Rating: 
Summary: okay but not great
Review: Although I am a big fan of Chinaberry and all that that complany does this book was disappointing.Misleading title too. As one reviewer noted, the range and titles of books is limited to picture books and even those aren't the best of the best, but some real ho-hum choices. Why wasn't this mentioned as this is why I bought the book?? I wanted a guide for good books that span parenting. This book is okay but not great. I think Anne and Patti could have done a lot better
Rating: 
Summary: best of the best
Review: Ever since becomeing a parent, I have come to depend on the Chinaberry catalog to offer books that feed the heart, as well as the head. There's just nothing like their selection, which is so obviously the result of hours and hours and hours of dedicated work finding the best books. I pray that this company thrives and is able to offer generations of families their wisdom. UNDER THE CHINABERRY TREE combines Chinaberry's great taste in books with spirited commentary about family life. It's an inspiring and whole-hearted compilation of what the women at Chinaberry have always done best. Thank you!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: I think this book should be required reading for all parents. My daughter's preschool teacher loaned me her copy, and I had to buy one for myself. What a different world this would be if every parent read it. It is full of practical wisdom and ideas for raising children to be kind and loving individuals. I loved the personal way in which it was written. It came across as very warm and personal rather than preachy or like a textbook. This book really is a Must Read if you have young children.
Rating: 
Summary: Limited to picture books
Review: Potential buyers should note that this guide largely sticks to picture books and doesn't talk about novels, despite the general title. The print is difficult to read--it is in green ink, for some reason, with whole sections where the typeface is small and faint. While I would recommend the Chinaberry catalog, this book just isn't as good. The organization is confusing and the book recommendations alternate with general advice on parenting. Since books are the authors' strength, it would have made more sense to stick to that topic. So not the best guide out there, and with fewer suggestions than most, but it does describe about 200 picture books.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Parenting Resource!
Review: Reading this book is like having a parenting conversation with a very trusted friend. As you read through the detailed descriptions of the well-researched children's books and the very charming ideas and tidbits about pareneting, you can't help but smile. It almost makes you want to have another child!! The Chinaberry catalog is also a must for ANY parent. Don't buy a single book for your child without looking at this catalog first.
Rating:
Summary: okay but not great
Review: This is a delightful read. The inspirations are, for me, even more uplifting than the book reviews, which are thought-provoking and informative. I am hoping that this is the first in a series, with emphasis on different age groups and styles. As a longtime Chinaberry Catalog devotee, I know firsthand that this book merely scratches the surface. Thank you, Patti and Ann!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful and inspiring book
Review: This is a delightful read. The inspirations are, for me, even more uplifting than the book reviews, which are thought-provoking and informative. I am hoping that this is the first in a series, with emphasis on different age groups and styles. As a longtime Chinaberry Catalog devotee, I know firsthand that this book merely scratches the surface. Thank you, Patti and Ann!
Rating:
Summary: A MUST read book for parents and everyone!
Review: Whether you are a parent or caring relative, you must read this book cover to cover. The book teaches parenting from the heart and soul in a way that our culture typically doesnt recognize. I'm thankful to have read this book. It's particularly helpful to parents of younger children. The book gave me a perspective that is hard to find in our society. I'm a better person after having read UNDER THE CHINABERRY TREE. Corny, perhaps, but true.
Rating:
Summary: A MUST read book for parents and everyone!
Review: Whether you are a parent or caring relative, you must read this book cover to cover. The book teaches parenting from the heart and soul in a way that our culture typically doesnt recognize. I'm thankful to have read this book. It's particularly helpful to parents of younger children. The book gave me a perspective that is hard to find in our society. I'm a better person after having read UNDER THE CHINABERRY TREE. Corny, perhaps, but true.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: While I like and get the Chinaberry catalog, the descriptions of the books in these pages are just a pulling together of various catalog descriptions. The entire book seems to focus on children from 3 to 8 with an occassional book that can be read to the age of 10. Also, as a mother of two small boys, most of the books recommended by Ruethling have no appeal to my sons. Part of the problem may be that most of the books that Ruethling loves have *very* detailed illustrations on the pages. The authors want you to spend time analyzing the pictures with your child and my boys just want to turn the page to find out what happens! The green typeface can be hard to read and gets very annoying after a few pages. While it can be a good jumping off point for checking books out of the library, you would do just as well by checking their web site.
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