Win Free Books on Facebook and Twitter from WaterBrook Multnomah


Three Easy Ways to Win Free Books!
From Your Friends @ WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers
Follow WaterBrook on Twitter 1) Follow @WaterBrookPress on Twitter and then tweet:"@waterbrookpress - I want to read BOOK NAME by AUTHOR NAME http://j.mp/DDH5f"
We'll watch for your tweets and direct message (DM) you on Twitter if you've won. We choose winners all the time - so be sure to enter as much as you'd like!
Follow WaterBrook on Facebook 2) Follow WaterBrook Multnomah on Facebook and then simply post..."I want to read BOOK NAME by AUTHOR NAME"
...in the comment box on the WaterBrook Multnomah fan page. We'll choose dozens of lucky winners in the next few days!
Win on WaterBrook Multnomah 3) Visit our contest page and tell us which book you want to win. In the "Contest Code" box enter contest code "WinABook" and then in the "Notes" section tell us which book you want to win. We'll choose 12 winners at random and send them a free book! View our latest titles here.
 Churches, ministries, small groups & organizations - remember, you always save 30% and get free standard shipping on every order ($200 minimum order required) - visit www.WaterBrookMultnomah.com/Churches to order and save today!

 It's true I review for WaterBrook Multnomah Publishers. I have received many wonderful books from them and I'm very pleased with their book selections. I hope you win some free books!

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Most Popular Book at my Library: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Dear Readers,


I recently read that there are two new movies this month based on popular kids books: "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." Has anyone read these books before? Well, when  I went to our local library I had asked the librarian what was the most popular book checked out in the children's section and she said, "That would have to be The Diary of  a Wimpy Kid!"

'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'

Unlike "Dragon," this film is more true to the plot of the original book, which follows Greg Heffley and his new life in middle school. In the movie, as Greg walks through his new school, he can't get over what it looks like: Half the kids are small and childlike, and half are "monsters who need to shave twice a day."
The movie, like Jeff Kinney's laugh-out-loud book, explores Greg's antics with his best friend, Rowley, and what happens when they fight and aren't friends anymore. Many of the characters are the same, too, including Fregley, Angie, and Rodrick. Even some of the dialogue is drawn directly from the book, which will make the movie especially enjoyable for fans who can't get enough of the "Wimpy Kid" series.
Kids will probably recognize a lot about their own lives in the film, said Alex Ferris, a 12-year-old actor from Canada who plays Collin. (You may remember that Collin competes with Greg to be Rowley's best friend.) There are so many characters that "remind me of so many people at my school," Alex said.
In fact, the whole movie, in theaters now, is so child-focused that making the film was different from any project he had done. "One day at lunch the producers went to Toys R Us, and they bought us all Nerf guns," he said. "It was so different. For getting into the character it was like, 'Let's have a Nerf gun fight!' "

* About The Book:

Synopsis

Boys don't keep diaries-or do they?

The launch of an exciting and innovatively illustrated new series narrated by an unforgettable kid every family can relate to

It's a new school year, and Greg Heffley finds himself thrust into middle school, where undersized weaklings share the hallways with kids who are taller, meaner, and already shaving. The hazards of growing up before you're ready are uniquely revealed through words and drawings as Greg records them in his diary.

In book one of this debut series, Greg is happy to have Rowley, his sidekick, along for the ride. But when Rowley's star starts to rise, Greg tries to use his best friend's newfound popularity to his own advantage, kicking off a chain of events that will test their friendship in hilarious fashion.

Author/illustrator Jeff Kinney recalls the growing pains of school life and introduces a new kind of hero who epitomizes the challenges of being a kid. As Greg says in his diary, "Just don't expect me to be all 'Dear Diary' this and 'Dear Diary' that." Luckily for us, what Greg Heffley says he won't do and what he actually does are two very different things.

Since its launch in May 2004 on Funbrain.com, the Web version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid has been viewed by 20 million unique online readers. This year, it is averaging 70,000 readers a day.

Product Details

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Amulet Books (2007)
  • ISBN-10: 0810988933
  • ISBN-13: 978-0810988934
Biography

Jeff Kinney is an online game developer and designer and is the author of the New York Times bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England in 1995.

