Books published by publisher Hci

Includes Mannheim Steamroller remixed classical Christmas music CD created exclusively for Chicken Soup! Designed as a gift book or family keepsake to be used as a holiday tradition, this beautiful hardcover features seven virtues that are traditionally associated with Christmas. Each one is discussed in a short inspirational essay then illustrated by four to five all-new heart-touching stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul, bringing the magic of the season to light. Each section ends with a one-page suggestion on how to start your own holiday tradition, from baking cookies to charity ideas that reflect the spirit of the virtue.Perfect for adults and children, this uplifting book is a wonderful celebration of the season.

This collection of inspirational stories will undoubtedly touch many hearts. Written by authors who have lost loved ones, these stories offer comfort, peace and understanding to those going through the grieving process. Individual people deal with grief in their own ways and within their own time, but the guidance and support they receive from others is what helps them through it. One of the key messages of Chicken Soup for the Grieving Soul is that togetherness and sharing are the keys to moving on. In these stories people share their experiences with coping and they share deep memories. Each one has found that putting thoughts and feelings into words is not only cathartic, it allows them to reconnect with their loved one and others. Words of encouragement are plentiful in this edition and they go straight to the heart. Chapters encompass the complete grieving experience and include: Final Gifts, the Power of Support, Coping and Healing, Those We Will Miss, Special Moments, Insights and Lessons, and Living Again. Readers will be comforted and inspired by the stories of regaining strength and hope, such as holding meaningful services, performing thoughtful deeds and cherishing special memories. Most important, just as the writers have come to appreciate life through the grieving process, readers will discover how to do the same. This soothing bowl of stories is the perfect gift to bring comfort, strength and courage.

Today's kids face grave issues and harder decisions than ever before. Gang warfare, violence, drugs, alcohol, smoking, pregnancy, depression and suicide have found their way into middle and elementary schools. Divorce splits apart families every day. These issues make kids feel as if they must understand and accept all the troubles of the world. Now more than ever, kids want and need the inspiration and hope that Chicken Soup for the Soul provides. In this special volume, young readers will find empowerment and encouragement to love and accept themselves, believe in their dreams, find answers to their questions and discover hope for a promising future.

'You must be mad to live in the bloody jungle, mates.' Not mad exactly, just disconnected and seeking more meaning and adventure in their lives. An eccentric free spirit who never quite fit in, Robin Easton saw her soul mate in Ian―a rugged, rowdy Aussie who wanted out of the confines of his family's business. Together they planned their Great Escape: to live off the grid in a remote area of Australia's Daintree Rainforest.But as their Jeep wound its way closer to the tiny black dot on the map, Robin couldn't have fathomed just how the jungle would test her mentally, physically, and spiritually. As she came face to face with her fears of deadly snakes, leeches, and man-eating crocodiles, she began to unravel the mysteries of life and death, love and loss, and nature and humankind. Hidden in the forest mist, she discovered our biological relationship to the natural world and our unique place in it.

From Barbies to your first bra, from holding your teddy bear to slowdancing with your first boyfriend, from knowing everyone in elementary school to trying to make new friends in middle school. . . . When dealing with these changes, it's no wonder preteen girls can freak out from time to time. Consider Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul your survival guide! From reading the true experiences of other preteen girls, as well as women who've been there, you'll see that you're not the only one who feels clueless and insecure sometimes. You'll read about tough subjects, such as peer pressure, cliques, divorce and loss, as well as fun “girls only” stories about friendship, embarrassing moments (these could take up an entire book!), body changes and first crushes. These stories will make you laugh, cry and realize that girl power is truly something to celebrate. You'll turn to this book again and again, whenever you need the advice only girls can give. Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul is sure to be what a girl wants!

Changing the World One Person at a TimeChicken Soup for the Soul® Celebrating People Who Make a Difference reveals a side of humanity we rarely see heralded on the evening news. This inspiring collection of stories chronicles the small kindnesses that make a huge difference, the ordinary experiences that have profound impact, and the defining moments that change the lives of everyday people.Your heart will be touched when the despair of a lost two-year-old's parents turns to joy as an exhausted rescue team finds their baby in critical condition, but alive. And you may be left wondering if you could act as one woman did, when driving home alone on a dark night she finds unknown courage to come to the aid of someone about to be assaulted at an isolated bus stop.If you wonder about the direction the world is headed and whether kindness and compassion still exists, Chicken Soup for the Soul® Celebrating People Who Make a Difference will restore your faith in the human spirit with these true stories of generosity, character, and courage.

