Creators Books

A truly stunning book. John MacMurray's photos are remarkable. Each page will leave you breathless. There is no other book that I would want on my coffee table before this one.

Nature's breathtaking beauty is skillfully photographed in this awe inspiring book. Presents a convincing case in favor of creation over various scientific theories that try to discount the idea that god created heaven and earth. There isn't much text (I read this from cover to cover in about thirty minutes), but the quotes, scripture and editorial content are a perfect compliment to this fantastic book. I wish that it was more pages! Please publish a sequel.

A friend of mine was given this book and I just saw it today. It has great pictures (many of them of Oregon). There are also great quotes to go with the pictures - C.S. Lewis, etc. Looks like a great gift idea to me.

In the world of coffee-table literature there are many choices. Few are of the quality of By Chance? The Chrisitan influence on the book is not so much dogma as thoughtful reflection by various thinkers and authors, and john MacMurray's thoughts in the introduction set a pleasant tone for a slow visual read of this powerful, and quite attractive book. By Chance makes a wonderful gift for religious or nature-loving friends. The images are not easily beaten by any dozen landscape-photography books on the market. This is a title that will begin conversations, and speak volumes to the warmth and pleasantness of your home.

This is a great book to read...and read...and read...
You will not be able to put it down and you will go back to it over and over...You WILL need and open mind to read this..it will shatter many of your beliefs and make you wonder what if...I am a true believer and always have been of the Kashmir Shaivism philosophy...
Take the chance and go for it...read it and then wonder ...
Very good gift for all those who are searching...

I have to agree with the other reviewers here; this book was a real eye opener. The author's writing style was very easy to follow as it leads you through the philosophy of Kashmir Saivism, which I hadn't heard of till I saw this book. It does not go into great detail, which is what makes the book so appealing. It left me wanting to know more about this philosophy.

A great introduction. It may really open your eyes if you happened to be bogged down in Dogma.

I came to this book with some background in the topic, having done some previous study in the nondualistic philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism. However, I had always found my previous readings to be relatively tough going in spots and, in some instances, almost incomprehensible. Not so with Pickens' book. His story is the story of everyone who has wondered if there isn't something more than meets the eye when it comes to our daily lives. Where do you go when success isn't all that it is purported to be? Not all of us can travel to India and become a student of an enlightened master but, lucky for us, Pickens did and this book is that story. I would dare say that if read with an open heart and open mind, this book can (and just might) change your world. For the better.

John Picken spent several summers in northern India, studying with the last living master of Kashmir Shaivism, possibly the world's oldest religion, which had been passed down through generations through word-of-mouth. Picken was an MD and PhD; he had attained all the trappings of success but not the happiness his parents had predicted. He found contentment by practicing Kashmir Shaivism. According to this teaching, everything is God, and nothing is outside God, so we have within us the forces of nature--creation and destruction. Fear, the Protector, is built in as a survival mechanism. Once we recognize who we truly are--Creators, Destroyers, and Protectors, rather than "good" people who inexplicably ruin whatever we care about--we become able to control the forces of nature rather than allow them to control us. Yes, we go on diets because we are creators; yes, we eat junk food because we are destroyers. This is a very thought-provoking premise, which enables us to forgive our unhealthy behavior, then work against it consciously.

This children's books reference is so prized because the biography of the creators inspired me to look at how I can enrich my children now - in ways these creators personal experiences have developted from their own childhood. The creators' biographies and interviews have opened my mind to the possibilities for today's children to follow and try these creators' paths to becoming authors and illustrators. Also, I loved learning which colleges some of the creators have attended, which is a good resource to finding the possible colleges for the artistically inclined children.

This is a fabulous resource for anyone interested in children's books. It includes 475 biographical/critical entries on current and classic writers and illustrators as well as essays on topics such as chapter books, poetry, fantasy, and book design. A special "Voices of the Creators" feature presents thirty personal essays from writers such as Katherine Paterson, Kevin Henkes, and Lois Lowry. There's also a useful graded booklist. Highly recommended for parents, writers, readers, and school and public librarians.

Essential Guide To Children's Books And Their Creators is a recommended pick for any parent or teacher who wants a comprehensive survey of contemporary children's literature. A single volume of recommendations covers the best books and authors for children - the ones which are tested as making the most impression on kids. Over 100 new essays include newcomers from Harry Potter to Lemony Snicket, along with the latest publishing trends for kids.

I'm a children's book editor, and run a web site called "The Purple Crayon," where I review this book in detail. Here are some excerpts from that review:

The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators is a handy one-volume reference for anyone working in the field, and also both fun and informative to browse....

