Shell Chic: The Ultimate Guide to Decorating Your Home With Seashells by Marlene Hurley Marshall, ISBN 158017440X
Lucky Sea Bean, Purple Unicorn, Pink Scallop Moon, Crab's Eyes, Yellow Landsnail, Pearly Nautilus -- splendid names for natural works of art that have captured the imaginations of artists, architects, society collectors, and beach worshipers for centuries. In 18th-century England, shell mania knew no limits. Country estates were outfitted with grottoes, where every surface was covered with intricate layers and patterns of shells. Later, throughout much of the 19th century, shell-encrusted furniture was displayed in upper-class homes, and sailors' valentines were brought from Barbados to waiting sweethearts. In the 20th century, Frank Lloyd Wright was greatly influenced by a univalve design while working on plans for the Guggenheim Museum. "Certainly, " said Wright, "Divinity is manifest here in these shells in their humble form of life, such greatness with such simplicity."
Clearly, shells capture a romance and an exotic flavor that continue to enchant and inspire. Now Shell Chic brings the design and imagination of today's shell enthusiasts and artisans to the home. This is a book to be savored for its eccentric decorative flair, its lavish sense of fun, and its practical instructions for shell projects and design ideas that will work in any home decor. Frames, chandeliers, unusual boxes, mirrors, a child-size clawfoot tub -- all are fabulous possibilities for shell encrustation. Memories of peaceful beach vacations become ravishing decorative items when glued to lampshades and screens.
In all, 14 step-by-step illustrated projects and 20 design ideas cover everything readers need to know to create richly marvelous objects. To lend inspiration, there are profiles of contemporaryshell artists photographed with their creations. One profile features Marian McEvoy, editor of House Beautiful, who has embellished her Manhattan apartment with an estimated 15,000 shells.
Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants by Barbara Ann Porte, ISBN 0531302415
Capturing and selling orange ants (thus named because they prey on insects that eat oranges) to the owners of orange groves has been the livelihood of the Ma family for many years. One day, though, the men in the family are taken away to serve in the emperor's army and no one is left to search for the ants in the high trees and wild bamboo; neither Jiang nor her mother knows how. Jiang's mother weaves to support them, but her meager earnings aren't enough to feed them or Bao, the baby of the family. When all seems lost, it is clever Jiang who finds the answer to their dilemma in Bao's sticky little fingers -- and gets the Mas back into the orange ant business.
Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants by Barbara Ann Porte, ISBN 0531302415 
Bamboo bedroom furniture > Ma Jiang and the Orange Ants by Barbara Ann Porte, ISBN 0531302415
The American Heritage Picture Word Book by American Heritage Dictionaries, ISBN 0618125612
Big accomplishments come from little first steps. Kids will love to start down the road to reading with The American Heritage(R) Picture Word Book, designed for prereaders as well as for children who are already beginning to recognize letters and words. Each page contains a lively scene chock full of familiar items to search for and talk about, with more than 400 items to discover and name throughout the book, 250 labeled to promote word recognition -- a critical step in achieving reading readiness.
From Kitchen to Bedroom, Playground to Classroom, and Ocean to Outer Space, these exuberant scenes feature children and a playful guinea pig who just can"t keep from poking her nose into everything around her. Colors, Numbers, Shapes, Opposites, and Seasons are grouped on colorful spreads at the back of the book. Best of all, the spirited action on every page reinforces the idea that reading is an occasion for active fun and discovery.
The American Heritage(R) Libro Ilustrado de Palabras,...
The American Heritage Picture Word Book by American Heritage Dictionaries, ISBN 0618125612
Bamboo bedroom furniture > The American Heritage Picture Word Book by American Heritage Dictionaries, ISBN 0618125612
Bear at Home by Stella Blackstone, ISBN 1841489255
The jolly Bear takes children on a tour of his happy home--from his clean kitchen to the bedroom where he says goodnight--in this board book that teaches readers simple vocabulary concepts. Illustrations.
Bear at Home by Stella Blackstone, ISBN 1841489255
Bamboo bedroom furniture > Bear at Home by Stella Blackstone, ISBN 1841489255