Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour

Book Description

More than 600,000 people visit Graceland every year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. With Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour, you'll go behind the velvet ropes for an all-access tour of the Elvis Presley Estate. Eight full-color pop-up spreads feature the mansion's most memorable destinations:

The Kitchen: Home of the famous peanut butter and banana sandwich.
The TV Room: With three TVs running simultaneously, there's never a dull moment.
The Trophy Room: A monument to the King's legacy.
The Meditation Garden: Where Elvis and his family are buried.

Along the way, interactive pop-up features allow you to flip through Elvis's record collection, browse the family photo album, open his refrigerator, and discover other hidden surprises. Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour is the perfect gift for Elvis fans of all ages!

Customer Reviews:

Great gift for Elvis fans.......2007-10-01

GRACELAND: AN INTERACTIVE POP-UP TOUR is a must-have for any Elvis fan. I bought one for a friend, and it was such a hit that several of her friends have purchased them also. The pop-ups are well done, and the book gives a lot of information about Elvis and Graceland. It makes a great birthday present and will be the hit of the party.

Well-done pop-up, awesome tribute, kitschtastic.......2007-09-21

I bought this for my mother, a huge Elvis fan, and she loves it. The pop-ups are very well done - lots of detail, and lots of little extra flaps and such to open. Each page features a different room - kitchen, jungle room, etc., and the book discusses the significance of each room in Elvis' life. In a slightly morbid twist, the last page is the grave of Elvis and his parents. Also included are a cardboard pair of Elvis' famous gold sunglasses that you can wear! This book far surpassed my expectations.

Fun.......2007-08-29

I gave this book as a gift and boy was it a huge hit. Great fun for everyone. If you have an Elvis fan in your circle you can not go wrong. Great detail and package. Highly recommended

graceland an interactive pop up tour.......2007-08-16

hi as i have just returned from visiting graceland with my wife 30years anniversary i bought a lot of things home to remind of our visit i bought this item a book which features inside of elvis home there is alot of things in this book we wernt allowed to see to our dissapointed in graceland no camcorder was allowed and no flash lights a lot of the rooms were dark so most of our pictures came out dark spoilt this book shows all elvis rooms to great detail even inside his fridge i will go back one day but until that day ijust open this great book and it brings it all back as if we were there in person worth buying go for it you wont be dissapointed hope this review helps

I live in Memphis.......2007-05-12

Since I live in Memphis, I am of course an Elvis authority (not.) My father-in-law created the Christmas scene to Elvis' specifications years ago. I hoped that Christmas would be included. Eveyone I have shared this book with has bought one. I plan to use it for gifts. You don't have to be a fan to appreciate the accuracy and "fun" of visiting the King's house.

Average customer rating:

Excellent Just Needs A Musical CD !!!!
Encore! We want more!
A great read aloud for kids!
Jude's Review of Jazz Man
This Great Book! (More and More Honors!)

This Jazz Man
Karen Ehrhardt
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0152053077

Book Description

In this toe-tapping jazz tribute, the traditional "This Old Man" gets a swinging makeover, and some of the era's best musicians take center stage. The tuneful text and vibrant illustrations bop, slide, and shimmy across the page as Satchmo plays one, Bojangles plays two . . . right on down the line to Charles Mingus, who plays nine, plucking strings that sound "divine."

Easy on the ear and the eye, this playful introduction to nine jazz giants will teach children to count--and will give them every reason to get up and dance!

Includes a brief biography of each musician.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Just Needs A Musical CD !!!!.......2007-04-23

I love this book! My son is 20 months and loves this book the rhythm of the words, the numbers, the clapping the sounds of the instruments. What would be excellent if there was an auditory accompaniment to the book. A taping of someone reading the book who can demonstrate the sounds or even better a taping that included musical instruments playing.
I know a lot of people would LOVE to hear it as well and it would be an excellent teaching tool. Please forward this to the appropriate individuals and if possible keep me updated on the release date of the cd. Thank YOU for writing such an awesome, entertaining and needed book!

Encore! We want more!.......2007-03-22

Oooh, this book made me what to rap and tap and beedle-di-bop! Which is quite somethin', since I don't have a musical bone in my body!
This is a great book-the text jives off the page and the illustrations thimp dumple thump right along. What a great way to teach kids about jazz legends!
Hats off to Ehrdhardt and Roth for a beautiful book!
Encore!

A great read aloud for kids!.......2007-03-07

I am an elementary school media specialist for grades 1 - 5. I read this book to my first and second graders. By the third jazz man they were chanting along with me. By the fifth man we were all singing along with the familiar song tune. They loved the scat phrases and repeated them over and over. What a bonus that these men are actual jazz legends. I highly recommend this book for a great musical read.

