[Children’s Book Recommendation] The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen

Ever notice a small child look up when an adult walks into the room? Especially a very tall adult. Do you ever notice their eyes widen and how they bend their heads back almost to the point that you think they might break their little neck trying to look up in awe at this giant!

Do you wonder what they might be thinking? 

Do they think:

- How does a person get to be so big?

- Will I ever become a giant like that?

- I am so small. Will that big person hurt me?

- They're looking at the wall. Do they see me down here? I could get crushed!  Better move to some place safe like next to my mom.

Now imagine you're a small child in a home filled with giants. A giant father. Giant brothers. Giant sisters. All of them doing gigantic enormous things every day! Always busy all of the time. So busy they never even see you. You're so tiny. So tiny that your family gives you the name that means “the smallest one”. 

You think to yourself:

• Do they call me that because I'm not as big as they are and never will be?
• Or is it because they think so little of me that I might as well not exist? 

Though not her exact words, these were very likely the daily thoughts of Princess Djeow Seow, fourth youngest and smallest daughter of the Emperor of China.

Such was her world. Her brothers were allowed to help her father rule the kingdom. Her sisters brought the food to their father's table.

What was she permitted to do?  Go fly a kite! Literally.

But not everyone disregarded the tiny princess. There was a humble monk who always watched her whenever she hoisted her favorite kite into the air. Each day he would repeat the same prayer to her and each day she would always thank him in the same way. Every day. Each day. Each day. Every day. Except … one day.

Sometimes being “the smallest one” can be a very good thing.

*The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen is suggested reading for 3rd and 4th graders.

Jane Yolen is one of my favorite authors of books for children and young adults.  She has been writing for decades, mainly the fantasy genre.  The sweetness and simplicity of her style is what makes her work so appealing.

Original source

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Thriller/Horror Book Suggestions

Classic Horror Collection
By: Various
Published by: MobileReference.com

Classic Horror Collection. Incl. Dracula, Present at a Hanging, Tales of Terror and Mystery, The Phantom of the Opera, The Cask of Amontillado, Varney the Vampire, Frankenstein, The Raven & MORE... more...

Horowitz Horror
By: Horowitz, Anthony
Published by: Philomel

From the creator of the Alex Rider Adventures comes this wicked collection of macabre tales sure to send shivers up the spine. more...

Kitty's House of Horrors
By: Vaughn, Carrie
Published by: Grand Central Publishing

REALITY BITES Talk radio host and werewolf Kitty Norville has agreed to appear on TV's first all-supernatural reality show. She's expecting cheesy competitions and manufactured drama starring shapeshifters, vampires, and psychics. But what begins as a... more...

Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense and Horror
By: Writers Association, International Thriller
Published by: Dutton Children's

Don't turn out the lights. Don't go out alone. And whatever you do, don't let down your guard. Because your neighbors might seem normal, but why do they collect knives and eat their steaks so bloody? more...

Our Haunted Lives
By: Belanger, Jeff
Published by: ReadHowYouWant

Our Haunted Lives features the stories of dozens of people who have witnessed the supernatural firsthand--in their homes, at work, in cities large and small, in the United States and abroad. more...

Ghost Hunt
By: Hawes, Jason; Wilson, Grant; Dokey, Cameron (other)
Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

An exciting new middle grade collection of spooky paranormal investigations based on REAL ghost hunts from stars of the TV show Ghost Hunters , the number one reality show on cable television! In a lush, thick volume, Ghost Hunt will feature multiple... more...

Living With Ghosts
By: Sperring, Kari
Published by: DAW

The dazzling debut from a brilliant new fantasy talent. This highly original, darkly atmospheric fantasy novel immerses readers in a world where ghosts and other malevolent spirits seek entry into mortal realms—invisible to all but those who are not... more...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Paranormal
By: Brown, Nathan Robert
Published by: Alpha Books

An otherworldly examination of the unknown that will keep fright fans reading all night From any strange experience that can't be defined by science to psychic phenomena to monsters and weird creatures, The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to the Paranormal... more...

Shadow Tales
By: Grover, John
Published by: Double Dragon Publishing

There is a world that exists within our world. It is the world of shadow. A realm where anything is possible, a world where nothing is as it seems, a world that few have ever seen and returned to tell the tale. In this world new kinds of monsters are... more...

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft
By: Gleason, Katherine
Published by: Alpha Books

This guide offers a beginner's look at the history of paganism, Wicca, and witchcraft, from the Druids and Celts to the witches of today who practice an earth-based religion, cast spells, and perform natural magic. The book, written by a practicing witch,... more...

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The JFK - James Bond Link (and Other Interesting Bond Trivia)

Sharing links of interest I discovered while researching to publish my article for HUBPages.com:

My List of the Best James Bond Theme Songs

JFK's recommendation may have helped sell the James Bond books to America - Did you know that the late former President John F. Kennedy's endorsement of one of Ian Fleming's books promoted the popularity of James Bond films in the American market and helped propel 007 into becoming a worldwide phenomenon?