Set up like an encyclopedia, the Guide includes more than 475 entries and an index in 500 pages. It opens with a great "Basic Reading List" and then goes to the A-Z listing, which mostly consists of entries about specific authors and illustrators of children's books. Most are American, most are 20th century, but there are people from the 19th century and other countries (for example, George MacDonald, Carlo Collodi, Astrid Lindgren, Margaret Mahy). Some entries on living writers and illustrators are followed by a first-person statement, "Voices of the Creators."

I count 31 feature articles on other subjects, mostly types or genres of books. Examples: "African-American Children's Books," "Alphabet Books," "Series Books," "Middle Grade Fiction," and "Information Books."

I think few readers will quibble with the selections: the authors and illustrators who appear here belong here. Of course, I did find some personal favorites missing, as may just about anyone who has read many children's books....

On the whole, though, this is an excellent and compact reference. You'll find well-written and informative essays on the artists and writers you look up, and random browsing is amply rewarded. If you aren't familiar with American children's literature, this is a good place to start to learn. If you already know the field, you'll still find things you don't know.

(This book is derived from the longer and more expensive Children's Books and Their Creators (1995), which Anita Silvey edited while she was still editor-in-chief of the Horn Book magazine. This edition includes a selection of entries from that book, plus 100 new entries to bring it up to date.)

My son and daughter, ages 7 and 10, enjoy this book. The illustrations are very detailed and the book is loaded with interesting facts about the country. I highly recommend this book for kids with inquiring minds.

Great book in the world of Magic School Bus. We loved it. I loved the facts about China written all over the book. Read over & over in our house!

Miss Frizzle and her class from The Magic School Bus are back. This time instead of science adventure the kids are off to learn about history. Miss Frizzle and her students travel back in time 100 years. They arrive at a farmers village in China. Here they learn lots of things like how to eat with chop sticks and how to grow crops like rice and silk.

Splendidly illustrated with accurate details, this book is a delight to read: funny, informative, colorful, clear and comprehensive.

An excellent, highly recommended book for children ages 8 to 12.

I bought this book for my first-grade son, who is a huge Magic School Bus fan, but usually not all that interested in social studies. He found this book very interesting, and we have re-read it many times.

The book is in a larger format than the original Magic School Bus series, which leave more room for all of the sidebar explanations that typify these books. Cole and Degen explain processes, like growing rice and making silk, that are easy for kids to follow, and may teach the adults a thing or two. A common thread through the whole book is a list of things that the ancient Chinese invented before the West, another point that may teach adults something new. The plot is a little silly, but it made my son and I giggle.

All in all, it's great fun, and a nice way to introduce kids to Chinese culture. Teachers could read it to a class, then delve more deeply into subjects that they want to pursue.

Blaschke asks the right questions and gets the most fascinating answers. A good range of insights into the thoughts, ideas, and lives of some of the most interesting sci-fi and fantasy authors.

A series of interviews from some of the best writers in the business. Excellent work.

This book is a collection of interviews of editors and writers in the field of Fantasy and Science Fiction - including some of the legends.

As the title for this review states - this book would be very helpful for anyone wanting to break into the field. Several editors give hints as to what they are looking for in a prospective story. It is also helpful in that each editor gives his/her individual opinion and it can be seen that what one editor rejects, another is desperately seeking.

I had a problem reading the Harlan Ellison interview. It seems that every few paragraphs, he triggered a thought in my head that went flying off and delayed my finishing the piece.

Over and over, I kept thinking that this book would be an ideal text for a writing course. It would probably not be accepted as such, though, because it does not cost enough and would probably stay current for more than one semester.

The official table of contents for Voices of Vision:

Part 1: The Editors
Chapter 1. Gardner Dozois
Chapter 2. Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Chapter 3. Stanley Schmidt
Chapter 4. Gordon Van Gelder
Chapter 5. Scott Edelman

Part II: Unique Voices in Fantasy & Science Fiction
Chapter 6. Robin Hobb (aka Megan Lindholm)
Chapter 7. Patricia Anthony
Chapter 8. Charles de Lint
Chapter 9. Elizabeth Moon

Part III: The Comic Book Creators
Chapter 10. Elliot S! Maggin
Chapter 11. Frank Cho & Scott Kurtz
Chapter 12. Brad Meltzer
Chapter 13. Neil Gaiman

Part IV: Masters of Speculative Fiction
Chapter 14. Samuel R. Delany
Chapter 15. Gene Wolfe
Chapter 16. Harlan Ellison
Chapter 17. Jack Williamson

The Edelman interview is a new, never-before published piece, and the Harlan Ellison and Elizabeth Moon interviews have extensive material restored that was cut from the original published versions due to space considerations.

