Product Description
Polohas always longed to find his mother. All he remembers is that she was soft and warm and smelled of milk. So when sassy, street-smart Geraldine returns, she isn't exactly the mother he expected. But Polo is still thrilled to have found her and is eager to show her off to his pack of friends in the Club of Mysteries.

As usual, there are many mysteries to be solved. Does the light inside a refrigerator turn off when the door is shut? What is at the top of a church steeple, anyway? But perhaps the most puzzling mystery of all is one Polo cannot figure out: Does his mother truly love him? If so, can he convince her to change her roaming ways and stay?

Irresistible to cat lovers everywhere, this is a heartening conclusion to Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Cat Pack series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

My Daughter LOVES these books
I have a 10 year old daughter that I have been trying to get into reading for about about 2 years now. It took this series of books to do it. She will sit for hours completely absorbed reading them. Granted she's an animal lover, who especially likes cats, so I would say any girl who loves cats will most likely LOVE these books.

one very sharp mother
I have purchased all the books in this series for children in my family.I have the habit of readingthe books I buy for the kids first so I get no surprises.Texas Jake and his club could be any group of children, oops cats, any where. The characters of the cats are well deefined by this volume, but it is not necessary to read the previous novels to understand who is who or whats going on. TJ is a bully who finally meets his match in Marco and Polo's street wise mother.He is head of the "Club of Mysteries." Together they ponder mysteries that they encounter in their everyday lives. But Jake has a habit of assigning hazardous mysteries to the young brothers Marco and Polo to solve.The timely appearence of their mother saves them from harm and caused Texas Jake no end of jealousy and fear of losing his place as leader of the cats.

The book is age appropriate and will be fun to read. The attitudes and actions of the cats can easily be transfered to the lives of children and parents can have an opportunity to talk about bullies, reckless acts, and how Mothers (even foot loose street wise one's)have lessons to teach.

Polo Finds His Mother
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor brings us the fourth gift in her series on the doings of the cat brothers Marco and Polo, and, once again, manages to write a children's book that adults can enjoy.This one is particularly poignant because Polo has spent the first three volumes in the series wistfully wishing he could see his mother again.But, when Mom, a veteran alley cat named Geraldine, finally shows up one day she's not exactly what Polo was expecting.Geraldine has quite an impact upon the Club of Mysteries, of which Marco and Polo are members, managing to go toe-to-toe with the hardscrabble Texas Jake.But, in the end, Polo, of course, winds up finding the motherly affection he has so long desired.
Ms. Naylor has a particular knack for writing stories that have genuine appeal to both adults and children.The characters are both complex and accessible, and the humor is both broad and subtle.I had to stop and explain to my 8 year-old daughter several times why I was laughing so hard.She manages to capture the reality of the world in which the cats must live, a world which has its share of danger, death, and indignity, without giving children nightmares.
If I have one criticism of "Polo's Mother," it is that some of the crisis moments don't seem to flow out of the story quite as smoothly as in the first three volumes.All of the other adversaries from the previous stories show up at one time or another, and I didn't always find their entries into the story convincing.But, this is a minor quibble with what is otherwise a five-star work of children's fiction.
One word of advice:Don't try to read any of the Marco and Polo books out of sequence.Start with volume one and read them in order.And read them slowly and savor them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Beautiful descriptions!
This is a true story about a young bride and her one-year round-the-world tour with her professor husband.Her beautiful descriptions of the places they visit make you feel like you get a glimpse back in time.Very well-written. ... Read more

Product Description
If you want to experience that perfect day, whether you are young or old, Venice, Italy is the place to be.The people of Venice, Italy are warm, cosmopolitan, honest, artistic, and full of music and fun.This is why Penelope Dyan and John D. Weigand traveled to Venice, Italy to write and photograph ‘Marco Polo Was Here!’This is another book to add to your collection of Weigand’s and Dyan’s travel guides for kids; and it is clear they know what they are doing, and they know what kids like.Your child does not need to grumble about going with you on yet another trip (even if it is to one of the most beautiful places in the entire world) if your child is able to participate in the planning process.Make sure your child a part of things.Your child can go on this tripvicariously (by reading this book) or go to Venice, Italy for real and enjoy and see these wonderfulpeople and wonderful places of interest and fun!Penelope Dyan is an attorney, writer and former teacher of grades K-12 and an award winning teen and children’s book author and illustrator. John D. Weigand is a television engineer and photographer with a special talent for capturing that perfect photo; and while this book is meant for kids, it will be a welcome addition to your coffee table book collection.If you want to see even MORE of Venice, Italy, watch for Bellissima’s release of John D. Weigand’s “Just Venice!”This will be another perfect compliment to your coffee table book collection, and it will be a beautiful supplement to “Marco Polo Was Here! A Kid’s Guide To Venice,”because it WILL BE ‘Just Venice!’ through and through.Until then. . . Ciao! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great Book
This book was added to my collection of travel books some tme ago, and I want to say it is lovely.I feel like I am there in Venice, and the poetry is from the heart.My Grandkids and great-grandkids really like to look at the pictures, and they have fun reading it.

