Drop: Making Great Decisions - Book Review

Title: Drop: Making Great Decisions; Use Neuroscience to Retrain Your Brain and Make Better Life Choices

Author: Dr. Helen McKibben

Publisher: Feelings Management Press

Publication Date: May 14, 2024

Length: 167 Pages

About the Author
Dr. Helen McKibben's approach to counseling combines the study of the body, the brain, and the connection between them. She created the technique of dropping to the blank screen because she saw two significant, recurring needs in her clients: First, to learn how to manage triggered feelings, and second, to understand why her clients felt the way they did. Dr. McKibben has a doctorate degree in psychology and thirty-five years of clinical work.

New Definition of Self-Esteem
Traditionally, self-esteem has been defined as whether a person likes himself or not. However, Dr. McKibben defines self-esteem as the ability to listen to one's first instinctual thought, feeling, or idea and make independent decisions. High self-esteem allows you to look inward for guidance rather than relying on others to shape your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

This book demonstrates how to use the "Drop to the blank screen" method to pause and respond with how you feel, what you observe, or what you want to do, instead of deferring to others. Developing high self-esteem can transform how you see yourself and how others interact with you. With insights into how self-esteem affects all our decisions, this book offers a comprehensive guide to making better choices in life.

My Thoughts
This book provides a great deal of insight into the importance of self-esteem in our decision-making process. The author provides detailed information on how to "Drop to the blank screen" in the following situations:

• Improve sleep
• Increase self-confidence
• Become a more effective parent
• Enhance athletic performance
• Attract healthier friends and partners
• Heal addictions
• Handle disruptive people

Dropping to the blank screen is more than a simple relaxation or meditation technique. Dr. McKibben teaches us how to respond to people thoughtfully instead of just reacting.  By using memory retrieval and decision-making, the method aims to convert emotions into responses based on high self-esteem and the ability to lead a fulfilling life. 

I have already started using this technique in communication with family members and friends. IT WORKS!!! There are many parts of the book that I will reread and study to use the method most effectively. 

UPDATE: I purchased the audiobook edition of this book on Audible. Dr.McKibben does an excellent job narrating the book and explaining the "Drop" technique. The interviews with clients really come alive in the audiobook. I have been gradually learning this technique and it is making a difference in the way I communicate with others. 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out of 5

FYI - Thank you to Stephanie Barko, the author's publicist, for sending me an Advanced Reading Copy to review.

When You Meet a Dragon - Children's Book

 

Title: When You Meet a Dragon

Author: Tanya Lloyd Kyi

Illustrator: Udayana Lugo

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers

Publication Date: April 16, 2024

Reading/Interest Level - Grades K - 2

About the Author
Tanya Lloyd Kyi is the award-winning author of more than thirty books for children and young adults. 
Udayana Lugo is a self-taught illustrator of mixed heritage. 

It Takes A Village
Things look very bleak when a young girl sees a huge dragon in the sky above her. She knows she can't fight the dragon alone, so she starts recruiting friends, family, and community members to help her. She finds people of all races, ages, and ethnic groups to help fight the dragon. There are even animals that join the fight. 

This is a difficult battle but the girl and her friends do not give up. The dragon eventually grows tired and flies away. The girl knows that the dragon could return, but she also knows that she has nothing to fear.

My Thoughts
This is a wonderful story that spotlights the values of resiliency, perseverance, and courage. The young girl organizes a group of determined people who refuse to give up. I love the diversity of the people in the town. This is my favorite quote;

"You and your friends keep each other going. 'Don't give up,' you say. 'We can't give up!' You say it even when everything is dark. You whisper it when you're scared. You repeat it to anyone who will listen. We won't give up."

 The illustrations are outstanding and add great value to the story. 

The story ends on a positive note because the girl knows she is not alone.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading opportunity.