James Bond books by Ian Fleming Info on the James Bond books by Ian Fleming, including 12 novels and 2 books of short stories.

How James Bond and Steve Jobs changed our world - Economic Times By Bennett Voyles "...October marks two anniversaries that matter a lot to the tech world's collective unconscious: the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series, and the first anniversary of Steve Jobs' death. ..."

The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum Octopussy (1983), one of seven Bond movies starring Roger Moore, remains the only one in the series to be filmed in India. Parts of it were shot in Rajasthan, with Vijay Amritraj playing a cameo. In the case of Skyfall, complications pertaining to securing permission to shoot on a running train on the Konkan Railway reportedly forced the crew to look elsewhere. The latest Bond movie was eventually filmed in Shanghai, Istanbul and the Scottish Highlands. ...

The 10 Coolest Gadgets in 50 Years of James Bond For 50 years, James Bond has been the master of international intrigue and had some truly great gadgets along the way.

'Skyfall' Star, Naomie Harris Talks New Role And Idris Elba Becoming The First Black Bond Having the opportunity to co-star beside a suave British intelligence agent such as James Bond, requires a lot of skill and technique. According to 36-year-old actress Naomie Harris, prepping for her starring role in, Skyfall, proved to be more strenuous than she originally expected.

Facebook Fan Page: Idris Elba for James Bond. We Want Idris Elba for James Bond. As of Oct 2012 - over 20,000 likes; with almost 4,000 people talking about this.

Biggest Bond Bloopers A collection of bloopers at moviemistakes.com. Highlights the biggest Bond bloopers from all 22 Bond movies (there are over 1,000 mistakes across the entire series!).

Kennedy: A Cultural History of an American Icon 

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Related articles:

• Every First-Edition Ian Fleming James Bond Book Cover (1953-1966) (grayflannelsuit.net)
• The Next James Bond will be? (fandangogroovers.wordpress.com)
• Helen Flanagan tipped as new Bond girl (breakingnews.ie)

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● Irresistible Trivia About James Bond Novels - Treathyl Fox - Medium

● After that, Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, wrote a book a year. This brilliant writer died of a heart attack in 1964. That's a little over ten years!! ● It is not often that I come across...

First published 11/3/14, 9:49 PM CST

When is the new #JamesBond film released? What’s the title, who is in the cast, and is it #DanielCraig’s last movie as 007? https://t.co/5x1wZnJ7jf via @flipboard #entertainment #moviesmusicandbooks #Bond #Bond25 @RadioTimes

— Treathyl Fox (@cmoneyspinner) July 27, 2019

An Aston Martin DB5 as seen in Goldfinger. 

Expensive items are often part of a glamorous lifestyle.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Entertainment: Books: Biographies of J.R.R. Tolkien

Anyone who has done even scant research on John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892 – 1973) knows that even though he was a very private man, there is no shortage of biographical information about this famous British writer and medievalist. Hardcover, paperback, digital and audiobooks, letters, and other materials abound. His son, Christopher Tolkien (1924 - 2020) was is extremely protective of the legacy of his father and has only ever authorized one official biography. His father is highly respected as a literary hero and a mythmaker, and he wanted to keep it that way!

Image credit:  Hobbit House, Movie Set, New Zealand: Photo by Jeff Finley on Unsplash

Understandable, however, that did not stop others from publishing their unauthorized unofficial versions. (Even moi! I tried my hand at publishing an unauthorized biographical sketch.) These unapproved life stories (see listing below.) are just as appreciated by Tolkien fans, as the approved biography written by Humphrey Carpenter. Furthermore, the commercialization of  “all things Tolkien” may have started with the success of the “Lord of the Rings” books, but when these works were adapted to film, Tolkien fever infected the masses around the world. A loyal Tolkien-ite can not only build their own personal library, but can purchase puzzles, games, collectibles, and more!!

Tolkien: The Authorized Biography

Unauthorized Tolkien Biographies  ( Name of Author )

• J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century ( Tom Shippey )
• Tolkien: Man and Myth, a Literary Life ( Joseph Pearce )
• J. R. R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend ( Colin Duriez )

• Mythmaker: The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien, Creator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings ( Anne E. Neimark )
• J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator ( Wayne G. Hammond )

>BR>

Source:  Webnuggetz.com

Joie de Vivre Magazine: Recommended Reading: "The Book of Negroes"

There is no need to elaborate on this recommendation with a lengthy blog post. The title of the book says it all. 
(Linking back to my partner blog.)

Joie de Vivre Magazine: Recommended Reading: "The Book of Negroes" 

Ten Plus One Books Worth Reading - Fox's Picks

Borrowed this idea from another blog post. Listing 10 books plus the Book, that in my humble opinion are worth reading. Some of them are books for kids but recommended for adults who still eat sugary cereals when nobody's looking. Picture books, in particular, are quick and easy reads, often fun, and sometimes very profound!!

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• (1)  A Rose in Winter
• (2)  Shannah

Both are historical romance novels by the late Kathleen Woodiwiss.