This has been a great source of inspiration and solid, practical advice for me. I'm opening my own studio/gallery soon and found Rudd's book to be a constant source of ideas on how to renovate the cheap, but run-down space we found. Although we weren't able to purchase the space as he recommended (I wish we could) it has been a very helpful book.
It's not just the practical advice, but the encouragement to take your own work more seriously that really made this book valuable to me. When he described how more work could be done in a good studio, I knew then that I had to get my work out of the garage and into a better space. Now, after a lot of elbow grease and plenty of cheap white [local store] paint (as Rudd recommended), I'll have a space much more suited to the work I want to do, plus a gallery to show it.

Multi-media artist Eric Rudd has written two books for
artists who feel compelled to produce not just good art, but great art that has potential for recognition on a grand scale in museums and perhaps a legacy in art history. Rudd pulls no punches in his entertaining account of his successes and failures both as an artist and developer of loft art studios from Washington, D.C. to North Adams, Massachussetts. His ideas aren't for the faint-hearted or the Sunday painter but rather for the artist with a strong belief in the greatness of the work and a willingness to take risks to create a space where this can happen. "The Art Studio/Loft Manual for Ambitious Artists and Creators" provides the practical information needed to make it happen, from how to acquire the real estate to how to renovate the space. The accounts of Rudd's achievements, particularly in his present location in North Adams, are inspiring.

Mr. Rudd...

Thank you for writing such helpful books for artists. It is a great thing you've done to improve the conditions for so many who need space to create and live with fewer restrictions.

Cheers.

I found this book to be insightful as well as informative. Necessary reading for any one looking to learn how to let go of shame & blame and that is willing to invite Joy into their life.

This is an amazing book. It is definately for those who are seeking to grow spiritually and desire to step beyond what they now know as "true".
Every part of this book make me keep repeating, "yes, how wonderful!" or "Of course, that is the only way that really makes sense". So many of my unspoken questions were answered.
The most incredible part of this book is the vision it gives of the future. And I say vision, although I believe it to be truth. And it is such an uplifting and joyous truth. My thoughts and concerns about the future of mankind are irrevocably changed in a most wonderful way.
So... if you have ventured as far as to read these reviews .. trust that you have been guided here by a part of you that "remembers" and want you to remember also.

This book is essential for every human being that is dealing with uncertainity in work, relationships and the most important -- yourself.

I am particularly fond of the way it applies to everyone and does not focus one relegion, but spirituality as a whole. And therefore can be applied to anyone who is spiritual or wants to be spiritual.

This book truly inspires you to take back control of your life create your own reality. People who rely on hope, really need to read this book.

Reformed city girl

As a great admirer of Bemelmans Madeline series,this book gave me insight to its creator. It is a beautiful book, well written and designed. A great tribute to a wonderful artist and writer. Truly a book that a Madeline fan would want!

Bemelmans grandson has done an outstanding job of putting together a comprehensive collection of his grandfather's works. The book includes a review of his adult and children's books, his artwork, and magazine covers, as well as a collection of never before seen photographs. It is colorful, fun, and interesting. If you are a Bemelmans fan you will love this book; if you are not, this is a great way to get started!

It's our great fortune that two books are published during the same month celebrating two of the finest children's book illustrators ever...Ludwig Bemelmans and Tomie dePaola (TOMIE DE PAOLA: HIS ART & HIS STORIES)! Both books are delights and will be enjoyed for hours and hours and hours...

I strongly recommend any book by Lee Strobel. He is an excellent writer. He presents complicated scientific evidence in a very simplistic fashion. This book is an excellent resource when teaching evolutionary theory. It provides very up-to-date data. Every Middle School/High school student should be exposed to this information in order to make an eductated decision regarding creation/evolution. I utilized it as a resource in my 8th grade science class and really enjoyed it.

As a biology student in the 1970's, I was exposed to evolutionary theory in my college education. Not only had I been exposed to it, I was absolutely indoctrinated in it, and I learned that my college professors considered evolution a "fact", not just a theory. I was never fully convinced of the theory of evolution, as it did not explain adequately in my mind how all the different life forms evolved from one single-celled organism. I considered this a tremendous leap of faith, one that took more faith to believe than believing in a Creator. Many of my questions and doubts about evolution were poo-poo'ed by my porfessors, and although they did not have definitive answers to the questions either, they assured me that in time (and with more scientific study) my questions would be answered.