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

 

Title: Dear Edward; A Novel

Author: Ann Napolitano

Publisher: Dial Press

Publication Date: January 6, 2020

Length: 353 Pages

Read With Jenna - January, 2020

About the Author
Ann Napolitano was the Associate Editor of One Story literary magazine for seven years and received an MFA from New York University. She has taught fiction writing for Brooklyn College's MFA program, New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies, and for Gotham Writers' Workshop.

Tragedy, Resilience, and Hope
This book is about an airplane crash that killed 190 people. There was one young survivor on the plane and his name was Edward Adler. Edward's mother, father, and brother were killed and he was seriously injured.
 The chapters alternate between scenes on the ill-fated airplane and Edward's journey after the wreck.

My Thoughts
In the past, I have not read very many adult fiction books. I tend to choose nonfiction and children's books. In 2024, I have resolved to read at least one adult fiction book each month. I finished reading this book on New Year's Day. I am so happy that I am starting the year with such a wonderful book. I love this book because Edward Adler showed us how to bounce back from an unimaginable tragedy.  He demonstrated courage, resilience, and the power of love. 

Edward developed a friendship with a neighbor girl named Shay. This friendship slowly developed into a lasting love. Edward and Shay discovered hidden bags of letters that were written to Edward by family members of people killed on the airplane. These letters motivated Edward to reach out to others and share his wealth with those in need.

This is my favorite quote in the book. Many years ago I was seriously injured in a head-on car wreck with a drunk driver. This quote speaks to me.

“There was no reason for what happened to you, Eddie. You could have died; you just didn’t. It was dumb luck. Nobody chose you for anything. Which means, truly, that you can do anything.”

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5 

The Power of Empathy - Book Review

Title: The Power of Empathy; Be the Friend You've Always Wanted

Author: Ruth Maille

Illustrator: Prayan Animation Studio

Publisher: BooksGoSocial

Publication Date: October 12, 2023

Length: 36 Pages

Children's Fiction

About the Author
Ruth Maille is the author of the multi-award-winning books in "The Power of…" series. Her interactive books focus on character traits that are essential to social and emotional learning.

Empathy is a Caring SuperPower
Orbit is a storyteller who looks like a walking world globe. He visits the children in a park and tells them about a superpower called EMPATHY. The children learn that empathy means understanding and also caring about how someone else is feeling.

The children also learn why it is important to talk about our emotions. There are both happy and unhappy emotions. 

Before leaving, Orbit reminds the children to be the friend they've always wanted.

My Thoughts
This book is a wonderful story to teach children about empathy. I like the way the characters are a diverse group of different races, nationalities, and children with physical disabilities.

The illustrations are beautiful and add value to the text. 

Empathy is not something that comes naturally to everyone. However, it is a skill that can be developed and improved over time. By practicing empathy, we can improve our emotional intelligence and build more meaningful relationships with others. 

Recommended for children of all ages.

MY RATING: 5 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading opportunity.

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Roosevelt Banks; Good Kid in Training - Children's Book Review

Title: Roosevelt Banks; Good-Kid-in-Training

Author: Laurie Calkhoven

Illustrator: Debbie Palen

Publisher: ONE ELM Books

Publication Date: January 7, 2020

Length: 128 Pages

Recommended for Grades 3 - 5.





About the Author
Laurie Calkhoven is a children's writer and editor living in New York City. She has written many historical children's books, including George Washington: An American Life and Harriet Tubman: Leading the Way to Freedom. You can visit her at lauriecalkhoven.com.

A Good Kid...EXCEPT When He Isn't
Roosevelt Theodore Banks is 10-years-old and in the fourth grade. His little sister's name is Kennedy and his dog's name is Millard Fillmore. Roosevelt's dad is a history professor at a local college and loves to talk about presidential trivia.

Roosevelt is an average kid who likes to have fun with his friends. He has two good friends that he hangs-out with every day after school. When his friend's father plans a thirty-mile bike ride and camping trip, Roosevelt will not be included because he does not have a bike.

