What to Expect the First Year
by Arlene Eisenberg
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (03 January, 1989)
list price: $13.95
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Editorial Review

Is our baby eating enough?Is this much crying normal? How do I knowwhen she is really sick? This hefty, 671-page guide to your baby's first year isbrought to you by the creators of the bestselling What to Expect When You'reExpecting. The three authors, all mothers themselves, are calm, clear,and encouraging as they tackle the first year of child-rearing, month by month.The easy-to-absorb, chronological format includes sections such as "WhatYour Baby May Be Doing," "What You Can Expect at This Month'sCheckups," "Feeding Your Baby This Month," "What You May BeConcerned About," and "What It's Important to Know."

Part Two addresses special concerns such as illness, first aid do's and don'ts,the low-birthweight baby, the adopted baby, becoming a father, and siblingrelationships. You'll also find discussions of breastfeeding and bottlefeeding,selecting a physician for the baby, diapers and clothing, safety, and many waysof stimulating the baby's development. The recipes for babies and toddlers inPart Three are useful, as are the recommended home remedies; charts on commonchildhood illnesses; height and weight; and the thorough index. (A particularstrength of the book is the authors' careful attention to diet and nutrition forboth mother and baby, incorporating the American Academy of Pediatrics' latestrecommendations on infant nutrition.) While some of the authors' perspectivesare controversial (such as whether to let your baby "cry it out" or not), thisbook remains one of the most comprehensive resources for new parents as theytoddle through their baby's first year. ... Read more

Reviews (260)

Too calloused for my families needs
Let me first state that every child is different and every household has different needs. One method of childrearing may work for one family and child but work horribly for the next.

This book did not fit well or feel right to my family at all. I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at most of the methods they advise. For example, they strongly advocate letting your child `cry it out' especially at night. I tried this and it was heart wrenching for my husband and I, not to mention extremely stressful for my son. We discarded that method very quickly. We now respond to my son's needs when he expresses them. This book gives a quiet undertone that if you pamper your child too much then you're going to end up with a spoilt brat. I say that's rubbish.

Also, this book strongly discourages co-sleeping, a method that works very well for my family. I'll be darned if I'm going to get up when my son wakes for a feeding, nurse him, lull him back to sleep, and then try to get myself settled for sleep. I can't tell you how much better our son and I slept when we decided to just put him in the bed with us. Yes, there are arguments on both sides stating pros and cons. You just need to be smart about it.

This book has a very patronizing tone leaving you feel like you need to rule over your child with an iron fist or you'll be left with a kid that walks all over you. Everything about this book felt very calloused and cruel.

The only redeeming aspect of this book is that it does serve as a good reference as far as developmental milestones. It's good for reference, and that's pretty much it.

I strongly advise parents to explore a vast array of books as well as going with their gut. One method that works for one baby may not work for another; every baby is different and has different needs. This book did not work for us. We found `The Baby Book' by Dr. Sears to fit the needs of our family much more appropriately.

make sure you get and review the 2nd edition, NOT the first
The problem with the previous reviewer's comments is that she's looking at the older edition of the book. THe 2nd edition, published in 2003 clearly states on page 437:

"The AAP recommends that breastfeeding continue for AT LEAST a full year and then for as long as baby and mother both want to keep it up..... Many women choose to continue nursing into the second year and beyond, and that's fine.... Older children who breastfeed are just as likely to be secure, happy, and independent as those who wean early."

PLUS -- there's an entire chapter dedicated to breastfeeding... with tons of reasons why it's a good thing. So I don't get why so many reviewers here keep on blasting this book for not being pro-breastfeeding.This book is so well balanced on so many issues -- like co-sleeping and baby wearing, etc. Looking at a ten year old version of the book that's been passed down from friend to friend and then REVIEWING it here -- instead of actually going out to the store or library to get the actual current book is unfair.

This book has been so helpful to me. As a first time parent, this book had all the answers I needed. Sure, I may not agree with everything in the book, but I'm intelligent enough to not take everything I read and treat it as gospel. I'm able to make my own decision when it comes to parenting, and not only does this book give me the tools to do that, but the authors even encourage that parents ultimately do what feels best to them.

I highly recommend it!

