Line Leads the Way

The book Line Leads the Way, written by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Alice Caldarella is about accepting imperfection and recognizing inner beauty.

The shapes around town see a sign that reads:

WANTED NEW TREASURE KEEPER

Are you the PERFECT shape

to keep our treasure safe?

Tryouts at Valley View

Library in two weeks!

The event was attended by shapes from near and far. Among the shapes that came were: Rectangle, Circle, Square, Oval, Triangle, Rectangle, Star, Diamond, and Line. The shapes all said that their shapes made them perfect for the job. For example, Circle proclaimed, "I am PERFECTLY round. I hold the silver moon and the blue lake and the noodly soup. I won't spill a single drop of Treasure." Diamond responded, "I will fly so PERFECTLY high that nobody will be able to reach the Treasure." Line was quiet then finally replied, "I'm not PERFECTLY anything. But I would take good care of the Treasure." The other shapes came back with mean remarks. Square said, "I'm worth four of you." After awhile the librarian finally said, "Our Treasure is made of many things, like knowledge and kindness and acceptance. The Treasure Keeper's job is to share it, not hide it or hoard it. With that in mind, congratulations to..."

This book has wonderful illustrations. Each shape has a personality. In addition to being colorful, the illustrations are also fun to explore. The illustrations complement the text well.

I really love how the rest of the story concludes. A must-have book for every daycare, school, church and home. This book teaches a lesson that needs to be learned early and reinforced often. This book is highly recommended.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Birds of Every Continent

The Birds of Every Continent chronicles twenty-two species of birds from around the world. You will find colorful photographs of each bird. A discussion of each bird includes the following facts:

1. Birds' Name

2. Scientific name

3. Physical features

4. Habitat

5. Diet

6. Interesting facts

There are birds from all continents represented. I will highlight one bird from each continent. The following are just a few facts about each bird.

Birds of North America

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

• Archilochus Colubris

• Incredible agility, unique hovering flight

• Shimmering iridescence is due to light refraction

• Fly non-stop for up to 18-20 hours to reach the wintering grounds

• They enter a state called "torpor" at night or in cold weather

• They can beat their wings 80 times per second

Birds of South America

Hoatzin

• "Stinkbird" due to its distinct odor

• They have specialized digestive adaptations, a fermentation chamber to break down tough plant material

• Not strong at flying

• Considered a living example of prehistoric bird features

Birds of Africa

Secretary Bird

• Tall stature, long legs, distinctive feather crest on its head

• When hunting prey it's called "stomping" because it repeatedly pounds its prey with its powerful feet to immobilize prey and break up the bones of prey

• They are considered honorary raptors

Birds of Europe

Red-throated Diver

• Courtship involves elaborate calls and synchronized swimming

• They have a haunting and mournful call

• Earned the nickname "Rain Goose"

• Diet is mainly fish

Birds of Asia

Fire-tailed Myzornis

• Myzornis Pyrrhoura

• Has dazzling plumage of red, green, and golden

• Important pollinators

• Referred to as the "flying jewel"

• They are indicators of mountain ecosystem health

Birds of Australia and Oceania

Black Noddy

• Black body, wings and white forehead and cap

• Seabird

• Known for its "nodding" behavior

• Known to engage in "kleptoparasitism" also known as stealing food from other birds

This book will appeal to bird enthusiasts. The bird descriptions in this book were interesting to read. I would recommend this book to others.

 Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Turkey's Birthday Bash

Turkey's Birthday Bash by Wendi Silvano is a hilarious book about an impatient turkey. It's Turkey's birthday and it seems that no one has remembered it's his birthday! There is something happening in Farmer Jake's backyard, but Turkey can't see what it is. In order to figure out what they are doing, Turkey gathers his friends together. He helps his friends put together various disguises so that he can sneak into the backyard. As a way to make the book even funnier, the author uses play on words. Here are a few examples.

"SHEAR up," said Sheep. As it relates to cheering up.

"You'd BATTER go back to the barn." Upon arriving disguised as a cupcake, turkey is discovered. He'd better get back to the barn because they're making a cake.

Turkey disguises himself as a rope-wicked tall candle made of trash cans. A box of matches is brought out by Millie, Farmer Jake's daughter, to light the big tall candle. Turkey leaps out of trash can candle and runs. Millie yells, "That's as FIRE as you go! BLOW on out of here..."

In the end, all farm animals are called to the backyard. Turkey as well. "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TURKEY!" This surprised Turkey so much. In addition to decorations, there were games, ice cream, and cupcakes. Best of all, there was PIZZA! For his birthday, Turkey really wanted pizza.

