Tag: 4 stars

The I’M NOT SCARED Book – Todd Parr

This is a colourful book aimed at young kidlets to help them acknowledge and face their fears. Throughout the book common childhood fears including the dark, dogs, what’s under your bed, storms, arguments and getting lost in a store are addressed, along with ways to overcome fear in those situations.

Encouraging children to tell someone about their fears, this book offers some easy solutions and different ways of thinking about fears to help overcome them. A nightlight can help if you’re scared of the dark. Building a fort during a storm is a great distraction tool.

I wasn’t aware that shopping for new underwear was scary as a kid (I know the price tags are scary for adults) but if it helps to wear your new undies on your head, more power to you!

I loved the bright, cheerful illustrations and that there’s no judgement about having a fear in the first place. By offering suggestions of ways to overcome fears it empowers children to face their fears and perhaps even come up with some ideas of their own. I just wish our caped crusader on the cover image featured inside as well.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Sometimes I’m scared of dogs.
I’m not scared when they give me kisses.

Sometimes I’m scared I will make a mistake.
I’m not scared when I know I tried my best.

With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores the subject of all things scary and assures readers that all of us are afraid sometimes.

by Categories: ReviewTags: , , ,

Dating Dilemmas #1: The Dating Debate – Chris Cannon

Of course I had to read an actual romance novel during 💔 Achy Breaky Heart Month! 💔. Apologies to Chris Cannon in advance for choosing The Dating Debate. Chris, you may recall that I previously reviewed Boomerang Boyfriend and I’m sorry for any therapy bills you incurred as a result. I remain staunchly anti-romance yet your blurbs keep sucking me in. Excuse me while I continue one of my many arguments debates with Nina and West.

Me: Hold on. Weren’t you just having an anti-Valentine’s Day rant a few pages ago?

Nina: Yeah, but –

Me: Yet now you’re planning to go to the Valentine’s Day dance at your school with the boy next door, who is gorgeous and can speak fluent Harry Potter.

Nina: Uh-huh, but note that I’m not going with the gorgeous boy who doesn’t get Harry Potter at all.

Me: Okay, so I get the book thing but why are all of the guys gorgeous?

Nina: Well, I am one of the main characters in a romance novel.

Me: Hmm… So, West. Are all the girls in this book good looking as well?

West: Well, duh! Nina is cute, obviously. I’ll bet that even spatula makeup girl is a stunner. Romance novel, remember?

Me: Gotcha. So, West, you’re named after a direction. Are you a Kardashian offspring by any chance?

West: I dunno. Let me go ask my mother.

Nina: Whoa! You have a mother?

Me: So, Nina, back to the whole Valentine’s Day dance thing. You don’t like Valentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day dances and you don’t want to go, yet you’re going with the gorgeous next door neighbour just to be stubborn. Is that right?

Nina: That pretty much sums it up. You want some chocolate?

Me: Obviously! Thanks! [grabs the chocolate and starts munching] Why don’t you just stay at home and read a book on Valentine’s Day? That’s what I’ll be doing.

Nina: Sounds great, but unfortunately as a main character in a romance novel it’s in my contract that my decisions don’t have to make sense and if I stay at home I can’t all of a sudden fall in love with the gorgeous boy next door, then find something to cry over before we decide we’re meant to be together forever due to our mutual love of Harry Potter.

Me: Okaaaay… So, West. Any thoughts?

West: I just hope Nina doesn’t find out my secret. Any chance we can change this from a romance novel to another genre so I can keep my personal business private?

Me: Nope, but I’d love that because I’m sick of watching you two kiss and argue.

West: This is going to end in tears. I just know it.

Me: Yeah, me too, but what can you do. Romance novel, after all. Personally I think the two of you need some therapy to sort out your trust, self esteem and shame issues before you seriously consider dating. I hear Lisa’s mother is a good therapist. Hey, what’s the deal with you two juggling issues beyond your years within your respective families, yet you act like 12 year olds when you’re dating?

West: You’re asking me? I’m just doing what Chris Cannon tells me to do! You’re the one with a choice here! Why are you reading this book when you’re so anti-romance?