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• (3)  The World of Steve Ditko
• (4)  Brothers in Arms

If you like biographies.
* * *

• (5)  The Emperor and the Kite

For fans (like me) of Jane Yolen or students of ancient China.

* * * * * * * *

 

• (6) The Eagle Are Back

The Phoenix rising from the ashes is a myth. However, the American bald eagle is real and almost became extinct. But now the eagle soars again!

* * * * * * * *

 

• (7) Witch Hunt

Urban fantasy is rising to the top of popular book genres.

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• (8)  Shipwrecked: Tang Treasures and Monsoon Winds
• (9)  Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World
• (10) Shipwreck: A Saga of Sea Tragedy and Sunken Treasure

Mysteries revealed. True stories of ships lost at sea. (SPOILER: None of them were attacked by pirates.)

* * * * * * * *

 

BONUS!  Final suggestion:  The Book aka The Bible.  More specifically?

• The Book of Judges: A Timely Application

Samson and Delilah poster by jamex3
Browse other Lemuel Posters

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Today is #NationalReadABookDay ~ Need Some Book Suggestions?

It's September 6^th. 
Today is #NationalReadABookDay. 

If you need some book suggestions, check out my Pinterest pinboard for some Books Worth Reading or peruse some of my ideas below.

Audiobook for Kids: Jules Verne's Around the World in 80 Days

Books About Men and Women of the Renaissance such as “Boccaccio's Fsmous Women”

ALL of the James Bond novels written by Ian Fleming

History, Mystery, or Ghost Story? Pick a book written by Peter Ackroyd such as “The Trial of Elizabeth Cree”

“TheRebecca Notebooks and Other Memories” by Daphne duMaurier

Women in History: Women Who Ruled: Razia Sultana of India

Books by My Favorite Authors of Childrens Books:  Laurence Yep, Katherine Paterson, Madeleine L'Engle and Jane Yolen 

MY Random Assortment of Books for YOUR Personal Library

Fox's Picks: Ten Plus One Books Worth Reading

This browser extension shows you which Amazon books are available free at your local library | CNET

Book Review: Rebuild Your Life Through Creative Visualization | KausarBilal.com

"Kausar Bilal is a blogger currently residing in Lahore, Pakistan. ..."

Thank you for visiting and for your patience.  This blog content has been republished elsewhere.  

• Continue reading at RationalMind.club.

Not mentioned in the review, but FYI, Creative Visualization can be purchased as an audiobook or CD, if you don't have time to read.

Creative Visualization Meditations (Audio Format)

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Examples of Books by Publisher: New World Library

Encyclopedia of Goddesses and Heroines: A Comprehensive Compendium

Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way: Sustainable Success for the Creative Entrepreneur

And There Was Light: The Extraordinary Memoir of a Blind Hero of the French Resistance in WW II

Related articles

• More on Creative Visualization
• Using Creative Visualization to Improve Learning
• Victim to Creative Visualization

Book Recommendation : Women in History : Razia Sultana of India (Reblog)

EXCERPT:  " ...Razia ascended the throne of Delhi at the age of 31. During her four-year reign from 1236, silver coins issued in her name bore her official title "Jalauddin" but she referred to herself as "lmadatun Niwan", which meant the Great Woman. Razia Sultana dressed like a man and rode an elephant through Delhi with her face unveiled....

Legends surrounding Razia have made her popular in Indian culture; the 1983 Urdu film Razia Sultan is a fictionalized account of her life, as is Rafiq Zakaria's novel, Razia: Queen "

Women Who Ruled: Razia Sultana of India 

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

**COMMENT: If you want to learn about women in history, this is the best blog ever!! Not only is it visually attractive and appealing, but the posts - so informative, intriguing and fascinating - will never disappoint you.

Book below not mentioned at the blog post, but suggested if interested in other women like Razia, the Queen of India.  It's a picture book suggested for ages 5 and up.  I'm older than 5 which puts me in the "and up" group of readers.  Picture books are wonderful quick reads and are just like a primer on a particular topic.  They usually have great illustrations and the non-fiction books present the info like a quick summary.  It whets your appetite and if you choose to do further research, you can search for books in the Juvenile/Young Adults section of the library for a more mature advanced reading level.
 

Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World

 

In the Mood for a Romance Novel?

She started it! There are those who say that Kathleen Woodiwiss pioneered the historical romance genre. No matter who gets credits, just be glad there are thousands of romance novels to get lost in!  They make for good reading on a rainy day, a winter's day, late at night … practically any time that you want or need some quality “me” time. Agree?

Book Reviews : 2 Historical Romance Novels by Kathleen Woodiwiss

The Pendant - A Gothic Romance Novel (Reblog) | History and Women

Sharing a link from one of the most gorgeous and informative blogs about women and for women on the worldwide web! The blog publisher writes book reviews but is also an author. This is one of her books.

The Pendant - A Gothic Romance Novel | History and Women

A lost ancient treasure. 

A 100 year family feud. 

And a woman with a passion richer than the bloodstone pendant she wears around her neck!

Related Articles:

• Good Reads: Two Thrillers and One Romance
• Women Who Ruled: Razia Sultana of India