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LEGO Still Life with Bricks: The Art of Everyday Play
By Lydia Ortiz, Michelle Clair. 2020
Capturing the boundless creativity of the LEGO® brand, this colorful book recreates objects and scenes from everyday life using LEGO…
bricks. Transforming handfuls of bricks into minty toothpaste, eggs and bacon, lush houseplants, and more, LEGO Still Life reimagines the mundane and sparks playfulness in everyday life.Featuring unique, clever, and captivating original art, these deceptively simple but meticulously executed images are full of surprise and delight—and remind us that the world around us is, too.• Recreates commonplace scenes from everyday life using LEGO® bricks• Creatively reimagines the everyday objects and scenes• Presented without text, these clever images speak for themselves, offering joy, surprise, and creativity on each spreadLEGO Still Life is the perfect gift for LEGO lovers and art lovers alike.Watch LEGO bricks transform into everyday objects, turning the humdrum into a delightful surprise.• Great not only for LEGO fans who are feeling nostalgic, but for anyone who appreciates quirky art projects and creative spirit • This is a book that makes you look twice and enjoy the artful effort.• Perfect for fans of The Art of the Brick: A Life in LEGO by Nathan Sawaya, The Greatest Brick Builds: Amazing Creations in LEGO by Nathan Sawaya, and Beautiful LEGO by Mike DoyleA Portrait of the Artist as a Young Cat: Life and Times of Artistic Felines
By Nia Gould. 2020
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Cat is a book of more than 20 influential artists reimagined as…
artistic felines.From Frida Catlo to Yayoi Catsama, Wassily Catdinski to Henri Catisse, each portrait of the artist as a young cat is accompanied by a clever tongue-in-cheek biography revealing the thrilling feline lives (all nine) behind their famed artwork.Loaded with clever cat puns, this playful romp through art history will twist the whiskers of any cat-loving creative, whether you're discovering the inspiration for Frida Catlo's renowned self-pawtraits to reflecting on the catmosphere that gave rise to Georgia O'Kitty's landscapes.• Features fantastic feline artists such as Mary Catsatt and Meow Weiwei• A cute and clever book that cat and art lovers alike will love• Packed with tons of real biographical info about each artist and plentiful cat punsFor cat lovers with an artistic purr-suasion, this is the ultimate celebration of their favorite artists.• A purrfectly smart and sweet book for cat lovers, art lovers, pun enthusiasts, and those who love them• Great for those who loved Fat Cat Art by Svetlana Petrova, Cats Galore by Susan Herbert, Of Cats and Men: Profiles of History's Great Cat-Loving Artists, Writers, Thinkers and Statesmen by Sam KaldaThe Elements of a Home reveals the fascinating stories behind more than 60 everyday household objects and furnishings. Brimming with…
amusing anecdotes and absorbing trivia, this captivating collection is a treasure trove of curiosities.With tales from the kitchen, the bedroom, and every room in between, these pages expose how napkins got their start as lumps of dough in ancient Greece, why forks were once seen as immoral tools of the devil, and how Plato devised one of the earliest alarm clocks using rocks and water—plus so much more.• A charming book for anyone who loves history, design, or décor• Readers discover tales from every nook and cranny of a home.• Entries feature historical details from locations all over the world, including Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa.As a design historian and former managing editor of Design*Sponge, author Amy Azzarito has crafted an engaging, whimsical history of the household objects you've never thought twice about.The result is a fascinating book filled with tidbits from a wide range of cultures and places about the history of domestic luxury.• Filled with lovely illustrations by Alice Pattullo• Perfect for anyone who adores interior design, trivia, history, and unique facts• Great for those who enjoyed The Greatest Stories Never Told: 100 Tales from History to Astonish, Bewilder, and Stupefy by Rick Beyer, An Uncommon History of Common Things by Bethanne Patrick and John Thompson, Encyclopedia of the Exquisite: An Anecdotal History of Elegant Delights by Jessica Kerwin JenkinsTranscendence
By Richard Mayhew. 2020
Transcendence is the long-awaited, career-spanning monograph of American landscape painter Richard Mayhew. For over half a century, Richard Mayhew has…
