Two Promising Memoirs: One by Michele Norris of All Things Considered and Condolezza Rice
It’s a crying shame that as a busy mother and business owner that I don’t have time like I used to to simply delve into books at my leisure. I spend so much time working and mothering that books far too often fall to tenth and eleventh place in my priority spectrum. That said, I want to let you know about two upcoming memoirs that just may move up to sixth or even fifth place.
Michele Norris, the beloved host of All Things Considered, has penned a memoir, The Grace of Silence, about race, but in doing her research she unearthed hidden secrets from her own family. It sounds like a great book. In fact, it has been heavily endorsed by Henry Louis Gates, Gwen Ifill, Tom Brokaw, Richard Wolf and Doris Kearns Goodwin. With their recommendations I know it’s good!
And, Condoleeza Rice is back in the limelight with a book about her family, Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family. I have been wondering where in the world she has been hiding. Apparently behind a computer screen like the rest of us.
Review: How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist
How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist: 289 No-Cost Ways to Live a Generous Life by Nicole Boles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It is the annual season of giving and there is no shortage of requests for donations to charitable causes both in our local areas and nationwide. While someone, somewhere is in dire need of help, it seems as though the demand is higher than ever before. People, families, and children less fortunate than us desperately need a helping hand. The sheer numbers are overwhelming to be sure, but there is a lot we can do that does not always entail writing a check.
A new book, How to be an Everyday Philanthropist, has hit book stores just in the nick of time for the giving season. With brilliant strategies and thorough research, Nicole Boles lists a plethora of charities in which you can donate your time and talents and that will make a measurable difference in the lives of those in need.
Reading through How to be an Everyday Philanthropist I was shocked, but delighted, by the types of charities you can volunteer your time to at home like reading documents to the blind over the phone or becoming an e-mentor to a young girl. As a busy mom, these are the types of charities that piqued my interest first and may pique your interest as well.
Giving to charitable causes does not always mean giving money, especially as the economy continues to do scary things to our savings accounts and discretionary income. But there are always ways of giving that utilize our skills and talents that really make a difference in the lives of others and that you can even do at home.
Learn more about charities that can benefit from your skills and devotion in How to be an Everyday Philanthropist by Nicole Boles.
Great Surprises Always Come in Unexpected Packages
A few weeks ago I wrote about how I love Jane Ray’s work. She is a brilliant illustrator of many great children’s books. Last week, she left a comment right here on my blog and my jaw dropped. I love her art. My daughters love her art. I can’t get enough of her illustrations!
If you’re not familiar with Jane Ray, do hop over to her web site and learn more about her. And, do take a peek at the comment she left. This is even further proof why I think she’s a marvelous children’s book illustrator and a fabulous person!
I’m already looking forward to her next book, The Dollhouse Fairy, which comes out next May. Can’t wait!
Four Scary Reads for Halloween
Melissa Jenkins, assistant English Professor at Wake Forest University, suggests four stories that are frightful, yet stellar reads for Halloween. If you’re like my mother, there’s always room for a scary novel.
Jenkins suggests:
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson/Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
“You think that you know these stories, because so many of the details have trickled down into popular culture. So, reading the originals will be a surprise. Frankenstein and Strange Case have been popular for so long because they both ask universal questions about loneliness and guilt and human responsibility.”
Thinner by Steven King
“A truly terrifying tale of a man who begins to lose weight uncontrollably after … an accident.”
Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
“One of the greatest terror books ever written using the power of suggestion to induce fear in the reader.”
The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie
“With 60 novels and 19 plays to choose from, you can’t go wrong.”
And, if you ask me, anything by Toni Morrison will frighten your socks right off. Her fixation with knives, fire, and her characters’ inherent sadness are perfect for a scary Halloween week read.
Lauren Child’s Latest Story: Who Wants to be a Poodle?
Who Wants to Be a Poodle I Don’t by Lauren Child
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lauren Child is a genius children’s book author and illustrator. That is truly a rare gift in the saturated literary world, and a boon to those of us who love well-written stories our children can enjoy.
