Archive for October, 2011

	Paperback: 182 pages Publisher: Alder Hill Press (August 14, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0983440514 ISBN-13: 978-0983440512	Order book here:
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Review

We all know the story, from childhood, about Jack and Jill. A brother and sister perpetually destined, like Sysyphus, to continually go up a hill to fetch a pail of water, only to come tumbling back down losing their water. But the story doesn’t end there. In fact, in Alicia Arnold’s book Creatively Ever After, the siblings set out to change their story. This is when they are introduced to The Creative Problem Solving Process, which is the main intent of the book.

Through this process, they are taught to define a problem, break it down into sections, look for new ways to approach the problem, and many other tasks.

Each chapter ends with a sidebar summary of the major points of that lesson. It’s a nice way to learn a new process, and Ms. Arnold does so in a matter that keeps the subject from getting dry. I found it quite entertaining actually to read and wonder how Jack and Jill was going to solve their problem.

If you are in management, especially in working with teams, I think this would be a beneficial book for you. For that I recommend it.

About the Author

Alicia Arnold holds a Master of Science degree in Creative Studies from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College and an M.B.A in Marketing from Bentley University. Alicia is a certified facilitator of the Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving process and an invited speaker at the annual Creative Problem Solving Institute. She is published on the topic of creativity with Bloomberg Businessweek, The National Association of Gifted Children, iMedia Connection and blogs about creativity and innovation.

By day, she is an award-winning, digital marketer and uses her passion for creativity and innovation to train teams on creativity techniques, develop breakthrough digital experiences and facilitate innovation workshops. Alicia is also a mom to two wonderful boys, a lifelong learner and someone who loves ideas and making them happen.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Rebecca at Cadence Marketing for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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	Hardcover: 176 pages Publisher: Readers Digest (May 12, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 1606522469 ISBN-13: 978-1606522462	Order book here:
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Review

One subject that almost every English student hates is Shakespeare. As a result, there is much to his great body of work that we don’t tend to discover. Liz Evers book I Used to Know That: Shakespeare helps bring in a compact manner all those things we forgot, or things we didn’t know.

As usual, I love this blackboard series of books. Each one presents a mini education. There was so much I didn’t know came from Shakespeare, and so many interesting plots that I intend to actually start reading more of it. I’ve read Macbeth, Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet, but that’s about as far as I ever went.

The book is divided into his major plays, there are characters lists, quotes and misquotes, words he introduced into our language, and many other areas.

Like all the others, I’d recommend this either as a gift for someone just starting into High School english to help them understand, or for those Shakespeare/Literature fans. It brings a subject that some avoid out, and makes it interesting.

About the Author

Liz Evers is a writer with a background in communications. Her love affair with Shakespeare began when she first studied Hamlet in secondary school in her native Dublin and continued at university, where she steadily ploughed her way through the Bard’s complete works as part of her degree in English Literature. She also has an MA in Film and a Diploma in Journalism. She now lives in London, within dashing distance of the Globe Theatre.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Ruby at FSB Associates for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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	Reading level: Ages 4-8 Paperback: 44 pages Publisher: Mark Smythe (May 2, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 0982270402 ISBN-13: 978-0982270400	Order book here:

Review

On a cold snowy day, the kids are out of school. They decide to build a snowman. But what happens when they build him, and then abandon him and he gets tired of being in the cold and watching them all cozy and warm. He plots his revenge.

And so is the story of The Snowman’s Revenge. It’s a short children’s story by Mark Smythe, told in a rhyming fashion. There are illustrations throughout the book by Mike Motz.

I thought the story was a cute one, but for young kids might be a little scary. I know when I was little, I was freaked out by the flying monkeys, so I figure a snowman set on revenge might be frightening to some children.

I’d recommend it, but with a warning for parents to read it first and determine if they think their child will be bothered by it. With that in mind, pick it up and at least take a look at it.

About the Author”

Mark Smythe resides in a small, rural town located in the beautiful southern geography of western New York state. It is a lovely and quaint agricultural community, just south of Buffalo, New York.

He and his two children, Cassandra and Alexander, live on a picturesque, turn-of-the-century farm complete with a charming old white farmhouse, quaint red barns and wooden pasture fences.

Mark is an interior structural fire fighter with a local Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the Chief Operating Officer of a unique corporation: With Love From Above, LLC.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Rebecca at Cadence Marketing Group for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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	Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover: 32 pages Publisher: Palmary Press (July 1, 2011) Language: English ISBN-10: 0982134010 ISBN-13: 978-0982134016	Order book here:

Review

If you have children, one of these day’s you have to face that one question that’s hard to answer. No, it’s not “Where do babies come from?” but “Is there a Santa Clause?” It’s such a large question that it even prompted an Editorial in the September 21, 1897 edition of The New York Sun, entitled “Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Clause!”

In Kelly Moss’ delightful book she covers how to tell this story. It begins by making the child promise that they won’t read it without mom and dad, and that they’ll never tell another child about it. This makes them part of The Santa Club.

Throughout the book, it’s interspersed with some biblical verses on giving, as well as a light history of Saint Nicholas. At the end is a certificate inducting the child into The Santa’s Club.

I like that it explains the whole idea of Christmas and Santa is about giving and sacrifice. I also like that it brings the child into a secret club. I remember when I was young, and didn’t we all enjoy being part of a secret group.

The book also has nice illustrations by Jim Keserich. I think it’s a book that any parent might want to consider buying, however for some I think maybe the religious aspects might turn them off. But even with that, I’d recommend the book.

About the Author”

Kelly Moss is the CEO of JoeBro Records and JonJam Productions, small independent entertainment based companies located in Henderson, NV. When not working she donates her time speaking to or helping young artists navigate the entertainment industry without getting swindled. The Santa Club, Kelly’s First book, came out of a need to help other parents deal with the age old question, Is Santa Real. The Santa Club answers the question truthfully without diminishing the celebration of Christmas. Kelly has three children, two sons who are professional actors in Los Angeles and a lovely daughter who was adopted from Kazakhstan at the age of fourteen. Kelly is in the process of writing her second book on how to be a Stageparent your children can be proud of.

*Disclaimer* A special thanks goes out to Rebecca at Cadence Marketing Group for a review copy of this book. It in no way influenced my review. You can discuss it here or join my facebook page and discuss it there.

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