Jude's Review of Jazz Man.......2007-01-21

I'm 3 and my Grandmother Helene reads this book to me. She said that my Doctor Beth gave it to me and my sister Scarlett and the author signed it. That made me smile.

I really like this book. My grandmother sings me it and i like music and instruments and can name the saxophone and trumpet and drums.I like the pictures of the conga drums.

I usually say, " read it again" when she's done and I can almost pick out all the numbers now too. Jude Stulb, Pueblo Colorado

This Great Book! (More and More Honors!) .......2006-10-05

Note: Since writing the review below, I've discovered that "This Jazz Man" has received three (and counting) prestigious honors in the last month or so: A Nick Jr. Book of the Year for Children, one of the N.Y. Public Libraries Top 100 books to Read to Kids, and one of a very few named by National Public Radio as a best children's book of the year!

February 2007 Update: This Jazz Man is on the cover of the February "Crickets" magazine! In addition, it was shortlisted as a top book by the Cooperative Children's Book Center, and is being used as a teaching tool for a Smithsonian Museum (yes, that Smithsonian!) exhibit.

If you've bought this book, you and I share a certain nose for kids' books; if you haven't, you'll discover a book that's snappy and swinging, fun and informative. My original review follows.

"Doodly-doodly-Doot-doot! Toot-Toot!"

That's Karen Ehrhardt's delightful take on a Dizzy Gillespie trumpet line, and like the rest of this sparkling first book, every note rings joyous and true. In a somewhat daring move, Ms. Ehrhardt airs out the musty English poem, "This Old Man," with jazz-infused lyrics, and distills the essence of nine jazz giants: Louis Armstrong, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Chano Pozo, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Art Blakey, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charles Mingus.

The improvisations in "This Jazz Man" are authentic and fun--the text is made for reading out loud! Listen to this evocation of Charlie Parker, for example:

This jazz man, he plays five,
He plays bebop, he plays jive,
With a Deedle-di-bop! Bebop!
Give the man a hand,
This jazz man blows with the band.

Within the 5-line format of the original song, the author conveys the sound and spirit of these artists, while keeping the tone light and understandable for her young, perhaps jazz-naive audience (about 3 to 7 years-old). Along with each Jazz Man's stanza are the sounds and rhythms of his performance -- depicted in text incorporated with each illustration. When drummer Art Blakey "plays solos with his sticks" and "beats with the band," the percussive sounds "Chikka-chee! Chikka-chee! Bubbuda-bubbuda-bubbuda-BOMP!" pulse over his vibrating cymbals. Following the `performance,' older readers (and adults) can learn more about Blakey -- his innovation of the "press roll" and his role in nurturing new talent -- in the book's afterward. Riffing on the customary introductions of band members at jazz gigs ("Playing 4, form Washington, D.C... Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington"), the book briefly spotlights the life of each Jazz Man.

Illustrator R. G. Roth complements Ehrhardt's narrative pictures with multi-media illustrations that are playfully retro yet fresh and child-friendly. Airy compositions help children see the relaxed, expansive pose of the smiling Louis Armstrong, the verve and rhythmic creativity of "Chano" Pozo (how many times have you seen him in a jazz book for kids?), the playful attack of Fats Waller, and the stature and majesty of Charles Mingus. Roth displays a repertoire of textures and soft, engaging colors, and makes subtle references to Birdland, the Newport Jazz Festival, and other venues along the edges of book's `stage. For the small fry, a cute and playfully elusive mouse plays hide and seek throughout the book. "This Jazz Man" has an exhilarating finale -- after each man plays (1 through 9), all of the jazz icons appear on stage together:

This jazz band, they play ten,
We beg them to play again,
With an "Encore, we want more!"
Give them all a hand"
These jazz men make one great band!

"This Jazz Man" gets it right, rhymes it tight, and entertains without misrepresenting. (To put this achievement in context, too many kids' "jazz" books really focus on the blues--usually the rural blues, seen through an awkward sentimentalism--or solely on dance. Sometimes they confuse eras, portraying any jazz singer as a combination of Bessie Smith, post-WWII hep cats, and 1950's beats, with a dash of oddly misplaced 1970's styles.)

"This Jazz Man" is a natural for school or library audiences, rambunctious group singing, the first efforts of beginning readers, or as a bedtime treat for toddlers. One doesn't need to know one lick about jazz to enjoy the musicality of the rhymes and the understated but compelling jazz portraits: They stand on their own. In addition, teachers can easily adapt "This Jazz Man" to language units, numbers and counting, music appreciation, art, solo and group singing. Older students may delve further into the lives and times of the musicians through Ehrhardt's rich yet compact biographical sketches in the afterward. (Offhand, I can't think of any book--for kids or adults--that so succinctly and eloquently describes each musician's significance.) For readers who'd like to sample the actual music, Ehrhardt recommends recorded works for each Jazz Man: a couple tracks for each musician, and even two feature films (available on video) that display Bojangles' tapping talents. (Perhaps in future editions of this book, the publishers could include a companion CD/DVD.)

