Number 3100: Explore Inside the Dream: The Personal Story of Walt Disney

Back in May, I timed my 3000th post here on Epinions to coincide with the eight Epi-versary of my fellow bookworm Beth. When I realized that my reviewing pace was putting my 3100th review in close proximity to the Epi-versary of another extraordinary Epinionator, I pondered what might make an appropriate subject of a review to celebrate the marvelous Mark’s six years on the site. Then I happened upon Inside the Dream: The Personal Story of Walt Disney, and I stopped looking and started reading.

I had already seen the documentary from which this coffee table book by Katherine and Richard Greene arose, and I found it thoroughly enjoyable, so I went into this handsome biography with high expectations, and I’m happy to say they were met. Though it’s not quite 200 pages long, the hefty size allows for a fair amount of writing on each page, along with illustrations in the form of photos, sketches, movie stills, posters, memos, newspaper clippings and all sorts of other visual materials. Even those who aren’t too interested in Walt himself might want to browse through this book simply for the wealth of visual materials showing classic characters and attractions in their early stages.

The book includes a foreword by Diane Disney Miller, the older of Walt’s two daughters, and the book frequently quotes her as well. Sadly, Walt’s younger daughter, Sharon, died in 1993, several years before these interviews were conducted, but earlier recollections from her and other deceased relatives and associates pop up here and there. Most of the quotes, however, come from the Greenes’ interviews with 77 people who had some kind of personal connection to Walt, whether through family, friendship or business.

As the Introduction explains, the raw material for the documentary included about 38 hours of interviews that had to be whittled down to fit into an hour-and-a-half-long movie. Creating a book allowed more room for these voices to be heard. That’s not to say that the book is nothing but a collection of quotes. Instead, it is a cohesive narrative told in five parts, each broken down further into multiple sections.

First Dreams focuses on Walt’s young adulthood and his early forays into animation and movies. Here the Greenes recount his earliest projects, including the Alice in Wonderland shorts, which involved a real child immersed in a fantastical animated land; Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt’s first major animated character; the creation and renaming of Mickey Mouse; and the beginning of the Silly Symphonies. Half of the six sections involve Walt’s career, while the other half deal with his personal life, focusing on his parents, Flora and Elias; his wife, Lilly; and his fondness for the sport of polo.

Worlds to Conquer begins with the ambitious experiment of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs before delving into the darker days of the animators’ strike and World War II, both of which had a major impact upon the studio’s productivity. Broken into seven sections, this part also discusses Walt’s passion for constantly improving his craft, from bringing live animals into the studio for Bambi to pushing the boundaries of animation with Fantasia. It also touches on his goodwill trip to South America, out of which came the movies Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, and his massive output of films for the government. It was a time of intense highs like the Snow White premiere and crushing lows like his mother’s death by asphyxiation, and it ultimately led to a shift in focus.

New Horizons deals with Walt’s foray into live action, discussing his action films and documentaries and his decision to embrace television rather than fearing it as a threat to his success as a filmmaker. This part of the book, which includes 11 sections, is the longest, encompassing Walt’s passion for nature, his ability to see the possibilities inherent in television, his fondness for trains and the delight he took in carefully crafting his two major theme parks, only one of which he would live to see opened. It also discusses the animated films of the time, and some of the tidbits here are fascinating. For instance, the scene at the beginning of Lady and the Tramp in which Jim presents the Cocker Spaniel puppy to his wife in a hatbox was inspired by Walt having done the same thing. I also found it interesting that Walt disliked Alice in Wonderland, one of the few animated Disney features I don’t particularly enjoy, complaining that it had no heart. Not so with Cinderella, which was being crafted at the same time, and the recollection of Walt’s idea to have Ilene Woods, who voiced her, harmonize with herself is wonderful. Throw in the broad comedies like The Shaggy Dog and The Parent Trap that are the focus of the last section, and this is a very packed chapter.

Tomorrow Land features eight sections and concludes with Walt’s death in 1966. It spends a good chunk of time on Mary Poppins, considered by many to be Walt’s crowning achievement in the realm of movies. Here we read about the tug-of-war with P. L. Travers, who wrote the books upon which the movie is based, and the warm sense of synchronicity among Walt and the Sherman Brothers when it came to their vision for this film. When I watched The Boys, a documentary about the Sherman Brothers, last year, I first heard the story recounted here about how deeply Walt connected to the song Feed the Birds. “That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?” he said of the song, which he often asked “the boys” to play for him. This anecdote particularly moves me because that’s always been my favorite song in the movie and one of my favorite Disney songs period. New to me, and quite amusing, was Dick Van Dyke’s confession that he so wanted to play the senior banker that he offered to do it for free and actually ended up paying for the privilege, as Walt wheedled him into donating $4000 to CalArts, an institute for the arts that he founded and to which he left half his estate. The remainder of the chapter discusses Walt’s involvement in the World’s Fair, his obsession with city planning and vision for Epcot, his enthusiasm for travel, his last months and the reaction to his death. As my grandpa was the same age as Walt when he died, also of quickly-progressing lung cancer, this sad final portion particularly resonates with me.

Finally, Walt’s Legacy is far shorter and is basically just a collection of nine commentaries by various experts about Walt’s impact upon the world. These include late news anchor Walter Cronkite, film scholar Leonard Maltin and children’s book author Maurice Sendak. Science fiction author Ray Bradbury, a close friend of Walt’s for the last couple years of his life, gets the final word, eloquently discussing the positive difference he made.

The book is formatted so that you can easily read a section in one sitting and then decide whether you want to go on to the next one right away or just let those few pages simmer a while. The larger part of the book deals with his career, but the personal sections take up almost as much space. The design makes leafing through the sections simple. I especially like that each career-focused section is printed on a white background and has a headline of white letters against a red strip, while the personal sections have beige backgrounds and the headline strip is gold. Meanwhile, the quotes scattered throughout both sections stand out, with some in blue pull-out boxes and others in yellow or beige. Meanwhile, all of Walt’s quotes are in red letters and simply printed against the white background instead of boxed in. The book is loaded with great quotes that lend insight to Walt directly or indirectly, but of the ones I hadn’t heard or read before, the one that stood out most to me is this from Walt: “All right, I’m corny. But I think there’s just about a hundred and forty million people in this country who are just as corny as I am.” I’m happy to be one of them.

This book presents a vivid picture of an extraordinary man from humble beginnings who was forever driven by his creativity and his desire to keep making new innovations. He comes across as a perfectionist but not a workaholic; while he was always very hands-on with his films, television projects and theme park plans, he was also a devoted father who always took time to play with his daughters. A strong work ethic and a sense of childlike wonder helped propel his company, as did his willingness to take huge financial risks. As this book was conceived partly as a response to unflattering portraits of Walt that emerged after his death, one might say that its unfailingly sunny portrayal is a bit suspect; every time a situation comes up in which Walt’s actions are called into question, he comes out in the right. Does the book lionize him a bit too much? Maybe. But even if there might be some less palatable aspects of his personality left unexplored, the dozens of positive anecdotes strengthen the credibility of the authors, and his body of work and subsequent legacy speak for themselves.

This December marks the 110th anniversary of Walt’s birth. It’s a great time to get to know the man behind the Mouse a little better. Unless you’re already an expert – and maybe even if you are – you should find some new insights within Inside the Dream: The Personal Story of Walt Disney. I certainly did. Thank you, Walt – and Mark, too – for making the world a more magical place.

Our Peaceable Kingdom Highlights Harmonious Pairings

Several years ago, my aunt introduced me to the books of Bradley Trevor Greive, who selects from among thousands the most striking black-and-white photos, most featuring animals in very cute, cuddly or comical poses, to accompany his pithy life lessons in gift books like The Blue Day Book and I’m Sorry… My Bad. I thought of those books, of which I have about a dozen, when I happened upon Our Peaceable Kingdom: The Photographs of John Drysdale in a bookshop a couple of years ago. The Salem, Massachusetts store was an unusual spectacle, piled high with books in all directions, and I wanted to find something a bit eccentric to reflect where I had found it. This book fit the bill perfectly.

Of course, the collection differs from one of Greive’s books in several significant ways. For one thing, while the number of pages is comparable to many of Greive’s volumes, the size of this hardcover is much larger. Moreover, all of the photographs are from a single artist, and aside from brief captions, there is no text driving the full-page photographs. Margaret Regan, who selected the photographs for this compilation, writes an introduction, and the book concludes with a biographical note on Drysdale, but the most interesting writing comes just after the final photograph with a collection of notes pertaining to the circumstances under which several of the pictures were taken.

The main similarity lies in the tone of the photos, which mostly feature children with animals or animals of different species peaceably interacting. The effect is sometimes funny, sometimes sweet, almost unfailingly charming. Underneath each black-and-white photo is printed a simple caption and the year. Some of the captions are amusing, like the “Just Looking” that accompanies a fox sitting in a field amongst seven fuzzy ducklings. However, most are fairly matter-of-fact. The humor is in the odd juxtapositions in the photos themselves.

