This book takes a humorous look at a very serious situation, and while it does not at all downgrade the seriousness of the situation, it most certainly does give the reader an opportunity to ponder and smile. In case you haven't gotten the gist of the subject of this book, this book is about the dreaded "C" word that no one likes to utter, but is never far from anyone's mind, concerns or lips; because none of us have gone through this world, not even for a short span of time without being touched by it in one of its forms or another. Yes, we are talking about cancer, and if you have cancer or know someone who has cancer (and who doesn't fall into one of these two categories?) then this is the obvious book for you. Get your humor on and enjoy the illustrations of political illustrator and artist, Adam Frizzell, and the words of Stephen Butterman. And remember to see the humor in all of life, because it is really true that laughter truly is the very best medicine of all.

Take a trip aboard a pirate ship where all is as it should be until one single fateful day. How and why did one tiny pirate get aboard the ship? And what will the captain do when he finds out? Where is all the rootbeer going? And can you guess why one small pirate is turning green? This is one silly adventure written by one remarkable fellow, Stephen Butterman, author of the very funny and clever ageless grown-up book, 'Tales As Tall As A Sunflower.' If you are looking for just the right chapter book for that book report, this is the book for you. Full of pirate fun and smiles, with emphasis on what is really important in this life of ours on this lowly water filled planet we call Earth, Stephen Butterman reminds us what it means to be a family as he points out that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that love should never have any boundaries.

Tales As Tall As A Sunflower by Stephen Butterman is a book reminiscent of the humor of the Prairie Home Companion show, and is easy reading with Americana humor at its best. Butterman s garden comes to life, because he believes his plot of garden in Midwest Ohio is truly a living thing and he humorously works with Mother Nature, and not against her as he waits for the often touted global warming in hope his growing season will at last be extended. Politics and vegies combine, along with some kids, a very real girlfriend named Maria, a gray squirrel and various vines, tomatoes, potatoes and gourds to form the basis and background of this very funny collection of short stories where each story builds on the last. This is a great gift for the gardening enthusiast in your life. It is up to date, current, light reading fun, and it will never be outdated. Enjoy reading this very organic, green book with confidence it will not leave you bored or wondering how it got into print in the first place. Stephen Butterman has a BA from Ohio State University, an MA in creative writing from Eastern Michigan University and a pending MA in European History. He is widely published in several periodicals and has won an unprecedented number of undergraduate writing awards in essay, fiction and poetry. His home spun down to earth look at the world in combination with his knowledge of both gardening and politics, combine to create one very fun and amazing book, perfect for an afternoon read, even if you don t have a garden.