"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them." ~ Ray Bradbury

ALA Children's Book Awards Winners 2008:

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices From a Medieval Village  (Hardcover)The 2008 Newbery Medal winner is Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz, illustrated by Robert Byrd, and published by Candlewick. 2008 Honor books include Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic), The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (Clarion) and Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson (Putnam).

 

The 2008 Caldecott Medal winner is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic) 2008 Honor Award winners are: Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by illustrated by Kadir Nelson, written by Ellen Levine (Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic), First the Egg, written and illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger (Roaring Brook/Neal Porter), The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, written and illustrated by Peter Sís (Farrar/Frances Foster) and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity, written and illustrated Mo Willems (Hyperion).

 

Elijah of BuxtonThe 2008 Coretta Scott King Award Medal winner is Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis (Scholastic), honor books include: November Blues by Sharon Draper published by Atheneum Books for Young Adults, Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali by Charles R. Smith Jr.illustrated by Bryan Collier, published by Candlewick Press.

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for 2008 went to: Let it Shine written and illustrated by Ashley Bryan, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Honor Award winners; The Secret Olivia Told Me, Nancy Devard written by Nancy Joy, published by Just Us Books, and Jazz On A Saturday Night written and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon, published by Scholastic Blue Sky Press.

The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain2008 Siebert Award Medal:The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, written and illustrated by Peter Sís (Farrar/Frances Foster)

Most of this years award winning books are in stock and available for sale at Book Beat. There may be a limited number of signed first editions on some titles, as we've hosted signings for some of the winners. Please inquire for price and availablity.


If you love children's books and enjoy reading and collecting them, check out this new website: Collecting Children's Books . It's a fascinating, fun and always changing potpourri of insights, anecdotes, reviews and ephemera, writen by local author, librarian, book reviewer and children's book champion Peter Seiruta.


"The world is before you and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in." ~James Baldwin


Celebrate African-American History Month

Baldwin's Harlem Baldwin's Harlem » Herb Boyd's study of Baldwin and Harlem features vivid literary portraits of a powerful writer in sometimes controversial dialogue with other major figures of his era. It also centers Baldwin's Harlem in a memorable, necessary way. Boyd's book is fascinating and authoritative on a subject that he knows well and writes about with insight and sympathy." -- Arnold Rampersad, author of Ralph Ellison: A Biography

Fanon Fanon » Widemans first novel in a decade conjures the author of The Wretched of the Earth and his urgent relevance today. Widemans fascinating new novel weaves together fiction, biography, and memoir to evoke the life and message of Frantz Fanon, the influential author of The Wretched of the Earth. A philosopher, psychiatrist, and political activist, Fanon was a fierce, acute critic of racism and oppression. Born of African descent in Martinique in 1927, Fanon fought to defend France during World War II and then later against France in Algerias war for independence.

Obama: From Promise to Power Obama: From Promise to Power » Eye-opening, well researched, and compulsively readable, Obama: From Promise to Power is a necessary look at the evolution of a politician from public servant to candidate-savior—a politician who has experienced fame, adulation, and criticism in equal parts and on a greater scale than the public eye has seen in quite some time. Obama chronicler David Mendell gives an in-depth, comprehensive portrait of the boy named Barry who took inspiration from his hardworking parents and became the eloquent, suave Obama—a man whose last name has become a catchphrase for hope in a politically jaded society desperate for a new star.

Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season (Hardcover) Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season (Hardcover) » April 15, 1947, marked the most important opening day in baseball history. When Jackie Robinson stepped onto the diamond that afternoon at Ebbets Field, he became the first black man to break into major-league baseball in the twentieth century. World War II had just ended. Democracy had triumphed. Now Americans were beginning to press for justice on the home front -- and Robinson had a chance to lead the way. "Eig details the dynamics of Robinson's hard-earned acceptance by teammates, the well-chronicled abuse Robinson took from opposing fans and players, the response of local and out-of-town press, and the impact the season had on Robinson's family and on African Americans." -- Publishers Weekly

