bookpagedev

Pop CultureArts & Culture

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Give ’til it hurts You’ve made big travel plans for the summer, and then you receive the call: Aunt Agnes, Cousin Curtis, and the rest of the family have rented a big house near the beach, and everyone is expected to be there for the month of July. Sigh . . . Guess where you’ll be spending your summer vacation? You need a little pick-me-up gift for yourself, under the circumstances. What gift doesn’t require a security deposit, seven-day advance purchase, or a Saturday night stay? Why, books, of course! Photographer Jeffrey Kraft’s exquisite photographs of Parisian cubbyholes and artifacts are not intended to entice one to visit the city; rather, his Literary Paris (Watson-Guptill, $18.95, 0823028305) is meant for those who have already been. The images are meant to inspire a memory from a time that has passed; this is not a fancy collection of tourists’ snapshots. Kraft has arranged his remembrances alongside excerpts from literary works by authors who stayed in Paris for extended periods of time. Kraft has captured the glimpse, the detail, the moment, rather than structures and sites. He offers an idea of what remains in the mind and heart, even years after the visit itself has ended. A wonderful gift for the Francophile in your life.

Ben Jonson said, He was not of an age, but for all time. He was, of course, speaking of his friend William Shakespeare. Children’s book author Aliki has written and illustrated William Shakespeare and the Globe (HarperCollins, $15.95, 006027820X), which describes not only Shakespeare’s life, work, and times, but even acknowledges visionary Sam Wannamaker, who spent years resurrecting the Globe. The book is designed much like a script, with acts and scenes and characters. An interesting add-on is the list of words and expressions, complete with illustrations, credited to Shakespeare; for example, sweets to the sweet and hush were apparently invented by the Bard himself. Seems we’ve been quoting Shakespeare without realizing it! Cities like Paris and London must make use of every tidbit of soil that can be found; as acreage diminishes in our growing world, green thumbs everywhere are striving to be more and more creative with their craft. Artisan has published Window Boxes: Indoors and Out ($27.50, 1579651240) with this in mind. Authors James Cramer and Dean Johnson offer fragrant, beautiful, and useful options for the, uh, land-challenged. Cramer and Johnson offer optional locations (who says a window-box is limited to being wooden, square, and outside?) and year-round planting options (a thriving garden in January?) With this book, the decision is no longer how to create a miniature garden, but rather how many miniature gardens you can create. Soil sold separately! Of course, if we’re talking land for land’s sake, Antarctica has land to spare. It’s been 85 years since Ernest Shackleton and the 27-member crew of the Endurance set out to cross the Antarctic on foot. Less than 100 miles from its destination, the Endurance was caught in an ice pack and was badly damaged. For over 20 months, the crew (along with 69 sled dogs) was marooned, but no lives were lost. Two books commemorate this remarkable true story of adventure and perseverance. First, there’s Knopf’s The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition ($29.95, 0375404031), a sophisticated account of the expedition. There’s also Ice Story: Shackleton’s Lost Expedition (Clarion, $18, 0395915244), which may be better-suited to younger explorers. Both books feature expedition photographer Frank Hurley’s photographs and offer a chronological summary of this death-defying journey. Hurley started the expedition with professional equipment, but his final shots were taken with a pocket camera. Endurance author Caroline Alexander, in association with the American Museum of Natural History, carefully researched this volume, complete with some of Hurley’s photographs that had not been published previously. Ice Story author Elizabeth Cody Kimmel presents the journey in storybook format, but the information is accurate and anecdotal. Both books would make great gifts for anyone who has a taste for adventure and hopeful endings.

Agnes and Curtis decide that the grown-ups need to take the children to the waterpark which happens to be 50 miles away for the day. Fifty miles can seem like 500 without Fun on the Run: Travel Games and Songs (Morrow Junior Books, $17, 0688146600). Brimming with silly stories, limericks, brain teasers, and songs, this book helps to fill travel time without batteries or messy cleanup. Familiar songs and games such as The Ants Go Marching and Hangman are included, but Fun on the Run contains nearly 125 pages of other games and songs that can be a part of any trip. If you still confuse Darth Vader with Darth Maul, fear not; Dorling Kindersley has published two books that will help you keep the prequel and the original trilogy straight: Star Wars Episode I: the Visual Dictionary and Star Wars Episode I: Incredible Cross Sections ($19.95, 078943962X). Like their predecessors (or would it be their descendants?), these books are designed to keep facts, characters, and plots straight. Archaeologist David West Reynolds, an obvious choice for the author, approaches this much like he did his previous Star Wars works. One feels as if he is on an archaeological dig or scientific study of another world. May the source be with you!

Give 'til it hurts You've made big travel plans for the summer, and then you receive the call: Aunt Agnes, Cousin Curtis, and the rest of the family have rented a big house near the beach, and everyone is expected to be there for the…

Mystery & SuspenseMystery

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Fans of psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis will satisfy their need for thrills with Jonathan Kellerman’s latest, Monster. Never before have the combined talents of this pair, such opposites in many ways, yet complementary where it counts, been so carefully drawn by the author.

At the novel’s start, authorities are baffled by a series of horrific murders. While police try to uncover a link among the slain, the death toll mounts quickly amid a flood of dead-end leads, investigative miscues, and bureaucratic footdragging. Milo’s dogged probing and ability to turn up the tiny, pivotal clue is sorely tested by the elusiveness of the killer. Although there is no obvious common thread connecting the victims except the method of their deaths, Alex puts together a unifying personality profile, identifying them as well-liked loners capable of social interaction but uneasy about real intimacy.

A break in the case emerges when Ardis Monster Peake, a bona fide madman who killed his mother and an entire family of do-gooders, suddenly begins stream-of-consciousness rants that contain genuine clues. Kellerman keeps the suspense taut as Peake’s bizarre ramblings lead them deeper into the inner lives of the victims. Kellerman’s knack for creating short, terrifying scenes is accomplished here with all the skill of a seasoned veteran novelist.

Even though all evidence points to Peake, Alex and Milo conclude that the answer to this puzzle goes beyond the usual follow-the-dots murder case. What stumps the team is how the killer could know so much about their next move, as if he were reading their minds.

With Monster, the reader follows clues, both big and small, until the book cranks up for its big finish. Peake is one of Kellerman’s most fully realized crazies, a character of unbounded lunacy and diminished humanity. Though its occasional nod to old genre formula sometimes gets in the way, Monster, a furiously paced mindbender, contains enough mystery to hold readers spellbound. Robert Fleming is a writer in New York City.

Fans of psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis will satisfy their need for thrills with Jonathan Kellerman's latest, Monster. Never before have the combined talents of this pair, such opposites in many ways, yet complementary where it counts, been so carefully drawn by the…

History

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Why did Germany defeat France so easily in 1940? Conventional thinking has focused on three reasons. The first of these reasons that Germany had superior troop strength and more sophisticated weaponry has been shown to be false. The second, that the French troops were badly led, has also been discredited. Third, the charge that there was a “moral laxness” among the French soldiers does not hold up either. During the six weeks of fighting, France lost approximately 124,000 men with another 200,000 wounded, and reports indicate that most French units displayed gallantry.

