Hooray for Summer - Children's Book Review

Title: Hooray for Summer!

Author/Illustrator: Kazuo Iwamura

Publisher: NorthSouth

Publication Date: April 1, 2010

Length: 32 Pages

Grade Level: Preschool - Kindergarten

About the Author
Kazuo Iwamura was born in Tokyo. Japan. He is one of the most famous picture book artists in Japan. His work has won many awards. He lives in Tochigi, where he founded the Museum for Picture Book Illustrations.

Outdoor Summer Fun
Children love to play outdoors in the summer. Three squirrel siblings are playing outdoors when a sudden thunderstorm interrupts their fun. There is no time to run home, so they find shelter in a cave.

The squirrels discover they are not alone in the cave. A mouse brother and sister are also hiding from the storm. Soon a rabbit joins them.  

They are all very frightened of the thunder, lightning, and rain. Everyone trembles with fear. 

At last, the storm is over and the sky grows brighter. All the animals in the cave rush outside to play with their new "Summer Storm Friends". 

My Thoughts
I can personally relate to this story because I have been caught outside in several sudden Texas thunderstorms. This can be a frightening experience for people of all ages.

Little Molly Mouse was so frightened that she called out for her mother. The author did a good job illustrating the emotion of fear but he also provided safe shelter and the reassurance of the other animals.

Children will probably remember times when they were frightened just like little Molly. This story could lead to discussions on what to do when you are afraid.

The story had a happy ending when the storm passed over and the new friends went back outside to play. The illustrations are very expressive and add value to the story.

This book was first published in Japan in 1986. This is a timeless story that children of many generations will read and enjoy.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

Thank you to NetGalley for a wonderful reading experience.

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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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Meet Me at the Farmers Market

Meet Me at the Farmers Market

Author: Lisa Pelto

Illustrator: Paula S. Wallace

Publisher: Reading is Key Publishing

Publication Date: June 17, 2017

Length: 33 Pages

Suggested Level: Grades PreK - 3





About the Author
Lisa Pelto has been working with authors and small publishers as a publishing consultant and author services provider for over three decades. In Spring and Summer, she opens a booth at Farmers Markets and other festivals, and she loves sharing her authors' books with as many people as possible each weekend. 

It's Fun to Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Learning Objective: Children will be made aware of where to find fruits and vegetables ( grocery store, fruit and vegetable stand, farmers market and garden.)

Seven-year-old Sophia and her mother grab their reusable grocery bags and travel to the farmers market each weekend in the spring, summer and fall. Sophia's mother has a long list of handmade and homegrown items that she wants to purchase.

Sophia loves to meet her friends at the farmers market and explore the many vendor's tables of delicious fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs and meat. 

The market is much more than just a place to buy food. There are musicians entertaining the shoppers, face painting and balloon animals. The children visit "Annie's Treat's" to buy yummy popsicles and ice cream cones to beat the heat.

At the end of the day, Sophia and her mother leave the market with bags full of fresh food that will last them until their next visit.

My Thoughts  
This is an informative and entertaining book about an outing to the farmers market. The market is much more than just a place to buy food. It is also a place to meet friends and have fun. 

The beautiful watercolor illustrations add great value to the text. I read this book on a 7" Kindle e-reader. The formatting is excellent and allows the pictures to be "pulled out" to fill the entire sceen.

There is a large sign at the entrance of the market that says "Support Local". This book introduces children to an alternative to the common grocery store. 
All the food in the farmers market is grown by farmers in close proximity to the market. This guarantees freshness and quality that might not be available at the grocery store.

If you would like take a virtual tour of a farmers market, watch this video on YouTube:
KidVision Pre-KFarmers Market Field Trip.

This is a perfect summer-time selection for young readers.

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book during a special promotion on Amazon.com.

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The Joy Plan - A Book Review

The Joy Plan: How I Took 30 Days to Stop Worrying, Quit Complaining, and Find Ridiculous Happiness

Author: Kaia Roman

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Date of Publication: July 11, 2017

Pages: 321 pages


About the Author
Kaia Roman has a twenty-year background in public relations and marketing. She is currently a Mindfulness Teacher for elementary school students and a regular contributor to numerous mindfulness, happiness, and wellbeing blogs. She lives in Santa Cruz, CA.