Brother, I'm Dying Brother, I'm Dying » "Edwidge Danticat's Brother, I'm Dying will break your heart but put it back together through the healing magic of her clear, compassionate, beautiful writing. Danticat draws us into her family, to share its joys and also its journey to the heart of darkness. But she also shows us the way back: we become brothers and sisters in an even larger family, the human family, bonded together by the power of her storytelling. This is what the best writing can do. And why we need storytellers like her more than ever." Julia Alvarez

"Memoir is a witness which swears to tell the truth. Memoir is the magic of love and remembrance. Magic is Edwidge Danticat who taps on her keyboard to the rhythm of angels." --Nikki Giovanni

Finding Freedom: The Untold Story of Joshua Glover, Runaway Slave (Hardcover) Finding Freedom: The Untold Story of Joshua Glover, Runaway Slave (Hardcover) » Here is the first narrative account of the life of Joshua Glover, the runaway slave who was famously broken out of jail by thousands of Wisconsin abolitionists in 1854. Employing original research, the authors chronicle Glover’s days as a slave in St. Louis, his violent capture and thrilling escape in Milwaukee, his journey on the Underground Railroad, and his 33 years of freedom in rural Canada.

Africana: Arts and Letters: An A-to-Z Reference of Writers, Musicians, and Artists of the African American Experience Africana: Arts and Letters: An A-to-Z Reference of Writers, Musicians, and Artists of the African American Experience » This is a richly informative and also highly browsable reference of African-American contributions to the arts, adapted from the one-volume Africana. It offers essays on influential black figures from Amiri Baraka, Paul Robeson, and Romare Bearden to Melvin Van Peebles, Grandmaster Flash, and Maya Angelou, as well as on black cultural events throughout modern history, creating a rich resource of African-American arts and letters. The original Africana was inspired by the lifelong dream of W.E.B. Du Bois to create an "Encyclopedia Africana," and was shaped by an advisory board led by Nigerian Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka. Pub. at $16.95 NOW ON SALE $7.99

James Van Derzee: The Picture-Takin' Man

James Van Derzee: The Picture-Takin' Man Based on interviews with the late black photographer, James Van DerZee, whose oeuvre of aesthetic portraits and documents of Harlem life in the 1920s and 1930s was discovered when he was 83 years old, James Haskins' biography of James Van DerZee is an intimate look at a man who pursued his craft when Harlem was in its heyday. An important document of one of America's finest photographers. Paperback, 253 pps, illustrated , published at $21.95 SALE PRICE $9.99

Diana Ross: Going Back
Diana Ross: Going Back A fashion icon and idol of performing artists around the world, Diana Ross is without a doubt one of the most fascinating women of our time, captured by all the leading fashion photographers - Richard Avedon, Victor Skrebneski, and Herb Ritts, among them. Going Back bears witness to this. In Going Back, Diana Ross, along with Rosanne Shelnutt, has daringly and lovingly assembled a treasury of filmic memories, iconic images, and other magic moments. Hardcover published at $45. now SALE PRICE $16.99
"Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise." -- Maya Angelou

BLACK PANTHER: THE REVOLUTIONARY ART OF EMORY DOUGLAS BLACK PANTHER: THE REVOLUTIONARY ART OF EMORY DOUGLAS The Black Panther Party remains one of the most controversial movements of the 20th-century.The Black Panther newspaper was founded to articulate the party's message... and artist Emory Douglas became the paper's art director and later the party's Minister of Culture. Douglas's artistic talents and experience proved a powerful combination: his striking collages of photographs and his own drawings combined to create some of the era's most iconic images.
Quotations of Mayor Coleman A. Young (Former Detroit Mayor) Quotations of Mayor Coleman A. Young (Former Detroit Mayor) This little red book brings together many of the longtime Detroit Mayor’s most unforgettable lines in a format meant to recall the famous little red book of quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung.“I issue a warning to all those pushers, to all rip-off artists, to all muggers: It’s time to leave Detroit; hit Eight Mile Road! And I don’t give a damn if they are black or white, or if they wear Superfly suits or blue uniforms with silver badges. Hit the road.” A little souvenir from back in the day, when the Mayor's office was once boiling hot and controversial.