Nice picture book
Good pictures, but not as much information about Venice as I had hoped.For a younger child than I had expected.

Marco Polo Was Here! A Kid's Guide To Venice, Italy
This is a really fun, informative book for children!My daughter loved it!The photography was so pretty and sparked a lot of questions from my little one...it made it an interactive reading experience, which is exactly what my family looks for in our children's book selections!The light, refreshing references to history with an appropriate snapshot of Venice on every page was every bit as enjoyable to me as an adult reading it aloud to my child.It was an extra bonus that this book was paperback and just the right size for little hands.We have other books written by this author, Penelope Dyan, and have enjoyed them all...but the series she is releasing on geographical locations is especially delightful and fun!My family is already looking forward to the next one!Marco Polo Was Here! A Kid's Guide To Venice, Italy

Maro Polo Was Here
I got this book to share with my grandchildren but the photography is so beautiful and the details are so clear, I am enjoying the book myself. I have the book on Florence, also. The pictures are the same as those I took but the quality is so much better. The kids enjoy the light-hearted descriptions. I teach world history to 7th graders so I will use both books in the classroom, as well. I hope there will be more children's travel books from this author and photographer. I'll be watching for them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A great perspective...
One of the sport's pioneers of starting women's water polo takes us to where he started to the present day, as he recalls his challenges and successes as the sport of not just water polo, but women's water polo grows.I have referred to Chuck Hines as the Johnny Appleseed of water polo.Wherever he went, he planted the seeds of water polo and just watched it grow.And whenever given the opportunity, he promoted the sport for ultimate growth.And its his dedication to his players and the sport of water polo, that has influenced so many lives.He says it is water polo they Y's way, but really, it's water polo the Hines' way.Great lessons scattered throughout and great examples of how one man continued to challenge his players to play at the next level, but also looked to grow the sport, break down the gender barriers, and represent the sport in an area that is not known for water polo.Read on and enjoy.

A well-written, entertaining book for anyone who competed in team sports as a kid
"Water Polo the Y's Way" offers readers an inside look at the philosophies, trials and triumphs that shaped Chuck Hines into a championship water polo coach at the local, regional, national and international levels, in a career spanning 50 years. Written in an entertaining, conversational voice, the book will hit the nostalgia button on any adult who played competitive sports as a child, particularly the thousands who competed in YMCA-sponsored athletic programs. Particularly entertaining are the narratives of many of Hines' former players, who -- with perspective provided by adulthood -- reflect on the sheer fun of competition and the lessons they still carry from those experiences. I recommend it highly!

Also by Chuck Hines:

Water Polo the Y's Way
Kayak Kids
Whitewater Wanderings
A Walk on the Y'ld Side: Memories from 40 years of Teaching and Coaching Youngsters through the Auspices of the YMCA ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Violence Prevention and the Adolescent
This curriculum offers a great framework for teaching teenagers how to prevent violence.Adolescents learn the different roles people play during a violent activity. Identifying the Agressor, Victim and Bystander is accomplished through a series of role plays and homework assignments.Participants also learn to think through situations before acting out.Although the examples and dialogue are amateurish at times, the majority of the content is applicable to teenagers and easily adapted to a variety of teacher settings. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Polo and the Magician!
//Polo and the Magician// is one of six books featuring Polo, a young dog, who experiences adventures with other animals/creatures he meets along the way. In this story, not only does he help a monkey-magician with his magic tricks, but Polo also saves the day for the entire circus. How does he do it? Well, you better "tell" the story yourself! With just clear pictures leading the way, the story reader/teller can make up his own dialogues, even his own subplots. Without texts or dialogues, adults and children alike are bound to make up something really interesting and different each story-telling time. This is truly one book which can tap into the young mind's literary creativity.

Reviewed by Donabel Beltran-Harms ... Read more

Product Description
Nonfiction topics in graphic novel format! History leaps off the page in Capstone's Graphic Library. Eye-popping artwork and easy-to-read text offer an appealing experience for all readers. An additional information section provides key facts and further understanding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Graphic Marco Polo
This is a good book about Marco Polo in a graphic format.The graphic format allows my ESOL students to read English at an easy level while learning history.Since many of my students are Chinese, they love Marco Polo and anything else I can provide them about China.I can learn some Chinese from them, and they learn in English.

