Sunday, August 28, 2016

The Pediatrician's Guide To Feeding Babies And Toddlers





Book Summary:

A team of pediatric medical and nutrition experts pool their expertise to make a practical guide to feeding children ages 0-Toddler. Not only do they provide current information on what to feed young children, but they also tell how to get them to eat if their are difficulties. The authors discuss nutrition, medical conditions, and parenting concerns. They hope to make meal time easy and healthy so parents and children can enjoy their meal and move on to other things they want to do.

My Thoughts:

I found this book to be very helpful. Anyone who has children, works in child care, or spends time with young family members will find this book useful. The book is divided up into age groups so you can easily find the section that applies to your situation. There are also charts that show the basic information from that chapter so you can take a quick glance to see what the basic feeding expectations are in that age group.

I also liked that there are a few recipes for each age group so you have a place to start if you need some ideas on what to feed the child in your care. There are also handy charts about where your child should be developmentally. This helps the caregiver know when their child is ready to be introduced to certain foods. The authors also spend some time on allergies and other food issues children might have so caregivers can understand the needs of their child. Common questions are answered about different feeding topics, which I thought was very helpful.

All the information is presented in a very clear way so the reader knows what is best for their child. There is even a glossary of terms at the end of the book so if the reader has any questions about terms used they can understand all the information. I also liked that the authors were clear that parents should always consult their own doctor about any issues or questions, this book is a helpful guide that does not replace a doctor that can examine your child.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has children, or takes care of young children. It has a lot of helpful advice that is presented in a very clear way.

**I received a free copy of this book from Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.**

*Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have read as soon, or heard about otherwise.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Defying The Nazis





In 1939 Waitstill Sharp and his wife Martha are given a mission from the American Unitarian Association. They were to leave their home and children to go to Prague Czechoslovakia to help with the refugee crisis. With only $40,000 to help their mission, Waitstill and Martha had to quickly learn the art of spying, complete dangerous missions, learn the politics in several countries, and new languages. They must help as many people in danger from the Nazis as possible without becoming targets themselves. In 1940 the Sharps are sent to Vichy France to continue their aid and rescue mission.

From the moment I read the introduction to this book I was intrigued. I found it fascinating that the author did not know the incredible role his grandparents had played in rescuing people during World War II until his Mother suggested he speak to his grandparents about their activities during the War for a school assignment. After reading this book, I cannot help but wonder what stories I do not know about my family. Although we will not all find something as momentous as the author, his discovery is a great reminder to ask family questions. You never know what you will find. I felt like I was discovering Joukowsky's grandparents with him. It added an extra level of interest to my reading.

I was very interested in the Sharps' story. Reading how they adapted to their circumstances quickly and with an intense passion so they could save as many lives as possible was inspiring. I thought this added an interesting view of history. I felt their frustration as they tried to save people and were thwarted by bureaucracy. It was also a deeply personal story as we learn how their rescue mission brings them close together for a time, but ultimately separates them.

I admit, I found the first half of the book more intriguing. I found the last part a little dull as we went through their activities after the war. I think some of it was necessary so the readers could learn how profoundly their rescue missions shaped their lives, but perhaps a little less detail for some parts would have kept the book flowing a little more.

This book is the official companion to the Ken Burns' film, and I am looking forward to seeing how the Sharps' story is portrayed on film. I am glad I read the book first so I am familiar with the details before I watch it.

This was a good book about people who tried to make a difference during World War II. I think Ken Burns summed it up best in the introduction when he said "Martha once said that neither she nor Waitstill saw themselves as anything but ordinary, that anyone else would have acted in the same way. It's hard for me to believe that's true, but their remarkable story shows us why we should at least try." I thought this was a good book, and would recommend reading it.

*I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing.

*Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book I would not have read as soon or heard about otherwise.

Bookworms read: The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow





Sleepy Hollow is a small town that is bewitched! There are haunted valleys, a ghostly woman, and shrieks in the night. None of these compare to the Headless Horseman that terrifies all who cross his path. Ichabod Crane, a local school teacher is fascinated by all the local spooky tales. He finds them all too real one night when traveling home after a party. He encounters the Headless Horseman! Will Ichabod escape to continue courting the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel?

