"How MUCH is the crazy-much love?" This simple question is answered as two parents recount the journey of adopting their daughter and the many milestone moments that follow. From the child's first bath and first time riding a tricycle, all the way to her boarding that big yellow bus, the crazy-much love grows SO MUCH that it spills out the windows and busts down the doors. A warm, lyrical celebration of the deep love parents hold for their children, and a comforting message for kids about how there can be only one special YOU.
How can one sun bear change the world?Joy Sun Bear spends his days running through the rainforest, eating figs and honey, and teasing his sister. But everything changes when animals escaping the destruction of another forest arrive near his home.If adjusting to new strangers wasn't challenging enough, sacred figs go missing and chaos erupts when rumors of a curse begin to spread. To help restore peace in the rainforest, Joy sets out on an adventure filled with illusions, danger, and a mystical stone.Can Joy discover his inner magic, help his new friends, and accept a mission that will alter his destiny forever?
This holiday, e-artnow presents to you this unique collection of the greatest Christmas classics: most beloved novels, tales, legends, poetry & carols - to warm up your heart and rekindle your holiday sparkle: The First Christmas Of New England (Harriet Beecher Stowe) The Gift of the Magi (O. Henry) The Holy Night (Selma Lagerlöf) A Merry Christmas & Other Christmas Stories (Louisa May Alcott) A Letter from Santa Claus (Mark Twain) Silent Night The Night After Christmas The Child Born at Bethlehem The Adoration of the Shepherds The Visit of the Wise Men As Joseph Was A-Walking The Tale of Peter Rabbit (Beatrix Potter) Where Love Is, God Is (Leo Tolstoy) The Three Kings (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) A Christmas Carol (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (L. Frank Baum) Christmas At Sea (Robert Louis Stevenson) The Savior Must Have Been A Docile Gentleman (Emily Dickinson) The Heavenly Christmas Tree (Fyodor Dostoevsky) The Little City of Hope (F. Marion Crawford) Christmas in the Olden Time (Walter Scott) Christmas In India (Rudyard Kipling) A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens) The Twelve Days of Christmas The Wonderful Wizard of OZ (L. Frank Baum) Ring Out, Wild Bells (Alfred Lord Tennyson) Little Lord Fauntleroy (Frances Hodgson Burnett) Black Beauty (Anna Sewell) The Christmas Child (Hesba Stretton) Granny's Wonderful Chair (Frances Browne) The Romance of a Christmas Card (Kate Douglas Wiggin) Wind in the Willows (Kenneth Grahame) The Wonderful Life - Story of the life and death of our Lord (Hesba Stretton) The Christmas Angel (A. Brown) Christmas at Thompson Hall (Anthony Trollope) Christmas Every Day (William Dean Howells) The Lost Word (Henry van Dyke) The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (E. T. A. Hoffmann) The Little Match Girl The Elves and the Shoemaker Mother Holle The Star Talers Snow-White…
"In the field of adaptation studies today, the idea of reading an adapted text as "faithful" or "unfaithful" to its original source strikes many scholars as too simplistic, too conservative, and too moralizing. In Uncanny Fidelity: Recognizing Shakespeare in Twenty-First Century Film and Television, James Newlin broadens the scope of fidelity beyond its familiar concerns of plot and language. Drawing upon Sigmund Freud's model of the Uncanny-the sudden sensation of peculiar, discomforting familiarity-this book focuses on films and series that do not selfidentify as adaptations of Shakespeare, but which invoke lost, even troubling aspects of the original. In doing so, Newlin demonstrates how the study of Shakespeare's afterlife can clarify both the historical context of his drama and its relevance for the current political moment. Modeling his new approach to the critical category of fidelity, Newlin closely examines four twentieth-century films and tv series next to their Shakespearean counterparts within the contexts of their casting, genre, and reception. When a director of an unconventional version of The Tempest, for example, chooses to cast a white man as either Caliban or Miranda, they seemingly depart from Shakespeare's original text. Yet with these casting decisions, Newlin argues that The Master (2012) and Brigsby Bear (2017) eerily recall the realities of the early modern theater. The Master unexpectedly depicts something like the mythic "wild man" figure that informed The Tempest's early-colonial context, while Brigsby Bear invokes the exploitative, abusive treatment of boy-actors cast in female roles on the renaissance stage. Similarly, by not explicitly identifying as an adaptation of Othello, the cult comedy series Vice Principals (2016-17) frees itself to more faithfully capture the play's early modern comic context - while also illuminating the parallels between racist discourse in Shakespeare's age and our own. By reading these works as uncannily faithful adaptations, Newlin articulates something like the original response of Shakespeare's audience. Finally, Newlin demonstrates how a filmed adaptation might itself intervene in Shakespeare's critical reception. As a version of The Winter's Tale that ends tragically, the