A funny book, indeed written about middle school days. The cover of the book caught my eye and I'm sure this book will get your kids reading once again! This book is #1 in the series. Did you like the book? What are your thoughts? With 2 grandsons and a son-in-law who teaches junior high this children's paperback book has been read by our family... it's just for fun! And a great idea with stick-like comic characters.



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Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman

"Blueberry Girl"Cover of Blueberry Girl

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (March 10, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0060838086

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a magical blessing for unconventional girls, Gaiman (The Graveyard Book) addresses the ladies of light and ladies of darkness and ladies of never-you-mind, asking them to shelter and guide an infant girl as she grows. Help her to help herself,/ help her to stand,/ help her to lose and to find./ Teach her we're only as big as our dreams./ Show her that fortune is blind. Sinuous, rococo lines—the flowing hair, drooping boughs, winding paths that inspired the pre-Raphaelites—spread their tendrils throughout Vess's (The Ladies of Grace Adieu) full-bleed spreads, potent mixtures of the charms of Arthur Rackham, Maxfield Parrish(Mar.) and Cecily Barker's flower fairies. An Art Nouveau–ish font in a blueberry color compounds the sense of fantasy. On each page a different girl—short, tall, white, brown, younger, older—runs or jumps or swims, accompanied by animals meant to guard and protect her. Fans of Gaiman and Vess will pounce on this creation; so too will readers who seek for their daughters affirmation that sidesteps traditional spiritual conventions. All ages.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

PreS Up—Gaiman and Vess worked together on Stardust (HarperCollins, 2000), the award-winning fantasy that became a film in 2007. One can count on them for a fresh approach to the conventions of a genre. This New Age "prayer" for a yet-to-be-born child is no exception, although the combination of a picture-book format with concepts that require adult understanding may cause confusion or boredom in youngsters ("Keep her from…./Nightmares at three or bad husbands at thirty,/…. Dull days at forty, false friends at fifteen-"). Visually, the book also struggles with a split personality. One scene, in which animals peer at a girl in jeans and dreadlocks, is rendered in watercolor, defined by clean outlines, for a contemporary, realistic look. Another view of naked babies sleeping in flower petals is created with a hazy focus, calling to mind Jessie Willcox Smith or Elsa Beskow's Peter in Blueberry Land (Floris, 1988). The dedication indicates that this poem was written for a pregnant friend; it seeks to ward off all sorts of fairy-tale trouble: "Ladies of light and ladies of darkness and ladies of never-you-mind…. Keep her from spindles and sleeps at sixteen/Let her stay waking and wise." The "ladies" are draped in clouds and cloaks, sunsets and rainbows. The racial characteristics, hair color, and age of the girl change from page to page, presumably for an "everygirl" effect. This may resonate with people purchasing baby presents, as Seuss's Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Random, 1990) strikes a chord at graduation. The card, however, should read "Mother."—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information,

My Thoughts:


I was thinking of my #2 daughter (she majored in dance) and now is expecting her first baby... yes, it's true that I will be a grandma again! Do you remember me telling you the Greek word for grandma is YiaYia? I absolutely love this spelling of the word better, YaYa. It seems easier for others to remember. Anyways, the message of this beautiful book for girls and future women is a great gift for new moms and young girls. This simple, short poem/story of rhyme uses good sense, good balance, and good vocabulary. The warm illustrations by Charles Vess are so beautiful.


This grabbed my heart right away, from inside the jacket flap:


This is a prayer for a blueberry girl...


"A much- loved baby grows into a young woman: brave, adventurous, and lucky. Exploring, traveling, bathed in sunshine, surrounded by the wonders of the world. What every new parent or parents-to-be dreams of for her child, what every girl dreams of for herself"...

This book is a blessing for daughters to have a rich, full, wonderful life... and I agree! It's a sweet benediction. Asking for clearness of sight, wisdom for your daughter and finding truth  are wonderful things. Thank you Neil Gaiman for writing a very beautiful book! 5 stars!


I recommend that my readers purchase this book and read it... it's very nice from the heart!