Me: Sucked in by Harry Potter, just like you. Chris Cannon found and exploited my weakness – again. [sigh] And she just had to go and include an adorable dog too, didn’t she.

West: Tell me about it! I’m still trying to get dog fur out of my clothes.

Nina: So, you coming to the bookstore tonight with Lisa and I?

Me: Of course! Got any more mini bars of chocolate?

So, Chris Cannon, you sucked me in again. If I can enjoy the non-romance parts of your romance novels then I can certainly understand the appeal for readers who actively seek out that genre. I really enjoy the way you write, despite the genre.

If you ever decide to write a YA book that doesn’t major on romance and holds onto the social issues themes but delves deeper into them, I’ll be front row centre of your cheer squad. Regardless, I’m definitely interested in reading your next book (sorry!).

My Nitpicking: Without giving anything away I think there was more to one person’s mental health diagnosis than what was revealed in the book and would have loved for this to have been dealt with further as they were an interesting character. Unfortunately they came across as though the wheel was spinning but the hamster was dead and I think they were actually a lot smarter than they seemed.

My Nitpicking – The Sequel: Some of the characters without much page time came across as fairly two-dimensional. However, with the length of the book and the issues raised in it, there probably wasn’t enough room to add another dimension to these characters. Their contribution wasn’t pivotal to the story anyway.

Favourite Sentence Snippet:

“then he kissed me again, a slow, deep kiss that scrambled what was left of my brain.”

Vindicated! Kissing in romance novels does cause brain damage in characters!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Teen Crush, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Nina Barnes thinks Valentine’s Day should be optional. That way single people like her wouldn’t be subjected to kissy Cupids all over the place. That is, until her mom moves them next door to the brooding hottie of Greenbrier High, West Smith. He’s funny, looks amazing in a black leather jacket, and he’s fluent in Harry Potter, but she’s not sure he’s boyfriend material. 

West isn’t sure what to make of Nina. She’s cute and loves to read as much as he does, but she seems to need to debate everything and she has a pathological insistence on telling the truth. And West doesn’t exactly know how to handle that, since his entire life is a carefully constructed secret. Dating the girl next door could be a ton of fun, but only if Nina never finds out the truth about his home life. It’s one secret that could bring them together or rip them apart. 

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book is not for anyone who has to get in the last word, but it is for all book nerds, especially those who live next door to so called unapproachable gorgeous guys. There’s no debating the chemistry.

by Categories: ReviewTags: , , , , , ,

Silver Hair – Lorraine Massey & Michele Bender

Besides the celebrities that are now dying their hair grey silver (why!) there are plenty of examples of those letting nature takes its course, and they look stunning. Exhibit A: Jamie Lee Curtis. With an Exhibit A that’s so gorgeous we don’t really need an Exhibit B.

If you’re sick of the hair dye merry-go-round, especially those with dark hair whose roots show almost as soon as you dry your newly coloured hair, Silver Hair is a useful book to help you take the plunge. While I understand that it’s only hair, it is a surprisingly scary thing to contemplate what you’ll look like if you step away from that little bottle of dye.

With plenty of photos of celebs and the woman next door either letting their silver shine or showing the multi-coloured transitional phases, this book shows that you can actually look good while your hair is mid grow out and gorgeous with silver.

Besides the beautiful photos there is also plenty of information. Silver Hair dispels myths, addresses common concerns, provides advice on managing the partly grown out look and mindset that goes with it, prepares you for the compliments (yes, you read that correctly), and there are plenty of stories of ordinary women who have ditched the dye.

You’ll also learn tips and tricks for managing and caring for silver hair, along with some recipes for homemade hair care products. Other than focusing specifically on your hair you’ll learn clothing, makeup and accessorising tips that will enhance your new look.

My Nitpick: Okay, so maybe that’s not the right term to be using for a book about hair. 🤨 Anyway, while I loved the different ages represented in the women in this book I was disappointed that in just over 200 pages there was only one man included.

So, what did I do? Between requesting to read this book and actually reading it I went from waist length coloured hair (sometimes chocolate brown, sometimes purple with a rainbow of extensions) to a buzz cut. My poor hairdresser, who was literally the girl next door growing up, was suitably traumatised but, after asking several hundred times if I was really sure, went for it and I love it.