Chimpanzees are among the most represented creatures in the book, turning up in 12 photographs, including a series of four depicting a chimp fascinated by a chick. My favorite chimpanzee photo is probably the one that opens the book. In it, a little girl and a chimp share a swing; she takes a traditional position, while her furry companion stands facing her, clinging to the bars connecting the seat to the top of the swing set. While the child appears content, the chimp looks absolutely ecstatic. A very joyous picture.

Unsurprisingly, dogs play an even more prominent role here, appearing in 20 photos, about half the time alongside other animals. While the pictures involving humans are cute, I generally prefer the ones that show the pooches in these unlikely partnerships. In one, a bulldog eyes a squirrel suspiciously. In another, a basset hound attached by a rope to a horse’s harness appears to take the much larger animal for a walk. Most of the photos are funny, while a few simply make me smile, like the picture of a dog snuggling with a lion.

A few photographs focus on individuals, and not all of them involve animals. Some of the most famous photos of Drysdale’s career have been of children caught unawares. Most of the pictures in this book appear to be candid, and some of them feature children interacting with each other, while others, like the wonderful shot of what appears to be a three-headed ostrich, involve several animals of the same species. However, as reflected in the title, the driving theme of the book is interspecies harmony. Hence, we get the horse peeking over the shoulder of a little girl reading a book, the giraffe gingerly removing the hat from the head of an oblivious photographer, the bear helping two men push a truck out of a ditch, the cat sharing a food dish with a mouse, the pelican conferring with several penguins and the duckling riding atop a small tortoise.

Despite the lack of color, each photo is vibrant and commands the attention. Reading the stories behind some of the pictures increases the appeal. About two-thirds of the photos have some sort of commentary on the back, whether it’s a simple identification of where the photo was taken or a paragraph-long discussion of how a peculiar pairing came to take place. For instance, the three-headed ostrich shot inspires a brief reflection on the luck of being in the right place at the right time, as the natural arrangement seen in the photo only lasted a few seconds.

Drysdale’s photos reveal a man of talent, humor and compassion. If you enjoy collections of quirky photographs featuring animals, children or both, you will probably be just as enchanted by Our Peaceable Kingdom as I am.

Bradley Trevor Greive Addresses Pushovers in The Book for People Who Do Too Much

I recently learned that Bradley Trevor Greive has ended his popular line of gift books that started with the acclaimed The Blue Day Book. That bums me out. But rereading The Book for People Who Do Too Much, I can’t help wondering whether these books were getting to be a bit of a burden for him. Was he running out of themes, exhausting interesting topics? Did his eyes start to glaze over after poring over photographs of animals for hours on end? If that’s the case, then as much as I will miss having new gift books from him, I’m glad he decided to stop. I’d hate for him to get to the point at which what once was fun becomes a drudgery.

Greive addresses burn-out in this book, the cover of which is purple and features an utterly exhausted-looking owl. Sometimes it’s overdoing the things you like to do until you no longer enjoy them. Often, it’s being too mousy to speak up when you’re asked to do something. I’ve never been much good at turning people down myself, leading me to avoid conversations in which my participation might be solicited. It’s a very passive-aggressive way to go through life. The Book for People Who Do Too Much is written as much for people like me as for standard over-achievers. When you’re just a girl who can’t say no, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in a terrible fix. So I can relate to a lot of the frazzled-looking animals in this book.

Of course, as is typical for Greive, he infuses a fairly serious topic with plenty of humor, and the professional black and white photographs from a multitude of photographers are full of personality. This is one of his longer books at more than 100 pages, allowing for a wide range of animals, including sloths, hippos, frogs, fish, bears, zebras, camels, elephants, chicken, sheep and all manner of dogs and cats. As always, there are a few shots that tickle my funny bone more than most.

My three favorites are the photo of a ferocious-looking rabbit in hot pursuit of a chicken (“you suddenly turn on people who don’t deserve it”); a shaggy dog rolling its eyes as ducklings walk across its head (“you’re babysitting for the third weekend in a row”); and two chimpanzees cradling two tiny puppies (“Start by making room in your life for a puppy”). And there are dozens of others that bring a smile to my face.

Just taking the time out to sit and read this book is a good way to refocus your energy. It will force you to contemplate how you most want to spend your time. This particular nugget seems especially useful: “When someone special turns up with a request or an opportunity they think is perfect for you, and you get that sinking feeling as you prepare to agree to whatever they want - pause - and slowly fill your lungs with heartfelt honesty.” That’s not so easy to do. But I’d rather do a little well than do a lot half-heartedly, dragging my feet the whole time. “Just choose to do the things that make you the sort of person you really want to hang out with,” he proposes. Sounds like good advice to me.

Bradley Trevor Greive Issues a Heartfelt Apology With I'm Sorry... My Bad!

Earlier this year, while I was browsing the bookstore, I spotted a new title by Bradley Trevor Greive, author of The Blue Day Book and about a dozen other irresistible gift books featuring black-and-white photographs of animals above the author’s words of wisdom and humor. I bought a copy and stuck it on my shelf next to the rest of his books. It wasn’t until much later that I cracked open the cover to discover that this would likely be the last in the series.

I’m Sorry... My Bad! is an interesting sort of farewell. It implies that he’s feeling very guilty as he wraps up this stage of his career and can’t move on until he’s come clean, and indeed, the humble introduction seems to support that. Not that Greive did anything extraordinarily cruel or vile, but who among us hasn’t felt remorse for, as we say in the Confession of Sins at the beginning of church, “what we have done and what we have left undone”? So this book seems to have a two-fold purpose. Greive is apologizing to everyone in his life who he may have ever let down or offended, and he’s giving each of us a means by which to open those doors of communication ourselves when we feel compelled to apologize but can’t quite find the words.

In most of Greive’s books, he comes across as a sort of omniscient narrator. We get a taste of his personality, but he’s speaking in general terms to a lot of people at once. Here, however, there’s a definite sense of intimacy. The words “I” or “me” appear on nearly every page, so that it feels very much as though he is talking to us, or as though whoever has given the book as a gift is talking to the recipient. Almost as prevalent throughout the book is the word “you”. This is one person talking directly to another person, apologizing for an unknown offense and begging for forgiveness.

Greive doesn’t offer advice like he usually does; he simply makes a contrite request. “I’m sorry,” he says again and again. And “please” - please hear him out, which isn’t hard to do in such a sparse book filled with such engaging photographs. At about 60 pages in length, with few pages featuring more than a sentence of text, this may well be the most concise book in the series. Stark. Simple. The photos accentuate this. There is an aura of isolation about the book; out of more than 50 pictures, only eight feature more than one animal. One of those, incidentally, is perhaps the most affecting image of all: two goldfish bowls, its occupants facing each other, unable to bridge the gap between them. The solitary creatures gaze out from the pages, oozing loneliness and regret. It’s quite affecting. I would think it would be hard to refuse an apology so earnestly presented.

Of course, Greive does get a little goofy at times, particularly with the hyperbolic “May God, in his infinite wisdom, afflict my tender buttocks with ten thousand explosive boils for all eternity if I ever upset you again.” But mostly, the tone is very solemn, and page after page of sad-faced animals lowers the reader’s defenses. A wistful-looking chimp hugging himself. A downcast seal. A raccoon doing his best Huge-Eyed Puss In Boots impersonation. What heart could remain stony against such an onslaught?

I hope that I have few occasions to merit such depths of contrition. This is the sort of apology I can imagine Anne Shirley issuing, an apology powerful enough to win over even the likes of persnickety Rachel Lynde. Because Greive leaves the response entirely up to the recipient, the book ends plaintively, with a simple “Please?” So the conclusion lacks closure, and it does little to make the rest of the book feel like less of a downer. But then, as Hermione tells us in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, remorse is supposed to be painful. So, too, is parting. In his introduction, Greive writes, “If my humorous gift books have brought you pleasure over the years, then I apologize that this series has come to an end.” Apology reluctantly accepted.

Every Day Is Christmas With Bradley Trevor Greive and His Animals Friends

One of my favorite authors is Bradley Trevor Greive, who, since I first read The Blue Day Book more than a decade ago, has delighted me with his pint-sized coffee table books featuring his own witticisms alongside memorable black-and-white photographs of animals ranging from dogs and cats to giraffes and hippos. It was only natural that he should turn his talents to a celebration of Christmas; after all, these little volumes would be a perfect fit for most stockings.

In December, there are two songs on the radio expressing the same basic sentiment. Bryan Adams’ Christmas Time and Bon Jovi’s I Wish Every Day Could Be Like Christmas both have to do with the goodwill that floods the world at Christmastime and the wish that such a spirit could extend to the rest of the year as well. That’s also the idea behind Greive’s Every Day Is Christmas, which bears the cumbersome subtitle Living the Holiday Spirit Throughout the Year Without Damaging Your Health or Driving Everyone Crazy.