I threw this book in the trash can... literally
I didn't want any other parents getting their hands on it.I have several issues with this book.Their view on breastfeeding is that you should wean at age one or you will have problems.Even the AAP and World Health Organization recommends that you breastfeed for at least two years and let your baby self-wean.Also, they repeatedly call parents who won't let their babies cry it out 'soft'.If my baby is crying, I'm going to her: enough said.Also, they give only negatives and no positives to co-sleeping.I really liked their pregnancy book, but this one is garbage and I got the Dr Sears 'The Baby Book' instead. ... Read more

Isbn: 0894805770
Subjects:  1. Care    2. Care and hygiene    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Child rearing    5. Children    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Infants    8. Infants & Toddlers - Infants   

What to Expect When You're Expecting, Third Edition
by Heidi Murkoff
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 April, 2002)
list price: $13.95 -- our price: $11.16
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Editorial Review

Eighteen years after it first hit the shelves and having sold more than 10 million copies, What to Expect When You're Expecting is still on nearly every mother-to-be's reading list. This completely revised and updated edition is packed with answers to hundreds of questions and worries expectant parents may have. The information is presented in a month-by-month format starting with planning a pregnancy and choosing a practitioner, and follows through to six weeks after delivery. Each chapter begins with an explanation of what to expect at a particular month's prenatal visit and a brief description of how mom and baby are growing and changing before getting to the heart of the matter: What You May Be Concerned About. Topics are presented as questions ranging from "Should I be taking vitamins?" to "What if I forget everything I learn in childbirth education class?" to "Will I be able to breastfeed?" The answers are generally reassuring and provide enough information to soothe a worried mom between prenatal visits. Despite the reassuring answers, however, the sheer volume of worries discussed may alarm an otherwise calm mom-to-be.

The book also features a complete nutrition plan (though many women may find it difficult to follow), a special chapter just for expectant dads, and extensive information about dealing with minor illnesses, chronic conditions, and pregnancy complications. What to Expect has guided countless women through their pregnancies and makes an informative addition to the mainstream pregnancy and childbirth bookshelf. --Jennifer Lindsay ... Read more

Reviews (702)

The Best
This is the best book ever on everything you need to know when you're expecting. I couldn't be without it.

NOT THE GREATEST BOOK OUT THERE!!
Hello,
This is an ok book.It is not the greatest book out there!!

Read if you want pre-partum depression
If you get pregnant it's virtually impossible to avoid having this book shoved at you, as a gift, or from friends who were given an extra copy ("I know, it's awful, but I got two so I brought it over," they'll say, as though they secretly want you to share the torment.) And although you've been warned, like Pandora and her box, you'll be tempted to crack it open, and then you'll hit it again and again, like a self destructive addict.

What made it so destructive for me, was not, as it seems to be for some reviewers, the free hand with possible medical problems, which I found generally somewhat helpful, if often innacurate or incomplete, but the punitive, finger waving tone. According to Mirkoff, et al, you can have ice-cream 9 times in your pregnancy, if you MUST at all, the rest of the time you have to eat like your on one of the most rigorous diets of your life.Fun and indulgence are not part of a healthy pregnancy. It's all about constantly policing yourself.
She tells you about the weight gain schedule you should be on -- 1 pound per week -- as though not being on it guarantees a future of obesity. Women should gain 25-35 pounds, she tells you at the beginning, and if you're larger boned you'll gain towards the higher end. Fine. Then at the end of the book she tells you that if you gained 35 or more, as opposed to the 25 or less women, it will take you far longer to lose your baby weight. So big boned women take longer to lose their baby weight? Why? I'd like to see some kindof statistical back-up for this pyschologically damaging "fact." This kindof information makes you feel like it's hopeless from the start -- and it's hardly useful, since a larger women can't help gaining more unless she calorie restricts, which Murkoff forbids (although the punitive nature of her recomended diet feels like a weight loss diet).
These depressing, unsubstantiated claims are sprinkled throughout the book, which at it's core, while appearing to be objective, is guided by an oppressive "right behavior" versus "wrong behavior" morality.
She also ascribes to the school of thought that "if it might be bad for you, you shouldn't do it." Rather than the more healthy approach, in this age of excessive paranoia:"understand the medical communities claims about why something might be bad for you, and make your own decisions." For instance, she says excercising on your back is bad for you and the baby, without giving any explanation. I asked several doctors about this and they said it's a slight concern to lie on your back for hours at a time, mostly because it could cut off your circulation depending on where the baby is lying in relation to a vein that runs up your back, but it's just not a big deal to do some stomach excercises on your back, unless you find yourself getting really dizzy.
And then there's the depressing cover, with a smug-faced woman in a rocker who looks like the sort of person who turns their cheap, new, faux Victorian style sub-division house near some overdeveloped, once beautiful lake into a B & B with hideous, dust covered potpourri on the fake antique dressers, and polyester eyelet sheets. Just looking at it will make you wish you hadn't gotten pregnant in the first place. ... Read more