What did or did not happen? Harvard historian Ernest May surveys a broad range of factors on both sides that led to the outcome in his absorbing diplomatic, political, and military history Strange Victory: Hitler’s Conquest of France. The author emphasizes the high level of confidence that prevailed in France before the German invasion in May and continued in certain places even after the Germans were on French soil. The arrogance of the French leaders they knew they had superiority in crucial areas and that Germany was aware of it was a crucial factor in their defeat. A second reason, to minimize the loss of life, was certainly understandable after such great losses in World War I. The Maginot Line was, the author says, “indicative neither of despair about defeating Germany nor of thought mired in the past. It was instead evidence of faith that technology could substitute for manpower.” The third factor he focuses on is the cumbersomeness of French, as well as British and Belgian, military bureaucracies. In a nutshell, “Germany’s strange victory occurred because the French and British failed to take advantage of their superiority.” May explores the interplay of domestic politics and foreign policy decisions over the years leading up to the German invasion. By the mid-1920s Hitler had become a masterful demagogue and laid out some of his basic beliefs in Mein Kampf. In 1937, he talked to his army generals and foreign minister about the need to use force to expand the nation to gain new resources and territory. May notes that Hitler did not trust official memoranda or other documents from diplomats. Instead he “assiduously read German translations of foreign newspapers and magazines . . . Hitler insisted on extracts, no summaries. He particularly demanded material on foreign leaders.” These sources helped Hitler predict how certain personalities would react to specific challenges. The author introduces the primary political figures in France, in particular Edouard Daladier, who was prime minister of France from April 1938 until the spring of 1940. Perhaps as important, he served as war minister and defense minister when he was named prime minister and continued in those positions as well. Although he insisted on significantly increasing France’s ground and air forces throughout the mid-’30s his grim experiences in the Great War made him very reluctant to send troops into battle.

May probes the importance of military intelligence for both the Allies and Germany. Though the Allies couldn’t possibly have predicted all that Germany planned to do, there were signals that should have alerted them to the danger. The author says their failure to recognize the extent of the German threat is attributable largely to “characteristics of their systems of collecting and analyzing intelligence and to their lack of system in relating this intelligence to their own decision-making.” May notes that most writings about the 1940 surprise have missed this point “in large part because their authors have been taken in by veterans of the French intelligence services who claimed to have perceived what the Germans were going to do, sounded loud warnings, and been ignored by dull-witted generals and politicians. But little or no evidence dating from the period itself supports this claim.” The author has written the only account that deals in depth with both Germany and France. Also, it is the only one that focuses on intelligence analysis as a key element. May sees contemporary relevance for what happened then. “The Western democracies today,” he notes, “exhibit many of the same characteristics that France and Britain did in 1938-40 arrogance, a strong disinclination to risk life in battle, heavy reliance on technology as a substitute, and governmental procedures poorly designed for anticipating or coping with ingenious challenges from the comparatively weak.” This dramatic story could have turned out differently. May enlightens and stimulates our thinking about decision making in times of crisis.

Roger Bishop is a regular contributor to BookPage.

Why did Germany defeat France so easily in 1940? Conventional thinking has focused on three reasons. The first of these reasons that Germany had superior troop strength and more sophisticated weaponry has been shown to be false. The second, that the French troops were badly…
Children's & YA

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Cold weather creativity for kids With shorter, colder days in winter, the joy of indoor parenting can be elusive. With a bit of help, parents can avoid hearing the cries of boredom, and children may avoid hours of television. The books featured this month are for a range of ages and offer an equal range of activities. Whether your child is a rowdy preschooler or a quiet teen, the following selections are guaranteed to keep your child’s mind and hands from frostbite.

A trip to the local art museum is always a treat. For parents of older children and teenagers, there are three new Off the Wall Museum Guides for Kids which serve to prepare and educate kids before and during such a visit. Each book in this pocket-size series offers a general introduction to museums and art to maximize your museum visit. The section on museum etiquette includes art observation, art labels, and even advice on how to dress. The books also include general explanations of color, shape, line, and perspective. In addition to an index, each book contains games, scavenger hunts, art and writing activities, and recipes for the kids to enjoy.

The first addition to this entertaining series is Impressionist Art (Davis, $8.95, 0871923858) by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg. Following the general introduction, the book concentrates on impressionist art. With clear headings, we learn the origin and categories of impressionism, and many of our questions have been anticipated and answered by the knowledgeable authors. Pictures accompany the text, and biographies of the artists are lively and full of fun facts. Another in this series is American Art ($8.95, 0871923866), also by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg. The introduction of this book closely follows the first, except that photos of American art have been inserted. American Art is grouped according to 17th/18th and 19th/20th centuries. The same vivid format and chatty style is used to engage the reader. The creative activities section is also included. The third book by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg is Egyptian Art ($8.95, 087192384X). After the museum and art introduction, the authors cover topics such as archaeology, mummies, pharaohs, tombs, and sculpture; other chapters include stories from and about Egyptian culture. These topics fascinate young people, and the style used in these guides makes them all the more engaging. Pictures are clear and plentiful and fill the pages. This guide, as with the others, is helpful and entertaining, even if you are unable to visit a museum.

Expecting 100 of your closest friends for a Super Bowl party? Why not let the kids help? Learning to cook is a fine goal for winter days, and it’s an easier goal for older children if they have the right guide. Roz Denny and Fiona Watt have written the Usborne Cooking School series with this in mind.

Cooking for Beginners (Usborne, $7.95, 0746030363) opens with equipment and tools labeled in the first few pages. Proper placement of pans on the stove and other cautions are given. Two pages of cooking hints prepare the cook to follow the recipes better. Under each recipe, steps are clearly written and carefully illustrated for easy understanding. A photograph of the finished recipe accompanies each entry. The tasty recipes also make a nice presentation the entire family can enjoy.

Fiona Watt authors the two companion books, Cakes and Cookies for Beginners (Usborne, $7.95, 0746028105) and Pasta and Pizza for Beginners ($7.95, 0746028083). These are full of good recipes; beginners will find the ease, variety, and flavor of each recipe encouraging. Preschoolers can be relentless in their demand for attention. And if there are two or more children in your care, each day requires even more creativity. Varying activities to include simple games and crafts is ideal, and that is just what author Trish Kuffner presents in The Preschooler’s Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 3- to-6-Year-Old Busy (Meadowbrook, $9.95, 0881663514). The print is large for quick reference, yet the book is not oversized. Kuffner’s book has 365 games and activities which are easy to do and are aimed at 3- to 6-year-olds. In addition to the games and general indoor activities, there are specific chapters on kitchen play, outdoor fun, travel play, and holiday celebrations. Most activities require no elaborate supplies merely household items or things easily obtained. This reference book includes appendices with other books and resources for parents as well as book suggestions for children. Parents, preschool teachers, and caregivers would all find this book a ready resource for each day of the year.

