Beautiful and enlightening, too!
355224
This is so cool!  Perspective is often difficult to get from illustrated children's books, but this one really brings it home.  Plus the art work is exquisite.
4473497
This book is absolutely beautiful, from the pearly white and gold embossed cover to the colorful illustrations and printed text inside.  If you are looking for a next-level book of knowledge to add to your collection, this is for you.  It merges the spiritual with the scientific, and the words inside will inspire you about what is to come!
3553641
This is a beautiful book!

Lind's words invite me into savoring a place in my awareness that I didn't know was there.

As I read, I am aware of a sensuous openness where I am so much more connected to the earth, plants and my relationship to my sense of smell, more than I am ever present in my moment by moment engagement with the world. It is an openness that I want to learn to nourish and explore and even grow bigger and bigger.... and it feels like there is no end to the room that that space offers. My sense of smell no longer ends at my nose, it fills my entire being.

I look forward to reading more of this book, and yet I savor it slowly because I am almost finished and don't want to end this journey she has been taking me on!
1654360
This is a beautiful, timely book, one that shares an important message but is also just lovely to look at and read. Bruce Hodge's photographs are stunning and original, and Lorraine Anderson has selected the perfect poems to pair with them, from such varied poets as Stafford, Neruda, Whitman, Kinnell, May, Levertov, and others less known to me. I really have never seen a  book quite like this, with a focus on the deep and sensual pleasure the earth brings us. As Lorraine Anderson puts it in her preface, the book calls us "to recognize the deep, freely available wellspring of pleasure, satisfaction, and fullness we an drink from whenever we choose to pay attention." I'll be giving this book to several friends and loved ones this season. A real gem!
941548
Such a wonderful, imaginative exploration of the ways in which human interactions are mirrored in nature. Ultimately affirming, Lucy Daniels shows her in-depth understanding of what shapes us. Neither sentimental nor artificially pat, like Lucy herself, this book shows the beauty beyond wish fulfillment and saccharin happy endings. Instead, her writing and this book reveal the textured richness of human experience, as both internal and external forces have their way with us all. This is an excellent read from a very wise woman.
4167115
I went to the book store yesterday and picked up this book for my own viewing pleasure.  The words are very inspiring and I am so drawn to the pictures at the same time.  The pictures are evidence about the nature - animals, plants, the stars, the universe, etc.  The pictures are so delicate and so vivid, with loving, kind and gentle words behind.

What a way to create some peaceful moment when you just had a hectic day.  I will highly recommend reading this book with the little ones too.  This book gives reader/viewers a sense of wonder about the loving nature.  Books like this is a true reflection of nature... through the eyes of pure love and compassion.
1199773
I've had the pleasure of seeing some of this jewelry first hand, but this book captures so much beauty and experiences that is so amazing to read about! If you love art and experience, this is a great pick for you.
3279449
This is a beautiful book, with a unique way of expressing the challenges, lessons learned and triumphs in life. Leah has an incredible gift with such elegant use of language. I found my reading experience grounding and soothing: a great vehicle to turn inward and examine your own life.
876227
Extraordinary book for someone who is looking far beyond the what to expect and mayo clinic stuff. THis book is so beautiful, so enlightening, full of good advide, activities, space to write your own thoughts that is simply A MUST! It focuses on you, the mother, the woman, no tleaving aside the baby but, everyone forgets about mom during these times so, it is really nice to read something like this.
2455789
I invited Fred Grazton on my radio show to talk about his book. When it arrived it, the first thing I noticed was how different it is from the many books I receive as a radio show host.

First of all, it's a beautiful book, a high-quality coffee table-type book.