The only way Roosevelt will get a new bike and go camping with his friends is to be "good" for two weeks. His parents promise him they will get him a bike if he passes the good kid requirement. That means he can't get in trouble at school and he must help with chores at home. 

Everything seems to go wrong while Roosevelt is trying to act right. There are lots of unexpected twists and turns before the end of the two weeks. Will his behavior be good enough?

My Thoughts
This is a good fast-paced chapter book for middle school readers. Boys will relate to the problems that Roosevelt faces in the story. The humor is outstanding and will have children laughing out loud while reading about some of Roosevelt's escapades.

The primary theme of this story is friendship. It is very important for children this age to be accepted by peers and have loyal friends. Roosevelt has to face rejection when his friends are preparing for the bike ride/camping trip and he no longer has a bike (his bike was wrecked while doing a science fair project).

Roosevelt's parents are supportive and help him resolve a problem that almost costs him the bike. Roosevelt learns that honesty is important in any relationship and taking responsibility for your actions is the best choice for success.

The illustrations add value and humor to the story.

I applaud the author for adding a few historical references to this story. I hope this will make young readers curious enough to head for the library and search for more information about U.S. presidents.

Recommended for students in grades 3 - 5.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI - I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair review from NetGalley.

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Seven Stories of Christmas Love by Leo Buscaglia - A Review

Seven Stories of Christmas Love

By: Leo Buscaglia, PhD

Illustrator: Tom Newsom

Publisher: Slack Incorporated

Date of Publication: June 1, 1987

Length: 110 Pages


About the Author
Felice Leonardo "Leo" Buscaglia PhD, also known as "Dr. Love," was an American author and motivational speaker, and a professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Southern California. His dynamic speaking style was discovered by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and his televised lectures earned great popularity in the 1980s. At one point his talks, always shown during fund raising periods, were the top earners of all PBS programs. Dr. Buscaglia died of a heart attack on June 12, 1998.

The Spirit of Christmas is Love
This book features the following short stories about the author's Christmas memories:

A Christmas Morning Memory - A story about Leo's poor Italian  immigrant family and a lesson in forgiveness and love.

Two Festivals of Light - Leo and his family share Christmas dinner with their new Jewish neighbors.

A Gift of Ravioli - When Leo was a boy, he had a crush on the public librarian. He only had some of his mother's homemade ravioli to give her at Christmas, but that was enough.

The Christmas Story According to Big Matthew - A humorous story about Leo directing the Christmas pageant when he was a young elementary school teacher.

A Santa Suit Does Not a Santa Claus Make - Leo is recruited to be the school Santa Claus when the school custodian fell ill.

No Room at the Inn - Leo shares the Christmas story during a magical trip to Bali on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas That Almost Wasn't - Leo finds himself in the hospital recovering from a heart attack and quintuple heart bypass surgery on Christmas day, 1992. This does not stop him from spreading love to fellow members of the "Open Heart Club."

 My Thoughts
I remember watching Dr. Leo Buscaglia on PBS and reading his books in the 1980s. When I saw this book at the library sale, I was immediately drawn to it. This little book does an amazing job defining the true meaning of Christmas. The author tells how each of the Christmas memories he shared in this book reinforced his beliefs in the value of caring and love.

I can't choose a favorite story from this book...I loved them all. The illustrations are lovely and add value to the stories.

The spirit of Christmas is love. Each of the seven stories in this book emphasized the importance of family, friendship, caring, sharing and love. "Dr. Love" was a great inspiration to all who heard him speak and read his books.

I highly recommend this book to older children and adults. 
It is a short book that packs a mighty punch. You will want to read it each year to remind you of the true meaning of the season.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I found this book on the quarter shelf at a Friends of the Library sale.

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A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe - A Review

A Wish to Be a Christmas Tree

Author: Colleen Monroe

Illustrator: Michael Glen Monroe

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press

Publication Date: December 1, 2011

Length: 32 pages. 


About the Author
This book contains illustrations by wildlife artist Michael Monroe and text from his wife, Colleen Monroe.