Classic African-American Children's Books:

Follow the Drinking Gourd Follow the Drinking Gourd » By following the directions in a song, "The Drinking Gourd," taught them by an old sailor named Peg Leg Joe, runaway slaves journey north along the Underground Railroad to freedom in Canada. * Age Range: 6 to 12 * 48pp * Edition Description: Reissue " An extraordinary and inspiring tribute to a unique part of African-American history."-- The Boston Globe.

I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer

I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer » Tough-minded and poetic, this biographical sketch draws much of its power from what it leaves unsaid, obliging readers to align themselves closely with the narrator. The speaker is Matthew Henson, who joined Robert Peary in planting the flag on the North Pole in 1909; the words Weatherford assign him testify to a lifetime spent in resolute pursuit of his ambitions. "I did not start as cabin boy, climb the ranks to able-bodied seaman... and learn trades and foreign tongues to be shunned by white crews who thought blacks were not seaworthy," he states. "My dreams had sails."


"Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum Piano Starts Here: The Young Art Tatum » Regardless of whether they’ve heard of jazz or Art Tatum, young readers will appreciate how Parker uses simple, lyrical storytelling and colorful and energetic ink-and-wash illustrations to show the world as young Art Tatum might have seen it. Tatum came from modest beginnings and was nearly blind, but his passion for the piano and his acute memory for any sound that he heard drove him to become a virtuoso who was revered by both classical and jazz pianists alike. Hardcover, ages 4-8 years.



Jazz on a Saturday Night (Book & CD) Jazz on a Saturday Night (Book & CD) "Ladies and gents, what a jam this will be—/an evening of jazz immortality!" And how! John Coltrane and Charlie Parker on sax, Thelonious Monk on piano, vocals by Ella Fitzgerald, trumpet by Miles Davis, drums by Max Roach, Stanley Clarke on bass! The audience is captivated and carried along on "a river of melody sketched in dim light" in this rhythmic tribute to traditional jazz. The spreads, graphic-styled paintings rendered in deep matte tones with a suggestion of collage, switch between stage and audience, with swirling background patterns portraying the flow of music. This years Corretta Scott King Honor Medalist!

Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals Let it Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. With a kaleidoscope of color and cut paper, Hans Christian Anderson Award nominee and three-time!!! Coretta Scott King Award winner Ashley Bryan celebrates three favorite spirituals: "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." The power of these beloved songs simply emanates through his joyous interpretations. Come, sing, and celebrate! The 2008 Coretta Scott King Award for best illustrated book.


"The memory of things gone is important to a jazz musician. Things like old folks singing in the moonlight in the back yard on a hot night or something said long ago." ~ Louis Armstrong


Stop by and check out our display sections featuring great African-American book titles including biography, art, history, poetry and fiction. We also have a good selection of classic Jazz & Blues CDs always on sale!


Two for the Chinese New Year:

Silk Princess Silk Princess » Santore's original tale is an elaboration of the legend regarding the discovery of silk some 5000 years ago during China's ancient Middle Kingdom. The Emperor's daughter watches a cocoon fall from a mulberry tree into her mother's teacup and unravel in the hot liquid. Curious, the child finds that she can stretch the single unraveled thread through the palace grounds and up onto the nearby mountain, where she meets a very old man-a silk weaver-who tells her the secret of harvesting the cocoons and weaving cloth. Grades 3-5.

Legend of the Chinese Dragon Legend of the Chinese Dragon » In ancient China, the different tribes lived under the protection of benevolent spirits that took the form of animals. To this day, the dragon is a symbol of peace and plays an especially important role in the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Tall and narrow in shape, the book is illustrated with what appear to be rough-hewn woodcuts executed in black and bright primary colors. Ever-handsome page design varies throughout, setting the pace for the story. Evoking Chinese scroll painting, elegant calligraphy runs down the side of every spread, and seals designed by the calligrapher appear where appropriate. Ages 5-10 years.


"Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence. " ~Eric Fromm

Valentines Day is February 14th

Here are a few book titles, gifts and reminders for loved ones small and tall:

The Fisherman and His Wife The Fisherman and His Wife » Caldecott Honor–winning artist Rachel Isadora brings another fabulous fairy tale to brilliant life with her stunning collages. The Brothers Grimm story of the kind fisherman who catches an enchanted fish, and his greedy wife who always wants more, is perfect for these "give-me" times. Rachel Isadora's captivating collage-style artwork, featuring the African landscape and the increasingly turbulent ocean, provides a wonderful new backdrop for this classic story. Hardcover, ages 4-8 years.