Isbn: 0761121323
Subjects:  1. Childbirth    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. General    5. Health & Fitness    6. Postnatal care    7. Pregnancy    8. Pregnancy & Childbirth   

What to Expect the Toddler Years
by Arlene Eisenberg
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (11 January, 1994)
list price: $16.95 -- our price: $11.53
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Reviews (68)

Good, but disappointed
As a first time mother, I loved the book "What to Expect When You're Expecting."What to Expect the First Year" was a good book too, however I was disappointed by the blatant explanation of masturbation in infants. Exploration of their bodies yes,masturbation no - that is something totally different.

The above book "What to Expect The Toddler Years" was mostly good.

What really turned me off and was disappointing was the section about homosexuality and the book's attempt to diagnose it in a toddler.I returned the book as soon as I read this part.

The opionated statements about masturbation and homosexuality about children in this book are not scientifcally based and are not appropriate. When present these behaviors are usually not the norm.

I thought the book was to cover topics the majority of parents could "Expect" in their infant and toddler.

Very Helpful
I initially didn't buy this book based on the reviews.But, after I read a little bit of it at the bookstore - I had to get it.I found several of its topics VERY helpful.YES, some things in the book seem like common sense, but with a first child and lack of sleep and so much information out there, it's nice to get a quick, concise OPINION based on the information the authors have.We do not use this book as a bible for raising our child, but we do get some great ideas from it.We have really enjoyed having this book on hand, just as a quick second opinion when it's not something important enough to call the pediatrician.Most of our friends have older children or no children so it's handy to have in the house.We enjoyed the previous two books and have found this one just as helpful.

medical errors
The authors are totally irresponsible to state that there are no benefits to breastfeeding past one year.There are a multitude of health benefits. In fact, the older the child, the more concentrated the immunities, antioxidants, etc.The Am. Ac. of Ped. recommends a bare minimum of one year, and after that, as long as the child and mother desire to do so, and the World Helath Org reecommends a bare minimum of 2 years.The human brain is not fully formed until age two, and thus, natural milk developed especially for humans is extremely important during this time.
Also, crying it out is not necessarily safe if it has to be used too often.There are dangers of brain re-wiring for extended periods of crying due to abandonment.Your sleep is not! more valuable than your child's security (unless you are so sleep-deprived that you endanger your child's physical or emotional health or welfare).
Besides these, book is useful. ... Read more

Isbn: 0894809946
Sales Rank: 350
Subjects:  1. Child rearing    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family/Marriage    5. General    6. Infants & Toddlers - Toddlers    7. Toddlers   

From One Child to Two
by JUDY DUNN
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (31 January, 1995)
list price: $12.95 -- our price: $10.36
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Reviews (3)

Leaves out important issue of first born Nursing Toddler
We have a zealous nursing toddler and are having a terrible time weaning her. I am very concerned about jealousy over nursing! I was hoping to find information about how to approach weaning the first born and the best way to handle explaining that the baby nurses and the first born no longer does! This book assumes no nursing after year one -- certainly missing a major trend.

Better than the Meg Zweiback book
My first son will be 14 1/2 months old when his little brother is born and I can't seem to find much advice on how to prepare us all for this. I got a lot more out of this than the Meg Zweiback book though.If you are having a second baby when your first child is 3 or over you will get even more out of this book. However, this book is not only for how to prepare in advance for your growing family. It has a lot of usefull information in it which I'm betting I will come to rely on as the boys are growing up. It presents scenarios that are sure to come up as your children get older and gives advice on how to deal with them. All in all, a pretty good book for addressing concerns you may already have and preparing you for some you probably haven't thought of yet.

