South

Welcome to the spooky streets of New Orleans!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms. Did you know that New Orleans cemeteries are built above ground? Or that thousands of visitors each year come to see what ghosts and spirits may appear in these beautiful Cities of the Dead? Can you believe that the ghost of Marie Laveau—the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans—was once seen dancing on a tomb, with a snake wrapped around her? Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see the Big Easy, and have you sleeping with the light on!

First published in 1910, this charming collection of illustrated flower poems animates the eighty-two flowers included in the book. From Crocus to Holly, the flowers are ordered as each would appear throughout the year in a garden. These half-child, half-flower illustrations create a wonderful way for children to see themselves in the natural world.  

In the mid-1800s, wealthy farmers and businessmen began bringing their families to North Carolina’s Outer Banks to escape the blistering inland summer heat.

Soon after, the region’s first hotel was built with accommodations for 200 guests. By the mid-1900s, hotels such as the Carolinian, the Nags Header, and the Arlington as well as smaller motels and cottage courts like Journey’s End, the Sea Foam, and the Cavalier dotted the coastline. Most motels were independent, family-run operations. Many guests returned yearly, reuniting with the motel owners and other visitors. However, by the end of the 20th century, many of these mom-and-pop establishments had become a distant memory, lost to wrecking balls and replaced by large beach houses. This book recalls these hotels and motels and their impact on the Outer Banks and its visitors.

Author Elizabeth Ownley Cooper grew up in Nags Head, where her parents owned the Vacationer Motel from 1964 to 2000. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she is a freelance writer and public relations consultant in Suffolk, Virginia. Most of the images in this book are from the Outer Banks History Center as well as private collections.

Ghost stories from America’s Holy City have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Charleston’s haunted history and local legends come to life—even when the main players are dead. From the dire warnings of the Gray Man of Pawley’s Island, to the long-dead cadets who have never left the original Citadel, this spooky chapter book will keep readers rapt. Dive into suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Ghost stories from Winston-Salem, North Carolina have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of Camel City comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Take a look at the cursed painting that once hung in the Zinzendorf Hotel. Or look for ghosts in the houses that line Poplar Street. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Ghost stories from America’s Hostess City of the South have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

Savannah’s haunted history and local legends come to life—even when the main players are dead. From the legend of Rene Rhondolia to the many spirits who haunt the Sorrel-Weed house, this spooky chapter book will keep readers rapt. Dive into suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Ghost stories from the American South have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of cities across the southeast come to life—even when the main players are dead. Have you heard about the ghosts at the Mayberry Inn in Hot Springs, Arkansas? Their connection to the Inn is so strong—and grisly—they may never check out! Did you know the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia, is haunted by the brother of one of the most infamous men in American history? Do you know the history of the majestic—and haunted—tombs of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans, Louisiana?  Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Ghost stories from Virginia’s Blue Ridge Highlands have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of the highlands comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Visit the Bolling Wilson Hotel in Wytheville to meet its charming elderly ghost. Or head to the Inn at Wise to play with the fun-loving boys whose spirits linger in the halls. Perhaps you’ll spot the ghost horse in Abington as it gallops across the grounds of the Martha Washington Inn! Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

A New Orleans tradition, any time of day.

Celebrate the Big Easy with this collection of fifty classic brunch recipes from legendary restaurants such as Brennan's, Dooky Chase's, and Antoine's. From beignets with cafe au lait to grits and grillades, these recipes sparkle for any occasion. Tips, techniques, and inside secrets accompany each lusciously photographed recipe.

It makes perfect sense that the Big Easy, with its knack for nostalgia as well as its passion for living in the moment and savoring it, would be the home of so many decadent recipes for that most luxurious of meals—brunch. In this gorgeously photographed book, Kit Wohl has compiled fifty recipes from the city’s legendary restaurants and chefs, complete with straightforward instructions for attaining easy elegance any time of the day.

Included are such classics as Grits & Grillades from Feelings Cafe, Huckleberry Pancakes from Commander’s Palace, and Bananas Foster from Brennan’s, as well as more eclectic favorites like Fried Chicken & Waffles from Lüke, Gruyere Biscuits & Ham Creollaise from the Uptowner, and Eggs & Crabmeat Hash from Mr. B’s Bistro. Of course no New Orleans brunch would be complete without some eye openers to accompany the meal like a classic Café Brulot from Antoine’s, a refreshing Pimm’s Cup a la Napoleon House, or an elegant Bellini Baby from Chef Gary Darling.