 

Guess How Much I Love You with free DVDGuess How Much I Love You is one of the most beloved stories. This children's classic has touched the lives of readers around the world.
More than 18 million copies of this timeless classic have been sold worldwide! Free animated version of the story on DVD with book purchase. Hardcover w/DVD, Ages 4-8 years.

Tumbling Bear Wind-up Tumbling Bear Wind-up » Schylling's Teddy Bear is an adorable wind up toy. The bear is brown plush material and is wearing a red bow around his neck. When your child winds him up, he uses his arms and legs to tumble. Wind up toys are loved by kids and this soft friend is a unique and enchanting toy.Comes with wind-up key in a clear see-through box. $9.99

Woolbur Woolbur » "DO express yourself creatively… DON'T worry if you weave your forelock into a pot holder! DO march to your own beat… DON'T worry when Maa and Paa tell you to stay with the herd! DO be bold and brave… DON'T be afraid to BE YOURSELF!" Spunky, funky, and refreshingly distinct, Woolbur will strike a chord with anyone who's ever felt different. And that's all of us! Ages 4-6 years, hardcover, Helakoski is the author of Michigan Read's 2007 title Big Chickens.

The Girl in the Castle inside the Museum

The Girl in the Castle inside the Museum » Reminiscent of “The Lady of Shalot,” here is an original fairy tale that feels like a dream–haunting, beautiful, and completely unforgettable. Written by an eloquent fairy-tale writer-scholar and illustrated by a much-honored picture-book artist, this defies easy definition. Clearly "the museum" represents the metaphorical archive where fairy-tale collections regrettably gather dust, and this enigmatic tale is a plea for children to enter their immutable worlds within worlds, lest the tales be isolated and lost forever. One of the most beautifully illustrated books this year.


"The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains." ~ Josephine Baker

Ooh-La-La (Max in Love) Ooh-La-La (Max in Love) » After Max the poetic dog made a million, and after he went to Hollywood, (but before he went to India), he went to Paris, the City of Love, and fell in love with the city—and also just plain fell in love, with a Dalmatian named Crêpes Suzette. Children's book author, New Yorker cartoonist, and designer Maira Kalman fills her frenetically painted story for readers 5 to 9 with visual and verbal puns, quirky comments, and bits of homage to various artists. Adults will love this too! Paperback, $6.99

 

Won't You Be My Kissaroo? (Board Book)

Won't You Be My Kissaroo? (Board Book) » Upbeat pencil, watercolor, and collage illustrations catalogue the many kinds of kisses a day brings to loving animal families. Tenderhearted rhymes describe cuddly scenes, from a bear cub's sticky-sweet breakfast smooch to a mama rabbit's good-bye kiss that "goes with a hug to keep you safe and feeling snug." (Ages birth to 2) Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2004, Now in a sweet new board book edition. Storybook edition also available.

 

From Me to You From Me to You » Illustrated in bold watercolors reminiscent of children's paintings, this gentle tale for prereaders tells of Rat, a water rat who wears a sailor suit and lives on a raft in a reedy pond, and who just now is feeling rather blue because none of his friends have been by for ages. Then a bright yellow envelope arrives at his door—a letter from a secret admirer—and Rat brushes his teeth, and combs his whiskers, and heads out to find who could have written him. British author and illustrator Anthony France and Tiphanie Beeke create a delightful, somewhat old-fashioned world of caring animal friends. Hardcover was $15.99 SPECIAL SALE $6.99

 

Pustefix Bubble Bear Pustefix Bubble Bear » The famous Pustefix Bear needs no description. Squeeze his belly and the wand pops up out of his head! Filled with 6 ounces of ultra luminescent bubble solution. Assorted colors, as available only. Ages: 3 + Manufacturer: Toysmith

 

 


Parasite Pals Valentines Parasite Pals Valentines » Valentine’s Day is the time to tell your sweetheart just how you feel, even if you’re feeling queasy and slightly itchy. With these ten different 3 inch (7.6 cm) to 5 inch (12.7 cm) Valentines you can give a Tickles Tapeworm Valentine to the cafeteria lady or a Dig Dig Head Louse Valentine to your barber. Envelopes included.


