Collection: Self-Development

Talking and listening to people with Alzheimer's makes many of us uncomfortable. We may be inclined to contradict, to tune out, to become impatient. This knowledgeable guide will increase your confidence and show you many ways to connect kindly with someone with dementia. The same practical points apply whether you're interacting with a family member, a patient, a client, a colleague, or even someone you know more casually. You can promote purposeful living and preserve independence, even in brief encounters or visits. The more of us who become fluent in talking and listening to people with dementia, the less socially isolated and at risk this still-growing group will be.

As neurologist William Shankle observes in the book's foreword: "From a scientific perspective, the final frontier is not space, as Star Trek proclaimed, but rather the understanding of behavior.... Dr. Jane Mahakian's direct experience, knowledge, and wisdom in finding solutions to these difficult problems is akin to that of an artist applying their creativity to express a new way of seeing the world."

At the heart of I hear you are vignettes that will give you a glimpse into the realm of forgetfulness. You may find yourself nodding or smiling as you read them, or you may be touched or surprised.

Gerontologist Jane L. Mahakian has specialized for more than 30 years in managing the care of people with forgetfulness, primarily Alzheimer's and other dementias. Writer Alyson Kuhn sought Dr. Jane's guidance when she needed to move her mother, who lived gracefully with dementia for ten years, to a memory care community. Alyson's detailed email exchanges and many phone calls with Dr. Jane over several years formed the basis for the I hear you writing partnership.

Voltaire called him the "man who never dies and knows everything." The Count Saint Germain turned base metals into gold, removed the flaws from diamonds and discovered the elixir of youth. In the eighteenth century, this "Wonderman of Europe" was the confidant of kings and a friend to the poor.

Today the master Saint Germain shows that miracles are nothing more than the natural outgrowth of the practice of spiritual alchemy. In this greatest of all self-help books, he describes the principles of alchemy and how you can use them in your own life to bring about spiritual, mental, emotional and physical transformation.

Getting Good at Getting Older is a bedside companion, a portable best friend, and a baedeker of essential resources for anyone smart enough to age mindfully rather than just let it happen to them. - Letty Cottin Pogrebin, founding editor of Ms. magazine and author of Getting Over Getting Older

We transformed society in the 60's and 70's, through the civil rights movement, the evolution of feminism, and the sexual revolution. We raised our voices, refused to sit down, and in the process, changed the way the world saw young people.

We aren't young anymore. But we are still revolutionary. We are confronting and challenging assumptions about aging, by living longer, being more active than our parents and grandparents, and simply doing things differently. And in the process, we are changing the way the world sees older people.

Getting Good at Getting Older is a tour for all of us of a certain age through the resources and skills we need to navigate the years between maturity and old age. It brings humor, warmth, and more than 4,000 years of Jewish experience to the question of how to shape this new stage of life.

The best 'how-to' for encouraging consensus in firms and organizations.

Communication within many organizations has been reduced to email, electronic file transfer, and hasty sound bytes at hurried meetings. More and more, people appear to have forgotten the value of wisdom gained by ordinary conversations. The Art of Focused Conversation convincingly restores this most human of attributes to prime place within businesses and organizations, and demonstrates what can be accomplished through the medium of focused conversation.

Developed, tested, and extensively used by professionals in the field of organizational development, The Art of Focused Conversation is an invaluable resource for all those working to improve communications in firms and organizations.

After over a century of relative obscurity, lacemaking is enjoying a revival as more and more needlecraft artists are intrigued by its creative possibilities. Dating from the 15th century, bobbin lace is prized everywhere for its intricacy, delicacy, and decorative richness -- and couldn't be easier to do!
In this modern, step-by-step approach to the craft, noted lacemaker Brigita Fuhrmann shows you how to create every kind of bobbin lace -- from the simplest stitch to the most challenging pattern. In addition, she traces the history of bobbin lacemaking in Western and Eastern Europe (including Russia) and relates these two distinct types to contemporary trends.
For all its intricate, elegant appearance, bobbin lace is based on only two different movements of bobbins -- the cross and the twist. Essentially, it is the technique of winding threads on bobbins around pins attached to a firm pillow. The pins hold the lace in place while you cross and twist the bobbins over each other in varying sequences to form a wide range of stitches. The richness of the lace depends on how you combine the stitches into a pattern.
Ms. Fuhrmann provides expert advice on the tools you'll need -- pillows, bobbins, pins, and thread -- and easy-to-follow instructions for a variety of exquisite stitches. Clear, accurate diagrams accompany stitch directions, beginning with the braid and Brussels ground and ending with the maiden's net and spiders. Learn how to make stunning straight lace and tape lace; construct fans, corners, edgings; draft patterns; finish your creations, and care for your lace.
Needleworkers at all levels of expertise will welcome this comprehensive volume. Experienced hands will discover endless challenges and inspiration here; beginners will find this an excellent introduction to the beauty and elegance of a time-honored art form.

