The Night Before the Gingerbread Man’s Christmas

Author: Larry Carney
Publisher: PC Treasures, Inc.
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1600721090
Pages: 24
Price: $6.95

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It’s tough to be a snack at Christmas!  The Gingerbread Man is curious about Santa’s visit to his house, but soon becomes worried as Santa prepares to eat his pastry friends.  How can he convince Santa to spare them, and turn his attention to healthier veggies instead?

This cute and clever Christmas story of a kindhearted gingerbread man is written in rhyme, and is accompanied by a CD-ROM. This includes a read-along version of the story so kids can follow the story as they’re learning to read. It also has several novelty Christmas songs with easy to learn lyrics kids can sing along to. And it includes computer activities like coloring pages and an on-screen performance of one of the songs.

Since this package comes with a book, music and activities, The Night Before the Gingerbread Man’s Christmas is a superb value for the price, and would be ideal for any family looking for fun new holiday stories to enjoy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The Night Before the Three Bears’ Christmas

Author: Larry Carney
Publisher: PC Treasures, Inc.
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1600721120
Pages: 24
Price: $6.95

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It’s Christmas Eve and Baby Bear hears a knock at the front door. Could it be Santa? But of course not – he’d use the chimney! A poor, orphan skunk has lost his way in the forest and wants to come in for the night. But will Santa be able to find him at the three bears’ house?

This adorable and heart-warming Christmas story of a little orphan skunk and the three bears is written in rhyme, and is accompanied by a CD-ROM. This includes a read-along version of the story so kids can follow the story as they’re learning to read. It also has several novelty Christmas songs with easy to learn lyrics kids can sing along to. And it includes computer activities like coloring pages and an on-screen performance of one of the songs.

Since this package comes with a book, music and activities, The Night Before the Three Bears’ Christmas is a superb value for the price, and would be ideal for any family looking for fun new holiday stories to enjoy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Adios to All the Drama

Author: Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0-7582-2557-3
Pages: 336
Price: $9.95

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Mariana’s summer fling, Alex, is staying with her family as he researches colleges in the area. Although she’s missed him, she still has unresolved feelings for her locker buddy, Bobby. But things are weird between them ever since she found out her friend, Emily’s, secret.

Madison is now head over heels for a popular guy named Evan, but Emily’s behavior has Mariana concerned. Is she going for her friend’s guy behind her back? Nothing Emily does makes any sense anymore.

When a ballet performance disaster occurs, Mariana finds out the answers to her friend’s strange actions. And she finally makes the decision that’s been weighing on her own heart at her aunt’s wedding.

I really enjoyed this three book series, but this one was definitely the best, in my opinion. Despite the fact Mariana is not one of the popular girls, she manages to stay true to herself and her own values in this book, not succumbing to any peer pressure to compromise herself.

Mariana shows great self-confidence in making all the right decisions for herself, knowing she needs to live with the consequences. I enjoyed getting to know her, and I’m sorry to see this series end.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

In the Beginning: The Art of Genesis (a pop-up book)

Author: Chuck Fischer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 978-0316118422
Pages: 12
Price: $35.00

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The Biblical book of Genesis has been the subject of great art works for many years, and is the inspiration for Chuck Fischer in creating this book. In these six pop-up scenes, he shows in majestic format: the creation, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark, the tower of Babel, Jacob’s ladder, and Joseph in Egypt.

These stunning works also include attached booklets that tell the Biblical story that goes with the scene, as well as exploring its meaning, and sharing other great art works that have touched on these stories.

In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Chuck Fischer has created a masterpiece, taking the book of Genesis to a new dimension in these spectacular pop-up scenes.  This beautiful book would be perfect for anyone who enjoys great art and Biblical stories.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Awakening the Genie Within

Author: Bettye Johnson
Publisher: Living Free Press
Genre: Mind-Body-Spirit
ISBN: 978-0-9650454-4-5
Pages: 163
Price: $17.95

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Bettye Johnson believes that each of us has a genie within that can grant all our wishes. Awakening the Genie Within attempts to show us how to access this power.

The teacher, Ramtha, channeled through JZ Knight, and his School of Enlightenment have provided guidance to the author over the last twenty years. This book reveals some of the wisdom she has learned from him. In it, she touches on topics such as the law of attraction, the powers of the mind, healing, love and abundance. These are enhanced by Johnson’s own experiences.