Stop by the Book Beat card section, and peruse our unique and beautiful Valentine selections - these cards are works of art: your eyes will pop and your heart will drop!


Vampire Loves

Vampire Loves is a graphic novel that follows the strangely romantic adventures of Ferdinand and his friends as they flirt with, seduce, cheat on, break up, and make up with all manner of unearthly creatures including ghosts, other vampires, tree-folk and the occasional golem. Edgy, charming, and filled with Joann Sfar's inimitable blend of tenderness, comedy, melancholy, and philosophy, the stories in this first volume draw as much from the wellspring of Eastern European Jewish mysticism as from twenty-first-century Goth culture. Love isn't any easier when you're dead.


Summer of Love (signed silkscreen)

 


Summer of Love Poster, is a 13x19" four color silkscreen poster by Detroit's psychedelic maestro Gary Grimshaw, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love. A beautiful first edition, signed and numbered by the artist.

 


"Only in love are unity and duality not in conflict." ~Rabindranath Tagore


Hug Time Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell »Jules the kitten (also known in the MUTTS cartoons as "Shtinky Puddin'") knows that hugs can make the world a better place. So he makes a "Hug To-Do List"--with the endangered species at the top—and travels the globe to show all of the animals that someone cares. From Africa to the North Pole to his own back yard, Jules proves a hug is the simplest—but kindest—gift we can give. With its gently environmental theme, this joyous story about sharing love is an ideal gift year-round. $14.99 hardcover.

 

Mutts: 30 Postcards (Irresistible Postcards)
Mutts: 30 Postcards (Irresistible Postcards) Yesh! The hilarious domestic duo of Earl and Mooch romp, play, and even philosophize in this clever collection of postcards. They're the perfect way to keep in touch with pet lovers and comic-strip fans alike. 30 postcards in a box, SPECIAL SALE $4.99

We have a selection of many MUTTS book titles on sale. These comical overstocks are great gifts for all animal lovers and pet owners: all reduced in price from $4.99 -$6.99


You Suck You Suck » by Christopher Moore. "Mr. Moore is back on track with a vampire comedy and an instant joke: it’s called “You Suck,” so publications that otherwise avoid that phrase have to print its title. The title needs mentioning because the book will be too popular to be ignored. “You Suck” is funny enough to reanimate Mr. Moore’s fans, at least those who wondered about the last book’s squirrel types. It’s sure to appeal to anyone who shares the author’s ideas of a fun-loving vampire’s priorities." -- The New York Times

Valentines Valentines » From the acclaimed Icelandic author of The Journey Home comes a haunting collection of thematically linked stories that traverse the twelve months of a year. “A master. . . . Olafsson’s lovely, restrained stories are taut with suspense as they move inexorably toward a revelation.” —The Boston Globe

“Twelve impeccable tales of human infallibility. . . . A cross, it could be said between Raymond Carver and John Updike.” —Charleston Post and Courier


"Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end." ~Author Unknown

Desserts by the Yard Desserts by the Yard » "Brooklyn-born Yard worked her way up to reign as Hollywood and Beverly Hills queen of sweet. Executive pastry chef of Puck's Spago empire, she annually creates 1,700 or so perfect desserts for the Governors Ball following the Oscars, such as mousse-filled chocolate boxes on power-painted red carpets the year Julia Roberts won for Erin Brockovich. But Yard hasn't forgotten the rapturous tastes of her childhood; along with celeb-studded, look-at-me tales of her lofty successes, she offers tender memories and recipes for such favorites as Italian bakery Rainbow Cookies. Yard actually delivers what every cookbook promises: news for the professional and foolproof secrets for the avid amateur." --Publisher's Weekly

 

Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America

Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America » If David Sedaris were to do a bit of reportage on today’s candy industry, it might just resemble this hilarious book. Candyfreak dares you not to drool as Steve Almond recalls such bygone confections as the luscious Caravelle bar and the perfectly balanced Hershey's Cookies 'n Mint, and describes his obsession with the disappearance of these and other candy bars. "I got a real sugar rush and cluster headache reading this bittersweet book by Steve Almond-Joy, the sugar daddy himself. I won't sugarcoat it—this book is one sweet treat."—Amy Sedaris. Published at $21.95 now on SALE: $5.99

 

Art of Simple Food: Notes and Recipes froma Delicious Revolution Art of Simple Food: Notes and Recipes froma Delicious Revolution » Perhaps more responsible than anyone for the revolution in the way we eat, cook, and think about food, Alice Waters has “single-handedly chang[ed] the American palate” according to the New York Times. Her simple but inventive dishes focus on a passion for flavor and a reverence for locally produced, seasonal foods."Whether explaining why salting food properly is key or describing the steps to creating the ideal Grilled Cheese Sandwich, she continues to prove herself one of our best modern-day food writers." -- PW


"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." ~Robert Heinlein


Love Love » Universally desired and uniquely experienced, love finds expression in every land and culture. This enchanting new book celebrates the depth and diversity of love—at many moments in history, and at every human age—in an exquisite collection of photographs from National Geographic's famous archives and beyond. Each picture tells a tantalizing story and captures an intimate, unforgettable glimpse of love's many facets, from courtship to friendship to charity and more.

 

Victrola Favorites: Artifacts from Bygone Days (Book and 2x CD) Victrola Favorites: Artifacts from Bygone Days (Book and 2x CD) » Recordings made between the 1920s-1950s compiled by Rob Millis and Jeffery Taylor of the Seattle-based experimental band Climax Golden Twins from their collections of rare 78rpm records and design ephemera. Deluxe 144-page clothbound, full-color book with two CDs featuring Burmese guitars, Chinese opera, Persian folk songs, fado, hillbilly, jazz, blues and much, much more.

 

American Photo Booth American Photo Booth » Generally relegated to the realm of kitsch, the history and cultural importance of the photobooth has long been overlooked. Here, Näkki Goranin documents the invention, technological evolution, and commercial history of the photobooth with extensive illustrations culled from twenty-five years of collecting. Complementing this history is a powerful collection of heartbreaking, funny, and absolutely beautiful photobooth images.

 

Genius Loci: Cranbrook Genius Loci: Cranbrook » In Genius Loci, Korab shows that Cranbrook is an assemblage of great architecture in which the whole is even more than the sum of the parts. By looking at Cranbrook in tiny details, great panoramas, and both long and wide views, Korab captures not only the beauty and delight in the buildings and public art of Cranbrook but the meaning of the place itself. Discover one of our finest area treasures in this lavish collection of photos by a master architectural photographer. The printing, design and presentation are superb.


"Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place." ~Zora Neale Hurston

 

"Little Friend" talking plush toy is a limited edition "talking toy" designed by artist Mike Kelley. It's irresistable, major huggable and cute beyond words. "Little Friend" will make you feel like the most important and special person in the world. Because you are! "Little Friend" will always be there to cuddle and comfort you, especially on dreary winter days. He says 20 weird and funny phrases like "Hurt me, I don't mind!" and "Do you REALLY love me?" -makes a perfect Valentine.

 

Cover Story: Album Cover Art Cover Story: Album Cover Art » "vividly explores an element of music culture that has withered with the advent of MP3s and digital downloading. Records possess a visual as well as an aural capacity for storytelling. The record cover -- eye candy for the music lover -- speaks a language rooted in the environment and era of the music itself. And, more intimately, a record can create a profound sense of analogy with its owner, and it's this relationship that we share." Produced by the esteemed music journal Wax Poetics, it graphically narrates the vibrant subculture of record collecting through the art of the album cover. It's a must-have for record connoisseurs and art aficionados alike.


Browse thousands of interesting art and photography titles in all subjects; new used and rare, plus many publisher overstocks on sale.

