Best Selling Books by Laura Murray

A very smart cookie is doing the chasing in this sweet and funny twist on the classic tale. When a class leaves for recess, their just-baked Gingerbread Man is left behind. But he''s a smart cookie and heads out to find them. He''ll run, slide, skip, and (after a mishap with a soccer ball) limp as fast as he can because: "I can catch them! I''m their Gingerbread Man!" With help from the gym teacher, the nurse, the art teacher and even the principal, the Gingerbread Man does find his class, and he''s assured they''ll never leave him behind again. Teachers often use the Gingerbread Man story to introduce new students to the geography and staff of schools, and this fresh, funny twist on the original can be used all year long. Look for all of this hilarious Gingerbread Man''s adventures: The Gingerbread Man Loose at School, The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck, The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas, The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo, and The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School!

This fan-favorite Gingerbread Man is loose in graphic novels for the earliest readers! The Gingerbread Man is as excited as his classmates about their new class pet. And today it’s his turn to feed Squeaks. But—uh-oh!—her cage door is open and she’s nowhere to be found. Where could she have gone? From the art table to the reading corner and beyond, this smart cookie will follow every clue to track Squeaks down and bring her home! This Gingerbread Man’s series of graphic novels is for the youngest readers, full of the hilarious rhymes and action-packed escapades kids know and love from his picture books.

A leprechaun is causing all kinds of trouble on St. Patrick''s Day—but our popular Gingerbread Man is back to save the day! After a mischievous leprechaun makes a mess of the band room, the Gingerbread Man vows to catch him. He follows the leprechaun''s clues all around the building finding chaos everywhere--even in the library! But then he finds the worst clue of all. It says the leprechaun''s next target might be a house made of gingerbread! Luckily, the Gingerbread Man makes it to his classroom in time to set a trap for the leprechaun. He''ll show that mischief maker that he messed with the wrong cookie this time. "I''m on a mission! I''ve got a good plan. I can catch him! I''m the Gingerbread Man!" Look for all of this hilarious Gingerbread Man''s adventures: The Gingerbread Man Loose at School, The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck, The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas, The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo, and The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School!

This fan-favorite Gingerbread Man is loose in graphic novels for the earliest readers! The Gingerbread Man loves living in his gingerbread house at school. The kids there made him and baked him, gave him a hat and a little bow tie, and—oh no! His two candy buttons are missing! This smart cookie starts searching right away, looking all over the school. And luckily, he meets someone who is a great help and a new friend. This Gingerbread Man’s series of graphic novels is for the youngest readers, full of the hilarious rhymes and action-packed escapades kids know and love from his picture books.

The holidays are for giving thanks and nothing can stop this Gingerbread Man from delivering his to his favorite member of the community! Everyone in class is busy practicing songs and making goodies for their trip to town to thank community helpers, and the Gingerbread Man has made a card for someone extra sweet. But before he can deliver his gift, whipping wind and swirling snow come to town, too. Slushy sidewalks are no place for a cookie, but this Gingerbread Man won’t let a little bad weather stop him! “I’ll search on my own, as fast as I can! I’ll dash through this snow. I’m the Gingerbread Man!” With all the flavors of the season and generous dashes of kindness and gratitude, the Gingerbread Man’s newest adventure makes for a perfect read-aloud throughout the holidays. Look for all of this hilarious Gingerbread Man''s adventures: The Gingerbread Man Loose at School, The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck, The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas, The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo, and The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School!

When the Gingerbread Man is loose at the zoo, he has to be careful not to end up as an animal''s lunch! Is there anything more fun than a class trip to the zoo? The Gingerbread Man and his classmates don’t think so, and they get to solve riddles on a WILD scavenger hunt. They meet giraffes, monkeys, and even a fox (especially scary for a Gingerbread Man!). But a zoo full of critters is a tricky place for a tasty cookie—even a very fast one—and the Gingerbread Man ends up separated from his friends. He needs to solve all of the riddles to catch up with his class and help someone else who is lost. I’ll be a detective. I know that I can! I’ll solve all these clues. I’m the Gingerbread Man! Animals galore and a trail of clues make the Gingerbread Man’s latest adventure his wildest one yet. Look for all of this hilarious Gingerbread Man''s adventures: The Gingerbread Man Loose at School, The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck, The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas, The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo, and The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School!

A visit to a fire house is always fun, but it''s even more exciting when the Gingerbread Man comes along! Guess who gets to go along on a field trip to the firehouse? The Gingerbread Man! But when he falls out of his classmate''s pocket, Spot the Dalmatian comes sniffing around. Luckily, this Gingerbread Man is one smart cookie, and he races into the fire truck, up the pole, and all through the station, staying one step ahead of the hungry dog the whole time.Then an emergency call comes in and the Gingerbread Man knows just what to do: “I’ll ride to the rescue, as fast as I can. I want to help, too! I’m the Gingerbread Man!” With snappy rhymes and fresh illustrations, the Gingerbread Man makes a sweet return in his second school adventure. Look for all of this hilarious Gingerbread Man''s adventures: The Gingerbread Man Loose at School, The Gingerbread Man Loose on the Fire Truck, The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas, The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo, and The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School!

