Product Description
Easy step-by-step,
1-2-3 instruction so simple even a Dad could follow it (as long as he gets help from Mom...)

Great pro advice
Every project designed by our crew for simplicity, safety, and kid-worthiness

Online helper
Templates and videos for all the projects on thisoldhouse.com/books ... Read more

Product Description
This guide leads the way to restaurants, accommodations, and attractions throughout the Hoosier State, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Michigan City's Washington Park Zoo, Berne's Swiss Heritage Village, and much more.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

GREAT FAMILY FUN TRAVEL COMPANION IS A USER-FRIENDLY KNOW IT ALL THAT EVERYONE WILL LIKE!
VERY USEFUL AND RECENTLY UPDATED - 5th EDITION [2004]

IN A NUTSHELL:

This a very useful travel guide for local families with children, families visiting for the day, weekend, summer or winter. It is useful for families looking for fun attractions, places to eat, places to stay, shop or just plain out see things. The key here is family travel and fun.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK:

The book is organized by region [5] within Indiana making eight separately organized touring regions. Other books in this series have seperated the major cities, making them into touring regions of their own, but this book includes Indianapolis in the "Central Region".

Each region has a chapter that begins with; "TOP PICKS". Ten interesting destinations and their phone numbers. A MAP OF the "Southern Indiana" region is on the 2nd page of this chapter and on each of the following chapters the same organization continues with a regional road MAP following the "TOP TEN PICKS".

Following the map, the "TOP TEN PICKS" plus many more attractions are detailed covering an average of forty pages per region.
At the end of each region's chapter there is a hard-to-miss page titled "ANNUAL EVENTS" which is formatted very much like the "Top Picks" that begins each chapter. "ANNUAL EVENTS" aids in the planning stage so that your excursion may be as well timed and fun-filled as possible.

If there is one weakness here, it is the lack of discrimination between the interesting destinations and the world-class destinations. You will have to figure that out for yourself. It is difficult to know which park is best for you and your family and of course which accomodations and/or meals. However, this is generally a personal choice. You will find an extensive "ATTRACTIONS KEY" which aids the reader to quckly see all the ammenities any given attraction has to offer. The format outline above is repeated for the five distinct regions in equal detail. There is alot to go through and you can do it quickly and effectively with this guide.

As concise and useful as one can expect for so convenient and portable a travel guide. This 5 th edition is brand new for 2004 and represents the second edition of this book written by Margaret Gisler.

Easy to use
Book is divided into five areas: central, western, eastern, northern, and southern. I found it easy to locate places to go based on region. Book also includes places to eat and stay.

Fun With The Family in Indiana
I thought this book gave very good descriptions and fun things to do with the family in northern IN.However, I did find an error in a phone number which made it difficult to locate the Hannah Lindahl Children's Museum.The phone number is 219-254-4540. Also the city was misspelled.It shouldread Mishawaka.Otherwise, a good resource.

The top ten picks were agood mix of things to do indoors and outdoors and all could be done in aday trip or less depending on your starting location. ... Read more

Product Description
Bad Dogs Have More Fun is an unforgettable collection of more than seventy-five newspaper articles from The Philadelphia Inquirer written by former columnist John Grogan. Combining humor, wit, poignancy, and affection, these columns provide insight into the intriguing and wonderful world we live in. Whether it be writing about animals (from dogs to elephants to geese!), powerful and moving comments about his own and other families, trenchant comments on life's foibles and farces, or his interviews and interactions with people who are memorable and unusual in their own right, John Grogan makes us laugh--he makes us cry--he makes us think. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Good Column Writing, Not so Good Book
Never having been exposed to John Grogan's writing before (nope, didn't read Marley and Me), my initial reaction to this book was a positive one.Grogan has an easy sense of humor, an eye for what concerns the citizens that live in his city, and more fair-mindedness than many a columnist.

Grogan's topics appeal to the emotions more than to the cerebrum; he might be said to have an incisive heart rather than an incisive mind.At his strongest when he discusses topics such as aging or dying parents, adventures with his kids, the travails of pet ownership, and the joys of raising a family, he is on a weaker basis when he strays into rants on littering, smoking, cell phone use while driving.With the former subjects, he sounds like a good-natured person that has accumulated some wisdom along the way.With the latter subjects...he sounds more like a cranky old man that likes to bark more loudly but less effectively than his departed retriever, Marley.

