Product Description
The profoundly moving story of Savitri, one of the best-loved of India, appears in the Hindu national epic, The Mahabharata. Shepherd's dramatic retelling is exquisitely illuminated by Rosenberry's artwork. The artist has painstakingly brought back to life a legendary world. Full color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Princess
I loved this book because it was anti-thetical to western notions of women as the one's that need to be saved(Think Disney).The woman engages in a journey to find love rather than experience an instantaneous 'aha-I see you and I love you" scenario.My 4-year-old daughter loves the pictures and the heroic story too!

Discover this hidden treasure! (Best for ages 4-10)
At the risk of sounding politically correct, I must say it's rare to find a children's story in which the lead woman isn't either wicked beyond all reason or totally incompetent; look to Disney for proof.

Then there'sSavitri.Although she comes from money, she judges others by theircharacter rather than social status (something notably rare in Indiatoday).This quality is illustrated when she selects a mate.The authorinterprets this folktale by showing respect for India's cultural traditionof arranged marriage while also supporting a woman's right to choose. These two apparently opposing methods of mate-selection are"married" as Savitri herself has her father arrange to meet theman she has selected -- how delightful!

When faced with the life of herhusband in jeopardy, Savitri reveals amazing personal character.She facesIndia's grim reaper with tremendous courage, unwavering determination andsincere devotion.And in doing so, she thinks first of others (herstep-father's happiness) before thinking of herself.

Overall, the storyis told in a clear manner, with interesting names (parents may need toassist with pronunciation) and beats Dr. Suess hands-down.The picturesare exquisitely done.

Savitri is a wonderful treat for any boy or girl(age 4 to 10) although, I must confess, I enjoyed it too (and I'm a bitolder).

The author has other books based on stories from other cultures. Search for 'a tale of ancient india' on AltaVista's Advanced Search forlinks to a full text of the book as well as the author's website.

EnjoySavitri! scottie ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Savitri
I think this is a very touching story about a lady who loves her husband very much.She is ready to risk her life for him.She does everything she can to stop the day her husband will die but unfortunately the day comes.I like how Yama suddenly shows up.That really ads a nice touch.Savitri is also very clever to trick Yama into bringing back her husband to life.The part where you say that Savitri had no fears or tears when Yama came again to carry them to his kingdom was a great way to end of the book.I especially liked that.I think that this was a great story.I hope you keep writing because you are an amazing author. ... Read more

Product Description
In Mikko's family, when a son is ready to marry, he must chop down a tree and then search for his bride by following the direction in which the tree points. When Mikko's brother chops down his tree, it points right to where his sweetheart lives. But when it's Mikko's turn, the tree points toward the deep, dark woods. What type of sweetheart can Mikko expect to find there? Though his brother taunts that the only wife Mikko will find in the forest will be a wolf or a fox, Mikko sets off optimistically. There he meets the most unusual of sweethearts, but one who proves that with an open heart and mind, love can be rewarded in the most surprising and unexpected ways. With luminous illustrations by Leonid Gore, Aaron Shepard retells a classic Finnish folktale that will delight young readers time and time again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

The Princess Mouse: Reader Review
In Finland, it is tradition for men to choose their brides by cutting down a tree and walking in the direction it points until they find their true love.When Mikko, a farmer's son, cuts down his tree, it points into the forest where the only talking being he comes across is a friendly mouse.The mouse convinces Mikko to let her be his sweetheart, but when the wedding day arrives, the guests are astonished by his choice.His scoffing older brother throws the mouse into the river.Suddenly, the creature turns into a princess and after the wedding ceremony, takes Mikko back to her castle to live.

Aaron Shepard's book is an endearing love story that teaches readers not to look solely on a person's outward appearance.The story is simply yet well written and the illustrations are both unique and appropriate for the Scandinavian setting.Children and adults alike would enjoy this folktale.

