Search Results

< Back Gail Scoates Paws, Purpose and Possibilities: How therapy dogs and faith healed my heart Author Gail Scoates shares her story of how therapy dogs gave her a sense of purpose following the death of her beloved younger sister. Dogs had always played a significant part in Gail’s life. Growing up, there were many dogs in the family, and Gail recalls happy memories and adventures with her sister, Karen, and their dogs. She describes how dogs provided a sense of comfort and security throughout her whole life. When Karen was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at the age of thirty-eight, Gail witnessed the special love and bond between Karen and her two dogs, Preston and Tanner. When Karen sadly passed away, Gail’s dog, Tucker, provided comfort and helped her through the grieving process. Following Karen’s passing, Gail became involved with the PAWS ministry, a therapy dog program. Gail trained up Tucker as a therapy dog, and together they visited a residential home for children with emotional and behavioural challenges, providing them with an opportunity to play and have fun, while learning how to interact with a dog safely. When Tucker passed away, Gail adopted a rescue dog, Max, and also trained him up as a therapy dog. Through many dog therapy visits, and observing the positive impact on children, Gail was able to find a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Later, Gail set up her own dog therapy program, named Karing Partners in memory of her sister. She was successful in setting up a program in a hospital and recruited other volunteer handlers and their dogs. With Max, and a subsequent dog, Sadie, the program made a significant difference to the lives of many patients and their families, hospital visitors, and health care staff. Paws, Purpose and Possibilities: How therapy dogs and faith healed my heart is a beautiful memoir by author Gail Scoates. Gail shares her story of how dogs supported her through many difficult periods of her life, including the death of her younger sister, and how therapy dogs have changed the lives of many others. This is a powerful story that not only shows the special bond between humans and dogs, but how dogs can help support, heal and rehabilitate people. A ‘ Paws for Reflection’ section at the end of each chapter, provides the reader with an opportunity for personal reflection. Gail’s commitment and dedication to dog therapy work is remarkable and her story is inspiring. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A beautiful and inspiring memoir, by an inspirational woman. Purchase here

< Back Jim Sarto Is School Really Out For The Summer?: Abbreviated Musings of a High School Principal Book blurb... Think summer's a break for principals? Think again. Dr. Joey Strat, Avenue Ridge High School's veteran principal, trades sunny relaxation for endless school drama in this laugh-out-loud satire. From unruly students and apathetic staff to demanding, clueless parents, Joey's vacation is a non-stop whirlwind of chaos. Amid the madness, Joey wistfully recalls his idyllic fifth-grade summer of 1964 - a time of boundless freedom, family, and adventure. Through vivid flashbacks, he contrasts the golden days of his youth with the ridiculous, real-life challenges of running a school. Is School Really Out for the Summer? serves up hilarity, heartfelt nostalgia, and a behind-the-scenes peek into school life. Perfect for educators, parents, and anyone who' s ever needed a laugh, this book proves that while school might be out, the lessons (and headaches) never end. Purchase here

< Back Sheldon Katz Portrait of the Author as a Young Atomist: Reminiscences Of A Developmental Ontology Book blurb... What if your earliest memories were filled not just with wonder, but with questions that shook the foundations of belief? In Portrait of the Author as a Young Atomist, Dr. Sheldon Katz invites readers into the raw, thoughtful terrain of a young mind awakening to the complexities of faith, free will, morality, and the very nature of existence. Blending memoir with philosophical reflection, Katz chronicles his journey from a tradition-bound childhood to an adulthood marked by intellectual emancipation. Through candid recollections - from battling guilt as a boy over breaking Sabbath rules to questioning the justice of God in the face of the Holocaust - the author explores the evolution of consciousness with clarity, wit, and emotional depth. Each chapter unfolds a layer of his internal transformation, leading to a powerful conclusion: that the meaning of life is not found in divine answers but in the courage to think, love, and live freely. This book is for seekers, skeptics, and thinkers - anyone who has dared to ask, 'What do I believe, and why?' Purchase here