I like to download audiobooks (for free!) from our local public library, and listen to them while exercising, bike commuting, or doing the more brain-numbing aspects of housework, and this book was one of my choices.It was decent, sometimes funny enough to make me laugh out loud, and occasionally effective enough to make me misty-eyed (his stories of special needs kids overcoming obstacles are great).But a different collection of essays published in a book, NPR's This I Believe, was far more inspiring and thought-provoking.The three star average rating for this book is right where it should be.

animal stories
Great book.If you read Marley and Me by John Grogan, you will enjoy this book.
John Grogan had a column in the Philadelphia Inquirer and one of the things he wrote about were dogs. This book is a collection of those columns.It is a fast read and absolutely hilarious, especially if you are an animal lover.He also talks his family and life in general in a very humorous way.

Skip This
I'm a lover of all things dog related, but this is just too much. While this was written by Grogan, I'm pretty sure he isn't behind this book, and for that reason alone I won't buy it for anyone. Like another reviewer, I'm giving this away. I'm not even going to try and sell it.

Not about dogs
My husband gave me the audio book for Christmas and we just took it on vacation to listen to in the car.We were disappointed that we listened to it for over an hour without one dog story.I'm selling it off without finishing listening to it.

Misleading Title
I'm sure I was not the only one mislead by the title.I bought the book hoping for stories on dogs that would take me on a roller coaster ride.There are some valuable op-ed articles in this book, but it certainly wasn't what I expected when I bought it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Love it!
I use this book for every birthday party I throw. I take their ideas and adapt them to fit my parties. So far all my parties have been a huge success and are often referred to as the parties you don't want to miss!

Great ideas for the younger set
This is a great party book for folks with kids 10 and under. There are some games that can be adapted for older kids as well, but the crafts and themes would not work for most kids over the age of 11. Parent participation is a big part of making these partys work, so be plan your event accordingly. There are ideas here for block partys, olympics, and all kinds of holiday events.

Bring back the backyard parties!
I love this book.I borrowed this book from a friend and did not want to give it back--so I had to buy my own.I used the barnyard bash and everyone there thought I was so creative. I am very limited in time, being a working mom, and I pulled this party off the night before.Great book, creative ideas, highly motivational pictures.Great book altogether--backyard parties are now new and different!!

Creative!!
What a fun and original book!
The ideas are great and it was not at all what I expected by the title.There are really creative and original ideas for everyday celebration and fun.This book is really creative and you can branch off to your own ideas.You will use this book often so keep it close at hand! :)

great ideas for creative kids parties
This book is great.There are lots of fun theme party ideas
for kids of all ages. There is a nice selection of recipes from
"junk food " to healthier selections that are still appealing to kids. I hosted the tea party for my 3 year old,s birthday .It went smoothly and was loads of fun! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
In The Kids Book of the Night Sky, boys and girls will discover all the secrets the night sky holds. They can play games like "Night Sky I Spy," keep an astronomer's log and read about night sky myths. Star maps are included for each season -- so kids will know what to look for, when and where. Then as the sun goes down and the sky goes dark, they'll be ready for the night sky's all-star show! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Good book!
As an amateur astronomer who loves theory and the math that goes with it, I found this text to be utterly exquisite for helping me recapture a lot of my old math skills. While the real amount of calculus needed in the text was not overtly taxing, I did find the text very useful indeed for requiring the use of a strong algebra background, along with lots of Trig, and of course, geometry and Calculus.

The problems in this book were intriguing, challenging and just awesome in every respect. For example, I found myself for the first time since I can recall, drawing Trig and geometrical diagrams to assist in visualizing a particular problem as an aid toward the ultimate answer! These problems, all of them mathematical in nature, are extremely interesting and encourage you to make a sketch of the phenomenon at hand in order to arrive at a solution.

And in addition to the problems, the text has very useful solved examples that show you how a particular problem calculation is reached. You really do learn a lot just from these examples.

I think the book might have benefitted from having even more exercises in it, which to me would make it even more useful for a semester university course in introductory Astrophysics. Instead of having 73 exercises, perhaps 150-200 problems would have been more 'whetting' to an appetite like mine is for Astronomy. But, I can heartily recommend that this book, if completed and all the problems worked, will definitely prepare one for a more challenging text with more Math and problems!

The authors could only improve this thing with more text length and more problems, as far as I am concerned. The appendixes and Tables in the back give the student a little bit of good background to the Math needed in the book as well.

This text is a complete WINNER in the category of INTRODUCTORY TEXTBOOKS for the beginning course in college Astronomy!

Lots of stories too
Aside from showing you how to find night sky constellations, it is filled with lots of cool stories from mythology, etc.