How to find a wife? Cut down and tree and go where it points
"The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland" begins with a simple premise, which is that in Mikko's family when young men get to the age when it is time for them to marry they find their future brides by cutting down a tree and following it points.It so happens that in this particular farm family the two sons are old enough to marry so the father instructs them to follow the family tradition, declaring, "That's how we've done it, and that's how we always well."The older son knows exactly who he wants to marry and cuts down the true so that it points right to her door, but when the younger son, Mikko, cuts down his tree it points into the deep forest.His brother mocks him, wondering if Mikko's sweetheart will be a wolf or a fox.But Mikko walks off into the forest declaring "I'll find who I find."

What Mikko finds is a mouse who is more than happy to be his sweetheart.Strangely enough, Mikko agrees and returns home to tell his father he has found a sweetheart.The tale now becomes interesting because Mikko's father has arranged a series of tests for the sweethearts of his two sons to take to prove their worth (do not ask why, you know what the father will say).From the title of the this story being told by Aaron Shepard you can probably guess how it is going to turn out in the end, but that does not distract all that much from the charm of this tale which is illustrated by Leonid Gore.You have many of the traditional elements of such folktales, but there are some nice unexpected twists that will delight readers of all ages.

Shepherd based his retelling of this tale mostly on story of "The Forest Bride," which I actually prefer as a title, but also on the story of "The Mouse Bride."In the back of the book you will find the simple music for "The Song of the Princess Mouse," written by Shepard.In fact, if you visit Shepard's homepage you can find not only a recording of the tune for this song but a reader's theater script along with another test of the brothers' sweethearts.So there are some nice resources to go with this folktale for teachers to use.Shepard has authored other folktales, including "The Maiden of Northland: A Hero Tale of Finland." ... Read more

Product Description

"Biophilia" is the term coined by Edward O. Wilson to describe what he believes is our innate affinity for the natural world. In his landmark book Biophilia, he examined how our tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes might be a biologically based need, integral to our development as individuals and as a species. That idea has caught the imagination of diverse thinkers.

The Biophilia Hypothesis brings together the views of some of the most creative scientists of our time, each attempting to amplify and refine the concept of biophilia. The variety of perspectives - psychological, biological, cultural, symbolic, and aesthetic - frame the theoretical issues by presenting empirical evidence that supports or refutes the hypothesis. Numerous examples illustrate the idea that biophilia and its converse, biophobia, have a genetic component:

• fear, and even full-blown phobias of snakes and spiders are quick to develop with very little negative reinforcement, while more threatening modern artifacts - knives, guns, automobiles - rarely elicit such a response
• people find trees that are climbable and have a broad, umbrella-like canopy more attractive than trees without these characteristics
• people would rather look at water, green vegetation, or flowers than built structures of glass and concrete

Customer Reviews (5)

an able collection that needs updating
This book contains writings and research from several fields, their experts trying to confirm the hypothesis that human beings are naturally drawn to various manifestations of the natural world ("biophilia"). This hypothesis is important not because it can start a new religion or redeem the world, but because it balances more pessimistic views of human nature with the idea that we have a natural psychological connection to our fellow creatures. This in turn implies that we harm our own psyches to the extent we push other beings out of existence.

Don't expect any end-stage science from this book. The editors make it clear up front that these are tentative, exploratory, and sometimes speculative investigations. The amount of biophilia research funding remains quite small compared to environmental research on how to market things or brainwash customers. The studies herein go up to the 1990s, so it's time for another collection.

A chapter that puzzled me was written by Dorion Sagan and Lynn Margulis to argue that appeals to save the planet are grandiose. Granted; Joanna Macy has been making the point for decades that we are PART of the planet, not sitting high above it. At best we can participate in its self-healing from what humans have done to it. But the authors go beyond this to normalize what we have done to it, even suggesting that we could be making way for the next evolutionary experiment of Gaia. I hate to use the hard word "misanthropic," but dismissing global warming and mass extinctions with the suggestion that "the decline in species diversity may be balanced by an increase in technological diversity" is astounding. It is quite a contrast to the growing numbers of people who feel the pain of those disappearances and declines with agonizing urgency and sorrow. I'm concerned that it also supports the very passivity and hopelessness that deprive the public sphere of so much pro-environmental energy directed toward appreciating and encouraging Earth's self-healing complexity: a very different idealism from the heroic posture of the world-shaper.

Wonderful reading
This was recommended by a scientist-science teacher-friend and I was simply blown away by the implications. If this theory is correct, then it explains the human descent into madness brought on by increased development without thought.

