Cici dreams of being a novelist. Her favorite subject: people, especially adults. She’s been watching them and taking notes. Everybody has one special secret, Cici figures, and if you want to write about people, you need to understand what’s hiding inside them. But now she’s discovered something truly strange: an old man who disappears into the forest every Sunday with huge pots of paint in all sorts of colors. What is he up to? Why does he look so sad when he comes back? In a graphic novel interwoven with journal notes, scrapbook pieces, and doodles, Cici assembles clues about the odd and wonderful people she’s uncovered, even as she struggles to understand the mundane: her family and friends.

Lion, raccoon, bird, tiger, fox, bear, squirrel, and monkey unite in an unlikely adventure. They've all been whisked away to various national parks, where they learn in exciting new ways."Ice cold water pricked her skin, threatening to swallow her whole with its freezing essence. She bobbed to the surface, gasping for air. Then, the river churned her under once again, and she tumbled along the round formations bubbling along the river bottom. Her shoulder hit rock and she cried out in pain. Occasionally, she thought she saw a white flash, once on a rock, once on the river bank near him, and even in the water around her."The animals join together under a common occurrence; when Mother Nature seeks them out individually. They each have a quest that they want to fulfill...but will nature let them?

This accessible textbook gives students the tools they need to analyze games using strategies borrowed from textual analysis. As the field of game studies grows, videogame writing is evolving from the mere evaluation of gameplay, graphics, sound, and replayablity, to more reflective writing that manages to convey the complexity of a game and the way it is played in a cultural context. Clara Fernández-Vara’s concise primer provides readers with instruction on the basic building blocks of game analysis—examination of context, content and reception, and formal qualities—as well as the vocabulary necessary for talking about videogames' distinguishing characteristics. Examples are drawn from a range of games, both digital and non-digital—from Portal and World of Warcraft to Monopoly—and the book provides a variety of exercises and sample analyses, as well as a comprehensive ludography and glossary. In this second edition of the popular textbook, Fernández-Vara brings the book firmly up-to-date, pulling in fresh examples from ground-breaking new works in this dynamic field. Introduction to Game Analysis remains a unique practical tool for students who want to become more fluent writers and critics not only of videogames, but also of digital media overall.

Mia Hart, a struggling Hollywood screenwriter, finds herself trapped in a creative rut, her once-vibrant imagination dulled by the pressures of the industry. Seeking solace and inspiration, she travels to a quaint village in the Netherlands, hoping to rekindle her passion for storytelling. In this picturesque locale, she meets Joris, a charming and eccentric windmill tour guide with a knack for humor and a deep appreciation for local culture. As they navigate the village's quirky customs, Mia and Joris form a delightful bond, filled with laughter and unexpected adventures. However, their growing connection is tested by Marco, Joris's old rival, who is determined to win Mia's affections and sabotage their budding romance. Amidst a series of comedic escapades—including a spirited scavenger hunt that pits Mia and Joris against Marco’s team—the pair discovers the true meaning of partnership, creativity, and love. Through moments of triumph and hilarity, Mia learns to embrace her own voice while realizing that inspiration often comes from the most unexpected places.

It’s time to extend the benefits of Scrum—greater agility, higher-quality products, and lower costs—from individual teams to your entire enterprise. However, with Scrum’s lack of prescribed rules, the friction of change can be challenging as people struggle to break from old project management habits. In this book, agile-process revolution leader Ken Schwaber takes you through change management—for your organizational and interpersonal processes—explaining how to successfully adopt Scrum across your entire organization. A cofounder of Scrum, Ken draws from decades of experience, answering your questions through case studies of proven practices and processes. With them, you’ll learn how to adopt—and adapt—Scrum in the enterprise. And gain profound levels of transparency into your development processes. Discover how to: Evaluate the benefits of adopting Scrum in any size organization Initiate an enterprise transition project Implement a single, prioritized Product Backlog Organize effective Scrum teams using a top-down approach Adapt and apply solutions for integrating engineering practices across multiple teams Shorten release times by managing high-value increments Refine your Scrum practices and help reduce the length of Sprints

Unfortunately, another monstrous quake struck six hours later at 8 o’clock in the morning. The aftershock released as much violent terror as the first. But this time, the total effect was visible. “She’s coming back on us, Sir!” the pilot screeched. “What is, Jack?” “The entire river, Sir!” the befuddled fellow pointed. “The current has reversed!” “Steer into it, man!” Roosevelt barked. “Don’t let the leading wave swamp us!” Aware of necessity, the engineer jerked the firebox damper open and shoveled more coal. The rapid side wheel responded, and the New Orleans quickened her pace, leaving a plume of ash and glowing cinders in the boat’s wake. Bucking like a wild horse, the steamship plowed into the rolling billow. Crashing through the ridge of water, the bow lifted and dropped between each intervening trough and peak. Within four hours, another massive tumult battered the torn earth and roiled the troubled tide. The horrific midday shock whipped a bleak veil of dust and vile gas overhead. The revolting mist obliterated every scrap of blue sky and blotted the beaming sun.