Known for her Clarice Bean and Charlie and Lola series, Child ventured into another genre of storytelling with a stand-alone book about a poodle who hated being a dog that’s lavished upon. She hated the expensive dog food, puppy salon treatments, doggy manicures and the like. All she wanted to do was jump in puddles, get dirty and chase after newspapers.
Who Wants to be a Poodle? I Don’t is not only a stellar story with a relevant moral, but the illustrations are wonderfully displayed throughout as well.
My youngest daughter, who is a budding artist herself, was drawn to the embossed cover and the art inside, for the illustrations are not simply your run-of-the-mill variety. Child draws her signature illustrations, but uses fabric to decorate everything from expensive dresses and shoes to posh lampshades and opulent floor-length curtains.
Who Wants to be a Poodle? I Don’t is a must-buy for Lauren Child fans and for any parent whose child relishes beautiful and unique illustrations in a children’s book.
Candlewick Press also offers an activity kitfor the book with puzzles, games, and drawing exercises.
Ages 4-8
Impending Empty Nest? New Book Can Help
Although my husband and I are years away from the day when both of our daughters leave home, we know that moment is slowly inching its way towards us. I have to say I’m not looking forward to it, but I do realize it’s a natural progression in life. After all, I eventually flew away from my parents’ nest and I know our daughters will, too.
For those of you who are going through an empty nest now,
there is an uplifting book, Still Going It Alone: Mothering with Faith and Finesse When Children Have Grown, to help you get through the transitional phase of your children leaving home. Michele Howe, a single mom who writes inspirational, faith-based books for single moms, has written Still Going It Alone to help single moms with the empty nest transition from adjusting to a quieter home to the process of considering remarriage.
What I really like about Still Going It Alone are all of the helpful anecdotes from single moms who have gone through empty nest syndrome as well as all of the faith-filled advice for moms. It’s an uplifting book for moms whose children have grown up and out whether they are single or not. Howe provides powerful prayers specific to certain situations and problems that may arise while watching children leave home as well as motivational thoughts of the day that encourage you to think about your situation in clearer terms and put your trust in God rather than yourself.
Board Books for Toddlers Make Early Reading Fun
There is nothing quite as gratifying as giving your children a real love of learning. I’m of the belief that passing on that gift starts as early as when children begin holding books and realizing that the sounds coming out of your mouth actually mean something. Board books are excellent for young children who want to easily grasp books, look at their illustrations, and gaze at symbols that will eventually turn into words.
Candlewick Press has great board book options for young children ages 1-3. Silly Suzy Goose (1) written and illustrated by Petr Horácek familiarizes toddlers with all sorts of animals and the sounds they make. A Little Kitty(2)and A Little Puppy(3) introduces children to the small concept. And finally, The Sleepy Sheep(4) help you teach your child how to count backwards from 10 to 1.
TIP: For excellent advice and recommendations for reading to toddlers visit Reading Milestons on PBS.com.
Candlewick’s New Read-Along Books
I love children’s books and one of my favorite children’s book publishers is Candlewick Press. Candlewick consistently puts together the magic of phenomenal stories with exceptional illustrators. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Candlewick Press book that I didn’t like.
Today I received two audio books from Candlewick’s spring catalog: Think of An Eel and T-Rex. Both intended for an audience of 5-8 year-olds, I let my daughters sit and listen to both books and they loved them equally. Before they listened to Think of An Eel, my youngest asked me what do eels eat, but after listening to the story, she was able to tell me what they eat in detail. I believe because she heard it and read along in a book she will remember the answer to her question far longer than if I had simply told her.
These two read-along books took me back to my elementary days when my teachers would pop in a tape recording of a story and all of us had to read along. Although I’m not quite sure I think my daughters enjoyed Think of An Eel and T-Rex as much as I enjoyed books like them when I was a kid.
Nadia Simone: Age 2 1/2 years
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