Tag: Literature

Book Review ~ The Lost Mother

On By Susan St.PierreIn Book ReviewsLeave a comment

I have already mentioned that my vacation (last week) was less than wonderful due to relentless heat and humidity, yet, I keep finding wonderful snippets rising, like cream, to the surface of my memory of it.

I read a gripping story while perspiring in a shady spot. This was another of my “browsing for books off of the library shelf” finds. I thoroughly enjoyed this story as I laughed, cried and bit my lip in anger. The sweltering heat and humidity did not exist for me while I was immersed in this tale of hard times for two children during the Great Depression. The overall theme of the powerlessness of children to direct their own lives could be applied to any time period, though, and reminds us that the blessing of family and loved ones is not necessarily afforded to everyone.

The story does have a superb ending after a roller coaster ride that envelopes the reader and makes this book unable to be put down. Just when things couldn’t get worse, they do, in a totally believable way. Not unlike To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lost Mother is told primarily through the vulnerable mind and naive heart of a twelve year old named Thomas. His hopes and sorrows become the reader’s. Tears streaked my face as the story concluded with a few surprises …I intend to read more of Mary Mc Garry Morris’ work.

What Kids Want: An insight For Writers

On By Susan St.PierreIn Keeping Kids Creative, Sideshows5 Comments
English: The Children's Literature Barnstar
English: The Children’s Literature Barnstar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Our upstate New York town where we camp on weekends, has become a ghost town. We’ve watched it lose many businesses over almost twenty years. Our property taxes are higher on our woodland retreat than at our residence in Massachusetts. We have no town maintained road, sewer, water or electricity there BUT the town has a wonderful little library.

There is always a smiling face behind the desk (some folks volunteer their services) and a sign with upcoming events for families. The children’s area is very inviting and the staff display their weekly recommendations for interesting adult reading too.

My granddaughter will be 7 years old in September. On our most resent visit, she was searching for chapter books. Katherine has reading ability appropriate for her age but a desire to move on to books that offer a better ongoing story. There were few to satisfy this appetite. I also found that she preferred hardcover books to soft-bound. Hardcover books represent a better story in her 6-year-old reasoning.

I’m not at the stage in my “writing for children” adventure to produce such a book. I want to offer this accidentally discovered void in children’s literature to folks who may have been unaware of it and could take advantage. It is a critical time for Kat. She has watched the adults in her life use bookmarks and enjoy stories that unfold. Most importantly, she is deeply interested now. As she becomes a more social kid at the ripe ages of 7 and 8, she may move away from reading for fun.

I remember my own search for a better story, at a similar age. I also remember not being able to find “chapter books”  to meet my early needs either. I quickly lost interest and did not return to recreational reading for 20 years.

This is a shout out from a grandmother to those who are looking for a special writing arena yet to be marketed. I believe there’s a consumer group to satisfy with early reader chapter books.

Keeping Kids Creative: Summer Book Club

On By Susan St.PierreIn Keeping Kids Creative10 Comments

With the last day of formal schooling racing toward us, the question of how to entertain the kids and keep them learning arises.

I have a few ideas for activities in my category named “Keeping Kids Creative”.

My mother had a great idea inspired by our own book club meetings. Why not start a Kids Book Club?

There are so many ways a gathering of similar aged kids could be successful.

A few ideas:

  • Offer prizes to those who participate and make the gathering a party-like atmosphere.
  • Have kids write their own stories to share from photo or word prompts. Compile the entries in a homemade book for them to keep.
  • Ask kids to bring and share their favorite books.
  • Offer a book topic, have the kids find a book that reflects the topic, then have a read-a-thon.
  • Give kids a camera and have them print out a photo journal of their vacation trip or a topic of interest. (Walmart prints photo books rather cheaply…check out their photo gift page.)
  • Have a letter writing campaign. Maybe to long-lost relatives or to a children’s book author.
  • Make t-shirts and name your club. Possibly follow one or two specific authors. Contacting that author may be a great idea too. They just might enjoy reaching out to your club.

I’m sure with this germ of an idea, creative parents can come up with others. Consider the cost of the pizza party or photo books, an investment, rather than a burden. When you compare what you spend on day camps, video games and gas running them to other activities, it isn’t much.

Remember parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and mentors: You are the most influential  teachers that your kids will ever have.

Just a thought…have a great summer people!

Any other ideas would be appreciated in my comments. 🙂

Kids Book Review- Mrs. McTats and her Houseful of Cats

On By Susan St.PierreIn Keeping Kids Creative, Kids Book Review8 Comments

I had my granddaughter staying with me this weekend. We went to the local library and chose a few books for her to enjoy. We sat outdoors on a lovely Saturday and enjoyed the warm sun in the company of books.

My favorite of our choices was “Mrs.  Mc Tats and her Houseful of Cats”.