Greive, of course, provides examples of both possibilities, amusingly illustrated by a variety of animals in unusual situations. He also shows us the good side of holiday festivities, along with paying tribute to the birth of Christ with an endearing photo of a lamb in a bed of straw and the statement that “The birth of Jesus Christ was, in every meaningful way, the birth of hope.”

But in general, there is lots of silliness to go around. One of my favorite photos shows a hedgehog sniffing a cactus, accompanied by the words “Who can forget the joy of finding the perfect gift for someone you adore?” And there’s the improbable picture of nine puppies dangling inside of socks from pegs on a rack as a cheerful-looking greyhound, presumably their parent, oversees the scene. “Christmas,” Greive says, “is the best day of the year to observe and uphold the true value of family.”

Greive also pokes fun at consumer culture, discussing the zaniness of Christmas shopping in a matter-of-fact manner. “Should you shop early and methodically for gifts or race around at the last minute to save time?” he ponders as a tortoise and hare square off against each other. Anyone who’s ever worked in a mall can probably relate to his complaints about “that accursed album of Christmas songs by the latest tone-deaf sixteen-year-old pop sensation,” accompanied by an elephant seemingly covering his ears with his trunk, and most of us, like the German Shepherd barking at an immobile toy car, have experienced the frustration of getting a fantastic new gadget with no batteries included.

In the midst of all the craziness, Greive encourages us not to get so carried away with the trappings of the season that we lose sight of what’s really important. “These wonder-filled days and sacred hours were meant to be treasured. Always,” he tells us, as an Old English Sheepdog looking to be the next Annie Leibovitz tries to snap the perfect portrait of another sheepdog. Later, he opines, “There are very few things in life worth wishing for beyond the health and happiness of our family and friends. If you have that, you have it all.” On the ensuing pages, he offers a multitude of reasons why we should be grateful and suggests ways to make every day a little more like Christmas ought to be, most of which do not involve big expenditures. As a cat wearing a dog mask and a dog wearing a cat mask cozy up to each other, Greive suggests, “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a while and think of what you could do to make them feel loved, appreciated, and joyful.” Wise words indeed.

If you’ve encountered Greive before, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what to expect with this book. Nearly all of his books, no matter what the theme, share the same basic message: Be nice to each other. And they spread this ideal via the work of dozens of talented photographers snapping animals at their best and worst. This book is longer than most, with a length of more than 100 pages. That means it’s also wordier than most, and there’s a greater variety of animals represented, among them camels, chimpanzees, kangaroos, lemurs, hamsters, pelicans, caterpillars, penguins, skunks, frogs, whales, owls, pigs, lions, chipmunks and ducklings. Of course, this book is especially suited to Christmas. But given Greive’s premise, Every Day Is Christmas is perfectly appropriate any day of the year.

Rachel Hale and Jane Gerver Serve Up Christmas Cuteness in Santa Paws

There are lots of things most children can be counted upon to love. Christmas is one of them. Kittens and puppies are two more. In Santa Paws, Rachel Hale, who has created many calendars celebrating our fuzzy, cuddly four-legged friends, offers up a 20-page book for toddlers who are enthusiastic about all three.

Santa Paws is a sturdy board book consisting of 10 two-page spreads featuring puppies, kittens or both. Each spread has a four-line poetic stanza in large, white type set against a red, green or blue background. The photography for which Hale is known jumps out vividly from the pages, sure to delight any youngster fond of these lovable pets.

Author Jane Gerver’s writing style is pleasant, with short stanzas whose rhythm is generally consistent. An example: “Puppies chase kittens, / Kittens chase mice. / Have you been naughty / Or have you been nice?” Among the photographs, my favorites include a group of puppies and kittens bundled up in scarves and another bunch of them wearing wings as they are depicted as “angels”. There’s also a rather classy shot of a black-and-white kitten playing the piano, and a picture of a Jack Russell Terrier hanging his head in shame elicits sweet sympathy.

Essentially this is a collection of 10 vignettes with little connection to each other. It’s an opportunity to gaze at some adorable creatures, not to hear a great story. There’s essentially no plot, but considering the very young target demographic for this book, that might not be a huge issue.

Children on the younger end of the 1-to-4-year-old spectrum can just have fun looking at the pictures; older kids might want to come up with descriptions of their own. For those with pets, perhaps reading the book could serve as inspiration for a family Christmas card, with the kids using Hale’s example to come up with possible poses and captions.

This is a very short book that should earn a smile from pet lovers. For older readers, particularly teens and adults, who appreciate the visual element of this book, I recommend Bradley Trevor Grieve’s Every Day Is Christmas, but Santa Paws is worth a little pause from dog and cat afficianados of all ages.

Boy, Cat, You've Sure Got Some Stuff...

If you spend a lot of time around cats, you've probably figured out that they are incredibly photogenic. Mine spend most of their days reveling in lethargy, sprawled across the top of the couch or curled up in a tiny corner. While they lie there purring, it's not too difficult to arrange and snap an undignified picture. I know I have quite a number of such poses, the most recent of which features my cat Peaches wearing a badminton birdie as a hat. Her wide eyes reveal that she was feeling remarkably patient that day, allowing such an intrusion while she was actually awake. I was taking my chances; Peaches is known for abrupt mood swings, and it would have been all too easy for her to decide to sink her sharp little teeth into one of my fingers in retribution. But these are the risks we take for posterity.

The book stuff on my cat, assembled by Mario Garza, clearly reveals that I am not alone in my compulsive cat photography. A couple years ago, he decided to create a website featuring photos he had taken of his cat Love with a series of strange objects on top of her. Love didn't much mind being his model; she was too busy snoozing. And when other cat owners saw her, they gladly shared their own photos of oddly garbed felines. They even began actively seeking out opportunities to test Garza's philosophy that "stuff + cats = awesome".

Some of the best of those offerings are collected in stuff on my cat, which contains no words aside from an introduction and the cartoonish inscriptions of names on a few of the pages. Throughout the book are pictures of cats of all dispositions and physical descriptions. While some of them appear to be candid, most clearly are the result of human interference. There are several shots of cats boozing it up and several of them peeking, E. T.-like, from amidst a mountain of toys. There are cats with clothes, cats playing games, cats with other cats. Few of them failed to put a smile on my face.

The small volume, designed by Ayako Akazawa and featuring drawings by Deth P. Sun, is a terrific little coffee table book for only ten dollars. The only downside is that so many pictures are available on the website (www.stuffonmycat.com), the purchase of the book is rendered unnecessary, except that it's so much more satisfying to hold a book like this in your hands - or even, if you feel so inclined, to place it upon the nearest cat's head for a quick picture.

The photos included in stuff on my cat are fun and brightly colored, with marvelously expressive cats and some exceptionally bizarre items. There are also calendars featuring stuff-laden cats, and at the end of the book, it suggests visiting the website to see about including your entertaining cats in the 2009 calendar. I'm off to do that now, after which I will examine just how tolerant my cats are feeling today...

The Natural World Responds to Changing Seasons in First Snow in the Woods

Several years ago, my aunt introduced me to the awe-inspiring artistry of Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick when she gave me a copy of their first book, Stranger in the Woods, for Christmas. Firmly set in winter, it shows the reaction a variety of woodland creatures have to a snowman set up especially for them to enjoy. The second, a springtime tale entitled Lost in the Woods, follows the plight of a fawn who has been left alone by his mother, much to the concern of the neighboring creatures. Both are notable for the outstanding wilderness photography within their pages, and First Snow in the Woods is no different.

First Snow is a winter tale, but it is also rooted in autumn. Most of the book involves the whisperings that snow will soon arrive; the flurries don't fly fast and furious until the climax. While the book is subtitled "a photographic fantasy," there's a lot of factual information to be gleaned about the seasonal habits of various animals. Owls seek warmer climates, chipmunks gorge on berries, dragonflies die. Although the story is not as focused on a particular character as Lost in the Woods, a fawn again interacts with the world around him, wondering about the changes that are occurring and asking questions. It seems this could be the same fawn as in that book, but as none of the characters have names, that remains unclear.

The photography is remarkable, vibrant and breath-taking. My favorites pictures include a deer standing shoulder-deep in a field of goldenrod and a glorious spread of geese flying in an inky sunrise as mist rises off the pond below them. Lively prose accompanies the illustrations, giving the animals more distinct personalities. Among the other animals that appear are a woolly bear, a monarch butterfly, a hummingbird, a squirrel, a woodchuck, a painted turtle, a raccoon, mice, a chickadee, a snowshoe hare and a robin, each responding to the alterations in the weather in a unique way.

"All things change," the doe explains to the fawn, and we see that although some of these changes can be sad, many are beautiful. There is a slightly elegiac tone to this book that isn't present in the first two, but the hazy sense of joy and new beginnings is what will remain as the final page turns. First Snow in the Woods is a nature lover's delight.

