Thirty Days of Gratitude: Books

For more information on how to participate in Thirty Days of Gratitude, click here.

If you couldn't tell, I love books. I love reading them; I want to create them; I enjoy reviewing them; and I've found that I thoroughly enjoy giving them away to you lovely people. Books have always played a big part in my life for which I am grateful.

So, in honor of Reader Appreciation Month (no, it's not a national holiday--I just decided it was so because I am so grateful for all of you), I offer you a review of Pingo and the Playground Bully, a children's picture book, and a giveaway of this fabulous book which ends on the eve of November 14th.

Pingo and the Playground Bully by Brandon Mull

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In a world where bullying never seems to end, books like Pingo and the Playground Bully can make a difference. The simple message it suggests shows all who read it a solution to the ever-present not-so-imaginary monster lurking in the shadows of our society.

The art, done by Brandon Dorman, is colorful, imaginative, and enticing. The coupling of the great message with uniquely expressive artwork makes for a delightful masterpiece of a children's book.

Pingo and the Playground Bully is a picture book, and, yes, it is directed at primary school-aged children, but I suggest it would make a difference at any age in any educational environment.

I recommend it to readers of all ages.


Disclosure: I was given one copy in exchange for this review, as well as one copy to give away to you!



View all my reviews

Thirty Days of Gratitude: Slicing

For more information on how to participate in Thirty Days of Gratitude, click here. 

Since I began participation in the Slice of Life Story Challenge on Two Writing Teachers, I have become so much more aware of the importance and value of online communities. Not only have I become acquainted with a great deal more writerly sorts of folks, but I have been able to cultivate more sense of community within my own blogosphere, which has always been one of my goals.

I am grateful to Ruth Ayres and Stacey Shubitz for creating something so special. I am also very thankful for each slicer who has taken time to comment and make me feel a part of your community. You are all so encouraging and uplifting, and I thank you with all my heart.

Source: twowritingteachers.wordpress.com via The Purple on Pinterest

Thirty Days of Gratitude: Music

From a young age, even before I can remember, my parents filled my world with music. There are photos of me standing on the brick fireplace with a magazine in hand pretending to lead music. I sang in church and school choirs, and I played piano for a few years and flute for junior high and high school. Add in all the 8-tracks, cassette tapes, records, and CDs that brought popular (and not so popular) music into my universe, and you can see how music-immersed life was for me . I fell in love with Elvis, The Beatles, and The Mamas and The Papas before I knew how I had been sheltered. Then-- enter Tiffany, Depeche Mode, The Pet Shop Boys, and the naughtylicious likes of The Beastie Boys and Sir Mix-a-lot (I think my mom wished she never bought a CD player once some of that stuff came onto the scene.)

I love music so much. My life would not be the same without it. I give thanks to all song writers, composers old and new, and performers of good music.  ABBA's 'Thank You For The Music' expresses my sentiments perfectly.

You make life beautiful by sharing your talents.

For more information on how to participate in Thirty Days of Gratitude, click here. 

Thirty Days of Gratitude: Seeking to Become

For more information on how to participate in Thirty Days of Gratitude, click here.

As I reflect on my spirituality, I am humbled to see how far I've come as well as how far I need to go. God grants me daily breath to keep living life, learning how to be, for which I am exceedingly grateful. I think about all the roadblocks I've been able to get through and my heart is encouraged to keep going. I am thankful for the inspiration to create my Seeking To Become series. It helps to provide me with some focus and sense of community with those who contribute to the discussions. I am brought to a remembrance of one of my favorite verses of scripture:

 For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

Jeremiah 31:25

I know these words to be true because, although I am suffering a great deal, I am touched by God's love for me. I am replenished.

This month is dedicated to tuning into how much there is to be thankful for, recognizing the Lord's hand in our lives, and allowing Him to fill our souls in order to carry on.

I invite you to join me by leaving a comment with your thoughts.

Thirty Days of Gratitude: Cousins

I have a gob of cousins. I'm telling you, it's like close to a hundred if you count my cousins' children that I actually see from time to time. It could even be over a hundred for all I know.

But anyways. I have this one cousin who started a blog and he writes in fragmented, dramatic ways and puts real, raw stuff out there for everyone to read. While reading his blog a few weeks ago, I listened to one of the songs he embedded for a post and it was amazing. Amazingly loud. Amazingly purple. Amazingly gorgeous in a loud purple love sort of way.



It made me think about how enriched my life is because I am acquainted with a great deal of my extended family and, I guess, because there are so many of them. I want to express my love for all of my cousins. Throughout my life, I have had cousins making a difference at every turn. You are all so wonderful.



For more information on how to participate in Thirty Days of Gratitude, click here.