Shoes Books

Want your life enriched? Read this book! Want to understand the value of perseverance, the resilience of children, the un-tethered endurance to survive? Read this book! As illustrated through their memoir, Katherine and George teach us more than just an unannounced accounting of post-WWII Eastern Europe. They teach us about family, about the will to live, about the soul and how one can survive anything while suspended by a single thread of hope.

The trauma and pain suffered by the two families is unimaginable. Yet, the world knew little of what was happening to the thousands of innocent ethnic Germans left behind to fend for themselves in the wake of Hitler's crimes. Despite their families having lived in Yugoslavia for some 200 plus years, the ethnic Germans would face a death penalty for having German surnames. While they knew little of Hitler, and even less about his audacious adventures of domination, the German settlers of Yugoslavia turned baron land into the breadbasket of Europe. They were a very proud people demonstrating a strong work ethic as well as developing harmony among all living in Yugoslavia. Yet, their payment for their hard work was to be thrown into concentration camps, stolen from, starved, raped, and murdered; a complete people's way of life decimated. The world in the meantime, with a blind eye turned to Yugoslavia, convicted Nazi war criminals for similar crimes committed in WWII. I can only ask, how hypocritical was this?

Their survival alone is miraculous. But, to learn that these two continued life after losing so much, then immigrating to America to become successful in a new life, is even more amazing. Many of us would have had to seek psychological counseling for life. Not Katherine and George. They pressed on, and found a life that was meaningful and fulfilling. They created that life by centering on family enabled by love. They are by any stretch of the meaning, models for all of us! In the context of a bigger story, they are but two who refused to kneel to tyranny. They are but two who refused to let the communist regime of Yugoslavia win an insane war against good and innocence.

It is with great enthusiasm that I endorse A Pebble In My Shoe as a book that has changed my life. The lessons I have learned from this testimony are still being discovered...a full year after I first read it. You will most surely be rewarded by reading A Pebble In My Shoe!

In her inspiring and thoughtful memoir, A Pebble in My Shoe, Katherine Hoeger Flotz tells the story of her and her husband's separate escapes from persecution at the end of WWII. The story of Katherine and George were equally fascinating, moving, and disturbing. My overall sense, at the end of the book, is one of astonishment. The incredible strength, determination, sense of survival, hopefulness, and faith exhibited from this amazing couple is nothing short of unbelievable. But, what's even more mind-boggling is that their stories are just two of the thousands/millions of other "displaced" ethnic Germans--stories to which the public seems to be largely unaware. But, their story is fully representative of these brave people who left all they knew and loved to start over in a strange, frightening, and challenging USA.

The experiences of Katherine and George are described in Katherine's spare and straightforward style. She doesn't embellish...because she doesn't have to. Instead, she takes the reader on both of their journeys, the Flotz family journey and the Hoeger family journey, and their related family journeys that were occurring simultaneously. I found her words to be emotionally engaging while maintaining an authentic believability and fittingly descriptive point of view. And, Katherine skillfully handles the changes in story line, time period, chronology of events, and character development.

Katherine relates for the reader the searing pain of losing her home, her belongings, and, eventually, her parents and other family members. And, Katherine reveals an extraordinary awareness, throughout her development, of her loving and caring cadre of family members who didn't allow her to be an orphan--who refused to leave her behind. She engages her readers as she shares her story and her ongoing healing from the soul-tearing effects of losing her mother and father as well as other family members while being in constant fear of losing her sister.

I thank Katherine Hoeger Flotz for this beautiful and moving story. I know I will use her words to inspire my own thoughts. And, I know I have learned from her the value of perseverance and faith.

I found the book to be in my "couldn't put it down" category, and, actually, I read it one sitting. As a career educator, I truly believe the book should be required reading for high school students as it shines a bright light on a rarely discussed historical topic while teaching the lessons of strength, endurance, and compassion. Thank you, Katherine, for this amazing story!