Blueberry Girl


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Friday 56: If You Can Talk, You Can Write by Joel Saltzman



Rules:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions 
on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*
Post a link along with your post back to this blog Starting Fresh and to Storytime with Tonya and Friends
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

 Here's mine:


"It became a selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and Quality Paperback Book Club, and the movie rights were optioned for $1000,000, with $400,000 more if the movie is made."
From: If You Can Talk, You Can Write: A Proven Program to Get You Writing & Keep You Writing ~ Joel Saltzman



If You Can Talk You Can Write
One of my adult piano students,  who is an editor,  recommended this book to me. I'm looking forward to learning more from this author and writing a review. I love it when friends encourage you to pursue your dreams along the journey of finding your passion!

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The Napping House by Audrey Wood

One of the books from my list of Support Your Local Library Challenge is the Napping House by Audrey Wood and her husband Don Wood is the illustrator.


The Napping House


Product Details

  • Hardcover
  • Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (September 1, 2000)
  • ASIN: B001JEG5ZA
Five sleepy-heads having a good sleep, then comes along number 6 and all heck breaks loose. What a creative tale. With it's rhyming paragraphs, little children can learn the words, quickly. Encouraging them to love reading by reading this book to you. The style of the writing (the rhyme scheme used) and illustrations (watercolors) renders the book adorable by any reader of any age. I liked the book and give it 5 stars.


From the jacket flap:


"Cumulative rhymes are reassuring - they soothe and amuse and stay with us throughout our lives. This gentle story about "a napping house" will do all those things. It's a simple tale - just a cozy bed, with a snoring granny, a dreaming child, a dozing dog, a snoozing - but wait! there's a surprise, a delightful surprise, in store, and the youngest listeners will want to hear it again and again.
Superb full-color illustrations bring the quiet moments and small scenes to life with variety and grace. They supplement the tale, filling in charming details that go beyond  the story and reflect a change in weather as well as in mood. Furry pets you yearn to stroke, floppy pillows, wet raindrops, and big, sleepy yawns, all convey the essence of rhymes and make them memorable.
Together author and illustrator have created a classic treasure for children and their children's children."
For more information, visit Audrey Wood Clubhouse

This book is the Winner of the 1984 Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers. This book is also a 1984 American Library Association Notable Book for Children.


Audrey and Don Wood live in Santa Barbara, California. They have written many well-loved books.


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Review: Raccoon Tales by Joy E. DeKok

Raccoon Tales
About The Author:


Joy DeKok, the author of Raccoon Tales and I have something in common... lots of land where wildlife stop by! What I especially like about Joy is her love for the Lord and children. Her website is warm, inviting and fun. For more information and free coloring pages visit:
Joy DeKok's Site and read more insights (I really like this lady!) About Joy Christian author and Speaker. If you're a writer, stop by here for tips, Author Coaching. I love Joy's writing style in this particular book with easy to read verse.


Joy speaks of her inspiration in writing Raccoon Tales:


It is a story born of personal experience. Yes, we rescued, raised, and released five baby raccoons... I also had the privilege of living the surprise of becoming a raccoon mom for a time and the sweet sorrow of letting them go when they were ready. I watched them disappear into the woods and realized, my prayers for their lives had been answered, and my dreams for them had come true. They were free. 

Product Description

Raccoon Tales takes readers on a year-long adventure with five orphaned baby raccoons. What will happen to Shadow, Meeko, RC, Lucy, and Chatter? Author Joy DeKok shares this true life journey in the first year of the lives of these little ''washbears.''
Written in easy-to-read verse, she tells their story with tenderness and energy. Readers will leave the story glad they came, knowing more about raccoons, and what a wild animal rescue and release looks like. Illustrator Leslie Helen Colwin's delightful illustrations bring the story to life.

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Paperback: 48 pages
  • Publisher: Jabberwocky Books (February 15, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1935204092
  • ISBN-13: 978-1935204091
 My Review:


Did you know raccoons were called "wash bears" by the Native Americans because they often wash their food in water? This is just one of many facts about raccoons that you will find in the back of the book. This wonderful animal picture book combines four short, adorable stories: A Raccoon Rescue, The Raccoon Flu, Runaway Raccoon and A Raccoon Release. The illustrations by Leslie Helen Colwin capture the beauty of the country in the springtime and the cuteness of these "masked bandits!"