As we enter a new millenium, the theory of evolution is being questioned like never before. Proponents of "intelligent design" claim that the theory of evolution cannot account for the beginning of life from non-living matter, and that the diversity of life is such that unguided "blind" evolution cannot explain it adequately. Although the general public has not yet been informed of this, the theory of evolution is a theory in crisis, not only through those that criticize its faults and weaknesses, but from scientists themselves that no longer find adequate explanation in the theory. Strobel's book takes up these issues and presents a logical discussion on the weaknesses of evolutionary theory and the case for intelligent design. Issues explored are as follows:

Modern Education and Evolution in the Classroom
Doubts about Darwinian Evolution
Cosmology
Physics and evolution
Astronomy and evolution
Biochemistry and evolution
DNA and intelligent design

This is a great resource for the average lay-person who does not want to get bogged down with in-depth discussions on physics and molecular structure. Strobel presents the material in a manner that is easy for all to understand. However, please know that this is not an "easy read". It will require thought on the part of the reader and is not just a book you can pick up and read at leisure. If used as a serious study book, the reader will get far more out of the content than if read casually.

As in Strobel's previous two books on Christ and Christian faith, this is another highly recommended book. It will definately challenge your conceptions on evolution.

Jim "Konedog" Koenig

Stobel has done an outstanding job of going to the community of scientific scholars to acquire a factual scientific review of Darwinism and the incredible nonsense that it reflects in trying to explain the origins of the universe, earth and all living things upon the face of the earth. If the concept of faith is a prime requisite to substantuate religion, then without doubt, Darwinism is a religion...it takes more faith to believe what Darwin professed in spite of all known laws of science and nature and assessing the actual facts, than to accept that there is an intelligent creator.

I'd recommend Digital Storytelling to anyone interested in a new medium for their message--it's both accessible and practical.

With an MBA in marketing, I was most interested in the use of digital storytelling for promotion, advertising, and branding. I am a board member of an opera company; like many arts organizations, we are trying to entice a younger audience.

For the opera company, putting our young singers online is a very accessible way to lure a younger audience already familiar with Facebook. I would like to set up a MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Game), a type of game I learned about in the book. In MMOGs, people take on the appearance and persona of make-believe characters and interact with each other. In one for the opera company they could portray the drama and events of opera. Who wouldn't want to be the Duke of Mantua or Don Giovanni! An ARG (Alternative Reality Game) would be terrific, too. As explained in the Digital Storytelling, ARGs tie together several forms of media to tell a story, and intimately involve players in the narrative, where they help solve a mystery or prevent a crime.

Digital Storytelling also speaks to the challenges of a Rice University chamber music presenting organization of which I am a member. While the performances attract students, this audience will not have longevity that young subscribers will. Ergo we must reach these potential members through media with which they are familiar, like the Internet.

I loved the section of the book about the kiosk as an avatar. While it is terrific for hospitalized kids, it would also be a great way to communicate with shut-in geriatrics. The kiosks could incorporate pets, family, connected adults, games, physical exercises, etc. The possibilities are without limits.

I feel that Digital Storytelling provides a detailed, articulate guide for those interested in using a new methodology to convey their message; it is a fine tool.


Barbara Kauffman, M.A., M.B.A.

I read the first edition of Digital Storytelling cover-to-cover and continue to use it as a reference book. When I picked up the second edition of this valuable resource, I knew I was in both heaven and in trouble. Here would be brand new jewels of information I could use in all my storytelling (that's the heaven part) and I would be compelled by my own curiousity and desire to stay abreast of the developing multi-media industry to read this new edition cover-to-cover (the trouble part is that once I picked it up I'd be ignoring other projects in order to absorb all the great insight and information Carolyn offers).

Sure enough.

Digital Storytelling has far surpassed the typical pattern of a second edition, which offers 20% new material. Miller's second edition offers 80% new material! If you want to keep up, or even have a glimmer of what's up on the frontiers of storytelling, you've got to read Digital Storytelling.

For those who pooh-pooh new media as shallow and unintelligent, read what Miller has to say about the history and provenance of the art form - including James Joyce.

For those who're only interested in the action and the creation of same, entire sections of the book are devoted to how-to's, with "Idea-Generating Exercises" in each.

For those whose interest lies in the business aspects of new technologies, Carolyn explores that as well.

To practice what she preaches about interconnectivity and multiple media sources, the book also offers additional materials and links on a couple of different websites.

All-in-all, Digital Storytelling is a comprehensive analysis of and approach to the creative and commercial aspects of new media that reflects the rich storytelling tendencies that make us human - and that makes stories so compelling.

Buy it, read it, and refer to it whenever you're working on anything digital.

Carolyn Miller is extremely bright and highly accomplished in her field; what she had to say about digital storytelling is worth listening to. The editorial reviews accurately reflect the great usefulness of this singular resource. I think you'll agree that it's "worth the price of admission."