A Local Kid (Does Only O.K.) is a witty and affectionate account of one boy's growing up in Rogers, Arkansas in the late forties and the fifties in the days before malls, credit cards, and big-box stores when people shopped and found entertainment in what is now the "historic" town center. A 1960 graduate of Rogers High School, Bassham recalls his checkered employment history as a soda jerk, dishwasher, fry cook, carpenter, and sports reporter (at age 17) for the old Rogers Daily News. Begun as a family history for his two daughters, this "remembrance" of his home town in the years after World War II grew into something more: a collection of lessons learned at the Presbyterian church; of triumphs and (mostly) disappointments on the gridiron and the basketball court; his brief career as a clarinetist under the spell of local musical prodigy Maxie Gundlach; Ben's love of the cars that graced dealers' showrooms; his devotion to fifties' television shows, and the many hours spent watching movies at the old Victory Theater. A cast of colorful local personalities comes alive in his portraits of town "characters," its leading citizens (including "Cactus" Clark, Joe Bill Hackler, Rev. Robert Moser, Heston Juhre, and others), and the author's eccentric relatives. Junk food consumed, clubs joined and abandoned, favorite "parking" spots, old days at the Monte Ne "Pyramids," and fun times on the White River in pre-Beaver Dam days are also lovingly recalled in this enjoyably off-beat autobiography.

A memoir from the stand-up comedian, writer, and actress that focuses on her oft-questioned (by others) decision to remain childless.

A unicorn's bad day turns into a laugh-out-loud look at the pressure to be perfect and the importance of expressing your feelings Everyone knows that unicorns are perfect. They are glamorous and glittery, and their smiles make rainbows appear! But Kevin is having a less-than-perfect day. First, he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed ...on the floor. Then he discovers that his mane is so wild that even his Super-Perfect-Hair-Day-Spray can't tame it. And the day just gets worse from there. Kevin does his best to keep his outlook sunny, but it's hard to keep smiling when everything goes horribly wrong!

As violence in the media and media-linked toys increases, parents and teachers are also seeing an increase in children's war play. The authors have revised this popular text to provide more practical guidance for working with children to promote creative play, and for positively influencing the lessons about violence children are learning. Using a developmental and sociopolitical viewpoint, the authors examine five possible strategies for resolving the war play dilemma and show which best satisfy both points of view: banning war play; taking a laissez-faire approach; allowing war play with specified limits; actively facilitating war play; and limiting war play while providing alternative ways to work on the issues. New for the Second Edition are: more anecdotal material about adults'' and children's experiences with war play, including examples from both home and school settings; greater emphasis on the impact of media and commercialization on children's war play, including recent trends in media, programming, marketing, and war toys; expanded discussion about the importance of the distinction between imitative and creative war play; and summary boxes of key points directed at teachers or parents. * New information about violent video games, media cross feeding, and gender development and sex-role stereotyping.

By a child-care authority and mother of an only child, this useful, knowledgeable book provides sound advice on creating an enriching environment that's stimulating and enjoyable for only children and their parents alike.

“God, please help me...another game of Candy Land...” Quite a few dads spend time with their kids. However, many have no clue what their kids really need. Enter author Jay Payleitner, veteran dad of five, who’s also struggled with how to build up his children’s lives. His 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad combines straightforward features with step-up-to-the-mark challenges men will appreciate: a full year’s worth of focused, doable ideas—one per week, if desired uncomplicated ways to be an example, like “kiss your wife in the kitchen” tough, frank advice, like “throw away your porn” And, refreshingly... NO exhaustive (and exhausting) lists of “things you should do” NO criticism of dads for being men and acting like men Dads will feel respected and empowered, and gain confidence to initiate activities that build lifelong positives into their kids. Great gift or men’s group resource!