< Back Juliet Rose We Don’t Matte A young film student captures police brutality on camera, by author Juliet Rose Seattle film student, Aiden, dreams of making it big as a film maker in California, but he is burdened with guilt over his brothers’ tragic suicide several years earlier. One day, while filming skateboarders at the local park, Aiden meets Zeke, a construction worker from Utah. Aiden feels an instant connection to Zeke, but he is unsure of his feelings and his own sexuality. As Aiden and Zeke’s relationship slowly develops, trouble erupts between the police and the residents of a homeless encampment. Aiden captures footage of police brutality and the murder of a defenceless autistic, homeless man, Enrique. Police officers notice Aiden is filming the incident, and he is chased through the streets and captured. He discards his camera in an alleyway, which is later picked up by a local resident. Aiden is wrongfully arrested by the police, beaten, and questioned. Enrique later dies from his injuries in hospital, but Aiden manages to recover his camera, and working with a local reporter, publishes the footage of Enrique’s murder. In fear of his life, from the police and radical police supporters, Aiden and Zeke travel across the country to the west coast and the safety of Aiden’s old friends, Sam and Smitty. With further civil protests, and reports of more police brutality, the couple are forced back to Seattle, to film and document the protests. The couple decide to turn their experiences of racism, discrimination, homophobia, and radical religious fanaticism, into something positive, and plan to travel the county and film people’s stories of oppression, injustice, and police brutality. But before they can move forward in their lives together, they must first address their own trauma. We Don’t Matter by author Juliet Rose is a powerful novel, which deals with issues of racism, discrimination, homophobia, radical religious fanaticism, and police brutality. Juliet Rose writes about these issues, sensitively and with compassion, and develops understanding and empathy for the main characters Aiden and Zeke, and the issues they face. Juliet Rose shows that we all certainly ‘Do Matter’. With some new characters, and some familiar characters from Juliet’s novel, ‘Do Over’, this book is a nice accompaniment to ‘Do Over’, but can also be read independently as a standalone novel. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A powerful novel, which deals with issues of racism, discrimination, homophobia, radical religious fanaticism, and police brutality, sensitively and with compassion. Purchase here

Magic and mystery at a prestigious ballet summer school, from author Colette Sewall < Back Colette Sewall Kiki Macadoo and the Graveyard Ballerinas Twelve-year-old Kiki Macadoo and her sister Alison are excited to spend the summer at Mount Faylinn Conservatory, a prestigious ballet school run by Madame Dupree. Just before the sisters leave home, Kiki notices something very strange about the conservatory brochure and feels a little anxious. Then, when a stranger on the train warns her there could be danger ahead, Kiki wonders whether she made the right decision. Kiki is even more dismayed when she is placed in the bottom class with a group of younger kids, while her talented sister is placed in the top class. Kiki soon settles into camp, but everything changes one day when she stumbles across a secret gate and follows a mysterious boy through the forest. Kiki discovers a magical world of flower fairies, wee folk, and strange creatures. But the fairies are not as friendly as they look, and Kiki is besieged with a series of bad luck, when she fails to follow the forest rules and crosses the path of an elder fairy. As Kiki rebuilds her relationship with the fairies, her luck turns from bad to worse on the night of her sister’s surprise sixteen birthday. Kiki must summon all of her strength and courage to try and rescue her sister from the gruesome graveyard ballerinas, and to save the ballet school from ruin. This is a fantastic, well-written book for middle-grade readers, packed full of drama and suspense. The haunting and captivating front cover will entice readers who love ballet, as well as those who love ghostly adventures and mystery stories. Sewell captures the beauty and joy of ballet, and the bond between two sisters perfectly. Ideal for readers aged eight to twelve. Highly recommended. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘A fantastic book packed full of drama and suspense, for those who love ballet and mystery stories. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Vatika and Natalie Gulati Penelope and The Unicorns Penelope and the Unicorns: A Story About Saving the One-Horned Rhinoceros is a beautifully illustrated and heartfelt children's book by Vatika and Natalie Gulati. The book takes readers on a journey to the protected grasslands of Kaziranga in Northeast India, where Penelope, a timid yet brave one-horned rhinoceros, shares her story of survival and hope. The narrative is both engaging and educational, introducing young readers to the plight of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which was nearly driven to extinction due to poaching fuelled by myths about the magical powers of their horns. Through Penelope's voice, the book highlights the devastating impact of humanity on wildlife, while also celebrating the efforts of conservationists who worked together to protect these majestic creatures. The story is empowering, showing how collective action can lead to meaningful change. The illustrations by Petra Paliskova are whimsical and vibrant, perfectly complementing the text. Her artwork brings the grasslands of Kaziranga to life, capturing the beauty of the rhinos and unicorns while also conveying the emotional depth of Penelope's journey. The historical note at the end of the book provides valuable context, explaining the real-life challenges faced by the one-horned rhinoceros and the ongoing conservation efforts that have helped their population recover. This section encourages readers to think critically about wildlife protection. Overall, this book is perfect for children and families who want to learn about wildlife conservation while enjoying a beautifully crafted story . Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A touching and impactful picture book about the majestic one-horned rhinoceros and wildlife conservation. Purchase here

