An empowering book that discusses how educators can give themselves second chances in order for themselves and children to thrive

The Comfort of Little Things is a thought-provoking book that empowers educators to give themselves and the people in their lives second chances in order for themselves and the children they teach to learn and thrive. This book includes stories from the author and contributors to the author's blog posts. Holly Elissa Bruno is an author, attorney, acclaimed keynote speaker, and host of an online radio program. Her other Redleaf Press books are Managing Legal Risks in Early Childhood Programs (co-published with Teachers College Press) and Learning from the Bumps in the Road.

What do we know about ordinary people in our towns and cities, about what really matters to them and how they organize their lives today? This book visits an ordinary street and looks into thirty households. It reveals the aspirations and frustrations, the tragedies and accomplishments that are played out behind the doors. It focuses on the things that matter to these people, which quite often turn out to be material things – their house, the dog, their music, the Christmas decorations. These are the means by which they express who they have become, and relationships to objects turn out to be central to their relationships with other people – children, lovers, brothers and friends. If this is a typical street in a modern city like London, then what kind of society is this? It’s not a community, nor a neighbourhood, nor is it a collection of isolated individuals. It isn’t dominated by the family. We assume that social life is corrupted by materialism, made superficial and individualistic by a surfeit of consumer goods, but this is misleading. If the street isn’t any of these things, then what is it? This brilliant and revealing portrayal of a street in modern London, written by one the most prominent anthropologists, shows how much is to be gained when we stop lamenting what we think we used to be and focus instead on what we are now becoming. It reveals the forms by which ordinary people make sense of their lives, and the ways in which objects become our companions in the daily struggle to make life meaningful.

‘Every sentence is a delight in this taut and thrilling debut by Willa Richards.’ Elizabeth Wetmore, author of Valentine ‘Richards has flipped the usual narrative, centring not on the crime itself but on the loss that ripples from it.’ New York Times Book Review A remarkable debut novel for fans of Mary Gaitskill and Gillian Flynn about two sisters – one who disappears and the other who is left to pick up the pieces. In the summer of 1991, teen Dee McBride vanished in the city of Milwaukee. It was the summer the Journal Sentinel dubbed ‘the deadliest . . . in the history of Milwaukee.’ Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer’s heinous crimes dominated the headlines and the disappearance of one girl was easily overlooked. 2019, nearly thirty years later, Dee's sister, Peg, is still haunted by her disappearance. Desperate to find out what happened to her, the family hire a psychic and Peg is plunged back into the past. But Peg’s hazy recollections are far from easy to interpret and digging deep into her memory raises terrifying questions. How much trust can we place in our own recollections? How often are our memories altered by the very act of speaking them aloud? And what does it mean to bear witness in a world where even our own stories about what happened are inherently suspect? A heartbreaking page-turner, Willa C. Richards’ debut novel is the story of a broken family looking for answers in the face of the unknown.

The beloved fashion and lifestyle illustrator celebrates the best, most important joys of all--the little pleasures--in this guide full of ideas and inspiration for tapping into your own happiness and creativity. This delicious book begins with an invitation to discover joy every day, just as Kerrie Hess does. Her fabulously creative life has turned her into one of the most eagerly-watched influencers on Instagram. Kerrie's secret is that she's discovered the little things that make her heart sing, and now she wants to help you do the same. From the very first sparkling words to the charming illustrations of macarons, peonies, teacups, and jewelry to the images of strong, chic women who grace its pages, this book is a love letter and guide to what makes us truly happy. Weaving through pleasures, including relaxation, creative pursuits, time with family and friends--in person or virtually--as well as fashion, beauty, home, and travel, Kerrie shares her favorite joy-givers and her tips for bringing sparkling moments into each day. Brimming with Kerrie's signature original watercolor illustrations and photo vignettes, and beautifully evocative text written with Paris Dreaming author Katrina Lawrence, this book is an unquestionable object of desire. Garance Doré's Live Love Style meets Inès de la Fressange's Parisian Chic, with plenty of powerful prettiness and personality that is all Kerrie's, and that will help every reader discover her own sources of inspiration and daily delight.

Find comfort in Jesus’s words: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6 Life is filled with choices, uncertainties, and hardships. But there is good news! Jesus faced many of the same kinds of trials you do, and He will daily walk by your side to offer guidance, answers, and hope. Spend a few minutes each day talking with your Savior, learning from His words, and finding inspiration from His life example. Each of these 90 short devotions will connect you with the heart of Jesus and includes a brief prayer or a question for personal reflection. Grow closer to Jesus and lean on His teaching for help in the midst of everyday concerns related to work, worries, finances, and more. Invest some time each day in a relationship with your Savior, and find your heart refreshed with wisdom—and comfort—for each moment.

In this brilliantly twisted debut set among Boston’s elite, Edwin Hill delivers a page-turning tale of two missing persons determined to stay that way—at any cost . . . Harvard librarian Hester Thursby knows that even in the digital age, people still need help finding things. Using her research skills, Hester runs a side business tracking down the lost. Her new case is finding the handsome and charismatic Sam Blaine. But Sam has no desire to be found. As a teenager, Sam fled his small New Hampshire town with his friend, Gabe, after a haunting incident. For a dozen years, Sam and Gabe have traveled the country, reinventing themselves as they move from one mark to another. Sam has learned how trusting wealthy people can be—especially the lonely ones—as he expertly manipulates his way into their lives and homes. In Wendy Richards, the beautiful, fabulously rich daughter of one of Boston’s most influential families, he’s found the perfect way to infiltrate the milieu in which he knows he belongs—a world of Brooks Brothers suits, Nantucket summers, and effortless glamour. As Hester’s investigation closes in on their brutal truth, the bond between Sam and Gabe is tested and Hester unknowingly jeopardizes her own safety . . . “An increasingly tense plot and striking characters make this a standout.” —Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

There are times in life when all you need to find solace is a small gesture of consolation. 100 Hugs, a collection of everyday comforts, offers such solace. Each hug is a reminder to slow down and take comfort in the little things, from indulging in warm cookies and milk to watching fireflies on a summer evening. Sandy Gingras’s “hugs” are the beacons of light that shine through the fog of everyday life. Sandy Gingras’s uplifting words illustrated with her original watercolor art create pretty little “hugs.” These hugs are perfect to give as a gift or to keep for your own personal growth. They are nourishment for the body, mind, and soul, reminding you to take a step back and become that flourishing version of you again.

Home from Afghanistan to surprise her mother, Milla Zajac doesn't expect more than the best apple pie in the world, the bliss of unrationed hot showers, and a quiet, peaceful hometown Christmas. She's not counting on futures, or meeting a woman like Tyna. From that first chance meeting, soldier Milla and pastor Tyna discover plenty of differences - and unexpected possibilities. "I'll be reading this one again next year." - The Lesbian Review "The spark of sexual interest is clearly there and only requires the opportunity and time " - Dear Author "A delightful, gentle tale of an unexpected connection... Karin Kallmaker's writing brings the scene to life, from the chilly cemetery to a teeming hospital café." -- The Lesbian Reading Room Audiobook available.

''So I went out into the night, walked up the hill, discovered new things about the night and myself, and came home refreshed. For just as the night has the moon and the stars, so the darkness of the soul can be lit up by small fireflies - such as these calm and comforting thoughts that I have jotted down for you..." Ruskin Bond