With apologies to the author--though inspired by her:

This jazz fan, I count one,
"This Jazz Man" is lots of fun!
With a smile and a nod and an "ain't that grand!"
Let's give Ehrhardt a great big hand!

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Wonderful Insight to a GREAT MAN
Walt Disney: An American Original
Great book on a great man.
Corporate puff piece
the world of disney

WALT DISNEY: AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL
Bob Thomas
Manufacturer: Disney Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786860278

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Insight to a GREAT MAN.......2007-03-08

If you are a Disney fan this is the one to read. Lots of info about his early days & how Disneyland came to be. He was sure he would die before he had finished what he set out to do. The Disney company was never the same after his death.
But is John Lassiter the new Walt..... Let's hope so.

Walt Disney: An American Original.......2007-01-05

This was a great and interesting book. I loved reading it and learning things about Disney and his history that I didn't know. A great read.

Great book on a great man........2006-11-24

Like the man himself, An American Original is at times quirky, innovative, sad, and uplifting. There are those out there that will push whatever drivel there is about Walt - that he hated children, was a money hungry monster, supposed anti-Semite, sexual deviant, etc. but mr. Thomas fortunately leaves the tabloids aside and deals with those that knew Walt personally. One then gets a portriat of a hopeful Horatio Alger who frequently went without full meals so he could pay early employees, volunteered his studio and expertise to make WW 2 films and lost thousands in the process when the majority of his funds were already frozen, and that fondly reminisced "I believe that every conception is immaculate because there is a child involved." On the other hand, he was indeed human - stubborn, willfull, and hot tempered at times to his best friend and brother, Roy (for a better account of their temporary falling out and Walt's attitude towards Roy's family, see mr. Thomas' also excellent bio on him). But he loved him in the end. Simply flawless account on Snow White, the creation of Disneyland (which contains the Walt-ism "people can buy Pepsi-Cola but they can't pee in the street"), and Mary Poppins. Altogether a very good portrait of the father of modern animation and family entertainment.

Corporate puff piece.......2006-04-25

Published by the Disney Corporation, not exactly an objective source for a biography of Walt Disney. You'll learn more about the man just wandering his parks and watching his films than you will from this extended press release, which completely ignores key individuals and events that helped shape Uncle Walt. The photos aren't very interesting either -- pass on this one.

the world of disney.......2006-02-01

A very good overview of the life of the master that tells all the general reader needs to know of walt's life and work. Highly recommended, despite the occasional faux pas which does not detract from this informative work.

De Colores and Other Latin American Folksongs for Children (Anthology)

Average customer rating:

Great book
Great Resource!
Nice songs
Don't forget the CD!
This book is awesome!

De Colores and Other Latin American Folksongs for Children (Anthology)
Jose-Luis Orozco
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140565485

Book Description

Bursting with color and spirit, this collection of Latin-American songs is a tribute to Latino culture. From traditional tunes to rhymes and hand games, De Colores has songs for all occasions and moods. Each song is accompanied by simple musical arrangements, with lyrics in both English and Spanish. Slightly abridged from the original edition, this is ideal for classroom use, multicultural studies, or just plain fun.

"Rich and resonant." --Booklist

Customer Reviews:

Great book.......2007-05-13

I love the colorful pictures in this book and that it has music to all of the songs. It is a wonderful book and my baby loves when I sing to him!

Great Resource!.......2006-06-29

Beautiful pictures, and easy-to-follow tunes. A must-have for anyone who has children whom they are introducing to Spanish, and very useful for us adults as well!

Nice songs.......2006-02-19

My family enjoys this CD a lot. Mr. Orozco has a wonderful voice to listen to and the lyrics are fun and interesting. One song "Paz y Libertad" is emotionally touching. It is easy to learn Spanish listening to these elegant songs. I bought the other CD, Diez Deditos as a gift for a friend's family and they like that CD too.

Don't forget the CD!.......2005-12-12

This is an excellent book full of poems and songs. All are beatifully illustrated. Our 2 1/2 year old spends a lot of time just looking at the pictures and humming the tunes. Songs are easy to learn, fun to sing, and many have hand signs.

This book of songs is really helpful whether you are trying to emmerse your child in Spanish (as we are), or just exposing your child to a different culture and sounds.

P.S. Don't forget to buy the companion CD!

This book is awesome!.......2005-05-11

I read many reviews about this book before I purchased and I also purchased the music CD. What nobody else mentioned in the reviews I read (that I was very excited about when I discovered it) was that the songs are not only written in Spanish but the English translation is on the same page! This is perfect for me because I'm an adult trying to learn Spanish.