This book gives a first hand look at what life was like for the German Donauschwaben who were victims of Tito's ethnic cleansing. At the age of eight, Katherine Flotz' world turns upside down. Through her eyes we learn about the brutal abuse that her family endured. This book also helps us realize that her story is not an isolated incident since she is only one of the 15 million Germans who were displaced (2 million of them murdered)during this time. My hats off to the author for having the courage to write about this difficult period in her life so that we may learn more about it.

In the spring of 1945 World War ll ended. But in Communist Eastern Europe all hell broke loose for millions of Ethnic Germans. Revenge was taken on young and old. Families were torn apart for no other reason then to obtain vengeance. Many people died. The majority of the victims who survived those brutal years still carry these memories in silence. Very few people have dared to go back and recall that time - let alone put down their memories on paper because the pain is to great.

Childhood became none existing. Hunger, sorrow, fear and confusion was what children experienced in their daily lives. As one grows up sometimes that lost child within begs to be set free, to tell the world what it was like growing up during that time. Katherine Hoeger Flotz has listened to her inner child and set it free in A PEBBLE IN MY SHOE. She has taken the painful road back to revisit her childhood in Gagowa, Yugoslavia, and the long trail that finally led her to America. Next to Katherine's story we find her husbands story, running parallel to hers. Both stories come together in America and end when George and Katherine become a family.

I applaud Katherine for having written A PEBBLE IN MY SHOE. We need more books like hers. History through the eyes of innocent children. Maybe then the world would be a better place for all..

E. Walter author of BAREFOOT IN THE RUBBLE

What a wonderful gift from Katherine Hoeger Flotz! A deeply moving memoir of a child's recollections of life in one of Tito's concentration camps. A story not only of survival but of triumph over deadly adversity. This is a most valuable contribution to the too little known saga of the ethnic cleansing of the Donauschwabians after WWII. As a fellow survivor from another village I was often moved to tears as I read this memoir. Enriched by deeply evocative family photos, touching but never vengeful, A Pebble in MY Shoe deserves a wide readership. A triumph from a wise and generous survivor.

Hey, wouldn't it be funny if you saw an alligator wearing shoes who talks? You should read Alligator Shoes by Arthur Dorros. This is a silly story about Alvin the Alligator who tries on a lot of different shoes. This is a funny book that will make you laugh!

This is a funny story about an alligator. You have never seen an alligator like this before! The pictures and story are fantastic. If you like to use your imagination, buy this book! It is an awesome book that young children will love to read!

Alligator Shoes is very interesting. We liked when the lady picked up Alvin's feet and thought they were shoes. It is a funny book. It is a cool for 1st and 2nd graders to read.

Alligator Shoes is a funny book written on the kindergarten level. Older children will also enjoy this book because Alvin is funny. It was funny when the lady fainted in the shoe store. It was also funny watching Alvin try on all those shoes, especially the basketball shoes. The illustrations were good and the ending was terrific.

Miss Chamberlain's summer enrichment class thought "Alligator Shoes" was a very funny book. We especially like when the alligator gets locked in the shoe store and tries on all the shoes. We laughed outloud at all the funny shoes he tried on becasue alligators don't really wear shoes. Check this book out for a funny time.

Larry Kirwan, the driving force behind Black 47, is a rarity in the world of rock and roll. His talent is just as apparent on the page as it is in song. GREEN SUEDE SHOES is a collection of stories about his life, from his youth with his grandfather, a sculptor of monuments in County Wexford to the wild days in NYC as a struggling rocker. Each section is introduced with the lyrics of one of his songs; songs that offer a slightly distorted reflection of what really happened. A classic example of this method is "Funky Ceili" where the song tells of a young man forced to leave Ireland because of the very unhappy father of his pregnant girlfriend and the real story is more of two people in love but both afraid to give up what they really want for the other. This story and others show the relationship of life with art in Kirwan's music and gives the reader insight into the creative process. Kirwan tells the stories of his youth with humor, passion, and poetry with each piece crafted lovingly; his ability to pull you into his stories is incredible. You get the feeling he's sitting in the room with you "spinning his yarns" as you sit with rapt attention. The book does bog down a bit when Kirwan's career does and this time period becomes a bit of a chore to read through, but the overall pleasure of reading about this intriguing life more than make up for the few less exciting entries. It's the rare occasion when a musician's written work can match his musical ability; Kirwan's GREEN SUEDE SHOES is a fine example of when it does.