Children can use their hands and imaginations with the Little Puppet Theater: Little Red Riding Hood, a sturdy stage which unfolds five feet and includes four finger puppet characters for children’s play. The vividly colored stage is two-sided, allowing room for more players to interact. On one side of the stage, the story text is printed so one person may read while the other children dramatize the story (recording the tale for your preschooler would enhance their enjoyment). The story board folds into book size and easily stores in its own case with Velcro closure.

Even adults will be impressed with Make Your Own Superballs (Scholastic Trade, $7.95, 0590635859), a kit developed and written by Ray Miller. The kit has everything children need to produce a superball in less than five minutes. Each step is simple and clearly illustrated. It is a great choice for young kids, because only water is added to the materials and no heat is used. Included in the kit are five bold colors to design balls with stripe or swirl patterns. The booklet also suggests some activities to do with your five homemade superballs.

The second kit in this series yields fast, fun products as well. The difference with Soap Making for Kids (Scholastic Trade, $7.95, 0590635050) is that grown-up assistance is needed since the materials are heated. The booklet, written by Vivian Fernandez, is simple and easy to understand. Six molds in an ocean motif are provided to create a variety of soap shapes. Three colors may be used to make solid or two-tone soaps. Even a length of rope is included to make soap on a rope.

Since kids don’t hibernate during the winter, it’s important that they stay occupied during these cold, indoor months. With the above suggestions, parents and their children shouldn’t suffer the winter blues, even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Jana Benjamin is an indoor/outdoor mother to her two children. She lives in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Cold weather creativity for kids With shorter, colder days in winter, the joy of indoor parenting can be elusive. With a bit of help, parents can avoid hearing the cries of boredom, and children may avoid hours of television. The books featured this month are…

Pop CultureArts & Culture

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Give ’til it hurts You’ve made big travel plans for the summer, and then you receive the call: Aunt Agnes, Cousin Curtis, and the rest of the family have rented a big house near the beach, and everyone is expected to be there for the month of July. Sigh . . . Guess where you’ll be spending your summer vacation? You need a little pick-me-up gift for yourself, under the circumstances. What gift doesn’t require a security deposit, seven-day advance purchase, or a Saturday night stay? Why, books, of course! Photographer Jeffrey Kraft’s exquisite photographs of Parisian cubbyholes and artifacts are not intended to entice one to visit the city; rather, his Literary Paris (Watson-Guptill, $18.95, 0823028305) is meant for those who have already been. The images are meant to inspire a memory from a time that has passed; this is not a fancy collection of tourists’ snapshots. Kraft has arranged his remembrances alongside excerpts from literary works by authors who stayed in Paris for extended periods of time. Kraft has captured the glimpse, the detail, the moment, rather than structures and sites. He offers an idea of what remains in the mind and heart, even years after the visit itself has ended. A wonderful gift for the Francophile in your life.

Ben Jonson said, He was not of an age, but for all time. He was, of course, speaking of his friend William Shakespeare. Children’s book author Aliki has written and illustrated William Shakespeare and the Globe (HarperCollins, $15.95, 006027820X), which describes not only Shakespeare’s life, work, and times, but even acknowledges visionary Sam Wannamaker, who spent years resurrecting the Globe. The book is designed much like a script, with acts and scenes and characters. An interesting add-on is the list of words and expressions, complete with illustrations, credited to Shakespeare; for example, sweets to the sweet and hush were apparently invented by the Bard himself. Seems we’ve been quoting Shakespeare without realizing it! Cities like Paris and London must make use of every tidbit of soil that can be found; as acreage diminishes in our growing world, green thumbs everywhere are striving to be more and more creative with their craft. Artisan has published Window Boxes: Indoors and Out ($27.50, 1579651240) with this in mind. Authors James Cramer and Dean Johnson offer fragrant, beautiful, and useful options for the, uh, land-challenged. Cramer and Johnson offer optional locations (who says a window-box is limited to being wooden, square, and outside?) and year-round planting options (a thriving garden in January?) With this book, the decision is no longer how to create a miniature garden, but rather how many miniature gardens you can create. Soil sold separately! Of course, if we’re talking land for land’s sake, Antarctica has land to spare. It’s been 85 years since Ernest Shackleton and the 27-member crew of the Endurance set out to cross the Antarctic on foot. Less than 100 miles from its destination, the Endurance was caught in an ice pack and was badly damaged. For over 20 months, the crew (along with 69 sled dogs) was marooned, but no lives were lost. Two books commemorate this remarkable true story of adventure and perseverance. First, there’s Knopf’s The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition ($29.95, 0375404031), a sophisticated account of the expedition. There’s also Ice Story: Shackleton’s Lost Expedition (Clarion, $18, 0395915244), which may be better-suited to younger explorers. Both books feature expedition photographer Frank Hurley’s photographs and offer a chronological summary of this death-defying journey. Hurley started the expedition with professional equipment, but his final shots were taken with a pocket camera. Endurance author Caroline Alexander, in association with the American Museum of Natural History, carefully researched this volume, complete with some of Hurley’s photographs that had not been published previously. Ice Story author Elizabeth Cody Kimmel presents the journey in storybook format, but the information is accurate and anecdotal. Both books would make great gifts for anyone who has a taste for adventure and hopeful endings.

Agnes and Curtis decide that the grown-ups need to take the children to the waterpark which happens to be 50 miles away for the day. Fifty miles can seem like 500 without Fun on the Run: Travel Games and Songs (Morrow Junior Books, $17, 0688146600). Brimming with silly stories, limericks, brain teasers, and songs, this book helps to fill travel time without batteries or messy cleanup. Familiar songs and games such as The Ants Go Marching and Hangman are included, but Fun on the Run contains nearly 125 pages of other games and songs that can be a part of any trip. If you still confuse Darth Vader with Darth Maul, fear not; Dorling Kindersley has published two books that will help you keep the prequel and the original trilogy straight: Star Wars Episode I: the Visual Dictionary ($19.95, 0789447010) and Star Wars Episode I: Incredible Cross Sections. Like their predecessors (or would it be their descendants?), these books are designed to keep facts, characters, and plots straight. Archaeologist David West Reynolds, an obvious choice for the author, approaches this much like he did his previous Star Wars works. One feels as if he is on an archaeological dig or scientific study of another world. May the source be with you!

Give 'til it hurts You've made big travel plans for the summer, and then you receive the call: Aunt Agnes, Cousin Curtis, and the rest of the family have rented a big house near the beach, and everyone is expected to be there for the…
Mystery & SuspenseMystery

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Fans of psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis will satisfy their need for thrills with Jonathan Kellerman’s latest, Monster. Never before have the combined talents of this pair, such opposites in many ways, yet complementary where it counts, been so carefully drawn by the author.

At the novel’s start, authorities are baffled by a series of horrific murders. While police try to uncover a link among the slain, the death toll mounts quickly amid a flood of dead-end leads, investigative miscues, and bureaucratic footdragging. Milo’s dogged probing and ability to turn up the tiny, pivotal clue is sorely tested by the elusiveness of the killer. Although there is no obvious common thread connecting the victims except the method of their deaths, Alex puts together a unifying personality profile, identifying them as well-liked loners capable of social interaction but uneasy about real intimacy.

