How the Moon Regained Her Shape
July 31, 2008 by · 2 Comments
How the Moon Regained Her Shape
by Janet Heller
How the Moon Regained Her Shape is a lovely picture book for children. Author Janet Heller tells the story in the style of a Native American folk tale. The story is about how the Moon loses her confidence. She has to endure taunts and bullying by the sun who tries to convince her that he is superior to her. In the end the moon comes to appreciate herself with the help of her friends, who remind her of her value in their lives.
This book would be great for a child who has experienced being teased at school or for any child really. It will help you discuss the topic of bullying and verbal abuse with your child and the importance of them appreciating themselves for their unique strengths and abilities, instead of in comparison with other kids.
In addition to the story, the book contains fun educational exercises to help your kids learn more about the moon. There are also downloadable and printable tools on the author’s website that can be used to teach the different phases of the moon and more fun facts about our friend, the moon.
Carrie Lauth is a homeschooling mom of 4 http://www.NaturalMomsTalkRadio.com/blog
Woman in Red
July 30, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Woman in Red
by Eileen Goudge
In Woman in Red, Alice Kessler, whose young son is killed by a drunken man in a hit and run accident struggles with overwhelming feelings and gives in to them and attempts to kill the driver, Owen, who took her son’s life. Alice knew Owen was drunk that night.
Try as she might lost a civil suit against Owen not because he wasn’t guilty but because he was a very rich and influential man in the community. Her attempt to kill her son’s killer failed. Owen would remain alive in a wheelchair while Alice served nine long years in prison for her crime.
After serving her time, Alice returns to town to try to reestablish a connection to the son she left behind, Jeremy, who is now sixteen. Colin McGinty, a recoverying alcoholic, and Alice’s new love interest, has his own set of problems. He too returns to town after his grandfather’s death.
Owen is now the town mayor, a crooked one who blackmails others to do his bidding. The past entwines with the telling of a love story between Alice’s grandmother, Eleanor and Colin’s grandfather, William. William, a famous painter painted the Woman in Red (Eleanor) and killed a man (Owen’s grandfather) as he attempted to rape Eleanor. Back in the present, add in Jeremy’s being falsely accused of rape, an ex-huband, Alice opening a restaurant, the discovery of a fifty year old skeleton, an you have quite a book. Both the past and the present story lines are well told and things in the present answer any unanswered questions left behind in the past.
I finally had to put it down at 2:30 in the morning. I’m reading another book by this very same author and she might well end up on my “favorite author’s list.” One thing I might point out is there are quite a f ew typos in the book. Some caused me to pause and re-read in order to determine how it should have read. It’s not often as an avid reader that I find many typos.
Anne is a work at home mom and grandmother with a passion for books and reading. Anytime, anywhere, any topic – Anne is always ready for reading.
The Angel
July 27, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
the Angel
by Carla Neggers
A woman, Keira Sullivan, a folklorist and illustrator, chases the validity of a fairy tale about an ancient statue of a angel that was fought over by three Irish brothers and the fairies. Keira’s mother had gone to Ireland and come home pregnant with her, which adds to Keira’s desire to go.
Of course there is a man who becomes involved, Simon Cahill, and a romance is born as they chase the killer of the woman who told her the original tale (and another man who was trying to warn her not to go to Ireland).
The killer is searching for this same angel of stone. She goes to Ireland briefly, and meets three Irish brothers. She has several close calls but manages to identify and catch the killer, with Simon’s help, of course.
In reading this story, I never felt I was ever told the whole ‘fairy tale’. There are very short snippets here and there in the book, but never the whole story. I kept thinking there’s another book hidden between the lines of what I thought I was missing. There just seemed to be a lot of loose ends. I’ll read more of her stories, but won’t put her on my ‘favorite authors’ list just yet.
Anne Gardner is a work at home mom and grandmother with a passion for books and reading. Anytime, anywhere, any subject, Anne is always ready for reading.
Trash Talk
July 25, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Trash Talk – Save time and money and be kind to the earth
by Dave and Lillian Brummet
Trash Talk by Dave and Lillian Brummet is a guide to saving both time and money through better waste and resource management.
Are you feeling so overwhelmed by disturbing news you hear about the environment every day in the media that you’re ready to give up? Do you think that your efforts to “go green” won’t make any difference?
This book will help get you into action to make changes in your life one at a time. Trash Talk lists hundreds of ways you can lighten your footprint on the earth by making simple, even easy changes to your routine. One cool feature of the book is the list of ways to reuse ordinary household items instead of throwing them away. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand clutter! If I have a resource that helps me figure out how to reuse everyday items instead of letting them sit around or tossing them, that’s a great thing.
The book will help you get inspired and save a lot of money too. The ideas are relatively simple and do not require any special skills or tools
Making the earth a safer, cleaner place starts with our own homes and backyards and can make an impact on our family’s health – both physically and fiscally!
Carrie Lauth is a mom of 4 who writes more “green” and natural product reviews at http://www.naturalmomstalkradio.com/blog/reviews/
Learning To Breath Again
July 23, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
Learning To Breath Again
By Tammy Trent
In Learning to Breath Again, popular Christian recording artist Tammy Trent tells the unforgettable story of her eighteen-year relationship with Trent Lenderink, her high school sweatheart and, later, her husband.
Theirs was a storybook marriage as they worked together to build Tammy’s musical career, which included serval comtemporary Christian number one and top ten hits. Music was the focus of their life and ministry.
Then the unexpected…. while free diving in Jamaica, Trent Failed to return to the surface of the azure waters of the Blue Lagoon. The search began. The next morning, as she struggles to comprhend her inconveivable loss, terrorist attacked America. Suddenly the whole world was turned upside down.
Alone, overwhelmed, and far from home, Tammy found a lifelind of hope connecting her to God’s enduring love and incomprehensible strength.
I seen Tammy Trent for the first time Women of Faith a couple years ago and I have to tell you she is one of the most powerful and amazing Christian Speakers and singers around.
As I read this book, I laughted and I cried. This brought into prospective just how God is always there with you no matter what. God provides for you and just when you think you are all alone God shows and surrounds you with his love.
Tammy makes you realize just how amazing the life you are living is. How to not take things for granted. Tammy really helped me open my eyes to just how wonderful and amazing my husband is and that I should always cherish my husband because we never know what Gods Plan for us has in store for us.
Tammy opens up her heart and lets you into her world of love, and faith. Tammy shows you that no matter little something may seem enjoy it and love it. She helps you realize that your life is not over when you loose someone you love. But instead to she teaches you that you can start breathing again and that every day gets a little bit easier.
I would suggest this Book to you no matter what walk of life you are in right now because Tammy will teach you to learn to breath again.
Review By Tricia Gardner