This fan-favorite Gingerbread Man is loose in graphic novels for the earliest readers! When the Gingerbread Man’s class mixes science and math to make paper airplanes, they get to launch them outside—what fun! But—uh-oh!—his friend Maya’s plane gets stuck high in a tree. How can they possibly get it down? Luckily, this smart cookie is also brave and has an adventurous plan to rescue the plane! This Gingerbread Man’s series of graphic novels is for the youngest readers, full of the hilarious rhymes and action-packed escapades kids know and love from his picture books.

"How much do you know about Daniel Boone? Find out the facts you need to know about this pioneer and explorer in early America. You''ll learn about the early life, challenges, and major accomplishments of this famous American"--

The new edition of this popular, evidence-based guide compiles and reviews all the latest knowledge on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood maltreatment – including neglect and physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional abuse. Readers are led through this complex problem with clear descriptions of legal requirements for recognizing, reporting, and disclosing maltreatment as well as the best assessment and treatment methods. The focus is on the current gold standard approach – trauma-focused CBT. An appendix provides a sample workflow of a child protection case and a list of extensive resources, including webinars. This book is thus invaluable for those training or working as expert witnesses in childhood maltreatment and is also essential reading for child psychologists, child psychiatrists, forensic psychologists, pediatricians, family practitioners, social workers, public health nurses, and students.

During a life characterised by change, Wendy Stavrianos has developed a complex iconography relating to particular ''sites of meaning'' within her physical and psychological landscape. Her ability to tap into the ''archaic dreaming soul'' of earth has given her work a mythic potency that is consistent with Aboriginal art yet also reveals her Celtic-Spanish background and the influence of the European old masters.

This book brings together sixty of the best known paintings by Australian artists. They include: Joseph Lycett, John Glover, Henry Gritten, Eugene von Guerard, Nicholas Chevalier, Conrad Martens, W. C. Piguenit, William Strutt, Tom Roberts, Frederick McCubbin, Charles Conder, Arthur Streeton, Julian Ashton, David Davies, Sydney Long, Jane Sutherland, Tudor St George Tucker, Rupert Bunny, Max Meldrum, E. Phillips-Fox, Elioth Gruner, Roland Wakelin, George Lambert, Margaret Preston, Clarice Beckett, Roy de Maistre, Hans Heysen, Grace Cossington Smith, William Frater, Charles Meere, Kenneth Macqueen, Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale, William Dobell, Arthur Boyd, Albert Namatjira, John Brack, John Perceval, Godfrey Miller, Ralph Balson, Lloyd Rees, John Coburn, Jeffrey Smart, Fred Williams, Brett Whiteley, William Delafield Cook, Justin O''Brien and Colin Lanceley.

After years of financial hardship, 2006 promised to be a year filled with travel and adventure for the Murray family until the unthinkable happened. This intimate, candid portrayal of a family struck by pediatric brain cancer describes their remarkable journey to health, wholeness and happiness.

Olivia Lewis has found the story. The one she''s been waiting for and chasing and finding it in Rocky Cove, Maine was admittedly a little unexpected, but after eight years of avoiding her hometown, Olivia''s discovered that planting roots might not be the worst thing in the world. It might, actually, be kind of good, particularly if they involve Nicky Hopkins and the way he looks at her, like she''s the center of several universes and the lowest ERA he''d ever posted. But despite all of that, Olivia still finds herself worried about what comes next and how to save a rundown amusement park and where the story may go, desperate for some ink and a few headlines and balancing old and new might be more challenging than the world''s tightest deadline. Nick Hopkins is getting back in the game. Literally. Well, kind of. He''s trying, at least, and while he won''t be taking the mound or throwing no-hitters any time soon, he''s finally starting to realize that maybe he can have baseball and an amusement park and a bar all at the same time. And Olivia Marie. Mostly Olivia Marie because after eight years of radio silence and could-have-beens, Nick has started thinking all kinds of great, big emotional thoughts, ones he hasn''t considered possible since he got hurt. It''s good, great even, but Nick''s always been a little superstitious and despite all of that, he''s worried about what comes next and how he can be everything all at once and balancing old and new might be more challenging than a multi-game homestand.It''s the end of the summer and for Nick and Olivia, a chance to avoid the same mistakes, both of them looking for that game-changing moment the second time through the lineup.

Amazing South Carolina: A Coloring Book Journey Through Our 46 Counties is a delightful, one-of-a-kind book designed to engage youngsters and adult coloring book enthusiasts in learning about the unique character of our nation''s eighth state. Every county in the state is represented in the book with an illustration of its iconic and lesser-known sites--historical, geographical, topographical, industrial, commercial, and more. A fun, comprehensive educational experience, Amazing South Carolina is a snapshot of all that is special about the Palmetto State. From the fast-growing foothills of the Upstate to the picturesque marshes of the Lowcountry and the lazy Edisto River meandering its way through the state; from big cities like Columbia and Greenville to the vibrant coastal communities of Charleston and Beaufort, South Carolina is as beautiful and historic as it is diverse. Amazing South Carolina highlights that diversity and celebrates some of Laura''s favorite discoveries around the state.

