NEVER FORGET!

Please take 4.25 minutes to watch this remembrance of September 11, 2001.   Please offer a prayer for those who died that day, their families and for all those who are sacrificing themselves for the rest of us on a daily basis; especially our cops, firemen and troops. 

Attention History Teachers!

I feel strongly about history for several reasons, one of which is attributable to George Santayana* and the other is that history is often far more unbelievable than fictional speculation and thus is entertaining.   The problem I saw as a history teacher was that kids have been convinced that history is boring.  I have found a contemporary author who has successfully addressed that problem.  



Lory Kaufman has started a great series called The World of History Camp.   I have reviewed his first two books, The Lensand the Looker and The Bronze and the Brimstone.  In addition Lory was kind enough to respond  to an interview request. 


Lory’s work impressed me so much that I am going to be running a six post series on the Back Story of The World of History Camp.  Lory writes a  great YA action adventure story that demonstrates the value of knowing history.   Considering the inability of  our political leaders to learn (historically) from past mistakes, I feel Lory’s contributions, to promoting respect for history and the consequences for ignoring history are significant.   


Lory has graciously agreed to provide a copy of The Lens and the Looker, his first book, to give away each month on my blog.    


Go to Azure Dwarf , today Sept. 9^th to see the first post and the rules for the FREE  book give away. 

*George Santayana
is known for his (often-misquoted) comments: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to fulfill it"  which in my vernacular was (when I was teaching history) “if you don’t study your history you are doomed to repeat it.”  

 

Coming on September 9th Free Book Giveaway!

Lory Kaufman has started a great series called The World of History Camp.   I have reviewed his first two books, The Lensand the Looker and The Bronze and the Brimstone.  In addition Lory was kind enough to respond  to an interview request. 


Lory’s work impressed me so much that I am going to be running a six post series on the Back Story of The World of History Camp.  Lory writes a  great YA action adventure story that demonstrates the value of knowing history.   Considering the inability of  our political leaders to learn (historically) from past mistakes, I feel Lory’s contributions, to promoting respect for history and the consequences for ignoring history are significant.   


Lory has graciously agreed to provide a copy of The Lens and the Looker, his first book, to give away each month on my blog.    


Go to Azure Dwarf , Sept. 9^th to see the first post and the rules for the FREE  book give away. 

*George Santayana
is known for his (often-misquoted) comments: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to fulfill it"  which in my vernacular was (when I was teaching history) “if you don’t study your history you are doomed to repeat it.”  

 

A Guest Post by NeonSeon, author Life of Shouty: Good Habits

One of my friends told me Life of Shouty: Good Habits works well as a daily Meditation to center one's day and focus on the goals ahead. I haven't yet made that a part of my morning routine but I like the idea and sure could have used the book to read every day while I was writing the book. (Mental Möbius strip!) When I wrote Life of Shouty: Good Habits, one of my main struggles was keeping a consistently clean home; a home where at any time, I was ready to accept guests and give them the grand tour. This habit goes back to age 6 or so when I'd throw clothes and toys on the floor. Imagine that!  One of my worst habits started when I was very young.  Like most children, I had grand plans of growing up and doing x, y, and z, and I don't think I understood that unless I changed these bad habits, they would be part of my future plans, too. Imagine what reading Life of Shouty: Good Habits could have done to influence my thinking or behavior at a young age! Art is often aspirational and writing Life of Shouty: Good Habits has set me on a path to overcome my bad habits while inspiring others, young and old, to do the same. Happy reading! For more information about guest blogger and author/illustrator NeonSeon, And the Life of Shouty series, visit her website www.shouty.com. © NeonSeon 2011. Thank you for your guest post!

Tjhanks

Life of Shouty: Good Habits by NeonSeon

Shouty Good Habits by NeonSeon

Shouty is a motivational book for 2^nd and 3^rd graders.  

This book is an attempt to get younger kids to consider choices and lifestyle.   It isn’t spelled out as such but it is a motivational book for good health.  Shouty is a bit of a sloth and this book shows him changing his ways.

I showed the books to my five and seven year old grandchildren.   They found Shouty a bit confusing.   He appears as an adult and is shown in scenarios that are not age appropriate for the target market.   They said it was ok and they got the idea with some explanation on my part.   In my words they felt that the scenarios were not well chosen for the 2^nd and 3^rd grade target market.  

Shouty did not grab their attention or interest and they found him a bit non-descript.   I think the message is good but I don’t know who the appropriate target might be.   It didn’t appear to be five and seven year olds.

Body of work of Neon Seon

Web site: www.shouty.com