Cross Books

This is the story of Susan Wilkins and Sterling Churchill, two people from very different backgrounds. Susan is a librarian who decides to have a baby and goes to a sperm bank to become artificially inseminated. Sterling is a millionaire who happened to have a vial in the sperm bank when he was doing fertiltiy testing with his ex-wife. Through a mix-up, his sperm is used and Susan becomes pregnant. Sterling insists on marrying her as he wants to provide for his child, but Susan is resistant. They do get married and Susan falls in love with Sterling, but he has a problem declaring his feelings because of his past history with his ex-wife.

A welcome addition to the series.

Cross writes about people who immediatedly engage your heart. They're warm, funny, strong and human, and I was rooting for them from the first. She didn't let me down. Give yourself a real treat! A wonderful follow-up to the first Texas Cattleman's Club book.

Circles is extraordinary. The engagement with self-awareness is a welcome liberation from the idea (a dominant conviction of modern western philosophical thought) that consciousness can only be conscious of something other than itself, not of itself). It is this mistaken but stubborn conviction which results in the objectivization of all experience, an error Circles rightly seek to correct in its emphasis on the importance of the subjective. Attribution of contentless or content-indifferent self-awareness to our prenatal and infant being is not a piece of metaphysical eccentricity. All our experience being but a play, lila, of our limitless, inclusive, singular selfhood, imaginative reading of it is the only authentic access to meaning. Therapeutic playfulness or playful therapy are unsurprisingly relevant to the presence-realising goals of Circles' clinical practice. Infants, and all apparent others, including care-givers and clinicians, are images of self-awareness demanding to be read in non-dualist communication, such as speaking for one another, which is so special in the therapeutic work described in Circles. This therapeutic practice in its various dimensions is but a small-scale description of responsible and enjoyable living, especially in our annihilationist times.
Ramchandra Gandhi, D.Phil., Philosopher, storyteller, peace advocate, author of numerous books and plays.

In this profound and inspiring book, Leena Banerjee weaves an elegant framework for reflective practice in infant mental health - a framework that could (and should) transform the way supervision and case consultation are implemented in child and family services. The Circles model Banerjee articulates in this book represents a thoughtful integration of research, multiple theories of human development and family relationships, and a wealth of practical experience with families from many walks of life. But the model is distinguished by Banerjee's careful consideration of culture (in all its forms) and the ways a person's place in society begins to shape identity even in infancy. Throughout this book, Banerjee challenges us to explore more deeply the issues of cultural identity and cultural meaning, to identify and understand our differences even as we discover our shared humanity. She not only invites us to "take the mask off of professionalism" (in her words), but she leads the way by revealing her own stories of vulnerability and strength - as an immigrant, a child, a mother, and a professional who recognizes the unending need to learn and grow.
In Part I of the book Banerjee describes the seven circles her model comprises -- beginning with the intrapersonal experience of the child (with special attention to emerging socio-cultural identity) and concluding with the organizational context that sustains workers in being present and culturally attuned to the children and families they serve. Throughout, questions for reflection invite the reader to explore each circle in a way that is personally relevant and brings the concepts to life.
In Part II, case studies provide vibrant examples of how the seven circles are applied at the level of direct service. And, in a rare and welcome integration of science and experiential knowledge, each case study is followed by a helpful review of the research-based and practice-based knowledge that also informed the service for that particular child.
Finally, in Part III, Banerjee offers a rich and illuminating look at the process of developing a community mental health program based on the Circles model and engaging staff in a process of "Significant Moments" research, a qualitative approach that examines how self-reflection enhances professional practice and personal growth. In my own work I sometimes have struggled to explain reflective practice to people who are unfamiliar with the term, but I will struggle no more. Ill simply refer people to the poignant, heartfelt quotes from Banerjee's colleagues in this final section of the book; their words say it all.
Martha Farrell Erickson, Ph.D., Director, Irving B. Harris Training Programs, Center for Early Education and Development, Co-Chair, President's Academic Initiative on Children, Youth & Families, University of Minnesota. Author of Infants, Toddlers and Families.