Difficult but important
Human beings are deeply psychologically attached to nature and the sooner we realize that, the better off we'll be. Why are houseplants so popular? Why do so many children's books feature animals as main characters? Why domore Americans visit zoos than sporting events? Why are so many of usworried about rainforests we'll never see firsthand? Unlike the previoustwo reviewers, I hold that our ties with nature are deep and ancient. Wecan bury them under concrete but WE CAN'T CUT THEM. As a last word: most ofthe really happy people I know have a deep relationship with nature orsomething from nature, such as a pet.

This book is more postmodernism jibberish
In Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectual's Abuse of Science, postmodernists are taken to task for distorting physics and math through poetic license that says nothing and means nothing.Edward O. Wilsonlikewise has criticized postmodernists for their attacks on science andWestern knowledge, and now we have the evolutionists stooping to the samedistortions of logic and clear thinking in pursuit of personal agendas toresurrect a new religion of nature.In the book The Biophilia Hypothesis(henceforth BioHyp) we can clearly delineate between the evolutionaryobservations of our past and what it should mean to us today.This bookmerges evolutionary knowledge of our environment for survival, with anethic of deep ecology that is as befuddling and lacking in coherence asanything I have previously seen written by those who claim to be on theside of neo-Darwinist empiricism.But we should all recognize that it iseasy, even for true empiricists, to slip into quasi-religious cults evenwhile appearing to embrace the principles of science.Since this book doesnot have any coherence, aside from making some rather bland connectionbetween how humans interact with nature which I accept but fail to see asprofound, I will take a few of the most egregiously inept statements in thebook to pull the rug out from under their proposed paradigm.

This booktries to equate affiliation with nature with the essence of a good lifethat has meaning.Granted, many aspects of human nature go into themake-up of our beings, including: the need to create, observe nature, havesex, accumulate and show off our amassed wealth, dominance over others,athleticism, gathering and enjoying food, AND competition with other humangroups including warfare and genocide.Yes, along with a love of naturehumans also have a blood lust that these authors all know exists but failto address in this book.Another quasi-religious group of scientists couldeasily conjure up a new natural paradigm based on warfare (perhaps like theSpartans) and be equally content with a new culture based on love ofanimals but hatred of other humans (perhapsthe genophilia hypothesis?).

"The biophilia hypothesis necessarily involves a number ofchallenging, indeed daunting, assertions. Among these is the suggestionthat the human inclination to affiliate with life and lifelike process is:1) Inherent (that is, biologically based); 2) Part of our species'evolutionary heritage; 3) Associated with human competitive advantage andgenetic fitness; 4) Likely to increase the possibility for achievingindividual meaning and personal fulfillment; and 5) The self-interestedbasis for a human ethic of care and conservation of nature, most especiallythe diversity of life." [20]

Assertions 1,2 and 3 I have no problemwith, they are simple evolutionary statements.However I take strong issuewith 4 and 5.Lets rephrase 4: "[T]he inclination to affiliate withlife . . . is [l]ikely to increase the possibility for achieving individualmeaning and personal fulfillment."Let us merely rephrase it to read,"The inclination for humans to commit genocide is likely to increasethe possibility for achieving individual meaning and personalfulfillment."I contend that genocide and group cohesiveness are infact far more powerful emotions than our need of love for nature.And yetwe have been able to subdue this emotion quite nicely by introducingincentives in cultures to forego blood-letting for other more valuable pasttimes.Likewise, BioHyp may improve our urban environment by paying moreattention to planting trees and providing for some bird sanctuaries, but Iwould contend that the average urban dweller is far more impacted by dailyroad rage than they are sensitive to the number of animals and fauna theyobserve on their journey to work.That is, hostility to other humans whomay have offended me carry a much greater burden on my temperament thanseeing a squirrel climb up the tree as I walk to my garage.

