5 comments about Teaching Kids to Read for Dummies.

1. I purchased this book through amazon to help my 6 year old son with his reading problems. The book is a perfect guide to teach a lay person how to help their children. All parents have their childrens best interests in mind and want to help when they are struggling, but sometimes we don't know how to help. I don't have an education degree and had no idea how to help my son. Reading the book gives us "dummies" somewhere to turn for help. The book lays out a practical plan for helping your child that is easy to follow. Thank You Tracey!!! This is a must read for anyone that has a struggling child. My son is SPRinting his way to success!



2. Fabulous book! Teaching Kids To Read is loaded with practical ideas for teaching phonics. The recommended strategies are simple, yet quite engaging. I have used several of the tips in this book to teach basic reading skills to my older students. This book is a must have for parents and teachers alike.



3. I bought this book to help my five year old. I like it better than others i have read because its easy to read and doesnt feel like i have to plow through it. It gives lots of activities and some good word lists to use and how to use them. Id recommend this for anyone who wants to help their child progress a bit quicker.



4. This is a very good book. I am a teacher and a parent and of the many books I have read about teaching children to read this is the one I recommend most to parents. The author includes all the important things to teach a beginning reader and presents it in a way that is easy for any parent to read. She also emphasises that reading should be fun which is especially important in these early years. A good buy.



5. While I would suggest reading a few different books about teaching reading to get an idea of different approaches, this is an excellent resource for teaching phonics. I have some phonics workbooks that make my kids feel like they are in a chain gang. All of the activities this author suggests are more like games. I use this book every day for a few minutes for phonics. While this book gives a strong basis for preparing kids to read, I didn't feel that it was the greatest resource for guiding kids once they actually have some familiarity with reading and need practice. For that, I would recommend the book Guided Reading: Good First Teaching for All Children which has a different approach that will probably work as a good counterbalance to Teaching Kids to Read for Dummies. But because I use this book every day, I have to give it five stars!

5 comments about My Favorite Recipes: A Create-Your-Own Cookbook!.

1. I love this book, the colors the pages. It helps you past down history from the kitchen. I have bought several over the years , I just love them.



2. I absolutely love this blank cookbook! I bought one for my Mom for Mother's Day last year & she loved it so much that I bought one for myself! All my recipes were on index cards. Now I have an actual book that is broken down into sections to write in my own recipes!! I love it!



3. I decided to put family favorites in a collection to pass on to my children. Not only was it fun, but brought back many memories for me as I went through recipes handed down to me from my mother and grand-mother. My children loved receiving these as gifts. Hand written with love.



4. I needed a gift for my mom for Mother's Day. I knew she lost her old recipe books in the hurricane, so I decided to buy her a blank cookbook. Since I had copies of the recipe's she lost, I decided this would be a great gift for her. What better way to keep all her recipe's and my grandma's recipes in. This book is really great. It has plenty of pages to fill and different categories. There is also a index and a place for you to write notes. My mom absolutely loved it and was very happy to get all the recipes back that she lost in the storm.



5. it was just as the seller said it would be.i would buy from this seller again.

5 comments about 125 Brain Games for Babies.

1. Considering the content of this book, it is really not worth the fifteen dollars listed on the cover. It consists of games and activities that are basically traditional; the sorts of things that most mothers do with their babies. Five to ten dollars at most would have been a much more reasonable price.

   However, it is not a bad book at all. Contrary to what the previous reviewers said, parents will not automatically know all of these games. Granted, I would definitely have done some of the things mentioned in the book with my child anyway (for example, holding the baby and making faces), but many of the other games may expand the parent's "bag of tricks" or inspire new ideas in them, and there's nothing wrong with that!

   The best thing about the book is that it emphasizes the importance of human affection and interaction in promoting brain development, rather than expensive toys or gadgets. So go ahead and purchase it if you find it on sale, or take it out of the library. Just getting a few good games or tips will make it worth your time.




2. This is a nice little book for first time parents who aren't always so sure how to 'intelligently' entertain the new little person in their lives. Everybody wants their child to become the smartest and best they can be but find it sometimes difficult to figure out how exactly to promote that in the first few months. This book gives some nice and simple ideas that anyone can follow to hopefully get a few extra smiles out of their babies.



