Brenda Farrington

"Tourists travel from miles around to see the trendiest gator in the bayou, but where could she be? Lounging in her chair, polishing her pointy claws, or reading the latest issue of Glamour Gator's magazine? With a love for all things sparkly and bright, Swamp Diva yearns to be beautiful, like she thinks a queen should be. But will glamour and jewels be enough to make this sassy gator a proper queen? Momma Gator doesn't think so... Let this light-hearted story with delightful rhymes and beautiful illustrations carry you to the bayou where Swamp Diva learns to sparkle from inside. Follow along as she discovers that a beautiful character can be seen by all, and is the most important element of style. "

The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were a revolutionary period in the lives of women, and the shifting perceptions of women and their role in society were equally apparent in the courtroom. Women Who Kill Men examines eighteen sensational cases of women on trial for murder from 1870 to 1958. The fascinating details of these murder trials, documented in court records and embellished newspaper coverage, mirrored the changing public image of women. Although murder was clearly outside the norm for standard female behavior, most women and their attorneys relied on gendered stereotypes and language to create their defense and sometimes to leverage their status in a patriarchal system. Those who could successfully dress and act the part of the victim were most often able to win the sympathies of the jury. Gender mattered. And though the norms shifted over time, the press, attorneys, and juries were all informed by contemporary gender stereotypes.

The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were a revolutionary period in the lives of women, and the shifting perceptions of women and their role in society were equally apparent in the courtroom. Women Who Kill Men examines eighteen sensational cases of women on trial for murder from 1870 to 1958. The fascinating details of these murder trials, documented in court records and embellished newspaper coverage, mirrored the changing public image of women. Although murder was clearly outside the norm for standard female behavior, most women and their attorneys relied on gendered stereotypes and language to create their defense and sometimes to leverage their status in a patriarchal system. Those who could successfully dress and act the part of the victim were most often able to win the sympathies of the jury. Gender mattered. And though the norms shifted over time, the press, attorneys, and juries were all informed by contemporary gender stereotypes.

The first of its kind, Learning California History is a dynamic workbook designed to complement any of the standard California history textbooks currently available. Much more than supplementary reading, this innovative teaching and student assessment tool introduces students to basic social science research methods, using carefully designed exercises and historical documents to enhance the reading, research, and writing skills of students of all levels.