A Christmas Wish
An old tree on a Christmas tree farm is disappointed because he has never been chosen to go home with a family and be a decorated Christmas tree. He sees his sisters and brothers, daughters and sons, grandkids and great grandkids picked, one by one.

He is sobbing because he believes his dream has passed him by.

However, unknown to the old tree, he has some grateful friends in the forest. The squirrel finds his branches safe and warm. A cardinal says the tree keeps him safe from the wind.

A white-tale deer says the tree he is needed because he provides him with a soft bed of pine needles to lie down and rest.

The tree learns that he is much more than a Christmas tree to his forest friends. He is needed and appreciated all year long.

My Thoughts
The tree IS NOT too old to have a purpose in life. The animals in the forest let the tree know that he has been loved and appreciated all along. This story is about friendship and letting our loved ones know how much they mean to us. What a wonderful Christmas message! 

This story reminds me of the popular Christmas movie, It's a Wonderful Life. We have no idea how significantly our lives affect others. The old tree thought he was a failure, but he was pleasantly surprised when his friends expressed their heartfelt gratitude.

I read this book on my Kindle and the formatting is very good. The illustrations are outstanding and large enough to see the details. 

I borrowed this ebook from the Prime Reading program available to subscribers of Amazon Prime. This book would make an excellent addition to your child's Kindle e-reader on Christmas morning. 

Highly recommended for children of all ages!

5 STARS OUT OF 5

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Children's Book Review: Nest by Esther Ehrlich

Nest

Author: Esther Ehrlich

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Date: September 9, 2014

Length: 338 Pages



About the Author
Amy Ehrlich is the author of more than thirty books for young readers and is also a winner of The Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award for her novel Joyride, which was also chosen Booklist Choice Best Book of the Decade. She lives on a farm in Northern Vermont with her husband and a great many domestic and agricultural animals.

A Coming Of Age Story
Eleven-year-old Naomi Orenstein is nicknamed “Chirp” because of her love of birds and bird-watching. Her sister Rachel and her father are close, and Chirp enjoys a special bond with her mother, a former dancer. The story is set in 1972 on Cape Cod.

Chirp's mother is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (M.S.) and is severely depressed as a result of her illness. Chirp copes with her mother's illness by spending time alone with her beloved birds and befriending a neighbor boy named Joey.

This is a story about a family dealing with severe hardships. Chirp is a survivor and learns the true meaning of friendship and family.

My Thoughts
This was a very emotional book. It was written for middle school students and it deals with problems that many youngsters have probably been sheltered from. These issues included terminal illness of a parent, child abuse, running away from home and suicide.

I believe the author presented this story in a realistic and sensitive manner. This book will make readers understand and appreciate the meaning of the love and devotion of family and friends.

Chirp learned that bad things happen to good people but life goes on. The story illustrates the grieving process and the emotions that are felt by each of the family members. Love never dies.

Highly recommended for middle school students through adults.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley.

Kindle Books for Kids: Jump! by Julia Dweck

Jump

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Brian Allen

Publisher: Sleepy Sheep Productions

Date: September 1, 2014

Grade Level: PK - 3


About the Author
Julia Dweck writes children's stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle.

"When You Believe In Yourself, You Can Jump With Your Eyes Open."
A timid Jack-In-The-Box toy was frightened and confused when he accidently jumped out of his box. He felt disgraced outside the safety of his familiar box.

As Jack was looking for his box, he met a new friend named Barker. Jack and Barker embarked on many "jumping" adventures. They jumped a skipping rope, they jumped on a trampoline and even jumped out of an airplane!

Jack learned that you must take a leap of faith if you are going to move out of your comfort zone and discover a whole new world.

My Thoughts
"Jump" is a charming and refreshing rhyming picture book for young children. It is published for the Amazon Kindle and the formatting is excellent for young readers. The full-screen horizontal illustrations are colorful, entertaining and humorous. The illustrator did an excellent job portraying the personalities of the characters in this story.