Secondly, the flow of the text and illustrations is gorgeous. I don't know how he and his editor managed it, but this book doesn't seem to contain any fluff or distractions or extraneous text. I had the feeling that every word was just right. It drew me in, kept me entertained, and challenged some of my long-held notions.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the opportunity to interview Fred about it. (You can listen to the interview if you'd like). It's purely delightful, and has some very relevant applications not just to work, but to what's going on in the world today in terms of terrorism, Katrina, etc. I highly recommend it!
644496
This is an incredibly beautiful, well-researched, provocative, and ultimately deeply uplifting book (for those who take time with it and are willing to try to do the work). Even for a non-practitioner of this faith-tradition, there is a treasure trove of insight to be gained. Combining classical, orthodox Islamic hadith and direct quotations from Qur'an--as well as interpretations thereof--the reader gets to listen in on four men discussing the names of Allah, the qualities or properties associated with God's being (of which, according to some Sufi Masters, each of us is a unique blend). Comparable to the many honorifics or epithets used when referring to God in the Tanakh / Old Testament and the New Testament, the 99 names of Allah are discussed through lenses of personal experiences, psychoanalytic theory, Sufi stories and poetry, contemporary psychological interpretations, and healthy doses of introspection, science and laughter.

  Each section begins with the etymology of the particular name or quality of God. The authors give the Arabic root from which the name comes and reflect on related meanings. Imam Bilal contributes his extensive knowledge of both Qur'anic and Modern Standard Arabic. Imam Bilal is also completely lacking in any arrogance or pride that could (understandably) come with that level of linguistic authority. So many commentators on Qur'an, from the legalist, juridical types on the one hand to more personal or abstract interpreters come off as frustratingly full-of-themselves... not so here. None of the four teachers is that way in this remarkable text.

Go on, buy it now and put it next to your other favorite reference books and stop reading what I have to say. (Oh yeah, on a personal note this book has been extremely helpful to me.) This book is in relation to Islamic mysticism what Yuri Gagarin's first view of Earth was to our planet. Yeah, I said it.
3225189
This book was recommended to me by a dear friend, and not only did I buy one for myself, I gave copies as Xmas gifts. To the delight of all. The photos are stunning, the insights are remarkably vivid and wise, and the "lessons" are gentle and helpful and meaningful. I keep this book by my bed, and no matter where I open the book, I am rewarded. Lovely journey -- visually and mindfully.
1749176
With ravishing language and rich physical detail, these poems reveal a deep love for the natural world and a generosity toward all who live here. Such a delight to read! Nothing escapes this poet, and the least detail -- the green that clings to a dog's guard hairs, evidence of spring -- expands to focus our awareness on the exuberant now-ness of the world. And how fast the seasons tumble, how quickly we move through our time here! I loved this book of poems and can't wait for the next from this gifted poet.
4925897
Such a beautifully written book... the writing itself is so soothing, so uplifting, like balm to the soul. Yet the information that is presented is deep, both intellectually and spiritually. Ayn Cates Sullivan has a way of drawing you in to a deep space to commune with the goddesses almost effortlessly. She wraps you in words that release all reluctance or resistance, and beguiles you with tales that are both fascinating to the mind and healing to the heart. She not only introduces you to the Goddesses, she connects you to them in deep and powerful ways, so that they become a deep part of your own spiritual landscape. A must-read.
2047270
When this book arrived to our all-green-thumbs and "plays with dirt" T-shirt household, I thought it would make a lovely coffee table book: more about ideas, and getting to see what other folks are doing, and not so much a how-to book.

Well, it is all of those things, and a reminder that the inspirational look at this gorgeous thing these folks did sorts of books really are just that: inspiration to get out in one's own garden and start digging, and making the green space thrive. Gardens are not just for market veggies, or even just for table flowers; they restore the soul and feed all of one's senses, and that's echoed beautifully in this book, through the four seasons.

As good a gift for someone who doesn't have room or ability to garden, as for those who are able to peruse its pages and then go plan the current year's new corner, or item, in their own gardens.

Thank you, Elizabeth Murray, for this wonderful book, and for showing us more of some gardens we'd love to see in person some day!
380065
This book is both beautiful and thought-provoking. Ruth's writing style is down to earth and strikes a deep chord saturated in Gospel truth, and her artwork is stunning and a feast for the eyes as you consider her wonderful words. It is sure to be an encouragement and blessing to all who pick it up.
1277531
This book is stunningly beautiful, both artfully crafted and magnificently designed. And those aspects of it pale in comparison to the matchless truth, beauty and goodness of Jesus' fully explained teachings. The parables in the Bible are mysterious, cryptic, subject to much conjecture in their interpretation. These same stories, given in context complete with geographical backgrounds and personality descriptions, are crystal clear and ALIVE!