Laphatton

The year is 2064, and the world is in chaos. Our story begins at a Survival Training Camp for teens on Roosevelt Island, New York. As the campers pick through the ruins that the war left behind, four young souls stumble upon a time portal and are transported to the 1600s. They arrive with three books, a chess set, needles and thread, and a new feeling: hope. The Lenni Lenape Tribe in residence on the island have noted their presence, and so begins the tale as the interlopers try to carve out a future from the past.

Last Phone Booth on the Left in Brooklyn

What possibly can an emotionally unstable, elderly Italian American woman have in common with the recent day’s “La Cosa Nostra,” the Italian organized crime syndicate? Teresa Cussimano, originally from the Fordham section of the Bronx, has now been living in Brooklyn for over 30 years. Italian organized-crime families who dug in roots early in the previous century still hold some power here but they are barely surviving. In the after-effects of the terrorist attacks on America, the justice department and local law enforcement continue where they left off, to further eradicate what’s left of organized crime – La Cosa Nostra. With a confidential informant, the F.B.I. feels it finally has what it takes to achieve this hard-fought goal. At the same time, Teresa Cussimano’s emotional instabilities and her “Orwellian” distrust of the overall system is getting entangled in one scrape after another with individuals whom she deems “her enemy-ship.” She feels threatened, is threatened, and worse. Her beloved nephew who looks out for her can only do so much and the N.Y.P.D. cop’s hands are tied. Full of exasperation, Teresa knocks on a door anxiously, seeking help. That door belongs to a mob boss. For certain reasons, they get involved and duly help with her problems. Later come down racketeering arrests against many who have helped her, particularly the boss. Now Teresa gets involved to help them in their situation in what becomes an unprecedented quid pro quo.

Laughing Out of Context

Mia, mother of her six-year-old son, Cody, strives to balance care and volunteering at Cody’s school the only way she knows how: by recuperating nightly in what she calls her escape room. Meditation and a little bit of solitude at night can fix some hectic mothering days, but sometimes a glass of wine is just what is needed for those extra challenging kids-tell-all no-filter moments.

With the family Dalmatian, Caesar, right by Cody’s side in mischief, Mia works overtime to dodge embarrassing public incidents, hoping her imaginary hats will finally work in making her invisible at just the right time. By getting weekly advice from her mom’s group, Mia realizes she’s not alone in this crazy, funny, and loving motherhood journey.

The struggle is real, and finding a better motherhood routine is right at the top of her list of things to do, before she tips over to the other side of the sanity line.

Law Dogs

In the aftermath of Missouri’s brutal Civil War, shattered bonds and loyalties hung heavy in the hearts of its people. Karl, hailing from a staunchly pro-Union German family orphaned by the conflict, faced harrowing decisions. His dearest friend, a Wilson, hailed from a pro-slavery family fiercely loyal to the Confederacy. It was a friendship tested by the fires of war, and Karl’s journey was only beginning.

Armed with a six-gun and driven by circumstance, Karl first rode with Quantrill’s Raiders before joining the ranks of the Texas Rangers. But life had more twists in store. As a bounty hunter, he relentlessly pursued the ruthless Ivory Thompson gang, tracking their bloody trail to a lawless mining town, Silverton, just north of Durango, Colorado. There, a shadowy outlaw named Red was gathering a crew of the most hardened criminals for a grand heist.

To collect the bounties and secure his retirement, Karl knew he had to be faster, smarter, and more ruthless than Ivory Thompson and his two henchmen. A new identity was his ticket to the big rewards, but fate intervened when he stumbled upon the lifeless body of Thorn T. Hagerman, a former Pinkerton Agent who had been chasing the same outlaws. Thorn’s name was now his to wield.

As the newly christened Thorn T. Hagerman, our protagonist found camaraderie with a group of young lawmen and a charming waitress in a local hotel. But just when the rewards seemed within grasp, chaos erupted in Durango, threatening to unravel everything Thorn had fought for.