Fact or fiction?
This book is a good place to start for the young student who is assigned to write a report about Marco Polo. As part of the outstanding Capstone's Graphic History set, the story line jumps to life. The result is a fast-paced, short concise introduction to an interesting controversial(did he exist?)historical figure who explored China. The four chapters present the basics about Marco Polo and the student is guided to research further through suggested internet sites via facthound.com and books like The Life and Times of Marco Polo (Biography from Ancient Civilizations). Through this book the student will be introduced to Kublai Khan and distant China. An interesting explanation of the fantastic creatues Polo saw is presented; the author clarifies how, for example, Polo's descriptions( using primary sources) of unicorns were actually rhinoceroses. One of the shortcomings of this book is that there is not enough emphasis on Chineese culture but rather a shallow view of this great empire is presented. Otherwise it is a good book for the young reader of middle school age. Reluctant readers will find the graphic novel approach entertaining and reading will not be so "boring." Recommended for middle school and community libraries. ... Read more

Product Description
The USA Water Polo Men s National Team is without question one of the toughest teams in the pool, and in 2011 they might just be the best looking group of guys outside of the water, too. Now available for sale is the Official USA Water Polo 2011 Men s National Team calendar. With proceeds benefitting the training of the USA National Teams as they work towards the London Olympic Games in 2012, the calendar features 12 months of water polo hunks. Make every month a special one with the greats of American water polo displaying their awesome physiques as a result of playing one of the most physically demanding sports on earth.Water polo players are required to swim fast, shoot quickly, and be tougher than the other guy, all while remaining calm, cool, and collected in a tactical game of skill that requires equal amounts of brains and brawn. Winners of the Silver Medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China the US men are working hard to take the next step in London. Be sure to support their efforts and Olympic Dreams by purchasing a calendar today. You ll never miss another appointment or friend s birthday with this calendar hanging over your desk or on the fridge. The calendar is loaded with photos of the top players from Team USA; here is a month-by-month breakdown: January - Merrill Moses; February - Jeff Powers; March - Tommy Corcoran; April - Thomas Hopkins; May - Adam Wright; June - Tim Hutten; July - Jesse Smith; August - Ryan Bailey; September - JW Krumpholz; October - Peter Varellas; November - Tony Azevedo; December - Brian Alexander; and Cover - Andy Stevens ... Read more

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For more than 20 years Howard Marks knew no other life than that of trafficking marijuana. This is the story of an international drug-trafficking organization and of the obsession of one man, a special agent of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, to put Marks behind bars. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Better Books Out There
This book takes what many would consider a mid level drug dealer and the search for him across the world - hence the "Marco Polo" tag.Well the villain here is not that bad so it is hard to get excited about the chase. He is no choirboy to be sure, but he is not a Pablo Escobar either.The detail of the police tactics used is interesting. The disappointing thing to me was the detail of how disjointed law enforcement is in the western world, nobody wants to work with any other countries? The book is ok and you can probably guess what happens in the end. If you are interested in this type of story, Killing Pablo by Mark Bowden is far better and more up to date. ... Read more

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What was the Arsenal in Venice? How old was Marco Polo when he set out on the journey to China? How long did Marco Polo serve as ambassador to the Great Khan? The 'Groundbreakers' series explores the lives of pioneering men and women–people whose achieveme

... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

A great book - please read the book
Educational and fun.A good intro to the National Geographic two-series program.And is easy to read, without being simplistic.
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Kubla Khan, emperior of China, has decided that Princess Kokachin is to be the new wife of the Khan of Persia. Her escort on the long journey is to be none other than the great Venetian traveller, Marco Polo. In her diary, Kokachin describes the journey to Zaiton and her perilous sea voyage, beset by storms, disease and pirate attacks. But when eventually she arrives at Hormuz, surprising news awaits her... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Brief,informative history about N.Y.'s first baseball team
This book gives some good information on the first Championship Baseball team in New York City. The early years of this team are mingled with the history of baseball. The personalities of John Mcgraw, Willie Mays, Bill Terry, Shanty Hogan are all contained in this book. A welcomed break from all the books on the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Coulda been a contender
Although Noel Hynd is an excellent writer, this book needed a better editor. Hynd wastes six to seven chapters at the beginning of the book talking about the early history of the major leagues. He could have summed up how the NY Giants came about in a simple one or two chapters, and then got on with it. Add to this the short shrift he gives to one of the most exciting periods of NYC baseball (1946-57) by devoting only the last five chapters to this glorious ten-year period, leaves you a tad disappointed. Also, why not put an Appendix in chronicling the year-by-year standings and stats of the NY Giants to allow readers to follow along much easier the narrative as years tend to blend into years. Also, how could a book on the NY Giants not have a photo of "The Catch" by Willie Mays in the 1954 World Series? Dump even just one of those static team photos for this in the next edition, please. Overall, this could have been the definitive book on the NY Giants, but sadly it just needed to be edited to give it a tighter, leaner look and read. Lastly, I have one ?: On page 188 he writes, "Remember basketball's New York Tuck Tapers?" Well, I've never heard of them, yet he assumes we all have and does not explain who they were. ... Read more