Celebrating Snow Globes

All it takes is a shake of the wrist to make the flakes fall on Santa’s sleigh, Elvis’s hips, or the Statue of Liberty’s torch--creating a miniature world in each snow globe. From the ornate to the political, from children’s characters to American cities and personalities, these colorful images will propel collectors back to their curio cabinets to watch a dazzling display and set the rest of us out on a lovely nostalgic trip. Each picture comes with a description that gives the history of the piece--going back to the time when snow globes weren’t just tourist souvenirs but depictions of the most romantic sites on earth. Find out where they were first created, which companies specialized in making them, and why they’re so irresistible.

Oh, when will it snow again? wonders the little family who lives in the snow globe. They long for a swirling snowstorm—if only someone in the big family would pick up the snow globe and give it a great big shake. Baby would love to. She alone notices the little family. She gazes longingly at their snowy little world, but the snow globe is up way too high for her to reach. Then, when a real snowstorm sends the big children outside sledding in the moonlight, Baby finds herself alone in the parlor. . . . Will the snow globe family at last get a chance to go sledding too? As readers follow the parallel adventures of both families, big and little, they will take special pleasure in the miniature world of the snow globe, where the skating pond is the size of a shiny quarter and a snowman is no bigger than a sugar cube.

As the worst snow storm of the year rolls in, one family hunkers down together in a cozy blanket fort for the night. A little girl makes a wish on a snow globe and, in the morning, the sun rises on a winter wonderland--beckoning all outside. And what if, on this snow-filled day, families shake their busy lives and everyone goes out to play? A lyrical holiday story about wishes and community and snow--lots and lots of snow.

Young and old alike find snow globes irresistible. It’s so tempting to hold these glass domes in your hands, to shake them gently or turn them upside down. They call to mind winter wonderland scenes, favorite childhood toys and most of all, the places we have visited around the world. In Snow All Over the Globe, Shelley Harwayne and her grandson Ben Harwayne pay tribute to these treasured collectibles. By sharing the history and science connected to snow globes, they have enriched the role snow globes play in our lives. Readers will discover what snow globe makers have done to prevent the water in the globe from freezing, how they experimented with different materials to make realistic fake snowflakes, and how they managed to make those snowflakes fall slowly. Additionally, readers will learn about the very first snow globe and the changes in the production of snow globes over the years. Along the way, readers will delight in learning which presidents collected snow globes, when snow globes have popped up in movies and television shows and some of the more surprising uses of snow globes. Salt and pepper shakers, pencil sharpeners, and music boxes are among the many novelty snow globes that have been manufactured. Whether you own dozens of snow globes, just a few or even long to purchase your very first one, this book will make you proud to be an admirer of snow globes.

"Want one?” That’s the anthem of the Pez world. No one can hold onto that little giraffe, Winnie the Pooh, or cowboy candy dispenser without tipping back the head and pushing the candy forward. So children of all ages who have ever popped a Pez will joyfully pore over this fascinating gem. It contains pictures of many of the imaginative, collectible, and valuable dispensers created over the past 50 years. More than 250 full-color photographs showcase the big cast of characters: They’re glowing with color and include animals, ghosts, witches, superheroes, clowns, and brides and grooms, as well as famous icons, such as Mickey Mouse and Tweety Bird. An introduction tells the fun, sweet story of the company, its candies, and its designs.

They sparkle, they shine--they light up the tree and the eyes of all who look upon them: therein lies the beauty of Christmas ornaments. Across these pages in richly detailed photographs are a merrily glistening array of some of the most creative, clever, and exquisite ornaments ever produced. A lively introduction explains the tradition of decorating trees, and gives the history of ornaments from the first commercially marketed ones (made possible by a new glass-blowing process) to the silver balls and garlands produced by newly arrived immigrants to the United States to modern designs fashioned out of Styrofoam and satin. The authors also look at some homemade treasures, including designs on paper and food-based decorations such as cookies, pretzels, and marzipan.

Wonder has an established link to the history and philosophy of science. However, there is little acknowledgement of the relationship between the visual arts and wonder. This book presents a new perspective on this overlooked connection, allowing a unique insight into the role of wonder in contemporary visual practice. Artists, curators and art theorists give accounts of their approach to wonder through the use of materials, objects and ways of exhibiting. These accounts not only raise issues of a particular relevance to the way in which we encounter our reality today but ask to what extent artists utilize the function of wonder purposely in their work.

Celebrate the gift of family in this cheerful middle grade book series that captures the magic of the holidays. When Chloe's dad announces that they'll be spending the weekend leading up to Christmas in a snowy lodge with his new girlfriend and her daughter, Sandy, Chloe could not be more excited! She's determined to be best friends with her could-be sister, even though her dad keeps warning her that Sandy might not be happy about their trip. As Chloe's dog and Sandy's cat begin to fight, it's clear that this won't be the happiest holiday for anyone. And with an incoming blizzard threatening to snow them in, the girls, their parents, and their pets will need to find a way to get along in time to save Christmas!