been reinventing the genre of landscape painting. His luminous work evokes not only physical vistas but also emotions, sounds, and the pure experience of color.He's known for his masterful use of color and for his unique creative process, inspired by improvisational jazz, which involves pouring paint directly onto the canvas and shaping it into lush, emotional "moodscapes."• This monograph features 70+ of his most striking works.• Includes an exclusive interview with the artist, an introduction by his gallerist Mikaela Sardo Lamarche, and an essay by Andrew Walker, director of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art• Through engaging with his work, readers are invited into deep explorations of their own inner landscapes.Transcendence is a richly rewarding celebration of an iconic artist that will make you rethink everything you know about landscape painting.Mayhew's distinctive style emerges from his roots as a jazz musician, his immersion in the Abstract Expressionist movement, his African American, Cherokee, and Shinnecock heritage, and his unique affinity for the landscapes of the American West—but his paintings transcend boundaries of location and identity.• Great for lovers of fine art, landscape painting, Abstract Expressionism, as well as those who are interested in the intersection of art, music, and emotion• A lush celebration of Richard Mayhew's work, and an ideal introductory book for new fans• Add it to the collection of books like Abstract Expressionism by Carter Ratcliff, Jeremy Lewison, Susan Davidson, and David Anfam; California Landscapes: Richard Diebenkorn / Wayne Thiebaud by John Yau; and The Art of Richard Mayhew: A Critical Analysis with Interviews by Janet Berry Hess.Rex Ray: We Are All Made Of Light
By Griff Williams. 2020
Rex Ray celebrates life, work, and legacy of iconic San Francisco fine artist Rex Ray (1956–2015). This comprehensive volume features…
more than 100 of his works on canvas, wood, and paper—including never-before-seen pieces courtesy of the Rex Ray estate. His playful painted-paper-collages and organic, abstract forms have earned him comparisons to artists like Paul Klee and Henri Matisse.• Essays by celebrated writer Rebecca Solnit, art critic Christian Frock, and Ray's gallerist and friend Griff Williams• Ray's collages and paintings are both playful and geometric.• This vibrant book pays tribute to Ray's life and work.Rex Ray was a successful and prolific fine artist whose art has been shown at major museums and galleries throughout the United States. Now, longtime collectors and new fans alike can revel in the beauty of Ray's inimitable body of work. Ray's exuberantly colorful paintings and collages are a testament to the prolific artist's joy in the creative process.• This fine art monograph is perfect for Ray's fans and collectors, as well as those discovering the power and beauty of his work for the first time.• A perfect book for lovers of pop art and modern design, museumgoers, fine art fans, artists, designers, and those interested in the San Francisco art scene and local history• Great for those who loved Rex Ray: We Are All Made of Light by Griff Williams, Kevin Killa, and Rene Paul Barilleaux; House Industries: The Process Is the Inspiration by House Industries; and Barry McGee by Aaron Rose and Barry McGeeHow to Rule at Drawing: 50 Tips and Tricks for Sketching and Doodling
By Chronicle Books. 2020
How to Rule at Drawing features 50 bite-size tips and tricks to help you improve your art skills. This easy-to-follow,…
irresistibly illustrated book will get you in the habit of capturing not just what you see, but also what you feel.Whether you're a beginner just learning the basics or an expert looking to hone your skills, this handbook is the perfect easy-breezy volume for anyone who wants to up their art-making game. The simple and actionable takeaways will help readers take their sketching skills to new heights.• Filled with irresistible illustrations from artist Rachel Harrell• Accessible to beginners but still useful for the advanced artist• Easy-to-follow instructional contentIn How to Rule at Drawing, budding artists will discover new ways to warm up, master new tools and techniques, and make good art. Part of the How to Rule series, a collection of how-to books you can take anywhere to improve your creative skills.• A perfect book for aspiring and hobbyist artists, art students, burgeoning creatives, sketchers, doodlers, and mark-makers of all sorts• Makes drawing easy, approachable, and super fun• Great for readers and artists who enjoyed How to Draw What You See by Ruby De Reyna, Drawing for the Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Successful Drawing by Mark Willenbrink, and Draw the Draw 50 Way by Lee J. AmesThe Art of Ramona Quimby celebrates the artists behind Beverly Cleary's inimitable Ramona Quimby series.The adventures of her iconic heroine…
have been brought to life by five different artists: Louis Darling, Alan Tiegreen, Joanne Scribner, Tracy Dockray, and Jacqueline Rogers.Readers can compare multiple interpretations of iconic scenes (remember the infamous egg-cracking incident?), read letters exchanged between Cleary and the first illustrator, and learn the stories behind the illustrations.• Celebrates the timeless work by these five artists since Beverly Cleary published the first Ramona Quimby book in 1955• Includes excerpts from the books• Two essays illuminate the series's narrative and artistic impactThe Art of Ramona Quimby explores the evolution of an iconic character, and how each artist has ultimately made her timeless.For fans of illustration and design, and for those who grew up alongside Ramona, this richly nostalgic volume reminds us why we fell in love with these books.• Beverly Cleary's bestselling children's series has sold over 50 million copies.• Great for readers who grew up with Ramona and Beezus, as well as parents, grandparents, and anyone who remembers reading these books when they were young• A must-have for fans of Beverly Cleary and the Ramona series, as well as anyone interested in illustrated character art and development over time• Perfect for those who loved The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss by Theodor Geisel, The Art of Eric Carle by Eric Carle, and Literary Wonderlands: A Journey Through the Greatest Fictional Worlds Ever Created by Laura MillerChinatown Pretty: Fashion and Wisdom from Chinatown's Most Stylish Seniors