These are the main characters in the book: Meeko, RC, Shadow, Lucy and Chatter. In the beginning we learn that these five raccoons have lost their mother. With prayer and loving care, the reader will learn about a wild animal rescue. What happens next? Parents, Grandparents and children of all ages will enjoy reading about the release of these raccoons back into nature and planting seeds of God's word into young minds and hearts with scripture application. Letting go is really not an easy thing to do!


If you're looking for a faith-based children's book about a true story of finding and releasing raccoons back to nature, Raccoon Tales is a great choice. I really liked this book and look forward to reading more from this wonderful author. 5 stars!


This book was provided for review by Pump Up Your Book... thanks!



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Review: The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan

 
LadyD Books: The Flowering Cross

Product Description

A modern-day story of how Christ's resurrection is still changing lives
Six-year-old Katie's next-door neighbor Papa Jack has the most beautiful flowers in town. He seems like a mean man to most, but Katie has a special place in his heart. Every Easter Sunday she stops by to get her flowers for the Flowering of the Cross at church. Only this year, Papa Jack decides to come along, and Katie helps him discover the real meaning of the Cross.
Designed to place God's truths in the heart of children, The Flowering Cross, has Faith ImprintTM suggestions throughout that will help parents share God's Word with their young one. Also included are instructions for making a Flowering Cross.


Product Details

My Review:


When my first Grandson was born, a friend said to me, "May he follow Jesus all the days of his life." I was so deeply moved by this benediction. As a grandmother, I am always looking for teachable moments to share scripture with them. The author of this sweet book provides "Faith Imprints" of scripture to share with little ones throughout her book. In The flowering Cross, Beth Ryan says her book...
"is a testimony of how a child can influence an adult for Christ."
Do you recall a famous singer B.J. Thomas? B.J.'s daughter prayed for his salvation and it came to pass. Being Greek, I remember as a child my mother always coloring eggs red for the blood of Christ. It was our family tradition. Here Beth introduces to the reader  a way to bring family and friends together by placing a flower in the cross and giving thanks to Jesus. Traditions can be a good thing.


The simple story line with the main character, a young girl named Katie and her not very friendly neighbor Mean Old Jack will capture your heart. Over time with seeds of kindness and love shared with a neighbor,  Jack's heart changes and he wants to go to church with Katie. The love of God is all inclusive from  Katie's brother, NoNo to the neighborhood of children as well.

My neighbor glued clothespins into a shape of a cross and glued flowers on it. I loved that present and still do to this day. In the back of Beth's book are instructions for adults to make a Flowering Cross so you can have your own celebration. If you are looking for a faith-based children's book about Easter, The Flowering cross is an excellent choice! I love the book!
5 stars!


This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson... thank you!
The Flowering Cross


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Friday 56: Strike a Pose (The Planet Girl Guide To Yoga)

 Wow... it's Friday again! Friday #56...

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions 
on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*
Post a link along with your post back to this blog Starting Fresh and to Storytime with Tonya and Friends
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
Strike a Pose

Right now I'm reading Strike a Pose by Karen Birkemoe. It's a very cool, very informative book on yoga. The illustrations by Heather Collett are great.


Here's Mine:

"A vinyasa is a series of asanas that are strung together, and you move from one pose to the next in time with each breath."

Review

... a fabulous, comprehensive yoga guide ... (Canadian Children’s Book News )

Tweens and teens will appreciate ... this clearly written guide to Hatha yoga ... School Library Journal

Product Description

The third book in the Planet Girl series demystifies yoga and reveals how this ancient practice can be a key part of a modern-girl life. By bringing together body, mind and breath, yoga can help girls focus, de-stress and even avoid sports-related injury. All it takes is a patch of level ground, a few minutes and an open mind -- it's that easy. Strike a Pose delivers yoga knowledge and know-how in a fresh way and steers clear of the fluff. The anatomically articulated illustrations clearly depict basic and more advanced poses, while the stay-open ring binding is perfect for hands-free posing. Girls can also pump up their practice with tips on mastering yogic flows, breathing exercises, meditation, mantras and more. Girls can: * Loosen up with Cat pose -- the purr-fect stretch for flexibility * Stand tall on legs made strong with Warrior pose * Show grace under pressure balancing in Dancer pose * Use yoga to help improve their game and cure headaches, nervousness and cramps * Make their own yoga accessories, including a Mat Bag.