A break in the case emerges when Ardis Monster Peake, a bona fide madman who killed his mother and an entire family of do-gooders, suddenly begins stream-of-consciousness rants that contain genuine clues. Kellerman keeps the suspense taut as Peake’s bizarre ramblings lead them deeper into the inner lives of the victims. Kellerman’s knack for creating short, terrifying scenes is accomplished here with all the skill of a seasoned veteran novelist.

Even though all evidence points to Peake, Alex and Milo conclude that the answer to this puzzle goes beyond the usual follow-the-dots murder case. What stumps the team is how the killer could know so much about their next move, as if he were reading their minds.

With Monster, the reader follows clues, both big and small, until the book cranks up for its big finish. Peake is one of Kellerman’s most fully realized crazies, a character of unbounded lunacy and diminished humanity. Though its occasional nod to old genre formula sometimes gets in the way, Monster, a furiously paced mindbender, contains enough mystery to hold readers spellbound. Robert Fleming is a writer in New York City.

Fans of psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis will satisfy their need for thrills with Jonathan Kellerman's latest, Monster. Never before have the combined talents of this pair, such opposites in many ways, yet complementary where it counts, been so carefully drawn by the…

Children's & YA

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Cold weather creativity for kids With shorter, colder days in winter, the joy of indoor parenting can be elusive. With a bit of help, parents can avoid hearing the cries of boredom, and children may avoid hours of television. The books featured this month are for a range of ages and offer an equal range of activities. Whether your child is a rowdy preschooler or a quiet teen, the following selections are guaranteed to keep your child’s mind and hands from frostbite.

A trip to the local art museum is always a treat. For parents of older children and teenagers, there are three new Off the Wall Museum Guides for Kids which serve to prepare and educate kids before and during such a visit. Each book in this pocket-size series offers a general introduction to museums and art to maximize your museum visit. The section on museum etiquette includes art observation, art labels, and even advice on how to dress. The books also include general explanations of color, shape, line, and perspective. In addition to an index, each book contains games, scavenger hunts, art and writing activities, and recipes for the kids to enjoy.

The first addition to this entertaining series is Impressionist Art (Davis, $8.95, 0871923858) by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg. Following the general introduction, the book concentrates on impressionist art. With clear headings, we learn the origin and categories of impressionism, and many of our questions have been anticipated and answered by the knowledgeable authors. Pictures accompany the text, and biographies of the artists are lively and full of fun facts. Another in this series is American Art ($8.95, 0871923866), also by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg. The introduction of this book closely follows the first, except that photos of American art have been inserted. American Art is grouped according to 17th/18th and 19th/20th centuries. The same vivid format and chatty style is used to engage the reader. The creative activities section is also included. The third book by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg is Egyptian Art ($8.95, 087192384X). After the museum and art introduction, the authors cover topics such as archaeology, mummies, pharaohs, tombs, and sculpture; other chapters include stories from and about Egyptian culture. These topics fascinate young people, and the style used in these guides makes them all the more engaging. Pictures are clear and plentiful and fill the pages. This guide, as with the others, is helpful and entertaining, even if you are unable to visit a museum.

Expecting 100 of your closest friends for a Super Bowl party? Why not let the kids help? Learning to cook is a fine goal for winter days, and it’s an easier goal for older children if they have the right guide. Roz Denny and Fiona Watt have written the Usborne Cooking School series with this in mind.

Cooking for Beginners (Usborne, $7.95, 0746030363) opens with equipment and tools labeled in the first few pages. Proper placement of pans on the stove and other cautions are given. Two pages of cooking hints prepare the cook to follow the recipes better. Under each recipe, steps are clearly written and carefully illustrated for easy understanding. A photograph of the finished recipe accompanies each entry. The tasty recipes also make a nice presentation the entire family can enjoy.

Fiona Watt authors the two companion books, Cakes and Cookies for Beginners (Usborne, $7.95, 0746028105) and Pasta and Pizza for Beginners ($7.95, 0746028083). These are full of good recipes; beginners will find the ease, variety, and flavor of each recipe encouraging. Preschoolers can be relentless in their demand for attention. And if there are two or more children in your care, each day requires even more creativity. Varying activities to include simple games and crafts is ideal, and that is just what author Trish Kuffner presents in The Preschooler’s Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 3- to-6-Year-Old Busy. The print is large for quick reference, yet the book is not oversized. Kuffner’s book has 365 games and activities which are easy to do and are aimed at 3- to 6-year-olds. In addition to the games and general indoor activities, there are specific chapters on kitchen play, outdoor fun, travel play, and holiday celebrations. Most activities require no elaborate supplies merely household items or things easily obtained. This reference book includes appendices with other books and resources for parents as well as book suggestions for children. Parents, preschool teachers, and caregivers would all find this book a ready resource for each day of the year.

Children can use their hands and imaginations with the Little Puppet Theater: Little Red Riding Hood (Council Oak, $19.95, 1571780750), a sturdy stage which unfolds five feet and includes four finger puppet characters for children’s play. The vividly colored stage is two-sided, allowing room for more players to interact. On one side of the stage, the story text is printed so one person may read while the other children dramatize the story (recording the tale for your preschooler would enhance their enjoyment). The story board folds into book size and easily stores in its own case with Velcro closure.

Even adults will be impressed with Make Your Own Superballs (Scholastic Trade, $7.95, 0590635859), a kit developed and written by Ray Miller. The kit has everything children need to produce a superball in less than five minutes. Each step is simple and clearly illustrated. It is a great choice for young kids, because only water is added to the materials and no heat is used. Included in the kit are five bold colors to design balls with stripe or swirl patterns. The booklet also suggests some activities to do with your five homemade superballs.

The second kit in this series yields fast, fun products as well. The difference with Soap Making for Kids (Scholastic Trade, $7.95, 0590635050) is that grown-up assistance is needed since the materials are heated. The booklet, written by Vivian Fernandez, is simple and easy to understand. Six molds in an ocean motif are provided to create a variety of soap shapes. Three colors may be used to make solid or two-tone soaps. Even a length of rope is included to make soap on a rope.

Since kids don’t hibernate during the winter, it’s important that they stay occupied during these cold, indoor months. With the above suggestions, parents and their children shouldn’t suffer the winter blues, even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Jana Benjamin is an indoor/outdoor mother to her two children. She lives in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Cold weather creativity for kids With shorter, colder days in winter, the joy of indoor parenting can be elusive. With a bit of help, parents can avoid hearing the cries of boredom, and children may avoid hours of television. The books featured this month are…
FictionHistorical Fiction

Review

Review by bookpagedev

1943 and all that The British long have boasted that their island nation has not been invaded by a foreign power in nearly a thousand years, not since William the Conqueror’s little expedition in 1066. It’s a pretty boast, and it’s almost true. They tend to overlook that Germany invaded the Channel Islands, off the coast of France, in 1940 and occupied them throughout World War II.

The story of the occupation has been told before, most succinctly in Alan and Mary Wood’s Islands in Danger. But that was historical fact. Tim Binding now tells it in historical fiction in Lying with the Enemy (Carroll and Graf, $24, 0786706570), a novel set on Guernsey in 1943 that combines war story and whodunit to thumping great effect.