It had rhyming text. THAT always make reading fun. It was also very humorous. THAT also makes reading fun.

The artwork illustrations were very charming and gave the book a lot of character.

Mrs. Mc Tats has a ritual of leaving her cozy cottage each morning to go to market. After choosing  something to bring home for dinner, she repeatedly finds new cats scratching at her door. She welcomes them and names them. As the story develops, she ends up with twenty-five cats all with names starting with consecutive letters of the alphabet. The last letter begins the  name of a surprise 26th visitor at her door.

Katherine enjoyed the repeated sing-song rhyming and surprises. She especially enjoyed the illustrations. She read it almost all by herself, once she became familiar with the rhythm of the story.

As I read my own books, Kat read hers for much of our afternoon. I could tell that being a “reader” was giving her a lot of pleasure. I recommend Mrs. Mc Tats as a great” interest keeper” and a good beginning book for readers of 6 years old. I also recommend being a reader yourself and inspiring this joy in kids through example.

Random Word Story 8~ Being Crazy

On By Susan St.PierreIn Random Word Stories, SideshowsLeave a comment

Random words by creativitygames.net.

bingle…candle…guide…vinegar…ladder

Here’s my story:

It was just a bingle. A bingle …Ha!  Josie hadn’t heard that term since Little League. A bingle wouldn’t have made blood run down her forehead.

She was lying on the bathroom floor with a blood soaked towel on her head. Donna had told her that the collision with the cupboard door had been only a bingle. SHE WASN’T THE ONE BLEEDING TO DEATH.

Josie climbed the vanity like a ladder to get to her feet. Looking up was way too painful so she let the dried droplets on the floor guide her back to the kitchen. When she pushed through the swinging doors, the odor of vinegar stopped her as suddenly as the cupboard had done. A spilled bottle lay at her feet. The place was in shambles. Where was Donna? What had happened?

The last thing she remembers was having their book club meeting. The wine and cheese were both going down very well. She’d stayed up to read the remainder of “The Next Thing On My List” by Jill Smolinski the night before. It was a great read with a poignant message to keep trying new things. Josie never had a concussion before but she doubted that a concussion was on anyone’s list. She giggled at the thought then grabbed her head. Ouch!

“Donna?”

It came out like a whisper.

“Donna, yo Donna!”

The candle on the table was taking its last breath when Donna came in carrying a stack of books.

“Whoa…what happened to you?” Donna clearly had not remembered her “bingle”.

“I walked into the damn cupboard door. THAT’S what.”

“You Okay?”

Josie just waved at her and smiled.

” Better get you cleaned up. This kitchen needs first aid too. Book club is in an hour.”

Josie suddenly realized that her late night read had been the culprit. She’d been exhausted and regretted the Saturday morning book date because of the work load she’d had all week at the office. Wow…she’d hit her head and dreamed up the whole scenario while spending part of the night on the floor.  She sighed and realized that this must be what crazy feels like. Now THAT was a new experience.

Josie shook it off and decided to forget the whole event. She was feeling better and Donna had a way of getting overly concerned.

“So, what book are we reading next, my friend?”

“Oh yeah, it’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Thought feeling crazy would be something new to try.”

Josie laughed and looked at the ceiling, “Let’s hurry and clean this place up. Think it’s too early for wine?”

Power Doesn’t Look Good on Women

On By Susan St.PierreIn Sideshows, Weekend-Contemplating Alone5 Comments

I’ve been wondering why there really haven’t been any exciting women candidates for president. Hillary Clinton was very qualified but “came off” as cold and unfeminine.  Michele Bachmann was an “easy on the eyes” (I know it’s a sexist term but it’s used for both genders.), ball of fire, but came off as a dimwit.

I started to consider the women who impress me most. The qualities that they share are wit and humor. Might we need to turn to comic women in order to fill the presidency?

Erma Bombeck certainly was wise and womanly, with wit. I imagine a President Bombeck offering her best wishes to another world leader over a successful heart transplant. She’d be able to imply, “He was always a heartless creep and this doesn’t change a thing.” while maintaining diplomacy. Americans would love her for the “inside joke” twinkle in her eye.

Yes, I want a funny woman to be president!

All kidding aside, the first woman president of the US will have to come from outside of politics.The political arena just doesn’t produce appealing candidates. Our country isn’t ready for women who appear powerful.  Sorry folks, appearances do matter quite a bit. Getting there is half the battle. I propose a sweep. Let’s search through the Women, Humorist, Writer and Scholar arena for presidential material.

 A woman can carry the sea shell that her 20 month old randomly handed her on his first trip to the beach in the green Ford that she bought for $1,900.00, in 1972, from the neighbor and always know exactly where it is. About time we give her a chance at managing a nation. Lord knows, she already manages everything else.

Join the celebration of International Women’s Day !