved her in return, Hollis felt that she had to leave.
The two worlds eventually come together beautifully in this wonderful book. The writing is tight. Not a word is wasted. The descriptions are crystal clear. The characters are tender-hearted and so likable.
I enjoyed this book immensely and recommend it highly.
read this Review! Pictures of Hollis Woods is the best book ever!.......2007-05-01
Book Review on Pictures of Hollis Woods
By Konrad Altvater
Hollis Woods is a great artist but she runs away from foster homes too many times. But because she is an artist she draws pictures of moments in her life at other houses, to keep the memories with her. When Hollis Woods was a baby she was abandoned at a place called Hollis Woods. There was a note on her that said "Name her Hollis Woods." Ever since that day she has been going from foster home to foster home and now she is twelve years old. The Newberry Honor book Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff, displays that if you are patient for long enough, good things will come to you in time. This story takes place in Long Island, New York and Upstate New York. It is in a modern time period like the 1900's. Josie is Hollis's most recent foster mom whom Hollis is very fond of. The problem is that Hollis Woods does not want to leave Josie alone because she is old and forgets things too many times.
When the placement agency comes by and finds out that Josie isn't taking Hollis to school, the agency tells Hollis she has to leave and another family is waiting for her. But Hollis Woods has an idea. Hollis takes Josie to one of her favorite places on earth. This book was very intriguing because it is all about how you can follow your dreams no matter what you have to go through to get there.
Average customer rating:
- My Very Favorite Book Ever!
- Wonderful heartwarming story
- An Absolutely Charming Story
- Beautiful full-color illustrations
- I double-dog dare you to read just one of them (especially THE LONG WINTER) and not be hooked!
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Little House in the Big Woods
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0064400018 |
Amazon.com
Although the Little House stories are traditionally seen as "girl" books, boys might be happily surprised if they take another peek at their sisters' shelves. Little House in the Big Woods--the first book of the series and Laura Ingalls Wilder's first children's book--is full of the thrills, chills, and spills typically associated with "boy" books. Any boy or girl who has fantasized about running off to live in the woods will find ample information in these pages to manage a Wisconsin snowstorm, a panther attack, or a wild sled ride with a pig as an uninvited guest. Every chapter divulges fascinatingly intricate, yet easy-to-read, details about pioneer life in the Midwest in the late 1800s, from bear-meat curing to maple-tree sapping to homemade bullet making.
Wilder's autobiographical tales ring with truth and excitement. Readers will receive a perfectly painless history lesson, and in fact will clamor for more. Beloved illustrator Garth Williams spent years researching young Laura's pioneering family. His soft-line illustrations bring to life the full, simple days and nights in the family's log cabin. No one can read just one Little House book! (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter
Book Description
Laura Ingalls's story begins in 1871 in a little log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. Four-year-old Laura lives in the little house with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their trusty dog, Jack.
Pioneer life is sometimes hard, since the family must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But it is also exciting as Laura and her folks celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do the spring planting, bring in the harvest, and make their first trip into town. And every night they are safe and warm in their little house, with the happy sound of Pa's fiddle sending Laura and her sisters off to sleep.
And so begins Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved story of a pioneer girl and her family. The nine Little House books have been cherished by generations of readers as both a unique glimpse into America's frontier past and a heartwarming, unforgettable story.
Notable Children's Books of 1940'1970 (ALA)
1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award
1988 Choices (Association of Booksellers for Children)
Horn Book Children's Classics 1976
Customer Reviews:
My Very Favorite Book Ever!.......2007-10-03
I've read this book over and over. Just thinking about it gives me such a warm fuzzy feeling. All of the "Little House" books have had such a huge impact on my life. Thank you, Laura!
Wonderful heartwarming story.......2007-09-27
Most kids read Little House on the Prairie first, but this book actually is the first book in the series. In this Little House story book, readers get a taste of the 1870s midwest and join Laura, her Ma, and her Pa, and her sisters at the little house in the big woods.
An Absolutely Charming Story.......2007-08-14
Writen during the Great Depression, "Little House in the Big Woods" is Laura Ingalls Wilder's memoir of growing up in Wisconsin in the years immediately following the Civil War. The book chronicles a year in the life of Laura's family. The writing is absolutely charming in its simplicity and I found myself caught up in the details of the family's material culture. I was reminded of Eric Sloane's "Diary of an Early American Boy", another classic of the genre.
I think memoirs are better heard than read. The narrator, Cherry Jones is a charasmatic performer whose voice twinkles with humor and warmth. In addition, the recording also includes a violin accompaniment to Cherry Jones' singing of the many songs that appear in the story. This is a beautiful recording and I give it my highest recommendation.
Beautiful full-color illustrations.......2007-07-04
This review is from: Little House in the Big Woods (Little House) Full-Color Collector's Edition
My husband just finished reading this great book to our 4y/o daughter and she really liked it. In my opinion, the "Full Color" version is the best choice when reading this book to younger kids. This version uses high quality white paper with a glossy finish.
I double-dog dare you to read just one of them (especially THE LONG WINTER) and not be hooked!.......2007-06-05
Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in 1867 into a warm and loving family. She lived in a log cabin, traveled across the country in a covered wagon and shared the story of her life in the classic Little House book series, which millions of readers have loved since 1932 when LITTLE HOUSE IN THE BIG WOODS was first published.
Because there was a period of Laura's life that she didn't include in her series, well-known author Cynthia Rylant wrote another Little House book called OLD TOWN IN THE GREEN GROVES to fill in the gap, and William Anderson penned LAURA INGALLS WILDER: A BIOGRAPHY. Within these 11 books, readers will discover an honest portrayal of the life of a pioneer girl --- from her travels as a toddler in a covered wagon to an airplane ride when she was elderly.
Aside from the excellent stories, the Little House books are full of fascinating facts. Have you ever wondered how the old-time settlers made butter? Here you will find out each step in the process, along with the surprising way that Mrs. Ingalls colored the butter yellow. When Laura's mother needed a vegetable grater, Laura's father made one by punching an old pan full of nail holes. When the family wanted to eat meat in the winter, Mr. Ingalls went out to the shed and hacked off a chunk of frozen meat with an ax.
Through good times and bad, sorrow and pleasure, danger and celebrations, the Ingalls faced hardships and fortunate times alike, united in grace, humor, love and hard work. It's a pleasure to join them in these tales, which are as relevant and gripping today as they were 75 years ago.
P.S. Attention, boys! Do you think this series is only for girls, since Laura is the main character in all of them except FARMER BOY? Think again. The Little House books are actually exciting, gritty survival stories filled with adventure and danger. I double-dog dare you to read just one of them (especially THE LONG WINTER) and not be hooked.
--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon
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