I’ve got occipital neuralgia so mine was partly a medical decision but I can hand on heart tell you that it’s the most liberating thing I’ve ever done. Do I get some funny looks out in public? You bet. Do I care? Nope! That was a surprising but welcome side effect – while Samson’s strength was in his hair, apparently my tendency to people please was in mine.

Now if my hair is longer than my eyelashes I’m ready for it to get buzzed. I’ve saved time, money and plenty of care factor for the true priorities in my life, A.K.A books, and my only regret is that I didn’t take the plunge years ago.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Workman Publishing Company for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Whether you’re naturally graying, weaning yourself off the dye, or coveting the chic #grannyhair trend, your hair will shine with this empowering guide.

Here are step-by-step tips on letting nature take its course – or using lowlights, highlights, blending, and toning to transition with minimal drama (and avoid a skunk line). Tips on haircuts, tricks for the best care (conditioning is crucial). Products, including the DIY variety. Plus, the most flattering clothing and makeup to accentuate any shade of gray. With unique treatments and techniques from hair guru Lorraine Massey, Silver Hair is a call for celebrating and enhancing your natural radiance, with thrilling results.

Welcome to the inspiring guide for every woman who’s ready to find her true colors. Written by the authors of the national bestseller Curly Girl, here is everything you need to know, from going gray stylishly to living silver gorgeously, including Silver Lining Stories and before-and-after photos of real women. Going silver is not just about a certain look, or saving time and money at the stylist – it’s about fulfilling a deeper desire for authenticity, empowerment, and the freedom to be oneself at any age. So let’s get started.

Featuring:

  • The many perks of naturally silver hair
  • Style and beauty to play up the silver
  • Toners and color blending
  • Avoiding the skunk line
  • Hair care routines
  • DIY recipes, including Lavender and Verbena Herbal Hair Tonic
  • Face-framing silver streaks.
by Categories: ReviewTags: , ,

Grug and His Kite – Ted Prior

🎵 “Let’s go fly a kite

Up to the highest height!

Let’s go fly a kite

And send it soaring” 🎵

Now that I’ve successfully transferred the Mary Poppins song that’s been playing on repeat in my head ever since I first saw this book (you’re welcome!), I’ll tell you what I think about Grug and His Kite.

I loved it!!! I bet that was a surprise since I love all Grug books!

I was disappointed that Cara didn’t make an appearance in this one as I would have loved to have seen her expression when Grug and his kite become airborne and do some pretty impressive aerial acrobatics. The eagle was well drawn but spent the book looking kind of cranky. I suppose sharing the sky with a kite that looks like Grug may have been slightly outside of its usual routine, but with Grug around you never know what’s going to happen! While it’s not my favourite Grug book, it’s still awfully cute and fun to read.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Startle the birds and touch the sky with Grug! 

by Categories: ReviewTags: , , , ,

Dead Serious: Breaking the Cycle of Teen Suicide – Jane Mersky Leder

Dead Serious: Breaking the Cycle of Teen Suicide doesn’t talk down to its audience; instead speaking to teens in a down to earth way. You would imagine that a book with a focus on teen suicide would be all doom and gloom, but that’s not what this book is at all. Letting teens know that it’s brave to seek help when they need it and providing tools for people at risk of suicide along with their friends, Dead Serious provides understanding and hope.

It dispels the myths surrounding suicide, provides information about some of the issues teens face that may lead them to become suicidal, offers plenty of tools to use and hotlines to contact, and empowers teens. Information is also provided so you can recognise warning signs in other people that may indicate they are considering or planning suicide.

Sections focus on some of the experiences people have that increase the risk of suicide, including anxiety and depression, loss through death or divorce, bullying, being LGBTQIA, abuse and homelessness. There’s also strategies outlined that teens can use to help their friends talk about what’s bothering them, including using mirroring in conversations.

Usually it’s friends that first find out that a teen is suicidal, not adults, so it’s vital that teens know what they can do if they learn a friend is feeling like that. Thankfully this book emphasises that it is not the responsibility of a friend to keep their friend alive or to keep this information a secret, but to inform a trusted adult who can seek help for the friend who needs it.