I have read this book several times, and it is a classic that everyone should read at least once. I reviewed this and other classic tales by Washington Irving on my blog previously. You can read that review here. I was pleased when Alejandro chose this book for us to read. It is a story that gives you the shivers and makes you anxious about Ichabod, but it is not too much for young readers. I also like that it also has some historical references, so that was a lot of fun to discuss with the Bookworms.

This was the nineteenth book that the Bookworms read together. One of my favourite parts of our book club is finding out which book we will read next. I was excited to read a classic with them and discover what they thought of it. We had fun talking about scary stories, the characters, history, and our theories about what happened to Ichabod Crane. Here are some of the things we talked about in our book club. Warning! There may be some spoilers if you are unfamiliar with the story.

Q&A With The Bookworms Book Club

How many stars out of 5 would you give this book?
Alejandro 4 1/2
Paige 4

What was your favourite part?
Alejandro When Ichabod ran away and disappeared.
Paige I liked the beginning when they were introducing Sleepy Hollow.

Why do you think the Headless Horseman rode at night?
Paige He was looking for his head.
Alejandro I think Brom was the Headless Horseman, and he was trying to scare people.

What was Ichabod's job?
Alejandro He was a school teacher and gave dance lessons.
Paige He was a school master.
Alejandro He was a bad teacher.

Ichabod gets scared thinking of scary stories he heard at night, do you?
Paige Sometimes. Scary dreams are more creepy.
Alejandro Yeah I think dreams are worse too. I got my head chopped of in a dream like the horseman!

Why do you think this book is considered a classic?
Alejandro Because it is a horror story but it isn't super scary.
Paige It is a good one for Halloween in a classroom.

Did you like the characters?
Paige Yes.
Alejandro Yes, but I didn't like Brom.

Alejandro's questions for the Bookworms:

What do you think happened to Ichabod?
Whitney I think he ran away.
Paige Maybe he disappeared.
Alejandro I think he ran away too.

Do you believe in ghosts and the Headless Horseman?
Alejandro If there is proof I would. Otherwise I only sort of believe in them.
Whitney No.
Paige No, I think these stories and movies about them are fake.

Thank you to the Bookworms for reading and reviewing this book with me. I am excited for our next book.



Monday, August 15, 2016

The Virgin of the Wind Rose





Jaqueline Quartermane is a lawyer for the State Department. While investigating the murder of an American missionary in Ethiopia she discovers there is much more going on than she originally thought. She becomes obsessed with a word square puzzle found inside an underground church. Soon she is on the trail of an elusive mastermind who is searching for lost relics. Can she figure out the clues before this mysterious person tries to bring about the end of times?

This is a historical mystery that has two stories running parallel. There is the story of Jaq the young lawyer who is trying to figure out historical clues to a very old mystery. We also have the story of a secret society in the year 1452. Portugal's Order of Christ led by Henry the Navigator. He must try to foil the plots of Queen Isabella. I thought it was an interesting combination. Watching two very different groups trying to foil groups in their own time trying to bring about the events in the Book of Revelation. It was a clever way of showing how different, yet how similar historical events can be to the lives we live today.

This is a book that fans of The Da Vinci Code will enjoy. It builds on conspiracies and historical mysteries that have intrigued people for generations. There were a lot of interesting historical details that make you want to go out and read more about the subject simply because the story is so interesting. It also has a lot of suspense as the characters have to figure out the mystery if they are to prevent a catastrophic event. It keeps you reading as you want to know if the characters will figure out the puzzles in time.

I would say it took me a little time to get into the story. At first, it switches back and forth between stories so often, which is why I had a little bit of difficulty really getting into the story. Stick with it, because that calms down as the book goes on. I was able to really get to know the characters and get into the plots as I kept reading. The story really picks up the pace, and you get absorbed in all the details.

I read this as an ebook on my Nook, and had no difficulties with it. The images loaded well and I was able to enjoy reading it.

This is one I recommend to any who enjoy Dan Brown and historical mysteries.

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

*Receiving a free copy of this book does not change my review. It simply provides me with a copy of a book that I would not have gotten to as soon or heard about otherwise.