Prayers on My Pillow: Inspiration for Girls on the Threshold of Change Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book for my daughter who is 15 for Christmas. I started reading it and decided to give it to her immediately. Then I went out and bought five more copies for every teenage girl I knew. I can't describe what happens when you read this book of prayers. The prayers are like poems. They are all about having self confidence and courage and faith in yourself and in God. But the best part about these prayers is how they make you feel after you read one. It's as if the author words enter your heart and fill it with love. My daughter thanked me for this book three times. Buy this book for every woman and girl you know. Their lives and you will be the better for it.

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Cricket Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a heart-warming story that all family members will enjoy...
Brannon has done well in capturing the essence of life in the baseball
community of kids, parents and coaches....He is a student of the game,
of the game, which certainly contributes to making Cricket an enjoyable
read for the most ardent fan....

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Nine-year-old Kristie "Cricket" Adams doesn't believe the stereotypethat girls are supposed to play house, carry dolls, wear pretty dresses, andnot get dirty. She'd rather play baseball.
A talented pitcher, first baseman, and hitter, Cricket loves to play thegame. After participating in her town's Minor Little League program fortwo years, she dreams of being selected for one of the upper-level teams.Cricket works hard and prepares for tryouts, but she's disappointed whenshe's not chosen because she is a girl.
Cricket refuses to give up. She's asked to return to her Minor LittleLeague team to play another year. Somewhat discouraged over theoutcome, she agrees and is determined to be a good baseball player,teammate, and friend. With tenacity and motivation, Cricket proves thatdreams really do come true.
Filled with the sounds and sights of America's favorite pastime, bothboys and girls who love baseball will want to read about Cricket'sjourney to beat the odds and come out a winner!

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Ophelia Speaks Review

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(More customer reviews)Ophelia Speaks is a literary response to Mary Pipher's bestselling and sometimes controversial work Reviving Ophelia which was published in 1994. In this book psychologist Pipher, who works closely with adolescent girls, documented what she thought were the key issues and struggles for teenage females growing up in America. She did this through cases studies and careful analysis. Author Sara Shandler, a high school student at the time, took it upon herself to recruit girls from all over the United States to write about all aspects of being young and female. She was not opposed to Mary Pipher's work. In fact, it spoke to her positively in many ways. She just thought it would be a good idea for girls to speak for themselves. The result is Ophelia Speaks, a collection of essays on a variety of topics that girls chose to write about...family, friends, diseases, sexuality, death, depression, religion and others. The book is excellent in two regards. First, the stories often take you deep into the heart and mind of adolescent girls. You are struck by how insightful and analytical theses girls are, then thrown back by how fragile and complex their feelings are. The stories, picked by Sara Shandler, are well-written and sincere although a few of them were written in the abstract and therefore lacked the clarity to fully understand the issue at hand. The second part of the book I found to be outstanding were the introductions to each topic. These were written by Sara Shandler herself. They gave perspective on the topic in question and introduced each contribution by giving the reader a taste of what was in store. She also adds a little of her own experience so you get to know her a bit. My life revolves around coaching teenage girls in basketball. I also coach young girls in basketball. A book like this adds to my understanding of teenage girls and therefore helps me work with them more effectively. One of the things Shandler says in the introduction is that teenage " girls are incredibly complicated. " When you read the stories and begin to understand this, I believe it lends itself to patience and understanding. But the book's greatest value probably lies in the support adolescent girls can feel from reading these stories. These girls do not hold anything back and many of their reactions to life's experiences are probably universally felt by a lot of teenage girls. Any teenage girl who is feeling isolated or finding life to be difficult would probably benefit from reading this book. I highly recommend it.

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The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is adorable and well written and well illustrated. I guess that singers/songwriters carry over their writing skills to the pages, because I know Gloria writes some of her own music and it's another form of story telling. Therefore this book is great and being a mother herself, I guess she knew exactly the kind of stories young children love to hear. I have read this to a little cousin of mine and he was enthralled the whole way through. Noelle is a cute little character (that is actually one of her real dogs) and it tells a story of all these things that happen to her very interestingly. The real message is really about the dog having a hard time fitting in and it's a metaphor for kids feeling left out and not included and different. My cousin also loved all the colors and pictures. This is a great book that I really recommend parents to read to their kids (and enjoy yourself too).

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For a young bulldog named Noelle, the joy of being adopted by her very own little girl is overshadowed by the worry that she won't fit in to her wonderful new home. What can an odd–looking brown pup possibly have to offer in a world where shimmering fish, glittering fireflies, and beautiful Dalmatians play games that Noelle's short legs can barely keep up with? Five–time GRAMMY® Award–winning singer–songwriter Gloria Estefan's first book for children is a heartwarming story. Exuberantly illustrated by Michael Garland, it captures all the worry of an outsider trying to fit in – and all the joy of discovering that everyone has a talent that matters, and that true beauty comes from inside. o Includes CD single of Gloria Estefan's latest release Noelle's Song Ages 3+

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Bella Gets Her Skates On Review

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(More customer reviews)There is a moment in every child's life when they think something to the effect of "I just can't do that." For some kids, this is a fleeting feeling; others get stuck by the thought almost constantly. This is where Bella Gets Her Skates On comes in.
Bella is a little bunny who worries. With a big brother and big sister who seem fearless and good at everything, Bella often feels left behind. When her family decides to go skating one frosty winter morning, Bella worries that her little legs won't allow her to keep up. Her Daddy decides that the best way to convince her to go skating is to start small. After doing all sorts of fun games that show Bella she can keep up with anyone in her family, they end up at the lake. Will Bella be able to lace up her skates and give the ice a try?
Bella Gets Her Skates On is a beautiful way to show children that trying something new can be fun and exciting. It illustrates a great family relationship, the trials that come along with being the youngest child, playing and learning together, and the importance of encouragement from a parent. It leaves the reader with an upbeat and heartwarming message that a child will carry with them long after the book has been closed.
Armchair Interviews says: With a great message, entertaining story, and beautiful artwork, Bella is a great addition to any child's library.