While reading about people who have considered, attempted or died as a result of suicide is always going to be heart wrenching and confronting, the stories are not gratuitous. They’re provided as examples and I expect they would be powerful to read for someone who is considering suicide as there’s often nothing more comforting than learning you’re not the only one who feels a certain way or has experienced specific problems.

I loved that there were song lyrics between chapters. Songs have had such a huge impact in my own life. There are some songs that make you feel like someone understands you and you can hold onto them when life gets rough. I thought they were a great addition to the book.

Stories are also shared by people who are left behind after a friend or family member has died from suicide. These are vital as when you’re suicidal it is very easy to believe that by you dying it will make everyone else’s life easier or that no one will care that you’re gone anyway. The experiences shared by those left behind make it clear that nothing could be further from the truth.

What I Didn’t Like

The Cover Design – Sorry, but I didn’t like it. I know this is only cosmetic and I know suicide is an extremely serious topic but the cover looks bleak, depressing and uninviting. By looking exclusively at the cover design I wouldn’t have expected this book to offer the hope that it does.

In the chapter on bullying the author concedes that bullying is a risk factor that increases the chance of suicide but also includes the following sentence:

“However, what the experts don’t know is whether bullying directly causes suicide or suicidal behaviour.” (64% – please note this quote is from the ARC so may not be representative of the final text)

I found this sentence offensive (just because the experts haven’t decided something doesn’t make it any less true) and I’m sure parents who have lost their children to suicide after they were tormented by bullies would have some things to say to counter this claim. In Australia there has recently been a highly publicised story of a gorgeous 14 year old, Amy “Dolly” Everett, who died on 3 January 2018 after relentless bullying. I thought of Dolly’s family when I read that sentence and am sure they’d beg to differ with the ‘experts’.

Overall, I feel this is an extremely valuable book. One of my early childhood friends died by suicide in her early 20’s and I still think of her and her family. Even though I hadn’t been close friends with her since we were about 10 and hadn’t seen her after we attended different high schools, I still wonder if there was anything I could have personally done to make a difference in her life in the lead up to her death. I can’t even begin to imagine what those close to her must still be feeling all of these years later.

I applaud the author and the people who contributed to this book, and thank them for their openness, courage and honesty about their experiences. I believe their words will make the difference to people who are thinking of suicide and those supporting them.

It’s so hard to see around corners when you’re a teenager but please take it from someone who attempted suicide when they were a teenager. There are so many wonderful things I would have missed out on that I couldn’t have even begun to imagine at the time if I had died back when I thought my life was over. There is hope and there is good to be found in this life, even if all you’ve known until now is pain.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Pikko’s House for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Are you under a lot of stress? Feeling too much pressure to get good grades? Trying to avoid social media because you’re being bullied? Grappling with your sexual/gender identity? Feeling depressed – even suicidal?

What are the reasons why teens decide to take their own lives? What can be done to stop them? Through stories, studies and strategies, Dead Serious helps teens, parents and educators navigate the choppy waters of adolescence and provides tools that can help break the cycle of teen suicide. 

Teen suicide is preventable. 

by Categories: ReviewTags: , , ,

Anxiety is Really Strange – Steve Haines

Anxiety is Really Strange. Is it ever! Yet it is also common, with 28.8% of people being seriously affected by an anxiety disorder at some point in their adult lives. Anxiety disorders include Generalised Anxiety Disorder, panic disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), social anxiety and other phobias, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

This graphic novel outlines some possible causes of anxiety, outlines philosophical ideas along with a really interesting experiment dealing with mouse poo (of all things), how the body reacts in anxiety mode and some tools for managing symptoms.

I went into this book thinking it would be a really good introduction to anxiety for someone who’s just been diagnosed and while I still think it will be useful for some people in this situation, there will be others who will be most likely wanting more advice on helpful tools rather than the thoughts of philosophers.

Now, I’m a proud nerd so I enjoyed all of the sciency, philosophical bits and pieces, and I’ve found some studies I’m interested in looking into further. People with a general interest in anxiety should get enough from this graphic novel to come away with a better understanding of the roles the mind and body play in exacerbating and easing anxiety. Hopefully Anxiety is Really Strange will make it into the hands of some friends and family members of those affected by anxiety and will result in greater empathy and better support systems.

