Most Popular Books by Tony Johnston

Science Fiction Film examines one of the most enduring and popular genres of Hollywood cinema, suggesting how the science fiction film reflects attitudes toward science, technology, and reason as they have evolved in American culture over the course of the twentieth century. J. P. Telotte provides a survey of science fiction film criticism, emphasizing humanist, psychological, ideological, feminist, and postmodern critiques. He also sketches a history of the genre, from its earliest literary manifestations to the present, while touching on and comparing it to pulp fiction, early television science fiction, and Japanese anim. Telotte offers in-depth readings of three key films: Robocop, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and THX 1138, each of which typifies a particular form of science fiction fantasy. Challenging the boundaries usually seen between high and low culture, literature and film, Science Fiction Film reasserts the central role of fantasy in popular films, even those concerned with reason, science, and technology.

In this whimsical picture book with illustrations by beloved award-winning illustrator Tomie dePaola, the classic Russian Baba Yaga witch story gets an American twist. In Santa Fe, young Manuela finds herself in the cooking pot of Alice Nizzy Nazzy. Can she escape the hungry witch’s clutches? Manuela bravely tries to win her freedom unaware of one important rule: witches don’t like the taste of good children.

Living in the Bloggins School boiler room isn''t glamorous, but that''s life for Martha Snapdragon, daughter of the beleaguered janitor. Life only gets weirder when Martha realizes bizarre events are afoot at the school. There''s the dastardly dealings of evil principal Dr. Klunk and school bully Rufus. There''s the dozen dancing eggs and the misbehaving dragons, property of the mysterious science teacher. And then there''s the strangest thing of all: a giant golden spoon that simply appears one day, stuck in the wall of the school bathroom. Although everyone tries, only Martha is able to extract the spoon from the wall--an act that leads her to a destiny far beyond her meager life in the boiler room. Tony Johnston''s funny, magical story spoofs the legend of The Sword in the Stone—and conveys some poignant truths about teaching, leadership, and the responsibilities we have to one another.

Thanatourism is an important new overview of the growing field. It introduces more rigorous scholarship, new philosophical perspectives and a wealth of empirical material on the contemporary and historical consumption of death with case studies designed to stretch and challenge current discourse.

One of the largest pictorial surveys available contains rare illustrations of jewelry, metalwork, glass ceramics, textiles, architecture, furniture, and other objects. 579 photographs display jewelry by Lalique, Mucha-designed watch, stained glass by Gaudin, interiors by Hohlwein, plus pendants, iron doors, reliefs, flatware, more.

When a young girl''s beloved, exuberant grandfather becomes forgetful, she helps him by singing their favorite song.

Follows the adventures of three bicyclists as they ride through the countryside.

The narrator describes the excitement of having the train pull into the town of Jacksonville, Texas, when he was a boy.

With rollicking rhyme and lots of energy, Johnston shares the story of a chicken on a mission. And at the end there''s a joyful surprise--just right for the Easter holiday. Full color.

A pumpkin shimmering in the moonlight attracts the attention of an owl, a cat, crickets, a witch, and a group of boys and girls, who change it into a scary jack-o-lantern.

A child anticipates the arrival of an old man in red, smelling of pine, spreading crinkling presents late at night.

Eddie''s best friend Sparky saves the day when Eddie''s prized collection of bugs is eaten by one of the exhibits at the school science fair.

The great sculptor Gaston Pompicard creates a snow sculpture for his friends the children, and then later he receives a similar gift from them during the last snow of winter.

An old black man finds a baby abandoned in a dumpster and raises him in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood to know both African American and Mexican American ways.

In this colorful, playful presentation of how letters and words can empower, a delightful rabbit character demonstrates the magic that letters can make.

In Colonial Massachusetts, the ghost of a recently buried farmer haunts his widow''s house after a dog takes one of his bones on a long journey.

Dom and Tom, the iguana brothers, eat flowers, pretend to be dinosaurs, and discover that they can be best friends.

Three episodes in which Odd Jobs does all sorts of jobs, the odder the better.

A boy describes all the things he and his beloved teddy bear do and how some love and care can repair an old, worn bear.

Amber''s mountain is a beautiful but lonely place, until the day Anna arrives, bringing both her friendship and the will to teach Amber how to read. Suddenly, Amber''s world is filled with new magic--and new challenges. But when Anna returns to the city, will Amber be able to keep reading on her own? "Heartwarming".--"Publishers Weekly", starred review. Full color. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.