There are understandable reasons for shoving aside the inconvenient fact of occupation, because it brings in its train the embarrassing issues of capitulation and, especially, collaboration. The embarrassment was as true then as today. For what were they now? What identity did they possess? thinks Ned Luscombe, Guernsey’s unwilling police-inspector-by-default. England kept quiet about the Channel Islands as if she were punishing the islands for letting the side down. Collaboration is the subject of Lying with the Enemy (seemingly expressed in the possible double meaning of the title, though the British title was Island Madness). Are you a traitor, the story implicitly asks, if you work for the occupiers in order to support your family? Are you more of a traitor if you’re a businessman whose enterprise supplies the work? Are you a greater traitor still if you operate, or buy from, a black market when people are on near-starvation rations? The story asks these questions not because the author has the answers or even necessarily believes in the concept of treason but because the questions are always on the minds of the populace.

Conquerors and conquered manage to get on, sometimes swimmingly. Marjorie Hallivand, doyenne of Guernsey’s pre-war smart set, is exhilarated by the war and the German officers, especially Major Lentsch, the island’s commandant: They were of the same class, after all. Even those not of the island’s petty aristocracy, like Veronica Vaudin, find it advantageous to be pliant. What surprised these men, still dressed in their once-feared uniforms, was how quickly the women had embraced their way of life. The sharpest expression of the collaboration is the relationship of Guernsey women to the German men. War in an insular backwater apparently having inflamed both the island’s inhabitants and the author’s imagination, there is copulation on a wholesale scale, though its distribution as always, whether in war or peace is unequal. Luscombe and Lentsch, however, have equally shared the favors of Isobel van Dielen, though at different times. Isobel is the daughter of a wealthy, widowed contractor who is helping the Germans with a monstrous construction project being built by 16,000 slave laborers, known as foreigns, who toil in brutish conditions, ignored by the islanders. Luscombe and Lentsch are enemies in love and war, until Isobel turns up dead, her mouth and nose filled with cement. Her death and the search for her killer bring them gradually closer together, though Luscombe initially suspects that Lentsch had something to do with the murder. Here the novel’s tight construction tightens still further, as it screws itself up to rush down the multiplying dark avenues of a proper and highly satisfying murder mystery. Why has Isobel’s father disappeared? Did he kill her, as many islanders believe? Was the charming and cruel Captain Zepernick, who likes to romp au naturel through the Victor Hugo house with Veronica, involved in some way? Or was Isobel killed by one of the foreigns? The murderer and motive, revealed at the very end, are more banal than anything suggested by those possibilities. By that time we have learned of the fundamental decency of Lentsch and of the supposedly sluttish Veronica.

We also learn that much of this activity has been driven behind the scenes by a possible visit to the island by Hitler, to whom, throughout the story, the author refers in capitals He, Him, His like a deity. Germany was His after all, like the world is God’s, and who knows? maybe the future will wipe out the distinction.

But by that point in history such a consummation was not in the cards, however devoutly some Germans and some others wished it. Ah, war who the enemy, who the friend? Is collaboration treason? It depends.

Roger K. Miller is a freelance writer in Wisconsin.

1943 and all that The British long have boasted that their island nation has not been invaded by a foreign power in nearly a thousand years, not since William the Conqueror's little expedition in 1066. It's a pretty boast, and it's almost true. They tend…

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Journeys, for some reason, bring out the philosopher in all of us; from Chaucer to Twain to Steinbeck, writers have always drawn inspiration from their travels. Add to this list the name of author Michael Paterniti, whose new book, Driving Mr. Albert, is quite possibly the most confounding story of a road trip I’ve ever read.

Like Paterniti, we’ve all heard kooky tales and urban legends from time to time, but few of us make a point of determining if these stories are true. One such legend was that the doctor who did the autopsy on Albert Einstein had kept his brain, supposedly to study it, and had since vanished.

Paterniti was interested in the story, so imagine his surprise when the proverbial “friend of a friend” revealed that he actually knew the doctor a man named Thomas Harvey and put our intrepid author in touch with him. As it turned out, the retired pathologist was living with his 67-year-old girlfriend in Princeton, New Jersey, just down the road, so to speak, from Paterniti’s home in Maine.

So what would you do when confronted with this information? Probably not drive across the country to meet Einstein’s granddaughter with the brain of Albert in the trunk and the man who cut it out in the seat next to you. Then again, we aren’t all writers.

As Odysseus’ Odyssey is much more than the story of a trip, so too is Driving Mr. Albert. It’s merely a shelf upon which Paterniti places the several books he’s written here: a biography, a travelogue, and a social commentary, with touches of philosophy and humor thrown into the mix.

The journey ostensibly stems from the doctor’s desire to visit Einstein’s granddaughter in California. Paterniti knows there’s a story here, but his perception of what the story is remains unfocused. It quickly sharpens into a look at backroads America through the lens of the quirky Dr. Harvey’s personality. In tiny Lucas, Kansas, the travelers encounter a roadside museum with a massive re-creation of the Garden of Eden, done entirely in concrete. Later they spend an evening with writer William S. Burroughs, a former neighbor of Harvey living out his last months in Lawrence, Kansas. Their meeting is a scene straight from Waiting for Godot.

The adventurous travelers are brought back to reality at the end by Einstein’s down-to-earth and slightly bemused granddaughter. In her late 50s and battling cancer, she nonetheless agrees to meet with the pair and is friendly to both. Harvey’s final resolution of what to do with Einstein’s brain, and Evelyn Einstein’s reaction, are both surprising and appropriate.

Driving Mr. Albert is lyrical and comical, witty and bitter, and dazzling at times. The most unusual of subjects is presented in clear, heartfelt prose that made this reader glad he was along for the ride.

James Neal Webb is no Einstein, but he is smart enough to pick good books to review.

Brainpower More than 40 years after his death, Albert Einstein still fascinates us. Although hundreds of books have been written about the brilliant physicist, it appears that readers (and publishers) can’t get enough. Three new books planned for release this fall offer ample opportunities to increase your Einstein IQ: Â¥ E = mc2: A Biography of the World’s Most Famous Equation (Walker &and Co., $23, ISBN 0802713521) Author David Bodanis attempts to demystify the theory that changed the world and explain the consequences of Einstein’s discovery. (October) Â¥ Einstein’s Brainchild: Relativity Made Relatively Easy! (Prometheus Books, $28, ISBN 1573928577) A simplified, readable summary of Einstein’s work by physicist Barry Parker. (September) Â¥ Einstein in Love: A Scientific Romance (Viking, $27.95, ISBN 0670894303) New York Times science writer Dennis Overbye focuses on Einstein’s troubled marriage to his first wife and collaborator, Mileva Maric. (October)

Journeys, for some reason, bring out the philosopher in all of us; from Chaucer to Twain to Steinbeck, writers have always drawn inspiration from their travels. Add to this list the name of author Michael Paterniti, whose new book, Driving Mr. Albert, is quite possibly…
Children's & YA

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Cold weather creativity for kids With shorter, colder days in winter, the joy of indoor parenting can be elusive. With a bit of help, parents can avoid hearing the cries of boredom, and children may avoid hours of television. The books featured this month are for a range of ages and offer an equal range of activities. Whether your child is a rowdy preschooler or a quiet teen, the following selections are guaranteed to keep your child’s mind and hands from frostbite.

