Mark Graham
Bio
I am a person who really likes to read and write and to share what I learned with all my education. My page will mainly be book reviews and critiques of old and new books that I have read and will read. There will also be other bits, too.
Stories (1801)
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Paddington V
Michael Bond in the Paddington series of five 'Paddington At Large' is the last one that I have read. This is one where Paddington has a day out with a friend, goes on television, makes a snack, helps out a neighbor the only way that he knows how, and makes Christmas special once again. All the illustrations in this volume as well as the other four volumes were drawn by Peggy Fortnum as pencil sketches of Mr. Paddington Brown of Number 32 Windsor Gardens, London.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Dinosaurs
Oh, my dinosaurs seem to be everywhere these days even though they are extinct or are they. Dinosaurs are everywhere from schools to parks and everywhere in between. There are many varieties of these large mammals that range in size from the small to the very large. Just ask any preschooler and they can name many of these mammals.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Paddington III
Michael Bond has written further adventures of Paddington and in this third installment entitled 'Paddington Helps Out' this bear who has quite the knack of getting in trouble but not really meaning to will learn what is wrong and figure out how to make it right unless it works out on its own. Paddington helps out by doing laundry, caring for the sick, helping a friend at work along with a few other adventures. From my adult perspective on this edition one learns that one can learn from the younger.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Paddington II
Michael Bond has written a second children's book entitled 'More About Paddington'. In this edition to the series Paddington will learn about how to decorate, spot trouble while learning new skills and what Christmas is all about. Reading this novel from an adult perspective one would think more about just how to be a better person to all no matter how one is treated just how Paddington does with his neighbor at various times and whomever he meets out in the community on his daily jaunts out. To me Paddington Bear is a bear for all seasons of growing.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Paddington
Michael Bond wrote a series of children's novels and the first one is entitled 'A Bear Called Paddington'. This is the story that introduces a bear from Darkest Peru to the city of London and the Brown family. Paddington is found sitting on a bench at the train station when he is spotted by the Brown family of Mr. and Mrs., Judy and Harry and Mrs. Bird. One aspect of this bear known as Paddington is that he has a love of marmalade sandwiches. In this first book Paddington has many adventures from exploring his new home to going shopping and even making new friends. I have read this book as a child and I even like this one more as an adult.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Sword
'The Sword' is book one of a series of Oddny Einarsdottir. It is a historical fiction novel written by Lilypearl Colman. The story is all about how Oddny a woman of substance is kidnapped and adapts her life as a slave in Scandavian countries of Norway and Finland. Oddny does what she is told to do and at times she finds out more of the people who have kidnapped her and for what reason. The author offers pronunciation keys for characters names and places and even some illustrations of the equipment that Oddny uses in her captivity.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Dibs
'Dibs' a novel written by Virginia M. Axline. This is a novel of a small boy named Dibs in search of himself. Dibs needs to learn who and what he is in perspective the place he holds in his family, school and the community. The first time I read this novel was part of a Play therapy course in a Master's Counseling program. Some chapters are short, and some are of medium length, but it could be read in one sitting if your time permits. Actually, I have read this book a few times and there is always something to learn even for adults that are parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to help children grow.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Mother's Day
Even though it is a day late here is a short critique of the holiday Mother's Day. It is a day to honor your mom with however you want to whether with a gift or a dinner or even just a card and a hug. It is a day to give your mom something special thought. I wish my mom was still here but I will see her again someday.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
I'm Ok, You're OK. Content Warning.
Another old academic book that I have read for a second time is entitled 'I'm Ok- You're Ok' A Practical Guide to Transactional Analysis' by Thomas A. Harris, MD. The general idea of this book is that we all have a Parent, Adult, and Child image in all of us and it is how we see ourselves in each of these scenarios of living life. Throughout this book even though it is somewhat outdated with some of the historical artifacts he mentions as Vietnam and the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and a few other political and social issues. It is still useful and gives a person a chance to work through who and how they feel personality wise. There are four of these:
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Calling All Writers!!!!
Just finished reading Anne Lamott's book 'bird by bird' for the third time since I first read it back in college for an 'Advanced Composition' course. Anne wrote this book as if teaching her course and it reads as if she is teaching ideas for writing that novel or even just short little pieces poems to short stories. Writing is a lonely profession she says, but it is in how you see yourself as a writer one that just wants to write or one that sees only money for publication of their work. To be a writer one must want to write and be able to put aside some things such as a few chores that could wait for a while to sit down and write whatever. Anne says that using note cards and little pocket notebooks come in handy for various kinds of writing notes along with finding a writing community that could help you when feeling stuck. These are only two things but there are many more ideas to get from this book to make you write. Writers must be readers.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Third Grade
So, what about third grade? This is the year that we really started with the new math so to speak. We are now entering multiplication from the threes through the twelves, fractions that include mixed and improper. There is a new subject in social studies known as history which is mainly the colonies and a little of the American revolution, but really only a taste. It was also the first year that we as students had our first achievement tests to see how we were progressing. My first third grade teacher was named Mrs. Bellstrom who for reason it seemed did not seem to care to much about me, but she became a mother and was replaced by Mrs. Donley who did like me and she liked the students to help her with little classroom chores to improve responsibility for we were no longer little ones, but growing up.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Sunny Days
Sunny days keeping the clouds away.... Who remembers the children's program that started each show in this manner. It is a show that is still on that teaches young children their letters, numbers and even foreign language mainly Spanish. Now the program also shares many social issues as well to help learn about cultural diversity. There are many characters that range from a big bird to two friends, a grouch and a 'snuffaluggagus' as well a vampire.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
