1 comments about Chula the Chihuahua.

1. One rite of passage for our celebrities today is the writing of a children's book. Thus we see Leno and Jamie Lee Curtis making their amateur contributions to what was once long ago a rather slender and specialized field left only to Seuss and Zolotow and Tomie dePaola of The Legend of the Bluebonnet, and a few others. The field of bilingual children's literature was left pretty much to the great Alma Flor Ada (see for example her excellent Una Extrana Visita/Strange Visitors (Ada, Alma Flor. Libros Para Contar.) (Ada, Alma Flor. Libros Para Contar.). But now we have the phenomenom of nearly anyone who can get published adding their two cents. Perhaps if Brittney wrote a children's book she could really upgrade her aging but wild-teen image. Maybe she could hire a ghostwriter. Unfortunately not all of these books sold for children support the teaching and development of literacy; they are not research-based and ability-appropriate as were the old pros.
   
   When Dr. Seuss wrote, for instance, the immortal Green Eggs and Ham (I can read it all by myself), he consulted with educators for a useful list of basic words. He did not limit himself as severely as the famous Dick and Jane series, but used a very limited group of words well chosen. He built a vibrant useful rhythm for phonemic awareness, basic vocabulary and sentence structure with adequate variation and conflict to hold interest until the joyful resolution, all over a real jazz be-bop beat (read it as rap sometime), which has never been matched. Teachers love it still for the introductory vocabulary and phonics which it provides in an irresistable context.
   
   Such research-based and educational product with appropriately leveled vocabulary and sentences have grown rare. Now we have children's books of admirable intent such as One City, Two Brothers whose sophistication of grammar and vocabulary make it nearly impossible to read in a commonly encountered and diverse student group.
   
   Therefore it is with welcoming joy that we encounter this excellent children's book, written by a teaching team with many years in the classroom as well as many credits of higher-level coursework in children's literature and the teaching of reading. For once they let the teachers write what they need to teach with (is that a preposition I see dangling before me?), and this book is in fact a very useful teaching tool.
   
   For one thing, it begs to be read to an eager group, normally of over a few dozen students, such as we encounter nowadays in our classrooms. That student group of course is now normally very culturally and linguistically diverse, and this book lends itself to that undeniable fact of teaching today, in a gentle and a joyful way.
   
   The type is quite large, and clearly drawn, so that any student could see it well even from across the reading rug. The text upon each pair of opened pages is brief, so that the teacher can make the content comprehensible to all students, and it is Bilingual, with translation, and thus involves every student comfortably. The more fun we can make reading, the more will they read, and this Bilingual text (with immediate translation provided right there on the page) is very fun.
   
   The story presents the character of a small dog, a Chihuahua, and relates various characteristics of this Chihuahua named Chula. This is the first of a planned series: here we meet the character and wait for the further volumes of her adventures. As mentioned above, the text is Bilingual, and uses various terms from universal as well as from the regional Spanish of northern Chihuahua state and New Mexico, including, for instance, chiple translated here correctly as spoiled.
   
   The tale and the illustrations are truly charming and appealing to emergent readers of either language, and we are very grateful this excellent teaching team knows how to write a book we can immediately use for the benefit of our children. I for one will bring it immediately to my students, reading it together, gaining their confidence, building their self-confidence and self-esteem, and their joy of reading, as well as basing many teaching and literature and language arts activities around the themes raised in this book.
   
   In short this wonderful work is highly recommended for anyone who has a new reader entering the world of reading. In this post-literate age, when the TV screen and the computer monitor consume so much of the time we once reserved for reading, we struggle to discover how to coax our kids to read. This charming book gives us a key to opening all books to our children, the greatest and most useful gift we can ever possibly give them.

1 comments about Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians.

1. There are cat breeders, and there are Cat Breeders! If litter constantly crumbles off your shoes, and you don't 'know' a cat until you've seen its' pedigree, you're a Cat Nerd :] Mastering Robinson's book will be your last 'final' to achieving Grand Champion Cat Nerd status! I must admit to a personal bias in favor of this book as I enjoy combing apart a puzzling test cross as much as playing with kittens! This is one *serious* book! As with most things genetic, Robinson has generated considerable controversy with certain of his assertions and conclusions, but this is without a doubt 'The Merk' for serious cat breeders. His work begins with a quick refresher for those in need. But frankly, if you're an 'old timer' who has never pulled at least a B in a full-blown 300 level Mendelian genetics course, you'll be in over your head by page five. There are separate sections addressing individual breeds and type, providing much of the information you've always wondered about. With this book as a foundation you can move your breeding program into the realm of testable objective research. You'll know how to determine, for example, if a particular coat pattern results from the heterozygotic interaction of codominant alleles, from the presence of an unlinked modifier gene, or if you really have a new dominant mutant. Ooooooh!!! With this book you will evolve an analytical eye, enabling you to extract meaningful details from the haphazard work of hobby breeders - a great time saving resource for a serious breeder. Are you working with a clear goal in mind, or just putting cats together? The good news: this is an advanced text for a rare few :) The bad news: this is an advanced text for a rare few :( If you've found this review, have read the book, and would like to indulge in some technical prose with a fellow Cat Nerd, please write - it's lonely out here! Michael Olsen, CallisteCats Birmans

1 comments about Arabian Spirit (Spirit of the Horse).