Great family fun
Marvelous book for children grade 3 and up for introduction to astronomy.
Great for discussions around the dinner table. Easy to understand and translate to the night sky with a parent.

Reading level 8 to adult
I bought this for my 6 year old son, but my husband snatched it up and read it cover to cover

Great book to go along with telescope
I bought this book for my grandchildren to go along with their telescopes.It was really great.It explains the constellations by telling the stories of their origins. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Why buy anywhere else?
The book arrived in good time and is in perfect condition. Since I started ordering books on Amazon, I've realized that this is the way to go. Always the best price and even used books are in excellent condition (can't tell they've ever been used). I have now decided to create a hardback library so will be ordering alot more books throught Amazon. Great job and best product for the money !!

A must for every Grandmother!
Just a nice old fashioned book for grandmothers. stories, things to do. no technology. Just filled with love and fun!

Great ideas for days together
This book brings many age-old traditions to today's electronic child. Old fashioned games, songs and rhymes are brought to life with endearing pictures and memories of more innocent daysof childhood. This treasury of stories( even recipes),poems and finger plays are all within the pages of this grandmother's guide. ... Read more

Product Description
Back in the 1960s, theBurke Family Singers were America’s answer to Austria’s von Trapp Family. Throughout that tumultuous decade the fabric of the nation’s life was of course torn by the war in Vietnam and the impassioned drive of the civil rights movement. It was against this churning backdrop that a large Rhode Island family–mother, father and 10 children–set out on the first of what would prove a long series of coast-to-coast tours, whose only purpose was to bring the glorious sound of their music to audiences everywhere. They performed in major cities and remote small towns, at venues as varied as the Oklahoma City Women’s Club, a Bible Belt church, a Native American reservation and television’s own Ed Sullivan Show. They enjoyed encounters with Dick Gregory, Jimmy Durante and Buster Keaton. And they witnessed the anguish of the Montgomery, Alabama, racial uprising. Sarah Jo Burke, the youngest of the five daughters, recalls the events of those years of touring with honesty, warmth, humor and irresistible charm. Her book celebrates American values in the best sense and, if nothing else, proves that the family that sings together stays together. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

One talented family
A very heartwarming story about a hardworking and talented Irish-Catholic family. The travels and travails of the Burkes as they rehearse and perform across the country during the turbulant decade of the sixties against a background of racism and Vietnam, is a nonstop adventure for the reader also. The book brought back many memories for me personally as my family also traveled in the sixties in a 64 Chevy Belair wagon-but we only needed one! The story just goes to show how much has changed since that era. Or has it? An outstanding story-Highly recommended.

Memories of Growing up with the Burke Family
The Burke family brought many childhood memories of my own past.This family represented everything good in America at a time when our country was experiencing issues of racial hatred, turmoil and unrest.I was fortunate to attend the same Catholic school and parish as this wonderful family and remember the Christmas shows on local televison.I recommend this book be read by all families to show the love, devotion and moral values instilled in this family as an inspiration to all!!!

Great family reading
The Burke singers lived my fantasy.I too am from a large Catholic family who grew up in the fifties and sixties and the relationships of the siblings in the book and the antics of the little brothers brought back so many childhood memories for me. My elderly mother has been mute for several years due to a stroke, but she was able to communicate her pleasure in reading the book and seemed to like it better than any others she has read.This book could be read and shared by children, parents and grandparents in a family.The story is told with humor and affection and it was just too bad the trip had to end.Don't think it hasn't been fun... Because it HAS!

Grandmother's Fudge
When my grandmother was alive she made fudge. It was so rich, you couldn't eat it. You had to sort of scrape little bits off with your teeth - if you took a full bite you'd probably die, it was so rich and sweet and wonderful.

I've been reading this book rather like eating Nana's fudge. I don't want it to end, so I'm doing little bits at a time. When I first started I read something like the first five chapters without taking a breath. Now I'm rationing.

Wonderful. Just wonderful. I'm 57 years old, so this is my time, the shows they appeared on, I watched. When I get back to NY I am going to go the Museum of Broadcasting and watch tapes.

The only thing that could make reading this book better would be playing the tape of the Burke Family SIngers doing Christmas carols in the background.

Now if I only had some fudge....

