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3.5 - didn't like the beginning of the book and ultimately thought it wasn't even needed for the story but the rest of the book sailed along nicely. The moral of the book is something big in our lives anyway so this was right up our alley. I've urged Julia many times to think of others before herself, to go out of her way for someone else, to give up what she has for someone who doesn't have much. She's beginning to do small things on her own, which at 5 years old is awesome, but we can all use help with that sort of thing if you ask me. So I was pleased with the meaning in this Stephen's Feast. After the short beginning that I didn't care for (Julia seemed to be okay with it), Stephen goes to talk to the King after being summoned. The King points out a man walking in the courtyard to Stephen, asks who he is and after Stephen tells him it's a poor man the King tells him to get ready, that they're going to give him a surprise. Stephen grumbles the whole time he's getting ready, this isn't how he planned on spending the day, why can't someone else go, etc. He grabs his most prized possession, his hunting knife, on the way out. Stephen and the King, by themselves trudge through knee high snow, in a storm, the King carrying a giant bag and Stephen pulling a sled. The King has to give Stephen some nudging along the way when he starts to get overwhelmed and they press on. When they arrive at the poor mans house everything is very laidback and relaxed. The family doesn't recognize the King as he isn't acting very Kingly (or is he?) and they all sit down to a meal together. In the midst of all of this Stephen catches the oldest boy looking at his hunting knife. After they've eaten all they wanted, chatted and relaxed the King and Stephen take their leave but... before Stephen gets too far into the woods he sneaks back to the little cottage and lays his prized hunting knife next to the sleeping boy. Any adult could have seen what was coming a mile away of course

I don't know that this actually "counts" as 'photography' but I'm listing it there for us for our own reasons. That I can't articulate. :) Sooo... we saw the movie last week! Rented it from RedBox and went straight home to watch it. I personally could have done with more Winter, less everyone else but it's a good movie. I wish I knew exactly how much was exactly true but I suppose it's not as important as I tend to think sometimes. I like to know which details are true and which are the idea of someone behind the movie (book/whatever). The photos of Winter are magnificent. This is a dolphin that, in another day and time, or even in this day and time, with a lesser person involved, we wouldn't be seeing. Yet we're not only seeing Winter, we're watching her swim and play, make friends, animal and human, and love. If that's not amazing I don't know what is. I can't remember a book ever making me seriously plan a trip but after seeing the movie, reading this book and visiting the website (I'll link at the end) we have to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. There is no doubt in my mind that I have to take my daughter there. She deserves to see Winter with her own eyes. Imagine what Winter has done and is doing for kids - and adults - all over this world! Kids who have been made fun of for a defect of whatever kind, kids who are scared or lonely. We don't give animals enough credit. I said this just a few minutes ago in reference to the people who helped Tarra and Bella (see Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends) but it's proves true again. These are the people we should be seeing on t.v. and reading more about. These people are the ones I'll buy a magazine for. These are the people who deserve to be idolized. Not Jay-Z and Lady BlahBlah. Not any football player or Tiger Woods or Danica Patrick. I wish people would use their heads more. I'm using mine at the moment and I'll die happy if Julia ends up happy, doing something she loves wit

When my wife and I were dating for about a month, she got me this book. Don't start laughing, I am a big kid, but that was not a reason, why she did that. My wife had this book for a while and she kept on reading it to her daughter every chance she got. Her thought of me reading the book had a different meaning and she decided to get me a copy of my own. When I got the book, there was a message inside cover, which was a quote from my wife to me: Dedicated to Jake. This book holds a gigantic meaning, put into simple words, for children to understand, because their innocence permits them to see things as they are. When you turn each page, remember that each sentence has a hidden message in it. Love Alla Of course I was happy to get a present and such a beautiful message, from the girl I have recently met, but the book did have a meaning beyond belief. About the book The book is about a boy who comes to visit the tree. Tree gives the boy a fruit, leafs, shade and lets the boy play around it. The boy is starting to get older and the tree is trying to offer the boy some of the things he needed, when he was small. The boy stops playing in his busy life and the tree is trying to offer things, which the boy might need. When the boy needs money, the tree offers all of its fruit. The boy needs a house, the tree offers its branches. The boy needs a boat to sail away, the tree offers its trunk. When the boy gets older and the tree has nothing else to offer, the boy says I am to old, and the tree lets him sit and rest on it's stump. And every time the tree was happy. The meaning behind the book First of all, the book teaching of the gift without regret. When we offer a favor to someone, do we always want something in return or do we do something out of our generosity. It is very important for the child to understand that sometimes we can not expect things in return, just because we offered help or a favor to a person. Yes, the child can misunderstand of c