Green Suede Shoes is much more than the stories behind the songs that start each chapter of this book, whose author is the driving force behind the Irish rock band Black 47. The subtitle is "An Irish-American Odyssey," which is a tip-off to the true nature of this book. Kirwan takes you from his upbringing in Wexford to his insane early days trying to make it in New York, to the rise of Black 47 and beyond. Refreshingly suspicious of fame and celebrityhood, Kirwan is indeed a true artist---however presumptuous he or his old friends back in Ireland might regard the claim---who is passionately motivated by his music and by his uncompromising commitment to tell political and moral truth in his songs. But don't read this book---just as you wouldn't listen to Black 47---because of Kirwan's idealism, politics, or good intentions. Read it because it's a great story, told with formidable narrative momentum and artistry, filled with humor and emotion and all kinds of behind-the-scenes craziness.

This is a delightful book! Larry Kirwan has a wonderful way with the English language. I swear he could write the ingredients in a box of cereal and make it a joy to read. He has a real knack for sharing experiences with a sense of humor and a lack of pretentiousness. I'm buying a second copy to give as a gift- I won't be parting with MY copy (I got it autographed). This book is a great read & and a refreshing, insightful look at modern America and the New York music scene.

The book as a biography, has a solid enough premise and just the right amount of appealing grit to the cover, that I would have picked it up off the book shelves even if I'd never heard of the band, Black47.
It's reads easy and pleasant,like a letter from an old friend letting you know what they've been up to. Smart but not "over your head" intellectual, poignant yet witty.
Mr. Kirwan's writting style I liken to Eric Burdon's in his book,
"I used to be an Animal but I'm all right now".
That book has been on my shelf for years, it's all dog eared and the pages are held to the binding by scotch tape and rubber bands.I can easily see Green Suede Shoes right beside it in years to come.
The CD Elvis Murphy's Green Suede Shoes is good but not necessary to enjoy the book,
so well written, it speaks for itself.

I can only speak from the perspective of a fan of Black 47 who saw them a bit in their early years at Paddy's and someone who has most of their music. Green Suede Shoes is an extremely entertaining memoir by Larry Kirwan, the lead singer and driving force behind the band. The book covers his early years as a rocker/rebel/socialist/republican finding himself as a young man Ireland, to his journey to New York where he becomes a musician and playright, and then to the founding of Black 47, the capstone of his musical career. In between there are stories of loves lost, and lots more of alcohol consumed, and lots of colorful characters along the way, including some well known characters in the annals of music and New York City. Kirwan is the real deal: he and his bandmates are committed to their music and their fans, and that bond has made them "New York's House Band" for fifteen years; they respond to requests shouted out, to e-mails sent, and mingle with the crowd after the show. That passion comes across in the book. The story also involves his relationship with his parents and touches on the universal immigrant experience of never being able to go home again.

Certainly for any fan of Black 47, or even someone who is just familiar with their music but shares the New York Irish American experience, this is a great read; it rekindles interest in their music, but speaks to an era through the eyes and experiences of one of New York's all time great artists.

"Indian Shoe" is the book that shows the light at the end of a dark tunnel. There is life and hope after a disaster! This book is a story of a beautiful relationship between a boy "Ray" and his grandfather. The author of this book, artistically, pictures the current lives of Native Americans in the mind of the readers. Although there are complexities in this book, there is a unique simplicity and a calming tone to it which makes it a "good read". The reader will go through different emotions including sadness and humor while reading this book.
The six tales of this book make it an "easy read" as well. As a teacher and a school librarian, I recommend this book to my student. It also makes a great gift from a grandfather.