Quote that made me chuckle:

“Anxiety is a good thing because psychopaths don’t have any.”

I loved Jon Ronson’s quote. My brain automatically made this into a bizarre TV commercial … “Got anxiety? Take heart. At least you’re not a psychopath!”

While books about anxiety are useful I believe there’s really no substitute for getting professional help. Anxiety can be extraordinarily daunting to deal with by yourself and a doctor and/or therapist who can provide much needed support and tools can make the world of difference to your quality of life.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Singing Dragon, an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

What is the difference between fear and excitement and how can you tell them apart? How do the mind and body make emotions? When can anxiety be good? This science-based graphic book addresses these questions and more, revealing just how strange anxiety is, but also how to unravel its mysteries and relieve its effects.

Understanding how anxiety is created by our nervous system trying to protect us, and how our fight-or-flight mechanisms can get stuck, can significantly lessen the fear experienced during anxiety attacks. In this guide, anxiety is explained in an easy-to-understand, engaging graphic format with tips and strategies to relieve its symptoms, and change the mind’s habits for a more positive outlook. 

by Categories: ReviewTags: , , , ,

Flower Moon – Gina Linko

Do you remember lazy summer afternoons as a child, laying on the grass under the shade of a tree, watching clouds pass overhead? You could hear the leaves rustle above you and feel the wind on your face. A friend was laying beside you and you’d laugh together, deciding what animals the clouds resembled. That’s what the first half of Flower Moon felt like to me. There was a pervading sense of nostalgia and I felt like the words were just washing over me.

Tempest and Tally Jo are twelve year old mirror twins. Tally has always been the leader and protector, whereas Tempest has been the shy follower. Throughout the past year the twins have started to grow apart. This summer, like every year, the girls will be spending time with the travelling carnival their Pa Charlie runs. Twin girls run in their family, as does the mysterious Greenly Curse. Told from abrupt Tally’s point of view, we follow the twins as they embark on a summer like no other.

I felt as though I was transported to 1950’s America, so much so that the occasional references to the present, like a Pokemon bandaid, felt jarring. I would have preferred for there to have been no references to any specific time period at all in this book. I could hear the words spoken in a southern accent and while some of the phrases didn’t sit right with me, overall I inhabited this world with Tempest and Tally Jo.

As an only child I grew up wishing for a sibling and romanticised the idea of being a twin for several years, most likely in response to my The Parent Trap obsession. That said, I can only imagine what having a sibling must be like. I’m also not quite sure the world could handle two of me!

Growing up I looked on with fascination at the relationships my friends had with their siblings and have witnessed some siblings cast long shadows, with others living their lives inside them. Even without siblings, I understand what it’s like to live in the shadow of someone’s expectations of you.

In Flower Moon, Tempest has lived in the shadow of Tally’s limelight all of her life, and both girls seem to think that the reason they’ve grown apart over the past year is because the other twin has changed and is pulling away. Sometimes you don’t realise what you’re projecting into the world and your relationships until it’s mirrored back to you.

There’s a growing tension in this book and from my perspective it felt like the heart of this tension really stemmed from the difficulties that come with trying to hold on to how things were in the past (or how you remember them to be) at the expense of appreciating what’s in front of you in the present. Fear and issues of trust are addressed, including the fear of what the future will look like if the dynamics in relationships change over time.

I really liked Digger and would have loved to have learned more about him and for his personality to be shown separate to his connection with Tally. I loved the animals and the atmosphere of the carnival. I had unresolved questions about the curse, including why it affects this family, and I wanted more background information about the twins’ mother and aunt, and their mother and her twin.

I didn’t always like Tally that much. She was quite abrasive and self-centred, and I spent some of the book wishing it had been written from Tempest’s point of view instead. However, the realisation that the world doesn’t solely revolve around her added more depth to Tally’s character.

The first half of the book may not have enough action for those who only equate magic with wands. The amount of introspection may also be off putting for some readers. While I expect I would have enjoyed this book as a child I doubt I would have appreciated its beauty like I do now.