Jack shows children how much fun it can be to get out of everyday routines and take some risks. Life is full of adventures when new faces and places are explored and investigated.

Jack and Barker exhibit a poignant bonding and connection. They bring out the best in each other and have a ton of fun on their journey.

Ms. Dweck provides some valuable teaching tools at the end of the story. There are true facts about amazing jumps, scrambled words from the story and instructions on how to write a simple story using two characters, a setting, a plot and a solution.

"Jump" will entertain, inspire and educate young readers. This book could be used for independent reading or incorporated into a language arts class. It would also be a charming read-aloud selection for pre-school children.  Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI - I borrowed a digital copy of this book with my Amazon Kindle Unlimited membership.

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Childrens Book Review: The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm

The Fourteenth Goldfish

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Date: August 26, 2016

Length: 210 pages

Grade Level: Grades 3 - 7


About the Author
Jennifer Holm is the NY Times bestselling author of three Newbery Honor Books, as well as the co-creator of the Babymouse series (a 2013 Eisner Award Winner) and Squish series, which she collaborates on with her brother Matthew Holm.

Believe In The Possible
Eleven-year-old Ellie has never liked change. She misses fifth grade, her best friend and even her recently departed pet goldfish.

One day a strange boy shows up at her house. He looks a lot like Ellie's grandfather, a scientist who's always been interested in discovering a fountain of youth. Could this teenager really be Grandpa Melvin?

This story explores questions about science, family, friendship, immortality and possibility.

Favorite Quotation
(From the end of Chapter 11)

"I'm proud of you," my grandfather says to me.
"But I didn't get it," I tell him.
He shakes his head. "Scientists fail all the time. You tried. That
is what counts. You have to keep at it just like Marie Curie."
It feels like a compliment.
"What did she do?"
"Marie Curie won a Nobel for her work on radiation."
"Do you think I'll ever win a Nobel?" I ask.
"Of course you will," he says without a second's hesitation.
And I believe him.

My Thoughts
It has been a long time since I have read a fiction book for middle school students. This book was a real joy to read. It deals with the cycle of life in a way that children will understand that growing old is a natural part of life and should not be feared.

The humorous interactions between Ellie and her now teenage Grandpa Melvin are just priceless. Grandpa has the experience and knowledge of a senior citizen but is now living in the body of a teenager. He teaches Ellie to love science and to believe in herself...and the possible.

I think this book will be popular with both girls and boys. It would be a perfect read-aloud selection for middle school classrooms and homeschool environments. I predict this will be another award-winning book for Ms. Holm. Highly Recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from NetGalley.

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Kindle Books For Kids: 14 Days of Valentines by Big Red Balloon

14 Days of Valentines (Big Red Balloon)

Author: Big Red Balloon

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Date: January 27, 2013




About The Author
Big Red Balloon is dedicated in aiding parents and teachers to bring out the best in children. They strive to nurture thoughtful, responsible children by introducing quality, captivating books that will encourage imagination and creativity. 

Mice Are Nice
A charming blue mouse sends his true love (a cute pink mouse) 14 yummy sweets for Valentine's Day.

This story was inspired by the classic "12 Days of Christmas" and can set to music for added enjoyment.

The gifts include cotton candy, lollipops, cakes, gummi drops and much more. Each day the pink mouse receives more sweets from her sweetheart.

The last page of the book features the two mice surrounded by all the gifts that were given in the past 14 days. 

My Thoughts
This book is an excellent book to share with children. I think I would read the story aloud and then invite the children to sing it with me. The full-page color illustrations are perfect for sharing with individuals or a group of children.

The themes of love, generosity and friendship are evident in this story. This is a wonderful book for children of all ages.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

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Kindle Books For Kids: Donuts by Julia Dweck

Donuts

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Adam Duff

Publisher: KiteReaders

Date: September 20, 2012


About The Author
Julia Dweck writes children's stories for digital and traditional publication. Her stories span the spectrum of humor, fantasy, and edutainment in rhyme and in prose. Julia's background in elementary education affords her the opportunity to be in touch with what children want to read about and what makes them giggle.