It is with much enthusiasm that I recommend Circles by Leena Banerjee, to all clinicians working in the field of infant family mental health. As stated by Leena Banerjee, "Circles is ultimately about being at home in oneself". Through Dr. Banerjee's open and insightful voice, images, and case examples she teaches us how to go deeper into an awareness of ourselves as an invaluable tool that greatly influences the work we do with young children. I applaud her deep understanding of presence - an important concept that enables us to explore how the multi-layers of self, engage with our experiences of the world. Adding a multi-cultural, whole family systems perspective to this self-knowledge makes the Circles framework an invaluable approach that will open the reader's perceptions, leading to new insights and ways to be with families. Circles is a gift to both the families we work with and our selves - stimulating fresh thoughts, innovations, and personal growth as clinicians. I will refer to Circles often and eagerly look forward to sharing it with my colleagues!
Suzi Tortora Ed.D, ADTR, CMA, Author of Dancing Dialogues

"Circles," provides a stimulating and practical perspective on the integration of multiple fields: human development, psychotherapy, family systems, multicultural psychology, theory and process research relevant to understanding, assessing and treating the relationships of infants and their families. The concept of "Circles" provides an elegant developmental perspective that will allow clinicians and families to think in terms of growth, prevention, and normality, rather than pathology. This strong emphasis on resilience and consideration of cultural diversity throughout makes this book extremely useful for both the clinician and researcher in many contexts.
Judith Landau, MD, DPM, CLFE, LMFT
President, the International Association of Family Therapy (IFTA)
President, Linking Human Systems, LLC & LINC Foundation, Inc.
Director, Recovery Resource Centers, Boulder & Vail, CO.
Recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Marriage and Family Therapy Award, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Co-Author of Invitational Intervention: A Step-by-Step Guide for Clinicians.

Dr. Banerjee writes authoritatively from her unique combination of experiences, providing case examples of implementation of very pragmatic and simple interventions that are clearly effective in improving family dynamics and the well-being of children. The book will be a source of inspiration to clinicians, home visitors, supervisors and policy makers working with early intervention programs, who are concerned with issues of best practice and incorporating what works into their services and programs. It should be a great contribution to initiatives such as Healthy Families America, as these programs are currently recognizing the need for more clinical interventions with families involved in substance abuse, domestic violence and mental health issues- the issues most commonly associated with actual abuse and neglect.
This book is a tremendous contribution to the field at many levels. While cultural sensitivity has long been recognized as a critical ingredient in successful work with families, this book opens up the issue of the role of culture and ethnicity in the infants developing psyche, particularly for infants of ethnic minority families. The book also focuses on the role of self awareness of the clinician as an important ingredient in the therapeutic process, which has huge implications for professional development of clinicians, as well as lay therapists and home visitors, to become ever more insightful and effective in their work. This book is a jewel.
Gail F.Breakey, RN, MPH, Co-Founder of the Hawaii Healthy Start program, current Executive Director of the Hawaii Family Support Institute.

This marvelous book will challenge whatever you think you know about infant mental health. Cultural influences and family patterns are examined in a thought provoking manner, revealing what we most need to be aware of, as we work together to enhance the essential early phases of human development. Guaranteed to stimulate and inspire!
Victor La Cerva MD, Pediatrician and Public Health Physician. Author of Pathways to Peace.

Circles in the Nursery is a beautifully written book which invites the clinician to look inward and beyond to delve into the personal challenges which inevitably encroach and stunt therapeutic work involving families and young children. Dr. Banerjee Browns' seven circles brings into awareness the different layers which impact an infant brought to treatment including their sociocultural identity development. This groundbreaking frame of reference respects the young child's "full self" without denying gender, spirituality, culture, or experience and encourages the clinician to use their own self- awareness development to further deep connection. Circles is a call for clinicians to "take the mask off" and illustrates how deep connection may enhance presence and empathy vital in working with infants and their families.
Lucia Lopez Plunkett, PhD

I thought that this book was very informative and interesting. It contained details that I never knew about Clara Barton and the Red Cross. A very interesting story about a woman who became a professional nurse and started an important organization.

I bought this to use in my 6th grade reading classroom. It is excellent to use to teach reading skills such as main idea, author's purpose, or summarizing. I put it in a center and students have 10 minutes to use the book for an assignment. Since it is at a lower reading level, students have success in building skills to use in higher level texts.

This book is a good addition to the grade 1-6 classroom library.

This booklet presents one of the easiest ways to see what really determines your boundaries with others in a boundryless business environment. It helped me to see the world from other people's perspective, comment on their cultures and communicate effectively in a very short time. Especially for virtual teams I can truly say that this booklet will become their global lens, especially for virtual teams.

Ability to work successfully with your colleagues, clients and providers globally is truly a challenge of modern times. This booklet contains a number of quizzes helping you better understand how much you know about world cultures and what impact this information can have on your business. It also gives you a chance to have a brief glance at essentials of human behavior in many countries, including reference to widely known Hofstede's dimensions of cultural differences. In short, it is a nice brief guide for any manager involved in the complicated world of global communications. Start reading it and you will definitely change your point of view at many seemingly unclear cross-cultural issues.

I've just finished reading this wonderful book. Thank-you Ms. Rhodes for prompting me to take this unforgettable journey which will change my life forever. See the Cross as you never have before. See the Love of Jesus for you as you never have before. This little book is written in an easy to read devotional format. The Author has incorporated quotes, songs, and narratives to help make the Truths of the Passion of Jesus relevant to our lives today.