Recommended reading during second pregnancy
Very useful, research- and clinical practice-based advice on all the issues around having that second child. Succinct, many examples, and helpful summaries of tips at the end of each chapter. ... Read more

Isbn: 0449906450
Sales Rank: 15221
Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Child Care    3. Child rearing    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family And Child Development    7. Family/Marriage    8. Parenting - General    9. Sibling rivalry    10. Family & Relationships / Child Care   

Parents
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $42.00 -- our price: $9.97
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Reviews (22)

Great Magazine
I really enjoyed my subscription to Parents Magazine while I was pregnant and during the first year of our daughter life. I liked the product recalls...found it very helpful. I now buy it at the store when I am wanting a magazine. There is things I think they should change with this magazine but overall it is worth buying.
Great gift if you know a new mommy that isn't already getting this in the mail.

Should change its name to 'Mothers'
As is true of most of the mainstream parenting magazines, I find the articles almost exclusively geared toward mothers, rather than (both) parents -- only rarely to fathers. Perhaps this is a little less true of this pub. than of its chief competitor, "Parenting."The voice of the articles often specifically addresses the mother/female half of the parenting team and the features with beauty tips in the "taking care of yourself" vain are pure fluff, more appropriate to 'Vogue' or 'Self' and of course, again, never addressing the male half of the parent team.

I agree with other reviewers who have noted that the general tone of many of the articles seem to be mostly aimed at upper income, traditional families.While we can often find something of interest/use in this mag. As'older' (over 40) parents of a 3-yr. old transculturally adopted daughter, this targetting is makes the magazine less useful than it could be. As the 'father' half of the team, I find it even less helpful, although, if I had to choose between this pub. and "Parenting" I would opt. for this one.

I guess the marketeers believe that fathers don't read magazines about parenting, and saddly maybe this is mostly true, but I would love to see a magazine that is truely devoted to parenthood -- all types and all both halves.This ain't it.

Raising Kids in the Modern World
Parents magazine is a very good publication about raising kids to be happy, healthy adults. It offers some good advice about the task of parenthood, illustrating the hard work and rewards that go hand in hand if parents perform their role in the best possible manner.

I like this magazine as a whole, but there are a few things that potential readers need to know about before they pick up a copy to read. First of all, the articles in Parents magazine deal mostly with younger children, below twelve years of age. You won't find much of value in this magazine if you have teenagers. It is intended more for families with youngsters.

Another thing about this magazine that makes it less practical than it otherwise would be is the suggestions for family activities. The ideas presented here are all pretty good, but the problem is that the majority of them involve outlays of cash and/or time that are unrealistic for most families. I can agree, for example, that adding a game room would make a nice addition to one's house and would add tremendously to a family's time spent together. But how many among us can afford a home addition? Parents magazine talks about activities and enhancements like this in an unrealistic way, making them seem much simpler and easier to implement than they really are.

Aside from distractions like that, however, Parents is a very good magazine to read. It's one of the longest magazines you can buy, with 200 to 300 pages per issue. Add to that the low subscription price, a few pages of coupons, and the generally sound parental advice and you have all the makings of a good magazine for young families.

... Read more

Asin: B00005NIOM
Sales Rank: 22
Subjects:  1. Family & Parenting   

SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete 1st Season
Average Customer Review:
DVD (28 October, 2003)
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $37.49
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Features

• Animated
• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Box set

Reviews (67)

real good
pretty good you can see all the season 1 episodes without waiting to watch them on TV and the origin of Spongebob Squarepants is really cool

A GREAT SERIES THAT MAKES ME LAUGH WHEN THERES NO JOKE!
This series rocks! Especially with all that: "Squidward annoyed with spongebob". I finally get to understand what Spongebob said to Squidward in the last of their conversation. I fave. EPPIE is the episode with the "SEA BEAR", I also like the Campfire Song. (Like it even best with the *fast* version) C,A,M,P,F,I,RE S,O,N,G song! Simply love it!!!!! Below is a list of eppyies that i like in this SEASON.

