Introducing Character Animation with Blender

Book Description

Let this in-depth professional book be your guide to Blender, the powerful open-source 3D modeling and animation software that will bring your ideas to life. Using clear step-by-step instruction and pages of real-world examples, expert animator Tony Mullen walks you through the complexities of modeling and animating, with a special focus on characters. From Blender basics to creating facial expressions and emotion to rendering, you’ll jump right into the process and learn valuable techniques that will transform your movies.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2007-08-25

If you are new to Blender and 3d animation, this book will help you to "open your mind to the possibilities". You will learn to build and animate your own character step by step. Easy to follow and very well explained. The included DVD has a lot of animation samples and source files used in the book. Go for it!

Great Blender Intro and Character Design.......2007-08-17

Of all the books I've read on 3D, this is the first that actually has been useful and direct to me. I have been using Blender 3D for a year now, but I found that there was alot of cool features that I missed that I then learned from this book.

Besides a great introduction, this book flows smoothly with the creation of a face from only a reference photo (with all the intermediate steps to get there), and then the rest of the book is showing how to build a a fully rigged (ready for animation) character from scratch. I am so amazed with this book.

This is a definitely a worthwhile book. I teach Blender 3D for a organization at Texas A&M University, and I suggest this to them all.

Animation Motivated Novices .......2007-08-13

Great book for the Blender Project. The intro says it all, for Blender Pros and highly motivated novices. Great tutorial and all the pieces included on CD.

excellent deal.......2007-06-13

This product arrived around a month from the day the purchase was made. the product arrived in excellent conditions, And I also found it{s cheaper than in other websites.

Exactly what I needed........2007-06-01

I've been learning Blender for a while now, piecing it together from stray tutorials and such, but with this very affordable book, I've found exactly what I needed. I already knew a lot of what the book covers, but it helped fill in some gaps that most online tutorials take for granted, and gave me a whole, more complete view of how to go about my business with Blender. I would definately buy another book from this author.

The Ant and the Elephant: Leadership For the Self

Average customer rating:

Humor and learning all in one!
Vince Poscente really gets "it!"
kings of the wild frontier
Improving Yourself and Your Leadership Skills
A Parable for Future Leaders

The Ant and the Elephant: Leadership For the Self
Vince Poscente
Manufacturer: Be Invinceable Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1893430146

Book Description

A renowned speaker, business consultant, record-setting speed skier and Olympian, Vince Poscente believes in the enormous potential of the unconscious mind. Poscente likens the dynamic between the conscious and subconscious minds to an ant and an elephant: "Our minds are separated into two distinct functions - the conscious and subconscious elements. Our ant is the intentional part of the brain, but our elephant is the instinctual, impulsive part of the brain that houses emotions and memories and even guides the body to perform vital functions. While we tend to know our conscious minds - our ants - rather well, we often overlook the power of our elephantine subconscious minds. When we do, unfortunately, we squander a wellspring of human potential." Having seen too many books focused on what a problem or solution is and too few focused on how to solve the problem, Poscente, with his trademark wit, wisdom and steely resolve, created The Ant and the Elephant - Leadership for the Self: A Parable and Five-Step Action Plan to Transform Workplace Performance.

Customer Reviews:

Humor and learning all in one!.......2007-07-19

Absolutely love it! It's funny and has learning points. An easy read. Feels like I'm watching an animated movie. Perfectly suits the need for which I made the purchase. Would definitely recommend to others!

Vince Poscente really gets "it!".......2007-07-15

The Aunt and The Elephent really drew me in and surprised me with it's simple leadership lessons that have a powerful impact. I highly recommend this and all of Vince Poscente's books.

kings of the wild frontier.......2007-03-05

A simple but illuminating parable that takes the reader into a childlike state of wonderment that leads to learning some valuable lessons about creating and reaching worthwhile goals. Like Kandee G, Bud Bilanich, Laura Lewis, and Tony Beshara, this guy has a knack, in the realm of motivational books, for sensitizing the reader's mind before inserting real humor and practical advice that works.

One may be disarmed by the fantasy orientation of this book and its ability to stay out of "scenes from the boardroom." I found it refreshing and edifying. Open Your Mind!

Improving Yourself and Your Leadership Skills.......2006-11-29

Author Vince Poscente's book is an interesting concept that works to bring the conscious (that of the ant) and subconscious (that of the elephant) minds together. This book is relatable in that it utilizes familiar accounts to help you discover your inner fears and redirect your efforts toward a more positive and worthwhile outlook. Because this book is in the form of a parable story, it is easy to follow as it does not contain a large amount of business jargon.