The relationship between a mother and daughter is one of the most profound bonds in life. A mother feels her daughter's first kick during pregnancy, labors to bring her daughter into the world and watches as she takes her first breath of life. Similarly, a daughter opens up a new world and range of emotions to her mother, allowing her to feel an unconditional love she didn't know she possessed. For new moms in awe of their daughter's first step, veteran moms in a panic as their daughter leaves for her first prom, or seasoned moms who have just caught themselves saying "Because I said so!", each will be touched and inspired by these heartwarming stories that share the life-defining moments of the mother/daughter relationship. Celebrity contributions include stories by Jacquelyn Mitchard and Joan Borysenko. Chapters include A Mother's Love; A Daughter's Love; Memories; Challenges; Lessons; Like Mother, Like Daughter; Loss and Healing and Timeless Wisdom. This is the perfect book for all the special women in our lives for Mother's Day, a birthday, or any day.

For thousands of years, dogs have been cherished as devoted companions and exuberant playmates—their unconditional love, limitless affection and unwavering loyalty never fail to melt our hearts. The stories in Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover’s Soul truly capture the special joy these four-legged creatures bring to our lives and hearts. The family that learns the true meaning of Christmas when their Lab needs medical care during the holidays. The intimidating Doberman who becomes a loving mother to an orphaned duckling. The homeless man whose life is changed when he meets a special dog. The pocket-size assistance dog who dials 9-1-1. The crafty beagle-mix with the munchies who helps himself from the refrigerator . . . and many more unforgettable canine characters. From exciting and entertaining accounts of courage and humor to heartwarming tales of healing and learning, each touching story in this book will inspire dog lovers to rejoice in the unique bond they share with their canine companions.

Track the entire NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Season in your own words. Chicken Soup for the Soul joins NASCAR for the ultimate race journal experience. Filled with awesome photographs, this Xtreme Race Journal features every race track across the country so you can track your driver's progress through the entire NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season. In each chapter you'll find cool facts and records about your favorite speedways, how drivers have fared there before, plus space to fill in your favorite driver's qualifying speed, starting position, pit stop strategies, the coolest thing about each race, where your driver finished and everything you want to remember about the race. Plus, throughout the book you’ll find inspiring quotes from kids, just like you, about what NASCAR means to them and their family and space for you to write your own thoughts and inspirations, too. Photos, Ultimate Trivia, Race Facts & Track Facts, Word Scrambles, Word Finds and Special Journal Entries for every NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Race. All Season Long!

Do you ever wish you looked like someone else? Or that you could skip school because you feel self-conscious about your appearance? Do you think you're fat or ugly, even though everyone says you're fine? So many girls have these kinds of feelings from time to time. The important thing is to find ways of coping with them so they don't stop you from living your life. Picture Perfect will help you see how other girls who struggle with liking themselves have found solutions that really help them feel better about who they are--and their stories will show you ways to feel better too!Jill Zimmerman Rutledge counsels girls with body-image issues and understands that many girls feel they need to be a 'perfect' all-around girl--including having a 'perfect' appearance. Read other girls' stories about feeling unattractive, worrying about food and weight, finding a unique style, dealing with mean girls--and much more. You'll see how they use positive messages or Special Statements, like 'A beautiful thing is never perfect' or 'I'm a creative chick, not a carbon copy,' to calm down their insecurities. Learn how to discover your own Special Statements and Action Plans so that you too can begin to see your own true beauty--and feel as picture perfect as you already are!Jill Zimmerman Rutledge, M.S.W., LCSW, is a psychotherapist who has worked with adolescent girls and young women for over twenty years. She is a consultant for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) and has been featured in numerous publications, including YM, Teen People, and Daughters. Visit the author at www.jillzimmermanrutledge.com.

This latest collection of Chicken Soup for the Soul comes to readers from the heartland, the Grand Ole Opry and the Contry Music Capital of the World. This treasury identifies the common threads that weave the tapestry of the human spirit- the traditions of family and faith at the heart of America.Chicken Soup for the Soul readers will also discover a special treat within its covers: a Country Soul CD. Tthis CD includes a heartfelt rendition of some of country's best-loved performers as well as some of the biggest stars of country music reading their stories from the book. This CD is a first for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and is sure to be a hit with readers and country music fans alike.