I have reviewed the following books by Ms. Dweck on this blog;
Cat or Dog for President
Hugo's Cat Circus

Donuts don't grow on trees...or do they?
Merl the Squirrel was alone because all the trees had been cut down and his friends were gone. Merl was searching for something to eat when he found a tiny acorn on the ground.

Merl closed his eyes, held the acorn tight and wished for a tree. Suddenly, a tree sprouted out of the ground. It had long branches but held no nuts for Merl to eat.

Merl guarded the tree from danger, watered it and polished it's leaves each day. One day when he was searching a near-by park for nuts, he met a man sitting on a bench. The man gave Merl a donut and he hurried back to his tree with the treasure.

As Merl ate the donut, an amazing thing happened. Donuts sprouted from the tree branches. The tree was covered with donuts!

Merl learned that living in a donut tree was not always easy, but true happiness came from the love and friendship of his tree.

My Thoughts
Children will love the idea of donuts growing on a tree. They will also realize that it is possible to have too much of a good thing.

Merl loved the tree just for being a tree...that is what friendship is about. Friends are there for each other in good times and bad. This story could also be used to discuss ecology and how Merl had to wish for a tree because all the trees had been cut down.

The color illustrations are absolutely beautiful. I read this book in the landscape orientation on a Kindle Fire HD. Each page had four lines of rhyming text over a full-screen illustration. 

This book will make a wonderful read-aloud for young children. Older children will enjoy this selection for independent reading.  I can't think of a better bedtime treat than a glass of milk, a donut and this book. Recommended for all ages!

My Rating: 5 Stars out of 5

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Kindle Books for Kids: Shoes...Are You My Mate?

Shoes...Are You My Mate?

Authors: Camille Brown and Jennifer Moran
Illustrator: Nurbanu Asena

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Date: December 22, 2012



The Right Mate
Most people need a PAIR of shoes...one for the left foot and one for the right foot.

What if your shoes did not like each other? What if they were always bickering and fighting with each other?

This is the story of two soccer shoes that do not get along. Lefty is a very daring player on the soccer field and he loves to win. Dex is a team player and likes to see tie games because no one loses. They are complete opposites.

One night, Lefty decides to run away to look for a new mate. He meets many different shoes but none of them want to be his mate because they are not soccer shoes. They have no interest in soccer or playing games.

Lefty hears about a shoe down at the practice field who might be looking for a new mate.  Viper is a green snaky-looking shoe who believes winning is the ONLY thing and he will do ANYTHING to win.

Lefty finds himself in a very dangerous situation and is very surprised to see his old mate Dex coming to his rescue!

My Thoughts
This is a very entertaining story that will teach children lessons about friendship, sportsmanship and loyalty.

The dynamic color illustrations are perfect for this story and add real value to the text. Children will love the expressions on the faces of the characters in this story.

There is just enough adventure and suspense in this book to keep children's attention to the very end. Highly recommended as a read-aloud or for silent reading. An excellent selection for children of all ages!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from the authors.

Special Note From The Authors ~ We've scheduled a free promotion on Kindle Jan 19-21, 2013.

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Children's Book Review: Henry's Heart by Charise Harper

Henry's Heart: A Boy, His Heart, and a New Best Friend


Author and Illustrator: Charise Mericle Harper

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Date: November 22, 2011






About The Author
Clarise Mericle Harper has created lots of books for children, including the popular Fashion Kitty series and the Just Grace books.

Facts and Fun
Henry's heart is very chatty. Here are some facts that he shares with us;

• The heart has two parts
• It is mostly muscle.
• The heart is a pump - without it the blood can't move.
• It is about the size of Henry's fist.
• The heart is on the job 24/7 because it can't take a vacation from circulation.

Readers learn about the many ways the heart functions within the body, and how what we see, hear, and feel can directly affect our heart rate.

