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STOP WHINING; START WINNING

FOR TEACHERS AND COACHES

Heartfelt, powerful, and sincere; should prompt serious reflection by teachers and coaches alike.

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A debut book exhorts teachers to be better coaches—and vice versa.

Retired high school English instructor/basketball coach Anstett intentionally blurs the line between teaching and coaching in an inspirational, instructional manual that takes a holistic view of secondary education. Sections of the unusual, engaging guide alternate between addressing the specific concerns of each group as the author offers plenty of advice to both teachers and coaches. But he reinforces the basic concept of the book repeatedly: “One should teach more on the court and coach more in the classroom.” Early on, Anstett provides a spirited discussion that contrasts “whining” with “winning,” using examples of both students and teachers/coaches to demonstrate the difference. For example, when a student whines about deserving an A, the author notes: “High expectations are fine, as long as the work ethic supports those goals….Deserving can become a toxic mental detour.” He follows this observation with a few key winning strategies for teachers to deal with the notion of “deserving” good grades. This is the kind of no-nonsense, straightforward advice doled out by Anstett throughout the volume. Parents and the role they play in their child’s development do not go unnoticed either. In a “Letter to Parents,” the author presents several ideas, among them: “Discuss your child’s goals—a great conversation for a Sunday evening each week” and “Stay positive about your child’s teachers. Your kids will lean a great deal on your attitude.” There is a fair amount of autobiographical meandering, but it is not without purpose; for the most part, Anstett’s own story is woven in to make salient points about teaching or coaching. Interestingly, the author is always coaching as he writes, whether it’s “eleven ways teachers can instill and excite dedication” or his bulleted list of “Growing ‘Vitamins’ ” that includes such aphorisms as “Never cheat,” “Measure people by the size of their heart,” and “Don’t major in minor things.” At various points in the text, a blank page titled “Your Turn” is inserted to encourage readers to share their own thoughts.

Heartfelt, powerful, and sincere; should prompt serious reflection by teachers and coaches alike.

Pub Date: April 4, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-941478-36-3

Page Count: 298

Publisher: Windy City Publisher

Review Posted Online: Jan. 15, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2018

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THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE

50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Stricter than, say, Bergen Evans or W3 ("disinterested" means impartial — period), Strunk is in the last analysis...

Privately published by Strunk of Cornell in 1918 and revised by his student E. B. White in 1959, that "little book" is back again with more White updatings.

Stricter than, say, Bergen Evans or W3 ("disinterested" means impartial — period), Strunk is in the last analysis (whoops — "A bankrupt expression") a unique guide (which means "without like or equal").

Pub Date: May 15, 1972

ISBN: 0205632645

Page Count: 105

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: Oct. 28, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1972

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NUTCRACKER

This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996

ISBN: 0-15-100227-4

Page Count: 136

Publisher: Harcourt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996

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