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A wintertime confidence-boosterWhen Daddy Rabbit suggests skating on the frozen lake, Bella's big brother and sister are excited. But little Bella is nervous. What if she falls over and everyone laughs at her? Gently encouraged by the others, Bella gains confidence and steps out onto the ice—and discovers that she loves skating! A wonderful book to share with any child who ever has lacked confidence in his or her ability to step out into the world—and have fun!

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Just Grace and the Terrible Tutu Review

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(More customer reviews)Just Grace is back in JUST GRACE AND THE TERRIBLE TUTU and I hope she never goes away. Charise Mericle Harper knows young girls and it shows beautifully. Mimi, Grace's best friend is going to be getting a sister. Lily, a 4 year-old moves in next door and immediately takes to Grace but is shy around Mimi. Grace comes up with a plan to get Lily to like Mimi. Grace is a strong personality and I would have liked her as my friend growing up. This is a wonderful read for young girls and it will be made part of my library collection.

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Beauty's Secret: A Girl's Discovery of Inner Beauty (Heartlight Girls Series Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently had the opportunity to review the book, Beauty's Secret: A Girls Discovery of Inner Beauty, by Debra Gano, Illustrated by Dawn Pitre. This book is in the genre of, Juvenile Fiction and Juvenile Self-Esteem, and written for girls in the 7 -14 age group. Its retail price is $17.95 and it may be found at [...], most major bookstores nationwide, and of course Amazon.com.
When there are so many books lining the bookstores and newsstand shelves, trying to capture the pre-teen, tween, and teen girl's attention, I find this book to be refreshing. Although written in an easily understood juvenile format, I found this book to be a great help for anyone facing the everyday struggles we sometimes deal with in today's society. Between peer pressure, the media, and the internet, girls are often overwhelmed by images that are not always positive or appropriate.
This book is the first in a series entitled The Heartlight Girls Series, written by [...], a former international model/actress and now CEO/Founder of Heartlight Girls. Debra is a national speaker on self-esteem and inner beauty and has now turned her attention to young girls and their inherent self-esteem issues.
Being the first in the series, this book has already won several awards including:
*Mom's Choice Award 2009 Gold Recipient
*USA Book News "National Best Books" 2008 First Place Winner Children's Fiction
*COVR Visionary Award's Best Children's Book of the Year 2008
*Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2008 Silver Medal Winner
The book follows the title character Beauty, from birth to 16 years of age. Over a total of seven chapters, Beauty experiences insecurities about her appearance, enters a "beauty" contest and finds out about true beauty. I think any young girl would find this book interesting and comforting. It will teach them about self-esteem, friends, and insecurities. I would recommend this book to any parent of a young girl from the age of seven to fifteen. If there is a young girl in your life who you cannot get entice to talk about her feelings or concerns, this book would be a great conversation starter for the two of you. I highly recommend this book because, even though I am an adult, it also reminded me of what is important in life in general. Life sometimes gets in the way as adults and we can sometimes forget that we need to look within. My favorite quote from the book is by poet Khalil Gibran and reads, "Beauty is not in the face. Beauty is a light in the heart." Oh, one last beautiful thing, Heartlight Girls donates a portion of book
sales to organizations that support the empowerment of girls.
I would like to thank the author, Debra Gano first for writing such a beautiful book and secondly for providing a copy of the book for review.

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Beautys Secret is an inspiring story of a sweet girl named Beauty, whose enthusiasm for life lights up the world around her. However, her light dims as she becomes overly focused on her external appearance. Journey with Beauty through an enlightening experience, one that leads her to remember the truth about herself. Learn the important secret she receives from a mystical angel...a secret that will change her life forever and will once again make her light shine bright! In a society where few role models exist for girls, Beauty becomes a beacon of inspiration to all. Author Debra Gano delivers a powerful message about the value of going within to discover beauty and self-approval. Stunningly illustrated by noted artist Dawn Pitre, this beautiful and uplifting book can be appreciated by readers of all ages.

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First Daughter: Extreme American Makeover Review

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(More customer reviews)Here's a feel good book just in time for the election season. But it's more than just that. Perkins weaves an exquisite cultural sensitivity into her Presidential election drama, drawing on personal experience and what I can only describe as a really big heart. The characters: An adopted South Asian teen. A flower child mom who is a church-going political liberal! Her husband: the kindest, most tolerant Republican (since Abe Lincoln), but not a church goer. The opponent: Hill sans Bill, with a handsome son to boot. But the best character of all is Uncle Mohamed. I can't wait for him to reappear in the sequel.
And yes, there are "bad guys"--an over-the-hill (at 30!) media know-it-all, and the usual paparazzi.
While marketed as a teen novel, ADULTS WILL REALLY WANT TO READ THIS as an antidote to the evening news. Perkins is clearly anchored in reality, even as she tries to bring out the best in (nearly all) of her characters.

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