1. Nothing but high praises from me on this book. I found it to be a great book. The pictures are great, the text and information is clear, and imformative. I'am a major Arabian devotee and I think that this book is one of the best on the Arabian breed. Its a must have for all Arabian enthusists!

5 comments about The Underdog: A Celebration of Mutts.

1. The Underdog is a delightful read especially for all of us who find our special dogs of mysterious ancestry and take them into our homes and our hearts!



2. This book is a must for dog lovers. It's full of information about adoption (the ethical choice for bringing a dog into your life as opposed to puppy mill dogs from the pet shop) and tells you exactly how to do it, where to go, what you need, and how to handle the new dog once he is brought home. It really is THE step by step book on the shelter adoption process.
   
   The celebration of mutts in this book is infectious. The pictures are hilarious and one can't help but laugh while learning all kinds of interesting trivia about these lovable mutts.
   
   The author does a terrific job of helping you figure out what kind of mutt is sharing your life. Extremely well researched, this book is a great read because you can pick it up anywhere and enjoy.
   
   A wonderful gift book for dog lovers and for people who are thinking of sharing their life with the greatest friends on the planet! Timeless.



3. What a fun book! Szabo does a great job organizing her book into fun-to-read segments interspersed with news articles, editorials, and pictures of cutie-pie pups. I thought I knew almost everything about mutts after adopting them (through a shelter and off the street) and after spending significant time at our local humane society. Nope -- Szabo taught me the cons of "no-kill" shelters and changed my personal definition of what constitutes a "Mutt." Furthermore, she brings to light several little-known, important facts about the "designer" dogs (such as the doodles).
   
   This book is also a wonderful guide for anyone considering adopting a mutt, pure breed, or "designer" dog.
   
   Remember: Spay and Neuter your pets! There is no reason you should have an intact animal unless you are a certified breeder.



4. What a wonderful book on dogs who have mixed lineage. I have a wonderful mutt and what the book says about having the good qualities of the breeds is very right. At times, though the qualities that aren't so great come up. The book is very well written and is a must for anyone who has ever had a loveable mutt. Those who have never had a "mixed breed" should think about it. There are many at the local shelters to be adopted.
   You who are thinking of getting a dog this is a must read.
   Those of you who are buying the book.....Enjoy!!!



5. Finally mutts get the respect that they deserve! A wonderful book packed with both useful and fun information. Be sure to check out the "Mutt Family Tree" section. I have three mutts and always enjoy trying to figure out "the mystery of the mix".

4 comments about Don't Call Me Rover: 5001 Names to Call Your Pet.

1. Growing up I had a dog named "loser" because of the big black ring around his eye...I thought that may also be an appropriate name for this book.



2. This book proved very useful to me in naming all my pets in the past (countless fish, five dogs, a rabbit, a mouse, a hamster, you can see why I would need help in choosing names.) Some of the suggestions in this book are funny; others are very cute. But many are stupid and you'd never actually consider them. I'm getting two frogs soon and I think I'll refer back to here to name them. The nicest, most exotic name I picked from here was for a fish I called Ruby Fruit.



3. the book had no theme, just names. better job could have been done



4. I really liked this book. It helps you find names (or even make up names!) For your pet.

No comments about SHIH TZU (Pet Owner's Guide).

3 comments about The Essential Rottweiler (The Essential Guides).

1. As a Rottie owner, I wish I had purchsed this book before I brought my own dog home. The discussion of the nature, training and temperment of the breed is outstanding. Emphasizing the need for building a relationship with the dog based on understanding its temperment, what it was bred for and what the dog needs, _The Essential Rottweiler_ is an excellent tool in deciding if these magnificent, loving and protective dogs would be a good fit for you, and (if so), how to train them to be happy and healthy. Highly recommended.



2. I got my Rott as a surprise gift from my wife and really wasn't sure if I was ready for a dog after my favorite dog died. And because of my misconceptions about the species, thought I should read up on them. I really learned a tremendous amount about the Rottweiller and realied what a great dog they are. Now my Rott has really shown me how smart, obedient, and loyal they are and this book really helped me with a lot of the fine points of bringing up my dog.



