Friday, December 20, 2013

Birds of a feather...



Wonderful little tale about making friends. Ruby is a friendly bird who goes from place to place to politely introduce herself and ask if any bird she meets wants to be her friend. She learns a little bit about each one she meets. Some like to fly, others can't and one bird is not interested in her at all, and while it saddens her, that's perfectly okay. She finally finds a flock of birds exactly like herself. Stead's sparse dialogue gets to the point immediately, that everybody is different. We should not be intimated by those differences, or in fact if someone chooses not to be a friend, we have to move on and find someone who will.. In the end, birds of a feather do not have to flock together, they can flock with a variety of differences and enjoy each other.Lovely book, about breaking the ice, moving on and having confidence in yourself.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Thursday, December 19, 2013

This is IT! The Evolution of Success Philosophy



Important book for our overextended, hectic world filled with impossible deadlines. Jones Loflin and Todd Musig have developed a wonderful guide to harness success and live peaceably with it. Too often we are thrown into situations where we accept too much responsibility or make impossible goals and promises. The authors have identified the problem and have come up with easy rules to bring a spinning life back into control. Fencing in and containing one's world is the first step to restore order. Eliminating negativity and the vacant space that pulls a person off course, creates a direction towards achieving all of one's goals. Employing the four d strategy of delegate, delete, delay and finally do- puts any procrastinator into the right frame of mind. Surrounding yourself with the right kind of help by engaging the important people in your life leads a smoother running machine. The tools they propose are free, available and right at your fingertips. All one has to do is recognize them, adapt them to their purpose to be able to fulfill their dreams and be happy at the same time. I liked this book and think these authors make you realize you can have your cake, eat it too, as long as you take one bite at a time.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Adorable story with a nice lesson thrown in



Hilarious book about a chicken who interrupts his dad when he reads a story at bedtime. He knows all the stories by heart. Even though he's been warned, he's can't help himself by blurting out the entire story. Finally a frustrated Dad tells him to tell him a story and watch what happens. Ironically, the same thing happened to me last week when I sat for the grandkids. Love this little slice of art imitating life. Great illustrations. Entertaining for young and old and a nice little lesson about rudeness thrown in.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Monday, December 16, 2013

Bath time rather than bed time book



Cute book about a ladybug who loses her spots. She enlists her friend Crunch to help find them in time for the big party that night. The reader accompanies them on their search, and the spots turn up exactly where they were supposed to be. Adorable book for a reluctant bather.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Romance at its best!



Josh Elders is a ramshackle earl, misunderstood by his peers, coddled by his servants and adored by the various women in his life. He has a unique ability to see people for who they are and not what society tells him. When his flighty sister goes missing, he travels to her ducal seat to rescue her, becoming involved in all sorts of drama. This is regency romance at its best, with brooding heroes, misplaced love interests and dastardly villains. All ends well in this entertaining and tender romp, filled with romance in all the right places. Best of all, we learn that our earl teaches everyone to believe in themselves. His faith in them gives each character the confidence to be the person they want to be. If you see the good in a person, not not acknowledge the negative, then the world is a much more understanding place. Lovingly written, a fun book to be revisited again and again.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Great problem solving story that allows a child to feel she has an element of control



Adorable little Kate is quite the fashionista. Each morning she has a plan and it doesn't quite match her mother's ideas. Whether her clothes are not suitable for the weather, or the dress is dirty, Kate stubbornly refuses to wear what her mother suggests. The arguments make her late for school and a terrible pattern is developing. Good thing the Dressy Fairy arrives to aide Kate in picking her outfits the night before and then stands guard over them while the moon is out. A perfect solution for both parties and peace is restored to the household. An entertaining book that is that is solution oriented. Kate is allowed her creativity, while her parent's limit the choices and it still ends up being the child's decision. A great way to help both a parent and child solve a problem that could occur in any home in any country.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Monday, December 9, 2013

Fun collection of interesting information



Wonderful book that is both a fun and engaging read. This an interesting collection of facts to tease any group into a great discussion. Connected by the theme of one, the authors take you on a journey of tidbits of information and then expands on it into a more developed level allowing the reader to go into fascinating tangents. From stars, to bees to the Mona Lisa, there is something here for everyone. Certainly, if it sparks a child's interest, they can use this book as a catalyst to go deeper into a subject. A perfect gift, this book can be read over, and over again.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Out of the mouths of babes...



Charming book that packs a powerful message for both parent and child. We live in such complicated times,and the bar keeps rising for all age groups. Emma is a delightful little girl who discovers that with the right circumstances she is capable of doing great things. With her little finger, she creates a canal that diverts water from a puddle and she realizes that by using her brain, she can accomplish much by applying thought into her strategy. While that alone is a terrific lesson for a child, Dr. Shomer shows us how little Emma then uses her lesson to help her mother with a difficult project, reminding us that while we think of ourselves as our children's teachers, we can learn from them as well. A gem of a book than can be enjoyed by all age groups.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Saturday, December 7, 2013

A boy, a cape, and a solution to a problem



Great book about patience and problem solving. Leo goes to sleep an ordinary boy, but when his cat Milkshake awakens him, he turns into a superhero who is an ace at finding the issue and then resolving it. After he discovers a harmless night time visitor in the form of a mouse, Leo works out a way to return him to his family in the bushes. He proves that by using his head, he can entice the intruder and get him safely back into his own territory. A cute story about a boy with brains that match his spirit as well as his determination.

Happy Reading!
Carole P. Roman

Monday, December 2, 2013

Insightful recounting of the Salem Witch trials



Excellent recounting of one of the darkest periods in Colonial history; the Salem Witch Trials. Painstakingly researched, Peni Jo Renner tells the story of one family and how the the witch hunt affected each person. She starts at the beginning, with the first teenage girls afflicted and describes how it travels through the entire community. Whether spawned from ignorance, malice, or jealousy, the accusations spread to affect an entire population. No one was safe, men, women and children were thrown into prison to rot and eventually be hung. Many confessed out of sheer terror, while others self righteously clung to their innocence, to die on the scaffold or in other hideous ways. The pressing death of Giles Corey was retold in horrific detail, as was Dorcas Goods and Rebecca's slow descent into madness. Graphic, realistic, and heart breaking, Renner captures the breakdown of society as neighbors turn against each other, using the laws of God and humanity to punish and destroy without conscience. This is the story of one family who faced the fires of this countries inquisition and emerged to once again find solace in their faith. A great book.

Happy Reading! 
Carole P. Roman