Assertion 5above, in order to be true, must show that an extreme caring andconservation for nature, one that must reduce the average material wealthof humans while also reducing the number of humans, is of real benefit tohumans: that is, it is a good in itself, to all humans!Does this hold forthose who will not be born?For those who will die on the way to theemergency room because we have reverted back to bicycles or horse andbuggies?Don't get me wrong. I am not an egalitarian that thinks"banning guns to save just one child is reason enough to give up ourconstitutional rights."Its just that no group or philosophy can makethe above statement to simplistically and universally alter our national orhumans agenda.They are calling for a ecological Jihad that is notwarranted.Our culture cannot be cut from whole cloth based on suchsimplistic assertions.They are made up of a myriad of compromises andconstraints that do not fall easily into any one fundamental of humannature as espoused in BioHyp.

Sorry, but the authors got it all backwards
The great biologist Edward O. Wilson noted that human beings seem to have some constants in what they like in the natural world. Everybody likes the landscape they grew up in, but there appears to be a surprising consensus, at least among men, in favor of landscape with these features: grassy parklands with intermittent trees, water, high points providing vistas across a complex landscape, and the ability to see but not be seen.Researchers believe that this represents an inborn affinity toward the superb hunting grounds in which humans evolved in East Africa. From this work, Wilson announced the existence of biophilia, the innate human love of nature, and asserted that this means we should Save the Rainforests (home to most of the species of Wilson's beloved ants).

As much as I admire Wilson, I have to point out that his political argument is absolutely not supported by this research, which demonstrates not that humans like all forms of nature but that they have strong opinions about which landscapes they prefer. Reread the description of the consensus pleasurable landscape: does it remind you of anything that modern humans all around the world spend billions upon? Yup, what we males really have an innate affinity for are golf courses. In fact, we probably have an innate aversion toward rainforests, with their snakes, bugs, and lack of sunlight. Humans have largely avoided rainforests throughout our history, and today rainforests are much more popular on the Upper West Side of Manhattan than in the Amazon.

None of this implies that we shouldn't Save The Rainforests ... Read more

Product Description
In a classic Finnish tale of romance from the epic Kalevala, beautiful Aila is being courted by two gentlemen who are desperately trying to win her affection, but neither of them know that she has secretly agreed with her mother not to marry either of them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beauty and magic of the Kalevala retold
Aaron Shepard's loving and powerful retelling of the Kalevala epic captures the beauty, magic, poetry and grace of the original in a form highly accessible even to very young children. My half-Finnish daughters(ages 5 and 7) sat captivated through a first reading and insisted on asecond, thoroughly entranced by the magical power of Vainamoinen's poetryand song and eager to touch their Finnish heritage. But there's enoughdepth here to appeal to older children, too.Carol Schwartz's rich andcolorful illustrations add a glimpse of daily life in the ancient Finnishcountryside that makes the magic all the more real by placing it among suchbelievable folk. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

A Teacher's Gold Mine !!!
This book is a gold mine of resources for teachers! The Adventures of Mouse Deer has classic folktale characteristics which lend perfectly for teaching this genre. The entertaining storyline is highly motivating for the most reluctant reader. The simple, yet exciting plot make it perfect for practicing retelling, sequence, cause and effect. Because this is a folktale from Malaysia and Indonesia, readers have an authentic reason (and interest!) for research and practicing nonfiction reading strategies and atlas/map-reading. The book has three "stories" which are the perfect length for small group reading. The downloadable scripts from Mr. Shephard's website are ideal for the Fluency Station post Guided Reading Group.

A retelling of some of South Asia's most popular folklore
The Adventures of Mouse Deer: Tales of Indonesia and Malaysia is a retelling of some of South Asia's most popular folklore, about Mouse Deer, a creature who is small but brave and cunning - in many ways similar to the trickster fox of other mythologies, or Brer Rabbit of more contemporary children's literature. Simply narrated so that young people who are just graduating from picturebooks can easily follow the text, The Adventures of Mouse Deer is witty and steeped with the power of myth, as well as high-spirited determination. Black-and-white illustrations intersperse the text in this delightful introduction to an enduring legend.

Mouse Deer
Ingenious! I am thrilled with the storyline. I plan to use this book in teaching character education or the rainforest. ... Read more

Product Description
Writing books for children is both art andbusiness. If you dream of becoming a children's author -- or even ifyou're well on your way -- this handbook can help you in writingsellable stories, getting them published, and promoting yourbooks.