Leah Marie and Her Friends

In the times we are living in, we all need to be more aware that we should not be focusing on differences, but rather on how we are alike. All children want to have friends, especially in school. However, some children may worry that they will not be understood in their attempt towards friendship, as they have difficulty communicating.

In this story, Leah Marie, a little girl with Down syndrome who cannot speak clearly, wonders how she will make friends in school. The dilemma is solved when her school celebrates World Down Syndrome Day to help the children better understand how Leah communicates and how they can help her learn.

The moments shared in this book come directly from the experiences of Leah Marie, the great-granddaughter of one of the authors. This book is relatable to all families, caretakers and teachers who struggle to help children realize the many ways they can express their thoughts and feelings.

There is a positive message at the end about creative and unique ways to communicate with others. This is a must-read for a wide audience of those who live with and interact with children of all ages and abilities every day.

Leah Marie and Santa

In the times we are living in, we all need to be more aware that we shouldn’t be focusing on differences, but rather on how we are alike. Most children dream of the magical man in the red suit who visits them with gifts during the holidays in December. However, some children may worry that Santa may not know what they’d like because they have difficulty communicating.

In this story, Leah Marie, a little girl with Down syndrome who can’t speak clearly, wonders whether Santa will know what she wants for Christmas. She solves her dilemma by using her own way of communicating and learns that Santa understands all children.

The moments shared in this book come directly from the experiences of Leah Marie, the great-granddaughter of one of the authors. This book is relatable to all families, caretakers and teachers who struggle to help children realize the many ways they can express their thoughts and feelings.

There is a positive message at the end about creative and unique ways to communicate with others. This is a must-read for a wide audience of those who live with and interact with children of all ages and abilities every day.

Learning How to Let It Go in the Shadow of the Belvedere

Sometimes it becomes difficult for us to recognize the beauty of the forest in its full splendour and diverse grandeur, even though it has always been right in front of us. Our view becomes obscured by the thick, opaque tangle of branches. To overcome this universal challenge for us all, we need to be able to adopt a new perspective. This can come from meeting new people and considering their point of view, or even by putting oneself in an entirely different time and place. In doing so, even the most stubborn and set-in-their ways can be jostled out of their slumber and comforting complacency.

The elements necessary for this process of self-transformation are already in our souls for those who allow them to surface, while for others who are more resistant, a more literal journey can be exactly what is required to shake us loose from our preconceived notions.

Leaving Patriarchy Behind

Can we fight, and win, against an ideology that has been established and practiced for decades? In Leaving Patriarchy Behind, Leticia recounts her father’s disappointment at the birth of each daughter: “After each birth, Papa would turn to Mama and ask, ‘Mama, es un niño?’ But, out of 18 babies, Mama only had four boys.” With some challenging years behind her, Leticia considers the culture that informed her parents’ principles, those she knew she could not accept as her own. She realized from childhood that she was not one to follow the disparate rules set for boys and girls.

In these short vignettes, Leticia Aguilar recalls her life as a child in Mexico in the 1960s and as an adult in America in the ‘70s and beyond. Looking back, she reflects on her struggles as a girl, then a young woman, and the men who told her what she could and could not do. Instead, Leticia turned away from Mexican patriarchy, even as she was criticized and warned of her shortcomings in being independent. In a small mountain community in California where Leticia raised her family, she joined a variety of local organizations where she provided young women with a career, education, and family resources. Leticia’s memoir inspires others to rise above misogyny and racism.

Let Me Tell You a Story

Storytelling has been an art and form of entertainment for many cultures for thousands of years. Every family has their special stories. In this way culture is created and passed down to future generations. The stories in this collection represent five generations of our family. Our family would sit around a dinner table or a campfire and tell and retell these stories from the past. Our family loved the sharing of humor through this special communication. In this way we also shared each other’s lives. My family has asked that I record these so that they will be passed on to future generations so that they might enjoy them as well. All of the stories elicit laughter because of the humor. The stories are organized around themes. The one thing that is constant about the stories is that they are all “true stories”.

