For many of us, perfectionism can bring life's most desired rewards. But when the obsessive need for perfection and control gets in the way of our professional and emotional lives, the cost becomes too high. Although many of us appear cool and confident on the outside, inside we are in emotional turmoil, trying to satisfy everyone, attempting to direct the future, and feeling that we are failing. In TOO PERFECT, Dr. Allan Mallinger draws on twenty years of research and observations from his private practice to show how perfectionism can sap energy, complicate even the simplest decisions, and take the enjoyment out of life. For workaholics or neat freaks, for anyone who fears change or making mistakes, needs rigid rules, is excessively frugal or obstinate, TOO PERFECT offers revealing self-tests, fascinating case histories, and practical strategies to help us overcome obsessiveness and reclaim our right to happiness.

Sometimes babies come into our families, and sometimes they are needed back in heaven. Either way, they are a part of our families forever.

Jill walked over and stood next to Sally. She played right before Sally in the recital. "I liked your pieces," Jill said. Sally said, "But I messed up on the second one. It sounded really bad." "Oh, I didn't notice," Jill said. She shrugged, "I made a couple of mistakes too. It's no big deal" Sally thought Jill was just trying to be nice. She couldn't remember Jill every making a mistake when she played. In fact, she made it look so easy all the time. After another sip of punch and a chocolate chip cookie, Sally was ready to leave. She wasn't in a very good mood and most of all she didn't want to face Mrs. Pratt. Sally felt like she had let her down. Sally Sanders is a perfectionist—if can’t she be the best, she feels like a failure. Sally procrastinates, shies away from new things, and constantly compares herself to others, convinced she’s not good enough. With the help of her teachers and mother, Sally learns how to relax and try new things without worrying so much about being the best. She can just be herself, and that is all she needs.

Audisee® eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and sentence highlighting to engage reluctant readers! Josh Higgins has an alien gizmo that lets him think his way to other planets—and he does NOT want to use it. But his sister Maggie won't stop bugging him, so he agrees to an off-world vacation. Josh dreams up a planet full of blue oceans, white beaches, and sunny weather. And he prepares for everything...well, almost. A parade of cranky creatures soon spoils Josh and Maggie's perfect getaway—including a one-horned beast, a sharp-toothed sea princess, and a two-tailed monkey. The planet's locals just can't get along, and Josh and Maggie find themselves caught up in the squabbling. As the Earth kids rush from one danger to another, will they discover a way to keep the peace? Or will Josh and Maggie become prisoners of the not-so-perfect planet?

Book One in the EX Series The Mighty Dragon. Stealth. Gorgon. Regenerator. Cerberus. Zzzap. They were superheroes fighting to make Los Angeles a better place. Then the plague of living death spread. Billions died, civilization fell, and the City of Angels was left a desolate zombie wasteland. But the ex-humans aren’t the only threats the heroes face. Another group is amassing power . . . led by an enemy with the most terrifying ability of all.

A Wandering Duckling: Defying the terrible sense of direction that's kept her from traveling, Amy ships out as a nanny on a Caribbean cruise-and promptly gets lost when they stop on St. Bart's. Now she's stranded without any money-or even a toothbrush! A Two-Faced BeastLocals say that Gaspar, owner of the island's crumbling fortress, is a hideous recluse. They call him La Bete, "The Beast." But when Amy applies for a job at the fort, she meets only his charming assistant, Beaufort. In truth, the two are the same man - billionaire Byron Parks, who's desperately seeking privacy and peace. A Perfect Fairy Tale? Amy aches for the miserable man secluded in the fortress tower. Through e-mail, they begin an imaginative exchange of romantic fantasies. Byron is hopelessly smitten with his sexy storyteller - but will his real-life make-believe ruin their happy ending?

Maisie thinks Kayla is perfect. She’s pretty and thin, has cool clothes, gets good grades, and she’s a star on the soccer field. But is Kayla happy? The more Maisie gets to know Kayla, the more she begins to question whether being perfect is really so wonderful. In Too Perfect, acclaimed speaker and child advocate Trudy Ludwig explores the relentless and destructive drive for perfection, and the freedom that comes from accepting one’s self.