SEA BEAR
SQUIDWARD THE UNFRIENDLY GHOST
TEXAS
JELLYFISH JAM
HOOKS
and
SUDS

Great lesson, Mr. Krabs! He deserved to be hooked in his (u watch it 4 urself!) One thing I can't hold back, is that Squidward was controling the HOOK!

Squidward was wearing his hat upside down!(Well the Sea Bear did it upside down)And Squidward couldn't possibly have an underwear, because he has NO PANTS!

Were the Jellyfish still alive after MR. KRABS sucked they're juice out with that big OLE-machine?

The Texas song even made me cry!

What they didn't do to prevent Sandy from taking SB to the doctor for his Suds!

Squidward didn't actually have the whole "Patrick & SB bringing the coffin to him, in his mind, (It was sweet of them, though!)"


This season rocked me up. I was humming the tone of the CAMPIRE SONG in my bed!

Thanks for reading, hope I advised u enough to go and BUY THIS DVD!!!

A great series of DVD's
I recieved Spongebob the complete first season for my birthday. I watch it many times on my computer. One of my favorite episodes is Rock Bottom, where spongebob gets stuck- at Rock Bottom. Buy this game, it's the right choice.
... Read more

Asin: B0000C2IQB
Sales Rank: 1493
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

SpongeBob Squarepants - Christmas
Director: C.H. Greenblatt, Aaron Springer, Walt Dohrn, Dan Povenmire, Sam Henderson, Paul Tibbett, Sherm Cohen, Jay Lender
Average Customer Review:
DVD (30 September, 2003)
list price: $16.99 -- our price: $15.29
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Features

• Animated
• Color
• Closed-captioned

Reviews (17)

CHRISTMAS
A touch of christmas in July a super DVD. This DVD is full of fun episodes!

"...And everybody pretends to like the fruitcake...YAWN"
Spongebob Squarepants Christmas lives up to the lofty standards that this show has set for itself. Patchy the pirate introduces the first double length short "Christmas Who?" which is hilarious. The basic premise is that Spongebob and the rest of Bikini Bottom is unaware of the holiday until Sandy clues Spongebob in. Spongebob then spreads holiday joy by encouraging everyone to write a letter to Santa and wait for his impending arrival. Squidward, as always, is skeptical but winds up saving the day in the end. Overall, this is one of Squidward's funniest shorts, he has some classic one-liners such as "Oh, I see a perfect photo-op" or "Yep, I'm insane". You just cannot find a consistently funnier show than this and Spongebob Christmas lives up to the hype. Highly Recommended.

5 star content!3 Stars cause "best ofs" are so yesterday!
The second Holiday to be represented in the collection of "themed" Spongebob DVDs, "Christmas", includes another 10 episodes (one is double the length) of pure aquatic fun!You may ask why I gave it three stars then?Only because there is a better way to obtain Spongebob on DVD and in his entirety - Season Sets!As a stand alone DVD, you can't say much bad about any of the compilation discs of Spongebob, but the fact that the complete season sets are being released makes them less special than they used to be, unecessary really."Christmas", like the previous "Halloween" collection includes only one episode actually set on the holiday, in this case the double length "Christmas Who?" where Santa decides not to show on Christmas in Bikini Bottom.The only other two even closely related are "Snowball Effect" and "Survival of the Idiots" because of snow basically.It doesn't really matter because all the episodes are great.Watch as Spongebob sells candy bars with Patrick, gets lost with Squidward, and annoys everyone (more than usual!) with a pair of very squeaky boots!Like I said the content is first rate and the casual fan won't be disappointed, but if you're feeling extra wiggly and I know you are, go get the Season sets!That way you get all the Spongebob you can handle!

"Christmas" episodes:
01. Christmas Who? (2 episode length)
02. Procrastination
03. Snowball Effect
04. Survival of the Idiots
05. Mermaidman and Barnacleboy IV
06. Chocolate with Nuts
07. As seen on TV
08. Pizza Delivery
09. Squeaky Boots

Extras: Audio Commentary & Storyboard ... Read more

Asin: B0000AI42B
Sales Rank: 16218
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

SpongeBob SquarePants - Tide and Seek
Director: C.H. Greenblatt, Aaron Springer, Walt Dohrn, Dan Povenmire, Sam Henderson, Paul Tibbett, Sherm Cohen, Jay Lender
Average Customer Review:
DVD (29 July, 2003)
list price: $16.99 -- our price: $15.29
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Features

• Animated
• Color
• Closed-captioned

Reviews (9)

Awesome!
I am a fan of Patrick, and these episodes all RULED! You're crazy if you're a Spongebob fan, and don't buy this! It rocks!

