Books published by publisher Hard Ball Press

• More than 500 appearances on national bestseller lists• #1 Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today• Won 12 book awards• Translated into 35 languages• Voted Top 100 Business Book of All Time on GoodreadsPeople are using this simple, powerful concept to focus on what matters most in their personal and work lives. Companies are helping their employees be more productive with study groups, training, and coaching. Sales teams are boosting sales. Churches are conducting classes and recommending for their members. By focusing their energy on one thing at a time people are living more rewarding lives by building their careers, strengthening their finances, losing weight and getting in shape, deepening their faith, and nurturing stronger marriages and personal relationships.YOU WANT LESS. You want fewer distractions and less on your plate. The daily barrage of e-mails, texts, tweets, messages, and meetings distract you and stress you out. The simultaneous demands of work and family are taking a toll. And what's the cost? Second-rate work, missed deadlines, smaller paychecks, fewer promotions--and lots of stress. AND YOU WANT MORE. You want more productivity from your work. More income for a better lifestyle. You want more satisfaction from life, and more time for yourself, your family, and your friends. NOW YOU CAN HAVE BOTH ― LESS AND MORE. In The ONE Thing, you'll learn to * cut through the clutter * achieve better results in less time * build momentum toward your goal* dial down the stress * overcome that overwhelmed feeling * revive your energy * stay on track * master what matters to you The ONE Thing delivers extraordinary results in every area of your life--work, personal, family, and spiritual. WHAT'S YOUR ONE THING?

A new Children’s Christmas classic for labor! Imagine young children reading a book about a union that wins back the job of a sanitation worker who is unfairly fired. For years Jake has repaired and painted broken toys he pulled from the trash on his rounds and given to the children in the local shelter at Christmas. But when an angry motorist turns Jake in to the sanitation company, Jake is fired for breaking city regulations. His union takes the case to arbitration. Will Jake win his job back? Find out in this sweet holiday story.

AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 Every Friday evening 9 year old Joelito goes with his family to MacMann’s for a juicy burger. But this Friday is different. This time, Joelito’s best friend Brandon is standing in a crowd outside the fast food restaurant protesting the low pay his parents earn there. Will Joelito cross the picket line for a tasty burger? Find out in Joelito’s Bigt Decision (La gran decisión de Joelito), in English & Spanish. Ages: 6-12. “…the flow of the story is not only well-paced but lovingly told. It feels natural, as if based on conversations overheard among children. Berlak has a vivid understanding of the issue as seen through the fourth-grader’s eyes… The influence of classic Mexican folkloric art is proudly overt… In fact, the creative visuals should only enhance the readers’ sense of wonder. Camacho is widely celebrated for his murals…The story of workers fighting for dignity and security for their families is ongoing. The heritage of struggle is well told here.” The Cultural Worker “This is a wonderful book taking on a timely topic. What do you do when Friday is your favorite day because you get to go have hamburgers at your favorite restaurant, BUT, when you get there your friends are outside protesting? …Will you stand up or sit down (and eat)? Great story, beautifully told, terrific illustrations, and bilingual... wonderful! Reach and Teach “Through the eyes of fourth-grader Joelito Sánchez and his friends, the story shows the impact of low-wage work on the lives of two families, while pointing to the importance of allies in the struggle. To the best of my knowledge, it’s the one picture book that addresses this particular issue in a way that will resonate with youngest readers and listeners…Galloso’s Spanish version is idiomatic and smooth flowing, and is satisfying and appealing on its own…Kudos to all involved in this gigantically important little book. —Beverly Slapin, Decolores Reviews “Here’s a book for children aged 6-12 years old that is a must buy for parents who want to raise their children to be compassionate and fair to working people. Joelito’s Big Decision is all about deciding and standing for what is fair at an early age.” Justcliqit - the Magazine for Global Citizens. “..the “fight for fifteen” certainly raises legitimate questions. To raise those questions in the classroom is a special mission, and is well executed by Ms. Berlak, who has taken her 50 years of experience in the field of education and produced a work which speaks of social and economic justice at a time when that conversation is sorely needed.” Labor Press

Margarito’s Forest is a story of Maya culture and wisdom passed from one generation to the next. This beautifully illustrated bilingual book in English and Spanish, with excerpts in K’iche’, is based on María Guadalupe’s memories of her father, Don Margarito Esteban Álvarez Velázquez. As the devastating effects of climate change become clear, Don Margarito’s life and the ways of the Maya offer timely wisdom for a planet in peril.

Margarito's Forest is a story of Maya culture and wisdom passed from one generation to the next. This beautifully illustrated bilingual book in English and Spanish, with excerpts in K'iche', is based on María Guadalupe's memories of her father, Don Margarito Esteban Álvarez Velázquez. As the devastating effects of climate change become clear, Don Margarito's life and the ways of the Maya offer timely wisdom for a planet in peril.

On a cold winter’s day a hungry rabbit searched the forest for food. To her delight, she found not one, but two fat cabbages. Rabbit took the cabbages home, where she made a pot of cabbage soup with one of the vegetables. Then she saw her old friend Mr. Hedgehog, who was looking for food. So she gave her friend the second cabbage. The next day rabbit, who was hungry again, opened her door to find a wonderful surprise.

A new Children's Christmas classic for Labor!Imagine young children reading a book about a union that wins back the job of a sanitation worker unfairly fired for taking toys out of the trash. That's what they will discover in Good Guy Jake. For years Jake has repaired and painted broken toys he pulled from the trash on his rounds and given to the children in the local shelter at Christmas.But when an angry motorist turns Jake in to the sanitation company, Jake is fired for breaking city regulations. His union takes the case to arbitration. There, the union brings in a crowd of children, who show the judge the toys Jake gave them in years past and testify that the gifts taught them the true meaning of Christmas. The judge reinstates Jake, and the union announces they will organize a city-wide toy collection for all the children in all the shelters: the Good Guy Jake Toy Drive.

A new Children’s Christmas classic for labor!Imagine young children reading a book about a union that wins back the job of a sanitation worker who is unfairly fired. For years Jake has repaired and painted broken toys he pulled from the trash on his rounds and given to the children in the local shelter at Christmas. But when an angry motorist turns Jake in to the sanitation company, Jake is fired for breaking city regulations. His union takes the case to arbitration. Will Jake win his job back? Find out in this sweet holiday story.