A Parable for Future Leaders.......2006-11-21

This book is a five-step approach to leadership and improvement within both the business and personal aspects of life. It is an easy and short read that opens readers' eyes to discovering their true potential and ability to perform. Using characters such as an ant and an elephant to relay the story, it teaches the reader some valuable lessons that can be put to use in many areas of one's life.

Average customer rating:

politically nice
I love Horton!
We all need this one!
All Life Has Significance
CLASSIC

Horton Hears A Who! (Classic Seuss)
Dr. Seuss
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Horton Hatches the Egg (Classic Seuss)
Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories
The Lorax (Classic Seuss)
Green Eggs and Ham (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books)
The Cat in the Hat

ASIN: 0394800788
Release Date: 1954-08-12

Amazon.com

Surely among the most lovable of all Dr. Seuss creations, Horton the Elephant represents kindness, trustworthiness, and perseverance--all wrapped up, thank goodness, in a comical and even absurd package. Horton hears a cry for help from a speck of dust, and spends much of the book trying to protect the infinitesimal creatures who live on it from the derision and trickery of other animals, who think their elephant friend has gone quite nutty. But worse is in store: an eagle carries away the clover in which Horton has placed the life-bearing speck, and "let that small clover drop somewhere inside / of a great patch of clovers a hundred miles wide!" Horton wins in the end, after persuading the "Who's" to make as much noise as possible and prove their existence. This classic is not only fun, but a great way to introduce thoughtful children to essentially philosophical questions. How, after all, are we so sure there aren't invisible civilizations floating by on every mote? (Ages 4 to 8) --Richard Farr

Book Description

Illus. in color. Horton, the lovable elephant, tries to protect tiny creatures on a speck of dust. An easy reader with delightful verse and pictures.

Customer Reviews:

politically nice.......2007-07-31

I love the way Seuss takes the daily problems puts them to poetry and sends them on their way. It is great

I love Horton!.......2007-06-28

This is a great book - one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books! Besides the fabulous rhymes and rhythm, the story is a great one about loyalty. Great for kids or adults of any age!

We all need this one!.......2007-06-14

More than ever, our culture needs the wisdom of Dr. Seuss. Every child and adult needs to read this story. Perhaps when politicians and journalists are so casual about killing human embryos for spare parts, we'll remember that "a person's a person, no matter how small."

All Life Has Significance.......2007-04-11

Horton, you did it again. This is a wonderful book that illustrates how even the smallest (Who) can make a difference for his whole world and all the lives in it. It gives children and parents alike the encouragement they need to stand up and make a difference even if they are small and considered not to exist. Every voice counts in Who-ville.
As a grandmother, our kids loved the story, recognized the values and were able to verbalize them.
Dr. Seuss so artistically demonstrated how it takes ears to hear, and if those ears are dull then the whole world of little-ones need to call out together - "YOPP!" Please YOPP the distruction of life. May we all have ears to hear the voices of those who need our protection.

CLASSIC.......2007-04-07

THE ONLY THING THAT I CAN SAY IS THAT YOU CAN'T BEAT THE PRICES ON THESE BOOKS FROM AMAZON. THEY WERE MY FAVORITES AS A KID AND NOW I GET TO ENJOY THEM ALL OVER AGAIN WITH MY OWN CHILDREN.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Average customer rating:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
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They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of Essays on the Illuminati, Revisionist History, and Suppressed Technologies

ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful!
Yay Horton!
Horton Hatches the Egg
Brings back childhood memories
A love letter to fathers and adoptive parents

Horton Hatches the Egg (Classic Seuss)
Dr. Seuss
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

Horton Hears A Who! (Classic Seuss)
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Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose (Classic Seuss)

ASIN: 039480077X
Release Date: 1940-10-12

Amazon.com

Poor Horton. Dr. Seuss's kindly elephant is persuaded to sit on an egg while its mother, the good-for-nothing bird lazy Maysie, takes a break. Little does Horton know that Maysie is setting off for a permanent vacation in Palm Springs. He waits, and waits, never leaving his precarious branch, even through a freezing winter and a spring that's punctuated by the insults of his friends. ("They taunted. They teased him. They yelled 'How Absurd! Old Horton the Elephant thinks he's a bird!'") Further indignities await, but Horton has the patience of Job--from whose story this one clearly derives--and he is rewarded in the end by the surprise birth of... an elephant-bird. Horton Hatches the Egg contains some of Theodor Geisel's most inspired verse and some of his best-ever illustrations, the dated style of which only accentuates their power and charm. A book no childhood should be without. (Ages 2 to 7) --Richard Farr

Book Description

Illus. in color by the author. It's the talk of the jungle when an elephant hatches an egg. Extravagant nonsense and rollicking verse.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!.......2007-09-19

Wonderfully witty with excellent rhythm! I love reading it to my daughter and she loves listening to it.