3. I thought this book was a nice way to do simple activities that stimulated various senses with my baby. I also worked part-time and I gave it to my nanny when I was away to give her ideas of things to do, which she really enjoyed. I liked the specific reasearch linked with each activity to help me understand why a particular activity was helpful. While some of the activities were things I was doing, many were new and I just liked having an easy reference to grab when I wanted to do something I might not have thought about. I also think it's a nice gift for a new Mom.



4. I have 125 Brain Games for Babies and love it. It has many little games that I knew but had forgotten about; but it has many more that I never would have come up with. It does a good job of simply explaining the specifics of brain development and it�s importance in the first months of a child�s life. This is a good, handy basic book for a new parent.



5. What a waste of trees to make this book. 120 things you do naturally & 5 minor, unimportant things you don't. DON'T BELIEVE THE REVIEWS WITH MORE THAN ONE STAR. ALL THE POSITIVE REVIEWS WRITTEN BEFORE MINE except one have only reviewed books by this author, all that they give high grades for, most likely FRIENDS OF THE AUTHOR. If there are other reviews by them check the date, it will be after my posting. I checked their reviews because I couldn't believe anyone would give this book 5 stars. Some "games" listed are and I am quoting "Let's Watch" this is where the baby just watches whatever is happening around her. "Diaper Song" sing to your baby as you change its diaper, the pages brain research section states "singing to babies facilitates genuine bonding between adult and child". There are about a dozen different games of peek-a-boo offered. You can play it with a loud voice or try singing peek-a-boo. For a real change of pace you can put a puppet on your hand to hide for peek-a-boo or any number of ways you already play peek-a-boo. Only buy this book if you're looking for clutter for your bookcase.

5 comments about Green Remodeling: Your Start toward an Eco-Friendly Home (Ultimate Guide).

1. This book is green in that it beats around the "green" bush and seems intended for "green" do-it-yourselfers. I was looking for new ways to remodel which could add to the energy efficiency of my home, and really, all I got was a surprisingly discouraging primer on how to waste my money on do-it-yourself projects and maybe get a slighly higher R-value. Though only one chapter is entitled "building basics", most of the other chapters are painfully basic and downright misanthropic.
   
   The section entitled "Siding Choices" starts out "Siding problems can usually be fixed by making spot repairs...." Er, who said I had a siding problem? As to the "siding choices", presented only after the instructions on buidling two different kinds of scaffold, all are presented equally with no discussion on which is environmentally more friendly.
   
   The only value I see in this book is that a few of the slick pictures and elementary diagrams manage to answer a question or two, such as 'What does polyurethane foam insulation look like?' On the other hand, an illustration whose caption refers to an interior as well-designed shows the writer should go back to design school.
   
   Maybe the book is just misleadingly titled and should have been called "A primer on do-it-yourself remodeling including all the problems and one or two embedded references on doing it eco-friendly like." (Er, a little long, I know.)



2. Green Remodeling: Your Start Toward an Eco-Friendly Home. I read a lot of green remodeling books and magazines. The best feature of this book is the large number of photographs with captions. I believe that showing something to the reader is usually more useful than writing something. It is easier to get the point across when you SEE it. I enjoy all the Creative Homeowner books for this reason.



3. Attractive, well-organized, clearly written, authoritative -- this book, written by a veteran author and green-building expert, is the green remodeling guide to have, whether you've making decisions about remodeling or doing it yourself. Unlike some books on the subject, it is not only well-designed and attractive but full of hands-on guidance in the form of how-to and how's-it-work illustrations and photos.
   
   In short, this is solid, authoritative information presented in lucid, plain prose and well-conceived and executed art. At under $15 -- the price of a hammer -- it's a no-brainer, whether you're doing it yourself or just need to know your stuff to contract the job out.



4. This is a terrific, easy to understand book for homeowners who want helpful, real-world examples of how they can improve the energy-efficiency, indoor air quality, and green qualities of their home. The author provides numerous suggestions and examples of choices that make good sense when remodeling. Users can take "small steps" to green-up their home, or embark on large-scale projects that incorporate the newest green materials and techniques.
   Very useful book, especially for homeowners who want to improve their homes and be mindful of our environment, but aren't sure where to start.