The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) mascarades as children's story, but its message should be heeded by adults. The narrator meets a curious young "prince" who tells of his journey to Earth and many encounters along the way. This classic oozes with metaphors on the human condition, the challenges and joys of life, and the strangeness of the adult world. How it resonates with me (with quotes from The Little Prince): 1. As we grow older, we sometimes forget we have an imagination. "As a result of which I have been in touch, throughout my life, with all kinds of serious people. I have spent a lot of time with grown-ups. I have seen them at very close quarters which I'm afraid has not greatly enhanced my opinion of them." The young prince laughs at the nature of adults and their need to rationalize everything with facts and figures instead of feel with imagination and heart. Unless we live and work in a world of creativity and art, it's easy to lose our sense of imagination. After 5 years of studying engineering at Georgia Tech and 5 more years working as a very logical and analytical consultant, I wasn't exactly living a life driven by creativity. I've come to believe that at our core, we are creative beings. We have an inherent need to create. One of my goals on this journey was to rediscover that dormant side of me. Through writing, photography, videography, and a whole lot of philosophizing, I now confidently proclaim: 'I am creative.' You may not think you are creative. But think back. Waaaay back. Did you ever make up ridiculous games as child? Ever imagine you were in a distant world battling fictitious enemies? Maybe build pillow and blanket forts that transported you to a new kingdom? How fun was that? That's how fun rediscovering your imagination can be. Just because we're older does not mean imagination needs to die. 2. How you see the world defines your world. "'What! You dropped down from the sky?' 'Yes,' I replied modestly. 'Oh! That is

Imaginative, unique and impossible to put down, Wacko Academy by Faith Wilkins is a story not-to-be-missed by young readers as well as adults. Okay, I must admit that when I heard Ms. Wilkins wrote this at the age of fourteen, I was beyond intrigued. I also knew that I had to read her story. Settling in, I began reading with no expectations or idea of what was in store. Once I began reading, I did not want to stop. Ms. Wilkins draws the reader in from the very beginning and holds them enthralled until the final word is read. Yes, it is that good. Wacko Academy is the first in a series titled, appropriately "Wacko Academy". In this story, we meet Lily Mason who is an incredibly intelligent eighth grader with friends and a fairly normal life. Enter a new and handsome young boy, Dustin. Dustin pays particularly close attention to Lily and they soon become friends. However, what Lily doesn't know is that Dustin is the son of a twisted man who owns Wackerson (aka Wacko) Academy and it is his job to befriend Lily, get her to trust him and bring her to the Academy. Once Lily realizes she has been kidnapped, her entire world turns upside down and she bears witness to horrors unlike anything she has ever seen before. Wacko is a prison - once you are there, you cannot leave - ever. Complete with boot camps, educational instructions, "perfect" meals, it is almost as though the idea of Wacko is to turn children into robotic Stepford children - only that would be a kindness compared to what really is going on. Faith Wilkins displays an excellent and incredible talent for weaving a story which flows smoothly and vividly draws the reader in. Her writing voice is one of maturity, yet age appropriate to draw Middle Grade readers in with the slang and vices of that age group. That is not to say that older readers will not love Wacko Academy as well - I know I loved it and I am thirty-eight. I am anxious to share this book with my ten-year-old daughter as well. With summer app

