Living Books

From the bestselling author of If I Were You comes a nostalgic and endearing holiday story that reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones we least expect and don't deserve. Best friends Audrey Barrett and Eve Dawson are looking forward to celebrating Christmas in postwar America, thrilled at the prospect of starting new traditions with their five-year-old sons. But when the 1951 Sears Christmas Wish Book arrives and the boys start obsessing over every toy in it, Audrey and Eve realize they must first teach them the true significance of the holiday. They begin by helping Bobby and Harry plan gifts of encouragement and service for those in their community, starting by walking an elderly neighbor's yellow Lab--since a dog topped the boys' wish list for Santa. In the charming tale that follows, Audrey and Eve are surprised to find their own hearts healing from the tragedies of war and opening to the possibility of forgiveness and new love.

Reimagining the scholarly book as living and collaborative--not as commodified and essentialized, but in all its dynamic materiality. In this book, Janneke Adema proposes that we reimagine the scholarly book as a living and collaborative project--not as linear, bound, and fixed, but as fluid, remixed, and liquid, a space for experimentation. She presents a series of cutting-edge experiments in arts and humanities book publishing, showcasing the radical new forms that book-based scholarly work might take in the digital age. Adema's proposed alternative futures for the scholarly book go beyond such print-based assumptions as fixity, stability, the single author, originality, and copyright, reaching instead for a dynamic and emergent materiality. Adema suggests ways to unbind the book, describing experiments in scholarly book publishing with new forms of anonymous collaborative authorship, radical open access publishing, and processual, living, and remixed publications, among other practices. She doesn't cast digital as the solution and print as the problem; the problem in scholarly publishing, she argues, is not print itself, but the way print has been commodified and essentialized. Adema explores alternative, more ethical models of authorship; constructs an alternative genealogy of openness; and examines opportunities for intervention in current cultures of knowledge production. Finally, asking why it is that we cut and bind our research together at all, she examines two book publishing projects that experiment with remix and reuse and try to rethink and reperform the book-apparatus by taking responsibility for the cuts they make.

Home Education is a groundbreaking exploration into the art of cultivating a rich and vibrant learning environment within the confines of one's home. Mason, a visionary educator, lays out a compelling philosophy that transcends traditional schooling methods, focusing on the holistic development of a child's mind, character, and habits. Through the lens of living books, nature study, and a thoughtful approach to discipline, Mason offers a refreshing perspective that empowers parents to provide an education that is not only intellectually rigorous but also fosters a love for learning. In this timeless work, Mason provides practical insights into the daily rhythms of home education, emphasizing the importance of cultivating an atmosphere of curiosity and wonder. She advocates for the use of living books—engaging and narrative-rich texts that ignite a child's imagination and create a genuine connection to the subjects studied. Additionally, Mason encourages the integration of nature into the learning experience, promoting outdoor exploration and observation as essential elements of a well-rounded education. Home Education serves as a guide for parents seeking an alternative, more personalized approach to education that goes beyond rote memorization and standardized testing. Charlotte Mason's philosophy, outlined with clarity and conviction, resonates with those who aspire to nurture not only academically proficient individuals but also compassionate, well-rounded human beings. This book is a compelling resource for anyone looking to embark on a transformative journey in home-based learning.

From the author of the beloved New York Times best-selling The End of Your Life Book Club, an inspiring and magical exploration of the power of books to shape our lives in an era of constant connectivity. "[A] gift, and one that keeps giving.” —USA Today For Will Schwalbe, reading is a way to entertain himself but also to make sense of the world, and to find the answers to life’s questions big and small. In each chapter, he discusses a particular book and how it relates to concerns we all share. These books span centuries and genres—from Stuart Little to The Girl on the Train, from David Copperfield to Wonder, from Giovanni's Room to Rebecca, and from 1984 to Gifts from the Sea. Throughout, Schwalbe tells stories from his life and focuses on the way certain books can help us honor those we've loved and lost, and also figure out how to live each day more fully.

Meet Harry D. Rabbit and his friends as they go on a spooky adventure. When they cautiously explore a "haunted" house to retrieve a lost baseball, they have several hair-raising experiences, and in the end learn something about themselves.

As he watches his homeland of Hungary being taken over and run by invaders from Nazi Germany, young Prince Michael of Chestry strives to retain his identity and integrity during one of the most dangerous seasons in human history. Michael carries an acorn all the way from his castle home in Chestry Valley to the warm soil of the Hudson Valley farm in the USA where he makes a new home after WWII. It is difficult to decide which are the most unforgettable; the scenes in Hungary, Michael's proud, valiant father and his beloved Nana, or the friendly young GI and his family who take Michael to their hearts and make him their own. Perhaps the most compelling character of all is Midnight, the dancing black stallion, full of fire and beauty, and trained to perform before princes. Kate Seredy's drawings make this a book to treasure. A masterpiece of childhood literature. -Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II The prose is perfect: vivid and often poetic. -National Review ...a modern fairy tale of Hungary. -Kirkus Reviews Kate Seredy's fine illustrations help to link Hungary and America in this story of young Prince Michael whose changing fortunes brought him at last to the warmth of an American home. -Horn Book Occasionally something precious is lost for a while only to be rediscovered and become appreciated all over again. Perhaps never is this more true than with the story Chestry Oak. Originally published in 1948, it is a beautifully told story of a boy who begins with a happy childhood, overcomes peril, and finishes strong. Chestry Oak is a book with all-too-rare and wonderful values that has been cherished by readers for generations. Long out of print, today's readers can once again enjoy the delightful story of Chestry Oak, thanks to Purple House Press. -Jane Claire Lambert, author of Five In A Row

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