Indian Shoes does more than just reflect contemporary Native families, it captures the relationship between grandparents and their children's children regardless of their heritage. If you're looking for a book that grandparents and children can share together you've already found it.

Subtle, funny, catch in your throat poignant, this book is one to own.

In this collection of six tales about a boy and his grandfather, Ray Halfmoon goes to live with his Grampa Halfmoon in Chicago after Ray's parents were killed in a tornado. They used to live in Oklahoma, and still visit Uncle Leonard and Aunt Wilhelmina once in a while, but Ray can tell that Grampa Halfmoon is very homesick and would like to go to Oklahoma more often. In the title story of these six tales, their beat-up old pickup truck has finally broken down --- there's no way it will take them to Oklahoma. Ray can't do anything about the truck and he can't afford to buy a bus ticket, so Ray is trying to figure out some way to help ease Grampa's homesickness. Would a new pair of Seminole moccasins help? Does Ray have enough money to buy them?

These short stories are written for younger readers who like rhythms and repetition in what they read. The book is divided into episodes about the lives of Ray and his Grampa Halfmoon. It shows their love for each other, and how they try to do things to help each other. Ray learns the lesson of sticking with things that he starts. And both he and Grampa have to figure out how to help the animals they're taking care of during the Christmas holidays when the electricity goes out. Eventually, Ray learns what the biggest thing in life is --- even bigger than the biggest bass in the lake.

--- Reviewed by Tamara Penny

Indian Shoes is an astonishing achievement that captures, in lyrical and sometimes magical language, the spirit and love that bonds Ray and his Grampa Halfmoon. Divided eloquently into episodes that explores their relationship and how they must bond their hearts and souls in order to retain their trust and faith and love in each other, Indian Shoes, in simple, yet powerful language, is a must read for all ages. From easing Grampa's homesickness, to figuring out how how to save the animals during a Christmas power outtage, these characters are complex-driven, fighting to retain the courage and love they have for each other while still maintaining their spiritual Native American connections. Heartfelt, almost poetic in its language, and full of moments of humor and pathos, Indian Shoes is a perfect read!

My daughter (age 6) and I loved this book, which is about the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather. What was nice about it was the unexpectedness of it. It was not the usual school or historical stories written for this age group. Rather, they are just quirky unusual tales. I also think it is great that Ms. Leitich Smith presents Native Americans not only as traditional, ritualistic people who sit around telling allegorical stories, but as a living, breathing group. As such, this book is the perfect antidote to the usual "Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims" fare. My daughter lost her grandfather a few years ago, but Indian Shoes captures the essence of that relationship and is wonderful! We won't soon forget Ray and Grandpa Halfmoon.

An eel walks into a bar...
Debugging a bug...
Healthcare for dragons...

Although these may sound like lead-ins for some silly animal jokes, they are actually just a few of the topics described in'The Rhino with Glue-On Shoes.' 'Rhino,' captures the stories of 29 wildlife vets and their remarkable, and sometimes strange patients. Whether you have a genuine interest in veterinary medicine, or just wild and exotic animals in general, this is an absolute must read. The stories are funny, poignant, miraculous,and yes, on occasion, sad. But no other book I know of does a better job of making both humans and animals come to life as does this small volume of vignettes. By the end of the book one is not only left with the hope that a sequel is already in the making, but with a renewed passion for the four-legged, two legged, and yes, even no-legged neighbors we share this planet with.

Now, where does one get shoes for a rhino?

