Twenty years ago a woman named Erma Bombeck brought the suburban family out of the closet—dust bunnies and all. Her honest, hilarious accounts of family life, where the “grass is always greener over the septic tank,” became more than mere books; they became a philosophy. Ayun Halliday is a new generation’s urban Bombeck. Creator of the wildly popular parenting zine The East Village Inky, Halliday’s words and line drawings describe the quirks and everyday travails of a young urban family, warts and all. Honest in her parenting foibles and fixed in her opinions on public breast-feeding and the perfect Halloween costume, Halliday’s wry observations on daily life validate the complex, absurd wondrousness that is the life of the unpaid caregiver. Reflecting on her daughter’s third thumb, declawing the cat, and debating her son’s circumcision, she writes: “My family has a highly complex relationship to amputation.” On appropriate knowledge for children: “All Inky wants to talk about is the murder of John Lennon. I think it’s my fault.” On lice: “Head lice were outed on the children’s program Arthur this year in an effort to de-stigmatize the problem. I guess I’m glad that lice have hit the mainstream, though what’s next for Arthur and his pals? Heroin addiction?” On family holidays: “Danged if it isn’t true—you really cannot recreate the Christmases of your childhood. I can’t even recreate the Christmases of my teens.” It is in the details that The Big Rumpus will delight. Halliday manages to capture a voice that so many of today’s parents hear in their own heads, in a way that is absolutely unique yet familiar. The Big Rumpus marks the debut of a major new talent who has formulated a whole new set of “operating instructions” for today’s families.Of the many stay-at-home mommies who dream of writing the Great American Novel, few actually try; fewer still get published. Though not a novel, The Big Rumpus certainly is the Great American Tale of one woman's schlep through early motherhood--honest, hilarious, and irresistibly naughty. Ayun Halliday, a highly caffeinated and refreshingly immodest city gal, acknowledges that motherhood is pretty much like contending with a cloud of locusts swarming toward one's wheat--then laughs her "heiner" off about it.
Under her gifted muse's care, stories about childbirth, holiday acrobatics (sans religious ties), and raising two kids in a tiny New York apartment read like standup comedy routines; they also give way to bittersweet reflections on her own youth--goofy boyfriends, repressed sexual behavior, and all. Yes, she swears; yes, she delves deeply into issues anatomical, gastronomical, and diaporial. But for hip stay-at-homers who find sustenance in friendships honed at neighborhood playgrounds (not slapped together like cold deli meats at those contrived mommy-and-me meetings), Ayun Halliday might just become the patron saint of blissfully imperfect motherhood. Even mommies who lack Halliday's affinity for "unhusking" their breasts in public will find moments of empathy in this mirthful sprint through life as the family "Milk Monkey." --Liane Thomas Read more
Challenging surprises often lead to unexpected joy. Amy Julia opens eyes and softens hearts as she brings readers into her own story of disappointment turned to blessing. This is a journey of discovering strength through weakness, and the author learns to embrace the face that we are all dependent on God and one another. This books will inspire readers who appreciate beautiful writing coupled with deep insights about life and faith.
"Amy Julia Becker has the courage and grace to tell the truth. Whether you are a parent or not, whether the children in your life are 'typical' or not, this story will shake you, change you, and encourage you."--Andy Crouch, author, Culture Making Read more
“You’ve got one life, one shot, and all the power to make it happen. Get ready to dream big and live big. It’s all up to you. And it starts now.”
Total Blueprint for World Domination is a powerful life-planning book for teens that will inspire. The book lets readers:
*Explore hidden passions and find direction.
*Create heart-pounding, toe-tingling goals.
*Recruit an army for support.
*Design a dream world and make it happen.
*Achieve world domination step-by-step.
Full of tips and tricks for tackling life’s challenges, Total Blueprint for World Domination (17,000 words) is a book that will motivate readers to take their life to the next level.
“Anything is possible. And anything is possible for you. Believe it. Total Blueprint for World Domination takes you from this very second to your greatest dreams. So, are you ready?”
“You’ve got one life, one shot, and all the power to make it happen. Get ready to dream big and live big. It’s all up to you. And it starts now.”
Total Blueprint for World Domination is a powerful life-planning book for teens that will inspire. The book lets readers:
*Explore hidden passions and find direction.
*Create heart-pounding, toe-tingling goals.
*Recruit an army for support.
*Design a dream world and make it happen.
*Achieve world domination step-by-step.
Full of tips and tricks for tackling life’s challenges, Total Blueprint for World Domination (17,000 words) is a book that will motivate readers to take their life to the next level.
“Anything is possible. And anything is possible for you. Believe it. Total Blueprint for World Domination takes you from this very second to your greatest dreams. So, are you ready?”
Read more
Addictive! Red Devils lead this man to a book that reveals the true potential of Life and the importance of laughter. As Jay M Horne records a dialogue of a very special kind, questions about Infinite, God, existence, and the human spirits unwavering strength to persevere and heal itself, are answered as he fights and wins his battle with addiction. Written, in such, simplistic form that even the weakest readers can grasp the concepts. For once, a refreshing book on spirituality that needs no interpretation.Addictive! Red Devils lead this man to a book that reveals the true potential of Life and the importance of laughter. As Jay M Horne records a dialogue of a very special kind, questions about Infinite, God, existence, and the human spirits unwavering strength to persevere and heal itself, are answered as he fights and wins his battle with addiction. Written, in such, simplistic form that even the weakest readers can grasp the concepts. For once, a refreshing book on spirituality that needs no interpretation. Read more
For teachers, parents and ALL adults that interact with children - this book is as comprehensive as a textbook but as readable as a novel. Through guides, examples, stories and lessons the reader learns how to type him/herself, family members, students, and friends and to delve into the mysteries of how the different temperaments interact with each other. Because these interactions are unique, depending on the age and relationship of the people, this book focuses only on the adult-child relationship which can differ greatly from the adult-adult relationship or the child-child relationship. However, while this book does focus on the relationships between adults and children, one can also benefit from reading the different sections and applying some of the wisdom to his/her own relationships with other adults or by extrapolating ideas from the sections to help siblings get along better. The E-book is available at: http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/the-temperaments-and-the-adult-child-relationship/10286552 Read more
A little boy learns to use the potty chair and gets help from his parents with potty training. A helpful imaginative tool for toddlers during potty training. Full Color Illustrations by Chelsea Pinkel. Read more
22:50
kaniamazdar
