November 19th, 2008 by Tammy
By Nicholas Sparks
Logan Thibault, a U.S. Marine, finds a photograph of a beautiful young woman while on one of his three tours of duty in Iraq. After eleven life defying ordeals his buddies believe he has made a pact with the devil. He thinks the photograph is a lucky charm and thus carries it with him always.
Once back in the United States more unfortunate events happen but yet he is spared yet gain. He eventually walks from Colorado to North Carolina in search of this woman to somehow pay her back for being his lucky charm. She's a single mother and Logan finds himself attracted to her.
I was disappointed with this book. After Nicholas Spark's other books I was expecting high romance intertwined with adventure. I kept waiting and waiting and waiting for the excitement. This was a sweet story about their romance blossoming but I thought a book by this author should definitely have some twists and surprises. There was a bit of action but only in the last few chapters. Maybe if I wasn't expecting another "The Notebook" I wouldn't have been disappointed so badly.
Read it and tell me what you think!
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November 19th, 2008 by LaDonna
I love the simplicity of
this book. Simple pictures. Bright. Simple phrases. Repeatable. Clear language. Simple. And then the tactile elements! Although I would not consider them to be very realistic (taking into consideration that I've never actually touched the animals in the book in real life, so that's just an opinion) they do offer a different aspect to the book and a different passage of learning. The book teaches color, texture words, and jungle animals. Easily added to these concepts would be sounds the animals make and shape words.
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November 18th, 2008 by LaDonna
written by Robert J McCarty for their children and grandchildren
illustrated by Stella Mustanoja McCarty
From the back cover: Out in space, on the other side of the sun is the Planet Of The Dogs. This is the story of the first time dogs came to planet earth to teach people about love and to save the farmers of Green Valley from the invasion of the Stone City warriors.
Reading this story reminded me of home. I remember life was busy as missionaries in the north of Canada, but during the summer months things slowed down a little and we would leave the north for the prairies and go camping along the way - between visits and stays with family and friends. Those nights in the campgrounds I remember my dad telling a story that he was making up. The Planet of the Dogs story is familiar - not the story itself but the tone. I liked reading this book.
The description in the book is simple - the terms used and the sentence format. The chapters are easy to read and short. I'm not entirely sure of the target audience but other reviews I read were from 8-12 year old children who really enjoyed the book as well. I would suggest this book for that age group; simple to read with a great story. It is also at this age that the love of something becomes big in the life of a child - love of horses, or dogs or other such animals. This book is great for the dog lovers in your family!
There are two other books in this series although the books in the series do not build on each other and can be read independently of the others. Planet of the Dogs is the first book. The others will also be reviewed here at Sensational Divas Reviews and you can find all three books available for purchase at the website - Planet of the Dogs. This dog-loving husband and wife team also have another site - Barking Planet Children's Books - you might be interested in. They do a lot of great work in their community. Go on over and check them out.
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November 17th, 2008 by Tammy
By Samara O'Shea
When I read this book it made me want to journal again. I haven't in about twenty years! Being a mother of six it is difficult to make the time. I also fear that someone may read it! Now, because of this book, I've come to realize the beauty of opening yourself up onto the page, and how enlightening it is. I’m still nervous about someone reading it though!
This book guides you through exercises that will help you put your thoughts and feeling down on paper. The author features excerpts from the author's journals; including: Anne Frank, Sylvia Plath, Joyce Carol Oates and others.
The book is very sweet and open. Samara O'Shea completely exposed herself and her journal in order to guide us through the process of journaling for ourselves. This is a very good book for anyone who wants to journal or even a gift for a loved one who journals or would like to.
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November 16th, 2008 by LaDonna
by Ann Tillage
From the back cover: Sure Practical Advice you NEVER thought you'd hear!! This book is light-hearted with a little humor about handling and managing motherhood with mild bumps and not large craters. All the other stuff is left to the experts.
This book is like having a conversation with an experienced mother; definitely someone who has been there! I love the conversational tone, the short chapters and the blank pages for taking notes. Being a mom of five, I knew the majority of the information given in the book, but now I have it all in one place and internet links to go with the tidbits of information to further my education. The chapter on rocking a baby was especially insightful. I should have known the link would be related Dr. William Sears and family! I never thought about the conditioning we do to our babies when we rock them. The resources listed throughout the book are compiled at the end in an easy reference section.
Many other reviews have said that this is a must read, should be included in the take home packages given to new moms and that the information is accurate. I concur! Thanks for a well-written, and relaxed approach to the first year!
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November 14th, 2008 by Tammy
By Kate Wharton
This is a delightful Christmas story that focuses on Mrs. Claus’s. We speculate all the way through the book about what on earth Mrs. Claus does while her dear husband is off delivering gifts to boys and girls all over the world.
Doe she stay home to clean up the mess Santa and the Elves left behind? Maybe she reads or plays a game. Maybe she even throws a Jingle Bell Ball? Does she run Claus Enterprises? Perhaps she follows Santa making sure he is safe?
Well whatever she does…I am just glad that she is there for Dear ole Santa!
This is a delightful Santa story. Especially if you are getting tired of the same ole stories! You can also use you imaginations and think up other ways that Dear Mrs. Claus may be occupying her time.
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November 13th, 2008 by Tammy
By: Ron Scotton
Splat the Cat has an extreme case of first day of Cat School jitters! He even tries to hide from the new day. Splat tries every excuse he can think of to get his mom to let him stay home. “I’m having a bad hair day Mom. Maybe I should go to school tomorrow instead?” said Splat. His mom combed his hair. “Purr-fect!” she said.