Story Summary : Tom T's Hat Rack is a delightful story about a lovely little girl called Shelby. Shelby's parents work in the local hospital, so as a result her wonderful neighbours Mr. and Mrs. T adopt her like she is their grandchild. Shelby, loves Mr. and Mrs.T so when Mr.T finds out he has cancer, Shelby is right by his side. She visits with Mr.T, accompanies him on medical appointments and does her best to keep him in good spirits. Summer is approaching and Shelby's teacher knows that she will be teaching Shelby and her friends again the next year so she gives them a little homework assignment. To write a story about something they did during the summer that will change their lives for the better. While Shelby's school friends are taking trips and visiting relatives, Shelby is excited to stay home, as she will be be spending her days with Mr and Mrs T. Mr.T decides to ask Shelby to help him with a little project over summer so they set to work. Buying the supplies from the hardware, sanding the wood and painting it and all the while Shelby works very hard without complaint. It comes time to put the project together and Mr T. explains that when he was having his cancer treatment, all his hair fell out and he wished he had a hat to cover it. They put their project together and Shelby realises that they have built 12 hat racks for the hospital for people to borrow hat's during their treatment. They present the hat racks to the hospital and Shelby hits on an even better idea. She decides that hats are mainly for boys, so her and Mr T. set about to build a rack of scalves for the girls. She even donates her pocket money to help buy some scarves to put on the rack. Summer draws to an end and Shelby returns to school to submit her homework. She writes about her time with Mr and Mrs T. and their project for the patients in the cancer ward at the hospital. Her teacher is delighted and Shelby's homework it given pride of place on the school noticeboard, with a mess

We journey back to the land of Pen Pieyu, with the delightful Sir Princess Petra. I really like that Ms Robinson took the time to familiarise a new reader with Petra's antics from book 1. There have been many celebrations since Petra's momentous taming the fire breathing dragon Snarls, who subsequently has become the Royal Barbeque expert. I love it. he he. But once again our brave Petra finds herself up against the Royal Rule Book. The kind and queen in a desperate attempt to rid their young princess of all this silly Knightlyness, decree that Petra must obtain a talent from the Land Of Lost Donkeys. Well, Petra is not perturbed. Off she goes and along her journey she is challenged by a knight with quite the penchant for pink. He is very intent on preventing her from obtaining her talent certificate. Why, I can not tell you, but it is quite hilarious. The delightful Petra always finds a way to befriend her foes and the odd pink knight, whom is called Prince Duce Crablips accompanies her to Talent School. There King Asterman does his best to get Petra to do some very silly talents like Etiquette, or Crochet, or Fainting Fast, or Cloak Sewing or worst of all in our fiercely independent princess's opinion, Preparing To Be Engaged School. Yuk! (That was from Petra not me he he) But Petra can't be hoodwinked the way everyone who encounters Bograt the Bogwitch is. No Petra will not have a bar of all those other silly things, she wants to attend Writing School. Petra sets to work and with her vivid imagination she writes a most excellent poem. Only after 100 pulled faces, does King Asterman ascends to give her her Writing Certificate. Hurrah, Petra has obtained her talent, but on the way, the adventure in her spirit rears up and Petra convinces Prince Duce and Snarls to accompany her into The Vast Wilderness. There they meet the furry Ganutes, who reveal to Petra that she is in fact not the first to venture into their lands. The irrepressive Bograt The Bogwitc

Did you find this review helpful? Find more of my reviews at Pop! Goes The Reader! "...Gladys knew one thing for sure: Today would not be remembered as the day she proved what a great cook she was and earned more kitchen privileges. No, today would forever be the day Gladys Gatsby set the house on fire...and, if her family survived, the day she got into a great, big, fat amount of trouble." Move over, Julia Child! Here comes eleven year old Gladys Gatsby, a precocious wunderkind who promises to take the culinary world by storm. At least, she could if only her parents were willing to buy her the mini torch and other assorted supplies any burgeoning chef might need. Alas, Gladys' parents have little appreciation for the epicurean arts and would much rather sample the rather dubious selections at Sticky Burger and Fred's Fried Fowl than any of the delicacies Gladys has been whipping up in the kitchen. Forced to keep her cooking a secret but happy nonetheless, everything is going swimmingly for Gladys until one little mishap while making creme brulee threatens to take away everything she holds dear. Who could have guessed that the kitchen curtains weren't flame retardant? Soon, Gladys is forbidden by her parents from so much as entering the kitchen. There will be no more cooking, no cookbooks, and no cooking TV shows in Gladys' future for the next six months! All hope appears to be lost until Gladys' new teacher, Ms. Quincy, challenges their sixth grade class to write an essay detailing what they believe their future might hold. Coincidentally, this assignment coincides with the New York Standard's student essay contest topic, "My Future". The best essay from each class will be chosen and submitted to the newspaper, with the winning piece published and the winner awarded an impressive five-hundred-dollar cash prize. One administrative mistake and a disastrous hot chocolate incident later, however, and Gladys' essay lands on the desk of none other than Fiona Ingletho