That's not all! If you are a musician, even just a beginner, the musical score is also on each song's page so you can play the songs yourself.

The icing on the cake is that this book is beautifully and very colorfully illustrated.

Average customer rating:

The Deaf Musicians
Pete Seeger , and Paul Dubois Jacobs
Manufacturer: Putnam Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 039924316X
Release Date: 2006-10-05

Book Description

Poor Lee! He used to be a jazzman who could make the piano go yimbatimba- TANG—zang-zang. But now he's lost his hearing, and the bandleader had to let him go.

So Lee goes to a school for the deaf to learn sign language. There, he meets Max, who used to play the sax. Riding the subway to class, they start signing about all the songs they love. A bass player named Rose joins in and soon they've got a little sign language band. And in no time they're performing for audiences in the subway, night after night.

Book Description

Who knows where the time goes?

There never seems to be enough time in Kinvara, or anywhere else in Ireland for that matter. When J.J.'s mother says that what she really wants for her birthday is more time in her day, J.J. decides to find her some. But how can he find time for her, when he barely has enough time to keep up with school and his music? And where will he get time to find out if the shocking rumor is true—that his great-grandfather was a murderer?

It seems as though J.J.'s given himself an impossible task. But then a neighbor reveals a secret to him—there is a place where time stands still. J.J. realizes he's the only person who can make the journey, but to do so he'll have to vanish from his own life.

And when J.J. disappears from the village, enter the new policeman. . . .

Customer Reviews:

Who knows where the time goes? .......2007-10-01

J.J. Liddy, the main character of Kate Thompson's novel The New Policeman, has a problem: there never seems to be enough time in the day. In fact, there seems to be decidedly less time. With barely enough hours in the day for school and his music, J.J. has no time left over to contemplate the shocking revelation that his grandfather may have been a murderer. To make matters worse, this time problem seems to affect everyone in Kinvara.
When J.J.'s mother reveals that she wants more time for her birthday, J.J. decides to go and find some. A task, at first, that seems like an impossible undertaking for a fifteen-year-old. That is until a neighbor shows J.J. an unlikely place to look for everyone's lost time.

Even though he doesn't believe in fairies, J.J. finds himself in Tir na n'Og, the land of eternal youth, and the home of Irish fairies. So begins J.J.'s search of Tir na n'Og to figure out where the time has gone and, more importantly, how to get it back. Along the way J.J. meets a variety of memorable characters including Aengus Og (a personal favorite after finishing the novel).

The narration shifts throughout the book alternating between J.J. in his search for the county's lost time and the wanderings of the new policeman in Kinvara, Garda Larry O'Dwyer. Like J.J. (and most of Kinvara it seems), the new policeman has a love for music. The new policeman is also almost certain he used to have a good reason for becoming a policeman--if only he could remember what it was.

Thompson expertly entwines these two seemingly disconnected narratives throughout the novel. The common thread between them remains the music that literally runs through the novel. Chapter breaks are denoted by sheet music for traditional Irish songs whose titles relate to the story in addition to the strong affinity all of the characters have for music. By the end of the novel, Thompson ties together both stories creating a sensational end to a truly enjoyable book.

At the same time, The New Policeman is irresistibly Irish, as if you can hear an Irish accent in the narration (or hear a jig or two in the background). The book's "Irish-ness" is enhanced by Thompson's integration of Irish mythology and folklore; a glossary in the back explains the pronunciation and origin of especially Irish words like ceili (a dance) or craic (fun).

Thompson's novel has already received a variety of critical acclaim on the other side of the Atlantic. In addition it is the winner of the Whitbread Children's Book Award and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. Even better, though, is the fact that this book is a great choice for readers of any age. Thompson takes her time arriving at the crux of the plot, but the richness or her writing more than makes up for that. A good book is one that can transport the reader to the place within its pages: The New Policeman does that and more.

Originally published in Great Britain in 2005, this is the first year that The New Policeman was published in the United States. All this reviewer can say to that is it's better late than never.

Great new fantasy........2007-08-18

This is a surreal fantasy/sci-fi set in rural Ireland. A local Teen
discovers that time is leaking from his world into the world of Fairy or Tir na nOg. There is also a great mystery element regarding JJ (the teen's)grandfather and the sudden disappearance of the town's Preacher after a disagreement many years ago.
This might be a hard sell for some teens, but they won't regret reading it!