Stole Our Hearts
This book shows that truth is easily as fascinating as fiction.The Burke family's exploits would be beyond belief if there weren't so much proof they actually happened.This book made us laugh and cry while we returned to a decade when America's innocence was unpeeled in the face of racial oppression, assassinations, and the agony of going to war on foreign soil.Seen through the eyes of a child innocently traveling the country singing with her family, and laced with the family dynamics of ten children on the road, Burke's book left us stunned, warmed, and thinking deeply about our country today.If you're looking for a book that leaves you filled up, read this. ... Read more

Product Description
It is no secret that Long Island New York has some of the most powerful and rich families in the whole country, Is a secret is how some of these families behave behind closed doors This story is about the Wentworth family, and how they discovered that family sex was really great! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Stolen
Fitzgerald is clearly a shameless thief--this, along with all "his" other content, ain't his to sell.
Amazon will be hearing from some copyright owners.

If you're thinking of buying--don't.You can download it free from an assortment of sites.

Sex, Sex, and more Sex
I don't think there is a page in this book that does not contain sex. Mother and daughter, mother and son,mother, son and daughter,father and daughter, father, wife and daughter, father, son and wife... and so on, even the next door neighbor- mom, and twin sister and brother are doing it too and get in the action to make it a 7 person orgy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This Book is a Life Saver!
I've never been to Vegas; never really wanted to, actually.But guess what?We're a military family and our motto is: 'Home is where the Air Force sends us.'How do you tell two teenagers that they have to leave their friends in our nice quiet community to move to "Sin City"?Well, for once, I did the right thing.I picked up Lynn Goya's book, FUN WITH THE FAMILY LAS VEGAS and poured over the contents in one afternoon.The once crisp clear pages are now folded, marked, tabbed, and highlighted to grab the attention of my once unenthusiatic teens.Well, one month til "zero hour" and we're ALL (myself included) actually really looking forward to checking out the great kid-friendly activities that Ms. Goya's book introduced us to.Here's the thing, my original plan was to avoid "the strip" at all costs -- especially with the kids.However, Ms. Goya took me by the hand (well, it felt like that while I was reading it) and showed me each kid-friendly spot that "the strip" has to offer.Anyone for Laser Tag at Circus Circus?Uh, sign me up!Of course, you've got the Venetian and their gondola rides (Goya covers all that for you too), but frankly, most kids are going to want to have a hand in choosing which hotel to stay in based on which one has the coolest pool.Guess what, the book lays all that out for you as well.I'm telling you, as a military family we've traveled to at least 20 countries and countless states within the US and my bookshelf is busting at the seams with guide books to prove it.When comparing the general information that each of my other books has to offer with Goya's FWTF LAS VEGAS, I have to say this one holds up on its own.For one, I can't tell you how many times we would vacation and all my kids would talk about was how bored they were.Too many of today's books show you where to stay, where to eat, how much each will cost you and the occasional historical building/monument that will take up all of 10 minutes until boredom sets in.How sad is it that we adults forgot how to have fun.I dare you all to try this one out for a day if you find yourself in Vegas.Hit the occasional casino if you want -- Goya shows you each one's kid-friendly hot spots, but get a car and drive off further afield to check out the REAL Las Vegas.Believe it or not people actually live there, and they love it.What's not to love when you have Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in your back yard!!!Goya's book covers it all, and more.I, for one, have gotten over the shock of having to relocate to Las Vegas and this book lent a huge hand in that recovery.I've got big plans for us all after all of the boxes are unpacked and this book will live permanently in my car for the next three years.Take the challenge and live like a kid again. ... Read more

Product Description
Summer vacation can be a wonderful bonding time for parents and their kids… if it’s done right! In The Family Manager’s Guide to Summer Survival, best-selling author Kathy Peel shows you how to make the most of the summer months with activities, learning experiences, trips, and more. Plus, she’ll show you the top ten ways to answer the cries of "I’m bored!" with creative activities that teach children skills and values.

The ultimate guide to surviving school vacation for both working and stay-at-home moms, this book will help parents give their kids summers to remember! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A useful and practical guide to making the most of the summer for your kids
If you're familiar with Kathy Peel's other books and enjoy them, then go ahead and add this one to your list of favorites. In her usual style, Peel uses accessible language, tips-oriented material and a sprinkling of Scripture to help parents, especially mothers, maximize summer's free days and nights.

While she offers hundreds of great ideas for activities and projects kids can take on, I felt the strength of the book was really in the first few chapters, where she helps parents draft a plan focusing on four areas of development to hone skills in over the summer: intellectual, physical, social and spiritual. She also encourages moms and dads to consult their kids to ensure that they're on board as well.

This book is suitable for stay-at-home and working parents. The ideas can be adjusted to any family's needs and schedule. For example, choosing a summer camp is relevant to both types of parents, which is a topic she devotes some pages to.