3. I believe this book is an excellent reference material to be read by any one even thinking about buying a rottweiler whether they want a puppy or an adult. It will better help you understand what type of dog the breed is and what is required of you as an owner to raise a well behaved and happy rottie. The book explains the breed to you, gives advise on what will be required of you to raise a happy, healthy, well adjusted rottie. One that will be excepted by the public and will be a loved well mannered part of your family. It explains all aspects of owning, raising, and training a rottie in clear simple form that any one will be able to understand and apply to their own new found friend. So if your interested in owning a rottweiler take the time to read this book and make sure their the dog for you before you buy that cute adorable puppy.

No comments about The Irish Wolfhound: Great Symbol of Ireland.

2 comments about The Guide to Owning an Ocicat (Guide to Owning).

1. A great -- and belated -- addition to a helpful and informative series of breed books.

   Bill McKee is an inspired author choice, bringing new insight into how the Oci was 'created' just three decades ago. Modest as he is, it's fascinating to think that the farsighted breeding choices he (and a handful of others) made, not so very long ago, have defined one of the most popular and distinctive breeds today. Thanks for bringing him back!




2. Bill McKee one of the founding breeders of Ocicats, owned the first Ocicat grand in CFA GRC Dalai's Golden Cavalier of Ociville, writes from personal experience with this "wild cat" look alike.

   Ocicat owners from all over the world contributed pictures which give the reader a fantastic insite into the numerous colors in this fantastic breed.

   The history of the Ocicat and it beginnings in the cat show world is well documented by Bill McKee as he was intrumental in getting the Ocicat accepted by CFA which was the first cat organization to fully recognize the Ocicat for Championship status.

   It was indeed a pleasure to Ocicat breeders everywhere to see Bill McKee's name on the first published Ocicat book.

5 comments about Consumer's Guide to Alternative Therapies in the Horse.

1. An excellent scientific approach that will no doubt send the oddball "alternative" therapy fans into a complete swoon. However, they'll not be able to come up with a single serious scientific article to refute the science in this book -- after many decades of frantic, fruitless attempts.
   
   The sad fact is that these "alternative" therapies simply do not work, as far as any scientific study has ever been able to tell. And the few little studies they occasionally cite are scientifically worthless, as a bit of research always reveals.
   
   This always brings out the worst in the homeopathic/chiropractic/crystal therapy/needle-stickers, etc., and they usually revert to claims that it's all just a plot by the evil veterinary/pharmaceutical community. A glance at some of the critical reviews on this site are typical -- you'll notice that they don't refer to any scientific publications or peer-reviewed journal articles ... because, sadly, they can't.
   
   This will, also sadly, do little to dissuade those desperate and gullible souls who will grasp at anything hoping to help their four-legged friend. After thirty years in dog & horse rescue, I understand the feeling all too well, but after seeing the results of alternative medicine vs. real veterinary medicine, I know that alternative medicine is 99% pure moonshine and marketing.
   
   This book should be required reading for all horse, dog & cat owners, period. We all need to know the facts in order to do right by our furry friends.



2. This author is well-known for his disparagement of alternative therapies. Do not buy this book if you are looking into alternative therapies for your animals as the author is strictly a "Western Medicine" kind of
   guy and very biased. Having used chiropractic, homeopathic, and acupressure on my horses, dogs, and cats, alternative therapy is extremely helpful when provided by a competent and trained professional. Research your practioner's training and background. See "Homeopathy for Horses" by Tim Couzens, "Veterinary Acupuncture" or "Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice" by Allen M. Schoen. All excellent reference for the holistic practitioner.



3. was very disappointed and felt the author did a disservice to balanced critical review and assessment. I did agree with a number of the findings in the books but the author should have provided less personal opinion and adhered to balanced scientific review rather than providing sweeping generalisations of certain therapeutic modalities. Absolutely regret having bought this book.



4. This book is a waste of money for people who are looking for good information on alternative care for their horse. The author considers any method other than his own to be unfounded and of no benefit. Could we say he is coming from a very egotistical point of view? I wonder how we and all the animals survived the thousands of years before modern medicine and his birth! The cover of the book is also cleverly laid out in order to trick the consumer who is interested in learning about alternative therapies into thinking the book will give them information on learning how to use complementary care. This was a total waste of my money.



5. Very Disappointing. The Author sets out "open mindedly" to investigate numerous alternative therapies for horses and proceeds to discredit each and every one of the therapies, concluding that the horse owner should revert to consulting the Veterinarian. A desperate attempt to preserve the Veterinary Profession.