All the great episodes in one DVD!
Mermaid man and Barticle Boy III is probably my favorite episode... all the episodes on this compilation are GREAT!Wonderful viewing if you're a spongebob fan.

Brilliant!
This is a wonderful cartoon for both kids and adults. Lots of colorful animation, comedic genius, and an entire collection of hilarious and interesting seaworthy characters. Each episode on this disc is fantastic, not without a lighthearted lesson to learn embedded within. Excellent DVD for the entire family. ... Read more

Asin: B00009N84F
Sales Rank: 20876
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

SpongeBob SquarePants - Sea Stories
Director: C.H. Greenblatt, Aaron Springer, Walt Dohrn, Dan Povenmire, Sam Henderson, Paul Tibbett, Sherm Cohen, Jay Lender
Average Customer Review:
DVD (13 May, 2003)
list price: $16.99 -- our price: $15.29
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Editorial Review

Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants has become so popular, it must be considered a phenomenon. The series has a pleasant, predictable, and slightly offbeat humor, and these mini-adventures give viewers what they expect. SpongeBob has to deal with a ghostly pirate, his own insecurities when his skill as a preparer of krabby patties is challenged, and the dangerous pleasures of fisherman's hooks. The voice acting is often amateurish and imitative. Patrick suggests a Homer Simpson-wannabe, while Bubble Bass sounds like the Comic Book Guy. The humor can become gross. In episode No. 2, SpongeBob absorbs a bathtub full of water, then vomits it at Gary, the snail who acts as his dog. But it seems pointless to grumble about these weaknesses. SpongeBob SquarePants has clearly won a place in the hearts of American viewers. (Suitable for ages 8 and older: cartoon violence, minor gross-out humor) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Features

• Animated
• Color
• Closed-captioned

Reviews (37)

One thing that i do not like about the DVD
This is my favorite spongebob DVD! i give it 4 stars because of the "Shanghied" Stupidness. There are 3 different endings but you have to watch the entire episiode each time you pick a different ending, that sucks, other than that nice collection of spongebob at his greatest!

Editorial disagreement
Charles, mate, can I just correct you on a few things? Thanks...
PREDICTABLE HUMOUR: How can humour simultaneously be "predictable" and "offbeat"? One of the great things about the series as a whole is that unexpected lines often come out- often tailored to the more mature audiences. (hang on, mature? I'm watching a cartoon...oh well)
AMATEURISH VOCAL ACTING: Ok, that's why many of the vocal actors have won awards as well as acclaim for their talents then?! Tom Kenny (Spongebob) also appears in such greats as Johnny Bravo and more.Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs) even played the fearsome captain in 'The Shawshank Redemption' -hardly an amateur.There are talents too numerous to account for here -check the awards pages for vocal actiong.
GROSS-OUT:? Actually, the creator, Steve Hillenburg studied Marine Studies at uni, so what you might think of as "vomiting" is funnily enough a natural process in actual sponges, being porous and squeezy and all..He sticks to some facts rigidly!
GARY THE DOG: ? Do dogs meow? Cos I thought that was cats. 2ndly, Gary is much more intelligent than Spongebob and often offers advice and guidance to 'Bob's whims.
OVERALLL: Watch it again, Charles, and I'm sure you'll love it as much as the rest if us! Best episode on this DVD is 'Sailor Mouth'!This DVD collation has weaknesses, but that's probably 'cos it's half aimed at kids and half at adults. You're never going to get the ideal, but Spongebob is something I can watch all day if my diary demands nothing else...and enjoy. I can't wait to be the only person under 30 in the cinema in November!!!

Insanely Funny! (but a word of advice...)
'Sea Stories' is the most popular compilation of episodes of Nickelodeon's cartoon hit, SpongeBob Squarepants.

