Praise
~Toronto Graffiti: The Human Behind the Wall~
"As someone who documents street murals/wall art and street graffiti, I fully appreciate the difficulty involved in capturing these images before they are tagged or removed. Many books devoted to 'Graffiti Art' give little background information on the under ground artists whose work is profiled.
What sets this fine publication apart from numerous other books hoping to cash in on this phenomenon is that Yvette Farkas has gone the extra mile to track down graffiti artists to tell their stories in their own words, and lavishly illustrated her book with colour illustrations and sketch book studies. And to add to the dialogue with artists, Farkas presents a chapter on 'Legal Issues' pertaining to graffiti, 'Health Matters' involved in dealing with spray painting, and 'Detoxification Strategies,' which further add to enhance the value of this work.
As a extra, a section entitled 'Toronto Shots 1980 - 2010' rounds off this publication. Already in its second version, third printing, this 471 page anthology more than justifies its hefty price tag. Other Canadian cities have urban art that cries out to be documented as well as Farkas has done. Her exemplary work provides a framework on how to go about it!"
~Ethan and the Seven Chakras~
"A few years ago, I first encountered the idea of chakra while watching a famous anime, which led me to believe it was just a work of fiction. I didn't know that I could use it in real life. It's, like, way beyond cool. Each chakra is introduced with gentle explanations and activities like meditations, reflections, and questions in a way that I can understand how they influence thoughts, emotions, and actions. Beyond spiritual concepts, the book nurtures emotional intelligence, body awareness, and personal growth."
~Toronto Graffiti: The Human Behind the Wall~
"This book is different from everything I have ever read, it is truly unique. I did not know anything about graffiti, except that it annoyed my aunt when her house got sprayed. Then Yvette invited me into a whole new world unknown to me. In her book she took me to illegal encounters in subway tunnels as well as to secret meetings with rebels who prefer to be unknown by anybody yet known by everybody at the same time for their modern art.
I learned about the hierarchy that the artists adhere to - really, those rebels who defy societal norms have very clearly outlined internal rules. Fascinating. I got to know the art as well as the artists. Yvette managed to get their confidence so they could open up and share their stories. There are also the hundreds and hundreds of photos that bring those stories and characters behind them to life.
Thank you, Yvette Farkas, for letting me take a glance at this part of society that is hidden for us 'normal people'. You were courageous to take on and follow through with this project even though you got so much headwind - from some artists as well as from Toronto police. This research journey kept you busy a decade of your life. You are amazing and your book is a gem of art itself! 7 stars out of 5 - if that was possible."
~Toronto Graffiti: The Human Behind the Wall~
"As someone who's always been fascinated by urban art, this book was a revelation. Farkas's 11-year documentation project captures not just stunning images but the authentic voices behind Toronto's graffiti evolution. The historical timeline from the 1980s forward shows how styles developed organically before the internet era, while the crew map reveals interconnections I never knew existed.
What impressed me most was the balanced approach – acknowledging legal issues while humanizing the artists. The health and safety section was unexpectedly enlightening. That academic institutions and libraries use it as reference material speaks to its significance beyond just beautiful photography. A must-have for anyone interested in urban culture and expression."
~Ethan and the Seven Chakras~
"A Children's Book That Tackles Anxiety!
My 9-year-old had been struggling with anxiety about school presentations when we discovered "Ethan and the Seven Chakras." He immediately connected with Ethan's fear of public speaking—what amazed me was how naturally the chakra concepts made sense to him. I thought they might be too complex.
The self-reflection questions led to the deepest conversations we've ever had. Last night, he actually told me about feeling left out at recess (something he'd been hiding). We tried the breathing exercises together before his science presentation, and his teacher called to say he volunteered to go first.
We've made the "Palachinta" recipe twice now—it's become our Sunday tradition. The photo collage of Ethan made the story feel real to my son, who now asks for "just one more chapter" every night.
This book gave us tools we use daily and conversations I'll treasure forever. Can't wait to get the rest of the series!
~Ethan and the Seven Chakras~
"Wow! amazing book!
Real-life stories are very interesting and touch the heart and leave a warm aftertaste. What's especially great is how, through simple situations, a child learns to understand their emotions, their body, and their inner world. It's perfect for reading with kids before bed or on a cozy weekend with tea and a blanket. This isn't just a book — it's a gentle tool for deep but easy conversations between parents and children.
Highly recommend for anyone who wants to help their child understand themselves and the world better — and to realize that chakras aren't some abstract concept, but something very real and alive. Love this book!
~Finding Your Place On The Team: Exploring the Sacral Chakra~
"Surprisingly Deep and Totally Worth It!
This book surprised me. It's not just a sweet story—Ethan's journey actually helped my cousin open up about stuff going on at school. The way it mixes soccer, emotions, and the bee guide is very satisfying. We read it together, and the questions at the end sparked conversations we wouldn't have had otherwise. The extra resources were a great bonus too.
~Toxic Mold: | Essential Health Solutions, Home Safety Tips & Practical Recovery Tools for Families~
"A Must Read, Memorize, and Do Type of Book!
Excellent book loaded with very specific strategies for mold prevention in your local environment (your home) and in your body. Also presents remedies for fixes with detailed explanation of each. Mold and fungus is everywhere all the time, so on one hand we never want to indulge in the emotion of fear but we do want to be strategic and logical about how mold and fugues works inside us and out to avoid problems caused by excessive exposure. Great book. I would put it in a category of must read at least 3 times while memorizing key parts. I would also take immediate action for prevention and remedy in your home and in your body. Letting mold get out of hand in a home or office, for example, can become extremely expensive to remedy these days especially when you need to sell that home or office."
~Toxic Mold: | Essential Health Solutions, Home Safety Tips & Practical Recovery Tools for Families~
"Thorough, Practical, and Life-Saving.
Toxic Mold: Essential Health Solutions, Home Safety Tips & Practical Recovery Tools for Families, is a comprehensive guide to understanding, preventing, and recovering from mold exposure. Covering health impacts, testing, cleaning, and long-term prevention, it blends science with hands-on strategies. Real-life stories and toolkits make the material relatable while staying solution-focused. An invaluable resource for families dealing with mold-related challenges."
~Toxic Mold: | Essential Health Solutions, Home Safety Tips & Practical Recovery Tools for Families~
"Super practical guide on the topic of mold.
I had seen documentaries that warned about how bad mold is for your health, but I avoided the topic for a long time. While this book was not the most fun book I ever read, it was probably one of the most important ones. I learned a lot about mold and how to get rid of it in the house. I learned that the vast majority of mold in the house is invisible to the eye!
Even more importantly I learned how to clean the inside of my body from mold. I learned how mold really impacts your health and this book gave so many useful tips on how to gain back my full power, I cannot praise it enough. A must read for everyone who wants to be healthy. Yes, exercise is important, nutrition is important, but if you have mold lurking around your home, it will destroy more than what you build up in the gym or with green smoothies."
~Toxic Mold: | Essential Health Solutions, Home Safety Tips & Practical Recovery Tools for Families~
"This is a well researched and thought-out book - very much worth reading. I have read a number of non-fiction books lately where the author has something to say, but it's not enough to fill up the book, so they pad it with personal stories and anecdotes to get the page count up.
This book is NOT that.
Right from the start and throughout the book, this book is full of facts, helping you understand mold, what it is, how to recognize it and what to do about it - including how to deal with your doctor if you suspect mold exposure and what natural and purchased products to use. After a flooding at my house more than I year ago, I have been meaning to learn more about mold and I'm so glad that this is the book I chose."