Yay Horton!.......2007-07-31

Does this book really need another review? Well just in case, it is probably my favorite of all the Seuss books, love the story, a real love story too! While I don't know if I owned this book as a wee person, I do remember reading it and loving it. And while some of the old books don't hold up in today's politically correct world, I don't find too much offense in some of the old (as another reviewer mentioned), e.g., the guns pointed at Horton...I do rush through that part with a sense of drama for my kids. (I can see that they don't like the idea either.) Still, love the rhyming, the cities mentioned, the faithful 100%. Mine are adopted, but I think if the reality of the story really dawned on them, it might be a little painful. For us, it's just good fun reading, with us badmouthing lazy Mayzie and rooting for Horton.

Horton Hatches the Egg.......2007-07-12

This ws one of my favorites as a kid. A Dr. Seuss book can't go be a bad choice for a children's book. Horton is a loyal friend.

Brings back childhood memories.......2007-07-04

I loved this book as a child and don't know what happened to it ( anyone have a copy of it with my name? Last name was CROW ) but I wanted it again because it was part of my childhood and I wanted to share it now, with my grandchildren.
I loved it. The "baby" was so darn cute!

Angelfish

A love letter to fathers and adoptive parents.......2007-06-05

One of Dr. Seuss's best messages is convened in this book over and over again ~ "I did what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one hundred percent." For anyone who ever needed a simple explanation of unconditional love, they need look no further than Horton. For a child Horton is the example of the parent who will be there for them no matter what. It's also one of my personal favorites...

Average customer rating:

A wonderful resource for charting your destiny
okay
ant power
Powerful and rewarding
Elephant training is possible

The Ant and the Elephant
Vince Poscente
Manufacturer: CornerStone Leadership Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Leadership | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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The Ant and the Elephant: Leadership For the Self
Listen Up, Leader!
136 Effective Presentation Tips
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12 Choices... That Lead to Your Success

ASIN: 0974640352

Book Description

A different kind of book for a different kind of leader!

The Ant and the Elephant is a simple story presented in a powerful metaphor that can have an immediate impact on your life and the life of your organization.

This book is a practical guide for us on our journey of reaching our full potential. It teaches us that we must first master leadership of the self before we can expect to be an effective leader of others.

A terrific book!

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful resource for charting your destiny.......2007-08-16

Vince Poscente is an incredibly gifted speaker, and his wisdom shines through in The Ant and the Elephant. The story of Adir's journey to the oasis, and the helpful action steps and "Notes to Self" that are liberally sprinkled throughout this delightful story, can help any reader dream bigger dreams and think more clearly about how to overcome the barriers that stand between them and the realization of those dreams. I plan to highly recommend this book to the readers (all over the world) of my Spark Plug newsletter, and I highly recommend it to the readers of this review. -- Joe Tye, CEO of Values Coach America

okay.......2007-06-26

I didn't get a lot out of this book. Yes, it's humor makes for easier reading. I did make me think about a few things. The parable aspect of it just wasn't all that great for me. I am more of a straight forward sort and prefer writing like that of John C. Maxwell.

ant power.......2007-03-03

Powerful and rewarding.......2006-11-03

The Ant and the Elephant lays out five simple steps that set you on a journey toward a better professional life and personal life. The parable of the ant and the elephant is interesting and inspiring. This relatively short book, at only 115 pages, is packed with life lessons that will make you appreciate the every day things and lead a more gracious life. It will transform your attitude and your overall state of being. I definitely recommend it to anyone that is looking for deeper meaning and satisfaction in their life.