Kaia Roman felt down-and-out after her business collapsed.  She was seeking direction in her role as a wife, mother, friend and business woman. She consulted a friend and decided to devote the next 30 days of her life to creating JOY!

Ms. Roman discovered that The Joy Plan was much more than a 30 day project. 
Joy and happiness became a lifestyle that would change her life and the lives of her loved ones.

This is both a memoir and a self-help book for anyone who is seeking joy and a positive lifestyle.

My Thoughts
What is a joy plan and how do you make one?

I think we would all like more joy in our lives. While happiness is a state of mind based on circumstances, joy is an internal feeling that disregards circumstances.

Kaia Roman explained how she started the joy plan by asking a single question; "Does this feel good?" As the author learned to choose positive thoughts and attitudes, her life took a joyful turn. She was attracting positive people and experiences into her life. 

I enjoyed this book very much. Ms. Roman provided a detailed account of the ups and downs that she experienced on her quest for joy. She cited an impressive number of references and resources for further study. There is an excellent discussion guide at the end of the book to be used with a study group or just a review of the reading material.

I am currently taking a MOOC on Positive Psychology at Coursera. The experiences chronicled in this book demonstrate that positive emotions CAN change your life for the better. I applaud Ms. Roman for writing this book and thank her for showing us how to "stop worrying, quit complaining, and find ridiculous happiness."

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUR OF 5

FYI - I received a digital review copy of this book from Net Galley.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below. I will reply to all comments and questions. 

Children's Book Review: Wonderfully Made by Joyce Meyer

Wonderfully Made (Everyday Zoo)

Author: Joyce Meyer

Publisher: Zonderkidz

Date: May 7, 2013

Series: Everyday Zoo


About The Author
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than ninety inspirational books. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences.

Do I Have A Special Talent?
Haley Hippo is excited to learn about the Everyday Zoo's First Annual Talent Show.

Haley's excitement turns to discouragement when she learns that all her friends have unique talents but she can't think of a single thing to do for the talent show.

Haley thinks that God forgot to give her a talent. She tries to do the same talents as her friends, but nothing seems to work. Haley is so disheartened that she believes that she is terrible at everything!

Haley's friends convince her that she DOES have a special talent and she is very grateful that God blessed her with talent and some very good friends.

My Thoughts
Joyce Meyer has been writing inspirational books for adults for many years. This is the third book in her "Everyday Zoo Series" for children.

This book has an important message for children. We all have special talents. The story emphasizes the importance of discovering and appreciating our unique individual talent instead of comparing our abilities to others.

The animal characters in this book are delightful and the color illustrations add value to the text. Children will identify with Haley and her striving to find her own special talent.

This story has a very joyful ending. God has given us all special talents that we can share with others!

Recommended 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 publisher via NetGalley.

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Kindle Books For Kids: BeeWitched by Julia Dweck

Beewitched

Author: Julia Dweck
Illustrator: Aida Sofia Barba

Publisher: KiteReaders

Date: February 28, 2013



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.

Bees Are Nice!
Beetrice adores honey bees. She knows everything there is to know about them. She even slightly resembles a bee with her yellow shirt and her huge black glasses.

One day her school class goes on a field trip to the country. While the rest of her class plays games, Beetrice watches the honey bees hover over the honeysuckle flowers. Beetrice wonders if she would have been better off being born a bee!

With a little help from some magic honey, Beetrice changes into a honey bee and learns that a bee's life is not all fun and games. Beetrice learns that the grass is not greener on the other side of the bee hive.

My Thoughts
Beetrice is a wonderful character. Her green eyes are bee-lightful and she is the local expert on honey bees. Ms. Dweck does a wonderful job  mixing fiction and facts about honey bees in this picture book for children. This story is both educational and entertaining. This author does an awesome job writing "edutaining" books for kids.

Beetrice learns a valuable story about life in this story. She learns that life as a honey bee is not as wonderful and carefree as she imagined. She learns that honey bees work very hard and face many challenges and dangers. She realizes that she still loves bees but she is perfectly content to "bee" a girl.

I read this ebook on my Kindle Fire ereader. Ms. Barba did a beautiful job with the full-screen color illustrations. The landscape orientation makes this ebook a perfect fit for the Kindle.