Splat decides if he has to go he should bring something special, his pet mouse! You heard right Splat the Cat has a pet MOUSE names Seymour. Splat is very, very nervous but Mom leaves him at school with a great big hug.
The teacher is very nice and is explaining all about--guess what--CATS! When lunchtime arrives, Seymour jumps out of the lunchbox and the other classmates begin chasing poor Seymour! All turns out well though and Splat is very glad he came to Cat School today…and very much looking forward to tomorrow!
Splat the Cat is a wonderful book to end those first day of school jitters. Mrs. Wimpydimple’s chalkboard drawings as illustrations are delightful. My girls loved this book!
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November 13th, 2008 by Christi
If you are ready to be in the Christmas Spirit, this is the book for you. Milne paints a wonderful picture of brothers ages 9 and 11. As is typical of my boys the same ages, Christmas is not what it used to be. When believing in Santa and all of the Christmas magic that goes along with him disappears what's left is less than to be desired.
Insert parents that have the best of hearts and have wonderful connections and all of the magic returns. Molar and his brother Aaron find out that all children don't have a happy normal life like they themselves do. With the help from a local doctor they befriend several pediatric patients and help spread Christmas cheer. While trying to help other's they finally get the Christmas present they "never wished for." The true magic of Christmas is revealed along with tears in everyones eyes, including my own. When you think that the magic has settled there is only more to be revealed. This book truly warms your heart and helps you remember what Christmas is all about. This would make a wonderful gift to any reader on your list this year, just add a box of tissues and a sitter for the kids for a few hours and they will be more than happy to read through the magic.
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November 12th, 2008 by LaDonna
This book has so much teaching potential for growing babies. I love that in a baby board book. F
rom wheels to turn (fine motor skills) to counting, colors, shapes, and numbers the author has captured real everyday life in very simple terms for the very young baby. The bright and simple illustrations are not too busy for the youngest child and yet are involved enough to interest even a two year old.
Alexis Barad, Book Reviews, Posts By LaDonna, The World Around Me {Fisher Price} | 1 Comment »
November 12th, 2008 by LaDonna
Being a home birthing mom, I approach such books, especially one written by a male doctor, with skepticism and uncertainty. Dr. Curtis' experience speaks for itself though with over 25 years experience and 5000 plus deliveries! I think this man may know what he is talking about! So, I jumped in with both feet and what a wealth of knowledge I found. Now, I don't agree with everything, by far but the information that I read was well presented and clear albeit medically minded. I learned a lot reading this book.
It would take pages and pages to list all the topics this book covers (this edition alone has 80 new topics added) but I want to list quite a few of them to give you a good idea of what is here:
- pre-pregnancy including both mother-to-be issues and father-to-be issues. diseases - current and continuing. testing, conception help, diet and nutrition, after 35, weight, stress.
- pregnancy topics: gestational diabetes, "body art", relationship issues, teenage pregnancy, depression, itching, stress, answers about fish and shellfish, dreams, testing for breast lumps, placenta answers, bed-rest answers, cancer in pregnancy, multiples, warning signs of complications, placenta abruption, , stress incontinence (why didn't anyone tell me about this???), true vs false labor, pet considerations, nutrition requirements while pregnant and breastfeeding.
- About labor and delivery and after: premature babies, what is labor?, episiotomy (this is still very common), choosing a pediatrician, cesarean deliveries and VBACs, tests during labor, postpartum distress syndrome and baby blues, breech presentation, feeding methods, pain relief in labor, cord blood banking, what to expect at the hospital, newborn tests, going post term (42+ weeks), inducing labor, postpartum bleeding and hemorrhage.
- What happens in the first year after your pregnancy? (Having just had a baby, I found this section particularly interesting.)
- glossary and index
- Dad Tip boxes, pregnancy tip boxes, weight gain chart, sleep tips, eating tips, old wives' tales!, dilatation diagram, packing list.
Each chapter includes the following sections:
- how big is your baby?
- how big are you?
- how your baby is growing and developing
- changes in you
- how your actions affect your baby's development
- your nutrition
- you should also know
- exercise of the week
- a drawing of the baby - size and shape for that week
Although the book is mostly directed to a US audience in its statistics and such, the authors do touch a little on Canada, in two sections: the cost of having a baby and provincial laws and legal documents including life insurance.
I do not feel that the authors gave enough "time" in the book for alternatives to hospital births. Midwifery, doulas, and alternative and complementary medical techniques are also safe and proven ways to give birth. He touches briefly on these issues but doesn't expound on them. For me, that doesn't give a well balanced look at pregnancy and birth. Being that the book is written by a doctor I understand that this is where he is coming from and was not surprised by the fact that he fully supported vaccinations as well. My advice is to get more information on these topics. Educate yourselves further and then make a decision! These are very personal decisions and with more information individual families can make educated choices.
Overall, this book is a wealth of information - some of which I wish I would have had through my pregnancies. (Cervical dilatation chart and weekly exercises are two I wish I had.) I will recommend that my friends and family
read this book in their next pregnancies. I found the text to be uplifting and positive in nature. Other books I have read (another popular pregnancy week by week book) have been focused on the negative aspects of pregnancy and in an already emotional time and state of mind I much prefer the positive spin these authors give pregnancy and birth.
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