In 1949, photographer Don Normark walked up into the hills of Los Angeles, looking for a good view. Instead, he found Chavez Ravine, a ramshackle Mexican-American neighborhood tucked away in Elysian Park like a poor man s Shangri-la. Enchanted, he stayed for a year amidst the wild roses, tin roofs, and wandering goats of this uniquely intact rural community on the city s outskirts. Accepted by the residents, Normark was able to photo-graph a life that, though bowed down by poverty, was lived fully, openly, and joyfully. That ended in 1950, when the residents of Chavez Ravine received letters from the government directing them to sell their homes and leave. Some sold, some were dragged out of their houses kicking and screaming. The emptied houses were razed to make way for Dodger Stadium. The past fifty years have not erased the memories of Los Desterrados, the uprooted descendents of Chavez Ravine. Now available in paperback, this beautiful, haunting book captures their images, their stories, and their bittersweet memories. A social and cultural history of Los Angeles and Mexican America, Chavez Ravine reclaims and celebrates this lost village from a simpler time.

Chavez Ravine: 1949

Arts & Photography

Don Normark

Photography & Video

Chronicle Books

From IDEO, the global innovation and design firm responsible for such landmark products as Apple's first computer mouse, comes a primer in the observation method that keeps their practice human-centered and ever ingenious. People unconsciously perform ultraordinary actions every day, from throwing a jacket over a chair back to claim the seat, or placing something in the teeth when all hands are full. These "thoughtless acts" reveal the subtle but crucial ways people behave in a world not always perfectly tailored to their needs. Thoughtless Acts? is a collection of dozens of (often humorous) snapshots capturing such fleeting adaptations and minor exploitations. This method of observation demonstrates the kind of common-sense approach that can inspire designers and anyone involved in creative endeavors. Thoughtless Acts? is a privileged peek at how IDEO creates the people-friendly products, services, and spaces for which they are so widely recognized.

Thoughtless Acts?: Observations on Intuitive Design

IDEO

Suri, Jane Fulton

History & Criticism

From the hit-makers at Pixar Animation Studios who brought us Buzz Lightyear, Nemo, and Mr. Incredible, now comes Remy, the furry star of Ratatouille. A lovable rat (yes, a rat!), Remy is driven by his passion for fine cuisine to become a chef—against all odds and with madcap adventures along the way—at the most famous restaurant in Paris. The Art of Ratatouille includes more than 200 of the artistic ingredients in this heartwarming film: storyboards, full-color pastels, digital and pencil sketches, character studies, maquettes, and more. In this exclusive movie tie-in book for adults, effusive quotes from the director, artists, animators, and production team reveal the genius at work inside the studio that changed cartoon heroes forever.

The Art of Ratatouille

Paik, Karen

Graphic Design

Featuring 5 limited edition reproduction prints each signed by the artists. Plus, The Art of Ratatouille book, which includes more than 200 of the artistic ingredients in this heart-warming film: storyboards, full-color pastels, digital and pencil sketches, character studies, maquettes, and more. Beautifully presented in a deluxe set and numbered for authentication.

Art of Ratatouille, Limited Edition (Disney)

From the best-selling Bird Songs series comes the most comprehensive bird book ever published. Bird Songs Bible covers the sights and sounds of every single breeding bird in North Americanearly 750 in all. This utterly distinctive package features a state-of-the-art digital audio player that brings to life the birds' songs and calls with the touch of a button. Written by a panel of ornithological experts and produced with the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this indispensable reference features lavish illustrations of the birds and their habitats, scientifically accurate range maps, and detailed information on distribution, habitat, behavior, and vocalizations. A beautiful keepsake object, Bird Songs Bible is an essential volume for the true bird lover.

Bird Songs Bible: The Complete, Illustrated Reference for North American Birds

Science & Math

Biological Sciences

Scrabble® aficionados may know that both "Brr" and "Brrr" are legitimate plays, but what about everyday names like Peter, Carl, and Marge? They're not listed as proper nouns, but they are certainly playable. For lovers of Scrabble®, Bananagrams®, and Words with Friends®, this lively guide helps readers make the most out of word games, packed with new ways to remember the best words alongside tips for improving game play and much more. Part strategy guide and part celebration of all things wordy, this collection of facts, tips, and surprising lists of playable words will instruct and delight the letterati.

Is That a Word?: From AA to ZZZ, the Weird and Wonderful Language of SCRABBLE

Humor & Entertainment

Bukszpan, David

Puzzles & Games

Animal lovers will laugh out loud at the quirkiness of their feline friends with these insightful and curious poems from the singular minds of funny cats. In this hilarious book of tongue-in-cheek poetry, the author of the internationally syndicated comic strip Sally Forth helps cats unlock their creative potential and explain their odd behavior to ignorant humans. With titles like "Who Is That on Your Lap?," "This Is My Chair," "Kneel Before Me," "Nudge," and "Some of My Best Friends Are Dogs," the poems collected in I Could Pee on This perfectly capture the inner workings of the cat psyche. With photos of the cat authors throughout, this whimsical volume reveals kitties at their wackiest, and most exasperating (but always lovable). Ideal for that "crazy cat lady" or "cat mom/dad" in your life this collection of poems makes for the perfect cat themed gift for anyone who's obsessed with our feline friends.

I Could Pee on This: And Other Poems by Cats (Gifts for Cat Lovers, Funny Cat Books for Cat Lovers)

Children's Books

Marciuliano, Francesco

Literature & Fiction

Fill your year with twelve months of wonderfully entertaining feline advice, observations, and irrationality. From the OCD ode I Lick to the queenly speech Kneel Before Me, these poems and photos reveal cats' every desire, conflict, and moment of neurotic genius.

I Could Pee on This 2014 Wall Calendar

Humor

What can Dory remember? Who are her parents? In Finding Dory, Pixar Animation Studios sets out to answer these questions, to the delight of Finding Nemo fans. The Art of Finding Dory offers a look at the creative process behind the making of this much-anticipated sequel, shining a light on the many inspiring and beautiful layers of creation the artists at the studio explored during years of development. Copyright ©2016 Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Pixar. All rights reserved.

The Art of Finding Dory (Disney)

This calendar of witty poems--including such classics as "Why Are You Screaming?," "This is My Chair," and "Meow"--offers twelve months' worth of delightful feline advice, observations, and irrationality.

I Could Pee on This 2015 Wall Calendar

Francesco Marciuliano

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