Elephant training is possible.......2006-06-26

The best thing I took away from this book is the idea that life actions are much more powerful and effective when they stem from beliefs that you 'have' things rather than from beliefs that you 'want' things. Reaching nirvana is all about believing you already have it. This book helped me figure out how to spend about 12 hours total over a few days in a heightened state of contented 'having'. It's only fair; the lessons do take commitment from the reader to achieve extended periods of contentedness. Mileage may vary. ;-) I know I can go back to the book and get there again; it's a pretty good roadmap.

Bonjour, Babar!: The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar

Average customer rating:

"Do you see in this life how one must never be discouraged?"
Fond Memories!!!
Great fun for the whole family
"Original" art? Ha!
A GREAT CHILDREN'S BOOK!

Bonjour, Babar!: The Six Unabridged Classics by the Creator of Babar
Jean De Brunhoff
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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The Complete Adventures of Curious George
Mad About Madeline
Babar - King Of The Elephants
Babar's Museum of Art
Babar - The Movie

ASIN: 0375810609
Release Date: 2000-09-26

Amazon.com

Seven decades after Babar was born, the world is still very much in love with the noble elephant. Before his untimely death at age 37, Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated six stories about Babar and his friends and family. In this exquisite gift edition, every one of these stories is included, with not a word or picture left out. From The Story of Babar--in which the elephant is born, loses his mother, runs off to Paris, and returns to be crowned king--through The Travels of Babar, Babar the King, Babar and Zephir, Babar and His Children, and Babar and Father Christmas, the beloved pachyderm's incredible life adventures are chronicled for our reading pleasure. In his introduction, picture book author-illustrator Kevin Henkes writes, "Where else could one find a balloon accident, a deadly poison mushroom, a runaway carriage, an extraordinary flying machine, a snake attack, fire, war, death, birth? These books are full of adventure and fantasy, but they also deal with the stuff of real life. And I'm convinced children long to see both the dark and the light sides of human experience reflected in their books just as much as adults do, perhaps more." Adults who truly wish to share the joys of the classics with the children in their lives could do no better than to present them with this grand collection. (Ages 4 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

In 1931 Jean de Brunhoff created Babar, a little elephant who walked out of the jungle and into the hearts of civilized readers the world over. Widely recognized as the father of the picture book, Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated six Babar stories before his early death in 1937. Every word and every picture of these classics is included in this big, inviting gift edition.

Customer Reviews:

"Do you see in this life how one must never be discouraged?".......2006-12-20

This one volume contains all six Babar stories written and illustrated by Jean de Brunhoff between 1931 and 1937, when the author died prematurely of tuberculosis. After seven decades, Babar the elephant is still beloved by young and old alike. Included are: "The Story of Babar"; "The Travels of Babar"; "Babar the King"; "Babar and Zephir"; "Babar and His Children"; and "Babar and Father Christmas".

From his earliest days, when his mother is shot by a hunter and he is left to fend for himself in the world, Babar is a curious and independent spirit. He makes his way to the city, where a kindly old lady gives him her purse; he purchases "a shirt with a collar and tie, a suit of a becoming shade of green, then a handsome derby hat and also shoes with spats". All decked out in new clothes, Babar is ready for whatever awaits, as he mixes with society, entertaining all with tales of his life in the forest. Later, when two of Babar's cousins arrive in the city, Babar outfits them both in new clothes. Returning with his cousins to the forest in the old lady's elegant roadster, Babar is so impressive that he is crowned King, his new fiancé, Celeste, the new Queen.

On their honeymoon, Babar and Celeste enjoy many adventures and misadventures all over the globe, returning to discover that the herd has gone to war with the rhinoceroses, a situation requiring careful strategy for success. Finally victorious, Babar promises to rule the kingdom wisely, and so he does in the following stories. In "Babar the King", the herd builds a city where all the animals peacefully coexist. There are schools, parks, automobiles; everything is perfect, save those few strokes of bad luck to remind Babar that we must never be discouraged in the face of adversity.

Each story is filled with realism, encouragement and hope in the face of difficulties, magical adventures touched with the give and take of life and the need to overcome challenges with a good heart. With a gallery of friends, Babar's life is defined by enthusiasm, a willingness to care for others and joy in simple things, family and community. Born in 1899, the author created an alternative universe in a country soon to face the First World War, his artistic vision come to fruition in Babar, a character beloved by generation after generation. Luan Gaines/2006.

Fond Memories!!!.......2006-12-08

As a toddler, my mom read to me at bedtime. My favorite books as a small child were of Babar, so I always had my mom read me the Babar books at bedtime and loved them.