celebrated film Manchester By The Sea (2016) effectively rebuts Stanley Cavell's celebrated reading of Shakespeare's romance. Recognizing the parallels between Manchester By The Sea and The Winter's Tale, Newlin argues that Shakespeare views grief and guilt as forms of certainty - in contradistinction to Cavell's reading of the play as a portrait of skepticism. The first extended treatment of adaptation as a form of uncanny return, Uncanny Fidelity offers students and scholars of Shakespeare in film, adaptation studies, film studies, and psychoanalytic theory a critical framework to further engage the matter of personal response with deeper theoretical rigor. In redefining what constitutes adaptation, Newlin demonstrates how the study of Shakespeare's afterlife can radically challenge our own conception of what we consider to be authentically Shakespearean"--
Ritual is a universal language that gives substance and meaning to our lives. People are eager to honor the significant moments in their lives and Barbara Biziou, one of America's foremost ritual experts, teaches us how to restore ritual to its rightful place as food for the soul through practical, easy-to-use ritual recipes that are inspiring and fun. Rituals can enhance daily routines, enrich milestones, and guide us through difficult transitions. Whether you're releasing fear, bringing deeper meaning to a family or community gathering, or celebrating an important event, THE JOY OF RITUAL is like a wise best friend that reconnects us to our hearts and souls.
Summary about this story: "Teddy and Lucy's Nighttime Adventures" is a sweet story that does a great job of combining the timeless magic of friendship with the magical world of a child's imagination. Teddy the special teddy bear lives in a warm cottage at the top of a cute town. As the moon rises high in the night sky, Teddy comes to life and has crazy adventures in the nearby magical woods. Lucy, a four-year-old who got Teddy as a gift, is his best friend. During the day, Teddy is Lucy's loyal friend, but when night falls, he goes for his magical adventure in the woods. Every night, when Teddy goes on an adventure, he meets magical creatures like fairies, old owls, fireflies, and friendly squirrels. Every time Teddy makes a new friend, he learns something new about being brave, being kind, and the wonders of nature. Every time Teddy and Lucy go on an adventure together, they learn more about the beauty of the magical forest, how important friendship is, and how creative they can be. They make memories that will last a long time, and sometimes they even go back to the woods where they spent their childhoods. As Lucy gets older, she goes into the magical woods less often. Teddy hasn’t changed, though. He keeps going on his nighttime adventures and making new friends. Their bond has stood the test of time, and the magic of the forest has always been the setting for their adventures together. At the end of the story, a moving lesson about the power of love, creativity, and friendship is told. It reminds us that even though life's seasons change, the relationships we make and the goals we have for our children may last. "Teddy and Lucy's Nighttime Adventures" is a celebration of childlike innocence, lasting friendships, and the magic that comes to life under the moon's protective light. Readers of all ages will find comfort in this timeless story, which will make them wonder and believe in the power of friendship. The story begins: On top of a small, ivy-covered house in a peaceful and beautiful part of the world was a room that was anything but ordinary. This room was a cozy haven where it seemed like time stopped and the worries of the outside world went away. In the middle of this room was a small teddy bear named Teddy. Inside Teddy's cozy, well-lit body was a charming story waiting to be solved. Teddy wasn't like other toy animals because he could do magic. Instead, he was one of a kind. He was a much-loved pet, and his soft, silky fur showed that he had been stroked and cuddled a lot. Even though he kept his warm, friendly gaze on him, there was a hint of mystery in his button eyes. It was a secret that only the stars and moon knew. At that moment, when the moon's silvery light covered the whole world, Teddy changed. At first, Teddy's soft body would move almost slowly as the night sky darkened and the first stars began to shine, as if in answer to a call from heaven. Then he would wake up, and with a stretch of his hairy limbs and a barely noticeable yawn, he would enter a world where he was alive. During that magic hour, the moonlight and thoughts turned the room into a theater where a story was told. Teddy moved with the flow of life, which gave his stiff arms a soft, elegant feel. His button eyes, which had been pretty before, now sparkled with mischievous interest. During these times, Teddy came to life. His very being was tied to the waves of the world at night. Every night, Teddy's adventures took place in a cute house that was a quiet place of refuge. Time had left its mark on the wooden beams, and each of the old things on the walls had its own story. Warm and welcoming, the room had lace curtains that let the silvery moonlight shine through and make beautiful patterns on the wooden floor. A loved, old rocking chair was set up next