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"Publishing for people with passion"
General Interest
Christmas Stories
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by Charles Dickens
illustrated by "Phiz"
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$9.95 plus Shipping and Handling
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Nearly one hundred fifty years after his death, Charles Dickens remains one of the most popular English-language writers. As a chronicler of the human condition, he created characters (some are kind and virtuous, many are quirky and humorous, others epitomize evil) that leave an indelible mark on their reader. What most readers might not be aware of is that in addition to his famous "A Christmas Carol" he wrote two other Christmas-themed short stories that are now brought back into print for the pleasure and edification of a new generation of appreciative readers by Prairie Publications. "Christmas Stories" consists of two pieces: "The Holly-Tree" (1855) and "Nobody's Story" (1853). Both pieces were originally published in the Christmas section of the journal Household Words (1850 - 1859). Household Words, of which Dickens was both editor and a contributor, served as a platform apart from his novels in which he could express his ideas and sentiments in a somewhat less-formalized manner and with greater immediacy. The reader will find that both pieces in this collection, like his novels, are vintage Dickens. "Christmas Stories" is unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists, as well as community, college, and university library literary fiction collections in general, and Charles Dickens supplemental studies lists in particular.
--Midwest Book Review
Christmas Bookshelf 2018
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Non-FTPP Books by FTPP Authors
Watching Over Rwandans
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by Dr Ilene Sheffer and Michael Snyder
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$15.00 plus Shipping and Handling
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The Rwandan ambassador called the university. He wanted the names of all the students from Rwanda. He wanted to send them home where they would likely be swept into the maelstrom of genocide.
This book contains the stories of seven Rwandan students who were virtually trapped in the United States during the 1994 genocide. The book also contains the testimony of the woman who saved them from deportation and certain death in Rwanda.
Children and Young Adults
Cat Baby
by Félix E. Márquez-Snyder
$10.95 plus Shipping and Handling
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Cat Baby is the story of a much-loved tuxedo cat named Oreo. Parents and children who read this picture book will learn about Cat Baby's two daddies, his grandparents, his abuelita, his daily routines, his exploits and adventures in the garden and around the house, the friends he makes outside of the house, and the things he does to entertain everyone.
Beezley
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by Kathy Smart
illustrated by Janet Johnson
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$10.95 plus Shipping and Handling
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Beezley, with her unusual, glowing yellow stripes, is willing to do just about anything to get rid of them. Her stripes are so bright they keep the other bees in the hive awake at night, so she has to live all by herself in a tree.
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Then, one day, when danger strikes, something amazing happens to Beezley, and she discovers that maybe those stripes are not so bad after all.
A Boy's Boat
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by Bruce Holaday
illustrated by Ian Grabinski
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$10.95 plus Shipping and Handling
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Jack is a young boy who has spent previous summers with his grandparents at their little cabin on the cove. This summer, however, is different. It begins with a surprise gift from Jack's grandfather: a small boat he spent the winter making for his grandson, which Jack's grandmother names Petit Bateau (Little Boat). During the summer, Jack learns how to captain Petit Bateau under the wise guidance of his grandparents and his grandfather's friend John. However, this summer he will learn about much more than sailing: he will learn about the sacredness of the earth, the mysteries and beauty of life, and the importance of natural order. Most important, he will learn about unconditional love and trust. A deftly written and entertaining story for young readers, "A Boy's Boat" by Bruce Holaday is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library General Fiction collections.
--Midwest Book Review
Melvin
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by Kathy Smart
illustrated by Janet Lynn Johnson
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$10.95 plus Shipping and Handling
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"Melvin" is a lovely, inspirational children's story about a little lame sandpiper who bravely copes with his handicap and works hard to develop all his abilities regardless. Melvin is lame because one of his legs was damaged by being caught in a fisherman's net. However, he has learned to hold his head under water longer than any of his sandpiper friends. Melvin suffered from bullying by another sandpiper, Jonathan, who teased him and called him names because of his handicap. One day Jonathan made a bad decision to show off and got caught in an underwater trap going after bait. Of all the young sandpipers, Melvin knew he was the only one who could hold his breath underwater long enough to have a chance of rescuing Jonathan. Should he risk his life to rescue a bird who was never kind to him? The answer is beautifully portrayed, and the ending pairs a heartwarming portrait of Melvin, the little lame sandpiper, with a human friend, a little boy in a wheelchair. All the delicate watercolor artworks in "Melvin" add to the story and help build the empathy for Melvin and his heroic choice. "Melvin"is a fantastic pick for a children's anti bullying story with a true humanitarian theme.
"The Picturebook Shelf"
Children's Bookwatch: April 2018
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Art, History, and Theology
Belief and Modernism:
The Paintings of Father Peter Prokop
at Our Lady of Hungary Parish
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by James Houghton
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$15.95 plus Shipping and Handling
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More than 50 years after their creation, the frescoes and the triptych in the sanctuary of Our Lady of Hungary Church, in South Bend, Indiana, remain relatively unknown. Belief and Modernism: The Paintings of Father Péter Prokop at Our Lady of Hungary Parish is about these 20th century masterpieces of church art and their creator, the Jesuit priest and artist Péter Prokop. Author James Houghton takes the reader on a journey that winds through a biographical sketch of the artist and offers discussions on Hungarian and European history, art history, and Roman Catholic theology, all of which are central to the rich symbolism within the paintings and the mystical feelings they inspire in viewers. In addition to the author’s intricately woven prose, the book includes lush, color reproductions of Father Prokop’s frescoes and triptych.
Poetry and Art
Finished Canvases
A collection of Poetry
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by Laura Hammonds
$12.95 plus Shipping and Handling
​The poems in this collection by Laura Hammonds range from soulful to humorous. The book consists of four sections that are broken down into the following subheadings: Space, Love, Dreams, Blue, Weather, Possibility, Education, Dedication, Food, Hunger, Clutter, Improvement, and Health. An added feature can be found in the color reproductions of four paintings, which the author, also a painter, created.
Children and Young Adults
Henry Goes Fishing
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by Kathy Smart
illustrated by Aaram Kamali
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$10.95 plus Shipping and Handling
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Henry Goes Fishing is the story of Henry, an impatient boy who wants to have the things he wants now. At the top of Henry's wish list is a pet. He tries to lure many pets into this life, but even his most carefully made plans do not work out. His mother even tells them that he is not ready to take care of one. Then, one day, while fishing, with his grandfather, Henry's life takes a wonderful, unexpected change, and that is when he begins to learn the virtue of being patient.
JT Owl Learns to Share
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by Dana S. Neer
illustrated by Anne O. Duff
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$11.95 plus Shipping and Handling
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JT Owl has spent many a time recounting to his friend Ralley the events that occur during his nighttime flights. Though Ralley imagines JT's evenings to be filled with adventures that deal with dragons and monsters, JT's greatest obstacles are not dragons or monsters, but, rather, an unruly threesome, the Coyote Brothers. By learning how to deal with the Coyote Brothers, JT will begin to understand why others may be cruel or greedy at times, and through it all, will learn about the importance of sharing and the rewards that come from it. An original picture book story for children ages 5-7 by author Dana S. Neer and illustrated by Anne O. Duff, "JT Owl Learns to Share" is a warmly entertaining and thoroughly 'kid friendly' read from first page to last, making it an ideal and popular addition to family, elementary school, and community library collections for young readers.
​ --Midwest Book Review
The Picturebook Shelf, December 2018
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