5. My wife and I are in the midst of two remodeling projects, and were desperately seeking some practical information on being as "green" as possible. This book is a homerun. It's chock full of tips for energy-efficiency (very important for us), plus useful information on choosing greener products. We've done lots of research on green building and green remodeling, and kept running into conflicting definitions and standards. After reading this book, we now understand that going green isn't rocket science. The author does a great job of explaining what makes one product greener than another. A must-read for anyone striving to make their home as eco-friendly as possible.

5 comments about Manual of Traditional Wood Carving.

1. This is one of those rare books written a long time ago (early 1900s) when craftsmen and artists actually made their livings working with their hands (after serving apprenticships under masters). Their art went on to be perfected during a time when such hand-craftsmanship was valued and rewarded albeit simply and honestly. The treasure trove of techniques and historical information in this book is the kind that I typically find only in old books like this one. 'Very applicable to todays professional or recreational woodworker/carver and to those simply interested in historical carved styles evident in todays antiques.



2. If a person could only have one book on woodcarving, this would be THE book. It was written back in 1911, so some of the material is out of date. For example, the section on how to sharpen tools is dated. Some of the "tone" of this large (568 page)book is in the style of stuff written at that time. It can be a bit preachy and it can get a bit philosophical at times. For example it talks about how learning to carve wood makes you a better person. But these points are so minor, when you consider the entire book, that they cannot even be considered as flaws. There is no other book which even tries to cover just about all types of woodcarving. It covers:tools, history, and styles. It provides an almost unlimited (1146 to be exact), and certainly unparalleled set of photos and line drawings of different types of carvings throughout history. He even has a chapter on how to set up training programs for woodcarving for various groups of people.
   Mr. Hasluck does provide some "how to" information. He provides a set of recommended gauges, clamps, sharpening equipment, bench designs, etc. He tells you about and even illustrates the various steps of carving (setting in, grounding, modeling and finishing). He is the only author I have come across who explains why he recommended every tool that he recommends. This is absolutely enlightening!!! It is interesting that his recommended set of tools is much different from the modern authors on this subject (eg Chris Pye, Nora Hall, etc). After researching this topic, I have come to the conclusion that Hasluck selected his set to be most appropriate to highly detailed relief carving, which is the type of carving that he spends the most time on.
   I would bet that if someone wanted to start learning how to carve, and they bought only this book, they would be very disappointed. If you are looking for a "how to" book, which gives you a preselected sequence of five projects, from easy to medium, and tells you which tool to use to make each cut in each project, then this is NOT the book for you. There are other books that do this much better. Go to the website for Chris Pye and check out his books on introductory carving, and check out the videotapes of Nora Hall on her website. These will give you much more of the very specific "how to" information on a sequence of specific graded projects.
   Every really good carver that I know has used this book extensively. Most of the good carvers that I have talked to are mostly self taught. All speak "lovingly" about Hasluck's book. It is the greatest source of carving information and suggestions and illustrations you can find in one place. One of its "drawbacks" is that it is so encyclopedic, that one could not read it from cover to cover. This is more of a reference book that a carver refers to VERY often during his/her development.
   Hasluck's coverage of Chip Carving is an example of how encyclopedic he is. Other authors on this subject only cover one of the many ways that it can be done. He covers many of them in great detail, and he doesn't denigrate any of them. I would buy this book only for the set of chip carving designs that it includes. The rest of the book would be "gravy" to me.
   This book is to woodcarving what the Roman Coliseum is to sports arenas. It is a classic. I doubt it will ever be surpassed.
   Hasluck's book is really for the person who has taken control of his own education in woodworking, and who wants to become VERY good. It is far too much for the casual person who wants to make one or two carvings with inexpensive tools. Of course, if you like to have impressive books on your coffee table, this would be a good one!!!!!
   I am in awe of Paul N. Hasluck, the author of this wonderful book. Having the goal of writing a book of this scope and depth would be like having the goal of climbing Mt. Everest without oxygen. It would not be for the faint of heart. Virtually all serious modern books on woodcarving refer to this 1911 book. It is incomparable, and it is a real bargain. In my humble opinion, you'll get far more out of this book, which will probably cost you less than $20, than you will from a course on woodcarving that will cost you $1000.
   BUY THE BOOK. You'll be glad you did.



3. This book is somewhat outdated. Don't purhcase it if you are planning to learn wood carving from it.
   It is however an interesting reading and will provide some usefull information.



