James Noel Smith Books

A naturalist presents 39 profiles, based on personal and scientific observations, focusing on the wildlife of the Pacific Coast, from the regal Pacific madrone and the endangered marbled murrelet to the slimy moon jellyfish and banana slug. Lovely watercolor illustrations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

This text is a magical fable about learning to listen to your heart, read the omens strewn along life's path and, above all, following your dreams. The book tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who dreams of travelling the world in search of a worldly treasure as fabulous as any ever found. From his home in Spain he journeys to the markets of Tangiers, and from there into the Egyptian desert, where a fateful encounter with the alchemist awaits him. With a visionary blend of spirituality, magical realism and folklore, the author hopes that The Alchemist has the power to inspire nations and change people's lives.