< Back Mitzi Perdue Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul An insightful biography about an inspirational man, by author Mitzi Perdue Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul, is a biography about author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, Mark Victor Hansen, by Mitzi Perdue. The book comprises thirty chapters, which follow Mark from early childhood, his teenage and college years, through to his sixties and right through to the present day. The book describes how even at a young age, Mark was a hustler, buying and selling greetings cards to buy a racing bike. During his teenage years he excelled at writing, and at college he was destined for a career in academia. Later, he ventured into business when his academic career was cut short, but his business failed, and he was made bankrupt at the age of twenty-five. Described as one of the lowest points of his young life, Mark felt a failure and contemplated suicide. But, his faith in God pulled him through, and with the help of his friends and trusted mentors, he became a successful motivational speaker. He set up two successful companies: The Million Dollar Forum, and The Three Percent Club. The stories he collected during this time became the foundation for his book, Chicken Soup for the Soul, coauthored with friend and business partner Jack Canfield. The Chicken Soup for the Soul series led to sales of half a billion books and a Guinness Book of World’s Records entry for the most books on The New York Times bestseller list at the time. Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul is an insightful and inspirational biography by Mitzi Perdue, based on interviews with Mark and many of his relatives, friends, and colleagues, who shared their personal stories and memories. The stories show how Mark strived hard to achieve his goals and didn’t give up when things got tough, and how he maintained a strong sense of faith during good and bad times. Throughout his life, Mark was supported by many friends and mentors who guided him on his journey, and he used his experiences to give back to others. He inspired millions of people across the world, through his books, speaking events, and philanthropic activities. After each chapter, there is a short section titled ‘Learn from Mark’, which includes hints and tips for the reader to help them achieve success in their own life. Mitzi Perdue has done a great job at bringing Mark Victor Hansen’s story to life, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly events of his life. This is an honest, respectful, well-researched and exhaustive biography, which covers Mark’s life from early childhood to the present day. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A fascinating and insightful biography, packed full of life-lessons that will benefit any reader. Purchase here

< Back James Richard Hansen Moonlight in My Eyes: Poems Book blurb... In Moonlight in My Eyes, poet James Richard Hansen illuminates 2023 with exquisite depictions of nature. Through 55 poems, the moon, stars, wind, sea, and occasional sun blend with words, painting nuances of his emotions. Embracing life's moods, shades, and spirit, the short poems form a symphony of insights. Upon each reread, the visitor delves into new depths, feeling the poet's words resonate. Each line and image triggers sympathetic harmonies, akin to classical music, evoking complex emotional responses. These poems, with clear yet profound language, embrace a spectrum of passions, inviting repeated readings that unveil the poet's soul and the reader's yearnings. Purchase here

< Back Gabriella Fiorletta What I See is Love A day filled with love. A day in the life of a little girl, and her appreciation of the love that surrounds her. A little girl wakes up in the morning and receives a warm embrace from her mom. She sees love. Her dad drives her to school and blows her a kiss. She sees love. Her teacher greets her in class. She sees love. Her grandma bakes her cookies for lunch. She sees love. She plays with her friends at recess. She sees love. She looks at herself in the mirror before bedtime and notices how beautiful she is. She sees love. What I See is Love is a sweet and heartfelt illustrated picture book by Gabriella Fiorletta about love. Through simple narrative and everyday scenarios that young children will recognise, the book explores various expressions of love in a child-friendly way. It is a beautiful reminder that there is love all around us and we are all loved. It shows that you don’t need to use the words ‘I love you’ to show love. Love is expressed through our actions towards each other, the things we do and the things we feel and not what we say. It is also a reminder that love starts with ourselves, and encourages children to appreciate the unique qualities that make them special. I enjoyed the gentle and dreamy illustrations by Nyrryl Cadiz, the pastel color palette and the crayon-style drawings. A perfect book for a parent or caregiver to read to a child, to show them the are loved. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A sweet and heartfelt illustrated picture book, and a reminder that love is literally all around us. Purchase here

