The Stories that Shape Us

The Stories that Shape Us PDF Author: Teresa Jordan
Publisher: W. W. Norton
ISBN: 9780393037234
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 396

Book Description
Twenty personal essays by contemporary women writers range across cultures and regions of the West

Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins

Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins PDF Author:
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
ISBN: 1412818796
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 282

Book Description
When someone says, at a holiday dinner table, “Oh, those Lawrence cousins lose control all the time,” or the Davises always had more talent than luck,” you can be sure there's a lesson being passed along, from one generation to another. Who tells stories to whom and about what is never a random matter. Our family stories have a secret power: they play a unique role in shaping our identity and our sense of our place in the world. They give us values, inspirations, warnings, and incentives. We need them. We use them. We keep them. They reverberate throughout our lives, affecting our choices in love, work, friendship, and lifestyle. Elizabeth Stone, whose grandparents came from Italy to Brooklyn, artfully weaves her own family stories among the stories of more than a hundred people of all backgrounds, ages, and regions—clarifying for us predictable types of family legends, providing ways to interpret our own stories and their roles in our lives. She examines stories of birth, death, work, money, and romantic adventure—all in the context of the family storytelling ritual. And she shows how stories about our most ancient ancestors may provide answers at milestone moments in our lives, as well as how stories about our newest family members carve out places for them so that they will fit into their families, comfortably or otherwise. Upon its initial publication in 1988, Studs Terkel said that the book is “A wholly original approach to an ancient theme: family storytelling and its lasting mark on the individual.” Judy Collins noted that “Elizabeth Stone's marvelous book on family myths and fables is irresistible. It lets us in on our own secrets in a provocative and exciting way.” And Maggie Scarf wrote, “What a clever topic, and how beautifully Elizabeth Stone has written about it! I recommend Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins for everyone who has ever been raised in a family.”

Steeped in Stories

Steeped in Stories PDF Author: Mitali Perkins
Publisher: Broadleaf Books
ISBN: 1506469116
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 248

Book Description
The stories we read as children shape us for the rest of our lives. But it is never too late to discover that transformative spark of hope that children's classics can ignite within us. Award-winning children's author Mitali Perkins grew up steeped in stories--escaping into her books on the fire escape of a Flushing apartment building and, later, finding solace in them as she navigated between the cultures of her suburban California school and her Bengali heritage at home. Now Perkins invites us to explore the promise of seven timeless children's novels for adults living in uncertain times: stories that provide mirrors to our innermost selves and open windows to other worlds. Blending personal narrative, accessible literary criticism, and spiritual and moral formation, Perkins delves into novels by Louisa May Alcott, C. S. Lewis, L. M. Montgomery, Frances Hodgson Burnett, and other literary "uncles" and "aunts" that illuminate the virtuous, abundant life we still desire. These novels are not perfect, and Perkins honestly assesses their critical frailties and flaws related to race, culture, and power. Yet reading or rereading these books as adults can help us build virtue, unmask our vices, and restore our hope. Reconnecting with these stories from childhood isn't merely nostalgia. In an era of uncertainty and despair, they lighten our load and bring us much-needed hope.

The Shape of Thunder

The Shape of Thunder PDF Author: Jasmine Warga
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062956698
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 226

Book Description
An extraordinary new novel from Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor–winning author of Other Words for Home, about loss and healing—and how friendship can be magical. Cora hasn’t spoken to her best friend, Quinn, in a year. Despite living next door to each other, they exist in separate worlds of grief. Cora is still grappling with the death of her beloved sister in a school shooting, and Quinn is carrying the guilt of what her brother did. On the day of Cora’s twelfth birthday, Quinn leaves a box on her doorstep with a note. She has decided that the only way to fix things is to go back in time to the moment before her brother changed all their lives forever—and stop him. In spite of herself, Cora wants to believe. And so the two former friends begin working together to open a wormhole in the fabric of the universe. But as they attempt to unravel the mysteries of time travel to save their siblings, they learn that the magic of their friendship may actually be the key to saving themselves. The Shape of Thunder is a deeply moving story, told with exceptional grace, about friendship and loss—and how believing in impossible things can help us heal.

The Written World

The Written World PDF Author: Martin Puchner
Publisher:
ISBN: 0812998936
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 458

Book Description
"The story of literature in sixteen acts, from Alexander the Great and the Iliad to ebooks and Harry Potter, this engaging book brings together remarkable people and surprising events to show how writing shaped cultures, religions, and the history of the world"--

The Shape of My Heart

The Shape of My Heart PDF Author: Mark Sperring
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1408840618
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 32

Book Description
The world is filled with shapes. A bird, a car, the stars in the sky - what shapes can you see? Children will love spotting familiar shapes on every page. With bright illustrations and a heartwarming message about the shape of something very special - love. Brilliantly read by Katy Ashworth. Please note that audio is not supported by all devices, please consult your user manual for confirmation.

Truth

Truth PDF Author: Hector Macdonald
Publisher: Black Swan
ISBN: 9781784163105
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 352

Book Description
_________________ 'Macdonald zeros in on the slipperiness of factuality, offering an array of case studies from the worlds of history, commerce and - of course - politics.' New York Times True or false? It's rarely that simple. There is always more than one truth in every story. Eating meat is nutritious but it's also damaging to the environment. The Internet disseminates knowledge but it also spreads hatred. As communicators, we select the truths that are most useful to our agenda. We can select truths constructively to inspire nations, encourage children, and drive progressive change. Or we can select truths that give a false impression of reality, misleading people without actually lying. Others can do the same, motivating or deceiving us with the truth. In Truth, communications strategy expert Hector Macdonald explores how truth is used and abused in politics, business, the media and everyday life. Combining great storytelling with practical takeaways and a litany of fascinating, funny and insightful case studies, Truth is a chilling and engaging read about how profoundly our mindsets and actions are influenced by the truths that those around us choose to tell. For fans of Factfulness,A Field Guide to Lies and StatisticsandThe Art of Thinking Clearly, a fascinating dive into the many ways in which 'competing truths' shape our opinions, behaviours and beliefs.

The Shape of Things

The Shape of Things PDF Author: Dayle Ann Dodds
Publisher: Turtleback Books
ISBN: 9780606290098
Category : Geometry
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
A square is just a square until it becomes a house in this clever book. A circle becomes a spinning ferris wheel, and when some string and a tail are added, it becomes a kite flying high in the sky. With sprightly rhymes and energetic illustrations, this book reveals that shapes are everywhere. Full color.

The Shape of Me and Other Stuff: Read & Listen Edition

The Shape of Me and Other Stuff: Read & Listen Edition PDF Author: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0385383320
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 36

Book Description
Even in silhouette, the fun and fanciful art of Dr. Seuss is instantly recognizable in this Bright and Early Book classic: "a bug, a balloon, a bed, a bike. No shapes are ever quite alike." Looking at ordinary shapes is great when seen through the eyes of the remarkable Dr. Seuss, but of course it's the extraordinary shapes that really make an impression. Would you want to be shaped like a BLOGG? Bright and Early Books are perfect for beginning beginner readers! Launched by Dr. Seuss in 1968 with The Foot Book, Bright and Early Books use fewer and easier words than Beginner Books. Readers just starting to recognize words and sound out letters will love these short books with colorful illustrations. This Read & Listen edition contains audio narration.

Mouse Shapes

Mouse Shapes PDF Author: Ellen Stoll Walsh
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN: 1328740536
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 43

Book Description
Three mice make a variety of things out of different shapes as they hide from a scary cat.