If You Were Me and Lived in Ancient China: Review

If You Were Me and Lived in Ancient China by Carole and illustrated by Mateya Arkeova.

About The Book

Join Carole P. Roman and travel through time to visit the most interesting civilizations throughout history in the first four books of her new series.

Learn what kind of food you might eat in Ancient Greece, the clothes you wore in 15th century Renaissance Italy, what your name could be in Viking Europe, and what children in the Han Dynasty children did for fun.

If You Were Me and Lived in...does for history what her other award-winning series did for culture.

So get onboard this time-travel machine and discover the world through the eyes of a young person just like you.

If You Were Me and Lived in Ancient China

The Friday #56

"Your sisters were taught to be a good wife and mother. Father said it was a waste of time to educate a girl since their opinions didn't matter."

My Favorite Line

"Music was very important to bring harmony into people's lives. You loved hearing the bells and chimes. They used flutes and a stringed instrument called a gungin (gew-gin) which made you thoughtful when you heard it."

My Review

Such an excellent pastel palette of colorful and detailed illustrations framing a charming story of informative Chinese Cultural Beauty and History for children and adults to understand.

The glossary in the end notes is a great addition to the reader and very helpful, too. Kids will learn a lot of facts about the Chin Dynasty 1900 years ago but it's presented with simple elegance as to not overload. It's no wonder the Han Dynasty, called the Golden Age of Ancient China lasted over 400 years. Topics on food, clothing, and shelter are a nice highlight to the story line. The customs and legends weave a golden thread along The Silk Road and The Lantern Festival, as you view how life in Ancient China really was. I enjoyed the book immensely and will share it with my grandchildren.

5/5 stars 

If You Were Me and Lived in Ancient China

Happy Reading!

LadyD


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

Prince Noah and the School Pirates Review

I was so excited to hear the good news from Maureen Swinger, editor of Plough Publishing House, that I had won a copy of Prince Noah and the School Pirates in a LibraryThing giveaway!!


About The Book

It’s time for young Prince Noah to go to school. The prince, who starred in the book The Prince Who Was Just Himself, may be a little slower than other students, but he has no less joy in learning. In his kingdom, children go to school on sailing ships. There is a ship for girls and one for boys. There is a ship for children with an eye patch, a ship for children with one leg, and a ship for children who are slower learners. No one knows why there are so many different ships, but it has always been that way.

Then a terrible storm drives the ships into the hands of pirates. The boys and girls realize that they will only escape if everyone does what he or she does best. Through their adventures, they learn that diversity makes us strong and that every person has something to teach us.

This delightfully illustrated fairy tale instills the appreciation for children with Down syndrome and other developmental challenges, making it a valuable aid for teaching tolerance in the home or classroom.

Book Description

The young prince with Down syndrome goes to school – and saves the day once again, by helping to rescue his classmates from a band of pirates.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 9 years
• Grade Level: Preschool - 4
• Series: A Prince Noah Book
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Plough Publishing House; Sew edition (August 1, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874867657
• ISBN-13: 978-0874867657
• 
  

"A gentle fairy tale about a young prince with Down syndrome who saves his kingdom from a menacing knight…. [It] offers a special needs child in a positive, starring role and can be read simply as a satisfying fairy tale…. The author, herself the mother of a child with Down syndrome, and the illustrator ably introduce a difficult subject in a fictional context with a light, sure touch." (The Prince Who Was Just Himself) (Kirkus Reviews)

The Friday #56

"Prince Noah beamed as he raised his hands and began to dance. And if he hasn't stopped dancing yet, he is dancing still."

My Review

The author has cleverly structured a community of school ships that house kids that are different than normal children for their studies. Those who are blind or have trouble walking go to different ships, too. I think sometimes we compartmentalize special needs kids from a distance because they are different from us and we don't know how to interact with them... but I've learned that what makes us different makes us beautiful! While the students are isolated in their 'floating' schools, they quickly discover their own unique, special giftedness and rapidly grow in confidence and strength with new discoveries in seeing what they do well. Later on, a conflict arises through a storm at sea whereby a group of pirates took command of all ships. Learn how dancing, learning and laughing together brings strength and unity through diversity. I love this very inspirational story for children and parents from this brilliant author. It's a great addition to the home and school library. The illustrations are quite nice, too. I plan to give the book as a gift to my grandson Noah (whose name is like the main character in the book) because he has a special need's big brother whom he loves dearly who has Cornelia deLang Syndrome. Together they enjoy learning and exploring the pirate life of adventure! Young readers will be reminded of the power of kindness and working together as a team. Great book!

5/5 stars! Highly recommend.

Nearby fire on Camp Pendleton. Helicopter crash was the cause of the fire. Another reminder of all the past summer wildfires we've had in SoCal. The fire is contained now and there was no structural damage. Photos for Skywatch Friday. Oh, and I remembered another children's book, The Boy Who Grew Flowers is a wonderful, delicate book for special needs children, too.

Happy Reading and Skywatching!