to the window. Its soft creaks blended in with the sound of the falling stars. Teddy's life grew up in this beautiful country setting. His life on the moon wasn't boring at all. It was a strange world where it was hard to tell what was possible and what was not. In the quiet of the night, Teddy went on adventures that most people could only make up for. As he went into the unknown, his reliable friend, the moon, kept watch over him. Its bright light guided him. Teddy went into worlds just outside the house, where it kept an eye on him. Behind the window was the magical forest, a mysterious place with old trees and hidden secrets. It drew him in with the promise of excitement and the promise of secrets just waiting to be found. As soon as Teddy set foot on the forest floor, he heard the sounds of nature, such as leaves rustling, insects singing, and even the occasional hoot of an old owl. Deep in this magical forest, Teddy met animals that were smart and funny. The wise old owl, who was a guardian of the night, gave him advice in the form of puzzles and proverbs. Teddy listened carefully and realized that the woods were full of secrets he could never have imagined. Teddy found a secret pond deeper in the woods. The surface of the pond was lit up by the soft, dreamy glow of fireflies. As these tiny animals danced on the smooth surface of the water, they made a sparkling light show. Teddy was amazed by how beautiful they were, so he started to dance with them, moving and shining in their company. The night was filled with the sound of the fireflies' laughter as they greeted him as one of them. They looked like tiny stars. Teddy did not only go on trips by himself. Along the way, he made friends with the forest's people. When Sammy, a friendly squirrel, was looking for his lost nuts, he met Teddy, who reminded him of himself. As a group, they went on a journey, putting a lot of acorns in Sammy's storehouse and getting closer to each other through kind acts. As Teddy's experiences in the enchanted woods went on, he started to think of it as his second home. Every night, something new happened that showed the magic that grew in the soft light of the moon. Teddy the teddy bear's life started in that cozy room at the top of the charming house. It was a story of wonder and magic, where the ordinary became magical and the moonlit hours promised endless adventures in the middle of a magical world. In the quiet of those moonlit nights, when the rest of the world was asleep and the moon was shining, Teddy's change was nothing short of magical. Teddy would wake up from a peaceful sleep as soon as he saw the moonlight shining through the lace curtains and giving the room a soft, dreamy glow. He would wake up with a feeling of excitement that was almost palpable. His moves were like a waltz of cotton padding and soft toys. It was amazing to see how the bear went from being a sleepy, cuddly animal to a lively, active soul. Teddy's furry limbs moved with an obvious grace, as if he were welcoming the endless possibilities of the night and shaking off the sleepiness of his daytime life. The dance was put together in complete silence, so that only the moon and the quietest night sounds could be heard. But the sparkle in Teddy's button eyes showed what Teddy's charm was really about. Those eyes no longer have the innocent look they had during the day. Instead, they have a mean look on them. They held the knowledge of many moonlit adventures, the promise of more crazy ones to come, and a whole world of secrets. Teddy finished his change with one last stretch and a yawn that seemed to match the quiet of the evening. He was no longer just a stuffed animal; he was now a live, breathing person who did cute things. He seemed to have taken on the power of the moonlight, giving him a vitality that went against the rules of the everyday world. When Teddy got out of bed, he felt like he was going into a dream world he had made himself. He walked lightly, almost ethereally, on the wooden floor with his velvety, smooth paws. The room that used to be his refuge and place of peace was now where he went to start his nighttime adventures. Every night held the promise of a new adventure or discovery, and Teddy's heart would beat faster as he got ready to go into the unknown. Teddy would jump across the room when he got more energy. He couldn't see what was making him act so silly. He jumped out of bed at a speed that didn't match his appearance of wealth. He landed with a soft, almost quiet thud, as if the air itself were cushioning his steps. Teddy's spirit of youth was most clear during these bursts of energy. Teddy's adventures at night took place in the room, which was lit by the soft, silvery light of the moon. During the day, the lace curtains let in just the right amount of light and cast beautiful patterns of light and shadow on the wooden floor. The walls were covered with old photos and items that looked like they were whispering stories from long ago that tied in with Teddy's own adventures. One of the most cherished things in the room was a well-loved rocking chair with curved wooden arms that had seen many hours of soothing motion. In the dark, the chair seemed to come to life. It swayed softly, as if it were filled with the same magic that Teddy was. Teddy's world became calmer