A trip to the local art museum is always a treat. For parents of older children and teenagers, there are three new Off the Wall Museum Guides for Kids which serve to prepare and educate kids before and during such a visit. Each book in this pocket-size series offers a general introduction to museums and art to maximize your museum visit. The section on museum etiquette includes art observation, art labels, and even advice on how to dress. The books also include general explanations of color, shape, line, and perspective. In addition to an index, each book contains games, scavenger hunts, art and writing activities, and recipes for the kids to enjoy.

The first addition to this entertaining series is Impressionist Art (Davis, $8.95, 0871923858) by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg. Following the general introduction, the book concentrates on impressionist art. With clear headings, we learn the origin and categories of impressionism, and many of our questions have been anticipated and answered by the knowledgeable authors. Pictures accompany the text, and biographies of the artists are lively and full of fun facts. Another in this series is American Art ($8.95, 0871923866), also by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg. The introduction of this book closely follows the first, except that photos of American art have been inserted. American Art is grouped according to 17th/18th and 19th/20th centuries. The same vivid format and chatty style is used to engage the reader. The creative activities section is also included. The third book by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg is Egyptian Art ($8.95, 087192384X). After the museum and art introduction, the authors cover topics such as archaeology, mummies, pharaohs, tombs, and sculpture; other chapters include stories from and about Egyptian culture. These topics fascinate young people, and the style used in these guides makes them all the more engaging. Pictures are clear and plentiful and fill the pages. This guide, as with the others, is helpful and entertaining, even if you are unable to visit a museum.

Expecting 100 of your closest friends for a Super Bowl party? Why not let the kids help? Learning to cook is a fine goal for winter days, and it’s an easier goal for older children if they have the right guide. Roz Denny and Fiona Watt have written the Usborne Cooking School series with this in mind.

Cooking for Beginners (Usborne, $7.95, 0746030363) opens with equipment and tools labeled in the first few pages. Proper placement of pans on the stove and other cautions are given. Two pages of cooking hints prepare the cook to follow the recipes better. Under each recipe, steps are clearly written and carefully illustrated for easy understanding. A photograph of the finished recipe accompanies each entry. The tasty recipes also make a nice presentation the entire family can enjoy.

Fiona Watt authors the two companion books, Cakes and Cookies for Beginners (Usborne, $7.95, 0746028105) and Pasta and Pizza for Beginners. These are full of good recipes; beginners will find the ease, variety, and flavor of each recipe encouraging. Preschoolers can be relentless in their demand for attention. And if there are two or more children in your care, each day requires even more creativity. Varying activities to include simple games and crafts is ideal, and that is just what author Trish Kuffner presents in The Preschooler’s Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 3- to-6-Year-Old Busy (Meadowbrook, $9.95, 0881663514). The print is large for quick reference, yet the book is not oversized. Kuffner’s book has 365 games and activities which are easy to do and are aimed at 3- to 6-year-olds. In addition to the games and general indoor activities, there are specific chapters on kitchen play, outdoor fun, travel play, and holiday celebrations. Most activities require no elaborate supplies merely household items or things easily obtained. This reference book includes appendices with other books and resources for parents as well as book suggestions for children. Parents, preschool teachers, and caregivers would all find this book a ready resource for each day of the year.

Children can use their hands and imaginations with the Little Puppet Theater: Little Red Riding Hood (Council Oak, $19.95, 1571780750), a sturdy stage which unfolds five feet and includes four finger puppet characters for children’s play. The vividly colored stage is two-sided, allowing room for more players to interact. On one side of the stage, the story text is printed so one person may read while the other children dramatize the story (recording the tale for your preschooler would enhance their enjoyment). The story board folds into book size and easily stores in its own case with Velcro closure.

Even adults will be impressed with Make Your Own Superballs (Scholastic Trade, $7.95, 0590635859), a kit developed and written by Ray Miller. The kit has everything children need to produce a superball in less than five minutes. Each step is simple and clearly illustrated. It is a great choice for young kids, because only water is added to the materials and no heat is used. Included in the kit are five bold colors to design balls with stripe or swirl patterns. The booklet also suggests some activities to do with your five homemade superballs.

The second kit in this series yields fast, fun products as well. The difference with Soap Making for Kids (Scholastic Trade, $7.95, 0590635050) is that grown-up assistance is needed since the materials are heated. The booklet, written by Vivian Fernandez, is simple and easy to understand. Six molds in an ocean motif are provided to create a variety of soap shapes. Three colors may be used to make solid or two-tone soaps. Even a length of rope is included to make soap on a rope.

Since kids don’t hibernate during the winter, it’s important that they stay occupied during these cold, indoor months. With the above suggestions, parents and their children shouldn’t suffer the winter blues, even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Jana Benjamin is an indoor/outdoor mother to her two children. She lives in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Cold weather creativity for kids With shorter, colder days in winter, the joy of indoor parenting can be elusive. With a bit of help, parents can avoid hearing the cries of boredom, and children may avoid hours of television. The books featured this month are…

Management and Murphy’s Law

Review by bookpagedev

Anyone who has ever read Paradise Lost knows that things gone wrong make for catchier story lines than things going right. That’s why Milton’s Satan is a more memorable character than any of the good guys in his epic. Four of this month’s notable business books offer entertaining and edifying stories of failure and, in the process, they triumph over Milton’s malady and offer roadmaps to success.

In When Giants Stumble (Prentice Hall, $26, 0735200599), business historian Robert Sobel reviews the past century in American business to bring us the sad stories of companies long forgotten (discount retailer E.J. Korvette, auto maker Kaiser-Frazer and others), and of institutions that have been wounded but are still with us (the New York Stock Exchange, Schlitz and Pabst beers).

Sobel categorizes the giant blunders of these titans into a list of 15 deadly sins of corporate leadership. They range from the Blunders of Hubris, Ignorance, Nepotism, and Nonstrategic Expansion to the Blunders of Cutting Corners, Standing Pat, Isolation, and Dependency.

The author has a gift for teasing out lessons from disasters that might otherwise seem like ancient history. From pioneering Osborne Computer Corp., we learn that a company can get it all right predicting accurately that IBM-compatibility and laptop portability would become desirable features in PCs and still get it all wrong. Osborne built bug-ridden products, alienated strategic partners such as distributors, and died unmourned in 1982, before the PC revolution had taken off. The Blunder of Ineptitude, Sobel calls it.

And from Packard Motor Car Co., we learn that squandering the intangible value of a brand name can kill even a long-established company. In 1928 there was nothing on the road more stylish and status-laden than a Packard. By 1948, after misguided efforts to sell more cars to the masses, Packard was just another mid-range make, and by 1958 the company was history. Sobel labels this error the Blunder of Downward Brand Extension.

