This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE) What's in Your Bag? features Fred, whose bag is very big! What does he have inside it? Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.

Here is the first detailed study of the economic, social, and administrative implications for the establishment of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Leaders in the field of optional living arrangements for the elderly examine models of continuing care retirement communities throughout the United States. A wide range of sometimes conflicting views are vigorously discussed--by proponents of continuing care communities as well as by representatives from states that do not allow the existence of such institutions. Other intensely debated topics include existing and recommended financial and legal regulations of the industry; legal, financial, and ethical implications of continuing care communities; and a sociohistorical overview of the concept of continuing care.

Learn about the exciting possibilities for maintaining elderly residents in their own homes by marshalling available resources to pay for needed support services. Experienced practitioners provide examples of successful community-based long-term care service programs for the elderly, programs that are supported by a mix of public funds and private resources. They explore the role of service providers in developing successful models of community-based long-term care services--housing, home care services, comprehensive senior centers, and day care, among others--and discuss not only the successes of the particular programs but the obstacles and barriers that had to be overcome as well. Chapters focus on policies for the development of effective models, from the perspectives of municipal, county, state, and federal governments involved in community service provision, and the role of colleges and universities in training personnel to develop and implement community-based long term care services. Taken together, this state-of-the-art tutorial, taught by practitioners who offer wisdom and insight based on their hands-on experience, is indeed a unique contribution to the field of long-term care.

A fun summer read for 7-9 year-olds with a mud monster that, like Amelia Bedelia, follows directions a bit too literally. "I wish I'd had a golem when I was in summer camp, because I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. I hope we'll be seeing more adventures with Emmett, the golem, and the rest of the Mud Pack soon."  --Eric A. Kimmel, award-winning author of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins and Miriam and the Sasquatch. Emmett Cohen was not at all happy when his mom insisted that he try the art elective at camp this summer.  His parents and sister were arty, but he was not. He preferred skateboards and science and comic books. He was grumpy and more than a little homesick when he showed up at the art shack for his first session and started poking around for a project. He brightened when he found a trash can full of odd mud, and was soon engrossed in shaping a mini monster from the thick clay. At the end of the session, when he scratched his name in Hebrew on his project and left for a swim in the lake, he had no idea that the mud sculpture he had created was about to come to life.  For Emmett had unknowingly created a golem, a mystical, protective mud creature that lived in Jewish legends dating back to 16th century Poland. And here it was in the middle of Camp Teva, in Emmett's cabin. Before long, the golem is getting into mischief and out of hand, and Emmett and his friends, now organized as a secret "Mud Pack" are trying to make sure no one finds out there is a real-life golem at camp. Luckily, Camp Teva was an awesome set up for hiding a mud monster. Join Emmett, his sister Emily, and his camp friends Jake, Danny, and Reisha, and the pesky twins Lilly and Rebecca as they embark on their most exciting summer ever, trying to keep one step ahead of an eager-to-please mud monster that has a hard time getting its instructions quite right.

Learn about the exciting possibilities for maintaining elderly residents in their own homes by marshalling available resources to pay for needed support services. Experienced practitioners provide examples of successful community-based long-term care service programs for the elderly, programs that are supported by a mix of public funds and private resources. They explore the role of service providers in developing successful models of community-based long-term care services--housing, home care services, comprehensive senior centers, and day care, among others--and discuss not only the successes of the particular programs but the obstacles and barriers that had to be overcome as well. Chapters focus on policies for the development of effective models, from the perspectives of municipal, county, state, and federal governments involved in community service provision, and the role of colleges and universities in training personnel to develop and implement community-based long term care services. Taken together, this tutorial, taught by practitioners who offer wisdom and insight based on their hands-on experience, is indeed a unique contribution to the field of long-term care.

Vashti the other queen in the Purim story has better things to do than jump to a king's selfish demands.

Here's a brief time out that EVERYONE in your family will enjoy: disconnect from the Net, put away your digital toys, and get ready for some good old-fashioned fun. Even 20 minutes a day can be rejuvenating for you and a great way to connect with your children. In "101 Offline Activities You Can Do With Your Child," you'll find activities that tap the most advanced microprocessor--the one between your ears. Best of all, you can do most of the activities with little or no preparation You'll find games and activities: * To do in your house, when you're out and about, or on the road. * That spark imagination and creativity. * That test everyone's powers of observation. * That bring out the kid in you What are you waiting for? Unplug. Tune In. Enjoy