Another useful chapter is the last, which focuses on how to build a child's character. Although this one is the most Christian-focused, it still offers ideas parents of other faiths can adjust and adapt to their needs. It's also a subject many parents miss as we cart our kids from one activity to another in a quest to make their summer as memorable as possible.

This book is a wonderful addition to the family library and offers parents an easy reference guide to summer fun, while providing a bigger picture often absent in other guides.

Wow I'm glad I got this book
I'm psyched for summer.I'm a SAHM and just read this tonight (I did do a lot of skimming as far as the actual crafts and stuff but read all the introductory text in each section).

I have no idea why someone would say this is geared toward working moms.There is a part in the beginning saying how to ADAPT it to working moms, but most if it deals with what to do with your kids on a day-to-day basis in the summer to help them entertain themselves (and avoid the "I'm bored" monster) along with teaching different values and focusing on different areas of their growth.I actually don't think it would work that great for working moms - did I miss something?!

There is a lot that I skipped over, such as how to help them earn money doing different summer jobs, and with any "list" type book of tips and ideas, there are some I already knew and a lot I probably won't use.However, just the craft part alone is worth the cost of the book. I got it from the library but am on here right now finding a copy to own so I can highlight and dog ear.

There are many many craft ideas that are actually cheap, unlike a lot of craft books and magazines that require you to buy special expensive ingredients and ending up with crafts that the kids can't even make well so the parent ends up taking over.The ingredients in here that look like they might be costly are used over and over again so at least you are not buying a big box of something like Borax or liquid starch and only using a tablespoon.And the crafts seem to be easy enough for the age range of 6-9 that I'm looking for.There are enough crafts that I'm interested in that I actually think it would take several summers to do them all!

I've already enrolled my 9yo and 6yo in a few day and overnight scout-type camps but was looking into some expensive daycamps at the Y and elsewhere (starting at $200 a week for both boys - yikes!) to keep them occupied during the day, since I plan to turn the tv and video games off for the summer.Now I realize I can actually enjoy doing camp-type activities with them without Mom getting too bored, and still have enough time to do the things I, myself, need and want to do this summer.Especially since there are a lot that require planning on my part but that they can implement all by themselves.

BTW, it has definite Christian overtones.If you are not big onChristian literature, as I am not, don't be turned off.It's not preachy and there is plenty here for parents of any religion or even no religion, like me.

Mostly geared towards working moms
There were some helpful worksheets and ideas, however, over all it is geared toward the working mom. Also if you homeschool - most of the ideas don't fit but some could be modified.

Make the Most of Summer
Sure kids need some time to relax over the summer but quickly become bored.What's a busy parent to do ?
I was delighted to discover this book after reading about in in the Maine Sunday Telegram.The author advises really listening to your children's input on what excites them, but also wants the parent to offer suggestions and set limits.
A child may think watching cartoons non-stop makes a fun summer.This book gives ideas (tennis, hiking, other exercise or structured programs).I highly recommend investigating the free programs at your local public library.They might be able to lure your child into reading for pleasure (or reward).
The book wants you to get resourceful and creative with your children.Learn origami or stamp collecting or take turns with other parents teaching the children new skills.
The author also suggests a designated "pickup time" each day to gather up the toys and do a 10-minute clean up.Great idea!
There are lots of things to do in the summer with children and many are inexpensive.Turn off the TV and turn on your family to having fun together this summer. ... Read more

Product Description
A whole-family, breakfast-to-dinner resource is filled with creative advice and healthy, quick recipes that include Oven-Baked Home Fries, Three Bears Porridge, Breakfast Pizza, and Peanut Butter and Jelly Surprise Muffins. Tour. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Very nice
I was very excited to find this book offered on amazon.com. It was being offered in great condition and at a reasonable price.
The book was shipped promptly and well packaged. I was very happy with my purchase.

Beautiful and fun
I have this cookbook and have used it for the past 5 years. I adore it and all the recipes are tasty. I have had to tinker with a few but overall they are great tasting and very kid freindly recipes. My kids love the peanut noodles under the lunch section. I highly recommend this cookbook. I purchased several for gifts and they are always well recieved.

My second favorite family cookbook
I have owned this cookbook for about fourteen years. I have had it since I had my first child. I enjoy sharing it with all four of my children. I have always loved making the playdoh recipe with my children. The chicken strip recipe is my children's favorite dinner recipe from this cookbook. I highly recommend this cookbook to anyone with children. Good recipes for grown ups too.