"CRUST me...this is going to be the most SUPER-SPECTACULAR birthday ever!" said Turkey.

Lee Harper's illustrations are amazing. They complement the story perfectly. The illustrations themselves tell the story pretty well. In addition to being colorful, the illustrations are entertaining as well.

I enjoyed everything about this book. This is a book I highly recommend.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

The Low-FODMAP Diet Cookbook For Beginners

The Low-FODMAP Diet Cookbook For Beginners by Nathan Terrell provides delicious recipes for managing IBS and other digestive disorders. There is also a 30-day meal plan included to help you achieve a healthier gut.

In the introduction, readers will learn about:

1. The Impact of the FODMAP Diet on Digestive Health

2. The Low FODMAP Diet in Stages

3. The Low FODMAP Diet's Benefits

4. The Low FODMAP Diet: The Diseases They Treat

5. The Best Ways to Start and Follow the Low FODMAP Diet

6. The Low FODMAP Foods List

7. The High FODMAP Foods to Avoid

What does FODMAP stand for? It is an acronym for "Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols."

Fermentable - foods our guts do not fully digest that ferment in our colon.

Oligosaccharides - fructans and galacto-oligasaccharides

Disaccharides - sucrose, lactose, maltose

Monosaccharides - simple sugars such as fructose and glucose

And Polyols - found in stone fruits, sugar-free sweeteners, and some vegetables.

Our digestive system cannot digest these four short-chain carbohydrates. Consequently, they can cause digestive problems.

"FODMAP encompasses a group of small carbohydrates, including sugars and fibers, that tend to be poorly immersed in the gastrointestinal tract. These inadequately digested sugars can draw water into the small intestine and present as a source of nourishment for the gut microbes residing in our colon, leading to the production of gas. This gas and additional water can become trapped in the intestines or stretch the intestines, contributing to troublesome digestive symptoms."

Low FODMAP foods:

• Carrots

• Cucumbers

• Lettuce

• Oranges

• Strawberries

• Hard cheeses

• Eggs

• Oats

• Peanuts

• Blueberries

• Grapes

• Oranges

• Pineapple

• Amaranth

• Corn

• Gluten free bread

• Popcorn

• Rice

• Butter

• Coconut milk

• Almond milk

• Potato

• Squash

• Sweet potato

High FODMAP foods (AVOID):

• Apple

• Dried fruit

• Asparagus

• Mushrooms

• Cow's milk

• Ice cream

• Legumes

• Wheat

• Honey

• Pistachios

• Soft cheese

• Goat's milk

• Sheep's milk

• Yogurt

• Barley

• Rye

• Apricots

• Avocado

• Cherries

• Mango

• Peaches

• Pear

• Watermelon

• Raisins

FODMAPs trigger fermentation when they enter the colon. Our intestinal tract is home to both healthy and unhealthy bacteria. Good bacteria produce methane from digestible fiber in our diet. Undigestible fiber releases hydrogen gas. There are a number of unwanted symptoms associated with this gas, including bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and constipation.

It is always advisable to consult your doctor if you are experiencing GI symptoms to rule out any underlying causes. In the Low FODMAP diet, the diet is divided into three stages. The best way to do this is under the supervision of a doctor or dietician.

First Stage: Elimination

This is the most challenging stage. You must eliminate ALL high FODMAP foods. A strict compliance with your modified diet is essential. Having a good dietician on hand can help you find replacements for foods you eat regularly that you need to give up. Discovering new foods that you haven't tried before could lead to new favorites. In general, it takes about a month for your body to notice the benefits of a diet change, for inflammation to subside, and for good bacteria to replace bad bacteria. This process may take even longer if you have a severe GI condition. A decision like this will have to be made between you and your doctor. Keep a daily log of your progress if you are doing this on your own.

Second Stage: Reintroduction

Whether you are working with your doctor or dietician or doing it yourself, you will introduce one food at a time. Foods should normally be trialed for several days before moving on to the next. You can determine your tolerance for any food by starting with a small amount and increasing it over time. If a food triggers GI issues, stop eating it and allow your body to get back to baseline before adding another. In order to prevent your body from becoming intolerant to foods, it's also helpful to rotate your foods. Due to the extensive list of High FODMAP foods, this stage lasts approximately 8-12 weeks.

Third Stage: Personalization

You will combine Low FODMAP foods with SAFE High FODMAP foods at this stage. This is going to be a journey. You should keep in mind that your gut is always changing. What your gut likes today may not be what it likes two months from now. People with GI issues have to be on alert at all times. Foods that are considered Low FODMAP may not always be suitable for your body just because they are considered so.

