For instance, I like the fact that they cover what kinds of things can be done in the kitchen.  Children are smart and they get to thinking about those ideas (they are contagious you know); once the ball gets rolling…they come up with some pretty smart ideas of their own.  Here the book talks about making better choices when shopping for groceries or even the items that we use to serve our meals and snack.   Household chores are discussed and really teach about making the most of conserving water while doing dishes.  Opening up a dialog with children about using real dishes instead of toss away, like paper or styrofoam, products shows children that even simple choices can impact the world and save money.

        Reusing or recycling products is a great way to go green and this book has wonderful pictures and suggestions for doing just that.  This book is wonderful also for the fact that it encourages the whole family to make a commitment to saving the planet by telling the children to “help” their parents.  Sometimes it takes the faith of a child to move a mountain. 

        Taking care of the earth is important if we expect to have a place for our children and grandchildren to live safely with all that they need.  Gardening is making a resurrgence and learning how to do it properly is not hard to do if someone takes the time to teach you.  Conserving water and protecting it is crucial to the health of human beings. 

         The pictures or photos in this book are colorful and are relatable for both children and their family to grasp the concept of nurturing the world that we live in.  Many of the ideas are familiar but some of them aren’t.  In fact, you older readers may be surprised by the wisdom of those elders before us who did precisely some of these things; perhaps without knowing exactly how wise they were.

          I would recommend this book for children from ages 5-12 (and their parents of course). 

       There are some behaviors that the young man, Dylan, does that confuse Mackenzie Mackabee.  He sits and swings alone for long periods of time.  He covers his eyes and his ears for no apparent reason.  He doesn’t seem to smile or talk back when any other students talk to him.  One day, the kids are playing soccer when out of the blue, the young man runs and takes the ball and continues running.  The kids are upset thinking that he is trying to stop their game.

       Mackenzie consults her teacher about her questions regarding young Dylan’s behavior.  The teacher is thrilled to have an opportunity to explain that Dylan has Autism and how that affects him.  She explains that she is sure that Dylan isn’t trying to stop their game or trying to be a bully. 

       You will have to read the wonderful story to see how the situation is resolved and how a little understanding can go a long way to helping others to include someone who is a bit different from themselves.  This is a wonderfully written book and the colorful pictures on the pages help to show how students can learn about one another and appreciate their differences.   The emotions of the characters are reflected in the artwork so that the reader can empathize with the characters in the story. 

        I think this is a wonderful story book for any classroom setting; but, especially any classroom that may include special needs students who may be struggling to feel acceptance from their peers.   The author of the story is Julie Coe and the illustrator is Sondra Brassel; the story was inspired by the children of Jennifer Maloni.  I like the fact that these women intend for this book to make a difference in how children see another child who is a bit different from themselves and appreciate and include them in their social lives!   There are even some great activities to promote positive interaction between children who are living with Autism or any other challenge that sets them apart from their peers and others who are in their daily lives.   After all, everyone deserves the opportunity to be accepted for who they are and to feel like they fit or belong with others in the peer group.  Pick up this book and let it be an inspiration to teachers, students and families everywhere!

        The book can be purchased at:  http://www.amazon.com

          Hannah introduced the power of the human touch to the medical professional’s approach in helping pediatric care patients.  She introduced the idea of not limiting the activities of a sick child, when another approach can be considered, without compromising the health of the child.  In other words, don’t say no just for the sake of saying no…time is limited…say yes once in a while, and feel the liberation of that!

        I can think of all kinds of people that i want to personally recommend this book to.  I stayed up last night, until 2:30 this morning, to read it cover to cover; and, I am not sorry for the sacrifice of time. 

          Hannah is three.  She is a life force to be reckoned with.  Hannah is diagnosed with a cancerous tumor.  She and her family are on a collison course with the depths of their faith.  Hannah lives with joy in her red shoes that “fit perfect”.  She insists on being given some control in her daily life. 

          Hannah is an inspiration.   Even after her death, she leaves a legacy of living life to the fullest.  Hannah teaches many not to fear the opinion of others; not to hold oneself back, by fear.  She teaches that life is better living in truth, when you have the facts.  She also inspires a closer relationship with the spirit of God.

           Hannah’s family was each gifted in the present, and in the future, through knowing her and learning from her short life.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book.  If you know someone who is grieving…share the book.  If you know someone struggling with cancer…share the book.  If you know someone locked in fear…holding themselves back from their joys…share the book.

            Hannah’s Gift…touched me in ways that are amazing.  Just yesterday, previous to reading the book; I had been blogging on the subject of grieving; at the request of a friend who is grieving the loss of her mother.  Part of my blog post referred to my vision of grief as being like an onion…full of layer upon layer of discovery and loss.  Hannah’s Gift also, later in the evening of my reading, likened grief to the layers of an onion.  God spoke to me at the reading of that.  He speaks to us in real ways when we are listening.  Just like he spoke to Hannah’s mother through a complete stranger who was encouraged by a Hannah who had passed to create a handmade rug for her mother.  Just like he spoke to Hannah’s mother through two other women who made a quilt before Hannah’s death in his usual perfect timing.

          My blog post was that everyone grieves differently…and that is ok.  The key is not to get stuck in anyone area of grief that is destructive.  Hard to avoid…but, necessary for the soul to go on. 

           Hannah’s Gift was written by Hannah’s mother, Maria Housden.  She overcame the despair and depression that her loss caused to go on to write this inspiring book.  Truly, God intended her to share her wisdom and her journey.  He has changed Maria’s life since that time…it has been a life of meaning.  Painful at times, inspiring at times, and he has taught Maria about living in the moment, loving in the moment, letting go with dignity, and teaching through it all. 

            Hannah’s Gift was copyrighted in 2002 and was published by Bantam Books, a division of Random House, Inc.

       Young Marcus is bewildered as his father is jailed along with Dr. Martin Luther King; as far as he can see, he didn’t do anything wrong except stand up for people who were treated differently from the white folks. 

       Marcus’s mother is upset.  Grandmother is a great story teller and since it is close to Valentine’s Day, Grandmother decides to tell Marcus about the real Valentine.  Valentine was a person back in Rome in the early days of Christianity.

       Valentine was also in jail because he worshipped God and not the emperor which was the law at that time.  By loving his jailers and praying for the jailer’s blind daughter; she was healed.  The jailer became a Christian also.

        So Marcus, goes back to school where some of the children treated him poorly because of the color of his skin.  He made Valentine’s with his granny for each of them.  Travis, the young man who truly showed his prejudiced, came to understand that Marcus was more than the color of his skin because of the other children’s acceptance of Marcus. 

         Love and forgiveness heals alot.  Marcus began to form relationships with the other children in his class after giving out Valentines to his classmates. Marcus followed the teachings of Jesus in loving his “enemies”.

         The publisher is ZonderKidz.  Their website is: http://zondervan.com/.  The book is illustrated by Don Tate; copywrighted in 2001.