Product Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Spiral-bound: 96 pages
  • Publisher: Kids Can Press (March 1, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 155337004X


Visit this very cool website that connects teachers, librarians and parents:
Kids Can Press

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The Red Book (Caldecott Honor Book)

The Red Book


Biography

Barbara Lehman has illustrated many books for children. Born in Chicago, Barbara attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where she earned a BFA in communication design. A full-time illustrator, Barbara says, “Books and art have always held the strongest attraction for me. I have always felt drawn to commercial art' because of its ability to reach many people. I like the idea of being part of the media in a meaningful and thoughtful way, especially with children as the audience.” She now lives in Philmont, New York.


Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 4-8
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (September 27, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0618428585
  • ISBN-13: 978-0618428588
About The Book:

The best wordless picture book ever! From the inside flap:

"This book is about a book. A magical red book without any words - just like the one in your hands right now. So what are you waiting for? Turn the page to experience a new kind of adventure through the power of story. In illustrations  of rare detail and surprise, The Red Book crosses oceans and continents to deliver one girl into a new world of possibility, where a friend she's never met is waiting. And as with the best of books, at the conclusion of the story, the journey is not over."
 The Red Book begins with a girl walking to school when she spots in the snow a red-covered book, which she recovers and carries in her book bag... and so the journey begins. As you turn each page you'll experience a new adventure through a picture. Pictures tell a story with your interpretation of it! Here's the idea:



These pictures are not from this book but you get the idea. You can find them here Free Pictures

A delightful book! This book is a good choice for introducing the genre of magical fantasy to young readers... plus there isn't even a title on the front of the book! I really liked this one... brilliant!


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Spotlight: Alphatudes

Alphatudes

 Unfortunately, I didn't receive this book from Life Possibilities Publishing. I couldn't write a review and endorse something I don't know about but I was asked to spotlight it on my blog from Cheryl (nice lady) of http://www.pumpupyourbook.com/ So, that's what I'm doing here. It looks like a good one... has anyone read it? Because I teach piano and my students like to play songs from Grease, I'd love to hear Grace and Gratitude by Olivia Newton-John. (sigh) Thank you for stopping by and checking out this book. I was reading some of the reviews on Amazon. Head on over there to see!

Product Description

Alphatudes reveals that gratitude is the unexpected, simple secret of living a joyful life. In a world obsessed with negativity, we must deliberately choose to focus on the positive. Alphatudes uses your earliest grade school victory the ABCs to help you achieve a sustainable shift in thinking that leads to contentment, optimism, and peace of mind. An alphatude is defined as a person, place or thing for which one alphabetically expresses gratitude. Filled with vibrant illustrations, Alphatudes takes you on an inspiring 26-step journey where you will discover how to: heighten your awareness of life s daily gifts; attract opportunities with a positive mind-set; find blessings in difficult situations; and become free from worry, negativity, and resentment.In honor of this extraordinary book, legendary recording artist Olivia Newton-John has graciously provided a free download of her beautiful song, Grace and Gratitude , with purchase.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 128 pages
  • Publisher: Life Possibilities Publishing (January 15, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0982364504
  • ISBN-13: 978-0982364505

“As we choose to practice gratitude over a period of time, we are able to significantly increase our personal range of happiness.”

Becoming truly appreciative of our lives requires us to replace our negative, limiting thoughts with positive, affirming words that strengthen our feeling of optimism. Language is one of the primary ways we perceive and understand our world and one of the key tools we rely on to connect to others. Each word we use has an emotional charge that either nurtures our well-being or creates a sense of discord within our essence.

Alphatudes: The Alphabet of Gratitude helps us become aware of how our vocabulary forms the language through which we experience our lives. When we consciously choose to use words of gratitude to describe our human journey and the world we live in, we assume responsibility for our own happiness.

We often exert our energy—physically, emotionally and intellectually—to obtain more of what we think we want and need to make us happy. Our society bombards us with messages that reinforce the notion that we are deficient in some way and desperately need to upgrade ourselves and our lifestyles. Eventually, many of us succumb to the seductive “new and improved” marketing strategies that are so pervasive in our culture, resulting in the mistaken belief that if we could only have a particular thing, circumstance or relationship, we would then be happy and fulfilled.
This belief that our happiness is contingent upon something outside of ourselves keeps us in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction.