What happens when Henry falls in love? We learn that a new puppy is just what the doctor orders to get Henry's heart in tip-top shape.

My Thoughts 
I chose this book because this weekend  marks the two year anniversary of my father's death from congestive heart failure (October 14, 2010). I think it is extremely important for children to be educated in the functions of the heart and the things that are necessary for good heart health.

This book teaches us about exercise and eating the right kinds of food. It also confirms that love and positive relationships can influence our heart health. It is very important for children to learn and LIVE the information in this book.

I love the way the author included the lesson of  responsible pet ownership in this book.  I {{{HEART}}} this book and I highly recommend it for children of all ages.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I checked-out this book from the public library.

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Children's Book Review: Stuff by Margie Palatini

Title: Stuff

Author: Margie Palatini
Illustrator: Noah z. Jones
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Date: September 11, 2011

About The Author
Margie Palatini is the author of many outrageously funny books for children. She lives with her family in New Jersey.

Too Much Stuff
Edward had all kinds of stuff.  His house was full of stuff.  His friends no longer came to visit Edward because his house was packed full of his stuff. He wanted to spend time with the stuff instead of his friends.

One day a big truck drove down the street in front of Edward's house and caused it to shake. All the stuff in the house collapsed and trapped Edward inside. He had a tiny space to stay that was surrounded by stuff.

Edward's friends were worried about him. They dug through the stuff in the house and found Edward dazed and alone. Edward finally decided to get rid of the stuff.

Edward's friends helped him clean out his house. They sold, donated and trashed "stuff" until it was all gone. Edward had his house back!

My Thoughts
Is it possible for children to be hoarders?

There has been an abundance of publicity on the subject of hoarding over the past several years. I wrote a book review on the book "Secret Lives of Hoarders" by Matt Paxton last year. Mr. Paxton is the star of the A & E Reality Show "Hoarders".  He believes that compulsive hoarding is a mental disorder.

I believe that children must be taught to organize their stuff. They must learn how to keep the things that are most valuable to them and discard the things that they no longer use.

"Stuff" is an excellent book to share with children of all ages. The story is humorous and fun. Things take a serious turn when Edward chooses his stuff over relationships and experiences with his friends and family.

Life is about choices. This book will teach children that it is nice to have "stuff", but friends and good times are so much nicer. Highly recommended.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I check-out the print version of this book from my local public library.

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Kindle Books For Kids: My Glasses

My Glasses

Author: Jessica Arnold
Illustrator: Jessica Arnold

Publisher: Marquette Press  (June 15, 2012)


About The Author
This is the fifth book written by 13-year-old Jessica Arnold, who became an author at seven years old with her positive story, "I am Good at Lots of Things."

New Glasses
Samantha returns to school as a sixth grader and discovers that there is something unusual going on with her vision. Sentences look blurry causing her to have trouble reading. Her mother makes her an appointment with the eye doctor and she soon learns about what it's like to have glasses for the first time.

Samantha's visit to the optometrist's office is a very pleasant experience. She describes the eye exam and the fun she has picking out a pair of frames. The only bad thing about the visit is that she has to wait several days before she can take her new glasses home.

When she wears the new glasses to school, she is amazed at how much better she can see. Samantha is loving her new glasses UNTIL a girl in her class calls her "Four Eyes" and teases her about the glasses. Samantha cries and takes her glasses off for the rest of the day. She doesn't like being teased.

Samantha's mother helps her "SEE" that she needs to wear the glasses and she does not need a friend that teases her.

My Thoughts 
I got my first pair of glasses when I was in the second grade. I am very near-sighted and it seems like I have been wearing glasses or contact lens for my entire life. I am happy to see a story written about this subject.

Jessica Arnold has written a first-person account about how it feels to get glasses for the first time. She has done an excellent job describing this experience from a child's point-of-view.

I love to see children writing, illustrating and publishing books. The Kindle has opened a wonderful door of opportunity for young writers and artists. This book should make the experience of getting glasses a little easier for children who read this book.

