2 comments about Show Time: Music, Dance, and Drama Activities for Kids.

1. I LOVED this book and Lisa's other book. I think her games and activities are great ways to get kids interested in theatre. Keep up the good work, Lisa!



2. Mrs. Bany-Winters writes a great book! I've tried all of the theatre games and they are all very fun to do.. even if you aren't into theatre! I recommend this book to everyone.. try it at parties, try it by yourself, try with friends.. just try it!

No comments about Behind the Grand Ole Opry Curtain: Tales of Romance and Tragedy.

No comments about David Lynch: Beautiful Dark (Scarecrow Filmmakers Series).

1 comments about Rent: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical (Applause Books).

1. Celebrating one of the most famous Broadway musicals, "Rent: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical" is the script and songbook for the show that has been running on the famed musical theater street for well over a decade. The play, which focuses on young artists making their way in the world as the AIDS epidemic begins to hit, has gained its popularity for a reason - its no-holds-barred take on contemporary issues is speaks openly to theater goers of all backgrounds. "Rent" is sure to please fans of the play who want a souvenir to cherish as its Broadway run comes to an end.

5 comments about The Animal Boogie PB w CD (Sing Along With Fred Penner).

1. My students love this book! It has a very catchy tune and they love doing the motions for each animal. They beg me to do it!!



2. As a music teacher I have used this book for years. Children as young as 1 1/2 up to 7 have always loved it. I recently purchased it for a friend's one year old daughter thinking she will grow into it. But that was not the case. She immediately loved it! She is always turning on the CD and asking for the story every night before bed. The repetition, anticipation and tune always seem to captivate children. Then of course there are motions that most children will immediately pick up. If you like to have fun, smile, shake and dance this is a wonderful book.



3. Seriously, I really do not like this book. There's nothing actually wrong with it, it's just so annoying. You have to say "boogie, woogie, woogie, oogie" - or something like that a thousand times. The pictures are nice and bright (and inclusive), but the repetitive text is almost more than I can stand. And unfortunately for me, both my boys have loved this one. I'm giving it a three simply to split the difference.



4. My 3 year old daughter didn't seem to mind this book, but I hate it. The repetitive phrases are irritating and the pictures are ugly. On each page there is hardly any content packed into a forced rhyme in the following format:
   
   *VERSE PAGE*
   location
   what can you see doing some action
   inane focus on the verb of the previous line
   basically repeat line 2
   
   *CHORUS PAGE*
   annoying lyric
   annoying lyric again
   annoying lyric yet again
   pretty much copy line 2 from the verse
   
   I won't even recycle this book as a gift to someone else... it's going in the bin.



5. Our 2-year-old loves this book. It's bright and colourful with great illustrations. He asks for this book every day and knows all the words by heart. A great addition to his library.

5 comments about The 101 Habits Of Highly Successful Screenwriters: Insider's Secrets from Hollywood's Top Writers.

1. I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Iglesias at the Screenwriting Expo. He knows his craft, he loves the business. And he's brutally honest in conveying the realistic odds of breaking into Hollywood. While no one ever says it's easy, he can tell you just how hard. This book is a must read for any aspiring screenwriter. Interviewing some of the greatest screenwriters, they all are forthcoming in telling their own tales of struggle, achievement, success, and most of them, frustration.
   
   This book may be geared toward all screenwriters, however it succeeds in leaps and bounds, by telling the realistic truth any up-and-coming screenwriter needs to hear. Too often people are putting together a script hoping to win the lotttery, sell it for mid-six figures, and not taking the time to understand that the money should never be the motivating factor of writing any script. And if that's your only motivation, you'll never succeed in making your dream come true. This book reminds those of us that do it for a different reason, what that reason is. It's the love of writing. Anything else, any other reason, is simply a waste of time and energy.
   
   Mr. Iglesias lays it out in plain view, through interview after interview, just how much of an uphill battle it is get someone to simply give your script a look, and even then, chances of your selling it are slim. Nicholas Kazan once spoke at a seminar. He told them to go turn in their registration forms and go home. He then told them that if any of them seriously entertained that advice, they would never make it. It's all about challenge and it's all about sacrifice. This book will help you realize how important both of those things are.



2. This is a must read for anyone who aspires to be a screen writer. Any wannabe writer has their own personal favorite blogs, a blog that helps inspire, motivate and teach them. This book is almost a best of those blogs from successful writers whose movies they have written have actually BEEN PRODUCED.
   The one main theme of this book is just write and write and write because you love writing and not because you want the Hollywood celebrity lifestyle. Great writing will open a lot of doors for one and most importantly, keep that door open.
   In my opinion, I like to study and and read how successful writers from all genres got their first break, their work ethic and how most importantly they work through writer's block and rejection. Again, Karl Iglesias' book does that successfully.



