Michael Arndt

"There are countless books that can teach you the alphabet, but almost none that focus on the tiny designs that run interference among the letterforms: those easily overlooked punctuation and typographic symbols. These symbols, as Michael Arndt proves in this beautiful and endlessly fascinating book, are absolutely indispensable to communication: punctuation turns words into sentences and language into meaning... From commas to semicolons, from slashes to asterisks, from guillemets to octothorpes (named, perhaps, after athlete Jim Thorpe), you’ll never look at punctuation the same way again."—Michael Bierut, partner, Pentagram In this show-stopping guide with more than 75 uniquely designed two-color spreads—a rollicking linguistic ride for fans of Eats, Shoots & Leaves and Just My Type—award-winning graphic designer Michael Arndt explores the typographic origins, names, and shapes of both common punctuation marks and symbols, as well as the proper and diverse usage of each. From the period to the question mark, the semicolon to the em dash, symbols and marks are an integral part of language. In graphically engaging spreads that utilize typography in an innovative way, Snails & Monkey Tails examines the evolution of these mighty linguistic tools—from the punctum, or point, created by an ancient scribe to the guillemet, used most commonly in lieu of quote marks by the French (and named in honor of a typographer Guillaume Le Bé). With verve and insight, Michael Arndt explains their proper usage and how they came to be universally accepted today. Snails & Monkey Tails—Snails (@); Monkey Tails (&)—is packed with intriguing facts, history, stories, and lore, as well as grammar, explaining it clearly and with examples. What is the purpose of the comma—perhaps the most used symbol in the English language—and what are the proper uses of the asterisk? Do quote marks go inside or outside punctuation? What about a quote within a quote—a quote from someone quoting someone else? How much space goes on either side of an ellipsis? What’s the difference between an en-dash and an em-dash? Complete with a listing of useful terms and clear diagrams for creating typographical marks and symbols correctly on both PC and Apple computers, Snails & Monkey Tails is essential for bibliophiles, writers, grammarians, graphic designers, typography enthusiasts, logophiles, and anyone with a passion for the written word.

A Visual Guide to Punctuation & Symbols

Snails & Monkey Tails

An alphabet board book that introduces the ABCs and ROYGBVs in vibrant rainbow colors to engage young eyes and encourage verbal and visual literacy. Glints of rainbow holographic foil make this a truly special book to behold! From Michael Arndt, award-winning graphic designer and author of the M books: see + read board book series, comes rAinbowZ—a new, mesmerizing alphabet and color primer for kids. Introducing a variety of food and objects, all in the colors of the spectrum, rAinbowZ engages young eyes and makes verbal and visual literacy fun. Fascinating for babies, this board book is an exciting, exuberant, and educational tool that can be used over and over again.

rAinbowZ

"Snails & Monkey Tails is a show-stopping guide to the punctuation marks and symbols used in the English language. Perfect for bibliophiles, writers, grammarians, graphic designers, typography freaks, logophiles, and anyone with a passion for the written word, this rollicking linguistic ride by award-winning graphic designer Michael Arndt is a beautifully designed volume-with more than 75 uniquely designed eye-catching red, white, and black spreads-that explores both the typographic origins, names, and shapes of punctuation and symbols and covers the proper and diverse usage of each"--

A Primer of Punctuation and Symbols

Snails and Monkey Tails

The first in a new series of "see + read M books" presenting eye-catching, creative designs, and die-cut pages to teach children colors, caring, and other golden rule lessons in this bright and beautiful board book. There’s no better way to share love and learning with your little one than time spent on your lap with a colorful book. My Heart Grows illustrates the wonderful ways to give and receive love, from hugging and playing to sharing and helping, all while watching the book’s heart grow!

My Heart Grows

The second in a new series of "look + learn M books" presenting eye-catching, creative designs, and die-cut pages to teach children colors, counting, and caring, in this beautiful board book. There’s no better way to share love and learning with your little one than time spent on your lap with a colorful, interactive board book. One Yellow Sun helps introduce little ones to numbers, colors, and sizes, using vibrant colors and smart die-cuts. There’s a surprise activity at the end!

One Yellow Sun

Simon Beaufoy

Danny Boyle

Diablo Cody

The Newmarket Shooting Script® Sets offer a value-priced opportunity for screenplay lovers to build their collection. Each book within the set includes a facsimile of the film’s actual shooting script, plus exclusive extras, such as introductions by or interviews with the filmmakers, notes on the film’s production, selected movie stills, and complete cast and crew credits. SCREENWRITER’S AWARD-WINNER SET, COLLECTION 7 (Three Volumes) Slumdog Millionaire, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine Slumdog Millionaire: Academy Award® winner for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Features foreword by screenwriter Simon Beaufoy, introduction by and Q & A with director Danny Boyle, and full-color photo section. Juno: Academy Award® winner for Best Original Screenplay. Features introduction by screenwriter Diablo Cody, foreword by director Jason Reitman, and full-color photo section. Little Miss Sunshine: Academy Award® winner for Best Original Screenplay. Features notes by screenwriter Michael Arndt, foreword by directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, humorous essay "How to Write a Sundance Hit in Nine Easy Steps," and full-color photo section.

Michael Arndt

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