Most Popular Books by Rita Golden Gelman

The true story of an ordinary woman living an extraordinary existence all over the world. “Gelman doesn’t just observe the cultures she visits, she participates in them, becoming emotionally involved in the people’s lives. This is an amazing travelogue.” —Booklist At the age of forty-eight, on the verge of a divorce, Rita Golden Gelman left an elegant life in L.A. to follow her dream of travelling the world, connecting with people in cultures all over the globe. In 1986, Rita sold her possessions and became a nomad, living in a Zapotec village in Mexico, sleeping with sea lions on the Galapagos Islands, and residing everywhere from thatched huts to regal palaces. She has observed orangutans in the rain forest of Borneo, visited trance healers and dens of black magic, and cooked with women on fires all over the world. Rita’s example encourages us all to dust off our dreams and rediscover the joy, the exuberance, and the hidden spirit that so many of us bury when we become adults.

In 1987, Rita, newly divorced, set out to live her dream. She sold all her possessions and became a nomad. She wrote a book about her ongoing journey and, in 2001, insisted on putting her personal e-mail address in the last chapter—against all advice. It turned out to be a fortuitous decision. She has met thousands of readers, stayed in their homes, and sat around kitchen tables sharing stories and food and laughter. In this essay collection, Gelman includes her own further adventures, as well as those of writers and readers telling tales of the shared humanity they experienced in their travels. The stories are funny and sad, poignant and tender, familiar and bizarre. They will make you laugh and cry and maybe even send you off on your own adventure. Also included are fabulous international recipes such as vegetarian dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), chiles en nogada (stuffed poblano chiles topped with a white cream sauce with walnuts and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds), and ho mok (an extraordinary fish-coconut custard from Thailand). Happy reading—and bon appétit, selamat makan, buen provecho!

A pet store owner has many strange animals to pick from, but the pet a young boy finally decides on is a big surprise.

Here is a doodler doodling. And here are her doodles. Here is a book starring twenty-one words, a blank piece of paper, and a train of thought. And you will be amazed. WOW!

Minnie gives advice to her friend on how to get his finger out of the bottle in which it is stuck.

Discusses what happens when the human body sustains various minor injuries and describes its reactions to them.

Pizza is fun to make. Pizza Pat stretches the floppy dough, puts on the gloppy tomatoes, adds the sloppy sausages, sprinkles on the cheese, and then pops it in the oven. But just before he cuts into his delicious pizza pie, he turns his back for one second--and the pizza disappears! A gang of hungry mice have taken Pat''s irresistible creation away for themselves. Kids love pizza, and this cumulative Step 1 book, based on the poem "The House That Jack Built", will whet their appetites for both pizza and books!

Strange experiences that real people have had.

Minnie the monkey is too busy eating spaghetti--all day, in all ways--to play with her friend Freddie. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Follows the activities and adventures of a koala bear from birth until two years of age when he leaves his mother to look for a mate.

A young girl tries to convince a grumpy cat to wear a variety of hats, including a walkie-talkie hat, a monkey hat, and a cowboy hat. First published 20 years ago, this story is featured in a different format with brand-new, full-color illustrations.

With its humorous rhymes and colorful artwork, this unique book about manners helps children learn their do''s and don''ts in a delightful, fun-filled way.

A lonely mole''s animal friends find his hole too dark and small for them, but in Ms. Mole he meets the perfect companion to share his life. Features rebuses throughout the text.

Explains how viruses and bacteria can make people sick, shows how the body keeps them out, and suggests ways to help your body avoid illness

Argues that people have used their imagination to transform frightening bumps in the night and mysterious phenomena into such night-stalking characters as werewolves and vampires.

Two children help a man build a giant sandwich.

Young children learn to chew their food thoroughly, to ask for things out of their reach, to be careful crossing the street, to look where they''re going, and to dress according to the weather

Story about a funny little monkey.

Each time the doorbell rings, there are more people who have come to share Ma''s wonderful cookies.

The author describes her experiences traveling through Nicaragua and the effects of the present conflict on the lives of the young people of this troubled country.

Determined to learn how to fly, Minnie the monkey asks advice from birds, a ladybug, and a butterfly.

Follows the activities and adventures of a panda from before his birth until five years of age when he looks for a mate.

A surprise gift turns out to be quite a problem.