3. In real estate they discuss the three "L's" Location, location, location. This is the three "W's" Write, Write and Write more. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to write a screen play.



4. I own several screenwriting books and consider this one to be in the top 3 (McKee and Vogler being the other 2). The reason is because this is one of the few screenwriting books with information coming straight from successful screenwriters. This is key, because through their insights you can better understand how they work, think, and live. And this ultimately affects your writing positively because a lot of the uncertainties during the writing process are discussed. It won't teach you about structure etc, but it contains information that to me was equally vital: how to think as a successful screenwriter.



5. This book was very helpful. As someone who currently has no "mentor" so to speak in the film industry, this book has acted as my temporary guide. It addresses many problems screenwriters go through, as well as warning people of the pitfalls that many aspiring screenwriters fall into. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Rent.

1. I wasn't a big fan of "Rent" until I saw the movie, and when I read this book, it gave me a bigger meaning to the play/movie.
   
   Warning: This is just for fans of "Rent". Those who haven't seen the movie will get into the story of how it was made, but not as much the screenplay.



2. An absolute necessity for any renthead. only complaint is it is written early on in the broadway run but really that is the end of the story mostly.
   rent has etched itself into my psyche like a weevil. there is not a morning that i wake up that one of the songs is not in my head. i sell music and i have never came across a group of music that has had this effect on me.
   perhaps the story of larson's early demise colors it and adds that extra tragic twist that keeps it inside your soul but whatever it has provided the most joyus ride into musical bliss that i have ever experienced yet.
   (move over "pet sounds", "west side story", "toy matinee" & "eli & the 13th confession".
   the book is laid out well, quite informative. even has comments from the pit band (who are essential).
   GET THIS if you have to futher feed your rent needs.
   viva la vie bohem.



3. This book has everything you need if you are interested in more than just the movie. The whole script is included. Interviews with the entire cast! The whole story of how rent was created, start to finish. It is worth every penny and is the only rent book you'll ever need.



4. This is not just the story of RENT and its creation, but the story of it's creator as well. Jonathan Larson's story is just as moving as RENT is, and this book gives an awesome insight into the life of this amazing composer who was taken far too early. This coupled with interviews from more people than I can count makes this a highly enjoyable read. The book also includes a whole bunch of pictures one would not see anywhere else, and the libretto, so the entire experience is bundled up in this one big black book with fake duct-tape binding. It was such an enjoyable read and made me cry just as much as the show itself. No Day But Today.



5. I have been so fortunate to have known this show for twelve years. Now that it has ended, I will have my memories of seeing the show as well as this amazing book. I own two copies of the book and have read it front to back. Thank you Jonathan Larson and thank you to all that have made this show the great piece of musical theatre that it is. I will miss the show, but this book will stay with me forever. This book is a great thing to have for any musical lover, and I hope that RENT will change lives just as it has mine. Through this book, RENT is authentically seen and can be remembered by all

5 comments about Knitting Over The Edge: Unique Ribs, Cords, Appliques, Colors, Nouveau.

1. I'm just a beginner knitter myself and the contents in this book is mostly definitely for intermediate to advanced knitters in my opinion. There is plenty of knitted borders in the book, many of them very pretty, however, they come with very basic instructions that may confuse those who are are suited to more detailed instructions.
   
   The book has many different patterns and cover a wide range of borders; from ribs to coloured borders. I find that a lot of the patterns are quite bulky looking and may be more suited to heavier knitted pieces.
   
   Nonetheless it's a very nice book, lots of clear pictures too. For those who design or alter their knitwear, this would be an excellent addition to one's collection. Regardless of what you're knitting, there's definitely something to learn from the book.



2. This book was so very helpful with learning new patterns. I've used so many of them in my knitting.



3. Knitting Over The Edge: Unique Ribs, Cords, Appliques, Colors, Nouveau
   
   This book, like all of Nicky's books, is terrific! Even if you don't knit, the photos are yummy. If you do knit, the directions are easy to follow, and the ideas will make your next project sing. A must have for the knitter's library!



4. A good companion book for volume #1. I especially liked the appliqué and color section.



5. Look through around a dozen knitting books in a book store, I just fell in love with this book and have to have it. It will give me creative ideas for my future knitting projects. I will make the lush American Beauty Capelet for sure.