Bradley Trevor Greive Gives Dad His Due With Dear Dad

Tomorrow is Fathers' Day, that time when we all go out of our way to let our dads know we appreciate them. If you're still scrambling for a little something to show your father how much you care, you could do a lot worse than Dear Dad: Father, Friend and Hero by prolific gift book creator Bradley Trevor Greive.

Since the success of The Blue Day Book, which coupled wise and witty words of inspiration with highly appropriate black-and-white photographs of animals, Greive has churned out the tiny masterpieces. My one complaint with him is that he seems to have a bit of a bias against his own gender; he's always making sarcastic, unflattering remarks about men, particularly in those of his books that are aimed at women. But Greive rectifies that with Dear Dad, which comes after two books dedicated to mothers. At last Pop can have a little time in the spotlight.

In his acknowledgments section, Greive first mentions all the people who requested this book and notes that he was a bit intimidated by the subject matter; it took three years for him to formulate exactly what he wanted to say to his dad. Aiding in inspiration was his editor, whom he often mentions warmly in his introductory notes. Both men, it would seem, have had considerable impact on Greive's development. Thus, it's not much of a stretch to consider this an appropriate book not only to give to one's father but to anyone who has acted as a father figure.

There are many illustrations in this book that deal with seeing, indicating the wonder with which a child views the world and the way a dad can nurture that vision. We have a lion surveying the horizon with wonder, a little llama awakening to a gentle nudge from its father, a pig and its parent peeking up at the sky together. There's the usual array of amusing animal antics illustrating the sorts of childhood foibles fathers have to deal with, from learning to tie one's shoes to being asked to help with housework.

Mostly, there is photo after photo of two animals of the same species huddled together in some sort of activity, often simply quiet contemplation. Lions, whales, cheetah, monkeys, rhinos and a long list of other animals are captured in moments of domestic tranquility or chaos. All are wonderful, but my favorite features a tiny snail and much larger snail seeming to approach and star at one another, accompanied by the words "slowly but surely I have grown to be more and more like you in the very best ways."

That's what the book is all about, realizing how much so many of us owe to our fathers and how, despite all the troubles we may put them through as children and adolescents, we probably will come to see that they were right about most things. It's part adulation, part apology and all sincere appreciation coupled with some irresistible animal photos, and with fewer than 90 pages, it's a breeze to read through, but its tender message is worth returning to again and again.

The Incredible Truth About Motherhood an Ideal Gift for Mothers' Day or Any Day

Mothers' Day is nearly upon us again. It's a time of flowers, cards, dinners and all sorts of expressions of appreciation to the women who raised us. One man who clearly does not limit his gratitude to his mom to Mothers' Day is Bradley Trevor Greive, who, since writing and compiling The Blue Day Book, has become a gift book power house, with two of his small volumes devoted to the subject of mothers.

First came Dear Mom. Then, a few years later, just in case we hadn't gotten the point, he came out with The Incredible Truth About Motherhood. While the first addresses Mom directly, the second is an ode to her for the benefit of the rest of us, lest we forget how hard our mothers work to ensure that we have a good life. Instead of saying, "Gee, Mom, thanks!" it's saying, "Gee, you should really thank your mom." It covers pretty similar territory, but that's okay. It's a message worth reading twice, and with a different set of zany animals to accompany Greive's sometimes wise, something wacky words, it's an entirely different experience.

It's also a good 30 pages longer, which means even more entertainment and warmth for your ten bucks. Throughout the 107 pages, it's the nearly full-page black-and-white pictures that really capture the attention, many featuring adult animals with youngsters, not necessarily of the same species, which emphasizes the fact that mothers needn't have a biological connection to be nurturing. Of course, for every cozy moment of mother and child snuggled softly together, there's another in which the little darlings are wreaking havoc. We get a lot of shots of mothers looking harassed as Greive reminds us again and again what twerps kids can be and how much patience is at times required in order to put up with them.

Throughout his books, Greive seems to have a slight bias against men, and this comes to light here when he gives fathers a couple of passing mentions, brushing them aside as lazy, ungrateful oafs (who always happen to be portrayed by grumpy gorillas). It's brief and exaggerated enough that I don't take it too seriously, but in light of the rather vindictive Looking for Mr. Right, I can't help but view those pages with some distaste. Then again, there are unflattering portraits of children in this book and even occasionally of mothers, so mainly I think Greive is encouraging us to laugh at our shortcomings. And then to do something about them.

He wants children and husbands to take time out to thank the woman of the house, and not just on Mothers' Day. But that is a good day to start, so if you are stumped for a gift for Mom, pick up The Incredible Truth About Motherhood and give her something to smile about.

A small sampling of the treasures to be found within:

"So in no small way, our world is in their tiny hands. But whose hands are they in?" (7, a young baboon studying a small globe in its hand while its mother gazes intently at it)

"They will be in the picture for virtually every hour of every day for at least the next two decades." (22, a baby koala peeking over the head of its mother)

"'I want an ice cream!'" (43, a baby hippo bellowing at its unimpressed mother)

"But throughout all of this, a mother never loses sight of her loving purpose: to walk beside her child through life's difficult journey." (87, a young elephant walking beside its mother)

There's a lot more where that came from. Celebrate the selfless contributions of your own mother with Bradley Trevor Greive.

You'll Get Lost in This Book's Beauty

Several years ago, my aunt gave me the book Stranger in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy for Christmas. I'd never seen it before but was immediately entranced by the gorgeous close-up photographs of various woodland animals. While that book is firmly rooted in winter, Carl L. Sams II and Jean Stoick, a husband-and-wife team of wildlife photographers, next brought their creativity to a summery book as lush and green as their first effort is snowy. The book: Lost in the Woods: A Photographic Fantasy.

This charming story is about a newborn fawn who awakes to find himself alone in the forest. He's not particularly surprised at this situation; after all, his mother told him that she needed to leave him here for his own safety and that she would be back eventually. But he's greeted with a chorus of curious woodlanders, and their chattered inquiries make him more anxious about his situation. Is he really lost, as they suggest? Did he wander so far that his mother won't be able to find him? What if she doesn't come back?

We get a very wide variety of forest life within these pages, and most animals have a distinct manner of speaking. The mouse whispers, the blackbird shouts, the owl hoots, the goslings gab. Many of them are inquisitive about this young visitor, but few offer him any very practical help. Comfort is what he needs more than anything, and he winds up getting quite the opposite from several busy-bodies who pose gloomy hypotheses as to why he where he is. However, he does receive some welcome affirmation from a frog and a katydid, both masters of camouflage, for blending so nicely into the landscape.

While the writing style is fairly engaging, the photographs are what really make Lost in the Woods a work of art. Though the backgrounds tend to be slightly out of focus and often blend into white space, where the text rests, the animals are in sharp detail, captured in moments of liveliness that complement the words perfectly. We get many close-ups of the adorable fawn, with his stylish spots, ungainly legs, wide, milk chocolate eyes and large ears. There's a chipmunk with cheeks stuffed to the bursting point, a bright-eyed little mouse hiding amongst leaves, a holly-red cardinal cocking its head inquisitively, a gaggle of goslings chattering to each other, a raccoon clinging to a branch and peeking at the spectacle below. While green is the most predominant color by far, followed by brown, we get the whole spectrum here. It's a vibrant, joyous book that makes me long for a springtime walk in the woods.

Stranger in the Woods is an excellent choice for young nature lovers, who can marvel at the exquisite photography and learn that fawns are often left alone in the woods by their mothers as a means of hiding them from predators, since very young deer have little to no scent. After they've read through the story, they can go back and reap more enjoyment from this book as they search for the small creatures listed on the final page, which are hidden throughout the preceding pages. Sams and Stoick have shown just as much skill in crafting a spring-themed book as they did with winter. Bring on summer and fall!

A Worthy Tribute to Pope John Paul II the Great

A couple years ago, as Catholics around the world were preparing to celebrate Pope John Paul II’s 25th year in the papacy, my dad happened upon Pope John Paul II: A Tribute, published by LIFE magazine on the occasion of the new millennium. He picked it up and brought it home for me, knowing the high esteem in which I held the pontiff. Very soon the magazine racks will be lined with tributes to the third-longest-reigning Pope in the history of Catholicism, and many books will no doubt follow. For the moment, though, I’m glad I have this book to pore over while I reflect on the life of this great man.

The book, which is in the same large format typical of regular issues of the magazine, spans 120 or so pages and five chapters. Its cardstock pages are filled with photographs from the life of Karol Wojtyla; nearly every page features an illustration, and some of these pictures even span two pages. Rather than a detailed account of the most recent Pope’s tenure in the Vatican, the book chronicles his life up to that point, leaving the last two chapters to deal with the most famous portion of his long life.