J. J.'s Music.......2007-06-02

Time seems to pass with increasing rapidity for the small Irish town of Kinvara, and for all of Ireland. J. J. Liddy must not only deal with the swift passage of time but also with the increasing hostility of his
former school friends toward his Liddy family name. There have been strange rumors for years about his musically talented family. These rumors never kept the townspeople from attending the ceilis on the Liddy's farm on the second Saturday of every month, however. As well as his mother who plays the concertina on these occasions, J.J. plays a mean fiddle There are rumors that his family might be related to the
immortal, magical race of Tuatha de Danaan, who got pushed out of (or rather into) Ireland long ago. It is also rumored that J.J.'s great-grandfather , was somehow involved in the murder of the local priest, although no one ever found the body of the priest -- or J.J.'s great-grandfather, for that matter. As there has always been a bit of to-ing and fro-ing between the land of the immortal young and the local inhabitants, a strong strand of suspicion not only falls on the Liddys, it falls on anyone who happens to be a stranger to Kinvara - including
the new policeman.

The complex strands of this highly original story seem woven together with music. Although a book is silent, this one seems to ring with the Celtic music that plays a a pivotal role in the plot. Our young hero must and does solve an old musical mystery.

Its enchanting traditions and customs, and the heart of the Irish people........2007-06-01

J.J. Liddy has lived his entire life in the Irish village of Kinvara. In fact, he lives in the same house that his mother and grandmother, and her ancestors, have lived in for generations. And each generation has something else in common as well --- music. Music has always been important to the Liddys. Every month they host a dance at their home, where musicians weave amazing traditional Irish tunes. J.J. is no exception; he plays the fiddle and the flute so well that his room is stacked with ribbons and awards for his talents.

Besides music, J.J. keeps busy with school, friends, farm chores and sports (such as hurling). It seems as if there's never enough time to get things done, and he's not the only one who thinks so. Everyone in the village struggles to fulfill their responsibilities, yet many still end up running late and oftentimes their tasks are left uncompleted. No one has time to stroll down the lane or daydream with the passing clouds. When asked what she wants for her birthday, J.J.'s mother announces she would like more time, so J.J. promises to find it for her.

Hearing about J.J.'s quest, a neighbor suggests he look in the hidden underground chambers that are scattered beneath the old fort ruins. J.J. stumbles through an entrance to Tir na n'Og, the world of the fairies. Their amazing world looks very similar to J.J.'s, yet everything is brighter, easier and more relaxed. That's because the fairies live in a world without time. No one grows older and the sun never sets. At least, it used to be that way. Recently, their sun has been slowly shifting west, the seconds quietly fading away. Somehow, somewhere, time was leaking from the human world into the fairy world, leading to disaster for both.

J.J., along with the help of his new fairy friend, sets out to find and fix the mysterious leak before both worlds end in catastrophe. But back in the human world, J.J.'s family has reported him missing. The entire village pitches in to help the police look for him, but weeks pass with no sign. A new fellow on the police force, arriving just before the commotion breaks out, is helping with the investigation. He doesn't seem to be a very competent officer, but he knows he's there for a specific reason. If only he could remember what it is. In Tir na n'Og, J.J. rushes to save time and, in the process, may even help solve an old mystery and clear his grandfather's name of murder.

THE NEW POLICEMAN is a wonderful story filled with fairies, folklore and fiddles. Author Kate Thompson plays the fiddle herself, and her obvious love of music weaves into her tale, creating its soul. Another refreshing aspect of this endearing book is its peek into Ireland's history, a whisper of its enchanting traditions and customs, and the heart of the Irish people.

--- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman

Fantasy Readers May Like This.......2007-04-11

In the novel The New Policeman, time doesn't seem to be on anyone's side. All the Irish villagers of Kinvara feel like they never have enough of it. For teenager JJ Liddy, time seems to be passing too quickly, with no time to practice his Irish music, no time to understand his family's mysterious history, no time to hang out with his friends to go clubbing. In fact, JJ's mom's only request for her birthday is to have more time. In search of it, JJ finds himself in the magical and musical world of Tír na n'Óg, the land of eternal youth, that he thought only existed in fictional storybooks. Here, there has never been any time...until recently. Somehow, a leak has been created between these parallel worlds...a leak which brings time to Tír na n'Óg, and will eventually bring death, to the fairy world. In turn this leak is taking away the hours of the "noddy" (human) world. If JJ can help the fairies find the leak, then he can bring time back to his mother, and even solve a few family mysteries as well. However, unbeknownst to JJ, as time is passing at a snail's pace in Tír na n'Óg, it is flying by in JJ's village, and his disappearance is causing great concern back home.

Author Kate Thompson has carefully crafted a story that fuses together Irish history, folklore, music, and mystery. The short chapters that end with traditional Irish musical score section create an interesting break in the tale. Although there is a glossary included that contains of many of the Irish terms used in the novel, it would benefit students to have background knowledge of such words along with some Irish musical information to create initial curiosity in a story that could seem overwhelming without such knowledge. It would even be fun to begin the book Reader's Theatre style in order to generate interest. Cross curricular connections with the music teacher would enhance the text even more. Students usually not interested in fantasy may at first be bothered with the introduction of the fairy world, but wondering how JJ will find the leak and whether he will make it back to his home before too much time passes will move readers willingly through this book.