I am almost certain I felt my heart grow while I was reading and although I spent some of the book feeling sad at the loneliness and disconnect between the twins, I came away feeling better about the world. While difficult subjects were raised, there was still enough of a feeling of childhood innocence that I felt heartened by it. I loved the messages of hope and empowerment. I think what I’m going to take away from this book above all is the reminder that magic is both around and within you.

Favourite passage:

“Maybe that was what growing up was, understanding where the real magic lived in this world. Inside our very own hearts.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sky Pony Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Tempest and Tally Jo Trimble are mirror twins – so alike they were almost born the same person – and they’ve been inseparable since birth. But it’s the summer they turn thirteen, and it seems like everyone can tell something is changing between them. Pa Charlie, whose traveling carnival is the best part of every summer, is watching them closer than ever. Digger, who sneaks poor kids onto the carnival rides for free and smiles faster than anyone, seems to be fixing for a fight. Even Mama is acting different, refusing to travel with the carnival this year even though her own twin, who she hasn’t seen since childhood, will be there.

And Tally and Tempest are the most different of all. There’s a strangeness between them, a thickness to the air, an unseen push and pull, and it’s getting stronger. It starts as a feeling, but soon it’s sputtering and sparking, hurling them backwards, threatening to explode.

When Tally learns that she and Tempest may not be the first twins in their family to be separated by whatever this force is, she realizes she’ll have to find a way to stop it – or she might lose not only her sister, but everyone she loves.

by Categories: ReviewTags: , , ,

The DBT Solution for Emotional Eating – Debra L. Safer, Sarah Adler & Philip C. Masson

So, I received notification of my ARC of this book mid chocolate binge. (Hello, universe? Was there something you wanted to tell me? 🤪)

This was an interesting first read for the year. While I don’t make New Year’s resolutions I am always ready to learn ways of doing life better. Eating disorders and I go way back. I’d tell you we’ve been acquainted for over 25 years, but that’s impossible because I’m not that old! Having managed fairly well in this aspect of my life for several years I fell fairly spectacularly into a vat of chocolate around March last year and I’m not sure if anyone’s seen me since. (Hello, Cadbury, my frenemy! 👋)

This book has a title that’s as much a mouthful as your last binge – The DBT® Solution for Emotional Eating: A Proven Program to Break the Cycle of Bingeing and Out-of-Control Eating, and for those unfamiliar with psych-speak, DBT is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. DBT helps people manage difficult emotions without hitting their own personal self-destruct button. How does it do this? It gives you tools, broken down into three categories:

  • Mindfulness
  • Emotion Regulation
  • Distress Tolerance.

The perfectionist in me initially freaked about the concept of dialectical thinking, whereby you can hold two opposing points of view at the same time, i.e., I can know I need to change a behaviour and I can also accept myself for who I am at the moment. What??? I don’t get to be all judgy-judgy about myself because I failed at something one of the times I attempted it? If I don’t punish myself enough, then how will I ever move on?! Scarier still, dialectical thinking “allows success and failure to coexist”, so there’s no need to beat yourself up. You can simply acknowledge your mistake, learn from it and continue moving towards your goal. 😱

If you are serious about making this change in your life, know that this program requires a commitment from you but let’s face it, it took a commitment for you to choose to self-destruct by [insert your food-drug of choice here] in the first place, and you deserve to set aside the time it will take to make a positive change in your life.

There are 13 chapters and it’s recommended that you work through these, by yourself or with a therapist or supportive friend, at a rate of a chapter a week. Along with the reading you are expected to complete homework related to the chapter you’ve just read and build gradually on the skills you learn throughout the program. You’ll have an opportunity to discover why you binge in the first place, what your triggers are, and which tools work best for you to manage the urge to binge.

As I received an ARC of this book I read it straight through but I plan to work through the book again at a slower pace with pen and paper in hand. Even though I haven’t completed all of the assignments and taken the time needed to give this program a fair go, there are already elements that I know I will be introducing into my life and others I’ll be building on. I can also envisage how useful DBT would be to help manage other behaviours such as overspending (but I need that book!).

