The Bully and Me

The Bully and Me

Stories that break the cycle of torment

Helen Carmichael Porter

This book is full of stories from bullies and people who have been bullied. At the end of each story is the author's commentary. The commentary is full of ideas and instruction to teachers, parents and children on how to stop the cycle of bullying. It deals with issues that children from both sides can apply. After the commentary is a list of activities and questions for discussion. These would work well in a classroom setting or with a family who is dealing with bullying.

This book was written in a way that both children and adults can read and use. I would highly recommend this book for parents of school age children and for the schools to have in their library.

I will definitely make sure my son's school has a copy.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

9 Ways To Bring Out The Best In You & Your Child

9 Ways To Bring Out The Best In You & Your Child

Maggie Reigh

This book deals with the discipline issues that parents have with their children and methods for correcting the situations without yelling at the children or becoming frustrated and angry.

I've read quite a few parenting books and this is one of the few that I've actually enjoyed. It wasn't dry or boring. There were stories to convey what point the author was trying to share. And then there were solutions to the problem. Sadly quite a few books are willing to share the problem and the solutions that DON'T work, but this is one of the few that has practical, easy to follow instructions on how to let go of anger, learn to talk to your child or deal with tantrums. I was very impressed with the style of writing, the detailed solutions and the heartfelt love for children that the author used. Will definitely read another book by this author.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.

99 Things to Do between Here and Heaven

99 Things to Do between Here and Heaven

Kathleen Long Bostrom

Peter Graystone

The idea of this book is to enrich your life and provide thought for reflection. There is space for journaling and each item has a note on how to accomplish it, what to expect and thoughts to help you reflect. It isn't really a book to read. It's more a list of things that the authors think are important to your spiritual life or will somehow help you to reflect on God and heaven more.

I'm really not sure how to look at this book. Some of the things on the list are spot on.

#31 Keep the Sabbath for four weeks

 #51 Forgive a wrong

#84 Visit a nursing home

Then there are the items that seem completely senseless. They might make me laugh (see #16), but certainly not reflect on heaven. I guess everyone's different.

#10 Go on a protest rally

#16 Milk a cow

#49 Contribute to Wikipedia

All in all, it was a neat idea and something that I'm sure some people will really enjoy reading. But I don't see very many people actually doing each and every one of these 99 things to enrich their spiritual life.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Midwife's Story

The Midwife's Story

Meditations for Advent Times

Nancy Reeves

This small book begins with a poem about a midwife; the midwife who brought Jesus into the world.

The poem is thought provoking in itself. But the author has broken up the poem into eight seconds (two for each week of Advent). Each section has a small thought, questions, meditation thought and Bible verses.

This is a wonderful book to point us to the real reason for Christ's birth and to help us see beyond the presents, decorations and stress of the holidays.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.