Books with author Doreen Thompson

The $12 Million Stuffed Shark delves into the economics and psychology of the contemporary art world - artists, dealers, auction houses, and wealthy collectors. If it's true - as so often said - that 85 percent of new contemporary art is bad, why were record prices achieved at auction for works by 131 contemporary artists in 2006 alone, with astonishing new heights reached in 2007? The $12 Million Stuffed Shark explores money, lust, and the self-aggrandizement of possession in an attempt to determine what makes a particular work of art valuable while others are ignored. In the style of the bestselling Freakonomics, Thompson uses economic concepts to explain the unique practices employed, to great success, in the international contemporary art market. He discusses branding and marketing and how various strategies are tailored to a wealthy clientele, driving a "must-have" culture. Drawing on exclusive interviews with both past and present executives of auction houses and art dealerships, artists, and the buyers who move the market, Thompson launches the reader on a surprising journey of discovery.

The $12 Million Stuffed Shark delves into the economics and psychology of the contemporary art world – artists, dealers, auction houses, and wealthy collectors. If it’s true – as so often said – that 85 percent of new contemporary art is bad, why were record prices achieved at auction for works by 131 contemporary artists in 2006 alone, with astonishing new heights reached in 2007? The $12 Million Stuffed Shark explores money, lust, and the self-aggrandizement of possession in an attempt to determine what makes a particular work of art valuable while others are ignored. In the style of the bestselling Freakonomics, Thompson uses economic concepts to explain the unique practices employed, to great success, in the international contemporary art market. He discusses branding and marketing and how various strategies are tailored to a wealthy clientele, driving a "must-have" culture. Drawing on exclusive interviews with both past and present executives of auction houses and art dealerships, artists, and the buyers who move the market, Thompson launches the reader on a surprising journey of discovery.From the Hardcover edition.

What if coins could talk? In The Adventures of Lucky and Nicky they can! And much more! On one hand, Lucky (The Penny) and Nicky (The Nickel) are like your typical 12 year old boys that like to run and play. But on the other hand, the predicaments they encounter are very different. This book Lucky Gets Trapped in a Penny Loafer finds our coins in an unusual situation. As Lucky and Nicky are racing down the sidewalk, Lucky sees a boy running towards them. Let 's get out of here! shouts Lucky. Timmy chases the coins until they slow down and fall over with exhaustion. He scoops them up and runs towards his mother. He is very excited because he knows coins are valuable and plans to add them to his piggy bank. But his mother has a better idea for Lucky. She shows Timmy how to put the coin between the flaps of his penny loafer. Lucky is trapped. Later that night while Timmy is sleeping, Nicky finds Lucky sad and frightened under the bed. Unable to free him, Nicky dashes off looking for help. Soon, he finds Diana, a beautiful young dime. She tells Nicky I don't think I can be much help, but my father will help you. She yells, father, come quickly! Out of the crack in the wall, like a locomotive coming through a tunnel, appears a big and powerful 50 cent piece called Mr. Jack. Nicky leads Diana and her father to Lucky. Soon Lucky will be free. I hope to write more books involving Lucky and his friends. Children could learn math, multiculturalism,diversity,friendship and cooperation.

Graceful and Rosie Bunny are two delightful young daughters in a very special family in Bunny World. They love each other, and most of the time they play nicely together and share their toys. But just like sisters in the real world, sometimes they don't want to share, and sometimes they argue and blame and mistreat each other. Often, after one of those unhappy times Graceful dreamed of a very old lady who loved her and filled her heart with warmth. During one dream Graceful received a special gift. It helped remind her of the beautiful old lady and her loving lessons about kindness as the key to happiness. Graceful and Rosie had always been nice girls, but after the dreams and the special gift, the bunnies who knew them noticed a difference. They laughed more. They smiled more. They played nicely with other bunny friends and giggled with joy. Come spend time with the little bunnies. You'll have fun!