4. maybe in the 1700's it was a good book, but now it s not. i read about half of it, put it where it belongs, in the trash. save your money, go on line, alot better info on the web,for free. tim



5. This book is full of information, with a catch. It is like a hundred years old! and has never been updated. To sharpen chisels, it recommends a three foot diameter grinding wheel set in the ground. good for traditionalists.

1 comments about Rustic Garden Furniture & Accessories: Making Chairs, Planters, Birdhouses, Gates & More.

1. Great ideas and tips with 144 pages of color photos and tinted drawings.
   The cover is not my favorite example of the variety of styles of natural
   wood applications illustrated inside.

1 comments about Black & Decker Complete Guide to Custom Shelves & Built-ins: Build Custom Add-ons to Create a One-of-a-kind Home (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

1. This book is what I expected and has lots of great ideas for shelving options which is why I bought it. I may end up having someone else build them, but the book is still a good one.

1 comments about Kitchen Makeovers (Do It Yourself).

1. This book has a lot of ideas for working with an existing kitchen as well as a full remodel. This book was purchased as "used" but the seller shortchanged the description-it is Almost New! Depending on what you are doing, this book is worth it just for suggestions.

2 comments about How To Help Your Child With Homework: The Complete Guide To Encouraging Good Study Habits And Ending The Homework Wars.

1. From Dean R. Garrison, author of "Ending the Homework Wars":
   
   "How to Help Your Child with Homework" provides parents with an exceptional set of strategies and tips for helping children do their best on homework assignments and overcome learning difficulties in specific subject areas. This excellent resource is designed to help children learn and master the knowledge and academic skills covered in children's homework assignments. The book is written by an accomplished teacher to support parents in their important "parent-as-teacher" role. In contrast, my book, "Ending the Homework Wars," focuses on the structure and support children need to get on track--- and stay on track--- with fulfilling homework responsibilities, to put an end to power struggles and procrastination, and to overcome many other homework-related difficulties.
   
   "Ending the Homework Wars" offers a powerful program for achieving exceptional homework results with even the most challenging children and teens. Among the book's unique features are the Homework Success Master Plan, enabling parents to design a step-by-step program tailor-made to the unique needs of each particular child or teen. "Ending the Homework Wars" includes a powerful, proven approach for gaining significant improvement in children's behavior and motivation, step-by-step routines that simplify daily homework tasks and responsibilities, strategies for helping students stay organized and keep track of assignments and materials, re-evaluating children's needs for tutoring services, guidelines for healthy nutrition and exercise, strategies for improving parent consistency, guidelines for addressing children's special needs, including children with ADHD, gifted underachievers and children with learning disabilities, and trouble-shooting strategies.
   
   Together, "How to Help Your Child with Homework" and "Ending the Homework Wars" provide a powerful combination of resources that enables parents both to meet children's specific learning needs and provide the type of structure, behavior management system and support that brings out the best in their children.
   
   --- Dean R. Garrison, author of "Ending the Homework Wars"



2. The title sums up this 193 page book well. It is clear that the teacher-author speaks from experience. I'm glad there is now a revised and updated edition. Parents of regular and special education students in elementary grades benefit from Schumm's skill in showing how to enhance learning abilities in children.

3 comments about 500 Ideas for Small Spaces: Easy Solutions for Living in 1000 Square Feet or Less.

1. I was mislead by the subtitle of "easy solutions for living in 1000 sq feet or less". The ideas in it are great, but the most of the pictures don't really relay the message of "small space". You don't really get a whole room view. I was looking for something geared more towards small apartment living. Overall, the book has some good ideas, but nothing that hasn't been done before. Recommend you check the local library before purchasing.



2. I'm moving from a 2500 sq ft home in the 'burbs to what I hope to be a 750 sq ft apt in Manhattan. I have not found a better book to give me ideas of how to organize my space in such a way that my husband and I feel like we are in a home rather than an apartment that feels like a college dorm room. This is a good book. Lots of pictures and lots of locales - not all in the US which I found interesting.



3. This is an extremely helpful book that contains many suggestions for dealing with small spaces. I have a library of about 10 books relating to small space organization and design, and this is in the top 5. My biggest complaint is that few of the suggestions actually list suppliers of the items pictured. I was able to find a few of these items in Dwell magazine.