A few years ago at Christmas, my mom gave me the "Bonjour Babar!" book which has six unabridged stories by the author! This book is very cute and brings back a lot of memories! It is nice to have 6 books in one collection and recommend this book to all parent with small children. Especially if their children love elephants!

Great fun for the whole family.......2003-03-25

My husband and I grew up on Babar. So when we saw this book we bought for our 4 month old son. He loves to hear our voices as we read to him and he also loves the bright colored pictures. We enjoy the memories that the stories bring back to us. A great addition to anyones collection.

TIP: We take the dust cover of any of his books that have dust covers and put them in plastic sleeves for later when we are sure he will not rip them up. That way when he is older the book looks like new even though it really is old.

"Original" art? Ha!.......2003-01-11

I was so thrilled to get this book as a gift, especially since it includes the long out-of-print "Babar and Zephir." When I began to leaf through it, being very familiar with the older editions, I grew sicker with every page. Jean de Brunhoff's stunning artwork has been absolutely destroyed.

Do you know how you feel when watching an old black-and-white movie that you have long loved which has been "colorized"? Yes, your favorite golden age actress now has pink skin, fucshia lips too big for her face and what color are her eyes supposed to be, exactly? The Babar art has been colorized in the most grotesque and garish sense of the word--which is really horrid when you consider that most of Brunhoff's original illustrations were already in color to begin with. Random House has decided, apparently, that Brunhoff's colors are not bright enough. Where Brunhoff shaded, Random House has plastered one uniform cartoonish shade from line to line. Babar's green suit ranges from merely loud green to splitting-headache green. The suit which he wears while playing trumpet in the circus defies description. Suffice it to say it is very blue and very red.

The beautiful scene in which the Celesteville residents bring gifts to infants Pom, Flora, and Alexander has lost its pastoral sweetness and is positively grotesque. The babies lie in their pram, which looks as though my kindergartener re-outlined it in black magic marker, under glaring green palms and flowers with a turquoise blanket scarcely dimmer than the book's cover (see above), while royal blue butterflies flit nearby. Babar is standing in a suit that is (if possible) even greener than the greenery directly behind him. A uniformly orange cow and dromedary are in the reception line. Think Fisher Price.

Does your child really need to know that the mermaid Eleanore's sisters are peeking out of the water when Zephir captures Eleanore? Due to the paint job the sea has suffered, you may need to point this out, as Brunhoff's few lines are no longer recognizable as the tops of mermaid heads. Somebody overdid the brown on the faces of General Huc and Colonel Aristobald, these brave and clever monkeys no longer have visible eyes, mouths, or hairlines.

The subtlety, the grace, the old-world patina of the gorgeous Babar art is gone. In its place, we have. . .well, they do say that bright colors are good for babies' development.

I want to cry.

A GREAT CHILDREN'S BOOK!.......2002-06-05

We have a 3 year old and a 2 year old and they both really love Babar and the gang. They love the book and Babar videos. We've had this book for over a year, and our children continue to ask us to read it to them. This book is wonderfully illustrated and humorous. Enjoyable even for adults.

Average customer rating:

I love Mo Willems
My son loves Elephant and Piggie, and so do I!
Perfect for 3 yr old
Melodrama in Miniature
A great new book with great new characters!

My Friend is Sad (Elephant and Piggie)

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Today I Will Fly! (Elephant and Piggie)
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ASIN: 1423102975

Book Description

Bestselling picture book creator Mo Willems is making his debut in the early-reader arena with the Elephant and Piggie series. The books feature two lovable and funny characters: an optimistic (and sometimes reckless) pig, and a cautious, pessimistic elephant. Children who sat on their parents' laps to have Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! read to them will eagerly take the plunge with these books to start reading on their own. With each text reviewed by an early-learning specialist, these sweet and surprising stories are a breath of fresh air in the early-reader category. In My Friend Is Sad, Gerald is down in the dumps. Piggie is determined to cheer him up by dressing as a cowboy, a clown, and even a robot! But what does it take to make a sad elephant happy? The answer will make even pessimistic elephants smile.

Customer Reviews:

I love Mo Willems.......2007-07-29

Just order all his books. Take advantage of EVERY multiple buying deal. Currently I am missing only two of the books I know he has published. :) If I lived in the Brooklyn area I would march in and have him sign EVERY ONE of them. Even the books I didn't initially like (Edwina, Leonardo, Pigeon finds a hot dog) I have come to love. There is some brainwashing feature --- lol --- it doesn't hurt that he hides the pigeons in the books --- we like looking for him. I'm telling you he GETS kids. From the inside cover to the very back --- the books are incredibly simple --- well thought out.