Average customer rating:

Yolanda's Genius
Yolanda's So So
Rich Blues
Warning: Excellent Book
didn't like it

Yolonda's Genius
Carol Fenner
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689813279

Book Description

Yolanda is a great big girl and strong for her age, bigger and stronger and smarter than anyone else in the fifth grade. She is cool and streetwise, too, and afraid of no one. It's easy for her to watch out for her little, first-grade brother, Andrew. But their mother, a legal professional and a widow, is concerned about crime and drugs in her children's Chicago school. She moves them all to a smaller and, she hopes, smaller town.

Yolanda, at first, is scornful of her new town. And Andrew, who never talks much, is having trouble learning to read. What he loves to do is play on the old harmonica given to him as a baby by his father to teethe on and which he's kept blowing ever since. He can imitate any sound he hears, like bacon sizzling, or express any mood he feels, like the freshness of an early morning. Yolanda understands that that's the way he "talks." She is convinced Andrew is a true genius with a great musical gift. But no one else believes it--not her mother, nor Andrew's teachers, not even wonderful Aunt Tiny in Chicago. Yolanda sets out to open up adult eyes, a task whose strategies will call on far more than her physical toughness. Her plans crystallize on a visit back to Chicago to enjoy the great annual blues festival with Aunt Tiny.

Carol Fenner, whose previous book Randall's Wall has reached a wide audience throughout the country, has created a daring heroine in Yolanda and a warm portrayal of an African-American family in a story that moves with mounting intensity to a dramatic, believable, and a wholly satisfying conclusion.

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Yolonda's Genius is like a piece of music combining the thoughts of a young adult with the sound of musical expressions played through a harmonica and a wooden pipe flute by musical genius, Andrew Blue. Yolonda's character appeals to the readers who can identify with her as a young adult in a world where peer-pressure and acceptance are the rules by which the game is played. She is seen as a heroine who knows how to come in and strike it up at just the right time. As such, readers will enjoy following Yolonda and the other characters in the story through their trials and tribulations. The real-to-life experiences that the story provides will strike a chord of comfort and excitement for all who read Yolonda's Genius.

Customer Reviews:

Yolanda's Genius.......2007-06-12

Yolanda's Genius is the story of an African-American family (mother, older sister Yolanda and younger brother Andrew) who move from a rough neighborhood in Chicago to a quieter town in Michigan. The focus of the story is Yolanda's relationship with her brother. Both children are gifted, but in different ways. Yolanda is a big, tough fearless girl while Andrew is a quite child who expresses his feelings and the world around him with his harmonica. The characters' race is an ever present factor, but not the primary issue that the children deal with in the story. Within the context of an African American family, Carol Fenner looks at giftedness, and the story suggests that Andrew may be a highly functioning autistic child.

The stereotypes that the author takes on have more to do with gender roles than race. Yolanda gets in physical fights, and verbally confronts some older kids who have been harrassing her younger brother. By the end of the story she convinces her mother that Andrew is the one who needs music lessons, while Yolanda dreams of being a policeman like her deceased father.

The primary characters are females, and they definitely achieve success through their own initiative and hard work. Andrew's success is due to the dedication of Yolanda. Yolanda's mother moves her children away from a neighborhood she considers unsafe to a smaller town. Yolanda's aunt is a flamboyant woman, full of life, who has a successful business.

Yolanda makes friends with a white girl who is physically unattractive like Yolanda. She wants to be Yolanda's friend, and when Yolanda doesn't treat Shirley fairly, Shirley holds Yolanda accountable.

Yolanda is a terrific heroine. She takes risks, stands up for herself and her desires, and is devoted to her younger brother. She even manages to get Andrew on stage with B.B. King at a Chicago Blues Festival. Yolanda is also physically large, and she gets teased for it. She also uses it to her advantage.

Carol Fenner brings she brings her understanding of jazz and blues to this story. When she talks about Andrew's harmonica playing, she is able to characterize it stylistically and emotionally. She spent many years in Chicago, and her bringing a Blues Festival into this story is absolutely authentic. I would highly recommend it for high third grade readers through middle school.

Yolanda's So So.......2007-02-06

Our book group at our middle school just read this book. Just like the other reviewers, some of us liked it and some of us didn't.

Here are the good comments. Yolanda was a very intelligent girl. She thought of many ways to come up with a plan for Andrew. These plans made it fun to read. The book was realistic since Yolanda usually followed the rules but like real teenagers, she broke the rules when she thought it was justified. This realism was a positive point. Yolanda really cared about her brother. This also was admirable.