It’s impossible not to feel for these stumbling giants. Visionary entrepreneurs like James Ling of LTV Corp. and industrial dynasties like the Schwinn family of bicycle makers may have nobody to blame but themselves for what happened to their enterprises, but there is still a tragic dimension to the amount of heart and soul invested in ultimate failure.

Sobel writes with empathy for the blunderers. He could have turned out an interesting but facile book by merely narrating what went wrong at these companies. Instead he has produced a truly valuable study by analyzing why each lousy decision seemed like the right thing to do at the time.

A question you’ll keep asking yourself as you read Sobel’s book serves as the title for a volume from product development expert Robert M. McMath What Were They Thinking? Money-Saving, Time-Saving, Face-Saving Lessons You Can Learn from Products That Flopped, just released in paperback (with Thom Forbes; Random House, $13, 081293203X). McMath distills his four decades of new-product observations into a textbook on bad ideas. The Milton principle holds true once more: McMath’s vivid prose brings marketing failures to life as though they were characters in a novel.

If you had the misfortune of oily hair, would you advertise that fact in the supermarket by purchasing Gillette’s For Oily Hair Only shampoo? Have you felt the need lately to buy a 48-ounce jug of Maxwell House Brewed Coffee, so you can just pour a cup and microwave it? These what-were-they-thinking hall-of-famers have taken their places in the gallery of dead products that McMath has been collecting for nearly 30 years. He has 80,000 now, and the collection keeps growing as more than 25,000 new consumable items hit the shelves in the U.S. every year most doomed to quick extinction.

Like Sobel, though, McMath is not content merely to chronicle failure. His book is full of nuggets of wisdom. He shows us, for instance, that an errant concept is not always a dead end. What was Kimberly-Clark thinking when it saw Kleenex’s main purpose as removing cold cream? No telling, but give the company credit for shifting its marketing plans when consumers decided to use Kleenex as disposable hankies. With instructive examples like these and opinionated but astute analysis, McMath has produced a marketing bible likely to enjoy a long shelf life.

What were they thinking when they gave such a cumbersome title to one of the year’s most memorable business books? If You Want to Make God Really Laugh, Show Him Your Business Plan (Amacom, $22.95, 0814404987) is a combination of stand-up comedy and dead-serious business sense from former Burger King CEO Barry J. Gibbons. Get past the title, and you’re in for the funniest biz read since Jerry Della Femina’s From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor (Simon ∧ Schuster, 1970, out of print).

Interspersed with the author’s zany asides are his 101 Universal Laws of Business, a set of precepts illustrated by episodes from a career spent managing large operations on both sides of the Atlantic and watching business plan scenarios turn to dust. Both the humor and the rules project an insider tone, as though Gibbons were addressing a closed-door gathering of fellow corporate chieftains on a golfing retreat. Gibbons is frank about his own failures as a manager.

He has clearly learned from those shortcomings, developing a refreshingly humane vision of management in the process. Imagine if his universal law of motivation caught on nationwide: Pay people till their eyes water, share with them the value they add, trust them, and avoid doing dumb things that demotivate them. Plenty of bosses would view such notions as heresy. That’s why there’s still so much misery today in our supposedly enlightened workplaces.

For a guy who admits to being rich and satisfied with himself, Barry Gibbons displays a surprising humility in this book. I don’t think he would claim it as a virtue to be humble about leading an organization; I think he’d say it’s a necessity, given the certainty that the CEO will embarrass himself or herself at some point. And when that moment comes, he or she had better be able to laugh about it.

In Right from the Start: Taking Charge in a New Leadership Role (Harvard Business School Press, $24.95, 0875847501), consultant Dan Ciampa and Harvard professor Michael Watkins have plenty to say about what can go wrong from the start. They, too, are doing a Milton, focusing the minds of aspiring executive readers by presenting examples of disasters in the careers of people just like them.

People don’t often talk on the record about why they got fired. But they do in this book (anonymously), as do many who have endured lesser career reversals and emerged from them as stronger leaders. This valuable guide to surviving at the top draws on interviews with dozens of high-level executives in business, government, and academia. Ciampa and Watkins let these managers speak for themselves in lengthy quotes that provide enough context to understand each element of leadership under discussion from securing early wins in the first weeks on the job to building coalitions and projecting self-image.

The interviewees speak with a candor rarely if ever found in statements to the press from members of the corporate elite. Equally valuable, though, are the authors’ analyses of the myriad threats sure to beset the new EVP or CEO. It’s no good for the newcomer to rail about office politics, communication gaps, or institutionalized barriers to change in the workforce. The leader needs to understand why these challenges arise, and what elements of his or her own style may be making them worse, in order to overcome them. This book can help the recently promoted cope with those frightening career moments that arise as soon as you get what you’re after.

Briefly noted: two July books try to get inside the heads of employees and employers. Workplace psychologist Leonard Felder’s well-received 1993 book Does Someone at Work Treat You Badly? is out in a new paperback edition (Berkley, $13, 0425165124). Felder retells the traumas endured by his counseling clients at the hands of schemers, screamers, sexual harassers, and other walking job hazards and tells of the techniques that helped victims gain the upper hand. New from British business psychologist Sandi Mann is Hiding What We Feel, Faking What We Don’t: Understanding the Role of Your Emotions at Work, which explores why we all wear happy, hostile, caring, or uncaring masks at work from time to time.

Also of note this month: William F. Joyce’s MegaChange: How Today’s Leading Companies Have Transformed Their Workforces (Free Press, $28, 0684856255), a manifesto for a management theory based on assumptions of human capability instead of human limitations. And, from Hollywood biographer Bob Thomas, Building a Company: Roy O. Disney and the Creation of an Entertainment Empire (Hyperion, $14.95, 0786884169) tells the story of the other Disney, Walt’s brother.

Nashville journalist E. Thomas Wood is the author of Karski: How One Man Tried to Stop the Holocaust (Wiley).

Anyone who has ever read Paradise Lost knows that things gone wrong make for catchier story lines than things going right. That's why Milton's Satan is a more memorable character than any of the good guys in his epic. Four of this month's notable…

Biography

Review

Review by bookpagedev

On June 8, 1972, a photographer captured the now infamous image of Kim Phuc, a nine-year-old Vietnamese girl, running naked down a Trang Bang highway, her clothes and skin incinerated by American napalm. The photograph was featured in news periodicals around the globe, immediately altering the international perspective of the Vietnam conflict. To the world, Kim became “a living symbol of the horror of war.” In this well-researched, easy-to-follow (and exhaustive) biography, Denise Chong attempts to give an overview of the Vietnam confrontation, and a fair one at that. She focuses on Kim Phuc’s family and has successfully painted through her own on-site research, reading, and interviews the simple peasant world in which they lived, and the attacks they endured from all sides: Invasion by ruthless Chinese-sponsored Communists from the north; manipulation by self-serving, faraway nations in the West; deceit and corruption by greedy leaders within their own ranks; and betrayal by disingenuous neighbors and even family members. Essentially an entire generation of children grew into adults knowing only terror, maiming, death, manipulation, distrust, and self-imposed silence; the latter only if one wanted to live.