Displaying the beauty and variety of America's most popular wildflowers, naming and locating each of the species, this most unusual book is intended for coloring. Redrawn from the original Smithsonian Rickett plates by Paul Kennedy, well-known illustrator of children's books, each of the 46 renderings is ready to be colored as realistically -- like the cover illustrations -- or as imaginatively as you may choose. Includes 46 illustrations: lady's slipper, black-eyed susan, bird's foot violet, cardinal flower, pitcher plant, trout lily, and others. Botanical identifications, common names, and information on habitats are also included.

Mad Libs is the world's greatest word game and a great gift or activity for anyone who likes to laugh! Write in the missing words on each page to create your own hilariously funny stories all about Easter.

It's hopping good fun for the whole NOUN! With 21 "fill-in-the-blank" stories about chocolate, Easter baskets, and the magic of springtime, there's something for everyone. Play alone, in a group, or with some-bunny you love. Mad Libs are a fun family activity recommended for ages 8 to NUMBER.

Easter Eggstravaganza Mad Libs includes:

- Silly stories 21 "fill-in-the-blank" stories all about Easter fun!
- Language arts practice Mad Libs are a great way to build reading comprehension and grammar skills.
- Fun With Friends each story is a chance for friends to work together to create unique stories!

This rich treasury of popular crochet designs, selected from vintage thread company leaflets, includes 150 patterns favored by crocheters during the first half of the 20th century. Included are eye-catching designs for creating a host of attractive domestic accessories: tablecloths, bedspreads, doilies, edgings, and other pieces. All designs are accompanied by a complete list of necessary materials, while detailed row-by-row instructions guide beginning and advanced needleworkers through each step of the crocheting process.
Choose from heirloom-quality patterns including lovely lace edgings that will bring a touch of glamour to table linens, bedcovers, and the necklines of sweaters and blouses. You'll find a simple yet elegant Main Line tablecloth, revealing a charming filet-crochet motif of floral and foliated designs; a splendid bedspread composed of dainty diamond- and octagon-shaped motifs; and a wealth other attractive patterns.
With this inexpensive collection at your fingertips you can be sure of finding the project that's just right for you. Best of all, expert instructions make it easy to create beautiful crocheted pieces you'll cherish for years to come.

Create the flower arrangements of your dreams to keep at home, take to the office, or display on any special occasion using the simple tips and tricks and masterful techniques taught by Executive Director and professor Calvert Crary and the master florists at FlowerSchool New York.

FlowerSchool New York is one of the world's premiere institutes for floral design and artistry, offering career development courses certified by the New York State Board of Education, and exclusive master class programs taught by celebrated master florists including Kiana Underwood, Remco Van Vliet, Lewis Miller, Emily Thompson, and Ingrid Carozzi.

Now, for the first time, FlowerSchool Executive Director Calvert Crary is publishing a book that will make it possible for even the greenest at-home arrangers to create gorgeous, Instagram worthy bouquets. This hands-on, comprehensive guide provides readers with step-by-step instructions that cover all the most crucial aspects of flower arranging, including:

• How to buy the best flowers and how to get the best prices
• Selecting your flowers based on texture, color, and seasonality
• Conditioning your flowers to ensure they last as long as possible
• Pairing your flowers with the right vase
• Creating arrangements in a wide variety of styles that will work for any occasion

Including advice from the school's well-respected master florists, and featuring beautiful color photographs of each unique arrangement, Flower School offers invaluable, insider tips and tricks that can only be gained through years of experience, providing readers with the fundamental tools and education they need to create homemade floral arrangements that are on par with any professional design.

