LadyD Books: December 2015

Review: Hilly Colors Her Dreams

Book Description

Hilly Colors Her Dreams come out in second edition. This book is the first among a series in which Hilly is the main character. Children straightaway connect to Hilly whom is a unique character with charming personality, conveying important messages to children e.g. addressing their emotions, positive thinking, connecting to the peaceful self and more... these themes are brought with humor, fun, love and care. Every child who reads the book, drifted into Hill's world.

The Friday 56

"On your marks, get set, ready, go!
The competition begins - the fish are putting on their aprons and showing off their fins."

My Review

Indeed, children are precious and very sensitive little people with their own unique personalities. What a great story providing tools for kids to explore and process their delicate feelings. There are so many cute and colorful illustrations. Learning to identify colors is important and incorporating each color with a story is very exciting. The author is a holistic therapist and has written about a girl named Hilly who dreams in different colors every night. It's a great, unique bedtime story but I'm a bit disappointed in associating colors with the wheel of energy known as Chakras. Just my opinion but I don't think all kids need an eastern approach to appreciating the beauty and vibrancy of colors. Overall, children will enjoy the book.

4 stars.

About The Author

Biography

Meytal Raz-Nave, holistic multidisciplinary therapist for children & adolescents.

I started my therapeutic journey 12 years ago, Very young girl but I was drawn into the holistic world with full knowledge that this is the right way for me.

Once I explored the holistic thinking I felt like home, the comfortable well-known area for me, so I continued learning, and being a therapist, to this day.

I see the holistic state of mind as a lifestyle, not only as a way referring to mind and body.

My goal is to give people the tools to grab their lives in their own hands.

Therapy, acquisition of tools, advising and consultancy can help us treat ourselves and improve our lives in the physical, spiritual and mental layers.
Those tools eases our personal process and enables us have Qualitative meaningful life.

Skywatch Friday

Vibrant sky colors! How is it where you are?

Happy reading and skywatching!

“You can’t get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." C. S. Lewis

Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

About This Book

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

The Friday #56

I had heard a lot about this book and was anxious to dig in since it was on the #1 Best seller list!

"Yeah, I know," I answered. "We're kind of like Beauty and the Beast."

My Review

It's a story about a loving family that deals with and endures everyday challenges that probably you and I have never had to experience. Woven throughout the story is a theme of unconditional love that family and friends have for Auggie who has a badly disfigured face. If that's not enough of a struggle to daily accept, then add to the mix that he's a 5th grader but so sensitive, funny and very intelligent. The detailed account of students and adults inflicting cruel wounds is so painful to read but the rewards of seeing the display of kindness is monumentally triumphant. The short chapters spoken from various characters is a refreshing approach, making the book a quick read. The author's style of writing is warm and she really draws you in. I cried at the very end with such a huge emotional release as I know you will, too. Auggie's journey will inspire you to practice kindness to all because we really don't know what each person we meet is going through. This story is so inspirational. This is a must read and a great addition for home and school libraries. I loved reading this one!

5/5 stars. Highly recommend!

Happy Reading!

Skywatch Friday

Although the winter night temperatures can get pretty low in December, sometimes the sunrises here in SoCal are so glorious... that there are no words!

Happy Skywatching!

Review: A Christmas Hamper

About This Book

‘A Christmas Hamper’ is a volume of pictures and stories for little folks. It tells children about friendship, the family values and the winter traditions, such as winter plays, the Christmas legends and fairies.
‘A Christmas Hamper’ was originally published by Thomas Nelson & Sons in 1899.
The ‘Animedia Press’ e-book edition (2012) contains the illustrations, which were carefully restored by a publisher.

Contents:

A very Naughty Little Person
Pour Uncle Tom
A SNow Man
Not Such Fun as it Seemed
On The Sands
Old Clothes
The Little Tiny Thing
Questions
A Lesson in Manners
The Prize Boat
The Little Thief in the Pantry
Great-Grandmothers Wish

The Friday #56

With there only being 48 pages to the book, I'm sharing a few snippets from the last page:

"Hut," said Trots, "what will the eleventh generation do when the wish stops and the good-luck?" "I don't know," said grannie, shaking her head. "I suppose they'll have to catch a fairy of their own." -- Thomas Nelson

My Review

It's an old fashion story written in rhyme with a variety of pencil illustrations. I found it to be a timeless read, taking you back to simple times, whether read alone or with your children aloud. You'll hear of fairies, family values, winter traditions and Christmas memories. I especially like the chapter, Great-Grandmother's Wish. My favorite quote from the book, "Give to me and to my daughters to the eleventh generation the lucky finger and the loving heart."

4/5 stars.