So, what are the benefits of a Low FODMAP diet?

• Extensive research

• Identification of food triggers

• Management and reduction of GI symptoms

• Better quality of life

• Lots of resources available

So, what diseases does the Low FODMAP diet help?

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth

• Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

So, how do I start and follow the Low FODMAP diet successfully?

• Seek professional help

• Keep a food diary

• Gather the necessary resources

• Initiate the elimination phase

• Reintroduction of FODMAP's

• Personalizing our diet

Here's where the book gets fun! A total of 100 recipes are included in this book. There are breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert recipes included in the collection.

BREAKFAST

1. Blueberry Muffins

2. Breakfast Quiche with Spinach and Bacon

3. Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal

LUNCH

1. Grilled Chicken Salad with Mixed Greens

2. Sushi Bowl with Shrimp and Avocado

3. Salmon and Spinach Salad

DINNER

1. Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers

2. Low FODMAP Tacos

3. Grilled Shrimp and Vegetable Skewers

SNACK

1. Rice Cakes with Almond Butter and Banana

2. Olives and Feta Cheese

3. Mixed Berry Smoothie

DESSERT

1. Coconut Macaroons

2. Strawberry Shortcake

3. Mixed Berry Popsicles

I found this book to be very informative and helpful. This is a book I would recommend.

Disclaimer - I reviewed this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Welcome to the Enchanted Forest

Welcome to the Enchanted Forest by Rebecca Himmel Glassman tells the story of four sisters, a boy, and an enchanted forest filled with magic.

Sarah, Nikki, Mandy, and Rose live in a trailer park with their mother. Due to their mother's long working hours, they are left to fend for themselves. Their father left the family. In frustration, Sarah, twelve, plays mom, while Rose, nine, acts out, while Mandy, eleven, and Nikki, ten, throw up their hands. Rose discovers a cute furry puppy named Suzi outside their trailer.

The eleven-year-old Drew, who has no friends and parents who are always busy, is lonely and awkward. He finally has one good friend and learns that he'll be moving. Just before moving, his friend is grounded. Drew's childhood stuffed animal Charlie jumps out of a shelf one day. He talks and convinces Drew to go to the forest with him. Defying logic, Drew embarks on an adventure unlike any other!

The puppy, Suzi, and Charlie, the old stuffed dog Drew had sat on his shelf since he was a baby, were not ordinary toys. At about the same time, Suzi begins luring the girls to the forest's edge. Seeing Suzi running, Rose runs after her. At first, the other sisters are afraid to follow. A rabbit named Skip and a squirrel named Sparky sent them to bring the children to the enchanted forest.

There was a consensus in town that the forest was dangerous. There's something mysterious and dark about this forest, with its colorful lights shooting into the night sky after the sun goes down. Skip and Sparky are straight-backed talking animals. Additionally, they are able to read the minds of children. Their mission is to guide the children to the enchanted house. Mysteries and magic swirl around the enchanted house.

The chairs hug the children. On the tables, food appears magically. The children are able to observe what is happening in the forest through mirrors. The children see pictures of people they know. The doors appear and disappear.

To quote Skip and Sparky, “The magic and the enchantment of this place are entirely based on hopes and dreams. If you don’t believe and you have no hope, then everything is plain and boring and sad and lonely.”

Drew and Rose enjoy their time in the house. There are times when they get a bit scared, but it doesn't last long. Rose's sisters eventually enter the forest to find her.

It would be a spoiler to reveal more of the story.

Overall, I found Welcome to the Enchanted Forest to be pretty good. Sometimes I got a bit bored and I just wanted the book to end so that I could find out how it ended. In my opinion, it dragged on a bit. The content wasn't bad, because it wasn't. A great deal of imagination is displayed by the author. In my opinion, it could have been made a bit shorter. I think children in upper elementary and middle school would enjoy this book. There is a reading age of 10-18 listed on Amazon for the book. From my perspective, it would be more the age of 8-13.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

LEARN GERMAN FOR ADULT BEGINNERS: SPEAK GERMAN IN 30 DAYS! - 3 BOOKS IN 1

Have you always wanted to learn German? Then look no further. Explore to Win: LEARN GERMAN FOR ADULT BEGINNERS: SPEAK GERMAN IN 30 DAYS! - 3 BOOKS IN 1 combines three books into one to teach adults German. With this book, you will learn German vocabulary, grammar, and conversation skills in just 30 days.