Thank you Mo.

My son loves Elephant and Piggie, and so do I! .......2007-07-07

My son loves Elephant and Piggie, and so do I!
My son is six years old, and learning to read. I search high and low for early readers that are at a beginner's level AND entertaining, yet usually end up very disappointed. Most early readers have little plot and are dull to even my six-year-old. With Elephant and Piggie, the humor is at a level of sophistication that both he and I can enjoy.
The illustrations, though simple, are so expressive! My son can read these books independently, but our favorite method is to each take a role of one of the characters and take turns reading the book together.
Did I read that Mo Willems worked on Sesame Street at one time? That would explain the cleverness of his books, and the ability to appeal to both adults and children alike. We have loved all of his books that we have read, especially the Pigeon books and Knuffle Bunny, and of course, Elephant and Piggie! We are eagerly awaiting the release of his next books!

Perfect for 3 yr old.......2007-05-25

My three year old son loves this series. This one is a lot of fun to read to him. We learn about emotions, pretend play, and interpersonal relationships. And there's robots, cowboys, and juggling clowns.
The artwork is expressive and uncomplicated. The dialogue allows for imaginative performance by the reader-- by changing the nuances, you can make it a different experience each time. Which is not to say you have to be a great actor.
These books are different from the pigeon books (also by Mo Willems), in that having two characters allows room for plot and story development on a greater scale. The pigeon books (such as _Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus_) are much more appropriate for a younger child.
The only reason I did not give this particular book a full five stars is that the dialogue in the end of the story is a little flat compared to the excellence of his other books. This book is still a must have.

Melodrama in Miniature.......2007-05-14

This book knocked my socks off! Of course, it's a little hard to find one's socks while rolling on the floor laughing... There are few books for early readers that truly stand the test of time, but My Friend Is Sad should be around for years to come. The things that make it work would, ironically, fall flat in a chapter book for fifth graders--but Mo Willems understands something crucial about little kids, and that is that their emotions and interactions feel vast and dramatic to them. This story reminded me of an old-fashioned melodrama, characterized by over-the-top facial expressions and physical humor. I mean, Gerald the elephant could do a GREAT death scene if he had to. In counterpoint to the drama that is Gerald, we have his friend Piggie's drier delivery as Piggie earnestly, even frantically, attempts to cheer up the sad elephant. (You may not be able to tell from the text that Piggie is a girl, by the way.) I love Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad with all my heart, but here is a duo with an equally charming, though very different, dynamic. Your child will like this book--and you will, too!

A great new book with great new characters!.......2007-03-22

Mo Willems has worked his magic yet again. In two new books, "Today I will Fly" And "My Friend is Sad" he introduces two new characters to his cast--Piggie, an upbeat and optomistic pig and her best friend, Gerald a more melancholy, 'realistic' elephant who wears glasses.

Piggie enters the pages of the book to find, Gerald, her best friend in a very glum mood--he's so wrapped up in it that he does not even notice her. She then goes about trying ways to cheer him up--dressing up as a clown and a cowboy for example. Each new attempt, inspite of Gerald loving clowns and cowboys, makes the elephant even more miserable.

The illustrations are classic Willems, super expressive but very simple at the same time. Fantastic!

Its a sweet book about friendship and is great for a younger audience. Its on a similar level as "Green Eggs and Ham" and clearly the publisher realised this as it is very similar in shape, size and general physical design to the smaller Dr. Seuss books.

The Thin Book of Naming Elephants: How to Surface Undiscussables for Greater Organizational Success

Average customer rating:

A helpful book on organizational truth-telling
Excellent synopsis of the 'why' of intervention
Better than thin book on appreciative inquiry if you can believe it
Eating the elephant in the room one bite at a time.
Packs powerful insights for organizational change!

The Thin Book of Naming Elephants: How to Surface Undiscussables for Greater Organizational Success
Sue Annis Hammond , and Andrea B. Mayfield
Manufacturer: Thin Book Publishing Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0966537351

Book Description

There's an elephant in the room that everyone knows about but no one is acknowledging. The elephant is implicit and undiscussable and lurks in every organization. Everyone talks around the elephant and thinks that everyone else knows about the elephant. But, until the elephant's presence is made explicit, the level of dialogue and therefore the quality of decision-making is limited. Sound familiar?