Great for the whole family
This is not only a favorite Children's cookbook in my house but I love using it too. Great photos, great recipes and great instructions.We have used this book many times. During the summer months my kids will pick out a recipe to cook and this is one of there favorite books to go to.I involve them not only in selecting the recipe but shopping for the list of ingredients and cooking it.
The chocolate dipped pretzels with sprinkles are supper easy to do and make great gifts during the holidays.I have a special needs child and this was a recipe she could do and feel good about.

the best family cookbook
it was "borrowed" from my mother 8 years ago when my daughter was born and i was living on my own for the first time. i cooked many meals from this book and my husband and daughter loved every recipe. ... Read more

Product Description
Experienced quilters who want to share sewing and quilting ideas with tweens and teens will love these fresh ideas for accessories, home dec items, and quilts. A total of 17 projects include styles for boys or girls, young children or older, traditional or trendy colors, and bed or wall-size quilts. Projects such as the quilted laptop cover and the message board will appeal to quilters of any age. Several of the projects combine traditional art forms of collage, rubbings, and mosaic patterning, along with the techniques of piecing, appliqué, and embroidery. Both hand and machine techniques are included throughout. Because beginners and especially children are visual learners, every project is laid out with good basic quiltmaking instruction in easy to follow step-by-step photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Teens & Tweens
This book was a little different than I had thought, but is good for the Teens and Tweens generation on quilting.Lots of different projects.Good instruction.
Really satisfied with the service I got from the vendor.Had the book in 2 days from order on line. ... Read more

Product Description
Candid and comprehensive, and expanded and updated with all new content, Out and About with Kids Seattle provides plenty of answers to that age-old question: what is there to do? Packed with useful information, this book gives the scoop on where to slide through a giant salmon, find robots that speak, meet Santa's reindeer, discover dinosaur eggs, pick berries, watch sheep get sheared, rent kayaks, ride horses, catch a trout, go rock climbing, watch a movie outside, have a beach fire, and much more. Readers learn when steam trains depart from Wickersham, whales migrate through the San Juans, and decorated boats parade through the Montlake Cut. The best spots to take the family mountain biking, bumper bowling, snow tubing, indoor swimming, rock climbing, and berry picking are included, as well as neighborhood profiles and tips for child-friendly restaurants and out-of-town excursions. Filled with age-specific suggestions for a wide range of fun family activities, this valuable resource leads parents and families to best places for family fun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good...but all on the web
The book is actually very nice and worth a read. I bought it a couple of years ago and have used it extensively. However, I began using the web and found it much easier to get the same type of information except even more up to date. I use a few websites such as [...]. I found these very useful. Still recommend you buy the book, but use it in conjunction with the web to get the best deal!

Obviously written by a parent
We are headed to Seattle to "scope it out" for a possible relocation and I just received this book.It is simply laid out and obviously written by a parent who knows what kids enjoy.It focuses on non-"commercial", quality family time which I love! ... Read more

Product Description
Today’s kids are busier than ever, and in many families, both parents work. Without time to deepen communication and strengthen family bonds, family relationships can become superficial and strained. Our Family Meeting Book helps families manage their time and priorities through short, weekly family meetings—a technique that therapists have recommended for years. Fifty-two agendas—one for each week of the year, though they may be used in any order—invite families to create traditions, resolve issues, review goals, make long-range plans, applaud accomplishments, build self-esteem and self-reliance in children, simplify and organize family matters, and promote important values: character development, mutual love and respect, and community responsibility and awareness. Full of original photographs and eye-catching illustrations, featuring many write-on pages, it’s a planning tool that becomes a written history of family life—and a treasured keepsake. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

One of the best books on family meetings!
The is one of the best books on family meetings that I have seen in a long time.I interviewed the authors on my radio show "Parent Talk" when the book was first released in 2002 and I continue to recommend it to parents in my "Love, Limits, and Lessons" parenting class.It is unfortunate that the publisher did not continue with it and this book is now out of print.Purchases used copies while you can!

Somewhat useful, but not as useful as it could have been...
The bulk of the book is made up of proposed agendas and weekly calendars.The agendas have some good ideas, but I suspect the 52 weekly calendar pages are not going to be very useful to most people.Most "organize your life" books talk about the importance of having JUST ONE family calendar where EVERYTHING written down, and perhaps ONE pocket sized calendar for each adult where everything is transferred diligently to the family calendar.