During high school, I studied German for two years. Since then, I haven't used my German. Considering I am turning 50 this year, that was quite some time ago. After so many years, I was surprised by how much I remembered and how easy it was to jump back in. It was not possible for me to get that far into the curriculum during the review period, but I intend to keep working through the combined books. There is a great deal of clarity in the presentation of concepts. "Learn A Language in 30 Days" literally made me pause. If I hadn't taken two years of German in the past, I don't know if I could have completed the challenge. I want to try another language after I finish German. This is to find out if I can learn a new language in 30 days.

The Three Books are outlined below. I thought about adding examples from each chapter, but the review became way too long and time-consuming. In addition, switching between English and German keyboard keys is tedious.

Book 1: Learn German Grammar Workbook for Adult Beginners: Write and Speak German in 30 Days!

A brief introduction, five chapters, and a conclusion are included.

This is a summary of what you will learn in Book 1:

• A concise and easy-to-understand explanation of German grammar principles.

• Grammar rules explained step-by-step.

• Your newly acquired knowledge will be reinforced through engaging exercises.

• An explanation of grammar usage through real-life examples.

• Writing, speaking, and comprehension techniques.

• How to overcome common grammatical difficulties encountered by adult learners.

Book 2: Learn German Vocabulary Workbook for Adult Beginners: Over 300+ Essential Words and Phrases You Must Know!

A brief introduction, four chapters, and a conclusion conclude book two.

• Vocabulary and language learning: its importance and advantages

• Everyday German phrases and words

• People, objects, food, drink, travel, and more vocabulary.

• This list of business German phrases will assist you in navigating the workplace and doing business in German.

• Expressions, locutions, and words used in cultural discourse.

• Vocabulary practice and reinforcement exercises.

Book 3: Learn German with Short Stories for Adult Beginners: Become Conversational Today with Fun & Engaging Stories

The book consists of an introduction, four chapters, and a conclusion.

This is a summary of what you will learn in Book 3.

1. Using engaging stories to learn German

2. A variety of stories covering a wide range of themes.

3. Personalized vocabulary and grammar exercises designed around each story.

4. You will learn cultural vocabulary to discuss events, traditions, locutions, and expressions.

5. Understanding and expressing yourself in real-life situations.

A chapter's conclusion consists of two sections. The first one is IT'S TIME FOR FUN. A simple end-of-chapter exercise gives you the opportunity to put what you learned into practice. Section exercises vary in length. The second section is called KEY TAKEAWAYS! An overview of the key concepts discussed in the chapter is presented here.

Over the course of 30 days, you will learn German vocabulary, grammar, and conversational skills.

For anyone who wishes to learn a language quickly, I highly recommend this book. It is not possible to master the language as well when it comes to pronunciation since you need to listen to the language being spoken rather than just looking at a pronunciation key. Language acquisition is easier for some people than for others. Learning another language will be much easier with a solid grasp of English grammar. My advice is to take the challenge if you are up for it. I was surprised by how easy it was to dust off the cobwebs in the language acquisition area of your brain if you've studied languages in the past. Check out all of the languages that Explore to Win offers.

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Something in the Basement

A little girl named Cecilia is afraid of a new sound she hears after moving into a new house in Malika Oakley's Something in the Basement.

From behind corners, something peeked out at her.

While she slept at night, it stared at her.

As she walked around the house, it followed her.

The basement was where it lived.

The creepy humming monster lived with it.

There was a groaning demon living with it.

A voice called "Cecilia" to her one night.

"Is something there?" she said scared.

"Why don't you take a look."

Her eyes squeaked shut, she counted to five.

"Just take a look." said the something.

Getting out of bed, Cecilia listened to the something.

"I'm in the basement." said the something.

She trembled in fear.

"Don't be afraid." said the something.

After turning on the basement lights, Cecilia didn't see anything.

The creepy sound was the humming of the furnace.

All that was groaning and moaning were the pipes.

Electricity caused the zapping and flickering.

She no longer feared the basement since there was nothing to be afraid of.

I found this book to be very disturbing. As a mother of six and grandmother of two, this isn't a book I would have ever read to my children. This is not a book I would read to my grandchildren. First of all, the whole book only talks about the child's fear except for the last four pages. To make fear more intense, the author personifies it. Now your child has been led to believe monsters are real and can speak. Why put such thoughts into a child's head? How helpful is it to talk about groaning demons hiding in your closet, or calling out your name in the middle of the night? Up until the last four pages, that is. Children tend to take what is said literally. I do not recommend this book. 

Disclaimer - I received this Ebook in exchange for my honest thoughts.