By relying on the equation If only _____, then I would be happy, we actually strengthen the inaccurate perception that we are not enough: If only I lost weight, had fewer wrinkles, made more money, had more confidence . . . then I would be happy. We keep postponing our happiness, waiting for “one day” when we will have achieved all that we falsely believe makes us worthy of fully enjoying our lives. The problem is that “one day” rarely comes; and if it does, the pleasure derived from our accomplishment is usually fleeting as we quickly set our sights on our next “happiness goal.”

Through the conscious practice of gratitude, we are able to find within ourselves a deep well of joyful appreciation for what we already have. The Hebrew term for the word “gratitude” is hakarat ha’tov, literally translated as “recognizing the good.” When we recognize and focus on the good in our lives, we are making the choice to embrace the sweetness of life and live fully aware of our divine abundance. When we take time to be grateful for our daily bounty, we begin to feel a warm, enveloping sense of appreciation. This is the essence of gratitude.



Biography

Michele Wahlder, MS, LPC, PCC, is an internationally-recognized life & career coach, a licensed professional counselor and author of Alphatudes: The Alphabet of Gratitude--26 Solutions for Life's Little Challenges (www.alphatudes.com).

She is the founder of Life Possibilities, LLC, (www.lifepossibilities.com) a company that champions people to become the highest vision they hold for themselves in their lives, careers and relationships through the vehicles of coaching, seminars and books.


Wahlder delights in helping her clients discover their strengths, passions and purpose so that their outer lives authentically reflect their hearts’ desires. She has worked with numerous organizations, including Match.com, Fitness magazine, Lucent Technologies and Girls, Inc., to improve individual performance and organizational effectiveness. 
Wahlder is a popular guest on television and radio, including WFAA-TV’s Good Morning Texas, KDAF-TV’s The 33 News and CBS and CNN Radio. Wahlder received a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Tulane University, holds a master’s degree in Counseling Education from Texas Woman’s University, is licensed by the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor and is certified through the International Coach Federation as a Professional Certified Coach. She has been honored as the Global Career Spokesperson for Bayer’s Global MS Awareness Campaign.
Wahlder understands firsthand the challenges associated with surviving a life-threatening illness and has allowed the experience to make her a stronger, more compassionate and grateful person. She continues to volunteer for several nonprofit organizations that offer adults and children opportunities to enhance their lives and pursue their dreams. A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, Michele Wahlder lives in Dallas, TX, with her fiancé Michael, “bonus daughter” Zoe, and Portuguese water dog Moses.
You can visit Michele online at www.lifepossibilities.com
 www.alphatudes.com

  Alphatudes: The Alphabet of Gratitude

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Happy St. Patrick's Day: The Leprechaun's Gold

Cover of "The Leprechaun's Gold"Cover of The Leprechaun's Gold
Happy St. Patrick's Day to all my readers! Have you ever met a leprechaun? Last Sunday I captured this beautiful site with my point and shoot camera. I do love a rainbow! I hope you have a very fine day!
Rainbow: LadyD Books


"Long ago, before even your great-great-grandfather was born, there lived in a small village in Ireland a man known to all as Old Pat."

This is a great story for St. Patrick's Day! The Leprechaun's Gold is a remarkable book that has the potential to teach several lessons about greed, and egoism to kindness and forgiveness.

Product Details

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 4--Librarians looking for a fresh leprechaun tale for group sharing need search no longer. The narrative flows off the tongue, and Cole's feisty caricatures are easily seen from a distance. Individual readers will enjoy looking for the shamrocks hidden throughout the scenes and in the borders. Green is applied liberally; the color even emanates from a campfire, adding to the Irish flavor. The story centers around the King's contest to choose the best harpist in the land. Young Tom is sure he can beat out Old Pat. The lad goes as far as to break the poor old fellow's harp string on their journey to the event. It seems that all is lost until Pat stops to answer a leprechaun's cry for help. Edwards deftly creates enough tension to prevent the solution from being immediately predicted. In a classic case of humility and kindness defeating vanity and selfishness, all's well that ends well. Even as Tom receives his comeuppance, he finds "generosity growing in his heart." Guaranteed to warm the cockles.--Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Kindhearted Old Pat and coldhearted Young Tom set off from their tiny village for a royal contest to determine the finest harpist in all of Ireland. As the two men sit by a campfire on the eve of the contest, Young Tom secretly breaks a string on Old Pat's harp in an attempt to ensure his own victory. Then, out of the darkness they hear a cry for help. Kindly Old Pat comes to the aid of what turns out to be a leprechaun while selfish Young Tom quickly flees the scene. At the contest the next day, both are appropriately repaid for their actions by the leprechaun and his buddies. Cole's imaginative illustrations are a good match for the story, displaying both realism and fantasy, and effectively conveying Old Pat's warmth and Young Tom's coldness through facial expression and body language. An appealing tale that need not be limited to St. Patrick's Day storytime. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

