Through a study of the church of Santa Prassede, Mary M. Schaefer offers a compelling examination of the ''golden ages'' for women active in ecclesial ministries, critically measuring feminist claims and providing evidence contrary to the official Roman position that women have never been ordained in the Catholic Church. The ninth-century church of Santa Prassede has been studied intensively in recent years, yet no scholar has yet recognized the significance of the balanced male and female imagery: both men and women disciples, Peter and Paul as family friends, Praxedes and her sister as house church leaders in the post-apostolic period assisted by bishop Pius I, and Pope Paschal's mother Theodora episcopa, for example. Praxedes' identification as ''presbytera'' by a Roman priest-historian in 1655 and by the Benedictine prior of the church in 1725 prompts analysis of women's ordination rites in churches of East and West. Santa Prassede preserves one of the largest intact programs of church decoration in Rome up to 1200. Schaefer investigates its scriptural and liturgical sources, and, in turn, reexamines its foundation myth. With the story of the church, Schaefer provides a detailed study of women in pastoral office (especially diaconas, presbyteras, and episcopal abbesses) from the first through twelfth centuries in the West. Women in Pastoral Office also shows how the liturgy as well as the vita of Praxedes and her sister Pudentiana (whose fourth century church is located down the hill) shaped this outstanding commission of the builder, Pope Paschal I (817-824).

Schaefer and Poffenbarger assess whether the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are attempting to balance US power and analyze the United States' responses to the creation of this IGO through a mix of theoretical and policy-focused approaches.

Teach diversity and tolerance to young readers, and help them understand and appreciate those children who have health differences. Colorful photos show kids with disabilities enjoying activities with their peers.

This volume is an authoritative collection of 25 key papers in the development of continuous time finance. Its five sections cover the continuous time model, dynamic portfolio selection, equilibrium models, derivative pricing and, finally, term structure and other applications. It includes seminal contributions in areas such as: the Martingale approach to no-arbitrage pricing; dynamic models of consumption and portfolio selection; the inter-temporal and consumption based asset pricing models; contingent claims pricing; the term structure of interest rates and the use of changes in numeraire in options pricing.This book will be an essential source of reference for students and researchers in finance and, indeed, anyone needing access to the key papers in this important field.

What is light, and how does it shape our world? Acclaimed author Lola M. Schaefer and award-winning artist James Yang illuminate the essential concept of light in this playful and informative picture book. An educational and inventive picture book for readers of David Macaulay and Jason Chin, and anyone curious about how light impacts our world. Light is everywhere: from the shining sun to a bright light bulb to a glowing firefly. Light from a flashlight helps you see in the dark, and light from the sun makes plants grow. And did you know that light makes X-rays possible, and also keeps cars, trucks, trains, ships, and planes moving safely? It even allows us to see deep into space! Where would we be without light? From acclaimed author Lola M. Schaefer and award-winning illustrator James Yang, Spark, Shine, Glow! features a fact-filled, lively text full of rhythm and repetition, as well as engaging and informative illustrations illuminating key STEM concepts. A companion to their Lift, Mix, Fling!: Machines Can Do Anything, Spark, Shine, Glow! is for curious children, young scientists, classrooms, and family story-times. Includes a glossary. 

Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower. Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just the beginning.

Teach diversity and tolerance to young readers, and help them understand and appreciate those children who have health differences. Colorful photos show kids with disabilities enjoying activities with their peers.

In this universal celebration of community and love, Bear gathers his friends from near and far to mark the changing of the season.

Acclaimed author Lola M. Schaefer and award-winning artist Bethanne Andersen explores themes of empathy, hope, and peace in this breathtaking picture book that will bring joy to the holidays as well as year round storytimes.

On a cold winter morning, Bear welcomes a new star to the sky and searches for the perfect tree—a majestic evergreen—under which to host a celebration for everyone to enjoy. Almost as if by magic, guests start to arrive. They are feathered, furry, scaled—on the wing, on four paws, on two feet. They are young and old. They bring gifts. They bring love. They bring hope for peace.

The Bear and the Star is a stunning picture book from acclaimed author Lola M. Schaefer and award-winning artist Bethanne Andersen. With a focus on understanding, empathy, community, and hope, it’s the ideal choice for family sharing during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Frankie Stein comes into the world on a bright, sunny day. He's not at all like his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Stein. They're scary looking. He's cute. They try to make him look like them. They can't. But he does end up being scary - just in his own way! Kevan Atteberry's digital illustrations lend a hand to this family-friendly story perfect as a read-aloud.

Mittens the kitten is looking for some fun, but he's all alone!When Mittens hears a scratching noise behind the fence, he digs and digs until he is face to face, eye to eye, and nose to nose with the big dog who lives next door, Max. With fun read-aloud sounds, What's That, Mittens? is a fun introduction to reading for the youngest readers.This My First I Can Read Book is perfect for shared reading with toddlers and very young children. Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations make this book just right for the emergent reader.

This is the story of the birth of an island, from the first red-hot glow of magma at the bottom of the ocean, to the flowing lava that hardens and builds up higher and higher until, finally, it breaks through the water′s surface.

And then, life comes to the island. First come the small plants and animals, and later, people. This is a tale as old-and as new-as the ground we walk on.

Mittens the kitten and Max the dog show that playtime is best when shared with friends!Mittens the kitten wants to play with his friend Max the dog. But where is Max? Mittens looks for all of the places where he can usually find Max, including the doghouse and near his food bowl.But Max is nowhere to be found, until Mittens discovers that Max has been looking for Mittens, too!This My First I Can Read Book is perfect for shared reading with toddlers and very young children. Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations make this book just right for the emergent reader.

A young boy wakes up one morning to find that he has his very first loose tooth. But no matter how much he pushes, pulls, and wiggles it, it just won't come out

Lola Schaefer's energetic text and Sylvie Wickstrom's exuberant illustrations perfectly capture the excitement and anxiety of a child losing his first tooth in an appealing book about a childhood milestone

o Beginning readers will recognize and respond to the familiar situation of a child with his very first loose tooth.

o Energetic and engaging, Lola M. Schaefer's very simple story is perfect for the youngest beginning readers.

o Expressive and lively illustrations will delight young children.

Ages 3-5

In one lifetime, a caribou will shed 10 sets of antlers, a woodpecker will drill 30 roosting holes, a giraffe will wear 200 spots, a seahorse will birth 1,000 babies. Count each one and many more while learning about the wondrous things that can happen in just one lifetime. This extraordinary book collects animal information not available anywhere else-and shows all 30 roosting holes, all 200 spots, and, yes!, all 1,000 baby seahorses in eye-catching illustrations.

A book about picturing numbers and considering the endlessly fascinating lives all around us, Lifetime is sure to delight young nature lovers.

Mittens the sweet little kitten makes trouble when Nick brings him to school for show-and-tell . Just right for little ones getting ready to go to school for the first time or for a new school year!At the math table, Mittens pushes the counting beads until they crash to the floor. On the piano, Mittens runs across the keys until the piano lid slams down. Mittens even tries to look at a book, until it falls from the bookshelf! Mittens is finally happy when he gets to meet the other students in Nick's class. This My First I Can Read Book is perfect for shared reading with toddlers and very young children. Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations make this book just right for the emergent reader.