By Valerie Luu, Andria Lo. 2020
Chinatown Pretty features beautiful portraits and heartwarming stories of trend-setting seniors across six Chinatowns.Andria Lo and Valerie Luu have been…
interviewing and photographing Chinatown's most fashionable elders on their blog and Instagram, Chinatown Pretty, since 2014.Chinatown Pretty is a signature style worn by pòh pohs (grandmas) and gùng gungs (grandpas) everywhere—but it's also a life philosophy, mixing resourcefulness, creativity, and a knack for finding joy even in difficult circumstances.• Photos span Chinatowns in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Vancouver.• The style is a mix of modern and vintage, high and low, handmade and store bought clothing.• This is a celebration of Chinese American culture, active old-age, and creative style.Chinatown Pretty shares nuggets of philosophical wisdom and personal stories about immigration and Chinese-American culture.This book is great for anyone looking for advice on how to live to a ripe old age with grace and good humor—and, of course, on how to stay stylish.• This book will resonate with photography buffs, fashionistas, and Asian Americans of all ages.• Chinatown Pretty has been featured by Vogue.com, San Francisco Chronicle, Design Sponge, Rookie, Refinery29, and others.• With a textured cover and glossy bellyband, this beautiful volume makes a deluxe gift.• Add it to the shelf with books like Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton, Advanced Style by Ari Seth Cohen, and Fruits by Shoichi Aoki.Everything She Touched: Life of Ruth Asawa
By Marilyn Chase. 2020
Everything She Touched recounts the incredible life of the American sculptor Ruth Asawa.This is the story of a woman who…
wielded imagination and hope in the face of intolerance and who transformed everything she touched into art. In this compelling biography, author Marilyn Chase brings Asawa's story to vivid life. She draws on Asawa's extensive archives and weaves together many voices—family, friends, teachers, and critics—to offer a complex and fascinating portrait of the artist. Born in California in 1926, Ruth Asawa grew from a farmer's daughter to a celebrated sculptor. She survived adolescence in the World War II Japanese-American internment camps and attended the groundbreaking art school at Black Mountain College. Asawa then went on to develop her signature hanging-wire sculptures, create iconic urban installations, revolutionize arts education in her adopted hometown of San Francisco, fight through lupus, and defy convention to nurture a multiracial family.• A richly visual volume with over 60 reproductions of Asawa's art and archival photos of her life (including portraits shot by her friend, the celebrated photographer Imogen Cunningham)• Documents Asawa's transformative touch—most notably by turning wire – the material of the internment camp fences – into sculptures• Author Marilyn Chase mined Asawa's letters, diaries, sketches, and photos and conducted interviews with those who knew her to tell this inspiring story.Ruth Asawa forged an unconventional path in everything she did—whether raising a multiracial family of six children, founding a high school dedicated to the arts, or pursuing her own practice independent of the New York art market. Her beloved fountains are now San Francisco icons, and her signature hanging-wire sculptures grace the MoMA, de Young, Getty, Whitney, and many more museums and galleries across America.• Ruth Asawa's remarkable life story offers inspiration to artists, art lovers, feminists, mothers, teachers, Asian Americans, history buffs, and anyone who loves a good underdog story. • A perfect gift for those interested in Asian American culture and history • Great for those who enjoyed Ninth Street Women: Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler: Five Painters and the Movement That Changed Modern Art by Mary Gabriel, Ruth Asawa: Life's Work by Tamara Schenkenberg, and Notes and Methods by Hilma af KlintFamily Field Trip: Explore Art, Food, Music, and Nature with Kids
By Erin Austen Abbott. 2020
With more than 40 family-friendly cultural activities and adventures, Family Field Trip makes it easy to incorporate moments of learning…
and exploration into life with kids. In this engaging guide, parents and caretakers will find simple-to-follow ideas and tips for cultural experiences the whole family can enjoy, whether they are at home, exploring the neighborhood, or taking a vacation. Drawing on a range of popular experiential educational techniques—including Montessori, World Schooling, Forest Schooling, and more—Family Field Trip is the perfect handbook for any family with young children and an invaluable resource for raising kids who will grow into curious, well-rounded citizens of the world.