Slowly and deliberately Tricia McCrary Rhodes walks the reader through the passion of Christ from Gethemane to his resurrection. Prayerfully she causes the reader to contemplate the thoughts of Jesus and those whose paths he crossed on the way to his crucifixion. Her insight is remarkable and her speculations are kept within the context of the narratives of scripture. To the one with an open heart, the mystery of Christ's suffering for the sins of the world, is unveiled in this fresh conteplation and pilgrimage through scripture.

this book is comprehensive review of the immigration policies in industrialized world. It is well-writen for both policy makers and political science students.

The editors of 'Controlling Immigration' have provided a detailed account of how various countries have dealth with immigration through assimilation, policy, legislation and why immigrants choose certain countries.

The book is split up into 3 categories 1) contries of immigratino (U.S, Canada, and Australia) 2) Reluctant countries of immigration ( France, Germancy, Netherlands, and Britain) andd 3) latecomers to immigratin (Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea.

The book does provide a great deal of background to contemporary immigration.

I have just finished reading Stanley Brodsky's Coping With Cross Examination. I absorbed it like a sponge. Although most of the book is devoted to testimony by mental health experts in criminal court, there is much in the book that is very relevant in other contexts. I have rarely been asked or required to testify in criminal cases, but I have provided expert medical testimony at hundreds of Social Security disability appeals hearings, complete with judge and lawyer. In that role there is often conflicting evidence and the expert must integrate all of the relevant evidence, and most importantly be prepared, professional, impartial, and provide relevant understandable testimony. Dr Brodsky's book clearly speaks to those points. The book is full of good examples, good humor, and good reasoning. It is the kind of book that I am likely to consult again to help me in my work. I highly recommend this book to any mental health professional who may be asked to provide sworn testimony. I also recommend it to those who may not testify but who may be retained by lawyers for evaluations or consultations. Dr. Brodsky's ethics are superb. This book is a very practical and helpful guide to working with lawyers and judges.

This is the third installment. In plain language, the author tackles many difficult cross-examination issues. The author uses easy to understand examples to illustrate complex litigation processes and skills that the expert witness must master before taking the stand. As a lawyer, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in expert testimony. I give this book my highest rating. Also, check out the other two books on expert testimony by the author.

I was really impressed by "Cornhusk, Silk, and Wishbones: A Book of Dolls from Around the World," by Michelle Markel. The author discusses many different types of dolls. Each entry includes a short but informative article and a full-color, richly detailed photograph.

I won't mention all the dolls depicted, but here are some highlights: bread dolls from Ecuador, a 19th century corn husk doll from the United States, a 19th century French Jumeau doll with an elegant outfit and glass eyes, Russian Matryoshkas (nesting dolls), ornately clothed Thai Ramakien dolls, a Mexican nativity set, and much more. A true visual feast.

A delightful book on an intriguing subject. Michelle Markel introduces the reader to dolls and doll crafting in an easy understandable manner. This book is interesing to both adults and children alike. Complimented by outstanding photographs and descriptions, this beautiful book should be on every doll lovers shelf!

Where's the great editorals from some leading authors and experts in the field ? Just started to re-read. Great stuff for those spearheading a re-engineering project. Still awaiting your next text/book from the trio of Kelvin, Rich and John.

The book is crisply written, and gives some remarkably clear insights and advice on reengineering. It also provides some useful, applicable tools (process maps, LP diagrams) to make an effort more effective. Advice includes service quality design, organizing a reengineering effort, and implementation. All is invaluable.

I stongly recommend this book.

George Murphy is a Lutheran pastor with a Ph.D. in quantum physics. He is fluent in both fields. This is what it takes to deal adequately with the issues of science and specifically Christian theology. This book gives an alternative to literal creationism, intelligent design, theistic evolution, scientism and other popular options. It is the book I as a Christian have been seeking for a long time. Other than being too brief, it does an excellent job at bringing the focus back on Christ rather than all the details that have kept us bogged down in endless debates. Buy this book, and get one for a friend!

I have often wondered why so many books on science and Christian faith say so little about Christ. When such books focus on origins, fossils and floods, it makes me wonder why Christians support them so strongly. Finally, here is a book that turns the priorities around and gets the focus back on Christ, showing profound connections between what the Bible says about Christ and what we see (and don't see) in nature. This book will help any Christian to see what matters in the creation/evolution debate, and will offer new insights into the meaning of familiar Bible passages.

George Murphy is a Lutheran pastor with a Ph.D. in quantum physics. Hence he is fully qualified to represent authentic Christian theology and authentic, up-to-date understanding of modern science. I highly recommend this book to all thoughtful readers on these subjects.