< Back N Lang The Lost Angels Book blurb... Lisa, an aspiring artist, can’t stop painting what she’s dreaming about…angels. She also starts to see things while awake, like demons trying to kill her. A mysterious man shows up to save her. Joe. He might hold the answers to her paintings…a forgotten past…and a mission to find the divided Angelheart with the help of three once angels, before the demons of the Underworld do, unleashing Hell on Earth. Purchase here

< Back Janice Hechter Where Are the Women? Girl scouts will stop at nothing to get a statue of women represented in Central Park. Where Are the Women? The Girl Scouts’ Campaign for the First Statue of Women in Central Park tells the true story of a group of young girl scouts who set out to raise awareness of the lack of women statues in Central Park, New York, in 2016. At the time, none of twenty-two statues in the park portrayed a real-life woman. The girls supported an organisation called Monumental Women, which works to bring statues of women into the park. The girl scouts made signs, cards and pins, and marched down the cobbled sidewalks of Central Park West to raise awareness and protest about the number of women represented on pedestals in Central Park. The girls raised funds to help pay for a statue by selling cookies, and throughout 2017 and 2018 raised thousands of dollars. But the girls were disappointed when the proposed location of the statue was a dark, isolated corner outside of the park. As the girls continued to fight for a statue in the park, public awareness increased. Finally, in 2020, a sixty-year-old ban of new statues in the park was overturned and a statue of three inspirational women was revealed. The three women, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady changed history when they fought for women’s rights. Where Are the Women? The Girl Scouts’ Campaign for the First Statue of Women in Central Park by author Janice Hechter is an inspirational true story about an inspirational group of girl scouts. Through perseverance and self-less determination, the young women worked tirelessly to get the first statues of real-life women in Central Park. This is an inspiring and empowering story, which highlights not only the importance of representation, but also the impact of youth activism. It demonstrates how the collective efforts of individuals, can drive significant change. The young women featured in this book, are a credit to girls and women everywhere. Truth, Anthony, Cady, and all the other women who fought for gender equality, would be proud of their achievements. Star rating : 5 Stars Summary : This is an inspiring and empowering story, and a must-read for anyone interested in social justice, history and youth advocacy. Purchase here

< Back Dr Nizar M Benazzouz The innovative Animal Nizar M. Benazzouz, PhD examines the hidden pattern within all natural and human innovations. The Innovative Animal explores the concept of innovation in all its facets, from the computer field and business, to the creation of our Matrix, online streaming, and the introduction of AI. Benazzouz discusses the rapid and profound transformations that have taken place over recent times, and how they have disrupted almost every aspect of our lives, from our economy, our society, and our individual identity. He discusses how the smartphone has become an extension of ourselves, enabling us to do almost anything and everything, from ordering a taxi, to streaming movies, and communicating with loved ones. The world we live in today is almost unrecognizable from the world of the 1950s. For many, the rapid pace of change is confusing and overwhelming. Benazzouz developed “The Fundamental Identity of Innovation”, an equation, he argues, capable of describing all human and natural innovations. In the equation, innovation is a result of motivation (of the innovator), creativity (or vision), technology (or implementation), value (or outcome), and need (of the end user). This is a meticulously researched book by Digital Transformation Manager and Innovation Professor, Nizar M. Benazzouz. The book explores both the creative and destructive forces of innovation, integrating knowledge from the East and West, and exploring innovation alongside developments in other fields of science and social science, such as biology, physics, history, anthropology, philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. Benazzouz’s primary motivation to write the book stems from a belief that we are approaching the apogee of the current technological revolution. An extraordinary and enlightening exploration of innovation, and its profound impact on our species and society. The book is accessible, yet thought-provoking. It offers readers a fascinating insight into the relationship between innovation and human evolution. Whether you are a tech nerd, a history buff, or just curious about innovation and the future, this book encourages reflection and debate about the intricate relationship between innovation and the world we inhabit. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: An extraordinary and enlightening exploration of innovation, and its profound impact on our species and society. Purchase here