Although there is a lot of good material in this book, the organization is a bit haphazard, and the book has numerous typos, leading the reader to believe it may have been put together hastily. The author’s experiences could also have been supplemented with other people’s, giving a broader view on the subjects covered.

If this is the first book you’ve read on discovering your own power to manifest your life, it provides a basic framework that will encourage further reading. If you’re already fluent in these studies, this book will give you only one person’s experiences in following these principles successfully. The inspirational stories will leave you feeling good about life, eager to create positive changes for yourself.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The Fairy and the Chupacabra and Those Marfa Lights

Author: James A. Mangum & Sidney Spires
Publisher: John M. Hardy Publishing
Genre: Children
ISBN: 978-0-9798391-5-3
Pages: 24
Price: $17.95

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Javi is a very mischievous fairy. One day, he decides to take a journey to watch the humans in the neighboring village, but he forgets to tell anyone where he is going. While he is there, he meets a young chupacabra – a most-misunderstood creature that looks a lot scarier than he really is.

As nightfall approaches, Javi’s sister Mari is worried that he hasn’t arrived home yet, and she sets out to find him, knowing her parents will worry about both of them if she fails to return. Mari finds Javi, who is now in quite a predicament, and they both make it home safely from their trip.

Written in folk tale style, this charming West Texas fable is accompanied by colorful and vibrant illustrations by James A. Mangum. The first in a series, this bilingual story includes Spanish phrases with a glossary in the back. The Fairy and the Chupacabra and Those Marfa Lights is a delightful tale, suitable for children of all ages.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The Pocket Paper Engineer Vol. 1 & 2

Author: Carol Barton
Publisher: Popular Kinetics Press
Genre: Crafts / How-to / Children’s
ISBN: 978-0962775208 / 978-0-962775222
Pages: 67 / 72
Price: $24.95 / $26.95

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Pop-up books and cards delight children and adults with their unique and clever designs, but how are these intricate pictures created? If you’ve ever wanted to make one yourself, The Pocket Paper Engineer will show you how.

This set of two volumes focuses on basic pop-up forms, platforms and props in a fully hands-on manner. Designed to be taken apart and used in construction, the pages are sturdy and include pockets to place your finished products. Clear directions and illustrations show you exactly how to put these pop-up designs together, and then explain how to use these newly acquired skills for creations of your own.

The Pocket Paper Engineer is well-designed, and the step-by-step instructions are easy for anyone to follow. I highly recommend these unique how-to books on crafting pop-ups.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

The Night Before the Little Mermaid’s Christmas

Author: Larry Carney
Publisher: PC Treasures, Inc.
Genre: Children / Christmas
ISBN: 978-1600721106
Pages: 24
Price: $6.95

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The little mermaid has decorated her home deep under the sea, in the hopes that Santa will pay a visit on Christmas Eve. But can Santa get to her home? How will he ever be able to find her, and if he does, how can he breathe?

This adorable and heart-warming Christmas story of the little mermaid is written in rhyme, and is accompanied by a CD-ROM. This includes a read-along version of the story so kids can follow the story as they’re learning to read. It also has several novelty Christmas songs with easy to learn lyrics kids can sing along to. And it includes computer activities like coloring pages and an on-screen performance of one of the songs.

Since this package comes with a book, music and activities, The Night Before the Little Mermaid’s Christmas is a superb value for the price, and would be ideal for any family looking for fun new holiday stories to enjoy.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

A Country Girl

Author: Jeanne Ainslie
Publisher: Xlibris
Genre: Erotica
ISBN: 978-1-4363-3179-1
Pages: 243
Price: $19.99

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Angela, a country girl, awakens to her blossoming womanhood in her teens, with a boy named William. Although the relationship doesn’t last, she continues to delight in her own body, and those of her partners, with wild abandon.

The sequel to Angela, written in 1975 and selling over 61,000 copies, A Country Girl takes us on an erotic exploration of Angela’s sexuality. Jeanne Ainslie’s evocative use of language creates a beautiful sensory picture. Touch, taste, smell and sight combine for a complete immersion in Angela’s sexual experiences.

Angela doesn’t hold back from anything new, and the bolder and more forbidden it is, the more she enjoys it. If you long to break free of convention, if only vicariously, A Country Girl will take you to places you may have only visited in your imagination. I highly recommend this well-written erotic novel.

Reviewer: Alice Berger