Some of the tools I’ll be incorporating into my life include:

  • Diaphragmatic breathing – I already do this but need to do it more frequently
  • Observing – being in the moment without letting myself get all judgy-judgy about my feelings or trying to control what’s happening. This feels like it will take about … forever to accomplish, but you’ve got to start somewhere!
  • Urge surfing – “Research shows that intense urges not only do not last forever, but typically last about 20 minutes.” Just knowing that the feeling of forever has a time limit gives me more confidence.
  • Crisis Survival Skills – distraction skills and self-soothing (think grounding) skills.

I got caught up in the examples of homework answers given throughout the book, particularly Kat’s story as her responses feature more than the others. Like any good soap opera fan, I’m left ‘unfinished’ by Kat’s story. Did she and her husband Tom ever attend therapy together? Are they still together? Does Tom still bring home macaroons from his workplace? I wanted to hear Tom’s perspectives on the examples Kat gave as well. Guess I’m more of a busybody than I realised!

The PLEASE acronym didn’t work for me at all. Basically, there are six environmental/lifestyle factors discussed. The first five are:

  • “Treat PhysicaL illness
  • Balance your Eating
  • Avoid mood-altering substances
  • Balance your Sleep
  • Get Exercise.”

Number six is:

  • “Building Mastery.”

I have no problem with any of the lifestyle factors listed but to try to get people to remember them by listing five as a poor attempt at an acronym and then popping number six in at the end only added up to me remembering this was the section in the book where I shook my head and wondered about the editing process.

I personally found some of the repetition in this book frustrating. I personally found some of the repetition in this book frustrating and I understood why it was used. See? Dialectical thinking! 😊 If not for the repetition then the points wouldn’t have been reinforced and I most likely wouldn’t remember what I learned by about this time tomorrow. My brain just tends to glaze over when information is repeated, regardless of the intention. That’s my problem though, not this book’s.

Favourite sentence:

“Observing offers you a calming center into which you can step to watch and maintain awareness without getting caught up in the storm.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Guilford Publications, Inc. for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Eating can be a source of great pleasure – or deep distress. If you’ve picked up this book, chances are you’re looking for tools to transform your relationship with food. Grounded in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), this motivating guide offers a powerful pathway to change. Drs. Debra L. Safer, Sarah Adler, and Philip C. Masson have translated their proven, state-of-the-art treatment into a compassionate self-help resource for anyone struggling with bingeing and other types of “stress eating.” You will learn to:

  • Identify your emotional triggers.
  • Cope with painful or uncomfortable feelings in new and healthier ways.
  • Gain awareness of urges and cravings without acting on them.
  • Break free from self-judgement and other traps.
  • Practice specially tailored mindfulness techniques.
  • Make meaningful behaviour changes, one doable step at a time.

Vivid examples and stories help you build each DBT skill. Carefully crafted practical tools (you can download and print additional copies as needed) let you track your progress and fit the program to your own needs. Finally, freedom from out-of-control eating – and a happier future – are in sight.

by Categories: ReviewTags: , ,

Honey Moon #2: Scary Little Christmas – Sofi Benitez

Illustrations – Becky Minor

Honey Moon just wants to be able to celebrate Christmas like they do in normal towns, but nothing seems to be going right this Christmas. First Honey is cast as a shepherd in the annual Christmas pageant when she’s certain she would be perfectly cast in the role of Mary. Then she discovers that the pageant is in jeopardy this year because evil mayor Kligore is organising a Haunted Holiday Festival instead. Honey also stumbles upon a town mystery and is determined to solve it with the help of her friends.

Throughout the story Honey reminds us to stand up for what we believe in, even when it seems like we’re alone in our convictions. Honey is quite bossy with her friends in this book, with her assertion that she is the leader, and it was nice to see her flaws along with her good intentions. She also reintroduced me to the word numbskull so I should be thanking her for that. I haven’t heard that word used in years and am now determined to find a way to use it in everyday conversation.

The illustrations were so much fun and a great blend of Halloween and Christmas. I particularly loved that the scenes depicted at the beginning of each chapter were inside snow globes. My favourite snow globe scene was the snowman in a black cape with fangs. If I ever see snow I’m sure this will be the inspiration for my first snowman.