Topics include common myths about children's writing, children's bookcategories, elements of successful stories, manuscript format,submission strategies, contract negotiation, the publishing process,career building, and children's writer resources. Also included arespecialized subjects such as querying for multiple manuscripts,promoting a first book, and designing a Web page.

Read The Business of Writing for Children to learn the secretsyou might spend years discovering for yourself. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

New in the business
I'm a beginner children's writer, seeking helpful advice on how to get started, and greatly appreciated Aaron Shepards book 'The Business of Writing for Children'.It's a cogent effort, packed with uselful information for both beginners and non-beginners alike.For a non-fiction book, I found it to be quite the page turner.

Add this book to your library before you submit your manuscript!
I found the writing tips Aaron lays out in this book, regarding how the beats of a sentence should be, in a children's book, to be very helpful. I also appreciated his description of what to submit to publishers, and how to go about marketing your book. Thanks for demystifying the process. Now it now sounds more fun than scary. ~Teresa, Aspiring Children's Author

A great beginning
The author of over fifteen picture books based on legends and folktales and a children's playwright as well, Aaron Shepard knows the business side of writing for children and he's shared some of his "tips of the trade" in this concise, useful guidebook (ISBN 0-938497-11-1).

Shepard provides some unique advice about submitting manuscripts. Once again, the advice is simple and concise but offers the type of "out of the box" suggestions that only an experienced published author can present. He gives a quick run-down on the types of publishers to approach and guidance for how to negotiate your own contract. A clear explanation of the types of distribution channels for books is presented as well (one of the most confusing areas of the business for beginning writers). Another valuable tip appears later in the book as Shepard provides his template for how to submit what he calls the "picture book query." If you've decided to submit your first manuscripts without an agent, this book will get you started.

But it's not all business. Shepard's love for his craft shows in the second section of the book as he describes how to script your story and the rhythm and rhyme that make for a strong picture book. He also discusses his specialty area of folktales, so if you want to write in this area this book will be particularly valuable to you.

He wraps up the book with a section on ways for authors to promote their books and themselves. Shepard provides some great resources at the end of the book--a bibliography, list of online resources including his own website [...], and a list of organizations for children's writers.

I thought this guidebook was a valuable introduction into the business side of children's writing for the newbie and I'd love for Shepard to add more to his next edition with articles from other children's writers about their experiences entering the world of children's publishing.--Annamaria Farbizio, Writing for Children, BellaOnline.com

Positive Advice!
Aaron Shepard gives positive, uplifting and practical advice on what works. Many similarly targeted books tell you what not to do. His focus on the positive was very refreshing after reading all of the negative aspects of the industry from other resources. If nothing else, his can-do attitude will lift your spirits and encourage you to keep at it!

Straight to the point of writing. . .
I found this book to be helpful and informative.I think no matter where you are in the writing process, you will benefit from this book.Thanks Aaron! ... Read more

Product Description
What fate awaits a thousand-year-old white snake that travels from its sacred mountainhome to the human world, only to fall in love with a mortal? Such is the bizarre beginning of this tragic love story, one of the most popular in all of Chinese opera. Lady White's marriage and loyal devotion to her beloved husband Xu Xian is considered by Fahai--the abbott of a nearby temple--as heresy and an abomination. Fahai attempts to make Xu Xian aware of the apparent danger he faces from his own wife. And in a spectacular battle, the devout monk musters all his powers to get rid of Lady White Snake once and for all. Although our heroine prevails in the end, time is not on her side and there is great loss. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Chinese Tales
Lady White Snake:A Tale From Chinese Opera is a traditional tale illustrated with lovely Chinese drawings.Chinese characters show the symbols from long ago compared with modern. Chinese names have a pronunciation guide to assist the storyteller.

Love between the beautiful Lady White and the hansome young man, Xu Xian.
This is one of the most popular love stories in Chinese societies, though the love is between a snake, Lady White, and a hansome young man, Xu Xian. The monk thought Xu Xian was in danger, because he knew the beautiful Lady White was a snake. So the monk tried to rescue the young man.

In Chinese societies, young girls and boys read this story, because they start to be able to appreciate what is love.