Using NASA's tragic accidents and Enron's bankruptcy as examples of the price of not having open, constructive dialogue, the book shows how great companies create an environment that encourages and listens to input from all levels of the organization.

After reading this book, you'll understand: The role of assumptions and multiple realities; why surfacing assumptions is so important; how to have constructive dialogue; why arrogance, hubris and smart talk gets in the way of constructive dialogue; and what strategies you can use to name the elephants in your organization.

Customer Reviews:

A helpful book on organizational truth-telling.......2007-09-22

This is an excellent book about truth-telling in organizations. We've all heard the line about the elephant in the room that everybody sees, but no one talks about. This wonderful little book is filled with guidelines and suggestions for how to overcome organizational resistance to telling it like it is.

The centerpiece of the book is a case study of the NASA Challenger disaster (that's the shuttle that disintegrated over Texas on its re-entry because of a piece of foam that broke off and damaged a wing during take-off). It's a rather chilling story that highlights the stark contrast between NASA's espoused theories of truth-telling and "Safety First" on the one hand, and its culture of not making waves or challenging and embarrassing senior executives, on the other.

The book includes extensive discussion of how and why these "invisible" elephants grow up and thrive inside organizations. More importantly, however, it contains simple, straightforward advice on what to do - how to "name" and then discuss the elephants and their implications.

I particularly liked this brief summary of the core message, on page 32:

"Naming elephants is a three-part process. First, identify what is undiscussable, or name the elephant. Second, surface the underlying assumptions people have about the elephant of the situation. This creates the opportunity to view all the ways people see the reality of the situation (multiple realities). Third, learn how to have constructive dialogue involving Tops, Middles, and Bottoms."

Easier said than done, I know. But if you read this little book cover to cover, you'll be a whole lot better at doing what has to be done. And both you and your organization will be a whole lot more successful.

If you are looking for other books on this topic, I also recommend "The Secret Life of the Corporate Jester: A Fresh Perspective on Organizational Leadership, Culture and Behavior," by David Riveness.

Excellent synopsis of the 'why' of intervention.......2007-08-28

Neo-classical economics traditionally equates a successful or effective organisation with one that is profitable. There are some caveats around this view - can the organisation continue to be profitable over the long term, does its level of profit compare favourably with other similar organisations, and what about those many non-profit organisations where effectiveness is measured by an outcome or public good framework, rather than the bottom line?

If you suspect your organisation may not be as effective as it could be, there may be good cause to intervene in the organisations strategy system to intentionally cultivate more organisational effectiveness, and raise undiscussables. Naming Elephants provides an excellent source and synopsis of why and how anyone who has a stake in the success of the organisation could undertake this intervention, hopefully without being labelled a whistle blower, or suffering from punitive action.

The authors cover a lot of ground, using their own management consultancy experience and the lessons learnt from the reports into the Columbia and Challenger disasters. I especially liked the applicability to my own workplace, of the removal of the normalisation of deviance, the promotion of inclusive dialogue through minimising the 'Smart Talk Trap' and abstract thinking, and that environmental scanning is best done by all.

Great value - Naming Elephants has gone into my workplace Library.

Better than thin book on appreciative inquiry if you can believe it.......2006-10-24

I love this book! Simple and powerful and ever so relevant. This is a must read for anyone involved in organizational or community change. You can create healing and remove the hidden agenda's that prevent you from moving ahead. Clear and powerful work with outstanding examples. A must read.

Eating the elephant in the room one bite at a time........2006-03-26

This is a super little book that will have a huge impact on you and your organization! By following the simple steps outlined in this book you will be able to discuss the undiscussables, identify the unidentifyable, and make progress collectively like you never dreamed was possible. Another very helpful tool for your leadership toolbox!

Packs powerful insights for organizational change!.......2005-04-05

The authors examine the idea that major problems are often not 'discussable,' although they are talked about in a destructive manner, and remain implicit. The consultant should help surface these "elephants" in a constructive dialogue, and push forward to making decisions, determining what are the next steps, and following through. This practical book provides guidelines to show how to achieve organizational change by learning to name "elephants" and take action. High Reliability Organizations, which reward people for pointing out any deviations from the expected, are discussed. The style of leadership needed to achieve change through getting people to open up and constructively participate in problem solving, is explored. This thin book is both broad and deep, and proves highly informative and thought provoking. It packs powerful insights for organizational change!