At the end of every chapter is a two-page spread making note of Popes and other religious figures with special significance in the history of the Church. These aside are a treasure trove for trivia. Some samples: The 20th century’s beloved Pope John XXIII was the second to bear that name, though the original’s reign was not acknowledged, earning him instead the title of antipope, shared by several other pontiffs whose claim to the papacy was disputed. According to legend, the Church was once headed by a woman named Joan, whose femininity was exposed when she went into labor while horseback riding. Pope Leo X had a white elephant that he cherished as a pet and frequently paraded around the city, much to the disgust of contemporary Martin Luther. I found such tidbits fascinating, and the continual reminder of the papacy throughout history gave me more cause to ponder the historical legacy of Pope John Paul II.

The first chapter in the book deals with Wojtyla as a child and young adult. It begins in 1999, chronicling one of the Pope’s last visits to his homeland, including a trip to the house where he grew up in the town of Wadowice. Author Robert Sullivan takes the reader from the Pope’s fond recollection of those bygone days into that time when he was just a little boy known by the nickname Lolek. Even from those early days, it seemed he was special, though few could have predicted just how important he would eventually become. There’s something very encouraging in the realization that this future Pope was a fairly normal child. More gifted and compassionate than most, perhaps, but enjoying a number of activities typical of youngsters. He was especially fond of soccer, skiing and hiking; his passion for the outdoors would endure throughout his life, as would his flair for drama and poetry. In fact, Sullivan tells us he had originally intended to study drama, a plan that would fall through with the advent of the Nazi invasion and the closing of his university. By his early 20s, he’d lost his brother and both parents to illness and countless friends, many of them Jewish, to the Nazis.

The second chapter focuses on his journey from clandestine seminarian to bishop. While he studied for the priesthood, aware that all around him clergy and academics were being hauled off to concentration camps, he worked in a quarry and at a chemical plant. The tragedy and cruelty of World War II cemented his sense of purpose in being a priest; the ensuing decades would find him dealing with another oppression, that of communism. He owed much to the mentorship of several clergy, perhaps most of all Cardinal Sapieha, who had him pegged for the priesthood when he saw Wojtyla present an oration in his honor in high school and continued to groom him for greater things in the Church even after his death, passing responsibility of the young cleric to Archbishop Baziak. During these early years, Wojtyla made a reputation for himself as a teacher and speaker and earned the affection of his parishioners and students, whom he often led on theologically-charged nature hikes.

The third chapter follows Wojtyla’s unlikely path to becoming a Cardinal. While it seems the most dangerous times for Wojtyla were during World War II, he continued to face challenges, and that he was able to rise through the ranks to achieve the title of Cardinal essential to be considered for the papacy is a testament to the notion that his election was providential. Communism was increasingly a threat at this point, but he managed to remain active in his ministry in spite of the oppressive government and somehow eluded their radar as a political force to be reckoned with. It was a time of great change in the Church, and his childhood experiences helped inform his insistence on absolving Jews of responsibility in the death of Jesus. He championed his beliefs passionately, revealing an intriguing mix of progressive ideals, such as ecumenism and taking an active role in aiding Third World countries, and conservative values, such as disapproval of divorce and of any actions that deny the sanctity of life – including abortion and birth control. His stance of these subjects and others would remain steady throughout his papacy.

Chapter four discusses the demise of Pope Paul VI and the strange weeks that followed: first the death of Pope John Paul I after barely a month in office, then the election, after much deliberation, of the first non-Italian Pope in 450 years. Most were surprised by the choice, which is hard to imagine for the millions of us who have grown up knowing only this Pope. Clearly, he quickly adapted to the role, using the influence of his position as well as his natural charisma to win over hordes of devout Catholics and, impressively, world leaders with whom he had fundamental disagreements. It’s generally agreed that the fall of communism owes a great deal to Pope John Paul II. His oratorical skill and common touch also aided in making him perhaps the greatest papal “fisher of men” since Peter and probably the most visible man of the century. Traveling as many miles during his 26 years as would be required for a round trip to the moon, he allowed millions of people in dozens of countries to see him in person, while countless others watched him on television. He reached out to the poor, the sick, the disenfranchised… even to the man who nearly succeeded in murdering him in 1981. He remained a formidable force.

Chapter five stands almost as an afterthought, assessing the Pope’s relevance at the turn of the millennium while acknowledging all he accomplished up to that point. Sullivan notes that as the year 2000 neared, he became more beloved but less obeyed. Particularly those in America objected to his doctrines, often too conservative for such a contemporary country. But he stuck to his principles, always speaking out against injustices he saw in the world. In spite of accumulating ailments, the peripatetic Pope continued to preach throughout the world, while begging forgiveness on behalf of the Church for wrongs done in the name of Catholicism over the past two millennia. Perhaps that passion would be the legacy he would leave history to record.

As is typical of LIFE books, half of this tribute is pictorial. Though the fuzzy quality of many of the early photographs is disappointing, that can hardly be helped, and they allow us a glimpse of a very holy man when he was still trying to figure out his direction in life. My favorite pictures are those portraying Wojtyla enjoying the great outdoors or the company of adoring young people. I was surprised to discover that one of my favorite pictures of the Pope, in which he forms eyeglasses with his fingers, is not included; I’m puzzling now over which book I have that includes that candid moment displaying his sense of humor. I get a kick out of the portrait on page 83 of him smiling in African regalia amongst natives on his first tour of that continent and the captured moment on page 60 of him feeding a kangaroo during a pre-papal expedition to Australia, and the serene shot of him reading while reclining amidst lush greenery recalls his fondness for the outdoors and literature and ends the book on a peaceful note.

This is a fine overview of the life of one of the most important figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest Popes in a 2000-year history. For an in-depth understanding of Pope John Paul II’s significance, it would probably be better to turn to a biography such as George Weigel’s Witness to Hope or, of course, one of the several books written by Pope John Paul II himself. I would not be surprised if LIFE either expands this book or comes out with a new one chronicling the Pope’s last days; it might be worthwhile to wait and see. Standing alone, however, this is a fine tribute to a man whose vast influence is becoming all the more clear this week. I highly recommend it for anyone as charmed and inspired by him as I was.

A Celebration of Friendship with Lots of Laughs Along the Way

Several years ago, we went to my aunt’s house to visit and happened upon a book on her coffee table. It was a slim volume – certainly not the typical coffee table book with the potential of inflicting a life-altering injury on someone standing under it in a bookstore – and my brother and I read through it quickly. Then, when we had finished it, we read it again. Somehow, my aunt has a way of always introducing us to completely unfamiliar books that will, in a matter of months, become a sensation. Such was the case with Bradley Trevor Greive’s The Blue Day Book. After I purchased the first book, I found that I had to collect each subsequent volume as near to the release date as possible. And at $10 a pop, I don’t have to feel too guilty about it.

Greive’s latest endeavor, Friends to the End, jumped out at me at the conclusion of a long day at work. We were putting away the last bit of stock and there it was. I knew I would have to buy it the first chance I got. And so I did. Greive has dedicated two books already to the subject of honoring mothers – which is nice but a bit unfair, since he hasn’t done a book about dads yet – and this one honors another very important relationship in one’s life. Greive pays homage to all the friends who make life so much better, starting with his heartwarming dedication. The always-brilliant pictures, culled from a large number of talented photographers, are among the most endearing yet. Because the book discusses different types of people coming together and becoming unlikely allies, its pages are filled with odd pairings of animals. Among them:

…which is strange, considering how close we’ve become. (3) – a large frog giving an equally large leopard-print frog a hug

What makes friendship, especially a friendship like ours, so special? (7) – a baby fox and rabbit snuggled up together in a basket

There is a curious fact about friendship that we have always known but rarely acknowledge: By understanding others, we also come closer to understanding ourselves. (15) – a lamb, chicken and piglet looking out over a fence together

Genuine friendships are founded on a shared vision – the view that our lives are somehow better because particular people are a part of them. (25) – a dog and lion cuddled up together in the grass

Despite numerous differences, real friends see eye to eye on all the issues that matter. Our common values, passions, concerns, and mutual respect enhance our life experiences as a whole. (26) – a mouse sitting at eye level on a elephant’s trunk

Most important, friends know when to just sit quietly beside us and say nothing at all. (38) – a chimpanzee lying beside a very depressed-looking dog

We go on adventures (40) – a donkey with a suitcase in its mouth carrying a Chihuahua on its back

With a real friend, we know exactly what they are thinking without having to say a word. (101) – a duckling and puppy rubbing noses with each other

The book chronicles all the different aspects of friendship, from shared passions to cozy comforts, taking time to note the difference between real friends and those who may seek companionship for less that noble purposes. In Greive’s trademark witty style, he urges readers to treasure those who stand by them, even if they sometimes can be irritating. The rewards of a deep friendship are far greater than the inconvenience of putting up with annoying personality quirks. Like all of Greive’s books, this is a volume to treasure and an ideal gift to give to the kind of friend described within its pages.