• Gives parents the tools and inspiration to turn the world into a giant field trip full of opportunities to teach children cultural appreciation• Provides parents with easy ways to incorporate learning, adventure, and exploration into both travel and daily life• Tackles a range of lessons and topics without being prescriptive or overwhelmingBy exploring sites, languages, and foods of the world, Family Field Trip is an inspiring guide to raise globally minded kids who appreciate art, food, music, nature, and more.Activities include starting a supper club to introduce kids to the basics of cooking, having conversations that encourage empathy and cross-cultural understanding, designing fun scavenger hunts for any kind of museum, exhibit, or park, packing for trips with kids, and more.• Perfect for parents, grandparents, and caregivers who aspire to raise open-minded world citizens with good taste• A lovely book for the adventurous, travel-loving family• Great for readers who enjoyed How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims, Atlas of Adventures by Rachel Williams, and Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela DruckermanGuerrilla Girls: The Art of Behaving Badly
By Guerrilla Girls. 2020
Guerrilla Girls: The Art of Behaving Badly is the first book to catalog the entire career of the Guerrilla Girls…
from 1985 to present.The Guerrilla girls are a collective of political feminist artists who expose discrimination and corruption in art, film, politics, and pop culture all around the world.This book explores all their provocative street campaigns, unforgettable media appearances, and large-scale exhibitions.• Captions by the Guerrilla Girls themselves contextualize the visuals.• Explores their well-researched, intersectional takedown of the patriarchyIn 1985, a group of masked feminist avengers—known as the Guerrilla Girls—papered downtown Manhattan with posters calling out the Museum of Modern Art for its lack of representation of female artists.They quickly became a global phenomenon, and the fearless activists have produced hundreds of posters, stickers, and billboards ever since.• More than a monograph, this book is a call to arms.• This career-spanning volume is published to coincide with their 35th anniversary.• Perfect for artists, art lovers, feminists, fans of the Guerrilla Girls, students, and activists• You'll love this book if you love books like Wall and Piece by Banksy, Why We March: Signs of Protest and Hope by Artisan, and Graffiti Women: Street Art from Five Continents by Nicholas GanzPencils You Should Know: A History of Ultimate Writing Utensil in 75 Anecdotes
By Caroline Weaver. 2020
Pencils You Should Know traces the evolution of pencils over time and across the globe. From the humble, handcrafted pencil…
of the 19th century to the novelty writing implement of the 1990s, each object in this book tells a different story.This book features a selection of 75 modern and vintage pencils curated by pencil powerhouse Caroline Weaver, owner of legendary New York pencil emporium CW Pencil Enterprise. Pencil fanatics will find old favorites here—the original Blackwing 602 puts in an appearance, of course—and make exciting new discoveries, too.• Vintage pencils and accessories are photographed against vibrant, colorful backgrounds and accompanied by Weaver's insightful commentary.• A love letter to one of the most important inventions in human historyThis supremely charming book celebrates the enduring magic of the pencil.Trace the history of the pencil over time and across the globe, and discover everything you need to know about this simple yet ingenious invention. • A great book for pencil collectors, admirers, historians, artists, writers—anyone who gets excited about the new Palomino Blackwing, a perfectly sharpened No. 2 Ticonderoga• Fans of The Pencil by Henry Petroski, How to Sharpen Pencils by David Rees and John Hodgman, and The Pencil Perfect by Caroline Weaver will want this in their collection.The perfect book for pencil devotees, analog and vintage ephemera lovers, designers, and fans of CW Pencil EnterpriseHow to Rule at Photography: 50 Tips and Tricks for Using Your Phone's Camera
By Chronicle Books. 2020
How to Rule at Photography features 50 bite-size tips and tricks to help you improve your photo skills with your…
phone's camera. Creating brilliant photos with your phone isn't as hard as you might think, and the easy-to-follow advice in this book goes way beyond selfie help. Let these deceptively simple tips help you unleash your inner creativity and upgrade your social media feed as you start snapping great shots using only your phone. You'll not only learn actionable tips to make your photos better—you'll learn how to develop your own personal style along the way.• Simple and effective instructional content• Features tips for amateur documentarians and aspiring social media influencers• Advice on how to pose for a portrait, get the best lighting, and edit images like a pro using nothing but your smartphoneThis book is the perfect easy-breezy volume for the person who wants to up their phone photography game. Part of the How to Rule series, a collection of concise how-to books you can take anywhere to improve your creative skills.• Perfect for aspiring and hobbyist photographers, art students, Instagram addicts, and selfie takers• Makes smartphone photography easy, approachable, and super fun• Great for readers who enjoyed How to Create Stunning Digital Photography by Tony Northrup, The Beginner's Photography Guide by Chris Gatcum, and BetterPhoto Basics by Jim MiotkeOver and Under the Rainforest (Over And Under Ser.)
