New Releases by Shari Graydon

A lively, thought-provoking look at the power and pitfalls of the beauty industry hype. From fairy tales and Hollywood movies to magazine ads, reality TV and the Internet, we absorb the lesson early: being beautiful is the answer to our dreams. It's harder than ever for teens to tune out the endless media messages promoting unattainable ideals, yet at no time in history have they had more tools to change the message. With In Your Face, Shari Graydon encourages readers to think critically about the culture of beauty both past and present. Whether it's the different standards for guys versus girls, racial and size biases, the assumptions we have about models and celebrities, or the message that the "right" clothes, makeup, or surgical procedure can make you a better person, Graydon's unbiased look into the realities behind our ideals will help teens deconstruct the beauty industry hype. Fully rewritten and redesigned from the 2004 edition, In Your Face has been updated to reflect the heightened pressures of beauty in the digital era -- both good and bad -- to shape our self-image. The appealing magazine-style format, stylish illustrations, and conversational tone will draw readers into this empowering exploration of the complex subject of beauty. Praise for the first edition: "Graydon will make readers laugh as well as think about the issues." -- Booklist, starred review "This fabulously educational and informative book should be required reading for all teens." -- VOYA

Nora Ephron struck a chord with I Feel Bad about My Neck. Women’s advocate and acclaimed writer Shari Graydon set out to counter the supposed downhill slide–inspired grief by inviting notable women from across Canada — all over 50 — to provide an alternative perspective. I Feel Great about My Hands is a collection of stories, essays and poems embracing the changes, discoveries and wisdom that come with age. This colourful anthology includes: Gemini award–honoured funnywoman Mary Walsh on playing a “big, loud, opinionated old bag” Celebrated poet Lorna Crozier’s hilariously graphic “My Last Erotic Poem” Val Napoleon, an adopted Gitksan member of Cree heritage applying Aboriginal trickster tales to modern attitudes about aging Shari Graydon herself focusing her “face-half-unwrinkled” attention on the hands that have helped her nurture life and express creativity and joy Royalties from the book will benefit Media Action, an organization dedicated to challenging the under-representation and sexualization of women in the media.

Grade level: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, e, i, t.