This book is to be read by both the advanced reader and the beginning reader. The parent, teacher, or peer reads the journal entry of Sam, a child visiting his/her grandparents. The child learning how to read will read the thoughts of Jasper, the orange house cat. The large printed rhymes following these dialogues are meant for choral reading. Both partner readers or a class can read together to improve pronunciation and fluency. The book emphasizes the short "a" sound. Jasper encourages the child to be involved in the reading process by blending and comprehending what is read. The rich, detailed photographs encourage the child to discuss the story line of a pet so loved.
Foreword by Susan Orlean A charming facsimile edition of celebrated British illustrator Lucy Dawson’s 1937 classic collection of highly detailed and loveable drawings of dogs, complete with a cloth spine and ribbon marker—the companion volume to the acclaimed Dogs As I See Them. Lucy Dawson, also known as "Mac," was a preeminent British illustrator in the 1930s and 1940s revered for her paintings and etchings of dogs, from sporting and non-sporting breeds to hounds and herders. Though she worked in numerous mediums—pencil, pen, ink, and oil—her pastels set her work apart. Noted for her commercial dog postcards and her delightful "Tailwagger" series, she also created a "Puppies" series of 40 cigarette cards during World War II—produced in a limited quantity due to wartime restrictions on paper—which have become a rare collector’s item today. One of her most famous works is her portrait of "Dookie," the British Royal Family’s favorite Corgie, which was later reproduced as a Royal Family Christmas card. Dawson also published several books, including the beloved Dogs As I See Them, and its follow-up, Dogs Rough and Smooth. Now, Dogs Rough and Smooth is available in a lovely facsimile edition for a new generation discovering her superb craftsmanship. Printed on an uncoated stock that simulates the look and feel of a sketchbook, this delightful volume is filled with her beautiful, endearing drawings of a range of breeds. The illustrations are accompanied by notes in Dawson’s own handwriting as well as a short anecdotal text that provides amusing insight into the personalities of her canine models and the experience of drawing each. A stunning reproduction of this classic work filled with full-color and black-and-white complete drawings and sketches, Dogs Rough and Smooth features a foreword by acclaimed writer Susan Orlean, and is packaged in a three-piece case with a beautiful cloth spine and long ribbon bookmark. Dogs Rough and Smooth is sure to be a collector's item treasured by dog lovers of all ages and art connoisseurs for years to come.
"Come for the behind-the-scenes stories.stay for the cutest picture of a kitten-covered Stephen King ever." — O, The Oprah Magazine Every great writer needs a mews: Mark Twain, Alice Walker, Haruki Murakami, Ursula K. Le Guin—this volume celebrates many famous authors who have shared their homes and hearts with furry feline friends. From the six-toed kitties who still inhabit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Florida to the mewling muses of mystery writer Lilian Jackson Braun, cats are clearly, in the words of Gloria Steinem, "a writer's most logical and agreeable companion." • Features photographs and stories from 45 famous authors that capture the special bond between wordsmith and mouser • Sorted by alphabetical order, you'll see photographs from some of the most well-known authors including Beverly Cleary, Mark Twain, Stephen King, Sylvia Plath, and many more • Alison Nastasi is a journalist and the author of Artists and Their Cats, also from Chronicle Books. She lives in Los Angeles, California "Full of charming anecdotes and feline whimsy, this collection is catnip for lit nerds." — Shelf Awareness • Makes a charming and thoughtful gift for any fan of great literature and cats • An excellent addition to your coffee table books for guests to enjoy browsing