"BeeWitched" is a great selection for spring reading. Children will love Beetrice and will learn from her experiences. Highly recommended!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I purchased this ebook during a FREE promotion on Amazon.Com. Please check the current price before ordering.

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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

This book is available as a FREE Kindle book at Amazon.Com TODAY! These promotions don't last very long so grab your copy NOW.

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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

This ebook is available as a FREE digital download on Amazon TODAY! These promotions do not last long so check the price before ordering.

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Some Odd Girl September Sketch Challenge

I have admired the digital stamps from Some Odd Girl for a long time, but this is the first time I colored an image and made a card.  I made this card to enter in the Some Odd Girl September Sketch Challenge. I was provided a sketch of a layout to use for this card. This is how I made the card;
(1.) I started with a blank kraft greeting card that measures 4" by 5 1/2".
(2.) I used the patterned paper "Jubilee Pink & Teal Collage" from K & Co. for the background.
(3.) I cut a scalloped oval with a Nestabilities die out of "Tin Roof Two Scoops" Bazzill cardstock. I attached the oval to the background paper.
(4.) I used a piece of "Cherries Jubilee Bazzill Basics Paper" on the lower portion of the card and used a Martha Stewart "Loops" punch for the edge.
(5.) I chose the "50s Kaylee" digital stamp that I received during a giveaway at the Some Odd Girl site a couple of years ago. There are many Kaylee images to choose from on the site.
(6.) I colored the digital stamp with Copic sketch markers and attached it to the front of the card.

(7.) I chose a "friends" sticker to use for the sentiment on the card.

(8.) I embellished the card with some satin ribbon and three flowers that I punched from the "Tin Roof" cardstock.

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Kindle Book For Kids: Katie Sue's First Day Of School

Katie Sue's First Day Of School (A Beautifully Illustrated Rhyming Children's Picture Book)

Author:Kimberly Bennet
Illustrator: Daniela Frongia

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Publication Date: April 6, 2012





About The Author
Kimberly Bennet is the author of four Kindle books for kids on Amazon.

School Days
School bells will soon be ringing and kids will be headed back to school. When I worked as an elementary school librarian, I always looked for a good "first day of school" book to share with students during their first visit to the library. Children love to read about kids who are experiencing similar experiences, feelings and fears. They relate to the characters in the story and realize that there is really nothing to fear.

Katie Sue is getting ready to attend her first day of kindergarten. She is worried that she will have a grumpy teacher, the work will be too hard and she won't like the snacks. Katie Sue's biggest worry is that she will not have any friends. Her mother tells her not to worry because school will be a great place where she can learn and make new friends.

The picture on the cover of the book shows Katie Sue giving a huge "thumbs-up" at the end of her first day of school. She can't wait for another day!

My Thoughts
Katie Sue is a delightful character and the full-page illustrations really make her come to life. I read this book on my Kindle 3 and I was very impressed with the digital formatting. The full-page illustrations alternate with four lines of text on each screen view. The black text is easy to read on the white background and the illustrations are outstanding.

The black-and-white illustrations on my Kindle are clear and bright. Children will not have any problem reading this book on the small screen of the Kindle. I viewed the illustrations in color on my Kindle for PC Application and the colors are bright, cheerful and will be very appealing to children.

The story deals with a problem that many children will relate to...the first day of school jitters. A few of the rhyming patterns in the text are a little rough, but the theme of the story is presented in a very positive and kid-friendly way.

My Rating:  5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received this digital ebook from Amazon.Com when it was offered as a free download. Please check the current price before purchasing.

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Kindle Books For Kids: Franklin Goes To School

Franklin the Turtle has been a much-loved children's book character for many years. He is also a popular star of his own television show. Franklin is now on the Kindle!
Franklin Goes To School, by Paulette Bourgeous, is the classic story of Franklin's first day at school. This book was first published in 1995 and was released as a Kindle ebook in May, 2011.




About the Author
Paulette Bourgeois is best known for creating Franklin the Turtle, the character who appears in picture books illustrated by Toronto native Brenda Clark. The books have sold more than 60 million copies around the world and have been translated into 38 languages. An animated television series, merchandise, DVDs and full-feature movies are based on the character.

The First Day of School
Franklin was going to school for the very first time. He woke up very early and felt like his tummy was "full of jumping frogs".  Franklin's parents walked him to the bus stop and gave him a big hug. Franklin was worried...What if he wasn't smart enough to go to school? Who would be his teacher? Would he have any friends?