From the rhino with reoccurring foot fungus, to the transport of a whale shark, rescuing dolphins left homeless by Hurricane Katrina, black bears with disappearing bones and eels starving for the love of a former owner, The Rhino With the Glue-On Shoes is an assortment of true stories featuring these and other unusual patients. Ever wonder how diagnostic tests are performed on giant Pacific octopus? How does one go about capturing and relocating a herd of destructive bison that are terrorizing the French countryside? Can an orphaned baby beluga survive to adulthood? Who do you call when a giraffe in your care needs a special orthotic (you get a lot of hang-ups)? The common thread pulling this diverse collection of stories together is the caring of the medical providers and the lengths they will travel to comfort and heal the animals in their care. Stories from all over the world and all types of animals, captive and wild will keep you engaged. Any animal lover will appreciate this

This is a wonderful book with some very inspiring stories in it! If you love animals, you will love this book!! Not only are there great stories in it, but I am also particularly fond of it because it has one of my photos in it! :o) You won't regret buying this book!

Rhino has special appeal because of its various points of view and authors; because of its short essay-length articles; because of the variety of animals and ailments; because of the connections between animal health and human health. In short, it's a terrific book and an easy read, and I've had rave reviews from ages 11 to 76. It would make a great Christmas list book, as its appeal is to a wide audience.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from top to bottom. I loved reading about how caring, resourceful, and innovative these zoo veterinarians are. In many cases, they are doing something for the very first time in recorded history, and they manage to do it in most cases successfully and with a wonderful sense of humor. And it's clear they care deeply for their patients, even though they are not "pets". Kudos to Drs. Spelman and Mashima for sharing these charming stories.

Beautifully illustrated and written, this is another winning tale about kids who are [feel] different. Adults and children will appreciate the sweet and enlightened "romance" that develops in this story. It's my current gift of choice for families with young children who are looking to promote tolerance and relationships built on respect.

This book creates two wonderful characters who each have a special gift. I bought this for myself because I enjoyed it so much and then bought copies for a nephew and friends' kids. If you enjoy children's books that are fun and also unique, that adults as well as kids love, then this book is for you!

This book is so delightful! It marries important messages about friendship with beautiful whimsical imagery. I can't wait to share this book with my own children someday.

My 5 year old daughter and I love this book. It's one of our all-time favorites and our standard gift for friends' birthday parties. Appropriate for both boys and girls, this story is fun to read while beautifully demonstrating how to be a truly good friend. Our family is looking forward to the next offering from this talented author.

The boy who grew flowers is a wonderful tale that children and parents will enjoy together. The main characters Rink and Angelina will steal your heart from the beginning. Its universal message about the beauty inside us all is especially positive for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. Buy this book!

Fabulous that an author decided to write about real women in real jobs. As more and more girls and women are entering, staying in and/or returning to the workforce, it's great to have a resource that women can refer to. I love that it lists salary ranges and gives real interviews which are terrific and keep it interesting. This is a great gift for any young woman graduating school, for any woman thinking of a career change or any mom returning to the workplace! Mommy's High Heel Shoes

I enjoyed the friendly service provided by Amazon Customer service.Delivery was made on time and instructions before delivery were followed as well.I had few questions after purchasing the item and I still received the same support from the team.

This book is totally awesome. It uses terrific detail. They have every job in the world, practically! Every job has a list of five other jobs that are like the job. I went from wanting to be a writer or baker to wanting to be a school psychologist or a preschool teacher!! In Their Shoes made a huge impact on what I want to do when I am older. This book was terrific!

My 11-year-old niece buried herself in this book, and it's easy to see why: it's very well written, inviting, and reader-friendly. It's full of juicy real-life, interesting info. It makes me want to experience the careers of all of the women in it, and it's sure to draw in girls of all ages. A perfect resource for your daughter, niece, or student who's brainstorming possible career paths.--Catherine Dee, author of The Girls' Book of Wisdom and other empowering books for girls

I bought several copies of this book for the graduation season, the young women I gave it to absolutly love it. Having to take on so many serious life defining decisions over the last 18 months of their lives, finally here was a book that presented actual futures to them in a interesting and, most importantly, real attainable way. I now give copies to my girlfriends (35+), with more than half of us expected to change careers more than 4x in our professional life, In Their Shoes is such a great look at not what could have been but what could still be!! The book is incredibly motivating and inspiring for the girl in all of us who is still saying "what do I want to be when I grow up" no matter what age you are.