Greive and the Gang Encourage Readers to Embrace Tomorrow

On a trip to my aunt’s house a few years ago, I was introduced to the delightful wit and wisdom of Bradley Trevor Greive via The Blue Day Book, a tome that would pave the way for many future projects. Since then, I eagerly await each of Greive’s new efforts, always a balanced mixture of the author’s perceptive prose and wonderfully appropriate black-and-white photographs, usually of animals. Tomorrow: Adventures in an Uncertain World follows along rather the same lines as The Meaning of Life; it acknowledges that the world can be a scary place and we don’t know what unpleasantness the future might hold, but it urges the reader to embrace life anyway and hope for the best. After all, there are many things that make life worth living.

This latest edition to my Greive collection bears a yellow cover with a picture of a penguin scanning a vast empty expanse. The back cover gives us a shot of the bird dancing, indicating the direction the book will take. In 110 pages, Greive and his cast of furry, feathered, scaled, and antennaed assistants address the multitudinous concerns which everyone must face on a daily basis and counteract them with a reminder of the beautiful moments just waiting to be experienced each and every day. Tomorrow, like Meaning of Life, is a bit wordier than Blue Day, but it still can be easily read in under an hour. It’s ten dollars well spent, though. The photographs alone are worth a second, fifth, or tenth look. Here are some of my favorites:

You and I both know that good people get attacked in broad daylight all the time (14) - a chicken trying to step up onto a concrete block and being hindered by a rabbit grabbing it from behind

And if you do finally snuggle up to someone who seems perfect for you (24) - a guinea pig and duckling cuddled up next to each other

Now, what I find so confusing is that if these stone-faced folk truly believe all the scary stuff they preach, why do they choose to keep on living? (33) - a grasshopper, blurred except for its sharply focused head and front legs, tapping its head in a quizzical manner

There is always someone you can count on (40) - a koala clinging to the back of a German shepherd

So in other words, a good support network is always valuable, but hiring personal bodyguards is probably going too far! (67) - a kitten flanked by a duckling on either side, all three standing erect

Embrace the unpredictable and go exploring for things that inspire you (96) - a cat gazing at a dandelion whose seeds are about to take flight

And the time that special person whispered, “I love you.” (104) - a joey seemingly whispering in its mother’s ear

As you make this journey, always remember that each day is a precious gift... (108) - a guinea pig holding a daisy in its mouth

Check the book out for yourself and find your own favorites. And take the words to heart, because everyone can use a little comfort now and then.

September 11, 2001: Remembering Through Pictures

On the second anniversary of the massive tragedy that shook America, I find myself somber and looking for a way to appropriately commemorate the occasion. I woke up this morning to Good Morning America, just as I did two years ago. Today I watched as they replayed the unfolding of events that came into play just moments after I had left the house for school. Today’s was a special program, dedicated entirely to remembrances of that day and profiles of survivors. Going into the 9:00 hour, the children of those who died that day were reading off the names of the victims, a very poignant tribute.

Therefore, while I reflect upon that tragic day myself, I present a volume that captures all of the history and emotion of that day in a moving and compelling manner. Life’s One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001 is a commemorative book that all Americans would do well to have on their shelves. The cover itself is remarkable: an American flag made up of tiny portraits of September 11 victims. The back cover, meanwhile, features the photograph of one of the brave firefighters who became such a symbol of courage and heroism in the hours and days that followed. The Introduction comes from former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, whose leadership in the midst of the terror helped give many Americans a sense of stability. Giuliani was almost killed himself as he fled the area of the collapsing towers. His words are strengthening and full of hope: “We have met the worst of humanity with the best of humanity.”

The book begins with a brief history of the World Trade Center and a discussion of its symbolic importance. It then moves into a timeline of the significant moments on September 11, starting at 5:45 a.m. when Mohammed Atta passed through the security check in the airport and ending at 10:21 p.m. when President Bush ended a security meeting and retired for the night. This 60-page section is punctuated by dozens of crisp, dramatic pictures, such as the New York skyline as the second plane approached and just as it hit, the evacuation of those in the tower, their collapse, the dust-covered people fleeing the vicinity, President Bush being informed of the second plane’s attack while visiting a second-grade class, and the Pentagon burning. It also features a map of the attacking planes’ routes.

The next section features photographs taken by photographer James Nachtwey on September 11. He was awakened when the first plane hit and ran towards the WTC in order to capture the destruction on film. The next pages deal with the aftermath of the attack, from the widespread destruction near the Towers to the swelling of patriotism in the American public. Following this are some profiles of individuals who went beyond the call of duty on that day. These include Todd Beamer, Jeremy Glick, Tom Burnett, and Mark Bingham, the men who attempted an overthrow of the Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania, and many emergency workers, including canines.

Faces of Ground Zero contains full-page photographs of those in close proximity to the attacks, from firefighters and WTC workers to high school students and former Mayor Giuliani. These moving photographs are accompanied by reflections by each subject. The next portion is dedicated to reflections from accomplished writers. Elsewhere, poems by Maya Angelou and Gordon Parks inspired by September 11 are featured. The book ends with The New Normal, featuring poignant photographs of people continuing with their lives in the wake of the national tragedy.

The factual information in One Nation is fascinating and the reflections moving, but most powerful of all are the photographs, for which Life is so well known. These images capture every possible aspect of that day: the destruction, fear, heartache, compassion, heroism… It’s all in these pictures, leaving owners of this nearly 200-page coffee table book an indelible record they can return to on days such as this. As they page through the photographs, they will see a testament to the powers of hatred and love. Let love win the day.

Greive May Not Provide Meaning of Life, But He Will Get You Thinking

I recently graduated from college and found myself teetering on the precipice of what is known as The Rest of My Life. In fact, I am still teetering, trying to figure out what comes next, none too eager to embrace any big changes. This book didn’t prompt me to make any life-altering decisions, but it did put a smile on my face and provide a few words of wisdom to guide me in my strange new role as college graduate. The Meaning of Life is not specifically intended for graduates; it can apply to anyone about to enter a new phase of life. Actually, it can apply to anyone at all, since finding meaning in life on some level is a continuing quest for pretty much everyone.

This is my third Bradley Trevor Greive book. I own The Blue Book and Dear Mom. My grandma owns The Incredible Truth About Motherhood, I have seen Looking for Mr. Right in stores, and I just today saw another volume, Tomorrow: Adventures in an Uncertain World, advertised. All of his books follow a similar formula. He collects an array of expressive animal photos (usually – there are a few inanimate objects and humans thrown in here and there) and fills each book with them, one to a page, black and white (except for the covers - Blue Day is blue, Dear Mom pink, and this, which features a frog on the cover, is green), with just enough white space at the bottom for some written wit. The volumes are inspirational in nature, either offering thanks or encouragement, and they provide a perfect balance of sagacity and hilarity.

The book comes with a warning in the form of a 7-page Prologue, which reads, in part, “You may have opened this little book expecting it to be filled with answers, but (surprise, surprise!) it’s actually a book about questions.” No, you won’t get the meaning of life from this book. But you may be just a bit more inspired to search for it. Through a series of witty observations and queries, this tome encourages readers to get out there and do something exciting with their lives. Essentially the same sentiments as that graduation classic Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, without the rhyme. This small square (shape, that is, not level of hipness) book packs an awful lot into its 120 pages. It is probably the wordiest of his books which I have perused, but it’s still a pretty quick read. You can take as little or as much time with it as you want.

As in my previous Greive reviews, I’ll provide a little guide to my personal favorite pages as a teaser…

Why do children believe in fairies, but “grown-ups” don’t? (14) – A cheetah cub gazes into the sky at some small flying insects as its mother lies alongside, looking bored.

Perhaps the confusion arises because life is not always what it seems. (22) – Two donkeys face each other; the head of the first is in front of the head of the other so that it appears to be a donkey with two bodies and one head.

This love of life leads us to help others simply because it feels great to contribute to those around us. (39) – Probably my favorite picture in the book, it features a primate – a baboon, I think – sitting with a puppy in its lap and grooming it.

We all know how wonderful it feels to be a rock for our family and friends (of course, there is a limit) (40) – I hope there were no animals harmed in the taking of this picture, because this looks pretty dangerous. An elephant’s foot touches the top of a chick’s head, looking like it is about to come down.

People who don’t ask themselves these questions invariably go through life wondering why it isn’t a lot more fun. (43) – A very disgruntled-looking German shepherd sits decorated with garland and wearing a hat with a star on the top.

We get caught up in an avalanche of fears and desires that propel us into a race we can’t possibly win. (49) – A blur of mice races past, while one in the front of the picture in sharp focus gazes out.

A little voice – call it your conscience, your inner self, or your internal mother-in-law – will always tell you the truth if you are prepared to hear it. (72) – A huge tortoise sits with a small tortoise on top of its head.