5 comments about Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema.

1. I am very glad, that I found this book. It helps me think about making sound design in a very deep point of view.
   I love it!!!
   Thank you David Sonnenschein:-)
   
   Jan Sleska
   student of sound engineering



2. This was an interesting book, and it really gave me some new perspectives on sound design. Sonnenschein focuses on the organization and mindset of sound design, rather than the technicalities. I especially liked the excerpts from top sound designers such as Dane Davis (The Matrix, Drugstore Cowboy), Gary Rydstrom (Backdraft, Saving Private Ryan), and Ben Burtt (Star Wars, Indiana Jones).
   
   My only knock on the book is that Sonnenschein was repetitive at times. The book would be about 30 pages shorter if he didn't repeat points that were made in previous chapters. Never the less, it was an interesting read, and I still think it is a great resource.



3. This eloquently written book describes the rhyme and reason behind all the sounds - music, effects, and dialogue - that are blended together to create the sophisticated soundtracks we're accustomed to. Sonnenschein, a director, musician, and award-winning sound designer, combines practical wisdom with sound theory and exercises to inspire and educate both new and experienced sound professionals. The book will appeal to non-professionals and other filmmakers as well because it's fun, entertaining, and enlightening. The author clearly loves and knows the world of sound and it's a joy to be brought into this world.



4. Sonnenschein effectively covers the theory behind shaping the soundtrack, and gives great examples of the ideas in action. I loved the candid quotes from masters like Ben Burtt, Gary Rydstrom, Walter Murch, Dane Davis, and others. I started noting down all of the films he mentions as examples of good sound design, until I noticed Sonnenschein was one step ahead and had already noted them all in the back. Only 4 stars 'cause I personally wanted more technique and a little less theory.



5. The book "Sound Design", the expressive power of music, voice, and sound effects in cinema, is one of my favorite in my collection. I always recommend it to colleagues and customer. During my technical seminars-workshop and product training sessions, I have often taken inspiration from the book, particularly the sections "TRY THIS" that the author has included in various parts inside it.
   
   The book is written with great passion!

5 comments about White Line Fever: The Autobiography: The Autobiography.

1. Here's a guy who paved the way for Motley Crue's excess and debauchery. A fun read. Gives you a glimpse into UK life during the 60's and 70's sex drugs & rock & roll age. Lemmy is the messiah of speed metal and death metal. It all started with Motorhead. Without Lemmy, we wouldn't have Metallica.



2. Normally I would never take the time to write an online review...I'm just lazy. This time I am compelled to strongly recommend this read! I've been a Motorhead fan since I was 15 (twenty years now) so maybe I am a bit biased but there is no way to argue that this isn't an incredibly well written and entertaining book. As others have stated in their reviews the storytelling flows like a freshly tapped keg of fine ale.
   I started reading this book while dropping a duece and when finished I found that I couldn't put the book down (except to wash my hands, of course)! I read it cover to cover in one afternoon and I wished it was longer! Lemmy is a survivor and proof that not every rock star has to be an arrogant pr!ck. Highly recommended.



3. This is one of the best rock music biographies ever, written by the most true and real rock musician on the scene nowadays. It's like listening to Lemmy tell you about himself, very easy to read, very funny and cool.



4. Lemmy Kilmister is a rock or metal god, depending on whether a fan considers Motorhead metal, or extremely hard nasty rock and roll, ala AC/DC. I, for one, don't see the problem mixing the two, but on a microscopic level, there is a slight difference. mainly in a slightly less restrictive workplace for the hard rockers.
   Nonetheless, Lemmy, who has said he hated the term "heavy metal", praises it in "White Line Fever", and contends that metal is the true spirit of rock and roll. I agree. Perhaps the calling cards of metal, loud guitars and attitude, are much closer in kin to the early rock years than many people would care to admit. And who can argue with the fact that metal bands have much longer life spans than most other performers? Motorhead are in their fourth decade, and still make rock that is offensive, loud and full of joy for the sake of itself.
   Lemmy is a quintessential spokesman - he is blunt, honest in his recalling of his own drug habits, and intelligent. Say what you will about his habits, but he truly knows who he is, and for that one can take notice.
   "White Line Fever" is a good view into the road life of a hard working band and its leader. Along with "12 Days On The Road", the excellent transcription of the Sex Pistols' infamous first American tour in 1977, one of the best books about rock in all its sloppy glory. A must read.



5. Very amusing autobiography of this legendary rocker. He's very candid explaining his sex, drugs, and rock and roll lifestyle.