This book is a lot of fun & makes a great gift for those who are into sneakers and like to personlize their look. IO've gotten a lot of compliments on my lace styles so I've got to give a thumbs up to this book. You'll find that this book works especially well with Nike's, Puma's, k-swiss, and classic Adidas sneakers. You'll will also find lacing styles for boots.

I was on the mailing list for the announcement of the publication of this book, but like a number of things on my ToDo list, it got shoved aside and forgotten for a while. Finally having it in my sweaty little hands, I've got to say that this book is just way too cool for words. I wish I'd had this decades ago. Oh yeah, and my kids love it, too. This book could be crappy, but instead it's decidedly sturdy. My imagination conjures images of the author arguing with the publisher to get it done properly. He definitely won, too. It's designed in such a way that you can open it to a page, fold the flap with the laces over and learn by doing. The best way to learn, if you believe neuroscience. It comes with extra laces and a resealable plastic pouch (also sturdy) to keep them in. Altogether brilliant.

Ian Fieggen describes and illustrates so many lacing options. He suggests horizontal, vertical, twisted, and even stars. A couple of options relieve toe pressure, a bonus for aching toes! His sketches provide easily understood lace paths. There are plenty of colorful flat and round laces included with the book to encourage practice. The ends of those laces don't go unattended; a whole section on ways to tie them off gets away from the usual bow. Best yet, there is a cure for how to succeed in lacing: get the right length. As an example, for Lug Bar Lacing, compute the following formula:
((H+W)x(P+1)+Vx(P-1)+L)x2
where P is eyelet pairs, H is horizontal distance between eyelets, W is width of lugs, and L is the amount desired to tie the knot. As other formulas include square root and power of two, it's a great time for calculator practice. In case you still have a cord undersized, several lacing options are available for short laces. There are other opportunities for Ian Feiggen's designs, such as new cut T's, side-cut jeans, scrap booking (lots of eyelets there), and maybe even storage tarps (your outdoor grill would look so good).

This book was a surprise ! I picked it up because, as a graphic designer, I was interested in its unusual book design. But, after leafing through it, I found lacing styles for all kinds of shoes -- not just children's shoes and athletic shoes. Want to know how to do a Roman lacing for your dress shoes ? This book has it. How about a useful lacing style for hiking boots or bicycling shoes ? It's here.

Of course, the stars of the book are the neat decorative lacings. Adding a flair to your everyday shoes, a decorative lacing will set you apart from the crowd. My favorites are "starburst" and "checkerboard."

With a little creativity, you can apply the lacing styles to anything with a lace-and-eyelet system. For example, Renaissance faire performers, such as myself, will enjoy this book for new ways to lace up their boots, tunics, bracers, doublets, and corsets.

In short, this is a great book for creative folks all ages.

I love this book and so do my two kids, a 7 yo boy and an 9 yo girl. I originally bought the book to help my son learn to tie his shoes. He is left handed (and I am right) and has some fine motor difficulties. We tried my way and a few ways on the internet and just couldn't come up with an easy enough way for him to learn to tie.

The book has the lacing on the outside. It is designed so that the book folds open in order to view the instructions alongside of the lacing. He learned one of the tying methods on a car trip in less than 5 minutes.

The kids take the book in the car and try different lacing patterns. My daughter loves changing the lacing pattern on her shoes. They have both changed their lacing patterns numerous times since we bought this book.

I have learned so many things from the book too. Some of the lacing patterns are to help shorten those long laces that come on kids shoes these days. There are lacings for making shoes fit tighter, looser, for keeping the laces out of bicycle chains, and not to mention making a fashion statement.