The VHS edition contains five episodes, all of which are insanely funny:
-"Shanghaied", where SpongeBob and his team deal with the ghost pirate The Flying Dutchman, driving him up the walls of his patience with their nonsense.
-"Gary Takes A Bath", an instant classic that can make many parents feel identified, as SpongeBob goes through lots of hoops in an effort to try to get his pet Gary to take a bath... the best of all the episodes!
-"Hooky" - SpongeBob and Patrick have fun playing with the hooks from fishermen, in somewhat of a "bungee-like" fashion, jumping off of them before they get pulled out of the water, until SpongeBob learns his lesson.
-"Life of Crime" - another very funny episode where SpongeBob and his 'partner in crime' Patrick run away after the ballom they borrowed (because it was "okay to borrow things") pops and they feel they're going to be put into jail for having stolen a baloon.
-"Pickles", a hilarious face-to-face between SpongeBob and Bubble Bath makes him loose his self-confidence as a chef when he's accused of having forgotten to put pickles in his locally "famous" krabby patty.

While all the episodes contain fairly innocent humor (that parents and everyone alike will laugh to) when compared to other past cartoons (such as "Ren and Stimpy"), I'd advice parents to stick around when your children watch SpongeBob. He can provide you with some valuable tools to get your children to understand certain things, but by the same token, he can twist some things that might later complicate matters (making certain things confusing in their minds), considering the easy way in which the kids connect to the character. All in all, far from a bad influence and very funny. The only aside: just keep an eye on the kids and talk to them about the episodes, if you feel it is appropriate. ... Read more

Asin: B00006IJJB
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

Runner's World
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
list price: $47.88 -- our price: $20.00
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Reviews (15)

Not What It Used To Be
I've been reading Runner's World for several years now but I am going to stop.Month after month I'll look at the cover and get excited about an "article" they say is included in the issue, only to locate the "article" and find it is no more than either a fluff piece of information that must be targeted toward someone who has never ran so much as a city block in their life, or it is a three sentence answer to a reader's question that was sent in.Do these actually count as in depth pieces that warrant advertisement on the cover?

Furthermore, every issue is the same.There will be an article on losing five lbs. by the holidays/summer/race season - whatever month the issue happens to come out.There will be a shoe review (blah!).There will be a "Fifty Ways To Stay Motivated" piece - which is always the same commonsensical tips.And there will be a "Special Woman's Section" - which, when it shows up every single month, makes me wonder just how "special" it could really be.

Once in a while there will be a good recipe, or a decent (but way too short) article on a runner.However, you could save alot of money by only purchasing one issue of this magazine because, except for the pictures and graphics, all the articles will be pretty much the same month after month.

Only one issue's experience
I bought the issue because I was told there was an article about beginning runners training for their first half marathon.The article was mentioned on the cover.It turned out to be a fluff piece giving reasons why it was better to run a half marathon than a full one for your first long race.I didn't find a lot more depth.Motivational, some general ideas, but I didn't come away with a lot of technical information.

Your Best Friend
Sometimes you need a friend to help you out the door and to motivate you to start your running program.This magazine did exactly that for me.Along with its thorough web-site, runnersworld.com, I started a running program that took me from running two minutes at a time to running a 5K (3miles) in twenty-two minutes in only fifteen weeks.Unlike many other magazines, this one does not over burden you with excessive advertisements and random space fillers.All articles are helpful and cover a broad spectrum of practical and entertaining subjects.The best magazine I have ever encountered, you won't be able to put it down! ... Read more

Asin: B00005NIOR
Sales Rank: 58
Subjects:  1. Health & Fitness    2. Men's Health    3. Women's Health    4. Sport & Leisure    5. Running   

Trail Runner
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Reviews (2)

No recycling
I get this magazine shipped all the way to Spain (after seeing a friend's copy here). Most running magazines recycle the same old articles and pad out the running stuff with lightweight nutrition articles. Not Trail Runner. This magazine makes you want to go for a run. The photography is beautiful and although I'm several thousand miles away from 95% of the runs it makes you appreciate the beauty of running trails. Just as well I live in a beautifully wild place too.

trail runner mag
I started running in April and discovered trail running this summer when my normal route was in the blazing sun.Not as fancy as Runner's World but motivating to get out and see nature.Good pictures and quality articles encouraging a "different approach" to exercise. ... Read more

Asin: B00007B29U
Sales Rank: 2082
Subjects:  1. Recreation. Leisure    2. Sport & Leisure