The illustrations are hand-drawn line drawings that are colored with crayons or colored pencils. It appears that the images were cut out and glued onto background paper to make a collage.

I would like to suggest some work on the formatting of this book. The first four illustrations are placed on the page with the text. The rest of the story is shown with no illustrations. The illustrations for the story are then shown at the end of the book. It should be fairly easy to get the text and illustrations together to make an integrated presentation.

Kudos to this young author!!! I hope to see more books from her in the future.

My Rating:  4 Stars Out Of 5

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Children's Book Review and Giveaway: Scribbleville

Scribbleville

Written and Illustrated by Peter Holwitz

Philomel Books, 2005

ISBN: 0-399-24303-8

 

About the Author

Peter Holwitz is a published author and an illustrator of children's books. Some of the published credits of Peter Holwitz include Scribbleville, Stick Kid, and The Big Blue Spot.

Everyone Is The Same In Scribbleville

Scribbleville is a pleasant little town where everyone and everything is scribbled. The people have scribbled houses, scribbled pets and they walk with wiggles. There is not a single straight line in Scribbleville.

One day, a stranger moves into town and Scribbleville is never the same. The newcomer is straight, not scribbled, and drives a big yellow truck that is as straight as a stick. The man builds a perfectly straight house with a white picket fence around the yard. The people in Scribbleville are shocked and upset.

Wherever he went, the people would stare.

"Look at his clothes." "Who cuts his hair?"

"He doesn't fit in. He looks all wrong.

Should someone tell him he doesn't belong?"

The Scribblers shun the newcomer with the straight house and the straight picket fence. Then a woman walks up to the straight man's fence and begins to talk to him. She has a big scribbled smile and a red scribbled dress. They soon become friends. The folks in Scribbleville are furious.

"I admit", she said, as her

scribbled head shook.

"on the outside he's odd, but

that's not where I look."

Children are often the first to accept changes. A youngster in school draws a picture that is part scribble and part straight. A teacher wears a straight tie around his scribbled neck. Soon the kids begin to wear straight lines too.

It's tough to say - to pick one day.

Things never change overnight.

But before too long, what once felt wrong,

Started to feel a bit right.

The stranger isn't strange anymore. He marries the woman in the red scribbled dress. They have two kids...one is scribbled and one is not. Now, Scribbleville is a town where everyone fits in.

My Thoughts

I really like this book. It deals with prejudice, racism, change, acceptance, tolerance and friendship. These are all social issues that children must deal with on a daily basis. This book is written in rhyme and reminds me of the way Dr. Seuss would deal with social issues in a light-hearted manner.

The scribbled illustrations are excellent and children should be encouraged to create their own scribbled drawings. These illustrations really make this book unique and wonderful.

Scribbleville is about accepting other people who are different than the majority. They might be a different race, have a disability or speak with a foreign accent. The world would be a better place if every town would follow the example of Scribbleville. I highly recommend this book for children of all ages.

Book Giveaway

Would you like to have your very own copy of Scribbleville? I found this book at a Friends of the Library sale and would like to pass along my good fortune to one of my blog readers. This is a former library book. The front blank page has been removed and the word "DISCARD" is stamped on the title page and inside the back cover. The name of the library has been marked out.

This book is out-of-print and somewhat difficult to find at a reasonable price.

You must do the following TWO things to enter this contest;

(1.) Leave a COMMENT in the Comments Section of this blog post and include your email address so that I will have a way to contact the winner.

(2.) FOLLOW this blog with Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs.

(3.) Each entrant must be at least 18 years old...Only ONE entry per person.

(4.) This contest is worldwide. I will ship the book via USPS Priority mail at my expense.

I will randomly draw a winner from all the blog comments at noon (Central Time) on Tuesday, May 15. I will email the winner and that person will have 48 hours to respond by sending me their shipping address. If I don't get a reply from the winner, I will choose another name on Friday, May 18. I will announce the winner of the contest on this blog the following week.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.