This fan-favorite Gingerbread Man is cooking up something new in this graphic novel for the earliest readers! The Gingerbread Man’s class is back in the kitchen! They’re using shapes to make fun cookies and the Gingerbread Man knows just what to he wants to make—a new puppy! AKA a cookie’s best friend. But when the puppy comes to life and runs loose through the school, the class will have to come up with even more fun creations to lure him back home. Good thing this cookie sure knows how to have a ball! This Gingerbread Man’s series of graphic novels--published in both hardcover and paperback editions--is for the youngest readers, full of the hilarious rhymes and action-packed escapades kids know and love from his picture books.

My Little Main Street is a charming coloring book filled with simple, bold designs perfect for kids or anyone who loves to color! Each page invites you to explore a delightful small-town main street, featuring cozy cafés, flower-filled windows, quirky shops, and a fun park. The clean lines and easy-to-color shapes make it ideal for little hands and relaxing for grown-ups too. Whether you''re imagining a sunny day or a magical evening, My Little Main Street is a joyful canvas for creativity and fun!

Olivia Lewis is a casualty of journalism budget cuts. The industry is dying anyway. Or so they told her. When they fired her. She''s having a difficult time coming to terms with that though, particularly when she''s on her way back home. The same home she''s avoided for the last eight years. She''d avoided Rocky Cove, Maine like several different plagues. (It''s not because of Nicky. Nick. Nick Hopkins. Of course not. Definitely not because of Nicky.) But then her twin brother informs her he''s got a job for her. At the ancient, vaguely historic amusement park they used to go to when they were kids. Her brother bought an amusement park. And Olivia can''t come up with an excuse to say no. (Except maybe because she''ll have to see Nicky again. Nick, God.) So Olivia is back and really good at walking on the merry-go-round while it''s moving and maybe she missed Rocky Cove a hell of a lot more than she ever realized. Nick Hopkins is a former baseball star who only ever imagined a future with two things in it: pitching and Olivia Marie Lewis. (No, he can''t call her that. That''s a nickname with far too much meaning and it''s fine, really.) But then the plan goes up in smoke or flames or medical miracles that are the opposite of that and he knew something was wrong as soon as he heard his elbow pop. And, suddenly, there''s no baseball and no Olivia and eight years later he''s just trying to keep things on track. He''s doing an alright job (he hopes, thinks, desperately needs to believe) and his bar is his and baseball is a forgotten memory. So is Olivia. Those are lies. Especially when Luke decides to buy an amusement park and Olivia is coming back to Rocky Cove and things left unsaid sound even louder than cracking a homer over left center. Eight years is a long time, but suddenly Nick and Olivia find themselves together - battling for amusement park success and, maybe, each other and there''s something to be said about finding yourself all over again.

Can we really be honest with God? Can we ask "why?" in our disappointments? "How?" during the impossibilities? "If only" in our dashed hopes? And can we dare to be brutally honest with God, trusting he will hear us?" God says, "Yes!" Pray As You Are is a devotional workbook where you will find conversations and prayers. These conversations come from those before us who talked face to face with the God of the universe--and lived to tell us the story. You will find doubters and demanders, the curious and the questioning, the hopeful and the hopeless, the wonderers and the wanderers. We will walk through their stories, pay attention to our stories, and pray as we are. This workbook will lead you to: Find your prayer voice as you write new prayers that reflect honesty and deep desires. Gain peace, contentment, and joy as you share honestly with God. Grow deeper in your trust in God and in relationship with others. My hope and my prayer is that you will find that the God of the universe wants you to be FREE to converse with him, free to talk, free to listen, free to "Pray As You Are."

When a leprechaun makes mischief at the school, the Gingerbread Man follows his clues and sets a trap to outsmart him.

When the Gingerbread Man joins the children who made him on a school field trip to a fire station, he escapes being eaten by Spot the Dalmatian and rides along to a fire.

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe the experiences of adolescent fathers. Data generation methods were face-to-face, audio taped interviews involving a purposive sample of eight fathers aged 18 to 21 years. Participants included seniors in high school, graduates from high school, and the recipient of a graduation equivalency diploma (GED). The participants were ethnically diverse. All participants supported their children financially and most participants were co-parenting with their birth partner. Five major categories of meaning emerged from the data: The Life You Once Lived is No Longer, A New Somebody, Much More Responsibility, Connections, and Looking Back - and Ahead. Fatherhood was a catalyst for positive change for participants and made them feel good about themselves. Participants expressed challenges and frustrations, but felt they were needed by their children and wanted to be involved in their lives. Findings enhance understanding of the experiences of adolescent fathers.