A must-read guide for any creative, Creative Endurance offers practical advice and inspiration for staying motivated and achieving your big-picture goals.

Are you experiencing creative burnout? Using the effective strategies for creative endurance developed by creative director of Fast Company and accomplished marathon runner Mike Schnaidt, you can remain imaginative and inventive through any tough situation, throughout your life and career.

Featuring inspiring stories from designers, astronauts, illustrators, ultramarathoners, chefs, photographers, and an Olympic Gold medalist, Creative Endurance provides a unique combination of practical advice, in the form of 56 "rules, " alongside inspiring examples to help you overcome creative obstacles and thrive.

• Learn from graphic designer Sagi Haviv, the creator of the US Open logo, as he shares his experience of generating over 6,000 sketches for the iconic design.
• Join photographer Peter Yang behind the scenes of his most memorable celebrity shoots, including with Barack Obama.
• Hear from astronaut Jeanette Epps, who went from a Ford Motor Company employee to a member of NASA's space crew.
• Get tips from celebrated cookbook author Molly Baz on crafting compelling recipes.
• Discover the mental preparation strategies of Olympic Gold medalist Billy Demong.
• Learn expert tactics and advice for maintaining focus and motivation in your career from endurance racing legend Hurley Haywood.

With lush illustrations across four sections of increasing time increments (Your Day, Your Project, Your Job, and Your Life), Creative Endurance will guide you through the daily grind of work to the big-picture goals of your life. Learn how to overcome obstacles in your daily routine, develop focus and imagination, and establish a sustainable practice. Refine your creative process, pitch ideas to clients, and handle negative feedback and massive projects. Discover practical tactics for hiring, budgeting, and navigating career challenges, along with advice on finding your creative voice and making a lasting impact in your industry.

Each chapter concludes with an interactive and inspiring spread of suggested activities.

Creative Endurance is the ultimate guide to achieving your goals and thriving in your creative career without sacrificing your well-being.

Innovation, claims quality consultant Subir Chowdhury, is part of America's DNA. No other country in the world matches America's creative drive and its ability to turn innovative ideas into revolutionary products-from antilock brakes and steel-belted radial tires to sophisticated software and microprocessors. But as fast as we introduce new products, we lose the markets we establish to countries that know how to manufacture higher quality versions for less money. As Japanese and European firms win market share by concentrating on quality, America is continually forced to rely on innovation to stay ahead.

In The Ice Cream Maker, Chowdhury uses a simple story to illustrate how businesses can instill quality into our culture and into every product we design, build, and market. The protagonist of the story is Peter Delvecchio, the manager of a regional ice cream company, who is determined to sell its ice cream to a flourishing national grocery chain, Natural Foods. In conversations with the Natural Foods manager, Peter learns how the extraordinarily successful retailer achieves its renowned high standard of excellence, both in the services it provides its customers and in the foods it manufactures and sells. Quality, he discovers, must be the mission of every employee; by learning to listen, enrich, and optimize, he can encourage and sustain the highest levels of quality in everything the company does.

Like Fish! and Who Moved My Cheese? The Ice Cream Maker offers an essential and universal lesson about one of industry's foremost challenges in a thoroughly engaging style. For managers and executives, small business owners and entrepreneurs, The Ice Cream Maker is a compelling, eye-opening guide to the most effective ways to achieve excellence and become industry leaders on the global stage.

The monumental bestseller Quiet has been recast in a new edition that empowers introverted kids and teens

Susan Cain sparked a worldwide conversation when she published Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. With her inspiring book, she permanently changed the way we see introverts and the way introverts see themselves.

The original book focused on the workplace, and Susan realized that a version for and about kids was also badly needed. This book is all about kids' world--school, extracurriculars, family life, and friendship. You'll read about actual kids who have tackled the challenges of not being extroverted and who have made a mark in their own quiet way. You'll hear Susan Cain's own story, and you'll be able to make use of the tips at the end of each chapter. There's even a guide at the end of the book for parents and teachers.

This insightful, accessible, and empowering book, illustrated with amusing comic-style art, will be eye-opening to extroverts and introverts alike.