-- LadyD

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

Slow Cooker Cookbook #3 (Review)

Slow Cooker Cookbook #3. This is a book in a series by Charity Wilson.

Slow Cooker Cookbook: Vol. 3 Delicious Dessert Recipes (Slow Cooker Recipes) (Health Wealth & Happiness Book) by Charity Wilson

Pies

Cakes

Pudding

Cake

Cobbler

Crisp

Bread

Cheesecake

Brownies

Some meals can be made overnight. Others make for great freezer meals. Most take 8 hours in the slow cooker. I have never tried making a pumpkin pie in the slow cooker or a gooey Peanut Butter Cup Pudding Cake either. You can pour all the ingredients together for Rice Pudding. There is no need to cook the rice separately. The Peach Cobbler recipe sounds yummy for a summer treat, along with Berry Cobbler. Looking forward to trying the Caramel Apple Crisp for Halloween and the Pumpkin Bread for a warm winters night. Pineapple Bananas Foster is light and refreshing with coconut milk and rum. I'm anxious to try the No-Fuss Cheesecake. The Low-Carb Carrot Cake looks great, too. You will find a calorie, carb and fat count below the recipe. The author has shared some lovely recipes with us for cooking desserts in a slow cooker while we are free to do other things at hand. What a great tool for some great desserts to be enjoyed with family and friends!

4/5 stars.

Wish there had been pictures to see in this e-book...

Slow Cooker Cookbook #3

The Friday #56

Pumpkin Bread

The texture of this crock-pot Pumpkin Bread is phenomenal. The cream cheese makes it soft and moist.

Servings: 10

Ingredients:

3/4 c. pumpkin puree

4 oz. cream cheese softened

2 eggs

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Directions:

1. Grease inside of slow cooker with non-stick spray

2. In a bowl, cream together pumpkin and cream cheese until smooth.

3. Add eggs, butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition.

4. Gradually stir in baking soda, flour, cinnamon and cloves until just combined.

5. Pour batter into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.



About The Author

Who is Charity Wilson? Charity Wilson is the loving mother of four children, well five if you count her husband of over 25 years. She has worked in various jobs over the years but realized one day home is where she needed to be. After a lot of deliberation and research, she decided to become a full-time writer. Being a full time at home mom and writer sounds like a lot of work and for good reason, it is. She loves every minute of the organized chaos that is her daily life. It is what fuels her ideas and inspires her to write the books she does. She loves to share what she knows and is always willing to learn something new. She loves to cook and create new recipes which you will find shared throughout her various cookbooks. She stays up to date on the most current diets but doesn’t particularly follow any one of them. She eats to enjoy while consciously watching her health. She knows people need a variety of recipes to avoid the boredom that leads to weight gain and tries to fill that void. Her passions don’t stop at cooking and she is an avid gardener, organizer and loves reading. She is known amongst the kids in the sports community as “the lady with the best chocolate chip cookies ever.” She enjoys being able to watch her children play sports and is quite active herself. In the end, you could call her a homebody. Charity is all about living life with passion and enjoying every moment. Life is about enjoying good food, great company and waking up every day happy to do it all over again.

Skywatch Friday

I love looking at the sun rays at daybreak. The promise of another beautiful summer day! This brightly colored Hibiscus greets us on our daily walk in nature. Aaround our home, the sagopalmm and queen palms are in blossom!

I'm going to try the Pumpkin Bread recipe this weekend for my family. Have you used your slow cooker for desserts? What is your favorite crock pot dish?

Happy reading, cooking, gardening and skywatching!

-- LadyD

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

Narrow and Wide Gates

                                                          
                                                                              photo credit: Schramsberg2016-168 via photopin (license)

Throughout the week I observed narrow walkways, sidewalks, paths, etc. Each view brought forth a scripture in my mind. The main focus seemed to be very clear to me. In order to have great peace, one must choose a straight path or narrow way to reach one's goal. In my case, it's staying the course in this sanctification process before I return home to be with my Savior, Jesus Christ forever. I pray these visuals will give you peace and direction to stay the course.

Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. Numbers 22:23-25

                                                                                     photo credit: Giugno in Langa via photopin (license)

Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. Numbers 22:25-27

He made narrow windows high up in the temple walls. 1Kings 6:3-5

for an adulterous woman is a deep pit, and a wayward wife is a narrow well. Proverbs 23:26-28

                                                                           photo credit: 2016-05-10 secret wood door(178) via photopin (license)

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-15

                                                        photo credit: 2010_02_28-bois du cazier-105 via photopin (license)

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7:12-14 

You see... Satan's Voice:

• Rushes you
• Pushes you
• Frightens you
• Confuses you
• Discourages you
• Worries you
• Obsesses you
• Condemns you

'narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.' Matthew 7:13-14

Make every effort to find it and stay the course, by His grace! You see, God's Voice...

• Stills you
• Leads you
• Reassures you
• Enlightens you
• Encourages you
• Comforts you
• Convicts you
• Forgives you

Enjoy the Lord!

Blessings,

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