This is a fantastic series. Our 7 year old is a voracious reader. This is the first series about a young girl that I have completely no fear in my child reading, and a girl my daughter can both relate to and even look up to, in a funny sort of way. I just wish there were more than just these four books.

What a refreshing series targeted towards princesses between the ages of 6-9 and an answered prayer for an alternative to Junie B. Jones!!! (Don't get me wrong, I love Junie! But... Well, if you've read Junie, you know where I'm going with this.)

These books deal with topics such as: true beauty, peer pressure, friendships, patience, and everything else that a little girl might have to tackle! Not to mention... these books are HILARIOUS! Lori has truly mastered the ability to not only put herself into a child's mind, but writes in a casual form that every little girl will understand.

As if that isn't enough... At the end of every book Lori has added a "Chatter Matters" section! What an awesome way to open up the lines of communication with our little ladies and Lori even brought in a few Bible verses to spark more curiosity and further discussions! And... "BLAM! Great Activity Ideas" section that ties in with each story! This is great!

My younger daughter and I had the pleasure of reading All Dressed Up and FELL IN LOVE with Meghan! We both agree that once your little girl picks the first book up, she'll cry out to read the rest!!! But don't take my word for it. Here's what my daughter has to say: "This book was so funny & cute. I think A LOT of kids will really like it!"

Lori Z. Scott created Meghan Rose, the bounciest girl in the world, in a series that begins with this book. Reading it I giggled and learned a bit, along with Meghan Rose, about patience.
Meghan needs, needs, needs a pair of K-K-K-Kangaroozies, shoes that will help her bounce even higher than her usual light hearted stepping. Since the shoes are expensive, she attempts to make herself a pair, with hilarious results. After time in prayer, Meghan aims to earn the money to buy them herself, in a fun scheme involving a bag of potatoes, that she transforms into Spuddy Buddies.
The book has directions for fun activities in a section at the end.
Ages 4-10.

Even adults struggle with learning patience. How do you teach patience to a young child? From watching the television, Meghan Rose has been lured to want the latest shoe crazy. Throughout this well-written story, she tried different "schemes" to get these shoes yet doesn't succeed.

In the final pages, Meghan prays, "Hello God, I'm back. Listen, I understand making someone wait a long time for something important like a baby, although that still bothers me a little. But why should we wait to buy things our parents can get right away? Why wait for anything?"...As she considers the answer to her questions it comes, "I bet waiting helps you learn patience. And patience helps you control yourself."

Whether your child is starting to read or loves to hear you read aloud, I recommend MEGHAN ROSE HAS ANTS IN HER PANTS. Author Lori Z. Scott has written a fun book yet slips in a powerful message for the 6 to 9 year old target market.

The Meghan Rose series by Lori Z. Scott is the next "Junie B. Jones" books with a spiritual twist in children's early reader books. Lori Z. Scott has done a wonderful job bringing children into the world of Meghan Rose, who is a first grader learning life's lessons, one step at a time.

In the second book, Meghan Rose Has Ants in Her Pants, Meghan learns what it means to have patience. After seeing a commercial on TV advertising shoes that make you extra bouncy called K-K-K-K-Kangaroozies, Meghan decides she has to own a pair. When she asks her mom, Meghan gets the dreaded "Maybe". Later Meghan finds out her best friend, Kayla owns a pair. Now Meghan is really having a hard time getting Kangaroozies off her mind. Her pre-test in spelling is affected, she can't sit still, and nothing Meghan does seems to convince Mom to buy them. Meghan comes up with different plans to get a pair, or make a pair, of her own. In the end, Meghan learns, after a thoughtful talk with God, that sometimes waiting teaches us a life lesson.

Warning for those who don't like to read books with a spiritual take, praying and talking with God is mentioned. For those who are not religious, it's done in a very tactful manner, and only adds to the storyline about learning to wait. At the end of the book, you'll find a Q &A. This is a great tool to get children thinking about what they learned in this fun-loving book. Also, Meaghan Rose shares her craft ideas from the book. Kids will enjoy making them just like Meaghan Rose did.