This addition to the Classics Series provides tips, techniques, escapades, and inspirations from these culinary masters. All recipes are adapted with the nonprofessional cook in mind and all have been home-kitchen tested. Many of the dishes are extremely easy to make while duplicating spectacular recipes from beloved New Orleans chefs and restaurants in your own home. Celebrate the week past and toast the one ahead with a New Orleans’ style celebration—brunch!

Ghost stories from America’s oldest city have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of St. Augustine comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Visit the Castillo de San Marcos to help a headless soldier look for a lost wedding ring. Or spot the ghostly boy dashing among the headstones at Tolomato Cemetery. And if you visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse, beware of the mischievous spirits who have been known to tie visitors’ shoelaces together! Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Go behind the scenes with never before reported stories of intrigue from some of the most colorful characters in Virginia politics over the last half century.

Read about the changes that political figures have brought to the Old Dominion, from Henry Howell's legendary gubernatorial run in the 1970s through 2020's successful battle for Richmond Public Schools against the Dominion Coliseum. Along the way, see how visionaries challenged Virginia to overcome her legacy of segregation and how that history still affects our destiny today.

Hailed by the New York Times as part of "a major revolution in racial politics in America'? for running the groundbreaking campaigns of Governor Doug Wilder, author Paul Goldman has spent decades on the leading edge of Virginia politics.

The Byrd Machine ran Virginia politics for more than half a century.

This political organization rose to power during the era of Jim Crow, wielding power and influence over everything from who got the nod to be governor to how the state maintained racial segregation. Inheriting its tactics from two previous political machines, the Byrd organization operated with a pathological hatred of debt spending, crushing the power of labor unions and forcing its will on Black schoolchildren protesting separate and unequal facilities. The nadir of its era was massive resistance, a move to close public schools rather than integrate them.

Journalist and author Michael Lee Pope details the rise and fall of the last great political machine in Virginia.

Ghost stories from the Scenic City have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of Chattanooga comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Dare to visit Raccoon Mountain Caverns to see if a ghostly night watchman returns for his shift. See the spirits who haunt several area schools. Or explore the Chickamauga Battlefield to learn Civil War history—and perhaps meet the ghosts of fallen soldiers. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Poppy Tooker’s Drag Queen Brunch showcases delicious meals and brunch-time cocktails in some of New Orleans’ most iconic restaurants and courtyards.

Featuring luscious photos of all the dishes (both the ladies and the recipes) by renowned photographer Sam Hanna, the inspiring images are accompanied by light-hearted profiles of fifteen flirtatious queens and their favorite flavors— mouth-watering recipes for classic dishes, new favorites, and thirst quenchers— all designed to enhance the brunch experience. No matter where in the world you live, you can prepare a Crescent City style brunch brimming with fun and tasty treats.

Contributors include Vinsantos Defonte, a prominent voice in the national LGBTQ community and founder of New Orleans Drag Workshop; Wayne Phillips, curator of the Costumes & Textiles and the Carnival Collections of the Louisiana State Musuem; and of course, Poppy Tooker herself, celebrated host of Louisiana Eats!

A percentage of all proceeds is dedicated to CrescentCare (NO/AIDS Task Force).

Mix up a cocktail New Orleans-style. From highfalutin to down home, from Sazeracs to mint juleps, this gorgeous cocktail cookbook offers more than sixty recipes from famous New Orleans establishments and mixologists, along with photographs, history, and narratives. These Crescent City cocktails are easy on the eyes and the taste buds and can be paired with recipes from the Classics Series.

Ghost stories from Tampa, Florida have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of Burlington comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Visit the Oaklawn Cemetery for a glimpse of the ghost of Vincent Martinez de Yeor. Or catch a spectral show at the Tampa Theater. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Ghost stories from the Birthplace of Rock ’n Roll have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!

The haunted history of Memphis comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Come for the blues and barbecue, but stay for the ghosts. Have you heard about the spirits at the Memphis Zoo? Or how about the grisly history surrounding the Grand Carousel? Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.

Tour the nation's capital in this playful and colorful A - Z tour of Washington, DC. "W is for Washington, D.C. offers a fresh perspective on the iconic monuments, landmarks, famous places and fun things to do in D.C with graphic illustrations and whimsical text. From Air Force One to the National Zoo, W is for Washington, D.C. captures the best of Washington, D.C.

The tour includes stops at Rock Creek Park, the Smithsonian Museum, The Washington Monument, cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and ice skating at the National Gallery. There is even a page devoted to Presidential Dogs!

W is for Washington, D.C. is a full-size full-size picture book with gorgeous illustrations printed on premium gloss paper. This Washington, D.C. children's book is a great gift for a native Washingtonian or visitor of any age!