when the chair creaked in a way that sounded like a song and went well with the music of the night. Teddy's magic, though, went beyond the walls of the room. Behind the window with the lace curtains was the door to his real playroom, a beautiful forest. The forest pulled him in with its old trees, each of which held secrets and told stories of the past through its bark. As soon as Teddy stepped onto the forest floor, he seemed to have left the everyday world behind. There were secrets, rhythms, and puzzles that could only be found in the magical forest. As Teddy went down, the sound of rustling leaves greeted him. Every step he took was an offer to find out about the secrets that were waiting for him. He was surrounded by the nighttime music of the forest, which included the soft rustling of leaves, the chirping of crickets, and the loud hoots of an old owl sitting in the trees. Deep in this magical world, Teddy met animals that were smart and funny. The wise old owl, a watcher of the night, welcomed Teddy with a knowing hoot, as if he knew Teddy was special in the world of moonlit adventures. Teddy paid close attention to the owl's secret information and realized that the forest was full of puzzles he had never thought of. Teddy found a secret pond deeper in the woods. The surface of the pond was lit up by the soft, dreamy glow of fireflies. These tiny organisms danced on the water's mirror-like surface like live lanterns, making a show of sparkling light. Teddy was amazed by how beautiful they were, so he started to dance with them, moving and shining in their company. The night was filled with the sound of the fireflies' laughter as they greeted him as one of them. They looked like tiny stars. Teddy did not go on his trips all by himself. Along the way, he made friends with the forest's people. When Sammy, a friendly squirrel, was looking for his lost nuts, he met Teddy, who reminded him of himself. Together, they went on a journey that led to a lot of acorns being put in Sammy's storehouse and made their friendship stronger through acts of kindness. Teddy's steady friend and the moon's watchful eye helped him get through these lovely nights. Its sparkling brightness lit its way and made the forest, and its people look like they were in heaven. Teddy, on the other hand, took the light of the moon as his own and let it guide him when he went exploring at night. So, Teddy's life turned into a fascinating story of magic and change in that small room at the top of the cottage, where the ordinary became special and the moonlit hours promised endless adventures at the center of a magical world. The soft glow of the moonlight gave the room an otherworldly beauty that made even the most ordinary things look a little bit magical. Now that Teddy was awake and aware, he became this charm. Under the light of the moon, his soft hair, which had been caressed with love all day, looked almost ethereal. It looked like it was covered in stardust, as if it had soaked up the light of the moon.
THE BOOK OF PIRATES brings together an unprecedented collection of over 70 adventure classics, legendary tales, and true historical accounts of the notorious buccaneers that have fascinated readers for centuries. This anthology is a testament to the rich tapestry of literary styles and narratives that define the pirate genre, from swashbuckling adventures on the high seas to intricate studies of pirate lives and the societies they interacted with. The diversity within this collection showcases the evolution of pirate-themed literature, touching upon the works of esteemed authors as well as uncovering hidden gems that provide new perspectives on piracy. The standout pieces within this anthology are not attributed to single authors, emphasizing the collective importance of the works and their shared thematic focus on the allure and danger of pirate life. The contributing authors and editors of THE BOOK OF PIRATES are luminaries from the 19th and early 20th centuries, whose careers span a range of genres but who are united in this collection by their fascination with piracy. Authors such as Jules Verne, Charles Dickens, and Arthur Conan Doyle, among others, bring their unique voices to the theme, enriching the anthology with their distinct historical, cultural, and literary perspectives. This confluence of authors aligns with various literary movements of their times, from romanticism to realism, offering readers a comprehensive view of the evolution of pirate literature and its impact on popular culture. THE BOOK OF PIRATES is recommended for readers seeking to immerse themselves in the world of maritime adventure and the notorious figures who have navigated its waters, both real and fictional. This anthology offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore a multitude of perspectives, narratives, and literary styles, all centered around the captivating theme of piracy. Through its pages, readers are invited to embark on journeys across the seven seas, engage with the multifaceted representations of pirates, and appreciate the breadth of insight and dialogue fostered among the diverse authors' works. It stands as an essential collection for educators, students, and enthusiasts of literary history, providing a comprehensive tour through the lore and legend of pirates.