Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Critique.
The Great Balloon Release Disaster of 1986: Lessons Learned from Cleveland's Helium Fiasco
In the chronicles of exposure stunts turned out badly, the disastrous arrival of 1.5 million helium-filled inflatables over the city of Cleveland on September 27, 1986, remains as an obvious sign of the unusual results that can go with even the most benevolent undertakings. What started as an endeavor to establish a worldwide best for the biggest inflatable delivery immediately transformed into a fiasco that had broad ramifications for the city and its inhabitants.
By Raven Bautista2 years ago in Critique
The Blue Tit Travels Africa
'The Blue Tit Travels Africa' is a children's picture written and illustrated by Astra about a small bird. What a way to travel. This is quite the picture book to teach about nature and geography. This bird wants to learn more about other animals in her travels. This is the first of series of books for preschoolers. The pictures are realistic and vivid and will peek one's interests even if to see which animal she meets that is different from herself. If used in a preschool classroom the teacher could write the animal names on the blackboard or on chart paper and learn to pronounce each of them and maybe even have the children 'write' them on some blank paper.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Super Dudes
'Super Dudes' written by Christopher Vigil is a children's book that will have you saying 'Surf's Up, Dudes!' This is the story that is a dream of an island of surf dudes and family that is led by Eddie and son named Raymond teaching him how to surf. Actually it is a story of learning about how to gain a certain aspect to living life in general. This is a story that illustrates some aspects of this sport and of a family accepting what may happen and what has happened in the past and looking for answers.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
A Green Hairy Thing Wearing Dad's Old Vest
'A Green Hairy Thing Wearing Dad's Old Vest' is a children's picture book written by Jennifer Coville. We can dream anything in our dreams? This is the story that is to me written as a poem and uses all her interests in writing in this story about a little boy who has an adventure that takes him to unknown places, but interesting ones that seem to have familiar things. It is also a story that will 'teach' various skills in an enjoyable way in a quite modern story.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Gracefully Grayson
'Gracefully Grayson' is a middle grade novel written by Ami Polonsky. It is a story that will show maybe who you really are and how you may deal with various situations. This is the story of a boy named Grayson and how he feels who he really is physically and emotionally. He signs up for the school play and feels that he wants to try out for an unusual role at least for a boy. 'Gracefully Grayson' is a story of making decisions that will affect you one way or another.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Ivanhoe
'Ivanhoe' a classic novel written by Sir Walter Scott is a piece of English literature that I think everyone should try to read at some point in their lives for there are many lessons that could be learned. To me it was a story of how to be fair to others. This is the story that is all about the Knight Ivanhoe and his family relationships dealing with Rowena and even Rebecca if I read it right. As a sideline it is also the story of 'Robin Hood' for you will recognize a few of those characters that the readers should know maybe from other stories. The novel about making choices.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Left Behind Series
The book series 'Left Behind' is a great way to learn to see ideas and things in a new light. It is a series that will bring new understanding. This is a series that is written and created by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. The major premise of the series is all about the last days of Earth. Who is and was right in a major discussion over the years. The series starts with the first volume of 16 books with 'Left Behind' and ends with the last titled 'Kingdom Comes'. This series is to me a fast-paced and quite illustrative reads. The creators of the books are real show and tell people. There will be critiques of each of the volumes.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
John wick: chapter 4 Review
Hey guys, I have finally watched the movie "John Wick: chapter 4". And I must say the movie is fire 🔥 From the fights in the desert to the final fight in the city, New York to Paris to Japan to Berlin, this movie was 2hrr action-packed.
By Merritencion2 years ago in Critique
Strategies to Make Your "Vocal Writing Awards" Submissions EVEN BETTER. Top Story - September 2023.
You’ve poured yourself into creating an amazing story. You've read it through several times. Yet perhaps you hesitate before pressing “submit,” wondering: What could I do to make it even better?
By Sonia Heidi Unruh2 years ago in Critique