This book does have very beautiful photos.


Sam Song
Author,
Learning Chinese The Easy Way with great fun and joy!

a wonderful retelling of an exotic story
Lady White and her friend Blue (who are both snakes), decide to leave their residence at Mt. Emei and experience the human world.A young man, Xu Xian, offers the two women the use of his umbrella when it begins to rain, and plans to pick it up from them the following day.After spending the day drinking tea with the two women, Xu Xian and Lady White agree to marry.Unfortunately, the two do not live happily ever after--because of the meddling of a monk who considers Lady White a demon and tries to convince Xu Xian of that fact.After a series of confrontations between the monk and Lady White, the story follows operatic tradition as the monk finally succeeds in ripping the two lovers apart.He captures Lady White and imprisons her under a pagoda by West Lake, where she will remain until either the lake dries up or the pagoda falls. However, the story does conclude on a hopeful note.As the centuries pass, Lady White's friend Blue trains until she and her army are able to destroy the pagoda and free Lady White from her prison, giving her freedom and perhaps one day another chance at love.

The author has included some pages of extra information that is helpful to those of us who are not familiar with aspects of Chinese opera that appear in this story.The beginning also has a pronunciation guide on names non-Chinese speakers may have problems with.There is also a brief description about the style of Chinese calligraphy the artist chose to incorporate into the illustrations.The illustrations are quite impressive, especially the two page spread showing the battle between the armies of the monastery and Lady White.The illustrator makes it seem as though they are images from a production of the opera, which enhances the story.

This is a great, well-written book, telling a story that most readers will not be familiar with.All the readers though will appreciate the action of the story and the lovely pictures that accompany the text.There is love and excitement, and while there is not a `happily ever after' ending between Lady White and Xu Xian, there are hints that love might come again for Lady White.However, one thing to be aware of is that this book will probably work better as a read aloud book than one kids read themselves, because of the long plot and unfamiliar words.

This story will probably especially appeal to girls, in both the exotic costumes and the characters who are passionate and adventurous.While Lady White does marry and have a child, unlike the "traditional" female role, she is not someone who will passively stand by and watch things happen without doing something.Her friend Blue has a similar personality, even struggling over the centuries to become strong enough to free Lady White. ... Read more

Product Description
No outlaw could draw as fast as Lightning Larry. But what really terrified those bad men was that peculiar gun of his. It didn't shoot bullets. It shot light. And Larry always aimed for the heart. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

GREAT for storytelling
Back in high school I used this story as a script for a competitive speaking script.In Kentucky "storytelling" was one of the most popular events, because (unlike traditional events) you could jump around, scream, yell, and you didn't have to hold a script while you read it.

Now, I have kids, and I can't wait to show them just how much fun this book was to me back then.It's a fantastic story, well written, and well illustrated.

Outlaws beware!
This book is set in the Old West where bad guys could be found on every street. In every nook and cranny you could find a rotten, no good outlaw.
They feared nothing at all. After all they were dirty and mean. As mean as mean can get. That is until Lightining Larry rode into the town of Brimstone.

As he got off of his horse and entered the Cottonmouth saloon, he had a smile as big as Texas on his face. As he walked to the bar and ordered a large cold mug of Lemonade everyone turned to see who it could be.

Now I know what you must be thinking--how in the world would any one fear a cowboy who drank lemonade? I had the same feelings myself when I started to read this book.

But then Mr. Shepard did what he does best--created a character that all children would love. A character that children would love.

Another big five from this reviewer-- who bought this book for her grand kids. That's right I bought this book. Now that should give you some idea how good this book is. As a reviewer we are use to getting books for free. When I saw this I had to buy it.

Whispering Winds Book Reviews

Kids Love It!
The Legend of Lightning Larry is a hit with all my classes.They love to hear the language Shepherd uses and can't wait to see how Larry helps tame the bad guys!

The Legend of Lightning Larry
This is a great book and one of my all time favorites.Lightning Larry the main character is such a great man.He goes about the town making all the bad outlaws good with his lightning bolts.All the outlaws are lead by Evil Eye McNeevil.Larry has a showdown with him at the end of story.You need to read this to find out.Larry can overcome any bad guy and has no fear.He jsut lays back and drinks his lemonades without a worry.