Set in King Arthurs Britain, medieval Japan and modern Atlanta, Holy Grail, Holy Grail: Quest East, Quest West is a rich blend of fantasy-adventure, historical-romance and swords and sorcery--a transformative myth for our times. Suppose all the legends of the Holy Grail were smoke screens to draw attention from the Grails real meaning. Suppose its message of male and female reconciliation could only be grasped by our own age. Not only that, but suppose the true Grail was lost not in Glastonbury, not in Avalon, but in the East; and its recovery required the interaction of Merlin's magic, Japanese shamans, and warriors trained in Sun Tzu's Art of War. Youve heard only Galahad was pure enough to see the Grail? Nonsense! Only Lancelot--near forty, still guilt-ridden over his affair with Guenevere--has the gut-wrenching need for redemption. Diamonds are created under enormous pressure over eonsso are shamans! Where is this true Grail anyway? Through a series of accidents, it has traveled from the Holy Land, over the Silk Road, through China, across the Sea of Japan, to become one of the sacred treasures of 5th Century Yamato (Japan). Accompanied by his page, Wee Willie, Lance is transported by Merlin to the ancient kingdom of pomp, magic and barbarism. A Japanese shaman-warrior agrees to help Lance capture the Grail if Lance will help him adjust the course of history. Lance and Willie are enmeshed in the assassination of the giggling, sadistic boy-Emperor. The only escape is through time. The two travelers are reconfigured in the Golden Age of 10th century Japan, where Lance falls passionately in love with Sagami. He would linger in this idyll, listening to the rustle of Sagamis silk kimonosbut Hes blinded by the Blue Man--the assassinated boy-Emperors time-traveling angel of death. Through the shamans magic, Lance and Willie are transported again to the last days of Heian Japan, a time of warrior-shoguns. Two great families squeeze the nation in a vise. Willie, now a handsome, young man in his twenties, distinguishes himself in love and war, changing the outcome of a famous battle. The debt to the shaman should be paid Buthistory has other plans. Or at least the Kami do. Spirit-beings who inhabit the winds; sparks of good and evil that fire the forge in the shaman's workshop, the Kami shape history in ways even the shaman cannot comprehend. Blind, maddened with fury, pain and shame, Lance is transported again--to modern Atlanta. It's springtime, the dogwoods are blooming, and the world is about to plunge into a millennial orgy of madness and self-destruction. Only Lance can save civilization. The problem is, Lance is now a homeless, hopeless amnesiac working as a mud-wrestler at the Renaissance Fair; and, the Blue Man, now transformed into a Yakuza thug, is obsessed with killing him. Nubile, clueless, vulnerable Lorrie latches onto Lance, drags him to a public session of life-regressionists, and--poof--epiphany!--our hero recalls his quest. A charismatic, leviathan-buttocked TV hostess helps; a mysterious black quilting lady helps. Digesting the lessons of 2000 years of Western and Eastern thought, only Lance can get the spiritual chiropractic just right. Only a climactic battle between good and evil magic can restore the balance of the world. Only the one who masters the Self can possess the wisdom of the Grail.
From the diary of Reverend Levi Mars comes this true and revealing story of a man who finally found himself and his purpose in life. After becoming an Ordained Minister, his superiors moved him from one problem church to another. He is amazed to learn how some of his church members live. He is confronted with problems he never dreamed could exist, but amid all the adversity, Reverend Mars experiences blessings almost beyond belief. The story is not simply a religious one, it is also a revelation of life itself. It is a story that will bring laughter as well as tears. The Portable Pastor story is supplemented with short stories, award-winning poetry, and a sampling of weekly newspaper articles written over the years by Jasper Cook. The articles were selected at random, and reveal a rare look at life in the early twentieth century.
"Gripping I was instantly swept away by Hannah's struggles and greatly inspired by her journey. This is a powerful book, and I recommend it for anyone who has ever worried about how to fit in." -Kristina McBride, author of The Tension of Opposites REASONS TO BE HAPPY 21. Cat purr vibrating through your skin 22. Jumping on a trampoline in the rain 23. Raw cookie dough 24. Getting yourself all freaked out after a scary movie 25. Dancing like an idiot when no one is watching What happened to the girl who wrote those things? I miss that girl. She used to be bold and fun. Now she's a big chicken loser. How could so much change so fast? Let's see, you could be the plain Jane daughter of two gorgeous famous people, move to a new school, have no real friends, and your mom could get sick, and, oh yeah, you could have the most embarrassing secret in the world. Yep, that about does it. So, the real question is, how do I get that girl back? Praise for The Blessings of the Animals: "With subtle yet shimmering insight, Kittle explores the resilience of human nature." -Booklist Praise for The Kindness of Strangers: "Kittle crafts a disturbing but compelling story...gripping read."-Publishers Weekly