Here are some bad points. The ending was too sudden, leaving the reader feeling desserted. The meaning behind the title was never made clear.

Overall, most of the students aren't really glad they read this book.

Rich Blues.......2006-07-07

Yolanda, 10 and her brother Andrew, 6 live with their widowed mother in Chicago. When Yolanda tells their mother that a classmate shot another child to death, that ends her days as a Chicago resident. Her mother, a paralegal, moves the family to a Michigan suburb with a good school system.

Yolanda quickly adjusts, after initially pining for the familiarity of her old neighborhood and the close proximity to her Aunt Tiny. Aunt Tiny is a large, husky woman with a large heart. She gives her piano to Yolanda, who is plainly talented and enjoys listening to and playing the classics. A delightful, intelligent woman, Aunt Tiny owns several hair salons in Chicago and her work has been featured nationwide and in magazines. Oprah Winfrey was a client at one of her shops.

Yolanda identifies with her aunt. Both are husky and buxom; both are outstanding cooks and both share a love for classical music and reading. Aunt Tiny as well as her sister-in-law, Yolanda and Andrew's mother are professionals who set their sights high.

Andrew, also is musically talented. A harmonica afficionado, the boy has been playing songs and setting background sounds to music since infancy. His harmonica was a gift from his late father, a police officer who died in a fishing accident. Yolanda was 4 at the time.

Andrew has a harder time in school; he rarely talks; cannot read and spends his free time thinking about music. A kind speech teacher takes Andrew under his wing and teaches him to read by applying the lessons to musical terms and interests, e.g. "B is for Bongo," etc. He also teaches Andrew how to read music.

Yolanda is fiercely independent and very bright. She can defend herself against any bully with reason, logic and a well applied foot in some cases. She is also very funny. When a group of older boys demolish her brother's harmonica, Yolanda comes up with a resourceful way of getting even with them and providing a new harmonica for her brother.

This is a wonderful story about a strong, intelligent black family with a very appealing cast of characters. The story ends on quite a blues note! I love it!

Warning: Excellent Book.......2006-06-04

I am a 5th grader and I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Yolanda, is about my age, and she is very smart and sophisticated. She cares about her family and even though she makes mistakes sometimes, she is a nice person. I really liked this book and think that other kids my age will like it because they will be able to relate to Yolanda and her family. Carol Fenner is a really good writer.

didn't like it.......2005-08-23

This book was the most boringest book i ever read.it took me amonth to read it and usually it doesn't take me that long to read a book. if you like this book you are a boring person and have no life whatsoever.

Average customer rating:

A Beauty of a Book
Wonderful keepsakes!
Great POP UP books
Beautiful book - Sabuda is a genius.
One of the Best POP-UPS

America the Beautiful: A Pop-up Book

Manufacturer: Little Simon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0689847440
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Amazon.com

Every Robert Sabuda pop-up is a marvel, but America the Beautiful is singularly remarkable for its inspired interpretation of the classic American anthem. Each page presents a magnificent pop-up featuring a line from the first (and best known) verse of "America the Beautiful." Sabuda has included the song in its entirety, featuring mini pop-ups, in a small booklet on the final page. Beginning with the Golden Gate Bridge, and ending with a spectacularly regal Statue of Liberty, Sabuda's America the Beautiful is a lovely keepsake that also serves as a patriotic primer for teaching young ones about America. --Daphne Durham

Amazon.com's The Significant Seven
Master paper engineer Robert Sabuda answers the seven questions we ask every author.

Q: What book has had the most significant impact on your life?

A: Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. I specifically remember feeling as if I'd become a grown-up reader because many of the pages did not have pictures.

Q: You are stranded on a desert island with only one book, one CD, and one DVD--what are they?

A: The Stand by Stephen King
Madonna's Greatest Hits
Strangers with Candy: Season One

Q: What is the worst lie you've ever told?

A: That I'd be finishing a book project on time.

Q: Describe the perfect writing environment.

A: I live in New York City, so anyplace that's quiet.

Q: If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

A: "Robert Sabuda--Bookmaker."

Q: Who is the one person living or dead that you would like to have dinner with?

A: Benjamin Franklin

Q: If you could have one superpower what would it be?

A: Invisibility

Book Description

Master paper engineer Robert Sabuda has interpreted the classic American anthem "America the Beautiful" in dazzling dimension. From the Golden Gate Bridge to Mount Rushmore to the Statue of Liberty, America has never looked more spectacular. This stunning keepsake masterpiece will be shared and admired by generations to come; indeed it is a national treasure in and of itself.

Customer Reviews:

A Beauty of a Book.......2007-08-17

I now own every pop-up book created by Robert Sabuda. He is an artist extraordinnaire! How lucky we are to have someone of his caliber create such wonderful books. He is an interesting character. Go on-line and read his bio. You'll love him even more.