Stories for Children Editor, VS Grenier

As a professional dating coach, I wasn't sure if this book would have much substance. Because I've spent over a decade honing my skills as a matchmaker and dating coach, the title of this book sounded a bit simplistic. After all, I liked the analogy, but could a catchy metaphor really teach any hard facts about winning the game of love? The answer is a resounding yes.

Women may have trouble understanding many things in life, but shoes are something we seem to instinctively comprehend from the moment we first don our first pair of baby booties. We learn from childhood that a good pair of shoes can make or break our fragile young lives. And as we get older, nothing much changes ... except the number of shoes in our closet.

The author (gasp-a man) came to realize our well-hidden secret: women are often experts at choosing shoes but less than brilliant when it comes to picking men. The solution then is to compare choosing a man to buying a pair of shoes. Ahhh, now we're in familiar territory.

One priceless nugget of wisdom is about how women have the power to choose whomever they want as a life partner. Ours is not a passive role, but rather an active one. This is an empowering concept for any woman who has ever felt that she is powerless to take charge of her life.

The highlight of this book is a small chapter called, "Have you been trying to change the shoes you have into the shoes you want?" The author makes a very valid point that we spend more time and effort choosing our shoes than we do our lifetime mates. It's absurd to think a woman would try to change a pair of shoes from comfortable loafers to sexy slingbacks. But time after time a woman will try to transform a man from what he is ... to what she wants him to be. The author makes this point in such plain language that I actually laughed out loud. And although it's clever and funny, it's not the least bit judgmental.

In each chapter, the metaphor is followed by a "Shoe Fit Tip," which is really a nuts-and-bolts guide of how the shoe analogy really compares to your search for Mr. Right. Even if you're a slow reader or dislike self-help books, this book is worth its sales price just for the great advice in these little tips.

Bottom line: For the single woman who knows more about shoes than men, put this one on your list of must-read books to guide you in your search for deep and abiding love.

I highly recommend Men Are Like a Pair of Shoes to any women who is frustrated with trying to find "Mr. Right". I read the book, went shopping and now I couldn't be happier. Thank you!

Never has anyone hit the nail on the head when it comes to relationships. The author has so much insight into what women do to sabotage and/or remain in the wrong relationships. Making a list of what you're looking for in an ideal mate made me realize the mistakes I've been making with past relationships.

We need to get the word out to all single women about this book, maybe there would be less divorces.

I read Carta's book after recently moving out of my boyfriend place. When I made my shopping list and answered the questions Carta asks you to ask yourself, It made me REALLY look at my relationship and I realized that my ex posessed qualties that I didn't want in a relationship. Realizing this doesn't make the breakup any easier, but it is a great relief to know that I made the right decision to leave him. This book taught me to learn from this relationship, and apply what I learned in future relationships. I would recomend this book to any woman who has gone through a break up!!!!

I may be from Venus, but it's apparent that the author did NOT just arrive on the most recent spaceship from Mars! Jeff combines carefully chosen wit with reality and offers some unique perspectives on the "relationship rollercoaster" that every one of us has taken a ride on at some point in our lives. As a teenage bride who chose to wear a poorly chosen pair of shoes for two years in the late '70's, and who proceeded to abuse her feet for the ensuing 20 years in search of a cure for all of the corns that had developed on her feet, I finally found my perfect fit in 1999. Today, I proudly wear 3 1/2" heels, Monday-Friday, 8-5, but my feet actually think I'm prancing around in ballerina slippers. "Men Are Like a Pair of Shoes" is a "must-read" for "shoppers" as well as for those who have already found their perfect "pair." It certainly shed a new light on my too-many-to-count failed relationships over the years. Jeff is to be commended for taking the time to not only "smell the roses", but for committing the ultimate male faux pas.....ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS!!"