Let the Music Play On

Are you someone who revels in the resonance of melodies, whose heart beats to the rhythm of tunes? Embark on a young man’s odyssey through love, tragedy, and the enlivening world of music, underscoring the eternal bond between human emotions and musical notes. This narrative underscores the quintessence of music—it’s not just an art, but a heartbeat that continues to echo through the chambers of our lives, forever.

Discover the profound connection a musician shares with his instrument, akin to a confidant, a companion in joy, and solace in sorrow. As a teenager, our protagonist finds his heartstrings attuned to the chords of a violin accompanist, who not only complements his music but also completes his world. However, fate orchestrates a melancholy melody as he loses her, plunging him into a realm of despondence, detaching him from the music that once defined his existence.

Now adrift in a ‘free-floating’ reality, devoid of the musical notes that colored his world, he confronts the silence that ensues. The narrative strikes a chord, illustrating his journey back to the world, back to the essence of music that once cradled his soul. His path is arduous, but will the crescendo of life play a tune of hope, or will it fade into an adagio of despair? The finale holds an unexpected cadence, leaving you earnestly rooting for the young maestro to rekindle his love for music and share the eloquence of his violin with the world once more.

Stephen’s favourite saying was “When music is played, we all dance together; when music is played, we all listen as one.”

Let's Have a Parade

The countdown begins, and the band strikes to play! Those famous words are announced: "Let's have a parade!" From the lead stars, the highly popular high-kicking Rockettes, and of course, the big guy in red, Santa Claus, we kick off the holiday season down 6th Avenue as people gather in the streets of New York City to give thanks at the infamous Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Let's Move! Let's Talk! Let's Go!

Why this book now? Children sit too much. They sit in silence, hunched over a cell phone, iPad, Kindle, or computer. Their fingers are the only body part moving, and only in repetitive motions—for hours on end. Technology has contributed to children moving their bodies and using their voices less and less. Let’s Move! Let’s Talk! Let’s Go! is an antidote for these current trends and describes games supported by original poetry and illustrations. This book provides easy-to-follow guidelines for the caregiver and child.

Who is qualified to be a leader of the games? Everyone! The game leader does not need to have any special training. The leader can be a teacher, parent, sibling, or babysitter.

Where can the games be played? Everywhere! All the games can be played without any special space or equipment requirements. A living room, basement, recreation room, classroom, or backyard are all useable spaces for playing the games.

Praise for Let’s MOVE! Let’s TALK! Let’s GO!

“This is a welcome book to the children’s market. The integration between movement in body and voice to convey expression is wonderfully accessible. Many texts deal with speech and movement separately; here we are presented with the fullness of both. And, as we are more fragmented via computer technology, this book gives budding learners a chance for clear communication and action.”

– Cheryl Clark, CMA, BMC®, RSME/T, Senior Faculty member at the Laban Institute of Movement Studies, NYC, and on the faculty at the College for Performing Arts at The New School.

“This book is a terrific resource for dance teachers, classroom teachers, music teachers, and families. It is a creative and practical book that provides ideas, teacher prompts, imagery and rhymes to introduce young children to the building blocks of expressive dance and dance-making through the lens of Laban Movement Analysis. Early childhood is a pivotal time for brain and body development and this book is a wonderful addition to the field of dance in early childhood.”

– Deborah Damast MA, Director and Clinical Associate Professor of Dance Education at NYU Steinhardt.

“This book is a useful tool to any pediatric occupational therapy practice. The book captures ways to teach clinicians, parents, and caregivers how to inspire and grow a child’s human potential through the connection to their bodies and emotions. The book’s poetry, games and fundamental use of breath are creative and playful additions to an occupational therapist’s sensory integration toolkit.”

– Carol Battistone, M.A., OTR/L, 29 years in private practice, NYC.