When Franklin got to school, his teacher discovered that he was a good artist. Franklin drew pictures, read a book and made a building of blocks. He had a wonderful day at school.

That evening Franklin gave his parents the two pictures he made at school and two big hugs!

A Perfect Story For The First Week of School
I read this story to the students in my school library many, many times. It is a perfect story for the first week of school. All kids are a little nervous when they begin a new school year. This story demonstrates that it is OK to be nervous but school is a friendly place for learning and fun.

This book (and many others in the "Franklin Series") is now available in digital format on the Kindle. I read the book on my Kindle 3 and was very pleased with the formatting and the entire visual experience.

I checked this book out from my public library. The process is very easy and the book is available for a 7 or 14 day period. If you finish the book sooner, you can return it to the library and check-out more digital books. I am very excited about the selection of children's ebooks that are available from the public library. I will writing about more ebooks from the public library over the next few weeks.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Kindle Books for Kids: Snow Man Is My Friend

Snow Man Is My Friend, written and illustrated by Steven Novak, is a poignant picture book about a lonely young boy and his quest for comfort and companionship. The boy is the son of an alcoholic father and an emotionally unavailable mother. He feels alone even when surrounded by others. The snow man understands.

Many children will understand this boy's plight. This is an excellent book to introduce children to the problem of substance abuse in the family.

About the Author
Born in Chicago Illinois, Steven Novak has spent the whole of his life creating. After attending The Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus Ohio for four years he moved to California where he married his wife, Tamara. While working as a freelance illustrator and graphic artist, he produced several successful blogs and began to slowly piece together the story that would eventually become "Forts." His work can be found online at www.novakillustration.com

A Sad and Lonely Boy
This is a story about a boy named Jacob who lives in a dysfunctional family. His father drinks and his mother stays in her room and cries. He feels lonely and hopeless, even when he is surrounded by children at school.

One cold winter night, Jacob runs away from home. He runs through the snowy forest and stops to notice the quietness of the trees and the frozen water in the lake. He is cold but he doesn't mind the cold. He rolls one ball of snow and then another and still another.

Jacob makes a snow man and shares the secrets of his heart with his new best friend. The snow man listens and does not judge. Jacob needed a sympathetic friend and he found one in the most unlikely place.

My Thoughts
I can only think of one word to describe this ebook: SPLENDID!!!
Mr. Novak has done an amazing job portraying the emotions and feelings of the boy in this story. The black-and-white illustrations complement the text and add in-depth emotion to the story. I love the close-up illustration of Jacob's face with such a sad, lonely look. A picture is truly worth a thousand words.

The first word of each line of text is in bold print. I think this adds more drama and emotion to the story. The formatting is very professional and the story has a great flow from text to illustration.

The subject of substance abuse in the family is often swept under the rug. I am very grateful to Mr. Novak for writing this top-notch children's book. I am giving the book a 5 STAR RATING, but I wish I could give it more. Excellent choice for children of all ages.

FYI ~ I ordered this ebook from Amazon.Com when it was offered as a free digital download. Please check the price before ordering.

Pease share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.


Fractured Fairy Tales ~ The Three LIttle Wolves and the Big Bad Pig

I have had a propensity for fairy tales and fractured fairy tales for many years. A "fractured fairy tale" is a fairy tale that has been modified in such a way as to make us laugh at an unexpected characterization, plot development or contrary point of view.

Many fractured fairy tales have been written based on the classic story of "The Three Little Pigs." I recently wrote about "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" by Jon Scieszka.

Today I am going to tell you about another version of "The Three Little Pigs".  "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig", by Eugene Trivizas, tells about three cuddly little wolves and a big bad pig. This book was published in 1993 and is still considered one of the most popular "fractured" versions of "The Three Little Pigs".

About The Author

 Eugene Trivizas is a Greek sociologist and author of children's books.

Three Cuddly Little Wolves

Once upon a time, there were three cuddly little wolves who lived with their mother. One day their mother told them it was time for them to go out into the world and live on their own.

The first wolf built a house of bricks, the second built a house of concrete and the third little wolf built his house with concrete, barbed wire, iron bars, armor plates and heavy metal padlocks.  Wow! What kind of pig could break down these houses?