The 52 weekly pages in "Our Family Meeting Book" could not stand alone as a family calendar because users are encouraged to flip around between agendas/calendars and thus it would not be chronological.Maintaining these calendar pages in addition to a family calendar is just redundant.Although perhaps the calendar could be used to record accomplishments or something.

Anyway, page 4 contains the most valuable information in the book - 10 tips for holding a successful family meeting.The book would have been considerably more useful if the author had fleshed out these tips.For example, tip #1 is "Establish Ground Rules", but "our Family Meeting Book" provides just three examples of single ground rules.I think examples of a complete SET of ground rules, "These are the 10 rules the Jones use, and here are the 7 rules the Clarks use", or even sample rules for homes with teenagers versus homes with young kids, would have been more helpful.

And tip #9, "Include fun activities", tells the reader to "try playing a game, telling a joke, creating something, sharing a story, or singing a song".There is SO MUCH that could have been expanded on here!People who want to start having family meetings are probably really busy and somewhat stressed and don't want to go to the local crowded and noisy Toys-R-Us looking at walls of games trying to find "fun activities".Some tried and true recommendations, such as "The Set card game is an excellent thinking game involving pattern recognition that children 5 and over can play on equal footing with teens and adults", would have been much more helpful.

The last few pages are also useful, a list of free summer activities, brainstorming pages for summer vacation, a camp planner, a party planner, a chore chart, etc..

wonderful!
Many experts recommend that families have meetings on a regular basis, but have you ever wondered how to go about doing this in a constructive way? This book is a great tool to get you started! It will not only help you keep track of your weekly discussions and decisions, but it will also help you plan your menus together as a family, and there are great discussion ideas for each meeting to help encourage good communication between family members. There are logs to keep track of the upcoming activities for the week, and many tools that you can make copies of and use repeatedly, such as chore charts, trip and party planners, bank account logs, and much much more! Although it takes a lot more than a book to keep a family running smoothly, this book would surely help out!!!

Fantastic Resource for Families
I love the ideas in this book. In addition to giving a format for family meetings, it also gives the reader very value-oriented topics to discuss during the meetings. It is a great tool for any family who wants to start these kind of meetings and it is equally as helpful to those already having these meetings (like my family).Great ideas! ... Read more

Product Description
Ideal for families traveling with kids of any age — toddlers to teenagers — Paradise Family Guides Maui presents a comprehensive blend of travel information unlike any other guide to Maui and Lana’i. Written by a full-time Maui resident, it offers vacation ideas and tropical adventures that are sure to satisfy both action-hungry youngsters and relaxation-seeking parents. Special traveler-friendly features include the author’s personal favorites and "Best Bets" for a great trip on any budget; descriptions of popular island sights and kid-friendly attractions including aquariums, lei-making and hula-dancing classes, luaus, surfing lessons and snorkeling spots; lodging recommendations ranging from condos and bed & breakfasts to luxury resorts and suite hotels featuring extra living space and cooking facilities; baby-sitting information with details on resort-run kids’ camps; restaurant reviews with menu samplings so parents can be sure the restaurant will suit their children’s tastes; and complete vacation planning information including maps, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife, and more. Paradise Family Guides Maui is packed with listings written for travelers of all ages, including over 200 places to stay, over 270 eateries to fit any budget, over 160 cool things to see, over 300 fun things to do, over 190 spots to shop, and over 60 beaches to lay down a towel. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

OK Info, Same as older version
I've been to Maui several times with my kids. The first time I went, I took along the 10th Edition of this book, and enjoyed the insights it provided. The 11th edition has a new author listed, but is nearly word-for-word the same as the old edition. If you're looking for a new perspective, pass on this book and borrow an older version from your library.

Great book for us tourists!
I'd recommend this book for all who plan to visit this lovely but fast developing island! ... Read more

Product Description
The Kids Campfire Book has everything you need to know about having a fun and safe campfire. This collection of outdoor activities, games, stories, songs and more is for kids and families to share around the campfire. It includes tips on how to find the best campfire site, identify animal cries at night and locate constellations. Kids will also find out how to make pizza over an open fire, tell a spooky ghost story, or create musical instruments for a sing-along. With more than 125 pages of fun things to do around a campfire, this is the perfect book for every camper, canoeist and camp counselor! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Help for adults to make it fun for kids
It's been a long time since I had some ol' fashion fun around the campfire and I want that for my little son. I previewed this at the library and it was such a good resource I bought it.There are games, nature information (learned about how to make a fire, and about fire flies), cooking tips (make your own oven), and songs of course.This book was meant for kids (much older) but it was informational and very useful for me.