The Leprechaun's Gold

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The Legend of The Three Trees

The Legend of The Three Trees
                        "Life burst into the world on the third day of Creation."

Product Details

  • Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 28, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0849975956
  • ISBN-13: 978-0849975950

Product Details

  • Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  • Hardcover: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 28, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0849975956
  • ISBN-13: 978-0849975950
About the Book:

The Three Trees by  Catherine McCafferty is a classic story about following your dreams. An olive, oak and pine tree were all "planted" by different animals. "As each tree grew, it dreamed of what it would become." The olive tree dreamed of being a beautiful treasure chest to "hold the greatest treasure in the world." When it was made into a lowly manger knew it would Never hold a treasure. The oak tree wanted to be made into a mighty ship that would carry a king! Yet it became a little fishing boat. So the oak knew too his dream would Never come true. And finally the pine sitting high on the mountain desired to point people to God


But one night a fierce storm came and lightning splintered its trunk and as it came crashing down, so too its dreams. How could it point people to God now? Never! It was made into a piece of scrap wood. Years passed and God had His own plan.  A manger, a fishing boat, and a cross... each held the greatest treasure, the mightiest king and all point people to God.
I love this story because it really touched my heart! Sometimes the dreams we have for ourselves are much smaller than the dreams that God has for us. "If we follow God's path, we will travel far beyond even our greatest dreams." 5 stars!

The Legend Of The Three Trees - Picture Book

Another great book related to this one that I reviewed from Thomas Nelson can be found at
The Oak Inside The Acorn

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Blog Tour: Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris

Start Here: LadyD Books


Product Description

You want to do hard things.
But you don’t know where to start.
You are changing the world around you.
But you are tired and burned out.
You feel called to do the extraordinary for God.
But you feel stuck in the ordinary.

Do Hard Things inspired thousands of young people around the world to make the most of the teen years. Now Alex and Brett Harris are back and ready to tackle the questions that Do Hard Things inspired: How do I get started? What do I do when I get discouraged? What’s the best way to inspire others? Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and other real-life rebelutionaries, Start Here is a powerful and practical guide to doing hard things, right where you are.
Are you ready to take the next step and blast past mediocrity for the glory of God?
START HERE.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 176 pages
  • Publisher: Multnomah Books (March 16, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1601422709
  • ISBN-13: 978-1601422705
Start Here Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are

Book Contents

  1.  You Are Here
  2. Getting Started
  3. When You Have a Great Idea
  4. Side Effects May Occur
  5. Matters of First Importance
  6. When the Doing Gets Tough
  7. The Guts Factor
  8. Now What?
  9. Putting It All Together
  10. Making It Rain


    My Review: 

    This is a very moving book! If you're a fan of motivational books, then you are sure to like this one. Because it is filled with a collection of teenagers and student's words about following God, it is one you can read quickly. Guaranteed you will soak up deep insights to so many wonderful shared stories. I have read many books on ordinary people doing extraordinary things for God. Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are is an extraordinary book of practical guidance for many young people and adults.
    Start Here by Alex and Brett Harris really touched my heart. The message of serving is powerful and life changing. You'll read about young folks having attitude adjustments and praying for wisdom in choosing hard things for the right reason. If you want to read some inspiring stories of people who have journeyed through fear, sorrow, and challenges, then this book is for you. It is sure to move you! Once you are a rebelutionary, your mind-set changes! It is indeed comforting to know that God will use us if we let Him do His work. Reading this book will move you through many emotions as God comes alive through your hardships. Doing hard things for God really isn't easy.

    5 stars!

    This book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

    Start Here

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