"Made in Mexico, born in America," Barrio Princess shares heartwarming family stories, cultural tradition stories, learning English by total immersion, socialization as a minority, education, stories of her mother as a single parent, and women’s stories from a minority point of view.

Nobel Prize winning economist and former World Bank Chief Economist, Joseph Stiglitz, has repeatedly discussed the importance of transparency in policymaking at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.  He believes a lack of transparency in the two institutions has lead to bad decisions.  Bad decisions at IMF and the World Bank mean real pain for the world’s poor.

There is a perception that “the suits” close the World Bank’s doors to deliberate the fate of earth’s poorest populations and only when the doors are unlocked do people living in poverty learn what has been decided about their future.  Meanwhile donations are down.  The bank’s critical International Development Association’s funding has dropped dramatically.  Managers are discouraged by studies examining the World Bank’s effectiveness.  How, they wonder, could such large beneficences have so little impact on poor populations? 

   Events of the past two years have only increased the stakes.  First, rising fuel prices caused a worldwide rise in the price of basic foods.  Then the deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression sapped donor nation’s coffers.  By the end of the Bush administration in 2009, giving by the USA lagged more than any other wealthy nation.  

   In 1999, two Bank researchers understood the situation was already on a precipice.  World Bank loans had ceased to make significant impact on poverty in many client nations.  Certain governments and multi-national corporations were destroying environments and desecrating indigenous cultures, all to achieve short-term gains for a fortunate few. 

 Demonstrable successes were few, and every World Bank conference became a melee of demonstrators and police.  The two researchers asked themselves whether it was possible to open up the institution by increased transparency, improve its accountability, and mute criticism.  They decided to launch an internet-based broadcast to disseminate unedited videos of internal discussions and debates.  The bank’s culture and bureaucracy, hardened over a half-century, presented them with a formidable foe.  Some powerful officials feared the transparency initiative; others withheld public support while standing on the sidelines.  The World Bank Unveiled documents this epic struggle.  It is the story of a revolution to transform the World Bank and a case study of the power of the Bank to transform people’s lives.

Modern permissiveness and the new culture of entitlement allows disturbed people to reach adulthood without proper socialization. In a book meant both for the general public and for professionals, bestselling author and psychologist George Simon explains in plain English:

Dr. George Simon knows how people push your buttons.  Your children--especially teens--are expert at it, as is your mate.  A co-worker may quietly undermine your efforts while professing to be helpful, or your boss may prey on your weaknesses.  Manipulative people have two goals: to win and to look good doing it.  Often those they abuse are only vaguely aware of what is happening to them.  In this eye-opening book, you'll also discover...

* 4 reasons why victims have a hard time leaving abusive relationships

* Power tactics manipulators use to push their own agendas and justify their behavior

*Ways to redefine the rules of engagement between you and an abuser

* How to spot potential weaknesses in your character that can set you up for manipulation.

* 12 tools for personal empowerment to help you maintain greater strength in all relationships

“Charming and captivating, these authentic and little-known Japanese folktales are told clearly and simply, making them easily accessible to young listeners at home or in the classroom. Thoughtful comments and notes from the two tellers provide clear tips for successful telling, along with a very useful glossary. If you tell stories to children, this is a must-purchase book!”

—Sherry Norfolk, Storyteller, Author and Teaching Artist

“This delightful compendium of short, savory, and highly tellable tales embodies the beliefs and folkways of rural Japan—specifically the area most impacted by the recent tsunami and nuclear disaster. It adds immeasurably to our insight into that endangered world.”

—Joseph Sobol, Ph.D., director, ETSU Storytelling Graduate Program

The Radical Act of Community Storytelling is everything it claims in the title. It is the story of a radical step of faith taken by Penelope Starr to open her life by bringing community storytelling to her community. It is the story of voices that often go unheard having the opportunity to speak and be heard. And it is about community building from start to finish ... including everything any radical would need to start a community storytelling organization in any community.
—Adam Hostetter, Adult literacy educator, writer, and community storytelling producer

“Accessible, inspirational and practical plans that make storytelling a portal to multifaceted insights about culture, history, geography and identity.”

– Janice M. Del Negro, Ph.D., GSLIS Dominican University