(Of course, one needs to remember where courage ends and stupidity begins.) (84) – A mouse scampers down the backside of an elephant.

You may well be surrounded by people who secretly want you to achieve less or even fail completely just so they don’t look bad… (96) – A cat stands in the center of a circle of piglets, which bury their noses in the cat’s fur.

This is just a sampling of the treasure trove of wit, wisdom, and photographic brilliance contained in The Meaning of Life. An especially appropriate gift for a graduate, this book is well worth its $10 price tag. Pick up a copy and leave it out where people can leaf through it. Those irresistible animals will lure them in every time, and they may well emerge better for having read it.

In Honor of Lincoln on our Birthday

Today, February 12, marks the auspicious anniversary of the birth of two extremely important people - namely, Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, and Erin McCarty (myself). Okay, okay, I'm not really putting myself in league with the man I consider to be this country's greatest president. But I do think it's pretty cool that I get to share a birthday with him. So I figured this year, I would honor Mr. Lincoln with a review of one of the best biographies about him that I have read.

Lincoln: A Photobiography is a concise, easy-to-read biography packed with pictures of and facts about Abraham Lincoln. It was a most useful resource to me when I did a project on Lincoln in sixth grade, and I still consider it a fine portrait of my favorite president. Obviously many others agreed with me, because this book was awarded the Newberry Medal, the most prestigious prize in children?s literature.

The book is divided up into seven chapters. Chapter One, The Mysterious Mister Lincoln, provides a physical description of Lincoln and discusses why this man has come to be known as such a remarkable person. Included are two photos, one a portrait of a whiskerless Lincoln and one of Lincoln with General McClellan and his staff. Freedman shares several observations of those who knew Lincoln, and a few comments by Lincoln himself, including the famous quip, "If I had another face do you think I'd wear this one?"

Chapter Two, A Backwoods Boy, concentrates on Lincoln's early life. He was born in 1809 and lived in Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, working on farms and educating himself through voracious reading. His mother died when he was nine, and he gained a step-mother the following year. This chapter describes Lincoln's home life and discusses how he fought his way up through the system to eventually become a lawyer. There are many pictures in this chapter, including a photograph of Lincoln's step-mother and a very nice painting of him splitting logs as a young man.

Chapter Three, Law and Politics, lists Lincoln's struggles with making a name for himself and courting Mary Todd, whose family did not approve of him, much to Lincoln's disappointment. The two eventually married despite the family's objections, and in the next ten years they had four sons, Robert, Eddie, Willie, and Tad, as Lincoln?s reputation as a lawyer grew. The end of the chapter deals heavily with Lincoln's family life and the tragedy of Eddie's death at the age of four. Among the pictures in this chapter are side-by-side portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and a family portrait of Mrs. Lincoln with Willie and Tad.

Chapter Four, Half Slave and Half Free, delves into Lincoln's problems with the institution of slavery. "If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong," he said. "I cannot remember when I did not so think, and feel." This chapter discusses how Lincoln dealt with the problem of slavery as a congressman and follows his bid for the presidency, his debate with Stephen Douglas, and his eventual election to the presidency. Two of the best graphics in this chapter are the poster announcing Lincoln's victory and the series of four portraits chronicling the growth of Lincoln's beard.

Chapter Five, Emancipation, chronicles the beginning of Lincoln's presidency and the commencement of the Civil War. The chapter deals with the opposition Lincoln faced, his reluctance to engage in a war that would tear the country apart, and the joys and sorrows of his family life. Of particular interest are the antics of Tad and Willie, who ran wild through the White House and had their own menagerie of pets which included a pony and a goat. This period also contained Lincoln's greatest personal tragedy, the death of 11-year-old Willie, whom Lincoln described as "too good for this earth." The chapter ends with Lincoln?s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which he considered to be the most significant act in which he would ever participate. Of the pictures, particularly enjoyable are the photographs of Tad and Willie and the painting depicting the signing of the Emancipation Proclamaton.

Chapter Six, This Dreadful War, follows the Civil War through to its end. Lincoln?s distaste for war is evident throughout this portion, and his "pigeon-hearted" nature is discussed in detail. His generals complained that he was always pardoning soldiers who had been given the death sentence. "It rests me, after a hard day's work, that I can find some excuse for saving some poor fellow's life," Lincoln said. This chapter also includes Lincoln's delivery of the Gettysburg Address and Lee's surrender to Grant. Many excellent graphics fill this section, including a handwritten copy of the Gettysburg Address, a full-body photo of General Lee, a painting of Pickett's charge, and the last photograph taken of President Lincoln during his life.

Chapter Seven, Who Is Dead in the White House?, concludes the narrative portion of the book, describing the days leading up to and following Lincoln's assassination. Death threats were nothing new to Lincoln, and there had been concern for his safety for some time. But when he went to Ford's Theater on April 14, he was in a festive mood. The attack by John Wilkes Booth threw the theater into an uproar, and although five doctors struggled to save Lincoln?s life, he died of his wound. In the words of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, he would now belong to the ages. Pictures in this chapter included a poster for the capture of Lincoln's assassin, a drawing of Booth in the act of shooting Lincoln, and a photo of Lincoln's funeral procession.

Finally, the book concludes with three appendices. A Lincoln Sampler is a collection of cool quotes from President Lincoln. In Lincoln's Footsteps contains descriptions of ten historic sites dedicated to Lincoln's memory. Finally, Books About Lincoln points readers in the right direction for further reading about this great American legend. Although Lincoln: A Photobiography is not particularly in-depth, it provides an excellent overview of Lincoln's life and is filled with interesting tidbits. I would rate it essential reading for Lincoln scholars as well as those only tangentially interested in him. I can think of few people in history more worth reading about.

"THERE GOES...RHYMIN' SIMON...'CAUSE HE'S THE BEST...TOTALLY"

I very rarely watch Saturday Night Live, so I was tickled when I happened to turn it on last week and discovered that it was the Paul Simon / Election 2000 episode. I'd made a special point of watching it the first time around, and I made a special point of watching it again, this time armed with a video tape. I think if my parents hear "THERE GOES...RHYMIN' SIMON...'CAUSE HE'S THE BEST...TOTALLY" one more time, they're going to scream...

Anyway, all four of the songs which were played during this SNL sketch are included on this album, which is a 15-year retrospective of Paul Simon's solo work. "I liked it. I really liked it. The problem that I have with it is...I really didn't like it." NO. Scratch that. SNL mode again. I really did like this album; my only complaint is that American Tune, my favorite song from Paul Simon's solo career, is not included. But then, as jedikermit pointed out, this is an album in which Garfunkel's presence is audibly absent. Since Garfunkel was the one who introduced Simon to the Bach melody he would use for the tune of his song, back before they broke up, I guess you could call that a semi-Simon and Garfunkel song.

This album has 16 tracks:

Mother and Child Reunion: This lively tune which has a great beat behind it tells a tale of a woman wishing to be reunited with her mother despite the distance between them. Neat song, and I love the way he came up with the title. He spied it on a menu at a Chinese restaurant (some sort of dish involving chicken and eggs) and decided he was going to have to use that for a song title someday.

Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard: Another very peppy song, with another great beat, this time talking about a couple of guys sneaking behind the school to get high and getting into trouble. There's a picture in my brother's Sesame Street Unpaved book of Simon singing this song with one of the youngsters...I wonder if he altered the words slightly?

Something So Right

St. Judy's Comet: A lullaby written for his son. I actually heard this one first on a Kenny Loggins children's album. At any rate, it's a nice song in which he tries to convince his son to fall asleep (because if he can't even sing his own son to sleep "it would make your famous father look so dumb").

Loves Me Like a Rock: Back to the energetic, percussion-heavy style of the first two tracks. This one is a nice tribute to moms. "My mama, she loves me / she loves me / she gets down on her knees and hugs me / and she loves me like a rock / she loves me like the Rock of Ages". Quite a few religious references in this song as well.

Kodachrome: Yippee! My favorite on the album, second-favorite solo song. It's got a hard edge to it, great guitar work, and it's just plain nifty. I'm surprised I like it so much, since it's even got a vulgarity in it. (About as mild a vulgarity as you can get, though I once read an interview in which Paul Simon claimed this song was groundbreaking because it was the first song containing a vulgarity to run uncensored on the airwaves.) I've tried, though, and I can't come up with anything comparable that would work as a replacement. It's pretty hard to be offended by its use, unless you happen to have been a teacher at Forest Hills High School in the fifties...

Anyway, this is a song about nostalgia, and nothing fuels nostalgia better than a photograph. Kodachrome happens to be a very special kind of Kodak film which causes the colors in the picture to come out looking brighter than life. It's a very cheery format. Around the time Simon wrote the song, Kodak was talking about shelving this type of film. Perhaps in part due to Simon's plea, they didn't. But now, 28 years later, they finally decided to do away with it. (((sigh))) Oh, well. I guess Kodachrome itself will be a part of that nostalgia now.