The Legend of Lightning Larry
My husband just loved reading this book to our boys! The cowboy (Larry) uses his guns to shoot lightning bolts that make bad guys "nice".Their friends are not too thrilled about that! ... Read more

Product Description
Not so long ago, in the tiny, isolated villages of Finland, where prolonged summer days gave way to endless winter nights, people would pass the time by singing the many adventures of their favorite heroes: the mighty, magical men and women of ancient days.

They sang of old Vainamoinen, greatest of sages and magicians, who helped create the world but never could find a woman to wed him. They sang of his friend and ally Ilmarinen, first among craftsmen, the blacksmith who forged the dome of the heavens.

They sang of Louhi, the ancient lady of Northland, whose crafty wit and magical powers made her a worthy opponent for Vainamoinen himself. And they sang of Aila, Louhi's lovely daughter, who captured the hopes of the two old friends and drew them as rivals to the shores of Northland.

And while these songs could still be heard, there came along a rural doctor, a scholar, who gathered and wove them together in a book he called the Kalevala. And so he created for Finns a national epic, and for the rest of the world, a work of wonder.

The songs endure, the heroes live. . . .

For ages 10 and up. Not illustrated! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

cute story
Again, I didn't read the description clearly.The story is definately intended for your readers. Too simplistic for young adults, but kids will be enthralled with the plot and characters.

Grandma, Brandon and Johnny
The collection of "The Ancient Fantasy" series will take both adults and children into a world of folklore of long ago. In another time and country. My grandson's and myself have been reading this series and we have all enjoyed what we have read so far. We just finished reading "The Songs of Power". The front and back cover are enchanting. Brandon and Johnny love them. In their words again: "they are awesome". I am always delighted when we finish a book and they look again at the covers and they recognize some of the characters.

As a mom it was important to me to teach my children to enjoy reading. As a grandma I truly love to teach my grandchildren to enjoy literature. I highly recommend the whole series to parents, grandparents, any child or adult.

We had just finished reading, "The Song of Power" when Brandon said "Grandma my teacher says poems are just songs". So we read this book in different ways many times. We each read it to our own beats. We even tried to sing it. We each chose a song we knew and changed out the words to fit the book. I am so glad there was no one around to hear us. It is something only a grandparent could love.

I am so proud when I see the light of understanding in their eyes shine. Or when they have read a part withoutmistakes. What a blessing for me.

Mr Shepard you are helping children to develop their own imaginations. These books have taken my grandson's away from their video and dvd games they keep here, and that is quite an accomplishment. Especially in the world we live in now.

When I first told them I had some books coming that I thought they would enjoy was a mistake on my part. Every day until the books arrived I was asked if I had check my po box that day. When the books finally arrived I waited and let them open the box. We looked at the books and then at each other and knew these books would be different than any we had read before.

Thank you once again, and as my grandson's say this is another five star book. They think your books get better and better as they read each one. I say their minds have opened up more and more.

Sandra Heptinstall
Brandon Heptinstall
Johnnie Heptinstall ... Read more

Product Description
Because his artwork is too realistic--a painted sun starts a fire--expert sign painter Slappy Hooper has difficulty in getting a job, until an out-of-this-world assignment from the Heavenly Sign Company keeps him busy all day long. ... Read more

Product Description
Timothy Tolliver and his friend Arnie Rosenberg have a problem -- a gang of older bullies called the Stinks. But besides being a fourth-grader, Timothy is also a world-class inventor. He and Arnie get the bright idea of defending themselves with Timothy's science-project robot.

When their first try fails, Timothy finds a way to update the mystical formulae that gave life to the Jewish clay monster, the Golem. The robot comes alive, and it looks like their worries are over -- till the robot stops following orders and takes matters into its own hands.

Can Timothy bring his creation back under control? Find out, as the Golem legend replays in a modern American elementary school. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lovely retelling of the Jewish Golem tale
Two young boys take extreme measures to battle the cowardly school bullies we all knew. The real consequences are also given in this bright, Frankenstein-like, imaginative story. ... Read more