Average customer rating:

When Pigs Fly: Songs of Experience and Innocence
Mo Willems is wonderful!
A breath of fresh air in the early reader category!
This book will fly with young audiences

Today I Will Fly! (Elephant and Piggie)

Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1423102959

Customer Reviews:

When Pigs Fly: Songs of Experience and Innocence.......2007-09-04

Mo Willems is a master illustrator and storyteller. Typically, he uses just a few characters, a simple and somewhat absurd plot, and slight illustrations--basic shapes, lines and arrows. Within this minimalist framework, however, he has no peer."Today I Will Fly," for example, is a smark, sly take on the skeptical expression that something will happen "when pigs fly," i.e., never.

However, "never" is not a given in Willems' twisting of readers' expectations. The elephant, Gerard, who stands in an adult role (complete with professorial glasses), scoffs at young, wide-eyed Piggie's declaration that "Today, I will fly." Gerard's repeated negations reach a crescendo of adult nay-saying:

"You will not fly today.
You will not fly tomorrow.
You will not fly next week.
YOU WILL NEVER FLY!"

Piggy, ever the optimist, says simply, "I will try," as Gerard looks out at the audience with disbelief and frustration. What follows--on an adult level--is a discourse on semantics and boundaries. Kids will just love the hilarious pursuit of flight bu the inexperienced, opimistic pig. First, Piggie runs across the page, flapping her arms (!), and repeats the word, "fly," ten times, as if she could will herself to flight. Elephant replies, "you need help," undoubtedly referring to a porcine psychologist somewhere. Piggie takes this at face value, and thanks Gerard for his advice.

In Piggie's second attempt, she enlists the help of a sharp=toothed dog: Piggy is so scared that she jumps on top of Gerard's head. Her fear of the dog soon turns to pride: "I did it! I flew!" The exasperated (so much so, that Gerard falls off his head) Gerard replies, "You did not fly. YOU JUMPED!" The undaunted pig declares, "I will try again," and on her third attempt, she suspends herself from the beak of a friendly pelican. Gerard has a change of heart--or maybe he's just in a better mood because he just had lunch. Dancing, Gerard sings, "My friend can fly! She can fly!"

Abruptly, as kids often do, Piggie changes her tune: "I am not flying! I am geting help." Willems concludes with a delightful role switch: As if turning over a new leaf and embracing his "inner child," the newly optimistic Gerard says, "Tomorrow, I will fly!" Piggie, cupping his mouth in an aside, utters these parting words to Gerard and the reader:

"Good luck."

Droll, spare, but full of action and emotion, "Today I Will Fly" is another gem in the Mo Willems's never-failing search for humor in simple situations. Very highly recommended.

Mo Willems is wonderful!.......2007-05-10

I love all of Mo's writings, but the wittiness of this book puts it in a class by itself. The print on each page is, at most, 7 or 8 words. I thought at first it was "below" my second graders. But the ability for them make inferences was heightened by this well thought-out picture book. The pictures showing the annoyance of the elephant and the hopefulness of the pig only added to its teachable moments. It's a perfect piece for fluency practice and reader's theater as well!

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (Bccb Blue Ribbon Picture Book Awards (Awards))

A breath of fresh air in the early reader category!.......2007-04-07

My Children's Lit professor introduced us to these charming books while we were discussing what makes a good early reader. These books while maintaining a simple vocabulary and rhythm for beginning readers, are interesting and funny too. Kids will definitely be excited to read the Elephant and Piggie books - and will be begging for more!

This book will fly with young audiences.......2007-03-22

Mo Willems has worked his magic yet again. In two new books, "Today I will Fly" And "My Friend is Sad" he introduces two new characters to his cast--Piggie, an upbeat and optomistic pig and her best friend, Gerald a more melancholy, 'realistic' elephant who wears glasses.

In this book, Piggie decides that (as the title indicates) she will fly today. Gerald doesn't think a pig can fly and tells her so, inspite all of her efforts by the end--with help from another friend she teaches Gerald a lesson and he too wants to fly.

This is a great book (though I think the other book in the pair is a little stronger) its on a similar level as "Green Eggs and Ham" and clearly the publisher realised this as it is very similar in shape, size and general physical design to the smaller Dr. Seuss books. Definately great for a young audience.

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