Describe your new book: This book is the story of my life — the ups, the downs, and the music. If someone were to write your biography, what...
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The perfect teens and tweens read to get them to see the impact of bullying and ways we can be more accepting of others who are different. Within this story a man reflects on how his whole outlook on life was affected after a three week encounter with a burn victim when he was in seventh grade. Honest dialogue, nothing is sugar coated here, which is what kids crave, honesty and how to handle real life, difficult situations while "saving" face among their peers. A great book to spark discussions whether at the dinner table or within the classroom, a must read for kids of all ages!
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(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
Pieces of My Sister's Life takes you back and forth between the past and the present lives of two sisters, twins, whose world is broken apart by an unspeakable act. I enjoyed the character development of the sisters, one clearly the "good girl" and one the "bad girl" and how their lives are sculpted by the abandonment of their mother and the loss of their father. One solid character throughout their lives Justin, a boy, eventually a man, reminds me that people do have the potential to choose their path in life. This first novel by Elizabeth Joy Arnold leaves me wondering what other stories she will be able to weave.
James Beverly is a modern day Aesop with his endearing short stories of Seamus the kind and gentle Sheltie who guides children into the learning of life’s difficult lessons. In the Book More Tales (Tails) of Seamus the Sheltie, with the help of Seamus, children are exposed to topics such as, how to handle a bully, the illness and death of a loved one, stealing and its consequences, dealing with strangers, keeping yourself safe, and how to handle feeling different. Many of the topics addressed within these short stories are difficult ones for adults to approach with children but James Beverly uses Seamus as an ambassador to understanding. The stories are filled with Seamus’s friends, creatures, children are sure to come to love. The creature’s language, unique to the Tales of Seamus is sure to be loved by children, as they will feel Seamus and his friends come to life. Children will learn while listening to their family read the stories. This book is sure to increase the bond between parent and child or reader and child.
The beautifully detailed drawings by Anita Miles bring the characters to life. The drawings help young children visualize the story to a greater degree. A perfect addition to the book!
Included in this book are discussion questions for each story. These questions will help the reader guide children to a deeper understanding of the story and lesson. These questions encourage the reader and the child to talk about the topic(s) embedded in the story in a gentle way. Talking about difficult topics will make the child more comfortable and lead to them asking their own questions. Beverly also includes a summary of each story and the Life Lessons and Values each story addresses. This makes it easy for the reader to pinpoint the topics addressed and allows the reader to select the stories as needed. It is not necessary to read the book from cover to cover but allows you the reader to select stories appropriate for the child or children you are reading to. Children will certainly want to hear more, but this book gives you options. I loved that Beverly included this section! It is very reader/user friendly!
As a teacher I will be able to share these Life Lessons and Values with my students, through Seamus’ Tales. Many children often times don’t get this level of conversation at home. If every parent had this book, children would learn through Seamus how to be kinder and gentler to each other, the world would be a far better place.
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MichelleSiegel has commented on (3) products.
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
MichelleSiegel, July 23, 2010
The perfect teens and tweens read to get them to see the impact of bullying and ways we can be more accepting of others who are different. Within this story a man reflects on how his whole outlook on life was affected after a three week encounter with a burn victim when he was in seventh grade. Honest dialogue, nothing is sugar coated here, which is what kids crave, honesty and how to handle real life, difficult situations while "saving" face among their peers. A great book to spark discussions whether at the dinner table or within the classroom, a must read for kids of all ages!(2 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
Pieces of My Sister's Life by Elizabeth Arnold
MichelleSiegel, July 17, 2010
Pieces of My Sister's Life takes you back and forth between the past and the present lives of two sisters, twins, whose world is broken apart by an unspeakable act. I enjoyed the character development of the sisters, one clearly the "good girl" and one the "bad girl" and how their lives are sculpted by the abandonment of their mother and the loss of their father. One solid character throughout their lives Justin, a boy, eventually a man, reminds me that people do have the potential to choose their path in life. This first novel by Elizabeth Joy Arnold leaves me wondering what other stories she will be able to weave.More Tales of Seamus the Sheltie by James Beverly
MichelleSiegel, July 7, 2010
James Beverly is a modern day Aesop with his endearing short stories of Seamus the kind and gentle Sheltie who guides children into the learning of life’s difficult lessons. In the Book More Tales (Tails) of Seamus the Sheltie, with the help of Seamus, children are exposed to topics such as, how to handle a bully, the illness and death of a loved one, stealing and its consequences, dealing with strangers, keeping yourself safe, and how to handle feeling different. Many of the topics addressed within these short stories are difficult ones for adults to approach with children but James Beverly uses Seamus as an ambassador to understanding. The stories are filled with Seamus’s friends, creatures, children are sure to come to love. The creature’s language, unique to the Tales of Seamus is sure to be loved by children, as they will feel Seamus and his friends come to life. Children will learn while listening to their family read the stories. This book is sure to increase the bond between parent and child or reader and child.The beautifully detailed drawings by Anita Miles bring the characters to life. The drawings help young children visualize the story to a greater degree. A perfect addition to the book!
Included in this book are discussion questions for each story. These questions will help the reader guide children to a deeper understanding of the story and lesson. These questions encourage the reader and the child to talk about the topic(s) embedded in the story in a gentle way. Talking about difficult topics will make the child more comfortable and lead to them asking their own questions. Beverly also includes a summary of each story and the Life Lessons and Values each story addresses. This makes it easy for the reader to pinpoint the topics addressed and allows the reader to select the stories as needed. It is not necessary to read the book from cover to cover but allows you the reader to select stories appropriate for the child or children you are reading to. Children will certainly want to hear more, but this book gives you options. I loved that Beverly included this section! It is very reader/user friendly!
As a teacher I will be able to share these Life Lessons and Values with my students, through Seamus’ Tales. Many children often times don’t get this level of conversation at home. If every parent had this book, children would learn through Seamus how to be kinder and gentler to each other, the world would be a far better place.