 

Krazy Kat Kartoon Kollection (2x DVD) Krazy Kat Kartoon Kollection (2x DVD) » In 1913, George Herriman created a comic strip about a character named Krazy Kat who was love-struck by a brick-throwing mouse named Ignatz. It was admired by comic lovers and artists for its strange poetic narrative and how it bent the conventions of serial comics. In 1962, the strip began airing as a full-color animated series. Now, Koch Vision has released more than 3 and a half hours of the series on a 2-disc DVD set. The collection includes 39 cartoons, two of which never made it to television. 214 minutes. We also stock the original series being reprinted by Fantagraphic, with introductions and new covers designed by Chris Ware.

 

Peace is the Way Peace is the Way » "This latest work from [Deepak] Chopra comes armed with praise from the likes of the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Wayne Dyer, and Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Chopra is distressed at the omnipresence of violent conflict in our time and finds his remedy in the acknowledgment and rejection of the dualities and false sense of self that lie at its root. Beyond these, he counsels, lies the compassion that will help us reject violence. 'The opposite of compassion has to be renounced, because in anger, vengeance, mechanized death, and violence against Nature is our doom.' The text includes 'Seven Practices for Peacemakers,' a kind of mini-handbook for nonviolent leaders."—Library Journal was $23. SPECIAL SALE $7.99


Random Acts of Kindness Week February 12-18.

"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

Random Acts of Kindness Week focuses on the spirit of hope and goodness. It is a springboard for action. A time to be open, to act upon thoughts of generosity that arise spontaneously from your heart. Just notice what happens as kindness ripples out! Here are some links on the practice of kindness:
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation - inspiring people to practice kindness.
Free Hugs Campaign - sometimes even a hug is enough.
Extreme Kindness - join the kindness crew.
Staged Kindness - make believe the world is a happier place until it really is.
Purple Acts of Kindness - Yahoo's program to do good acts. Quotations on Kindness - read some inspired words on the art of kindness. Stories about Kindness - read anonymous stories and post your own here. Message in a Bottle - send a story of kindness across the sea!

 


Muflyer.jpgMonster Island Shadow Theater Performance, Feb.16th

 

Rehearsal for the Destruction of Mu, The art-form of the future! will be performed during the opening of “3 the Hard Way”, an exhibition of new art work by Tom Carey, Topher Crowder and Dennis Jones. At the Zeitgeist Gallery, 2661 Michigan Avenue in Detroit, 313-965-9192, The reception for the artists will run Saturday, February 16th, from 7 pm to midnight, with music around 9pm. Music and visuals by psych freaks UVU plus Monster Isle musicians and artists; Jamie Easter, Mary Alice, Tom Carey, Matthew Smith and Cary Loren will display amazing shadow screen stunts + articulated shadow puppets + boundless energy + colored lights + many fascinating aural stimulations. Photos from a recent performance can be seen at Monster Island at UFO Factory. Copies of Monster Island's new LP; "The Children of Mu" are available at Book Beat, Street Corner Music and Car City Records.


RASHOMONBook Beat February Reading Club selection:

Rashoman and 17 Stories by Ryuosuke Akutagawa. Our meeting will be at Gayles Chocolates in Royal Oak on Wednesday, February 27th at 7:00 PM.

We will be discussing the following representative selections, from the Penguin edition of Rashomon and 17 Other Stories: "Rashomon" p.3, "In a Bamboo Grove" p.10, "Hell Screen" p42, "Green Onions" p.120, "The Writers Craft" p.163, "Death Register" p. 181, "Spinning Gears" p.206. All reading club books are discounted 15%. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (芥川 龍之介 Akutagawa Ryūnosuke); (March 1, 1892 - July 24, 1927) was a Japanese writer active in Taisho period Japan. He is regarded as the "Father of the Japanese short story", and is noted for his superb style and finely detailed stories that explore the darker side of human nature.


"Deeds of kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments." ~Talmud


The Book Beat is an independent locally owned bookstore serving the metro-Detroit area since 1982, specializing in art, photography, children's books and quality lit. Book Beat is located at 26010 Greenfield in Oak Park, MI 48237 call 248/968-1190 for further information or visit us online at http://thebookbeat.com Remember: Shop local! If you wish to unsubscribe from the Book Beat Newsletter, please send an email to info@thebookbeat.com. Please write "unsubscribe" in the subject bar.