Great info on planting by the Moon cycles.
928528
Two pages in this book are the best detailed info on planting by the moon for a beginner.
Great resource book to keep on hand. I have had it for several and bought this for my
daughter and son-in-law who are just beginning gardening.  Mrs. Peter
4338030
Specific information about how to start a garden of vegs or flowers.  Really like the soil and plant info too.
212929
My parents wouldn't think of planting their garden without consulting the Old Farmer's Almanac for the sign of the moon.  They have great success following the guidelines for when to plant root crops, etc.

 Others find it valuable for the weather predictions (covering 16 regions).  Other useful info fills out the book (Best Fishing Days, a list of holidays).

A variety of fillers such as trends in homes and fashions and collectibles plump up the almanac and make good reading for a snowy day.  I like that it has the symbolic meanings of herbs, flowers and trees.  One article in this issue is "Toys that withstood the test of time."  The almanac contains a little something for everyone.  It has been published since 1792, so obviously it fills a need.
4424427
My 2 year old son is obsessed with the moon, but does not understand why the moon's appearance changes.  I got this book to help him understand that its normal for the moon to change.  I liked how two images of different phases were compared on the same page so the child could see its really the same object just cannot see all of it at once.  I really liked page 9 because it shows the moon and Earth being lit by the Sun.  This is a great perspective.  I also like how on page 11, the typical moon diagram with Earth in the center and "half-moons" in all directions ALSO has the phases shown in the perimeter - very helpful, (though it could be confusing if not properly explained to kids.)

We also have the "So That's How the Moon Changes Shape!"  So I will do a brief comparison:

1.  The "Phases of the Moon" photo images are just of the moon itself so its pretty focused.  It also talks about waxing and waning.  So I think that book is better for 4+ year old kids that can handle more text per page.  However, for elementary students, I prefer the Moon Book by Gail Gibbons because it has more content and explaining each phase is better done (though that book will also briefly discuss how ancient people's thought the moon was a god).

2.  "So That's How the Moon Changes Shape!" has fewer words per page and therefore is better suited for a child under 4 years old (which is what I needed).  This book also has many photos of the moon on the same page for comparison in a table which really helps children understand the moon cycle visually (something other book do not have).  The book also has more artistic and diverse photographs of the moon and even includes a photo of an astronaut on the moon's surface (whereas the photos in the above book are just of the moon itself.)

I feel both of the above books are better for homeschooling or small groups due to their small size and difficultly of the concepts.  I the end, I kept "So That's How the Moon Changes Shape!" and "The Moon Book."  I then gave "The Phases of the Moon" as a gift.
3479635
Very informative and inspirational in describing the four blood moons and what they have meant in the past and also in the present.
537506
I have recently become interested in native plants.  This book was a big help in identifying plants and determining where to use them to best advantage.  I especially appreciated the information on propagation.
1976855
I was glad to come across this book today since it is now October and winter is just around the corner.  I am an intermediate gardener (not super experienced, but not a total beginner either).  I found this book to be a good blueprint for winter preparation, planting and maintenance.

I detected what I think might be and UK flair because Ms. Pylarinos recommends (among other things) winter heathers and polyanthus for winter color. I believe that polyanthus is what I would call primrose.

A winter preparation technique I had not heard of until I read this book is the application of anti-dessicant on the new foliage of shrubs.  This practice helps guard against foliage drying out due to dry winter winds.

Ms. Pylarinos mentions several vegetables that are well suited for winter cultivation.  One thing I thought that could be added to her list is kale.  Some varieties were originally grown in Siberia.  Of course, there are many vegetables that can be grown in winter so it would be hard to mention absolutely everything.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.  I learned some "new tricks" and the book is well written.  My only wish is that the book had been a bit longer.
2918879
The Photographic Moon Atlas is a big nice looking hardbound book that looks good on any coffee table, or in a library. The book features a lot of nice photographs of the near side (facing Earth) of the moon. The near side of the moon is divided into 68 regions which are described in order. Each section (region) feature photographs and relevant information. The inside of the covers feature an overall map and a key to the regions/maps so that you can easily identify what you are looking at when gazing at the moon. Almost all photographs are taken from Earth. There is a small section on the far side of moon with a fuzzy overall photograph composed from a lunar orbiter.

The book starts out with an introduction with information about the moon. The introduction also describes the topography, geology, and geography of the moon as well as how the various formations such as craters and the so called Maria were formed as well as how the moon itself was formed. Observation techniques are also discussed. The book also has a glossary and an index.