"Amphibious Soul is an important book. . . . This book isn't about learning how to be wild but rather a guide to recognizing and reconnecting with the wild in and around us. It is a book that will inspire hope."--Jane Goodall

A passionate love story about nature that inspires readers to reclaim their inner wildness--the debut adult nonfiction book from the naturalist, filmmaker, creator, and star of the Oscar-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher

An adventure story, love story, travelogue, naturalist memoir, and spiritual guide, Craig Foster's Amphibious Soul is a scientist and adventurer's perspective on "rewilding"--developing a deep connection to our animal selves that can reinvigorate our lives. Told in Craig's warm and passionate voice, this extraordinary book will change not only the way we interact with the natural world, but the way we fundamentally see ourselves.

A decade ago, living in a city and feeling exhausted and empty, Craig decided to return to his birthplace--the Cape of Good Hope--and dive into the great African Sea forest each day. His daily oceanic adventures not only helped him "rewild", but helped him come to see his own "amphibious soul" as a powerful metaphor for the human condition. We homo sapiens are by nature wild animals attempting to exist in a docile world. So how can we reclaim our wildness in a world that wants us to stay so tamed?

An extraordinary literary work, Amphibious Soul is a riveting narrative filled with meticulous descriptions of an adventure in the natural world that speaks to readers on an intimate level, challenging us to consider our personal relationship to nature, and inspiring us to realign our daily practices to help save the global ecosystem. Whether we live close to nature or in an urban jungle, Craig shows us how to nurture our individual wildness, tap into our empathy, and deepen our love for all living things. He teaches us to track the wild around us, and by doing so become present in the moment and revel in being wondrously alive.

Featuring breathtaking original photos and QR codes that access mini-videos of never-seen-before animal interactions, Amphibious Soul is a remarkable experience that will transform us and ultimately our world.

Here's the promise of this book in 28 words...

• You're going to learn how to ask God questions.
• You're going to get answers.
• And then you're going to use those answers to recode your life for success.

GOD TALKS is a simple process that will show you how to instantly break through any obstacle and create abundance in your life. By the time you are done, you'll feel more energetic, more vibrant, and more alive. Your relationships will be better, stronger, and more meaningful. You will be more focused and fearless.

And you're going to reconnect with an old Friend. You may have met him before.

His name is God.

A wonderfully crafted resource for toddler behavior management, brimming with colorful pictures and illustrations that capture the imagination and attention of your little ones.

This unique toddler affirmation book instills positive behavior in toddlers, effectively teaching them kindness and respect toward others through captivating illustrations and engaging text. The vibrantly colored pages bring simple but powerful affirmations to life, making it an absolute delight for children and adults alike.

Navigating the toddler years can indeed be challenging. Toddlers often express their emotions physically, and sometimes, this includes hitting. This book is a gentle guide to help teach toddlers not to hit, encouraging them to express their feelings through words instead. It's the perfect tool to make their journey of emotional growth a vibrant and memorable adventure.

"I Use Kind Words. I Do Not Hit!" is filled with direct, easy-to-understand, and toddler-friendly affirmations like "My hands are for helping, not for hitting" and "I use my words, not my hands, when upset." These empowering phrases are designed to help your little ones make positive choices, navigate their emotions, and build their emotional intelligence.

Beyond managing hitting behavior, this book also plays a crucial role in teaching kindness to toddlers. It reinforces that their hands are for showing love and kindness, not causing hurt. The colorful illustrations perfectly complement the affirmations, creating a captivating teaching aid that encourages non-violent responses and positive behavior.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, grandparent, or guardian seeking to create a peaceful and respectful environment, this book is an invaluable asset. It is also perfect for read-aloud sessions with toddlers, fostering a precious bonding time while instilling a sense of respect for others.

Invest in your toddler's emotional growth with "I Use Kind Words. I Do Not Hit!" Watch as they blossom into kind, empathetic individuals who understand the power of words over hitting.

This beautifully illustrated book is more than just a story; it's an engaging and effective tool for shaping your toddler's behavior. Take advantage of the opportunity to equip your toddler with the skills to express themselves appropriately and understand why hitting is unacceptable.

Embark on this journey toward cultivating a more understanding, patient, and kinder toddler. Let's teach our little ones to use their words, not their hands.