This pig was very, very bad. He knocked down the brick house with a sledge hammer. He smashed down the concrete house with a pneumatic drill. He BLEW UP the concrete compound with DYNAMITE!

The wolves did not know what to do. They were seriously afraid for their lives. A friendly flamingo just happened to be passing by with a wheelbarrow full of flowers. The wolves decided to build a house with the flowers!

When the big bad pig came to destroy the house of flowers, something very unexpected happened. When he smelled the fragrant scent of the flowers, his heart grew tender and he realized how bad he had been. The wolves invited the pig to live with them, and they lived happily ever after.

My Thoughts

At the end of the story, we can draw the conclusion that the pig was mean because he didn't have any friends. The wolves were worried at first because they thought it might be a trick. They soon realized that the pig had truly changed, so they played with him and invited him into their house.

I have read this book aloud to children dozens of times. It never fails to hold their attention to the very end. The pig needed friendship and acceptance. This is a wonderful lesson for children of all ages.

Click HERE to see "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig" on YouTube.

Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Please Help! We Need "LIKES" On YouTube

My daughter, Cindy Phelps Thomas, works as an assistant manager at a large apartment complex near Houston, Texas.
The company challenged all of it's employees to create a video that features the things they are passionate about outside of work.
Cindy created a poignant video that features her husband, daughter, extended family and friends. She uploaded her video to YouTube and entered the contest.

She recently learned that the WINNER of the contest would be determined by the number of "LIKES" that her video gets on YouTube. The prize is a cash gift that would come in very handy for Christmas shopping. I think Cindy did a fabulous job with this video and I would really, really, really like to see her win. :)

I am asking you to click HERE to watch the video and then press the "LIKE" button to vote for Cindy's video.

You will need to have a YouTube or Google account to vote. These accounts are FREE and it is easy to sign-up.

The contest ends SOON so please vote TODAY!

Thank you so much for your help. Please share your thoughts in the Comments Section below.

Encourage Your Friends

I have been thinking about all the ways that my friends have used Facebook to encourage me. "Encourage" is defined in the Webster's Dictionary is this way; "to give courage or hope to; make feel more confident. To give help to; aid; promote."

How Important Is Encouragement?

The truth is that everything that can be accomplished by showing a person when he's wrong, ten times as much can be accomplished by showing him where he is right. The reason we don't do it so often is that it's more fun to throw a rock through a window than to put in a pane of glass. ~ Robert T. Allen

Our workaday lives are filled with opportunities to bless others. The power of a single glance or an encouraging smile must never be underestimated. ~ G. Richard Rieger

Here are some of my favorite ways to bless others on Facebook;

1. Always remember birthdays. I love the way Facebook helps me remember my friend's birthdays. It just takes a few seconds to post a birthday greeting on a Facebook page. Little things like this really mean a lot.
2. Respond to prayer requests. If a friend asks for prayers, I try to respond to the request. I then take time immediately to pray for the request. Prayer changes things.
3. Comment on pictures and videos. People love to share their experiences with pictures. I really enjoy keeping up with my far-away friends by viewing picutres. If I don't write a comment, I leave a "Like" on the photos so my friend knows that I viewed them.
4. Answer questions. When a friend asks a question, I try to leave an answer. Facebook now allows people to post Polls to quiz their friends on different subjects. I think this is a fun way for people to express their opinions and preferences.
5. Express sympathy. I found the expressions of sympathy that I received when my dad died very comforting. It means so much just to offer a few simple words of condolence.
6. Celebrate. It is so nice to celebrate births, graduations, new jobs and other happy occasions with friends on Facebook. A happy occasion is multiplied when shared with friends.
7. Having a bad day. When my friends are having a bad day, it is a perfect opportunity to post an encouraging comment.  "Hang in there" or "Things will get better" ~ Positive comments can make things better.
8. Personal messages. I no longer try to keep track of email addresses. It is so easy to send personal messages through Facebook. I have used this feature to send messages to people who are not my Facebook friends as well as friends.

I am sure there are many other ways to encourage friends on Facebook. I am reminded of the following children's verse;

Make new friends,

But keep the old.

One is silver

And the other gold.

How do you use Facebook and other social media sites to encourage your friends? Please post your thoughts in the comments section below.