"Kodachrome / give us such nice bright colors / give us the greens of summer / make me think all the world is a sunny day, oh yeah / I got a Nikon camera / I love to take a photograph / so mama don't take my Kodachrome away."

Have a Good Time

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover: Fun and unique, and, incidentally, the first of the four songs butchered by those guys on SNL. The message is don't sit around stuck in a relationship that you don't want to be in. There are lots of ways to get out of it, so pick one and get going!

"Just slip out the back, Jack / Make a new plan, Stan / Don't try to be coy, Roy / Just listen to me / Hop on the bus, Gus / Don't need to discuss much / Just drop off the key, Lee / And get yourself free."

Still Crazy After All These Years: Probably the most cliched song title of Simon's solo career. By which I mean, turned into a cliche; Simon once said he couldn't believe that it hadn't been a phrase before he made it one. This is a slower, retrospective song which is a nice break from the frantic energy of so many others.

Late in the Evening: And we really needed the break because this one is probably the most energetic song on the album. Sort of a Turn the Page type of "my life as a singer" song. Not really one of my favorites, but it certainly does stand out.

Slip Slidin' Away: Very mellow, about how our goals and dreams seem to slip from our grasp just as we've almost achieved them. (And if Paul Simon ever had a music video in mind for this song, I'm sure it did not involve a couple guys slipping and falling flat on their backs -- sorry, last SNL reference. I promise. I'll be good.) "Slip slidin' away / Slip slidin' away / You know the nearer your destination, the more you're slip slidin' away."

Hearts and Bones: Title track from his early 80s album which focused largely on his rocky and brief marriage to Carrie Fisher. Almost a Simon and Garfunkel album, but Simon changed his mind and erased Garfunkel's vocals from the tracks in mid-production...ouch!

Train in the Distance

Rene and Georgette Magritte with their Dog After the War: To my knowledge, the longest Paul Simon song title. A nice soft song which paints a verbal picture.

Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes: At five and three-fourths minutes, this collaboration with Ladysmith Black Mambazo is the longest track on the album, one of the longest Simon's ever recorded. I'll always remember the first time I heard this song, in my senior English class in high school when my classmate, Ian, played it as part of his presentation on the music of South Africa. A song about class difference, this tune, enhanced by the African singers, is reminiscent of The Boxer in the way that it repeats a musical phrase over and over.

You Can Call Me Al: One of Paul Simon's most famous solo songs, made so in part by his collaboration with Chevy Chase for a humorous music video. (Ooops, was that on SNL? Well, if it was, it's not where I saw it, so I'm pleading the fifth.) "If you'll be my bodyguard / I can be your long-lost pal / You can call me Betty / Betty, when you call me / You can call me Al."

Well, I guess that about does it. I've been meaning to review a Paul Simon album for quite some time, as I have the unfortunate habit of skimping on Simon and gushing over Garfunkel. Oh, well, we all have our favorites. Paul Simon is a genius, though, then and now. His ability to manipulate words into lyrics makes a wannabe poet like me cringe with feelings of unworthiness. This album is a great introduction to Simon's solo work, which spans across decades and dozens of songs. What can I say? His induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was well deserved.

A Perfect Gift for Mother's Day

If you enjoyed Bradley Trevor Greive’s The Blue Day Book, here is another delightful volume for you to enjoy. This book, written in the same format as the first, is a tribute to moms of all ages and species. The pink cover, which proudly displays the title Dear Mom: Thank
You For Everything, boasts an adorable picture of an orangutan infant clinging to its mother.

Before the book begins, there is an extremely appropriate quote by Abraham Lincoln: “All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.” After that follow 73 pages of polished prose and captivating photographs. Here are a few of my favorites:

I’m sure it’s hard to imagine that I was once small, helpless, and completely dependent on someone else, (4) – an elephant struggling to fit through a train door

but I was. (5) – a tiny primate clinging to a banana twice as big as itself

You sculpted my face with a million tender kisses. (16) – a chimpanzee cuddling her child

You shared with me all the values that make you so special – kindness, forgiveness, honesty, persistence, thoughtfulness, and especially patience! (19) – an affectionate cat sticking its head in the mouth of a yawning dog

[Thank you] for giving me everything I needed (and then some) to grow up and fulfill my potential, (23) – two mice nibbling atop a huge wheel of cheese

and for calling me your “perfect little angel” (24) – a bright-eyed piglet

(despite overwhelming evidence that this was not actually the case) (25) – a squinty-eyed horned lizard

Thank you for being my full-time, on-call, personal chauffeur from day one. (26) – a cat riding a racehorse

Whenever I got into a bind, you were always there for me. (35) – a mouse stuck between two pieces of wood

Thank you for encouraging me to recognize the real beauty inside me and to stand tall. (39) – a giraffe nudging her baby towards its first steps

I know we got into a flap over things every now and then (44) – a duck and her duckling flapping and hissing at each other

I’m not sure I’ll ever get over you making me kiss your great-aunt smack on the mustache! (48) – a rhino with its mouth wide open

I’m sorry for splashing around in mud puddles after you dressed me up in my best clothes and new shoes (54) – a drenched raccoon standing in a lake

and for asking, “Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” every time we went driving. (55) – a snail on a turtle’s back

I realize now what a tremendous sacrifice you made for me. I know my playtime took precedence over your rest time, (61) – a baby prairie dog stretched across its mother

and my potty training took precedence over absolutely everything. (63) – a chimp with its hand over its eyes and a disturbed look on its face

“Mom, I’m starving!” (65) – a yowling cat

“Mommy, I’m bored.” (66) – a hippo with a huge yawn

“Mommy, I can’t find my pet chicken anywhere. I need you to wake up and help me find it right now!” (67) – a screaming chimp with a chick on its head

You have shown me a world filled with love and wonder. (69) – a lion and her cub looking out over the prairie through the rustling grass

Because you are [the greatest mom in the universe]. Thank you, Mom. Thank you for everything. (73) a baby cheetah looking into its mother’s face

For a mere ten dollars, this book is sure to bring joy to one and all, especially mothers. Look through it yourself and see which pages especially apply to your beloved parent. This book is sure to bring a smile, so pick it up today. Your mom will be thrilled.

Turn Those Forwns Upside-Down with these Animal Clowns

Have you ever had one of those days when it feels like everything is going wrong and the whole world is out to get you? Maybe you're swamped with work, you got into a big fight, or you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Well, whatever your malady, this delightful little volume is sure to bring you comfort and a whole lot of smiles.

The Blue Day Book: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up is a small hardcover book which, in under 100 pages, delivers a healthy dose of encouragement with its simple, witty prose and its delightful photographs of animals displaying all-too-human emotions. You'll go from depressed dogs, grumpy hippos, and exhausted lions to playful chimps, singing zebras, and smooching warthogs, taking the opportunity to laugh at yourself through their antics.

I first discovered this book at my aunt's house. It makes a great coffee table book; even if you don?t feel like reading it, you can flip through the pictures and find your favorites. But reading it is well worth the half-hour or so that it takes. I can't imagine the time it must have taken to find so many excellent photographs which fit so well into the theme of the book.

Each page of this book is precious in its own way, but I'll share with you some of my favorites:

Just getting started seems impossible (9) - a polar bear slumped over with his posterior high in the air, trying to get himself up

On blue days you can become paranoid that everyone is out to get you. (This is not always such a bad thing.) (10) - a guinea pig trapped in the beak of a large bird

...which can induce a nail-biting frenzy that can escalate into a triple-chocolate-mud-cake-eating frenzy in the blink of an eye! (12-13) - a skinny groundhog nibbling on something between clenched claws, then a roly-poly groundhog

[You might] be afflicted with a demeaning nickname (28) - a dog sticking his head out of a hole in the door of a doghouse, over which the name "Porky" is painted

or just have a plain old bad hair-day. (29) - one of those really tall, skinny dogs with long-stringy hair

...or, even worse, become addicted to Billy Joel songs. (48) - a serious-looking kitten playing a toy grand piano

[The world is full of]...scrumptious snacks to share. (55) - a pair of mice nibbling together on a piece of fruit

But best of all, there's romance. (65) - two swans head-to-head, the space between their arched necks resembling a heart

So how can you find that blissful "just sliding into a hot bubble bath" kind of feeling? (74) - a seal with an expression of ecstacy on his face

Be proud of who you are, (84) - a very haughty-looking hippo

Live every day as if it were your last, because one day it will be. (87) - a lion cub standing on the ground where an elephant is about to place his foot

Take big risks. (89) - a mouse standing on top of a cat's head

If you've ever had a lousy day - and I know we all have - Bradley Trevor Greive's book is sure to strike a humorous chord with you and maybe just give you the will to keep persevering until the storm passes. If you get a kick out of this one, check out his newly-published Dear Mom: Thank You for Everything, equally delightful and guaranteed to touch the heart of the woman who brought you into this world.