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Shakespeare: The World as a Stage (Eminent Lives)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: Bill Bryson

April 01, 2008
Although best known for his travel writing, Bryson's books on the English language are brilliant, so it's quite appropriate to find him writing about its most famous exponent.
A huge amount has been written about Shakespeare and his life, despite the fact that very little is really known about him. Bryson keeps the focus on what is definitely known, with little forays into some of the best theories about the rest. Where nothing is known at all, the 'lost years', he chooses to explore Elizabethan London and culture instead, putting the man in context.
Informative, wry, and well researched, this debunks plenty of Shakespeare myths in an accessible and enjoyable style, and Bryson turns out to be an excellent guide.

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Pies and Prejudice: In Search of the North

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: Stuart Maconie

February 07, 2008
There were pages I skipped in this book out of sheer irritation at his socialist, BBC politics; and others I have marked up to remind me to visit or revisit some of the places in the North this southern girl loves.

His prejudice against the south is foolish and stereotyped; and his rants against middle class pursuits, whilst so obviously now being middle class himself, is blind hypocrisy. But, I would say it all adds to the charm of the book. If you want to get into the head of a northern working class lad, who became a middle class, southern media type complete with PC bias - then this is an illuminating piece of social history in its own right.

As a travel guide it is very patchy: it goes into great depth about ... Read More:

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Each Peach Pear Plum (Viking Kestrel Picture Books)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: Allan Ahlberg

May 27, 1999
As all the other reviews say, this is an out and out classic children's book - a must have.
This copy, however, is dreadful. The paper is thin and overly glossy, making it difficult to get to the next page and it could do with being bigger as it's really all about the pictures. I bought where the wild things are at the same time and that is amazingly presented, highlighting the problem with this further. This seems like a pamphlet or concert programme - cheap.
Save money and get the board book. It's smaller but the pictures are sharper.

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Rumble in the Jungle

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: Giles Andreae, David Wojtowycz

April 16, 1998
There are lots of positive reviews for this book and I know why. I like the illustrations as they are colourful and fun. The verse has an energy and snappiness about it that keeps things moving and the usual humour from Giles Andreae.

One thing I don't like is that most of the animals mentioned couldn't live in one jungle. Lions, tigers and panthers are likely to be in Africa, Asia and South America respectively. Some of the rhymes are very lazy like the one about the elephant that doesn't say much other than it likes elephing around. If you can't think what to say... make up a word! This would be great if that was a common technique within the book (like doctor seuss uses). But this is the only incident and I think it's weak. There are ... Read More:

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The Commotion in the Ocean (Orchard Picturebooks)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: Giles Andreae

May 13, 1999
I got this book for my 5 month old daughter and I love it and so does she. The pictures are big and colourful, and she loves me reading the poems to her in a sing song way. I prefer it to books with one or two sentences! We also enjoy looking for the starfish doing silly things! The reason I have given the book 4 stars is because I would would have liked it more had it had stiffer pages that would be able to handle pulling and pushing and being chewed on. The price is also a bit steep. That said, I will still be buying the rest of the series, as its beautifully written and illustrated.

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"Hamlet" (York Notes Advanced)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: William Shakespeare

August 29, 2003
I'm studying Hamlet at the moment and due to the nature of Shakespeare's over descriptive and complicated yet beautiful language, it's quite hard to follow and concentrate upon the plot. Though when I got this guide, I easily grasped what was happening and was able to concentrate more on the themes and language etc which you have to comment on in exams. It is helpful and gives lots of hints and info into what you're supposed to be focusing on in the scenes. It gives you ideas and pushes you in the right direction if you are struggling. It even has a glossary to simplify meanings and words. A more thorough understanding can be made from Hamlet and in the end you'll wonder why you didn't get this sooner. For five pounds, it's worth it, if you get an 'a' in ... Read More:

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BEST WOMEN'S EROTICA 2008 (Best Women's Erotica)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: Violet Blue

November 08, 2007
There is a lot of good erotica in the short story genre at the moment and this is one of the best. Red hot stories that are believable and imaginative, the characters are beautiful and are doing things we all do, or would like to do. I also enjoyed the 2007 edition, thats well worth a look. And my own personal favourite, the classic '100 Percent Erotica' by Suzie Van Aartman, you'll need to change your underwear after reading that.

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Cold Cream: My Early Life and Other Mistakes

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: Ferdinand Mount

April 14, 2008
Ferdinand Mount has written a five-star autobiography, but I have just one reservation about it despite having enjoyed it immensely.

Mr Mount 'jumps about' rather too much. The ultra-long chapters don't deal consecutively with aspects of his fascinating life. For example, the sad account of his mother's too-early demise is followed much later with episodes where the lady is alive again, and the book requires a degree of concentration that I don't always possess late at night when I do most of my reading.

Mr Mount has already in his fascinating life (and I hope he has many more years to come: we are round about the same age and I can recall some of the people and most of the events described) done more things and worked with more ... Read More:

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Winnie the Pooh: Complete Collection of Stories and Poems

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: A.A. Milne

July 01, 2001
This lovely collection of Pooh Bear is superbly presented and includes all things Pooh! Perfect for anyone who is a fan or wishes to read to someone who is just starting out as a pooh fan. excellent

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The Prince (Penguin Classics)

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Poetry- Drama and Criticism
by: Niccolo Machiavelli, George Bull

February 16, 2004
This masterpiece of reasoning and good practical handbook on how to get ahead in real life if you happen to be already a man of some means, was a work of great humanity in an age when humanity was still considered disgusting and subserviant to the Lord above and his chosen servants on Earth. What a shot across the bows to all those religious hypocrites and Bible following automatons this must have been, then. Two elements surrounding this work's brave publication are crucial, I feel: One being that this was Italy, (as it became) and at its advanced stage of the great Renaissance, as we now know it, and the second being that it was written at a time which was just right to be publishing order challenging controversial works. After seeing the liberal benefits ... Read More: