Exploring Top Books of Shelfari

Amazing Grace: Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation, The

Amazing Grace: Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation, The

by Jonathan Kozol

The children in this book defy the stereotypes of urban youth too frequently presented by the media. Tender, generous and often religiously devout, they speak with eloquence and honesty about the poverty and racial isolation that have wounded but not hardened them. The book does not romanticize or soften the effects of violence and sickness. One fourth of the child-bearing women in the neighborhoods where these... (more)

Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason

Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason

by Alfie Kohn

Most parenting guides begin with the question "How can we get kids to do what they're told?" and then proceed to offer various techniques for controlling them. In this truly groundbreaking book, nationally respected educator Alfie Kohn begins instead by asking, "What do kids need -- and how can we meet those needs?" What follows from that question are ideas for working with children rather than doing things to ... (more)

A Language Older Than Words

by Derrick Jensen

At once a beautifully poetic memoir and an exploration of the various ways we live in the world, A Language Older Than Words explains violence as a pathology that touches every aspect of our lives and indeed affects all aspects of life on Earth. This chronicle of a young man’s drive to transcend domestic abuse offers a challenging look at our worldwide sense of community and how we can make things better.

The Continuum Concept: In Search of Happiness Lost (Classics in Human Development)

The Continuum Concept: In Search of Happiness Lost (Classics in Human Development)

by Jean Liedloff

"The Continuum Concept" introduces the idea that in order to achieve optimal physical, mental and emotional development, human beings - especially babies - require the kind of instinctive nurturing as practiced by our ancient relatives. It is a true 'back to basics' approach to parenting. Author Jean Liedloff spent two and-a-half years in the jungle deep in the heart of South America living with indigenous tribes... (more)

The Day the Voices Stopped: A Schizophrenic's Journey from Madness to Hope

The Day the Voices Stopped: A Schizophrenic's Journey from Madness to Hope

by Ken Steele

A nationally known spokesperson for the mentally ill offers hope and inspiration in this moving story of his decades-long struggle with schizophrenia and his remarkable recovery. For thirty-two years Ken Steele lived with the devastating symptoms of schizophrenia, tortured by inner voices commanding him to kill himself, ravaged by the delusions of paranoia, barely surviving on the ragged edges of society. In... (more)

The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts--Verbal First Aid to Calm, Relieve Pain, Promote Healing, and Save Lives

The Worst Is Over: What to Say When Every Moment Counts--Verbal First Aid to Calm, Relieve Pain, Promote Healing, and Save Lives

by Judith Acosta

Your child has a bike riding accident. A friend undergoes surgery. Your father has a chronic pain condition. One day, maybe sooner, maybe later, someone close to you will experience a medical emergency. Health issues escape no one. Knowing CPR and other “techniques” is great – but not enough. What do you say when you’ve done all you can? The Worst Is Over is Verbal First Aid to calm, relieve pain,... (more)

The Peace Book

by Todd Parr

Like Parr's bestseller "It's Okay to Be Different," this primer about peace gives parents and teachers a valuable tool in talking about this challenging subject to younger children. Full color.

Do Animals Have Feelings Too? (A Sharing Nature With Children Book)

Do Animals Have Feelings Too? (A Sharing Nature With Children Book)

by David L. Rice

This collection of true animal behavior, witnessed by naturalists and others, may indicate a wide variety of animal emotions, such as compassion, loyalty, fear, vengefulness, and joy. The author, a retired teacher, leaves it up to the reader to decide, however.

Field Notes on the Compassionate Life: A Search for the Soul of Kindness

Field Notes on the Compassionate Life: A Search for the Soul of Kindness

by Marc Barasch

How can compassion, a trait hardwired into our nervouse system and just waiting to be awakened, transform our lives and the world at large. From up-to -the-minute research to timeless spiritual truths, this book weaves a stirring, unforgettable story of the search for kindness in a world that clearly needs it. Can we discover our greatest human potential by studying the exceptionally empathic? Can we increase... (more)

Amigos en cuerpo y alma

by Vera de Backker

The Spanish translation of the delightful story Friends Through Thick and Thin. Beautifully illustrated in full color.

Guerrilla Gardening: A Manualfesto

by David Tracey

The term "guerrilla" may bring to mind a small band of armed soldiers, moving in the dead of night on a stealth mission. In the case of guerrilla gardening, the soldiers are planters, the weapons are shovels, and the mission is to transform an abandoned lot into a thing of beauty. Once an environmentalist's nonviolent direct action for inner-city renewal, this movement is spreading to all types of people in... (more)

Inside Out

by Wendy Stofan Halley

Karly loves playing with her special friend, Natasha. Pretending to jump on clouds and walk on the moon, they bounce on the bed like kangaroos. But Karly is the only one who can see Natasha. But after Natasha returns to her home in the stars, Karly gradually forgets about her spirit and her special friend. How will she ever remember? The luminous illustrations by Roberta Colier-Morales add a touch of magic... (more)

Welcome to Zanzibar Road

by Niki Daly

On a hot day in Africa, the neighborhood of Zanzibar Road is bustling! There’s always someone ready to share a funny story, lend a helping hand, or celebrate a big day. As soon as Mama Jumbo walks down this special street, she knows she’s found the perfect place to settle down. And with her kind heart and big imagination, she’s sure to fit right in with her neighbors. There’s Baba Jive, who likes to play his sax;... (more)

Benny: An Adventure Story

by Bob Graham

Author-illustrator of the popular "Queenie, One of the Family", Bob Graham has created a delightful tale about one dog's search for happiness, love, and acceptance. Full color.

Pipiolo and the Roof Dogs

by Brian Meunier

Masterful storytelling and gorgeous paintings of the beautiful heroine and her beloved dog, Pipiolo, hallmark the debut of a talented new team. Lupe and Pipiolo cannot imagine what life must be like for the roof dogs-the guard dogs set out on the small, hot concrete roofs of their town in Mexico. Pipiolo, a rascal and a deep thinker, orchestrates their escape with an act of daring and bravura that makes him the... (more)

Besame MuchoCarlos Gonzalez

Besame Mucho

by Carlos Gonzalez

The Searcher and Old Tree

by David McPhail

After a long night of foraging, a tired raccoon returns home to sleep in Old Tree's branches. Oblivious to the rain and wind of a raging storm, the raccoon is protected and sheltered by the tree. David McPhail crafts a simple, yet powerful, allegory about the safety of home and the strength of unconditional love.

Hush Little Baby

by Sylvia Long

In this variation on an old lullaby, a baby rabbit is promised an assortment of presents from its adoring parent.

Rooted Against the Wind - Personal EssaysGloria Wade-Gayles

Rooted Against the Wind - Personal Essays

by Gloria Wade-Gayles

My Family and Other Animals

by Gerald Durrell

When the unconventional Durrell family can no longer endure the damp, gray English climate, they do what any sensible family would do: sell their house and relocate to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu. My Family and Other Animals was intended to embrace the natural history of the island but ended up as a delightful account of Durrell’s family’s experiences, from the many eccentric hangers-on to the... (more)

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