Growing Up Creative

A myth-shattering how-to by the established authority in the field that proves creativity must originate from within the child and shows parents and teachers how to help foster it.

Danny, Growing Up Gay & Creative is a collection of fifty full-color drawings based on my memories of growing up "different". All along the way of development, I was told I was doing it wrong. Like all gay or creative kids, I knew I was different from the others and they knew it too. I wanted to create this book to help illustrate those moments, but also to help the reader remember their own stories. I wasn't the only little boy who put on something fun and tried to entertain their parent's guests, I'm sure of it. If you grew up with a different point of view, this book is for you. Flip the pages and watch Danny grow from birth to eighteen in fifty drawings. Each page a step in personal discovery. When I grew up there was no help for me. There was no one telling me that I was fine just as I am. I needed to make sure that the adult me sent out the word that you are not only fine but beautiful. Be you. It's your life and the people who love you deserve to know you not the person you play. If you have someone in your life who doesn't fit the mold, I hope this book helps you to see it's OK to be different. Enjoy Danny's growing up. I did! --Dan Crowley, Author & ArtistPraise for Danny, Growing Up Gay & Creative "Danny, Growing Up Gay & Creative, shows us what it means to grow up heart-open and human. But few saw us that way when we were kids. So Danny, with his winsome humor-filled drawings, reminds us of those wonder years, as we struggled to find our place under the rainbow. I feel like I am coming home again, but this time, in a happy and healed way. Bravo, Danny! Shine on!! --Christopher Radko, award-winning designer "Dan Crowley explores with humor and empathy all the various childhood pitfalls in growing up gay in a less than fabulous world. Many were right out of my childhood, such as spotting a doll you always wanted in the bedroom of a friend's sister. So much of it hit home." --Mel Odom, Artist "Dan Crowley's book, Danny, Growing Up Gay & Creative is a wonderful thing. It speaks to children who may need to know they're not different and that their lives are not a mistake. Youngsters who are curious about their own sexuality before even knowing what that word means. And it speaks in a way their straight parents may be unable to because they don't have the words nor the experiences. It does so in a sweet, gentle, and funny way. And adults will learn, too; about same-sex relationships from a "knowing" point of view. This book is a gift in every sense of the word." --Steve Kmetko, award-winning journalist "Dan Crowley has a natural gift for homily, for taking lived experience and expressing stories of love and gratitude, inspiration and grace. He also has a silly, sweet (and slightly wicked) sense of humor. Danny, Growing Up Gay & Creative combines personal and universal stories about growing up gay -- the good, the bad, and the embarrassing -- and reminds us it's all worth it, if only we will persevere." --Tom Bachtel, Illustrator, and Caricaturist, Longtime Illustrator fo the New Yorker's Talk of the Town

What really sets the best managers above the rest? It’s their power to build a cadre of employees who have great inner work lives—consistently positive emotions; strong motivation; and favorable perceptions of the organization, their work, and their colleagues. The worst managers undermine inner work life, often unwittingly. As Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer explain in The Progress Principle, seemingly mundane workday events can make or break employees’ inner work lives. But it’s forward momentum in meaningful work—progress—that creates the best inner work lives. Through rigorous analysis of nearly 12,000 diary entries provided by 238 employees in 7 companies, the authors explain how managers can foster progress and enhance inner work life every day. The book shows how to remove obstacles to progress, including meaningless tasks and toxic relationships. It also explains how to activate two forces that enable progress: (1) catalysts—events that directly facilitate project work, such as clear goals and autonomy—and (2) nourishers—interpersonal events that uplift workers, including encouragement and demonstrations of respect and collegiality. Brimming with honest examples from the companies studied, The Progress Principle equips aspiring and seasoned leaders alike with the insights they need to maximize their people’s performance.

This contemporary YA novel is perfect for fans of Mark Smith and Vikki Wakefield, and tackles grief, belonging and mental illness.

In Unfolded—Paper in Design, Art, Architecture and Industry paper conquers the third dimension and demonstrates the undreamed-of possibilities it holds today for lightweight construction, product design, fashion and art. From "Paper", the collection of bags by Stefan Diez, to Konstantin Grcic’s paper models and the scented paper garments of Issey Miyake, this book presents paper as a high-quality contemporary and ecological material. An enormous selection of projects, the lavish design and numerous illustrations provide designers with invaluable inspiration for their work. The content core of the book is a comprehensive list of state-of-the-art paper products and innovative paper technologies, supporting designers in their everyday work with detailed information on the "high-tech" material paper. From Japanese washi paper and paper foam, to ceramic paper and carbon fiber paper, Unfolded presents the latest in research and development, as well as the most important methods and technologies in handcrafts and industry.

Bring joy, creativity & learning to your sewing with fabulous kid-friendly projects! Meg McElwee puts her signature sewing style into gorgeous children's clothes and creative activity-focused designs. From simple clothing to toys, Growing Up Sew Liberated is packed with innovative, playful sewing patterns. Follow the structure of a child's day with 20 projects including: Getting up and getting dressed: comfortable clothing patterns such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and pocket pants. Homemaking and cooking: projects for engaging children in helping around the house and for in the kitchen, such as aprons, bibs, and placemats. Playtime: indoor and outdoor activities are celebrated with dolls, a cape, a satchel, and a tent. Bedtime: snuggle in for a night in cozy pj's and a sleep sack. Meg adds in suggestions for projects and adventures for kids and adults to explore together and tasks that children can accomplish on their own. Includes a techniques section, how-to photos, extra tips and tricks, and a bonus full-size pattern section, Growing Up Sew Liberated collects designs, activities, and ideas that are perfect for adding creativity into the daily life of sewists, children, and families.

What does it mean to be young and transgender today? Growing Up Trans shares stories, essays, art and poetry created by trans youth aged 11 to 18. In their own words, the works illustrate the trans experience through childhood, family and daily life, school, their bodies and mental health. Together the collection is a story of the challenges, big and small, of being a young trans person. At the same time, it’s a toolkit for all young people, transgender or not, about what understanding, acceptance and support for the trans community looks like. In addition to the contributed works, there are questions and tips from experts in the field of transgender studies to challenge the reader on how to be a trans ally. Growing Up Trans came out of a series of workshops held in Victoria, British Columbia, to bring together trans youth from across the country with mentors in the community.