One of my pet peeves showed up frequently in this book. The detail in the illustrations didn’t always correspond to the description in the text. This happens a lot in children’s books and I’m not sure whose role attention to detail is, but it really frustrates me. Each instance is only minor but if the text specifically describes how something looks, then I expect that something in the illustration to match its description. Some of the examples in this book include:

  • Mrs Keys is wearing heavy boots. In the illustration she’s not wearing boots.
  • Miss Fortissimo was wearing a necklace that was so long it reached past her belly button. I didn’t see a necklace in the illustration.
  • Honey and her friends have fries and milkshakes. In the illustration there are milkshakes but no fries.
  • Honey is sitting on a bench with her little brother. Her little brother is not in the illustration.
  • The spots on a turtle shell are all different colours. In the illustration the turtle is only green. On the front cover the turtle is green with white segments on its shell.

While overall I enjoyed reading Dog Daze more than this book (although I am quite partial to the first book in a series), I was still entertained and it made me laugh. I liked the story and the development of the mystery, and I love Honey’s determination and courage. I’m definitely interested in reading more Honey Moon books.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Rabbit Publishers and Diamond Book Distributors for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

Honey Moon has had it with the scary stuff, at least for Christmas. She wants Sleepy Hollow to celebrate her favourite holiday like normal people. Honey and her friends, Becky, Claire and Isabela, have one chance to take the holiday back, but it means solving a decade old mystery and ringing some bells. YIKES!

by Categories: ReviewTags: , , , , ,

Harry Moon: Harry’s Christmas Carol – Mark Andrew Poe

Don’t be afraid of the dark.

It’s Christmas time in Sleepy Hollow, or ‘Spooky Town’ as evil mayor Maximus Kligore turned the town into when it became a Halloween tourist attraction year round. Now, I’m all for year round Halloween festivities (Bah humbug!) but Harry Moon is on a mission to light up the pervading darkness of the town.

Harry’s magic teacher and friend, Samson, has been attacked by the mayor and his evil hordes’ Fouling Curse, and it’s up to Harry and his Good Mischief Team to battle evil toys and the powers of darkness to save Samson – along with the town’s Christmas spirit. Along the way Harry makes a new friend, learning not to judge someone by their outward appearance.

I loved the inventiveness of the anti-Christmas carols that the evil mayor pumps through the town’s airwaves, and replacing chapter with verse was a simple yet appropriate nod to the carols, anti and otherwise, that featured in the book. My favourite descriptions related to the colours of Lady Dra Dra’s wigs, which at one point was puke-lemon.

The illustrations were a great blend of Christmas and Halloween, with the images at the beginning of each chapter foreshadowing an event to come. I find the expressions on the character’s faces in the illustrations for this series are particularly wonderful, especially the evil grin on the mayor’s face in this book.

I’m not quite sure why Jesus couldn’t just be called Jesus. It is a Christmas book after all and while He is referred to as the Great Magician, in keeping with the magical aspects throughout the series, it irked me. There are sections where the Bible is either quoted or paraphrased during the book but at no time are these attributed as such. I did think that the Mr B.L. Zebub character’s name was clever though.

I expects children will love reading about the different varieties of jellybeans described – blue Penguin Poop, purple Reindeer Poop, and for when the purple inevitably sells out there’s the standby red and green swirled Elf Poop! The Halloween fans will also appreciate the town’s festive decorations – green dragon tails forming garlands and light posts wrapped with white bandages mixed with fake blood to imitate candy canes.

Favourite sentence:

“For the Great Magician and his deep magic can best be seen in the selfless love between one to another.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for the opportunity to read this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Once Upon a Blurb

While everyone is singing cheerful Christmas carols, Harry Moon and the Good Mischief Team march to a different song – Don’t be Afraid of the Dark. With their swords of light, the team battles against the Fouling Curse threatening Harry’s magic teacher, Samson Dupree, and the Sleepy Hollow Magic Shoppe. As evil armies of toys rise up, Harry must leave the sword behind to find a more powerful means to take down the darkness threatening Sleepy Hollow’s entire world. 

by Categories: ReviewTags: , , , ,