We've gained a lot of knowledge about the moon surface and its composition via telescopes, spectroscopy and lunar samples from the Apollo missions. It is truly amazing that we also know something about the crust and the inside of the moon and that is partially thanks to seismographs that were placed on the Moon by the Apollo missions. However, the book also presents us with a scientific mystery. The near side and the far side of the moon look quite different because the crust is on average double as thick on the far side. Why is the crust much thicker on the far side? The book presents theories but nothing is certain.

The information included with the photographs is interesting, well written and concisely presented, and the photographs are nice and detailed. However, there are no photographs taken from the surface of the moon (NASA photos), and except for one picture nothing from lunar orbiters. The photographs are taken by amateur astronomers and so called astrophotographers, so the book is not as cool as it could have been. I liked it and I recommend the book, but I give a rating of four stars.
468845
excellant detailed and scientifically minded book on a new frontier of growing soil-sprouted greens.....he lays this method out clearly and carefully so you can avoid learning curve mistakes beforehand. Worth reading and making detailed notes to master for the future of gardening year round instead of being hostage to weather variations.
1910124
Great photos on every page (some courtesy of NASA) and plenty of interesting facts including the reality that our Sun is on its way to becoming a red giant one day far off into the future and eventually swallowing the inner planets of which Earth is included. And I thought it shocking that we wouldn't be around now were it not for the magnetosphere's ability to counter the Sun's solar winds as evidenced by the Northern and Southern Lights (It's a hostile world out there!) Really good info and now that I know there is another monument measuring travels of the Sun more accessible in Chichen Itza it gives me one more reason to want to cruise there one day so I can see it up close and personal. Very good book!
3985679
A nice book about hydroponics. Surprisingly I found out the one can use cheap substrates instead of expensive soil.
I actually had no idea how to grow fruits, herbs, and veggies and this book gave me this knowledge. It was pretty easy to understand, and the illustrations were neat and helpful as well. You can find out lots of new things about planting, nutrient solutions, drip systems, and installation of the hydroponics system. Those tips will be most probably helpful both for the beginners and for those who already know a thing or two on the topic.
1268506
Wonderful calendar.  Full of accurate facts.  Also tells you moon phases and when and where planets are visible.  I get the calendar every year and always enjoy it.
4164552
PROS:

This book is packed with enough enformation to keep the reader busy for months.
This book flows with an easy to read style that both novice and experienced stargazers will appreciate.
This book is laid out in a great format that takes into account the various months of the year.
This book blends a good mix of practical observing information and descriptions of various astronomical objects.
This book offers sound advice on the selection of a pair of binoculars.
This book's compact size, coupled with a pair of binoculars offers a great traveling astronomy kit.
This book has easy to read sketches and maps.  Many of the pictures mirror the views seen through binoculars.
All in all it is a well put together field guide to astronomy with binoculars.
This book is equally usable to readers in the northern and southern hemispheres.

CONS:

I wish just a little more space was given to the moon.  An entire chapter could have been dedicated to the moon.  Every few hours the moon looks different through binoculars.  A number of the features can be identified.
I wish a few more of the sketches and pictures were similar to actual views through binoculars. Pretty pictures taken by large telescopes can lead readers to expect more than binoculars deliver.
I've spent a lot of time doing astronomy through binoculars.  I think this book is overly optimistic at times with what can be seen observed.  The book is not wrong, but some of the objects need large binoculars and dark skies.

FINAL RECOMMENDATION:

***** (5 stars).  This book is a quality field guide.  Buy it, grab a pair of binoculars, and keep them with you this year.  It is a great, yet inexpensive, way to begin astronomy.
4601849
This was a very informative book. I had heard about the Four Blood Moons but never really investigated it. John Hagee does a great job explaining them, the importance of the Moons and the end times that we are living in now. I would highly recommend this book.
597723
I really enjoyed both the photos and the descriptions in this book, and it was very easy for me as a layperson to understand the concepts. I loved the fact that the author "walks the walk" when it comes to eco-friendly gardening, and the book really makes me eager to try companion planting and composting. I found the section on beneficial insects and organic pesticides very interesting as well. This book is loaded with so much useful information that I have already recommended it to several friends who are trying to go organic because I know that they will be able to get their money's worth out of it whether or not they have room to build the biodome.
4888813
Lots of detail about planting, growing, harvesting, and preserving everything.  I'm not a beginner, but there was a lot in this that I didn't know.  Looking forward to warm weather so I can try some new techniques!
3664718
A friend gifted this beautifully designed and informative calendar to me. As an organic farmer, artist and follower of astrology, especially lunar cycles, I am looking forward to incorporating this guide in my daily work. Very much like the Good Garden Read section. Min's design is truly beautiful!