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Holy Week
Last Sunday was Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. So, what does Holy Week really entail? I think it actually starts on Ash Wednesday when one receives the ashes from burnt palms, and the pastor or priest makes a small cross on one's forehead. Then, there is Maundy Thursday and the washing of the feet if I remember right leading into Good Friday and the Last Supper and then Easter Sunday for "He is Risen!"
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Not-so-happily-ever-after
Rachel Renee Russell has written another in the series of 'Dork Diaries' and this one is entitled 'Tales from a Not-so-Happily-Ever-After'. This is the diary of the main character of Nikki J. Maxwell and the start of her day that describes her morning routine, and of course something always goes wrong. In this one getting ready for school and running late because of her younger sister taking something from her that now makes her feel hurried, and you pretty much know that something is going to happen and does but will not be discovered till it is too late and at school.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Goddess Girls
Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams have written a youth novel entitled 'Goddess Girls Aphrodite, the Beauty'. Who remembers studying Greek mythology in school or even in college? This story will show the readers very young versions of Greek gods and goddesses, as they could have been seen as middle school students. They are at the age where they are still learning about themselves and securing the various kinds of friendships that come along. They do tend to help each other as well as the mortals down below with issues and problems, and for Aphrodite that is all about love and seeing beauty in different ways. This is a book that will let you see Aphrodite, Ares, Poseidon, Athena, and a few other gods and goddesses in a fun and creative premise to get young readers interested in history even ancient history.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Wolves and Whales
This is a two in one book in a series of books entitled 'Getting to Know Nature's Children'. The one I read and found interesting is the one where the subjects are Wolves and Whales. This book is written by Judy Ross and the pictures throughout the book are photographs of wolves and whales. The reader will learn about how wolves and whales live in many respects and learn that there are somewhat similarities between the two animals in their various environments to the care of their young and to the kinds of food they each eat. Judy offers a glossary page of all the terms presented on each animal. It is a book for young children who seem to show interest in animals and nature, and makes a great early science book for the Preschool and Kindergarten teacher.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Tiny the Snow Dog & Pete the Cat
First, 'Tiny the Snow Dog' written by Cari Meister and illustrated by Rich Davis is young children's picture book that is at the level of a pre-primer. This is a first story book that will teach very beginning reading skills from left to right progression to reading pictures. This is the story of a dog and a snowy day, and how Tiny responds. Tiny also has a little boy that owns him or is the other way around.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Monkey Friends
'Monkey Friends' was written as a school reading textbook by Edward W. Dolch and Marguerite P. Dolch and illustrated by Charles Forsythe in 1958. It's actually reading book at the primer level. This is reading book that uses the top 95 of the commonest nouns and the easiest of the 110 words on the Dolch Basic Sight Words List. This is the story of a monkey named Jette, who is about to have several adventures. Jette is also a peculiar monkey who likes to stay clean and make all kinds of friends. This is also a story that teaches a few other very important basic skills that we all should know and do.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Secret Land of the Past
Miriam Schlein has written a children's early chapter book that is entitled 'Secret Land of the Past'. This is the story of Albert and Leo. Albert wants to stay home and go to baseball camp with his friend, but his parents are making him go on a trip with them to Bolivia. Albert meets Leo and on Albert's second day and on a tour of Leo's town they discover a hole, and they make an astounding discovery that is both personal and even professional in some respects in learning all about a long bygone time of early history.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Where she went?
Gayle Forman has written a novel for teens and adults that is entitled 'Where She Went'. This is the story of two teens who are musicians of various talents by the names of Adam and Mia for one is into Classical music and the other is more into Rock and Roll. It seems that everything is going to plan till tragedy strikes for one of them. The main character of Adam makes a certain promise that at times will be hard to keep. On the other hand, do we know what a person hears and understands while in a coma. There is a question to ponder and it's 'Do various kinds of friendships change over time due to various issues or will there always be a link of some kind between them?
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Ever After High
Shanno Hale has created a collection of fairy tales that we all know, but with a twist. The heroes and heroines are now parents and all have children, who are now in their second year of high school known as their 'legacy year'. This is when the kids have to relive their parents' stories. The question is 'Do they really want too though?'
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Dork Drabbles #3
January 11- Not saying babysitting is a job that one gets stuck with, but one that can be quite a lucrative pursuit. What will you do to entertain the child? As a 'sitter' one must observe the child to see what interests them. I was a babysitter and my go to activities were mainly arts and crafts, board games, reading books as well as playing games outside. Babysitting depending on circumstances that you are confronted with is really not too bad of a deal to make some money or to see if you have the fortitude to become a sitter.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Dork Drabbles #2
Here's a good question for any age. January 9- Someone just left a huge package on your doorstep with your name on it! What do you hope is inside? Believe it or not I would really like if someone would send me a collection of vintage books of various authors or even a collection of vintage textbooks for, I have one complete series of The McGuffey Readers and would like to get more. Another thing that I would like would be as Nikki's wish for various art supplies for I like to draw, paint and color with several sketch pads.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique
Dork Drabbles #1
This is the start of a series of drabbles that come from a 'Dork diaries' volume that is primarily a diary for the reader to write for it's a book of questions that I am going to answer as an adult for some of these questions could be for us as well. January 8- If you could be any other person in the world for one week, who would it be and why? For me there is not just one person, but really a compilation of people from old teachers for they showed me how to think about various ideas.
By Mark Graham9 months ago in Critique