Good Reference Book
When our family decided to go camping this year, I felt a little bit overwhelmed with the idea that my 5 year old son would not have anything to do.I went on line and bought several books about camping with children and found that this was my most helpfulIt not only covers the basics like making a fire and food preparation but also the fun side of camping like the games and sing alongs.It gave me a refresher course on camping and at the same time opened up the door to have some camping fun!I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has children.I can't wait until we go on our trip next month.This book has given me so many ideas that I know my son will not be bored.

A lot of information
This book gave a lot of information and ideas.We liked using it!

Sweet As
I recieved this book in the mail... Then used it two hours later that is how useful it was for me... If I could give it 10 stars I would. It is written in a way that is easy to understand so that if you wanted to give it to a child you could, yet it is comprehensive enough for an adult... I would rate this as a good use of my money...

WOW!
I just bought this recently, and it is much better than I even expected. I have a bunch of camping books in my library, and this one is better than many more expensive adult books. It has great advice even for adults, but is indespensible for camping with kids. It teaches you how to build a fire safely, cooking on the fire, (great kid favorites recipes), dealing with bugs, how to pick a camp site, what kind of Lots of safety tips too. The fun drawings make this a pleasure as well.

The authors show you how to make a reflector oven. The main feature if this book is the fun activities for around the fire such as stories songs, games, etc. Teaches kids how to identify the stars easily and even identify features on the face of the moon. I plan to use this with our Cub Scouts. ... Read more

Product Description
Mealtime doesn t have to be mum time. This deck of question cards will have parents and kids talking in no time!

How was school today? O.K. ... What did you do? Not much. ... Anything new to tell me? No.
Tired of mealtime conversations that stop before they start, where you feel like you and your kids must be speaking totally different languages? Do you wish that, just for once, you could actually get your kids to open up a bit and communicate with you, and that time together at the table could actually be fun?
The next time you find yourself wishing for such a utopian scenario, simply open the Meal Box, pull out a question card, and let the conversation begin! Best-selling question-book author Bret Nicholaus and best-selling family-book author Tom McGrath have collaborated to create The Meal Box the perfect antidote to family dinnertime drudgery.
The Meal Box contains 54 cards, each one featuring a creative question guaranteed to get parents and kids talking like never before! The questions, such as If you could have the voice of any famous person, whose voice would you have? , is sure to engage everyone in the family. The reverse side of each card features a quick Food for Family Thought tip from Tom McGrath. The tip helps families apply the question or their answers to their everyday experiences, while reminding them of the sometimes subtle but significant role faith plays in their lives.
Although The Meal Box may be conveniently small in size, it s huge in its ability to bring kids and parents together. So set the table, settle in for supper, and get some great conversations cookin ! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Discussion Starter for All Ages
I was excited to receiveThe Meal Box because it sounded like something my family could enjoy together.

We have not been disappointed with this box of 54 cards, each with a creative question to spark family dinner table conversation.These questions are great and appropriate for all ages (my own kids are ages 3-7 yrs old).They ask creative and open ended questions that are sure to start a fun conversation at the dinner table or anytime you choose.

Last night, we answered the question, "If you could release a helium balloon with a message card attached to the end of the string, what message would you write for the unknown recipient to read?"The kids had never heard of this tradition, so it gave my husband and I a chance to tell them our stories of releasing balloons as children.The kids had lots of fun describing the messages they would write and where the best place to release it might be for someone to find it.Our daughter even decided it would be best to include an email address so the person who found it could send us their own message.

We've only had The Meal Box for a short few weeks, but the kids have fallen in love with it.When I forget to bring them out at the dinner table, my husband and kids will all remind me, very loudly.This is a great product that is appropriate for all ages of kids, teenagers and adults and would make a great gift for others. I know it will quickly become a favorite at your dinner table just like it has at mine.The Meal Box: Fun Questions and Family Faith Tips to Get Mealtime Conversations Cookin'

A GREAT Product. Even got the young adults talking ;-)
I had almost despaired of getting meaningful conversation out of my 18,20 and 22 year olds at dinner.They were initially skeptical about starting the Meal Box, but very quickly became engaged in considering the questions and hearing from their siblings and us parents.

My only concern is that we've been through most of the cards now, and I need more ;-).

It will be given as a gift to all MY siblings for their families at Christmas - a GREAT product.

Thanks for helping break through the bored mealtime attitude of the typical young adults.

BTW, excellent also for younger children; we just selected ones that worked for our ages.

Trish L ... Read more