Wonderful keepsakes!.......2007-05-21

Can't say enough about Sabuda's pop-up books. Everyone I have shown them to is purchasing one. I am buying my grandchildren one for each birthday until they have them all.

Great POP UP books.......2007-02-07

I love the pop-ups by Mr. Sabuda. This is one of his best. The kids wear it out.

Beautiful book - Sabuda is a genius........2007-01-18

This was purchased for a gift for my 5-year old niece (the dinosaur one for my nephew). The pop-ups are incredible and kids and adults love them. I've shared other books of his with them, and they liked them a lot. So, now they can start a collection of their own. If you haven't seen Sabuda's work, I recommend it.

One of the Best POP-UPS.......2007-01-10

This is a book for ages 3 to 103. Every household should have a copy!!!!

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: THE FINAL RESTING PLACES OF ROCK'S LEGENDS

Average customer rating:

Best book ever!!!
Stairway to Heaven
A masterpiece....for any music fan.
Stairway to heaven
Rock's Legendary Book

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: THE FINAL RESTING PLACES OF ROCK'S LEGENDS
J. D. Reed , and Maddy Miller
Manufacturer: Wenner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1932958541

Book Description

Stairway to Heaven: The Final Resting Places of Rocks Legends commemorates the rock n roll greats who have gone on to that big backstage party in the sky. With artful photos of graves and memorials, and text offering in-depth and never-before-published information about the rock stars lives and deaths, Stairway is an elegant, informative, and soulful tribute to musics greatest stars, from Elvis and the Lizard King to the Ramones and Left Eye Lopes. The best gift you can give a die-hard music fan this holiday season, Stairway can best be summed up by the words on the headstone of Blues Brother John Belushi: I may be gone, but Rock Roll lives on.

Customer Reviews:

Best book ever!!!.......2007-05-28

I have 2 main interests. Rock and ghosts.Not just ghost but i think graveyards are cool. So this book was perfect for me. This book taught me so much and i love reading it. It's awesome for anyone who is interested in music!!!!1

Stairway to Heaven.......2007-03-10

This made an excellant gift for a rock fan and someone that is somewhat of a historian and likes things like this...

A masterpiece....for any music fan........2006-01-25

Have you ever gone to see your favorite artist in concert only to go home somewhat upset because they didn't play this song or that song? Well,I thought I would be thinking that way when I purchased this book,thinking that it would not have the gravesite(s) of this artist or that artist or so on. WAS I WRONG!!! This is like a who's who of dead people of the music world. The book in no way caters to just one genre of music. It practically contains every dead artist from all genres of music. From country (Johnny Cash,Hank Williams) to rap (Jam master Jay,Eazy E) to classic rock (Brian Jones,Jimi Hendrix) to blues (Muddy Waters,John Lee Hooker) to punk (Sid Vicious,Johnny Thunders) to even Tejano (Selena),this book has it all. From members of the beatles to members of MC5 and from members of Lynyrd Skynyrd to members of The Ramones and The New York Dolls,no band is left out. There are roughly 100 artists in this 160 page book which includes artist and gravesite photos as well as the stories behind their deaths. No music fan is left out. It is a masterpiece worth buying. Although it contains no directions to getting to the sites,it still can also be used as the perfect travel guide for the rock n roll historian. Rock on!!!!!

Stairway to heaven.......2005-11-05

interesting and fascinating all at the same time. The photos were
wonderful and the text was clear. Highly recommend for both the browser and the reader

Rock's Legendary Book.......2005-10-17

This book is a great synopsis of well-known and some little known musical artists who have influenced our present and past music world.
It is well written and the photos are an added plus to this book.

On My Journey Now: Looking at African-American History Through the Spirituals

Average customer rating:

Theology of African American Spirituals

On My Journey Now: Looking at African-American History Through the Spirituals
Nikki Giovanni
Manufacturer: Candlewick
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0763628859
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Book Description

With the passion of a poet and the knowledge of a historian, Nikki Giovanni tells the story of Africans in America through the glorious words of spirituals.

Ever since she was a little girl attending three different churches, poet Nikki Giovanni has loved the spirituals. In ON MY JOURNEY NOW, she paints compelling portraits of the lives of her ancestors through familiar songs such as "Go Down, Moses" and personal favorites such as "Ain’t Got Time to Die," celebrating a people who overcame enslavement and found a way to survive, to worship, and to build. ON MY JOURNEY NOW includes a foreword by Dr. Arthur Jones, founder and artistic program director of the Spirituals Project.

Customer Reviews:

Theology of African American Spirituals.......2007-07-21

I am planning a church-based course on Black theology in African American spirituals. Nikki Giovanni's unique treatment will be enriching for participants.

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