By Kate Messner. 2020
Part of the critically acclaimed Over and Under series!Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal take readers on a…
thrilling tour of one of the most diverse ecosystems on planet earth: the rainforests of Central America. Discover the wonder that lies hidden among the roots, above the winding rivers, and under the emerald leaves of the rainforest.• Features animals like the slender parrot snake to the blue morpho butterfly• Explores the canopies, where toucans and pale-billed woodpeckers chatter and call• Other animals include capuchin monkeys who swing from vines and slow-moving sloths who wait out daily thunderstormsUnder the canopy of the rainforest hundreds of animals make their homes, but up in the leaves hides another world.This stunning read is perfect for kids who can't get enough of the rainforest and all the animals living in it. • Equal parts educational and beautiful, this book is perfect for parents and grandparents, as well as librarians, science teachers, and educators.• A great book for kids who love nature, rainforests, animals, and learning more about the world• Perfect for children ages 5 to 8 years old• You'll love this book if you love books like The Big Book of Bugs by Yuval Zommer, The Animal Book by Lonely Planet Kids, and A Butterfly Is Patient by Dianna Aston.Co-Leadership in the Arts and Culture: Sharing Values and Vision (Routledge Research in the Creative and Cultural Industries)
By Wendy Reid, Hilde Fjellvær. 2023
This book is about co-leadership: A leadership practice and structure often found in arts organizations that consist of two or…
three executives who bridge the art and business divide at the top.Many practitioners recognize this phenomenon but the research on this topic is limited and dispersed. This book assembles a coherent overview and presents new insights of the field. While co-leadership is well institutionalized in the West, it is also criticized for management’s constraint of artistic autonomy and for its pluralism that dilutes leadership clarity. However, co-leadership also personifies the strategic objectives of art, audiences, organization, and community, by addressing plural logics – navigating the demands of artistic vision and organizational stability. It is an integrating solution. The authors investigate its specifics in the arts, including global practice and its interdisciplinary nature. The theoretical frame of plural leadership supports their empirical explorations of the dynamics within the co-leadership relationship and with organizational stakeholders. Data includes the voices of co-leaders, artists, staff, and board members from arts organizations in Canada and Norway. Their abductive reflection generates a stimulating research experience.By viewing co-leadership in action, not as a study of static theories, the book will appeal not only to students and researchers but also resonate with practitioners in arts and cultural management and assist them to work with co-leadership and to manage its tensions.Chapter 4 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.Witch, Please: Magical Musings on Life, Love, and Owning Your Power
By Sonia Lazo. 2019
There's more than one way to be a witch! Some witches harness the properties of herbs and crystals, and some…
craft their own spells and rituals for empowerment and success; some dress all in black, and some prefer a more colorful aesthetic. Author and illustrator Sonia Lazo celebrates the power and diversity of contemporary witches in this enchanting love letter to all things occult. Her charming illustrations offer an inclusive, body-positive message to modern mystics all over the world, reminding readers that anyone can tap into their inner magic—all you have to do is be true to yourself.The Secret Art of Being a Parent: Tips, tricks, and lifesavers you don't have to learn the hard way
By Bridget Watson Payne. 2019
Parenting Tip #1: There's no one right way to be a parent. This entertaining parenting guide is the helpful, bite-size…
advice you need when you've just had a kid. From a list of what you need in a diaper bag to a loving reminder that sometimes you just need to take time for yourself, these tips and tricks reassure parents that parenting is doable and that they're already doing a great job. Chock-full of all the timesavers and support that new parents need, and with fun illustrations to lighten the mood, this shower go-to gives first-time parents the gift of knowing that, yes, they can do this!A Wild Child's Guide to Endangered Animals
By Millie Marotta. 2019
From New York Times bestselling author Millie Marotta comes this gorgeous celebration of the animal kingdom. A Wild Child's Guide…