Within this world Kim Phuc, fighting daily pains that only a burn victim could know, found her destiny.

Each chapter of Kim’s life a snapshot of almost 40 years roils with emotion, beginning with the miracle of surviving her initial burns. From that tragic moment forward, her mother and family overprotected her and treated her as a weak and ugly burn victim, a woman destined to live her life alone. From high school on, she spent her life shadowed by “minders,” individually assigned hawks for the Vietnamese government who watched her constantly for any transgression of word or deed. Dismissing Kim’s ambition to be a doctor, the Vietnamese Communists took away that dream when they realized she could be used more effectively as a propaganda tool. And as that tool, she suffered the dual life of being pampered as a celebrity when abroad, but treated with disdain, poverty, and starvation when at home. Yet, two words kept falling from Kim’s lips and strengthening her faith: “I forgive.” The South Vietnamese people sought only basic needs. They desired to be left alone, to feed their children, to laugh at each other’s jokes, to work, to worship, to sleep and dream; they didn’t ask to be pawns of superpowers, or victims of land-grab, of endless and esoteric debates concerning communism and capitalism. And Kim Phuc wanted only to be “normal.” It took the face of one child, screaming in pain, nakedly frozen in time, to help bring us all to our senses.

From her modest beginnings in Vietnam to her successful new life in Canada, her dramatic story will set you on fire.

Clay Stafford is a writer and filmmaker who lives near Nashville.

On June 8, 1972, a photographer captured the now infamous image of Kim Phuc, a nine-year-old Vietnamese girl, running naked down a Trang Bang highway, her clothes and skin incinerated by American napalm. The photograph was featured in news periodicals around the globe, immediately altering…

Children's & YA

Review

Review by bookpagedev

Cold weather creativity for kids With shorter, colder days in winter, the joy of indoor parenting can be elusive. With a bit of help, parents can avoid hearing the cries of boredom, and children may avoid hours of television. The books featured this month are for a range of ages and offer an equal range of activities. Whether your child is a rowdy preschooler or a quiet teen, the following selections are guaranteed to keep your child’s mind and hands from frostbite.

A trip to the local art museum is always a treat. For parents of older children and teenagers, there are three new Off the Wall Museum Guides for Kids which serve to prepare and educate kids before and during such a visit. Each book in this pocket-size series offers a general introduction to museums and art to maximize your museum visit. The section on museum etiquette includes art observation, art labels, and even advice on how to dress. The books also include general explanations of color, shape, line, and perspective. In addition to an index, each book contains games, scavenger hunts, art and writing activities, and recipes for the kids to enjoy.

The first addition to this entertaining series is Impressionist Art (Davis, $8.95, 0871923858) by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg. Following the general introduction, the book concentrates on impressionist art. With clear headings, we learn the origin and categories of impressionism, and many of our questions have been anticipated and answered by the knowledgeable authors. Pictures accompany the text, and biographies of the artists are lively and full of fun facts. Another in this series is American Art ($8.95, 0871923866), also by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg. The introduction of this book closely follows the first, except that photos of American art have been inserted. American Art is grouped according to 17th/18th and 19th/20th centuries. The same vivid format and chatty style is used to engage the reader. The creative activities section is also included. The third book by Ruthie Knapp and Janice Lehmberg is Egyptian Art ($8.95, 087192384X). After the museum and art introduction, the authors cover topics such as archaeology, mummies, pharaohs, tombs, and sculpture; other chapters include stories from and about Egyptian culture. These topics fascinate young people, and the style used in these guides makes them all the more engaging. Pictures are clear and plentiful and fill the pages. This guide, as with the others, is helpful and entertaining, even if you are unable to visit a museum.

Expecting 100 of your closest friends for a Super Bowl party? Why not let the kids help? Learning to cook is a fine goal for winter days, and it’s an easier goal for older children if they have the right guide. Roz Denny and Fiona Watt have written the Usborne Cooking School series with this in mind.

Cooking for Beginners (Usborne, $7.95, 0746030363) opens with equipment and tools labeled in the first few pages. Proper placement of pans on the stove and other cautions are given. Two pages of cooking hints prepare the cook to follow the recipes better. Under each recipe, steps are clearly written and carefully illustrated for easy understanding. A photograph of the finished recipe accompanies each entry. The tasty recipes also make a nice presentation the entire family can enjoy.

Fiona Watt authors the two companion books, Cakes and Cookies for Beginners and Pasta and Pizza for Beginners ($7.95, 0746028083). These are full of good recipes; beginners will find the ease, variety, and flavor of each recipe encouraging. Preschoolers can be relentless in their demand for attention. And if there are two or more children in your care, each day requires even more creativity. Varying activities to include simple games and crafts is ideal, and that is just what author Trish Kuffner presents in The Preschooler’s Busy Book: 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 3- to-6-Year-Old Busy (Meadowbrook, $9.95, 0881663514). The print is large for quick reference, yet the book is not oversized. Kuffner’s book has 365 games and activities which are easy to do and are aimed at 3- to 6-year-olds. In addition to the games and general indoor activities, there are specific chapters on kitchen play, outdoor fun, travel play, and holiday celebrations. Most activities require no elaborate supplies merely household items or things easily obtained. This reference book includes appendices with other books and resources for parents as well as book suggestions for children. Parents, preschool teachers, and caregivers would all find this book a ready resource for each day of the year.

Children can use their hands and imaginations with the Little Puppet Theater: Little Red Riding Hood (Council Oak, $19.95, 1571780750), a sturdy stage which unfolds five feet and includes four finger puppet characters for children’s play. The vividly colored stage is two-sided, allowing room for more players to interact. On one side of the stage, the story text is printed so one person may read while the other children dramatize the story (recording the tale for your preschooler would enhance their enjoyment). The story board folds into book size and easily stores in its own case with Velcro closure.

Even adults will be impressed with Make Your Own Superballs (Scholastic Trade, $7.95, 0590635859), a kit developed and written by Ray Miller. The kit has everything children need to produce a superball in less than five minutes. Each step is simple and clearly illustrated. It is a great choice for young kids, because only water is added to the materials and no heat is used. Included in the kit are five bold colors to design balls with stripe or swirl patterns. The booklet also suggests some activities to do with your five homemade superballs.

The second kit in this series yields fast, fun products as well. The difference with Soap Making for Kids (Scholastic Trade, $7.95, 0590635050) is that grown-up assistance is needed since the materials are heated. The booklet, written by Vivian Fernandez, is simple and easy to understand. Six molds in an ocean motif are provided to create a variety of soap shapes. Three colors may be used to make solid or two-tone soaps. Even a length of rope is included to make soap on a rope.

Since kids don’t hibernate during the winter, it’s important that they stay occupied during these cold, indoor months. With the above suggestions, parents and their children shouldn’t suffer the winter blues, even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Jana Benjamin is an indoor/outdoor mother to her two children. She lives in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

Cold weather creativity for kids With shorter, colder days in winter, the joy of indoor parenting can be elusive. With a bit of help, parents can avoid hearing the cries of boredom, and children may avoid hours of television. The books featured this month are…

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