Books with author Laura Claridge

Norman Rockwell’s tremendously successful, prolific career as a painter and illustrator has rendered him a twentieth-century American icon. However, the very popularity and accessibility of his idealized, nostalgic depictions of middleclass life have caused him to be considered not a serious artist but a “mere illustrator”–a disparagement only reinforced by the hundreds of memorable covers he drew for The Sunday Evening Post.Symptomatic of critics’ neglect is the fact that Rockwell has never before been the subject of a serious critical biography. Based on private family archives and interviews and publishes to coincide with a major two-year travelling retrospective of his work, this book reveals for the first time the driven workaholic who had three complicated marriages and was a distant father —so different from the loving, all-American-dad image widely held to this day. Critically acclaimed author Laura Claridge also breaks new ground with her reappraisal of Rockwell’s art, arguing that despite his popular sentimental style, his artistry was masterful, complex, and far more manipulative than people realize.

Norman Rockwell’s tremendously successful, prolific career as a painter and illustrator has rendered him a twentieth-century American icon. However, the very popularity and accessibility of his idealized, nostalgic depictions of middleclass life have caused him to be considered not a serious artist but a “mere illustrator”–a disparagement only reinforced by the hundreds of memorable covers he drew for The Sunday Evening Post.Symptomatic of critics’ neglect is the fact that Rockwell has never before been the subject of a serious critical biography. Based on private family archives and interviews and publishes to coincide with a major two-year travelling retrospective of his work, this book reveals for the first time the driven workaholic who had three complicated marriages and was a distant father —so different from the loving, all-American-dad image widely held to this day. Critically acclaimed author Laura Claridge also breaks new ground with her reappraisal of Rockwell’s art, arguing that despite his popular sentimental style, his artistry was masterful, complex, and far more manipulative than people realize.

Norman Rockwell’s hundreds of memorable covers for The Saturday Evening Post made him a twentieth-century American icon. However, because of the very popularity of his idealized depictions of middle-class life, his more serious paintings have been largely ignored, and he has often been deemed a mere illustrator, not a “real” artist.In this, the first comprehensive biography of America’s most popular artist, Laura Claridge breaks new ground with her appreciative but clear-eyed view of Rockwell’s work—and his life. Based upon previously unpublished family archives and hundreds of interviews, this account reveals for the first time the deep disparity between the artist’s public image and his private life.

Seventeen-near-old, Laila Patterson, never would describe her heart as fickle. She understands the difference between reality and fantasy, which is why Sam Woodson is not realistic boyfriend material. After all, he’s in college, and college boys simply do not date high school girls. Plus, he’s Laila’s brother’s best friend. According to the unspoken bro-code, messing around with your friend’s little sister is pretty high on the list of forbidden taboos. What happens when Laila discovers that her secret crush on Sam isn’t quite so one-sided? What if the only way it will work is to keep their relationship hush-hush? Is Sam worth all the lying and sneaking around? As if things weren’t confusing enough with Sam, an old family friend suddenly shows up after being gone for more than three years. Laila isn't expecting Trevor Maddox to move back to Brookville. She isn't expecting him to attend her high school, and she certainly isn't expecting him to be so damned gorgeous. Laila doesn't want or need this unexpected distraction . . . or does she?

Laila has read that letter a thousand times, and yet she still doesn't believe it. He left too many things unresolved. She desperately wants to find answers, but it's impossible since the one person that can give her those answers is MIA. Each day melts into the next. Laila tries to keep herself busy, but it's not enough. No matter how hard she tries to forget, there is always something that reminds her of him.At her very best, Laila is numb.What happens when Laila is suddenly confronted with her past, and she is forced to make a choice between the boy who owns her heart, and the one that wants to steal it away?

Everything is finally as it should be, or so it seems. As Laila attempts to settle into her new relationship, she finds it difficult to surrender her heart. Deep down, she’s worried about getting hurt again. Desperate to remain in control, she makes some rash decisions that could jeopardize her future. Will Laila be able to salvage her newfound happiness?Trevor gets caught day-dreaming during Physics class. Unfortunately, it is the wrong class for him to space out in. Mr. Bonner has it out for jocks and Trevor is no exception. As punishment, he is forced to write an essay about how the Laws of Motion apply to his every-day life. Trevor doesn't realize the significance of this assignment at first, but he quickly discovers that Newton's Laws might be exactly what he needs to understand how to deal with his own struggles with relationships.Physics could end up being the simple answer to everyone's uncertainty about love.

From the stars to Mars, from a plane or a train Liam's magic carpet adventures take him on journeys both near and far teaching him about the magical world in which he lives. The vibrant illustrations and simple story telling is perfect for toddlers and for inspiring children of all ages to create their own magic carpet adventures. Liam's Magic Carpet Adventures is the prequel to the series If I Had A Magic Carpet and is written for Liam, a foster care baby. If I Had a Magic Carpet is a series that teaches children life lessons through magic carpet adventures. The goal of the series is to touch on topics like bullying and stranger danger, but keep it fun and imaginative. The series is designed to grow as children grow. If I Had a Magic Carpet is geared toward first and second graders while book 4 is a chapter book geared towards older grades. Liam's Magic Carpet Adventures is a perfect complement to the magical series and will help younger readers use their imaginations and also teach them about the world in which they live.

Ellery's wicked ways have escalated to an all-time high. This time around, his plan to steal back the magic carpet sends Miranda and him soaring back in time. Dinosaurs, medieval knights, pirates, pilgrims, Native Americans, the Underground Railroad, Thomas Edison, Ty Cobb, Henry Ford, and the Great Depression are just some of the people, places, and periods they encounter. Their harrowing adventures reveal new information about William, the man who gave Miranda the magic carpet. Once again it is up to Miranda to save the day and make sure Ellery does not ruin history.

Maisie is a ten-year old girl whose dad sadly suffers a stroke. This is a story, aimed at children, to inform them about strokes and to teach them about the recovery process. Maisie explains what happens through her point of view and details her father’s successful road to recovery. The same story is then told from her dad’s point of view, followed by her mum’s, to offer a child a full understanding of how a stroke can impact on each member of a family.