to Endangered Animals highlights the plight of 43 endangered species from around the world, including rare and well-known animals living in freshwater, oceans, forests, mountains, tundras, deserts, grasslands, and wetlands. Vivid illustrations bring caribous, axolotls, giraffes, agami herons, and many more to life on these rich and varied pages. Illuminating text relays the story of each species, from how they live and why they are endangered to what is being done about it. Complete with a map detailing where each species can still be found, this visually rich, timely, informative book raises awareness in the most spectacular way.Howard Stern Comes Again
By Howard Stern. 2017
Over his unrivaled four-decade career in radio, Howard Stern has interviewed thousands of personalities—discussing sex, relationships, money, fame, spirituality, and…
success with the boldest of bold-faced names. But which interviews are his favorites? It&’s one of the questions he gets asked most frequently. Howard Stern Comes Again delivers his answer.Rock stars and rap gods. Comedy legends and A-list actors. Supermodels and centerfolds. Moguls and mobsters. A president. This book is a feast of conversation and more, as between the lines Stern offers his definitive autobiography—a magnum opus of confession and personal exploration. Tracy Morgan opens up about his near-fatal car crash. Lady Gaga divulges her history with cocaine. Madonna reminisces on her relationship with Tupac Shakur. Bill Murray waxes philosophical on the purpose of life. Jerry Seinfeld offers a master class on comedy. Harvey Weinstein denies the existence of the so-called casting couch. An impressive array of creative visionaries weigh in on what Stern calls &“the climb&”—the stories of how they struggled and eventually prevailed. As he writes in the introduction, &“If you&’re having trouble finding motivation in life and you&’re looking for that extra kick in the ass, you will find it in these pages.&” Interspersed throughout are rare selections from the Howard Stern Show archives with Donald Trump that depict his own climb: transforming from Manhattan tabloid fixture to reality TV star to president of the United States. Stern also tells of his Moby Dick-like quest to land an interview with Hillary Clinton in the run-up to the 2016 election—one of many newly written revelations from the author. He speaks with extraordinary candor about a variety of subjects, including his overwhelming insecurity early in his career, his revolutionary move from terrestrial radio to SiriusXM, and his belief in the power of psychotherapy. As Stern insightfully notes in the introduction: &“The interviews collected here represent my best work and show my personal evolution. But they don&’t just show my evolution. Gathered together like this, they show the evolution of popular culture over the past quarter century.&”Extraordinary Insects: The Fabulous, Indispensable Creatures Who Run Our World
By Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson. 2018
This enthusiastic, witty, and informative introduction to the world of insects and why we could not survive without them is…
&“a joy&” (The Times, London) and &“charming...Highlighting them in all their buzzing, stinging, biting glory&” (The New York Times Book Review). Insects comprise roughly half of the animal kingdom. They live everywhere—deep inside caves, 18,000 feet high in the Himalayas, inside computers, in Yellowstone&’s hot springs, and in the ears and nostrils of much larger creatures. There are insects that have ears on their knees, eyes on their penises, and tongues under their feet. Most of us think life would be better without bugs. In fact, life would be impossible without them. Most of us know that we would not have honey without honeybees, but without the pinhead-sized chocolate midge, cocoa flowers would not pollinate. No cocoa, no chocolate. The ink that was used to write the Declaration of Independence was derived from galls on oak trees, which are induced by a small wasp. The fruit fly was essential to medical and biological research experiments that resulted in six Nobel prizes. Blowfly larva can clean difficult wounds; flour beetle larva can digest plastic; several species of insects have been essential to the development of antibiotics. Insects turn dead plants and animals into soil. They pollinate flowers, including crops that we depend on. They provide food for other animals, such as birds and bats. They control organisms that are harmful to humans. Life as we know it depends on these small creatures. &“Delivering a hail of facts with brio and precision&” (Nature) Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson shows us that there is more variety among insects than we thought possible and the more you learn about insects, the more fascinating they become. Extraordinary Insects is &“a very enthusiastic look at the flying, crawling, stinging bug universe world, and why we should cherish it&” (The Philadelphia Inquirer). **Note: This book was previously published under the title Buzz, Sting, Bite.